Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 5th Edition

Chapter 5 — Fire and Rescue Communications

ARFF5–2

Chapter 5 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to recall basic information about fire and rescue communications including systems, procedures, terminology, and signals used in aviation.

ARFF5–3

Objectives

1.Describe basic airport communication systems. 2.Discuss pilot/ARFF Command communications. 3.Describe proper radio and telephone communication procedures.

(Continued)

ARFF5–4

Objectives

4.Identify International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Phonetic Alphabet designations. 5. Identify words and phrases unique to the airport environment.

(Continued)

ARFF5–5

Objectives

6.Discuss the use of computers in airport and ARFF communications.7.Describe light, hand, and other signals used in aircraft accident operations.

ARFF5–6

ARFF Communications

• System depends on size of airport– Local fire

department off airport

– Dedicated ARFF dispatch center

(Continued)

ARFF5–7

ARFF Communications

• Communication system components– Audible alarms– Direct-line telephones– Radios

(Continued)

ARFF5–8

ARFF Communications

• ATC personnel provide information– Make and model of aircraft– Name of air carrier– Response category– Emergency situation– Number on board– Amount of fuel

ARFF5–9

NOTAM

• Information issued by airport operator or ATC personnel

• Addresses important information– Runways– Taxiways– Essential services

• Post NOTAMs

ARFF5–10

Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones

• Audible alarms alert individuals– Airport or facility occupants– Regular ARFF personnel– Auxiliary ARFF personnel– Essential support services

(Continued)

ARFF5–11

Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones

• Alerting ARFF personnel in fire station– Direct-line telephone– Speaker system– Bell– Klaxon®

– Combination (Continued)

ARFF5–12

Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones

• Alerting auxiliary/off-duty ARFF personnel– Pagers– Tone-activated radio receivers– Cell phones– Siren/horn

(Continued)

ARFF5–13

Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones

• Direct-line communications systems– Between control tower and multiple

emergency agencies– Primary means of notification– Test lines regularly

ARFF5–14

Radio Systems

• Two-way radios — most efficient means of communication– One or more channels– Multi-scanning capability

• Use clear text language or common terminology

(Continued)

ARFF5–15

Radio Systems

• Comply with FCC and AHJ• Test systems regularly• Do not transmit false, misleading,

or inappropriate information• Computer-monitored systems

record and time-stamp communications

(Continued)

ARFF5–16

Radio Systems

• Communications/dispatch center ensures proper operation– Clearing the air– Maintaining discipline– Determining priority

ARFF5–17

Aviation Radio Frequencies

• Ground control • Local control or air traffic control • FSS• UNICOM• CTAF• ATIS

ARFF5–18

ARFF and Radio Frequencies

• Uncontrolled airports — SOPs established for movement

• Monitor appropriate frequencies• Communicate with ground control

– Give specific information– Finish with “Over”

ARFF5–19

Cockpit and ARFF Command Communications

• Use a discreet frequency• IC

– Provide information to crew– Advise on conditions outside of

aircraft

• Crew may provide information to IC

(Continued)

ARFF5–20

Cockpit and ARFF Command Communications

• Pilot – Should initiate communication– Responsible for aircraft and

occupants

ARFF5–21

Interphone System

• Uses of interphone system– ARFF personnel to communicate with

crew members– Airport personnel during routine

operations

ARFF5–22

Radio/Telephone Guidelines

• Speak directly into microphone• Speak distinctly, calmly, and

clearly• Pronounce each word carefully• Use a conversational

tone/moderate speed

(Continued)

ARFF5–23

Radio/Telephone Guidelines

• Speak as loudly as ordinary conversation

• Speak in a low-pitched voice

ARFF5–24

Phonetic Alphabet

• Critical information is spelled out with words

• Reduces confusion• ICAO phonetic alphabet is used

ARFF5–25

ICAO Phonetic Alphabet

• A — Alpha• B — Bravo• C — Charlie• D — Delta• E — Echo• F — Foxtrot

• G — Golf• H — Hotel• I — India• J — Juliett• K — Kilo• L — Lima

(Continued)

ARFF5–26

ICAO Phonetic Alphabet

• M — Mike• N —

November• O — Oscar• P — Papa• Q — Quebec• R — Romeo• S — Sierra

• T — Tango• U — Uniform• V — Victor• W — Whiskey• X — X-ray• Y — Yankee• Z — Zulu

ARFF5–27

Number Designations

• 1 — Wun• 2 — Too• 3 — Tree• 4 — Fow-er• 5 — Five

• 6 — Sicks• 7 — Sev-en• 8 — Ait• 9 — Nin-er• 0 — Zero

ARFF5–28

Common Terms and Phrases

• Air Traffic Control (ATC)

• Base leg• Base to final• Blind (dead)

spot• Downwind leg

• ETA• Final

approach• Flameout• Fuel on board• Gear down• Go around (Continued)

ARFF5–29

Common Terms and Phrases

• Hold your position

• Hung gear• Jet blast• Low approach• Make a 90,

180, or 360

• Minimum fuel• Missed approach• Overhead

approach• Prop or rotor

wash• Wind direction

and velocity

ARFF5–30

Computers

• Various computers are used– Laptops– Mobile data

terminals– GPS

(Continued)

ARFF5–31

Computers

• Use will expand– Information tool– Communications system– Fire scene management

(Continued)

ARFF5–32

Computers

• Computers can provide– Data on airport layouts– Prefire plans of buildings– Diagrams on aircraft– Dangerous goods information– Ability to provide status and location– On-screen messaging

ARFF5–33

Light Signals

• Steady green light• Steady red light• Flashing red light• Flashing white light• Alternating red and

green lights

ARFF5–34

Hand Signals

• Recommended evacuation• Recommended stop• Emergency contained

ARFF5–35

Other Signals

• Back out or retreat• Apparatus is running out of agent• Open or close handline• Change handline nozzle/stream

pattern• Advance with handline• Back out with handline

ARFF5–36

Summary

• Communications are vital during any emergency. Airport firefighters must be thoroughly trained and proficient in the usage of the communications systems and procedures found at their particular airfield

(Continued)

ARFF5–37

Summary

• This chapter covered NOTAMs, audible alarms and direct-line telephones, radio systems and aviation frequencies. It also covered radio/telephone guidelines, computers in ARFF, and signals used in ARFF.

ARFF5–38

Review Questions

1.Who may handle aircraft rescue and fire fighting communications?2.How might airport auxiliary firefighters be notified of a situation? 3.What is the most efficient means for communicating with personnel during emergency scene operations?

(Continued)

ARFF5–39

Review Questions

4. What is the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)? 5.How does an interphone system work? 6.What guidelines should be followed for proper radio/telephone use?

(Continued)

ARFF5–40

Review Questions

7.Why is use of the phonetic alphabet necessary? 8.What does the phrase ”hold your position” mean?

(Continued)

ARFF5–41

Review Questions

9.What is a mobile data terminal (MDT)? 10.When using light signals, what does a flashing red light mean?