1. Chapter 7 Communications

2. 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.

3. Case Study
Review and discuss the case study.

4. Introduction

5. Communication Responsibilities
Reporting

6. 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

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

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

9. Critical Information
Address (location)
Nature of call

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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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)

19. 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.

20. Hand Signals

21. Case Study Recap
Review and discuss the case study.

22. 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

23. 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