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City of Charlottesville, VA Fire
Department
|
Chapter: | IV - General Administration |
Subject: | Radio Communications Procedures |
Code: | 1-IV-34 |
Revised: | 6-10-96 |
A. To provide a standardized format for the operation of Fire Communications in the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle, Virginia.
A. All personnel shall abide by the procedure contained herein when communicating over the departmental radio system as permanent or relief dispatcher or in the field in another capacity. Free lancing will not be tolerated.
A. To specifically cover the following areas:
1. General procedural guidelines.
2. Dispatch of apparatus.
3. Routine and emergency communications with mobile radio units.
4. Command communications.
A. Licensing and Ownership
1. The City of Charlottesville is the licensee for all radio frequencies and radio equipment operated at the Communications Center.
2. Frequency assignments
a. Channel 1 (46.46mHz) shall normally be used as primary dispatch frequency for all units.
b. Channel 2 (46.26mHz) shall be used as the secondary or operating frequency. It may be used for the controlling of a working incident, relieving congestion on primary channel, or as requested by field units and/or as directed by the dispatcher.
B. Transmission Procedure
1. The communication center will be referred to as "Fire Alarm" both by units in the field and by the dispatcher contacting mobile units.
2. The dispatcher shall announce the identification, station call letters and correct time every half hour, on the half hour.
Example: "Charlottesville-Albemarle Fire Alarm KIP 246 1030 hours."
A. Incident Dispatch
1. Taking the call
a. Take charge of the conversation. (AVOID LENGTHY CONVERSATIONS).
b. Ask specific questions as to who, what, and where.
c. Be courteous but firm.
d. Do not lead the caller.
2. Specific information
a. Determine location first.
b. Determine nature of call.
1) Structure fire - If there are people inside. If so, advise the caller to get everyone out of structure, if possible.
2) Vehicle fire - Type of vehicle, if inside a structure, and the type of cargo (if applicable).
3) Natural gas leak - Determine if the leak is inside structure or outside. Advise the caller not to hang up the phone and not to activate any electrical switches but to have everyone leave the building (if the leak is inside the structure). Notify gas dept.
4) Vehicle accident - determine if the vehicle is on fire, number of injuries, if anyone is trapped. DO NOT refer calls to the rescue squad, take all pertinent information and report it yourself.
5) County call - Obtain state route number and landmark
NOTE: "WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND THEM OUT" ALWAYS SEND A COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE. NEVER MAKE ASSESS- MENTS OVER THE PHONE. IF THE CALLER REPORTS THAT THE FIRE IS OUT, LET ALL APPARATUS CONTINUE UNTIL THE FIRST UNIT ON THE SCENE IS ABLE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. ADVISE THE CALLER THAT A COMPANY WILL BE RESPONDING IN TO MAKE A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT.
IN THE EVENT THERE IS CONFUSION ABOUT AN ADDRESS, A TRACE SHOULD BE INITIATED. WHEN TRACE RESULTS ARE RECEIVED, RESPOND A COMPANY TO THE TRACED ADDRESS TO INVESTIGATE. IF THE TRACE COMES BACK TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION, CONTACT THAT AGENCY AND HAVE THEM INVESTIGATE.
3. Documentation
a. Time card shall be inserted in the time clock and punched when:
1) The call is received.
2) The call is dispatched.
3) The first unit signs on responding.
4) The first career unit arrives.
5) The first volunteer unit arrives (if applicable).
6) Utilities notified (if applicable).
7) Utilities arrives on scene.
NOTE: AFTER CALL HAS BEEN DISPATCHED, THE LOCATION, TYPE INCIDENT, WHO WAS IN COMMAND, THE DISPATCHER, UNITS RESPONDING, CITY AND/OR COUNTY INCIDENT NUMBERS, AND CITY AND/OR COUNTY COMPANY RUN NUMBERS SHALL BE DOCUMENTED ON THE TIME CARD.
b. Radio log shall be filled out to show apparatus activities.
c. Appropriate entries shall be entered into the Station Journal.
