CHAPTER COMMUNICATIONS AND ALARMS Copyright 2000 Delmar is

CHAPTER COMMUNICATIONS AND ALARMS Copyright© 2000. Delmar is a division of Thomson Learning. 3

CHAPTER 3 Objectives 1 of 2 • Demonstrate the proper method of answering a nonemergency administrative call. • Demonstrate the method of answering an emergency call and obtaining information, and relaying it to the communications center.

CHAPTER 3 Objectives 2 of 2 • Demonstrate the proper method of operating a mobile radio. • Demonstrate the proper method of operating a portable radio. • Complete a basic incident report.

CHAPTER 3 Introduction 1 of 2 • Fire service communications is an important role of the fire service. • Telecommunicators must communicate with citizens and relay information to first responders. • Communications have a great impact on the delivery of service.

CHAPTER 3 Introduction • Communication process must be complete and understood to be effective. Leaders are taking proactive measures to ensure quality.

CHAPTER 3 Communications Personnel 1 of 3 • Basic role of communications has not changed over time. • Telecommunicator is responsible for: • receiving calls. • evaluating response need. • initiating appropriate response.

CHAPTER 3 Communications Personnel 2 of 3 • Telecommunicators may remain on the line with caller and provide prearrival instructions. • NFPA 1061 - Standard for Professional Qualifications for Public Safety Telecommunicators. • Detailed work performance evaluation program must follow training programs.

CHAPTER 3 Communications Personnel 3 of 3 • Communication managers rely on historical data to produce staffing models and requirements. • Fire departments must provide well-trained personnel to serve as telecommunicators. • These individuals have a direct impact on the overall response time of the agency.

CHAPTER 3 The Communications Facility

CHAPTER 3 Communications Facility 1 of 2 • Dispatch centers range in size and staffing. • All serve common goal of receiving and delivering information. • NFPA 1221 - Standard on location and construction of communication centers. • All communication centers should have a backup in place.

CHAPTER 3 Communications Facility 2 of 2 • New technology in hardware and software has allowed incorporation of computers. • Computer-aided dispatch systems • Computer can track location and status of incidents and vehicles.

CHAPTER 3 Receiving Reports of Emergencies • Call-taking process consists of : • Receiving a report. • Interviewing. • Referral or dispatch. • Telecommunicators must able to: • Prioritize incoming calls. • Answer incoming lines promptly. • Control the conversation. 1 of 3

CHAPTER 3 Receiving Reports of Emergencies 2 of 3 • The following information must be obtained: • Location of emergency. • Nature of the emergency. • Callback number. • Caller’s location and situation.

CHAPTER 3 Receiving Reports of Emergencies 3 of 3 • Call taker must ask the right questions to generate proper responses. • Many departments use emergency medical dispatch protocols for dealing with EMS calls.

CHAPTER 3 Call Process

CHAPTER Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies 1 of 3 • Reports of emergencies can be received in various ways. • Telephone is the most common means. • 93% of the population in the US have 911 access. • 95% of the 93% have enhanced 911. • Geographically 50% of nation has 911. 3

CHAPTER Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies 2 of 3 • Enhanced 911 provides telephone numbers and addresses of call origins. • Cellular phone becoming very common. • By 2000, cellular phones must be able to provide means to determine caller location. 3

CHAPTER Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies 3 of 3 • Municipal fire alarms allow a coded or voice message to be generated from an alarm box. • Alarm boxes located in areas of easy access and visibility. • This system began near the turn of the century. • Commonly referred to as call boxes. 3

CHAPTER 3 Call Boxes

CHAPTER Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies 3 • Automatic alarm systems are another means to notify communications. • Two types of alarm systems defined by NFPA. • Type A receives alarm from a fire alarm box and retransmits to a fire station manually or automatically. • Type B automatically sends alarm.

CHAPTER 3 Type A Municipal Alarm

CHAPTER 3 Type B Municipal Alarm

CHAPTER 3 Reports via TDD • ADA entitles citizens to equal service. • Communications need to receive calls from specialized equipment. • Keyboard uses text messages rather than voices.

CHAPTER 3 Walk-Up Alarms • Report of an emergency may be received at fire station. • Firefighter must obtain information. • Communication center must be notified.

CHAPTER 3 Emergency Services Deployment 1 of 2 • Once an emergency is reported, action must be taken. • Most response organizations have a preassigned standard response. • Communication centers have deployment plans. • Deployment based on apparatus, equipment, and personnel available.

CHAPTER 3 Emergency Services Deployment 2 of 2 • Deployment may be done manually or through computers. • Next step is to notify responders. • Several methods exist. • Some departments use mobile data terminals.

CHAPTER 3 Notification Systems

CHAPTER 3 Mobile Data Terminal • Computers mounted in apparatus. • Dispatch information displayed on screen. • Units can communicate with dispatch by pushing buttons.

CHAPTER 3 Traffic Control Systems • Some jurisdictions use emergency preemption systems to control traffic signals. • They provide a safe transition to a priority right-ofway for emergency vehicles. • System designed to recognize emergency vehicle and change traffic control signal.

CHAPTER 3 Radio Systems and Procedures 1 of 2 • Radio system is primary link between field units and communications center. • Radio frequencies commonly used by the fire service are: • VHF low band. • VHF high band. • UHF.

CHAPTER 3 Radio Systems and Procedures 2 of 2 • FCC monitors frequencies. • 800 Mhz range frequencies have also been allocated. • All personnel must be able to talk properly over the radio. • A clear and concise message is important. • Some departments use “ 10 -codes” while others use clear speech.

CHAPTER 3 Proper Use of Radio

CHAPTER 3 Arrival Reports • First arriving unit establishes command provides initial report. • Command can be transferred as needed. • Status reports should be given regularly during large incidents. • Some SOPs call for “time marking ” incidents at regular intervals.

CHAPTER 3 Mobile Support Vehicles In large incidents a mobile communications center may be used to support an incident.

CHAPTER 3 Records • Proper documentation and record keeping must be maintained for all responses. • Telephone and radio traffic may be kept in manual log book or recording device. • Fire reports are considered public records. • Most states have minimum data that must be recorded and maintained.

CHAPTER 3 Recording Devices