CVFD Training – Fire Alarms & Communication SFFMA Training Objectives: –

Topics to cover Trainee shall define the procedure for a citizen to report a fire or other emergency Trainee shall demonstrate receiving an alarm or a report of an emergency, and initiate action Trainee shall define the purpose and function of all alarm-receiving instruments and personnel-alerting equipment provided in the fire station Trainee shall identify traffic control devices installed in the fire station to facilitate the response of apparatus Trainee shall identify procedures required for receipt and processing of business and personal calls Trainee shall define and demonstrate prescribed fire department radio procedures including: – A. routine traffic – B. emergency traffic – C. emergency evacuation signals Trainee shall define policy and procedures concerning the ordering and transmitting of multiple alarms of fire and calls for special assistance from the emergency scene Trainee shall define all fire alarm signals, including multiple alarms and special signals, governing the movements of fire apparatus, and the action to be taken upon the receipt of each signal.

Citizens Actions for Emergency Civilians will be primary person who will report emergencies – Actions to report fire: Call 911 and request fire department – Provide correct address and provide description of fire – Actions to report MVA: Call 911 and request EMS & Fire Department – Provide most accurate intersection and attempt to give any sort of scene size up – Actions to report other emergencies: Call 911 and describe situation to Dispatcher

Firefighter actions on receiving call Steps: 1.FF will move to the station in which apparatus is toned 2.FF will call standing by (based off of seniority will call if driver or not) 3.FF will start apparatus 4.FF will begin determining the quickest route to call 5.Once complete crew is present, apparatus will move to call (emergency or non-emergency) 6.En-route, CO, will begin giving actions upon arrival

Alarm Receiving Equipment Station / Home Scanner Personal / Department Handheld Radio – Only distributed to authorized fire fighters – Provides two way communication Minotor Receiver – Only allows for receiving of Primary Channel traffic Pager – Easily transported means of receiving alarm Cell Phone – Newest was of receiving alarm

3.6 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.

3.7 Introduction (2 of 2) Communication process must be complete and understood to be effective. Leaders are taking proactive measures to ensure quality.

3.8 Communications Personnel (1 of 3) Basic role of communications has not changed over time. Telecommunicator responsibilities – Receiving calls – Evaluating response need – Initiating appropriate response – May remain on the line, provide pre-arrival instructions

3.9 Communications Personnel (2 of 3) NFPA Standard for Professional Qualifications for Public Safety Telecommunicators Detailed work performance evaluation program follows training programs

3.10 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.

3.11 The Communications Facility (1 of 3)

3.12 The Communications Facility (2 of 3) NFPA Standard on location and construction of communication centers – Dispatch centers range in size and staffing. – All serve common goal of receiving and delivering information. – All communication centers should have a backup in place.

3.13 The Communications Facility (3 of 3) New technology in hardware and software has allowed incorporation of computers. – Computer-aided dispatch systems – Tracking location and status of incidents and vehicles

3.14 Receiving Reports of Emergencies (1 of 3) Call-taking process – Receiving a report – Interviewing – Referral or dispatch Telecommunicators – Prioritize incoming calls – Answer incoming lines promptly – Control the conversation

3.15 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

3.16 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.

3.17 Call Process

3.18 Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies (1 of 5) 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.

3.19 Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies (2 of 5) Enhanced 911 provides telephone numbers and addresses of call origins. Cellular phone is becoming very common. By 2000, cellular phones must be able to provide means to determine caller location.

3.20 Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies (3 of 5) 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 – Began near the turn of the century – Commonly referred to as call boxes

3.21 Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies (4 of 5) Call boxes

3.22 Methods of Receiving Reports of Emergencies (5 of 5) 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.

3.23 Type A Municipal Alarm

3.24 Type B Municipal Alarm

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

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

3.27 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 is based on apparatus, equipment, and personnel available.

3.28 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.

3.29 Notification Systems

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

3.31 Traffic Control Systems Some jurisdictions use emergency preemption systems to control traffic signals. – They provide a safe transition to a priority right-of- way for emergency vehicles. – System designed to recognize emergency vehicle and change traffic control signal.

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

3.33 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.

3.34 Proper Use of Radio

3.35 Arrival Reports First arriving unit establishes command and 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.

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

3.37 Records Maintain proper documentation and records for all responses. Keep telephone and radio traffic in manual log book or recording device. Fire reports are considered public records. Most states have minimum data that must be recorded and maintained.

3.38 Recording Devices

3.39 Summary How emergency calls are answered and information processed has a direct impact on the public’s impression of the department. Answering calls quickly, gaining control, and, possibly, calming the caller is very important. Use knowledge and skills, and all the available resources to successfully handle an emergency incident.