4. Determining the response
a. Locate the incident on either the overhead maps or in the flip file to obtain verification of the address and obtain a box number.
b. Pull the appropriate response card which shows the response assignments. RESPONSE CARDS WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE RUNNING ASSIGNMENTS.
c. When units are "on the air", be sure and contact them to determine their location. They might not be the "closest" company and another company may be "due".
d. Response of closest fire apparatus:
1) City - the closest piece of fire apparatus (career or volunteer) shall be dispatched to an incident.
EXCEPTIONS:
a) If apparatus staffed with only 1 person is dispatched, it shall be backed up with a fully manned company.
b) If apparatus without medical equipment is dispatched, it shall be backed up with a "first due" company with medical equipment.
2) County - the closest assigned career engine and/or volunteer company shall be dispatched.
EXCEPTION:
a) If both career county assigned first due companies are not available for response, and another county alarm is received, the closest "second due" Engine may be dispatched into the county within a response area as designated on the response map in the alarm office provided that no other volunteer companies (on the air) are closer.
NOTE: IF COMPANIES THAT ARE "ON THE AIR" ARE ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE CALL THAN THE COMPANY DISPATCHED, THEY WILL NOTIFY FIRE ALARM OF THEIR LOCATION AND THEY WILL RESPOND UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY FIRE ALARM.
5. Dispatching the incident (Each dispatch will be transmitted at least twice).
a. Sound 2 short alert tones.
b. Announce location of incident (to include building name and/or cross street if applicable).
c. Announce type of incident (a house fire, vehicle fire, vehicle accident, etc.).
d. Announce company(ies), units, due to respond in the order they are due.
e. Activate selective tone(s) as required.
f. Announce location of incident (to include building name and/or cross street if applicable).
g. Announce type of incident.
h. Announce company(ies), units responding.
i. Announce company(ies), units to respond.
j. If there is no response after 2 minutes, reactivate tones again.
SEE EXAMPLES UNDER DISPATCH/RADIO TRANSMISSIONS.
NOTE: ON ANY INCIDENT THAT REQUIRES THE RESPONSE OF A CHIEF OFFICER (CHIEF 1, CHIEF 2, BATTALION CHIEF, OR CHIEF 3), ACTIVATE ALL CHIEF OFFICER PAGERS REGARDLESS OF HIS/HER STATUS (ON-DUTY, OFF-DUTY, IN QUARTERS, ETC.) IN ADDITION, ANY INCIDENTS THAT ARE A SECOND ALARM OR GREATER, ALL CHIEF OFFICERS' PAGERS WILL BE REACTIVATED. ALSO, IF CHIEF OFFICERS DO NOT SIGN ON WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEY WILL BE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE TO INSURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT.
k. The dispatcher will wear the headset microphone during the dispatch of all incidents.
6. Classification of alarms
a. Box alarms
1) Any fire within a structure, including chimney fires.
2) Any fire adjacent to or threatening a structure.
3) Any alarm device sounding in a structure.
4) Any hazardous material incident.
5) Building collapse.
6) A gas leak (natural, butane, propane, etc).
7) Odor of smoke in a structure.
8) Anytime the OIC or Chief Officer feels that the call needs a full response.
9) Flooded basement with fire and/or life hazard.
10) Lockout with food on stove, fire and/or life hazard.
b. Still alarms
1) Vehicle fires.
2) Automobile accidents.
3) Investigations
4) Emergency service calls
5) Details (wash, water, etc.)
6) Brush or grass fires.
7) Medical assists.
8) Tree fire.
9) Utility shut off.
10) Elevator emergencies. Unless fire is involved then it will be a box alarm.
11) Lockout with children inside.
c. Special Alarm
1) Service calls (broken water pipes, flooded basement, etc.).
2) Transfer details.
3) Lockout details.
4) Animal trapped or stuck in a tree.
