MABAS Division 112 Frequency Management Options TAC Channel

MABAS Division 112 Frequency Management Options TAC Channel assignments

Objectives: • Provide an overview of options for the IC to request which will assist in radio communications • Familiarize Commanders to the potential benefits of using additional frequencies • Compare and Contrast past radio system with the Current System • How to make the request

Overview • Working Still or Box alarm dispatched – Fire Dispatch: Will assign a TAC channel (on the Still) • Most commonly used for Operations • All radio traffic for the event will take place on this Tac channel – IC can request ADDITIONAL channels • Request must be made thru dispatch • Dispatch will assign additional frequencies. The IC states their function (Responding, Water Shuttle etc. )

Potential Benefits • WHY use additional frequencies? – Some Working Stills and MOST Box alarms will result in multiple resources responding to the scene. Potentially 20 units on some working stills • Probably will overload the single channel • If an IDLH operation is happening, this can become a major safety issue • Transmissions may be missed or unable to be completed – Rural Depts do a version of this with a Water Channel – It is MANDITORY to use a separate channel in a RIT deployment (Ops moves to a new channel)

OPTIONS • It is not mandatory for the IC to use separate channels (except for RIT) • The IC may choose to want to hear every unit responding to a call. Control REMAINS with the IC • This may help in a defensive type fire where units may need to be assigned quickly Slide courtesy of Geo. Comm 5

Current and Past Radio Systems • The old system had one non-repeated and non -monitored channel for Operations called Brown County Fireground • Not placed standard in all radios • Not very reliable

Current and Past Radio System • Current System • Bank A has 6 TAC channels and 2 Inter. Op channels • Potential Additional use of channels include Staging/Responding, Water, Rescue, Roof Ops, Special Ops or any other use the IC may need • Do not break into too many sub channels if possible • Operations in IDLH should have priority Slide courtesy of Geo. Comm 7

Making the request • The IC will contact dispatch on the initial call and request a separate channel – A TAC channel will be assigned by dispatch on the Still – The IC may ask for a separate Responding channel when asking for an alarm upgrade – The IC may ask for a separate Water Shuttle Channel at any time – The IC may ask for a separate channel for specific needs at any time

Example of Making the Request • “De Pere Fire you are needed for a structure fire at 400 Lewis use TAC 6” • “Dispatch from Chief 101, please give me card 111 to the BOX alarm level at 400 Lewis. The staging area will be located in the 300 block of south Broadway. Give me a separate channel for RESPONDING units”. • “Dispatch copies and the RESPONDING channel with be TAC 7” – ALL incoming units will RESPOND on TAC 7 – OPERATIONS continue without interruption on TAC 6 – IC will contact the Staging Officer on TAC 7 for resources when needed

Example of Making the Request Dispatch of the Box • “This is MABAS Division 112 to all locals, the De Pere Fire Department has requested card 111 to the BOX alarm level for the structure fire at 400 Lewis. OPERATIONS will be take place on TAC 6. All units will acknowledge on MAIN, RESPOND on TAC 7 and stage in the 300 block of south Broadway”

Final Thoughts • The IC maintains control of the radio and frequency assignments • Use the radio system to your advantage for better control of the Incident • SAFETY IS THE #1 GOAL • Questions/Discussion?