Failsoft Radio Functionality When the radios can no longer communicate with the system controller they enter the Failsoft mode of operation. When the radios can no longer communicate with the system controller they enter the Failsoft mode of operation. –The system controller is what controls the trunking (dynamic assignment) of channels. Failsoft is a fallback mode of operation that assigns one or more talkgroups to a specific channel so that communications are still possible when the controller is unavailable. Failsoft is a fallback mode of operation that assigns one or more talkgroups to a specific channel so that communications are still possible when the controller is unavailable.

Failsoft Radio Functionality Failsoft reduces the system’s capacity. Failsoft reduces the system’s capacity. –In Fire/Rescue’s case we go from having approximately 40 talkgroups for our normal operations to four channels when operating in Failsoft. –Coverage is not effected when the system is in Failsoft mode. A portable radio in Takoma Park can still talk to a portable radio in Damascus. A portable radio in Takoma Park can still talk to a portable radio in Damascus.

Failsoft Radio Functionality The following slides explain the Failsoft channel assignments for Fire/Rescue talkgroups The following slides explain the Failsoft channel assignments for Fire/Rescue talkgroups Any talkgroups that are not depicted do not have a Failsoft channel assignment and therefore will not work when the system is operating in Failsoft mode. Any talkgroups that are not depicted do not have a Failsoft channel assignment and therefore will not work when the system is operating in Failsoft mode.

The Dispatch talkgroup is assigned to a channel of its own. Failsoft Radio Functionality

The Operations talkgroup is also assigned to its own channel. Failsoft Radio Functionality

All the Incident talkgroups in Zone 7 are assigned to a single channel. This merges those talkgroups together and all conversations will be heard together. Failsoft Radio Functionality

All the talkgroups in Zones 8 and 11 are also merged into a single channel. Failsoft Radio Functionality

Here is the confusing slide showing all the Failsoft channel assignments. Failsoft Radio Functionality

The Failsoft template is available on the back of the laminated fleetmaps that have been distributed (without the handy arrows) if you are on the road trying to remember how things work. The Failsoft template is available on the back of the laminated fleetmaps that have been distributed (without the handy arrows) if you are on the road trying to remember how things work. Failsoft Radio Functionality

It is still important to ensure that your radio is on the correct Incident talkgroup when the system is in Failsoft. It is still important to ensure that your radio is on the correct Incident talkgroup when the system is in Failsoft. –By doing this your radio will return to the proper talkgroup when the system controller is available again. Failsoft Radio Functionality

It is unlikely (but not impossible) that our radio system will enter Failsoft unintentionally It is unlikely (but not impossible) that our radio system will enter Failsoft unintentionally –We have three system controllers on-line. The system switches between the first two controllers automatically The system switches between the first two controllers automatically The third, remotely located controller, can be switched on from any one of four different locations in the County if the first two fail at the same time. The third, remotely located controller, can be switched on from any one of four different locations in the County if the first two fail at the same time. Failsoft Radio Functionality

Understanding Failsoft functionality is important to the efficient operation of the system should there be a controller failure Understanding Failsoft functionality is important to the efficient operation of the system should there be a controller failure –Murphy dictates that if our system should ever enter Failsoft unexpectedly it will be at the worst possible moment –Understand how the radio will operate in Failsoft - forewarned is forearmed. Failsoft Radio Functionality

From this point forward we plan on conducting a Failsoft test each quarter From this point forward we plan on conducting a Failsoft test each quarter –We will try to schedule them so each shift is working for at least one Failsoft test a year. –Scheduling the tests is very complex because it effects every radio system user in the County (MCP, Sheriff, Corrections, DPWT, etc). Failsoft Radio Functionality