RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Introduction to Radio Usage for Amsterdam

The Main Points • Essential to the Fire Service • Not secure • Limited

An Essential Tool � Links FD to Dispatch � Links responding units and agencies

Radios Are Not Secure Anyone with a scanner can hear traffic Sensitive or private

Limited Resource � Many users share various frequencies � Keep transmissions to the point

Not the best tool for: � Complicated instructions � Long back and forth discussions

Habits and Manners � Develop good habits of clarity and level tone � Its

5 Point Communications � Call � Hey you its me “Mc. Cann, I. C.

Radio Types � Base Stations � Used for fixed facilities such as stations and

Repeaters Repeater channels use two frequencies � Remote radios (users) transmit on one frequency

Common Channels 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Emergency Traffic � Used to clear the frequency of non-vital traffic � Patient located

Mayday � Firefighter in danger �Lost �Trapped �Down �Missing �Low Air / out of

Responding Contact Dispatch on Fire North. Provide department, unit, and incident responding to. �

On Scene � Contact Dispatch on Fire North. � Provide department, unit, and the

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

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

C. A. N. Report � Conditions �Fire - Smoke, heat, wind �Rescue - Extrication

Example C. A. N. Report � “Tracey, Churchill I. C. ” � “Churchill I.

Demobilization All units must check out with the Incident Commander, or check in before

Clearing the scene � I. C. may clear all units with Dispatch if they

Remember… � Be clear � Be direct � Be calm � Be on the

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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 “Mc. Cann, I. C. ” � Response � Yes you its me “I. C. Mc. Cann” � 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 (F 1) and receive on another (F 2) � Repeater station (base) reverses the operation, transmitting on F 2 and receiving on F 1 F 2 F 1 �

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 Mc. Cann, DO Mc. Ghee, Mc. Gurk, 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 Mc. Cann, DO Mc. Ghee, Mc. Gurk, 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!