Stuff to research and implement

• Cell signal booster for multi-vendor http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/store/display/38/45/signalboost-dt-adjustable-gain
• 4G Router : http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/usb-modem/verizon-4g-lte-router
• Use Windows 7 (or equiv) to host IIS website for fire information
• Post phone numbers to site
• Create secure WLAN for fire staff to connect to
• Post external fire information websites pertinent to current fire
• Post any other information to be disseminated
• Do NOT use Cradlepoint routers for I-Suite LAN.  I've used two different Cradlepoint routers and both have caused I-Suite client connection issues.

PowerShell: Clean I-Suite Custom Report extraneous character in number field

$infile = "$home\desktop\customreport.xls"
$outcsv = "$home\desktop\customreport.csv"

$xlCSV = 6
$Excel = New-Object -Com Excel.Application
$Excel.visible = $False
$Excel.displayalerts=$False
$WorkBook = $Excel.Workbooks.Open($infile)
$Workbook.SaveAs($outcsv,$xlCSV)
$Excel.quit()


$Excel = New-Object -Com Excel.Application
$Excel.visible = $False
$Excel.displayalerts=$False
$WorkBook = $Excel.Workbooks.Open($outcsv)
$Workbook.SaveAs($infile,1)
$Excel.quit()
del $outcsv

PowerShell: Open ROSS Import file in Gridview

import-csv $home\dropbox\"ross import".* -header "ROSS Number","Requested Resource","Agency","Request Number","Assigned Unit",`
"Position","Position Name","Contractor","Jet Port","Request Date","Unknown 1","Unknown 2","Unknown 3" -delimiter "|"`
|out-gridview
sleep 180

Alaskan Dispatch Lessons Learned

Since Alaska has physical logistics problem when getting items from the "lower 48" states, I created the following list to be taken to the fire and notes pertaining to pre-dispatch:
Bring:

• 6 laptops - 1 server, 5 users (more if possible)
• Use ROSS import to determine amount of staff needing laptops
• 3 extension cables, 3 power strips
• 1 router, 2 switches
• 10+ various length network cables
• miscellaneous network cabling and connectors
• duct tape, painters tape
• sleeping bag & small tent
• bring cell phone extenders, boosters, etc (if any)

Get most current ROSS import file and create a printed copy

• check ROSS file for telephone/data ordered
• Check ROSS file for printers/copiers/plotters ordered

Contact outgoing CTSP about local resource information

Download most current ISuite server software

Check out home unit credit card because requesting unit will most likely forget some small service which will require a credit card

Contact expanded dispatch about getting phones and Internet to the ICP, and where is the ICP going to be located

Don't rely on hearsay, order what's needed and expanded dispatch/ordering will filter duplicate orders.  As such, create a PDF and send it to the dispatch ordering person ASAP:

• 1000' cat5 and ends
• 1000' cat3 and ends
• duct tape and painters tape
• 1 box 8.5x11 copier paper
• 2 reams 8.5x14 copier paper
• 1 roll 36" wide plotter paper
• 3 fax/copier/network printers
• 1 high speed network copier and oner
• 2 - 35 pages per minute network laser printers and cartridges
• 10 power strips
• 10 extension cords
• 50 screen wipes
• 10 blank CD's & jewel cases
• 1 11x17 (preferred) color printer & cartridges & 11x17 paper
• 3 multifunction fax/copy/print printers
• 8 (adjust for staff size) laptops from fed contract
• 1 36" wide plotter
• IN GENERAL MESSAGE, ENSURE TO EXPEDITE AND GIVE DELIVERY NAME AND LOCATION!!