Transcript Radio Communications - Amsterdam Fire Training

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.”

Response
 Yes you its me “I.C. McCann”

Message
 This is what I need “Exit the building”

Repeat Message
 Paraphrase to convey understanding
○ “You want me to exit the building”

Confirm
 Determine 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 antennas
 Expected to cover entire response area on direct

Mobile Radios
 Vehicle mounted
 Medium transmission power
 Expected to cover beyond operations area

Portable Radios
 Minimal power
 Handheld
 Expected 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
Common Channels
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Fire North – Communicate with Dispatch (repeater)
Fire West – Communicate with Responding Units (repeater)
Fire Central –
Fire East –
Ruby – Rae & Sourdough Tactical (repeater)
Gold – Statewide Mutual Aid – Check in
G TAC 1 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel
G TAC 2 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel
G TAC 3 – Gallatin County Incident Tactical channel
Red – Water Supply or other special division
Coral – Additional Tactical Channel for Division
Scarlett - Additional Tactical Channel for Division
Maroon - Additional Tactical Channel for Division
SAR – Search and Rescue (repeater)
North – Law Enforcement (repeater)
Amsterdam Tac – Our Assigned tactical channel
http://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 danger
 Lost
 Trapped
 Down
 Missing
 Low 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”
On Scene
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”
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, wind
 Rescue - Extrication difficulty
 EMS – 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 status
 Tools, 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!
