Methods that public can notify the communications center
Methods of dispatchers notify FD
Methods of info exchange between units @ scene
The general public is known as what to the fire service?
The consumer or customer
What is the general time to initiate dispatch?
Emergency Radio Traffic
Person transmitting should make urgency clear
Dispatch should give attention tone
Who must telecommunicators stay in contact with?
The IC to receive requests for info and/or additional resources.
Public Safety Answering System (PSAP)
Any location or facility @ which 911 calls are answered by direct calling, rerouting, or diversion.
What is the standard for telecommunicator skills?
Alarm for unstaffed stations
Activated by tone signals that are sent over radio waves
An advantage is that FF can carry them anywhere
Compact radio receiver used for providing one-way communications.
Must be compliant with NIMS
Ten-codes eliminated and now most departments use plain english
Clear text- Use of plain english, including certain words or phrases in radio transmissions
Where is clear text mostly used?
In the wildland fire community
Important considerations for radio talk
Do not transmit until frequency is clear
Think about what you want to say before keying mic
Watch your language
All frequencies are monitored & can be used in court
Hold radio/mic 1-2" from mouth
Avoid laying mic on seat because it can key the mic
Don't touch antenna when transmitting because frequency burns may result
What should the first company to arrive on the scene do?
Use the radio to provide a description of the conditions found
A good report states the time of arrival & informs other units what actions might be needed upon arrival
Initial reports can include the following
Actions to be taken
Transfer of Command
Change in command post location
Progress toward stabilization
Direction of fire spread
Problems or needs
When are tactical channels most often used?
For large incidents such as structure fires
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
A PC based system that uses Internet to transfer data from each state to federal database
Reports must be filled out completely and in plain english because they are available to the public
One of the main sources of information (data, statistics) about fires in the United States; under NFIRS, local fire departments collect fire incident data and send these to a state coordinator; the state coordinator develops statewide fire incident data and also forwards information to the USFA; begun by FEMA.
How should transfer of command take place?
In person & the transfer should be reported over radio to all units @ scene & dispatch
What is often used in small communities to warn of emergencies?
Sirens, whistles, & airhorns
Produce a signal that civilians can hear, some people may be inclined to follow apparatus to scene
Who calls for additional resources?
Situation report on conditions
Building & occupancy description
Nature & extent of fire
Attack mode selection
Rescue & exposure problems
Instructions to other units
Location of IC position
Water supply situation
Can shorten response times or enable dispatchers to handle a greater volume of calls.
Can reduce the amount of radio traffic between telecommunicators & respnding units.
A chronological recording of each and every activity that has been reported or dispatched over the radio.
Used to record the incident and the activity being performed by a public safety unit.
A manual system written on paper.
Personnel Accountabilty Report (PAR)
Command can call for PAR at any time-
The incident is under control
There is a change in strategy (from offensive to defensive)
A sudden catostrophic event (backdraft/flashover)
An emergency evacuation
a FF is reported missing or distressed
Incident Report Info
FD name, incident number, shift number, & number of alarms
Names & addresses of occupants
Type of structure, use, constuction type, & stories
How emergency was reported
Type of call
Action that was taken
Property use info
Number of injuries/fatalities
Number of personnel & apparatus involved
How/where fire started
Method used to extinguish fire
Estimated cost of damage
(CB) Citizens Band Radios
Universal frequency for reporting emergencies is CB Channel 9
When receiving call, take down caller's radio "handle" or designation
Low-power radio transceiver that operates on frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for public use with no license requirement
Used when IC decides all FF should immediately withdraw from building
Two most common: Broadcast radio message on incident frequency & Sound audible warning devices on apparatus in a certain pattern
The Ten Codes
Have been replaced by most departments to be compliant with NIMS
These were necessary when radio equipment was not as technologically advanced.
Roles that the telecommunicator plays
Assign a tactical frequency for the management of the operation
Ensure that additional responding units are aware of the assigned tactical channels
Notify other agencies
Provide updated info that affects the incident
How can unstaffed stations be notified?
Cell phones & other text devices
Home electronic monitors
Whistles or air horns
How are staffed stations notified?
House bell or gong
Telephone from a secure line
Radio with tone alert
Emergency Telephone Procedures
State address where emergency is located
Give phone number
State nature of emergency
State your name & location
Stay on the line if requested to do so
Radio Fire Alarm Box
Contains an independent radio transmitter with a battery power supply
Some include a small solar panel at each box for recharging the unit's battery
Emergency Radio Report
Made by fire department personnel or other government workers who happen upon an emergency
Called Party Hold
A feature that allows a dispatcher to maintain access to a caller's phone line
System will maintain a caller's phone line and keep it open
Reverse of called party hold
After dispatcher hangs up the caller can keep the line open for a short period of time
Allows the dispatcher to call back a caller's phone after they have hung up
What rely's on wireless technology to receive voice or digital info?
How are wildland maps laid out?
In townships, ranges, & sections
Automatic Vehicle Locating (AVL)
Location of fire dept unit is displayed on a map as the vehicle moves along the streets
Enhanced 9-1-1 feature that displays the address of the party calling 9-1-1 on a screen for use by the public safety telecommunicator. This feature is also used to route calls to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) and can even store information in its database regarding the appropriate emergency services (police, fire, and medical) that respond to that address.
Use of plain English, including certain standard words and phrases, in radio communications transmissions.
Predetermined number of fire units assigned to respond to an emergency.
Commercial Phone Systems
Access the public switch network
Means that when a phone is taken off the hook the caller hears a dial tone
Do not have access to the public switch network & do not have a dial tone
Directly connects to point A & point B
Phones that visually display text for hearing or speech-impaired
Converts an image, text, or a diagram into digital signals
Sent over a comminications medium, usually a phone line
Fax machine at the other end converts it back to its original format
Document emergency telephone calls, radio traffic, dispatching info, & provides an accurate account of operations
Protects the department in case of litigation
Also documents dispatch time & arrival on scene
Receiving Nonemergency calls from Public
Answer calls promptly
Be pleasant, ID Dept & yourself
Be prepared to record messages
Never leave line open or leave caller on hold
Post message or deliver to person to whom it is directed
Terminate calls courteously (Always allow caller to hang up first)
Receiving Emergency Call from Public
Control converation to get info needed
Gather info that describes emergency- Incident location, type & number of people
Make sure to get exact location of victims
***Maintain contact with all units until call has been terminated