Bring the Internet to the Fire Department

Members of the ISP-Wireless discuss the challenges and rewards of serving a customer that every ISP feels well-disposed towards: the local fire department.

[March 20, 2002]

On the ISP-Wireless list in February, SH inquired,

"Has anyone successfully partnered with a fire station to trade services or money for being able to mount an antenna on their sites? What type of red tape is involved?"

A number of respondents suggested that it shouldn't be a problem:

[SS noted] "Our fire stations love us. It's usually just a back scratching kind of deal: you help me, I'll hook you up for free."

[KC agreed] "I've gotten access to about 20 towers throughout the county, just by offering services in exchange for space."

[PL added] "We have a number of city fire departments that use our gear to transport citywide mobile data."

Others complained that their local fire stations wouldn't even consider it:

[JK griped] "If you live in a town of idiots, like I do, the fire station numb-nuts will say that you are going to interfere with their communications…"

BM explained that it usually depends on who runs the station:

"Is it a government entity, or is it a volunteer fire 'company' operated by a board of directors? I would think the latter would be easier to deal with, as they'll do anything for additional funding. Government entities, on the other hand, are a crap shoot: they may let you right in, or they may make your life miserable. If it's a volunteer organization, offer to build and host a website for them with photos of the members and equipment."

LN put in a solid argument in favor of diplomacy and persistence:

"These guys take their job very seriously, and don't want to jeopardize their communication link. Just request their permission to do a test for one afternoon. If there's the slightest interference, then leave quietly and thank them for their time. My guess is that you won't interfere with anything, and ten minutes after firing it up you'll have the guys checking their e-mail and favorite sites at rocket speed. These guys generally have time on their hands, and a fast link to the Internet would help them out."

—End

Online resource:
  • Wireless POP Handbook