7. Dispatch/Radio transmissions
a. Still alarm
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "1621 Madison Avenue, (cross street), a dumpster fire, Engine 4 respond"
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "1621 Madison Avenue, (cross street), a dumpster fire, Engine 4 respond, 1421."
b. Box Alarm (City)
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "1426 University Ave, (cross street) a structure fire, Engines 4,5, 2, Truck 1, Battalion Chief 1 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "1426 University Ave, (cross street), a structure fire, Engines 4, 5, 2, Truck 1 Battalion Chief 1 respond, 1827."
UNITS SIGNING ON THE AIR FOR RESPONSE
First Due Company Responding:
Eng 4: "Engine 4 responding 1426 University Ave."
ALL OTHER UNITS SIGN ON IN ROLL CALL FASHION AS SHOWN:
Eng 5: "Eng 5" Eng 2: "Eng 2" Trk 1: "Trk 1"
ACKNOWLEDGE ALL UNITS IN ONE TRANSMISSION.
c. County alarm
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "759-D Mountainwood Road, a apartment fire, Engine 2, Station 2, Station 3, Battalion Chief 3 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "759-D Mountainwood Road, a apartment fire, Engine 2, Station 2, Station 3, Battalion Chief 3 respond, 1740.
Eng 2: "Engine 2 responding 759-D Mountainwood Road."
d. Airport alarm
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport on Route 606, an Alert 2 Class B, Engines 10, 7, Station 4, Station 6, Battalion Chief 2 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport on Route 606, an Alert 2 Class B, Engines 10 and 7 responding, Station 4, Station 6, Battalion Chief 2 respond, 1257."
Eng 10: "Engine 10 responding Charlottesville/ Albemarle Airport."
Eng 7: "Engine 7."
e. Medical alarm
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Route 743, 1 mile north of the reservoir, a overdose, Station 4 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "Route 743, 1 mile north of the reservoir, a overdose, Station 4 respond, 2111."
Brush 45: "Brush 45 responding Route 743."
NOTE: ALWAYS GIVE NATURE OF CALL, NOT JUST "MEDICAL ASSIST".
NOTE: DURING ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT CALLS, ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING PATIENT CARE SHOULD BE DIRECTED THROUGH MEDCOM BY TELEPHONE AS A FIRST CHOICE. IF HOWEVER, A TELEPHONE IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE UNIT IN THE FIELD MAY REQUEST THAT FIRE ALARM CONTACT MEDCOM TO COME UP ON FIRE CHANNEL 2. USE OF FIRE CHANNELS IS A LAST RESORT FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
f. Private fire alarm
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Dillard-Gooch Dorms, Alderman Rd, a smoke detector activation, Engines 4,5,2, Trk 1, Battalion Chief 3 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required
Fire Alarm: "Dillard-Gooch Dorms, Alderman Rd, a smoke detector activation, Engines 4,5,2, Trk 1, Battalion Chief 3 respond, 2132."
Units Responding:
"Engine 4 responding Dillard-Gooch Dorms."
"Engine 5."
"Engine 2."
"Truck 1."
"Battalion Chief 3."
NOTE: THE TYPE OF ALARM SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BROADCAST, SUCH AS SMOKE DETECTOR, HEAT DETECTOR, SPRINKLER ACTIVATION, ADT ALARM, ETC. DO NOT USE "ALARM BELLS." IF UNSURE, USE "ALARM ACTIVATION".
g. Multiple alarms (2nd, 3rd, etc.)
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Dillard-Gooch Dorms, Alderman Rd, a second alarm for a working dormitory fire, Engines 10, 7, Trk 2, Chief 2 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required.
"Dillard-Gooch Dorms, Alderman Rd, a second alarm for a working dormitory fire, Engines 10,7, Trk 2, Chief 2 respond, 1523."
NOTE: ALL CHIEF OFFICERS' TONES WILL BE ACTIVATED FOR MULTIPLE ALARMS WITHIN THE CITY. THOSE CHIEF OFFICERS' THAT DO NOT RESPOND WILL BE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ADVISED OF THE INCIDENT.
h. Special Call - when a specific unit is requested.
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "2101 Arlington Blvd, for an apartment fire, special call, Ventilation 1 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required.
