From the Chief’s Corner: Let’s Talk Turkey...

Posted on November 24, 2020

With Thanksgiving upon us, I decided to let the upcoming holiday inspire this month’s column… So, let’s talk turkey! I’m sure many of you have either heard or used the phrase at one time of another. But have you ever thought about its origin or real meaning?

Naturally, this time of year “let’s talk turkey” will probably make us think about our Thanksgiving feast and how to cook the bird. However, to “talk turkey” usually means to talk in a frank, straightforward manner. So, where does it come from?

Here’s how http://www.worldwidewords.org explains the origin:

“The meaning of the phrase seems to have shifted down the years. To start with it meant to speak agreeably, or to say pleasant things; nowadays it usually refers to speaking frankly, discussing hard facts, or getting down to serious business. The change seems to have happened because to ‘talk turkey’ was augmented at some point in the nineteenth century to ‘talk cold turkey’, with the modern meaning. In the course of time it was abbreviated again, with the shorter form keeping the newer meaning. (The other meaning of ‘cold turkey’ is unrelated.)

The most prosaic answer is that the ‘to talk pleasantly’ sense came about through the nature of family conversation around the Thanksgiving dinner table. It is also suggested that it arose because the first contacts between Native Americans and settlers often centered on the supply of wild turkeys, to the extent that Indians were said to have enquired whenever they met a colonist, ‘you’ve come to talk turkey?’.” 

Whatever the background, you are undoubtedly wondering what “talking turkey” has to do with In-Building Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES). Well, the last several weeks have certainly been extremely busy as it relates to ERCES. You see, the Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC) Codes and Standards work group prepared multiple public comments for the next edition of NFPA 1225 scheduled to come out in 2022. 

The group went through many hours of discussion and many iterations of proposals and thoughts related to a variety of subjects to be considered for submittal in the standards development process of Chapter 3, Chapter 18, Chapter 20 and Annex A of NFPA 1225. The work group ultimately submitted multiple public comments on first draft proposals for consideration by the NFPA 1225 Technical Committee Public Emergency Service Communications.

“I had the honor and privilege of serving on the Technical Committee of NFPA 1225. In that capacity, I witnessed, first-hand, how subject-matter-expert representatives representing a cross-functional interest of stakeholders spent a couple of days reviewing each and every word, phrase, period, comma, etc. In other words, talking a lot of turkey…”

On November 9^th & 10^th the NFPA 1225 Technical Committee on Public Emergency Service Communications met to take action on the public comments that had been submitted on the entire NFPA 1225 document. I had the honor and privilege of serving on the Technical Committee of NFPA 1225. In that capacity, I witnessed, first-hand, how subject-matter-expert representatives representing a cross-functional interest of stakeholders spent a couple of days reviewing each and every word, phrase, period, comma, etc. In other words, talking a lot of turkey…

There are few things that those involved in writing codes and standards do better than “talk turkey.” It may seem at times that during the long and tedious process that not much gets accomplished, however when it comes to developing code language, they really are pros at getting down to business.

“But what does occur during the open, frank and practical discussion during the standards development process is that the new edition comes out better than the previous edition.”

Now, one very important concept that everyone who helps develop codes and standards, uses codes and standards or enforces codes and standards must fully understand is this simple and real fact: There is no perfect code or standard…

But what does occur during the open, frank and practical discussion during the standards development process is that the new edition comes out better than the previous edition. That truly happened during this process. The technical committee read, evaluated, listened to debate and made a lot of good decisions to include many of the proposed changes that will enhance the NFPA 1225 standard. 

These included recommendations such as: 

• Clarifying the intent as it relates to what frequencies are required to be included in the ERCES coverage, including broadband signals
• New definition related to who can design an ERCES
• Making it totally clear that the frequency license holder(s) must be involved in providing written consent and turning up an ERCES
• Establishing maximum noise crown created by a signal booster
• Significant improvements in determining when and what level of pathway survivability is required
• The significant addition of explanation language in Annex A.

To name a few.

As the standards development process continues, the results of the second draft meeting should be posted by April 5, 2021. Following the posting of second draft meeting minutes begins the Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM) period that will end on April 26, 2021.

Ultimately, any NITMAMs submitted will be voted on by the NFPA membership at their Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 22-25, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV. Please be assured that the Safer Buildings Coalition will be monitoring all of the activities of NFPA process in an effort to make sure that the safety of the public and our emergency responders are placed first and foremost above all else. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to personally thank all of you for your time and support of our Coalition and the work we are doing to help make people Feel Safe Inside… You are truly making a difference. As we deal with world of COVID 19 disruptions, elections, business meetings and many others issues, I pray that you can take time out of your busy schedules to truly spend time this Thanksgiving with your family and friends. 

Remember, as it has been since 1621, on Thanksgiving, it’s time to take a moment to Eat rather than Talk Turkey…