RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Introduction to Radio Usage for Amsterdam Fire Department

20 May, 2011

The Main Points

•Essential to the Fire Service•Not secure•Limited resource•Not always the best tool•Habits and manners•5 point communications•Different radios have different ranges•Repeater vs. Direct•Frequency usage•Emergency Traffic•Mayday•Example primary radio events

An Essential Tool

Links FD to Dispatch Links responding units and agencies Links Incident Commander (I.C.) to

resources.

Radios Are Not Secure

Anyone with a scanner can hear traffic Sensitive or private information should not be

transmitted Patient names should never be used Be aware that bystanders often overhear

radio traffic Life safety trumps privacy

Limited Resource

Many users share various frequencies Keep transmissions to the point Never sacrifice clarity for brevity Be familiar with common terms LISTEN

Not the best tool for:

Complicated instructions Long back and forth discussions Limited audience traffic Use face to face communications when

possible

Habits and Manners

Develop good habits of clarity and level tone Its OK NOT to say “Please” and “Thank You”

on the radio Wait a second before and after talking with

the button held Radios are Push to Talk, NOT push to think Be direct, confident, concise

5 Point Communications

Call Hey you its me “McCann, I.C.”

ResponseYes you its me “I.C. McCann”

MessageThis is what I need “Exit the building”

Repeat MessageParaphrase to convey understanding

○ “You want me to exit the building”

ConfirmDetermine that recipient understands your

message or repeat it again.○ “Affirmative”

Radio Types Base Stations

Used for fixed facilities such as stations and dispatch centers

Transmit with more power and taller antennasExpected to cover entire response area on direct

Mobile RadiosVehicle mounted Medium transmission powerExpected to cover beyond operations area

Portable RadiosMinimal powerHandheldExpected to cover immediate operation area

Repeaters Repeater channels use

two frequencies Remote radios (users)

transmit on one frequency (F1) and receive on another (F2)

Repeater station (base) reverses the operation, transmitting on F2 and receiving on F1

F1

F2

Common Channels1. Fire North – Communicate with Dispatch (repeater)

2. Fire West – Communicate with Responding Units (repeater)

3. Fire Central –

4. Fire East –

5. Ruby – Rae & Sourdough Tactical (repeater)

6. Gold – Statewide Mutual Aid – Check in

7. G TAC 1 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel

8. G TAC 2 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel

9. G TAC 3 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel

10. Red – Water Supply or other special division

11. Coral – Additional Tactical Channel for Division

12. Scarlett - Additional Tactical Channel for Division

13. Maroon - Additional Tactical Channel for Division

14. SAR – Search and Rescue (repeater)

15. North – Law Enforcement (repeater)

16. Amsterdam Tac – Our Assigned tactical channelhttp://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=1609

Emergency Traffic

Used to clear the frequency of non-vital traffic

Patient located Unsafe situation Any immediate threat or danger

Mayday

Firefighter in dangerLostTrappedDownMissingLow Air / out of air

Specific to a firefighter

Responding

Contact Dispatch on Fire North. Provide department, unit, and incident

responding to. Example

“Dispatch, Amsterdam Engine 9-1, Fire North”“Amsterdam Engine 9-1”“Engine 9-1 responding to Churchill Rd”“Engine 9-1 responding at 21:05”

Contact Dispatch on Fire North. Provide department, unit, and the incident

you have arrived at. Example

“Dispatch Amsterdam Engine 9-1, Fire North”“Amsterdam Engine 9-1”“On Scene, Churchill Rd.”“Amsterdam Engine 9-1 On Scene at 21:10”

On Scene

Check - In After going on scene you must check in with either the Incident

Commander or the Check-in. Note that check in may be on a separate channel (typically

GOLD) for mutual aid or larger incidents. Initial incident tactical channel (G-TAC) used if no check in

channel designated. Example

“Churchill I.C., Amsterdam Engine 9-1, G-TAC 1” “Engine 9-1, Churchill I.C.” “Staged North, requesting check in” “List your crew” “Crew Leader McCann, DO McGhee, McGurk, and Malone” “Crew Leader McCann, DO McGhee, McGurk, and Malone” “Affirmative”

Tactical / Task Assignments 5 Point communication Don’t just repeat, but understand the

assignment Example

“Hogan, Churchill I.C.”“Churchill I.C., Hogan”“Ladder the second story window on the Bravo

side”“Ladder the window on the Bravo side, second

story”“Affirmative”

C.A.N. Report Conditions

Fire - Smoke, heat, windRescue - Extrication difficultyEMS – Patient status

Actions – what are you doing now?Pulling ceiling, removing doors, taking vitals

Needs – What do you need to complete your assignment? What do you foresee us needing to progress in the incident?SCBA Air statusTools, equipment, lights, crews

Example C.A.N. Report“Tracey, Churchill I.C.”“Churchill I.C., Tracey”“Give me a can report”“We’re on the second floor pulling ceiling. We’ve got light smoke

that’s clearing out, no active fire. Our lowest bottle is at 3000 and it will take at least another crew to get all the attic exposed we want.”

“You’re pulling ceiling on the second floor with no fire and light smoke that’s clearing up. You’re good on air and will need another crew up there to finish.”

“Affirmative.”

Demobilization All units must check out with the Incident

Commander, or check in before leaving the scene. Can be face to face or radio. Radio Example.

“Churchill I.C., Amsterdam Engine 9-1” “Engine 9-1, Churchill I.C.” “Crew and apparatus available, requesting demob.” “List your crew.” “Crew Leader McCann, DO McGhee, McGurk, and

Malone” “Crew Leader McCann, DO McGhee, McGurk, and

Malone” “Affirmative”

Clearing the scene

I.C. may clear all units with Dispatch if they are released at once.

Otherwise you must clear with Dispatch. Example

“Dispatch, Amsterdam Engine 9-1, Fire North”“Amsterdam Engine 9-1”“We’re clear of Churchill Rd and returning to

station”“Amsterdam Engine 9-1 clear and available, 20:14”

Remember…

Be clear Be direct Be calm Be on the right channel Be listening Be SAFE!