Fire Alarm: "2101 Arlington Blvd, for an apartment fire, special call, Ventilation 1 respond, 0130."
g. Alarms with units "on the air"
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Fire Alarm to Engine 4."
Eng 4: "Engine 4, intersection Cherry Ave and Ridge Street."
DETERMINE IF COMPANY IS CLOSEST OR NOT. IF THEY ARE CLOSER ADVISE THE UNIT TO STANDBY, IF NOT ADVISE THE COMPANY TO DISREGARD AND DISPATCH APPROPRIATE COMPANY(IES). ASK ONLY ONCE, THEN TRANSMIT TONES AND DISPATCH CALL.
Fire Alarm: "Engine 4 STANDBY"
Beep...Beep
Fire Alarm: "Page Dorm, McCormick Rd, a alarm activation, Engine 4, Engines 5, 2, Trk 1, Battalion Chief 1 respond."
RE-TRANSMIT Selective tone(s) as required.
"Page Dorm, McCormick Rd, an alarm activation, Engines 4,5,2, Trk 1, Battalion Chief 1 respond, 2111."
8. Reporting on the scene
a. The Fireground Command Procedure (SOP #31) shall be used on all incidents.
b. An on scene report shall be given by the first unit arriving and shall consist of:
1) Unit number and "on the scene".
2) Height of building in stories.
3) Type of building (dwelling, apartment, commercial, hospital, etc.).
4) Conditions (nothing showing, light smoke showing and the location of such).
5) Officer In Charge
Example:
Eng 4: "Engine 4 on the scene of a 7 story hospital, nothing showing, Lt. Smith in command."
Fire Alarm: "Engine 4 on the scene of a 7 story hospital, nothing showing, Lt. Smith in Command, 0223".
NOTE: FIRE ALARM WILL REPEAT THE ON SCENE REPORT AS STATED.
Other Units arriving will wait until after Fire Alarm has repeated first unit's on scene report before marking on the scene.
"Engine 5 on the scene."
"Engine 2 on the scene."
"Truck 1 on the scene."
NOTE: AFTER THE 1ST DUE ENGINE HAS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR THE REST OF THE UNITS TO ARRIVE. THEN ACKNOWLEDGE ALL UNITS ON SCENE IN ONE TRANSMISSION.
9. Command progression - The next higher ranking officer may assume command upon his/her arrival and shall announce this assumption of command.
a. Example:
Chief 2: "Chief 2 on the scene, assuming command."
NOTE: THE MESSAGE OF COMMAND ASSUMPTION SHALL BE RETRANSMITTED BY FIRE ALARM AND SHALL BE SIMULCASTED IF THE INCIDENT IS OPERATING ON CHANNEL 2.
Fire Alarm: "Chief 2 on the scene . . . (location), assuming command, 0234."
b. "Command" is the only individual who will communicate with Fire Alarm.
c. All communications with Fire Alarm shall be on Channel 1.
d. In the event of multiple alarms occurring simultaneously, the officer assuming command will identify the incident location.
Example:
Chief 2: "Chief 2 on the scene, assuming command at Barracks Road."
e. In the event that a Battalion Chief is not available for response to an incident (i.e. off duty, assigned to another call, etc.) the next available chief officer will be dispatched in the following order of priority: Chief 3, Chief 2, and then Chief 1.
10. Situation report - As soon as possible, the Incident Commander shall make a report to Fire Alarm updating the situation.
11. Simulcasting procedure - Fire Alarm should simulcast when two (2) channel operations are in progress. Simulcast transmissions shall include: Command progression, situation reports, and/or pertinent information except when simulcasting will interfere with critical incident operations.
Examples:
a. "Chief 2 on the scene . . . (location), assuming command, 2312."
b. "McDonald's Command reporting fire knocked down, holding all units, 2210."
c. "Page Dorm Command reports false alarm, return all units when ready, 1301."
12. Channel 2
a. The switch to Channel 2 operations shall be made under the following conditions:
1) Any working incident.
2) When ordered by the Incident Commander.
3) When requested by Fire Alarm.
b. The switch to Channel 2 will be directed by Fire Alarm after initial operations have started.
