Chapter 7 Communications

Objectives Define the emergency vehicle operator’s roles and responsibilities involving communications pertaining to emergency vehicle operations. Define proper communications including hand signals and radio etiquette. Relate the technology and role of communications in emergency vehicle operations.

Case Study Review and discuss the case study.

Introduction

Communication Responsibilities Reporting

Communication Reporting Prior to the start of the call When you are dispatched on a response When you arrive at the scene of an incident Key trigger Incident choreography

Communication Reporting When the fire is under control or the patient has been extricated When transporting patients Arrival at destination Available

Communication Responsibilities Reporting Prior to the start of the call Dispatched on a response

Critical Information Address (location) Nature of call

Communication Responsibilities Reporting Prior to the start of the call Dispatched on a response Incident arrival

Communication Responsibilities At-patient on medical calls or other key trigger points such as water on the fire Incident choreography When the fire is under control or the patient has been extricated

Communication Responsibilities When transporting patients, notify dispatch you are en route to your destination. Arrival at destination such as a hospital in EMS situations. Available.

Personnel Crew chief/officer Driver/operator Dispatcher Medical direction Incident Commander Receiving facility

Radio Communications Radio frequencies Headsets Mobile versus portable radios Other communication devices

Radio Etiquette USE INSTEAD OF Affirmative Yes or yea Negative No or nay Four-two Forty-two One-four Fourteen

Phonetic Alphabet A - Alpha B - Bravo C - Charlie D - Delta E - Echo F - Foxtrot G - Golf H - Hotel I - India J - Juliet K - Kilo L - Lima M - Mike N- November O - Oscar P - Papa Q - Quebec R - Romeo S - Sierra T - Tango U - Uniform V - Victor W - Whiskey X - X-ray Y - Yankee Z - Zulu

Examples of Some Codes Signal 7 Death Code H Crew in trouble Code B Bomb threat

How To Use Radio Equipment 1. Listen to the channel before transmitting to assure that it is not in use. 2. Press the transmit button for one second before speaking. 3. Speak at close range, approximately 2 inches, directly into, or across the face of the microphone. 4. Speak slowly and clearly. Pronounce each word distinctly, avoiding words that are difficult to understand. (Continued)

How To Use Radio Equipment 5. Speak in a normal pitch, keeping your voice free of emotion. 6. Be brief. Know what you are going to say before you press the transmit button. 7. Do not waste airtime with unnecessary information.

Hand Signals

Case Study Recap Review and discuss the case study.

Summary When you are transmitting: 1. Plan what you are going to say 2. Identify your vehicle and who you are calling 3. Be brief 4. Use plain English 5. Pronounce your words clearly 6. Spell confusing words phonetically 7. Repeat directions and medical orders

Summary Remember your radio etiquette: Listen before you speak Depress the microphone key for one second before speaking Talk with the microphone close to your mouth