Case Studies
Our original purpose for developing the VisionPlus concept was to develop a relationship with key municipal officials, then point out some problematical areas, primarily in the area of communications, and then offer solutions to address specific needs. As dialog developed, we found that there were needs far more complex than those we had initially identified.
We thought you might be interested in a review of just a few recent case studies. Some of these may come very close to a situation (or situations) that may be applicable in your community!
Case Study #1 – On a routine visit to a South Alabama community, we discovered that the city’s FCC license had expired in 2002. Continued operation without a license could result in fines of up to eight thousand dollars per day! This is not an uncommon occurrence. This is just one example of an FCC violation. Others include moving 2-way radio fixed stations, adding radios, exceeding authorized power limits, not transmitting FCC call signs and the list goes on. Additional information is available on our Blog site at http://falconinfo.blogspot.com/search/label/FCC%20Information.
Case Study #2 – A discussion with a soon to retire fireman with an Alabama fire department disclosed that he intended to sue the city for damage to his hearing caused by excessive noise levels associated with vehicle sirens. He had lost approximately 30% of his hearing which had already been confirmed by an audiologist. The Department head and senior officers were aware of the fact that they were operating in violation of OSHA requirements. The case hasn’t come to court yet, but the verdict is easily predictable.
Case Study #3 – An Alabama emergency vehicle transport provider was involved in two accidents with other vehicles. The fact that the other vehicles struck the ambulances does not mean they were at fault. The fact is that all their attorneys have to show is that the ambulance did not have their emergency lights on, or they were traveling at excessive speed, or any number of charges requiring that the ambulance operator PROVE that they were driving safely. Affordable devices are now available to significant reduce the cost of litigation.
Case Study #4 – A North Alabama city received a FEMA grant for purchasing a specific type of radio communications system. This system was defined to meet the standards of Homeland Security, SafeCom and new FCC technical standards. A change in administration resulted in a department head ignoring the requirements of the grant and purchasing equipment that did not meet the specifications. Perhaps he was unaware that FEMA can take back the grant by direct access to the City’s bank account. That’s the kind of surprise than no one needs.
Case Study #5 – A police officer in a small Alabama city was recently forced to resign after being accused of improper conduct. The City elected not to pay the legal fees necessary to defend the officer and the City. The case was subsequently dropped after the Plaintiff learned that there were no deep pockets Defendant (the City). Unfortunately, we’ll never know if the officer was guilty or not and the City still doesn’t have the proper safeguards to eliminate a future occurrence of the same type.
Case Study #6 - Most FCC licensees do not realize that there is a requirement to periodically identify the licensee identification by broadcasting the authorized call signs either in voice or Morse code. Fines of two thousand dollars or more for violation are common (See www.info4u.us/csviolation.pdf). A five hundred dollar solution is available that includes a backup base station. It seems to us that a five hundred dollar back up base station with automatic station ID is a better investment than potentially paying a two thousand dollar fine.