Example:
Fire Alarm: "Units operating at 1216 Agnese Street, Channel 2 operations.
NOTE: FIRE ALARM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN UNITS HAVE MADE THE SWITCH.
c. Even though Fire Alarm monitors channel 2, any unit wishing to contact Fire Alarm shall switch channels and do so on channel 1.
d. When operating on channel 2, Chief Officers will be advised of other alarms in their jurisdictions and/or of any transfer details made. Any important incident reports will be simulcasted.
e. At the termination of an incident, units shall remain on channel 2 until returning to quarters or they are ready on the scene.
Example: "Engine 4 returning/ready, channel 1."
13. Heavy radio/telephone traffic - When radio and/or telephone traffic becomes heavy in the Fire Alarm Office, the dispatcher may:
a. Announce - "All units standby." This indicates that Fire Alarm is temporarily unable to answer; do not transmit for a reasonable time and await Fire Alarm to contact you.
b. Transmit a single short alert tone "beep". This indicates that Fire Alarm is temporarily unable to answer; do not transmit for a reasonable time and await Fire Alarm to contact you.
14. Urgent Message - anytime a unit is in distress and/ or needs to communicate a life threatening message they will use the Urgent Message.
a. Urgent messages are restricted to emergencies where life or personal injury is at stake, or critical situations requiring immediate assistance.
b. Urgent messages will be given priority over all other phone or radio traffic and will be immediately acknowledged.
Example: "Engine 82 to Fire Alarm - URGENT repeat URGENT."
15. Use of Alert Tones
a. Alert tones are used to gain the attention of personnel or a station. Alert tones are only used during an incident (exception - dispatcher may use one single short alert to let mobile units know that Fire Alarm is busy).
b. Two short alert tones shall precede incident dispatches.
c. Two short alert tones will be used to gain attention of units on the air and let them know they MAY be dispatched to an incident.
Example:
Fire Alarm: "(Beep...Beep) Fire Alarm to Engine 10."
Engine 10 : "Eng 10 Harris Street."
Fire Alarm: "Eng 10 (STANDBY or DISREGARD)
d. Emergency message: One long "YELP" tone shall be used to announce building collapse, fire fighter lost, fire fighter trapped, etc. Upon transmission of this tone ALL TRANSMISSIONS ARE TO CEASE AND EVERYONE IS TO LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE.
16. Calling for additional alarms - When units are contacting Fire Alarm for additional equipment, standby for Fire Alarm to acknowledge. Then give the message for assistance. Make the request specific.
Example:
Chief 2: "Chief 2 to Fire Alarm."
Fire Alarm: "Chief 2."
Chief 2: "Send me another engine company."
Fire Alarm: "OK Chief 2, another engine company on the way, 1641."
17. Walk-ins - On occasion a station may receive a call by either landline or walk-in. In this case, the unit should respond to the incident and inform fire alarm by radio.
Example:
Unit: "Brush 45 to Fire Alarm, we are responding to Rt. 743 and Rt. 643 for a motor vehicle accident."
Fire Alarm: "Beep...Beep"
"At Routes 743 & 643, a motor vehicle accident, Brush 45 responding at 2136."
Fire Alarm: Selective tone(s) as required.
"At Routes 743 & 643, a motor vehicle accident, Brush 45 responding, 2136."
18. Mutual aid calls - On any mutual aid calls to surrounding jurisdictions, that locality's dispatcher will be notified as to the location, nature of call, and what units from Albemarle County are responding. All radio dispatches will include the fact that the call is mutual aid and out of the County of Albemarle.
Example:
Fire Alarm: "Beep...Beep"
"Route 33 in Green County, mutual aid for a building fire, Station 4 respond.
Fire Alarm: Selective tone(s) as required.
"Route 33 in Green County, mutual aid for a building fire, Station 4 respond, 2133."
19. Equipment Transfers
a. City Station 1 - Anytime it is estimated that the Engine Company from Station 1 will be out of service or tied up on an incident for more than 15 minutes, the County Career Engine from Headquarters will transfer to Station 1. In the event that a Career Engine is not available, Station 1 will remain empty.
b. City Headquarters - Anytime it appears that units from Headquarters will be out of service or tied up on an incident for an extended period of time, Fire Alarm shall contact the Incident Commander to see if he/she wishes a transfer - If so, transfers should be conducted as listed below:
NOTE: UPON A REQUEST OF A SECOND OR GREATER ALARM STATION TRANSFERS SHALL BE AUTOMATIC UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY INCIDENT COMMANDER.
1) HQ Station empty - Transfer one Station 1 Career Engine to Headquarters.
2) County Career Engine in HQ alone - Transfer Station 1 "2nd Due" Engine to HQ.
3) Station 1 "1st Due" Engine tied up for more than 15 minutes, transfer Career County HQ Engine to Station 1 (unless the "2nd Due" Engine is staffed with two personnel or more, then a transfer will not be necessary). If a Career Engine is not available to fill in at Station 1, Station 1 will remain empty.
4) All Career Companies out - Transfer 2 Volunteer Companies to Headquarters and Volunteer Company to Station 1.
c. County Stations - It shall be the responsibility of the Officer-In-Charge of any Volunteer Company to ask for a transfer detail.
d. Multiple Company Transfers should be done in one simultaneous dispatch.
Example of single Engine transfer:
Fire Alarm: Selective tone(s) as required
"Transfer, Engine 2 transfer to Station 1, 2101."
Example of multiple Engine transfer:
Fire Alarm: Selective tone(s) as required
"Transfer, Stations 2 and 6 transfer 1 Engine Company to HQ, 2343."
20. Placing units in/out of service - Whenever a station places any apparatus in/out of service, Fire Alarm is to be notified immediately. Unit number and reason will be posted on the Fire Alarm status board. Also if a Volunteer Company is involved, the station pagers will be activated and all personnel advised of the units status.
Example:
Fire Alarm: (selective station tone - no alerts)
"Attention Station 2 personnel, Engine 22 is now out of service, 1921."
21. Severe Weather Notification - For severe weather notifications, all selective tones shall be activated (except house sirens) and the pertinent information announced.
Example:
Fire Alarm: (selective tones - no alerts)
"Attention all stations, the National Weather Center has advised that a tornado warning is in effect for this area until 2300 hours tonight, 1815."
22. Paging of Personnel
a. Paging of personnel for necessary department matters will be referred by the department's Officer-In-Charge or designee to the Fire Alarm Office AND WILL ONLY BE DONE WHEN TELEPHONE CONTACT HAS BEEN TRIED.
b. The paging of individuals for personal matters will not be done, except in cases of emergency.
c. Any problems or complaints should be referred to the On Duty Battalion Chief.
34.06 BASIC RULES FOR VOICE OPERATION & MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
A. Make certain the channel is clear and organize your thoughts before transmitting.
B. Keep all transmissions brief and to the point.
C. Speak distinctly and pronounce words carefully.
D. Depress the microphone switch fully and pause a second before starting to talk. Talk at conversational level DO NOT SHOUT.
E. Use official titles, authorized units, and complete designations, i.e. Captain Smith, Brush 45, Truck 1, etc. Use of first names is not permitted.
F. The use of "10 Signals" is not permitted.
G. Remain calm during all radio and telephone conversations. Avoid uncivil, angry, abusive, derogatory, or sarcastic remarks.
H. The word "OK" will be used to signify acknowledgment, i.e., that the message is understood and will be complied to. The code signal "10-4" will not be used.
Example:
Fire Alarm: "Fire Alarm to Engine 4 hydrant location is the 800 block Lexington Avenue, 1233."
Engine 4 : "Engine 4 OK."
I. Mobile radio units will use complete identification designations for all transmissions made by the unit.
Example:
"Engine 5, Truck 1, Brush 45, Tanker 69, etc."
J. Hand held radio units will use designations which identify with the apparatus to which assigned, prefixed by the word "Walkie".
Example: "Engine 4 Walkie for Engine 4's walkie."
K. Fire Alarm shall comply with all orders issued by commanding officers of the fire department while operating on the fireground.
L. Fire Alarm will only accept orders from the Incident Commander. When orders or instructions are given to Fire Alarm by personnel other than the IC, Fire Alarm will inform that person of the IC and direct that traffic to the IC.
Example:
Unit: "Engine 4 Walkie to Fire Alarm return all units."
Fire Alarm: "Engine 4 Walkie, Chief 2 has assumed command, please direct your message to him, 1806."
34.07 STANDARD AUTHORIZED WORDS/PHRASES
A. Advise - give this message to - or provide me with the necessary information. DO NOT USE "BE ADVISED".
B. Brush unit - vehicle used for brush/woods fires.
C. Command post - the physical location (area or vehicle) of the fireground or incident commander.
D. Cross street - the street that intersects before the block of the incident.
E. Engine - A mobile Engine usually carrying 500 gallons or more and less than 3 persons on apparatus.
F. En route - on the way to . . .(location).
G. Engine Company - An engine that has three or more personnel on apparatus.
H. ETA - abbreviation for estimated time of arrival.
I. Landline - a telephone; also to be used as a request to call by telephone.
J. Not ready - not available for response.
K. OK - message received, understood and will be complied with.
L. On the air - way to notify Fire Alarm that a unit is available by radio.
M. On the scene - indicates that a unit has arrived at its destination.
N. Ready - available for response.
O. Responding - a unit is on the way to a specific destination.
P. Response check - Fire Alarm is questioning the response of a unit.
Q. Situation clear - signifies that the emergency no longer exists.
R. Situation under control - signifies that the emergency still exists but conditions are under control.
S. Test count - for test purposes, a 5 count will be made, 1 to 5, 5 to 1.
T. Transferring - moving to or filling in at another station.
U. Verify - verify entire message and correct if necessary.
V. Walkie - radio designation for hand held radios shall follow apparatus designation. Example - "Engine 3 Walkie".
A. Standard testing of radios shall be conducted daily at 0700 hours.
B. No alert tones are to be used.
C. Dispatcher shall first identify the station, announce street closings, bridges closed, apparatus out of service, etc., for the benefit of all companies.
Example:
Fire Alarm: "Station KIP 246 Charlottesville-Albemarle Fire Alarm Charlottesville, Virginia Operating on the assigned frequency of 46.46 mHz conducting morning radio test with Engine 7 out of service. Testing Engine 1.
Engine 1: "Engine 1 testing 1-2-3-4-5."
Fire Alarm: "Engine 2."
D. If an incident is in progress at 0700, the radio test will be suspended to the following day.
E. If a radio fails the morning test, a defective equipment form shall be submitted and also logged in the radio/battery log.
A. Routine announcements will be made every Tuesday at 1800 hours immediately following the weekly monitor test (except when incidents are in progress). Announcements may be made after incident(s) are clear up until 2100 hours. After that time, routine announcements will not be permitted. The announcements will be broadcasted only once. Notification for evening announcements must be made before 1745 hours on the day of requested broadcast. Requests for announcements made after 1745 will be allowed only under extenuating circumstances.
NOTE: Routine announcements should remain as brief as possible.
B. Emergency announcements can be made at any time. An emergency announcement is considered to be a weather related, emergency page of personnel, or the like.
C. Special announcements (apparatus in/out of service, time sensitive announcements) can be made at any time.
D. Testing - A weekly test shall be conducted for all City and County monitors on Tuesday at 1800 hours preceding the routine announcements. If an incident is in progress at 1800 hours the test will be suspended to the following week. However, routine announcements scheduled shall be transmitted up until 2100 hours. All selective tones shall be activated (except house sirens), followed by the test announcement and then the routine announcements.
Example:
Fire Alarm: (sound selective tones)
"Station KIP 246 Charlottesville-Albemarle Fire Alarm conducting a weekly test of City and County monitors, testing 1-2-3-4-5, 5-4-3-2-1 end of test."
(follow-up with routine announcements)
"Attention Station 4 personnel there will be a work detail at your station tonight at 1900 hours, 1802."
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