0. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition
Chapter 19 — Fire Department Communications
Firefighter II

1. Chapter 19 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to communicate effectively by radio and through various reports following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Firefighter II

2. Specific Objectives 1. Summarize guidelines for radio communications
2. Describe information given in arrival and progress reports.
3. Explain the purpose of tactical channels.
(Continued)
Firefighter II

3. Specific Objectives
4. Discuss calls for additional resources and emergency radio traffic.
5. Discuss evacuation signals and personnel accountability reports.
6. Summarize the information in incident reports.
7. Create an incident report. (Skill Sheet 19-II-1)
Firefighter II

4. Guidelines for Radio Communications
Use plain English or clear text without codes of any kind
Clear text — Standardized set of fire-specific words and phrases, often used in the wildland fire community
Use a moderate rate of speaking
(Continued)
Firefighter II

5. Guidelines for Radio Communications
Use a moderate amount of expression in speech
Use a vocal quality that is not too strong or weak
Keep things such as gum and candy out of the mouth
(Continued)
Firefighter II

6. Guidelines for Radio Communications
Be concise and to the point
Think about what should be said before keying the microphone
(Continued)
Firefighter II

7. Guidelines for Radio Communications
Everyone on the fireground should follow two basic rules
Units must identify themselves in every transmission
The receiver must acknowledge every message
(Continued)
Firefighter II

8. Guidelines for Radio Communications
Do not transmit until the frequency is clear
Any unit working at an emergency scene has priority over routine transmissions
Do not use profane or obscene language on the air
(Continued)
Firefighter II

9. Guidelines for Radio Communications
All radio frequencies are monitored
Hold the radio/microphone 1 to 2 inches (25 mm to 50 mm) from the mouth
(Continued)
Firefighter II

10. Guidelines for Radio Communications
On the emergency scene
Avoid laying the microphone on the seat of the vehicle
Do not touch the antenna when transmitting
Firefighter II

11. Arrival Reports Also called a report on conditions or situation report
Establish a time of arrival and inform other responding units of what actions might be needed
(Continued)
Firefighter II

12. Arrival Reports Format Situation found
Action(s) taken/actions to be taken
Command status
(Continued)
Firefighter II

13. Arrival Reports Some situations require more detail
Address, if other than the one initially reported
Building and occupancy description
Nature and extent of fire or other emergency
Attack mode selected
(Continued)
Firefighter II

14. Arrival Reports Some situations require more detail (cont.)
Rescue and exposure problems
Instructions to other responding units
Location of Incident Command position
Establishing Command
Water supply situation
Firefighter II

15. Progress Reports
Used to keep the communications center continually advised
Firefighter II

16. Progress Report Items Transfer of Command
Change in command post location
Progress (or lack of) toward incident stabilization
Direction of fire spread
(Continued)
Firefighter II

17. Progress Report Items
Exposures by direction, height, occupancy, and distance
Any problems or needs
Anticipated actions
Firefighter II

18. Tactical Channels Most often used for large incidents
Small routine incidents usually do not require a tactical channel
In many departments, units are initially dispatched on the primary dispatch channel
(Continued)
Firefighter II

19. Tactical Channels
Upon arrival on the scene, units may switch to an assigned tactical channel
Firefighter II

20. Tactical Channels: Telecommunicator Roles
Assign a tactical frequency
Ensure additional responding units are aware of the assigned tactical channel
Notify other agencies and services of the incident and the need for them to respond
Provide updated information
Firefighter II

21. Calls for Additional Resources
Normally, only the Incident Commander may strike multiple alarms or order additional resources
Know local procedure for requesting additional resources
Be familiar with alarm signals
(Continued)
Firefighter II

22. Calls for Additional Resources
When multiple alarms are struck, a radio-equipped mobile communications vehicle can be used to reduce the load on the communications center
Firefighters must be able to communicate the need for team assistance
Firefighter II

23. Emergency Radio Traffic
Person transmitting the message should make the urgency clear
Telecommunicator should give an attention tone, advise all other units to stand by, and then advise the caller to proceed
(Continued)
Firefighter II

24. Emergency Radio Traffic
After the emergency communication is complete, telecommunicator notifies all units to resume normal or routine radio traffic
Firefighter II

25. Evacuation Signals
Used when the IC decides that all firefighters should immediately withdraw
All firefighters should be familiar with their department’s method of sounding an evacuation signal
(Continued)
Firefighter II

26. Evacuation Signals Radio broadcast
Similar to emergency traffic broadcast
Message is broadcast several times
(Continued)
Firefighter II

27. Evacuation Signals Audible warning devices
Will work outside small structures
May not be heard by everyone
Can be confused with those being used by units arriving at the scene
Firefighter II

28. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
A systematic way of confirming the status of any unit operating at an incident
When requested, every supervisor must verify the status of those under his or her command
(Continued)
Firefighter II

29. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
May have to rely on touch or hearing to verify each member’s status
Others in the chain of command must rely on radio reports from their subordinates
(Continued)
Firefighter II

30. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
Command can request a PAR at any time, but one is usually requested when:
The incident is declared under control
Change in strategy
Sudden catastrophic event
Emergency evacuation
A firefighter missing or in distress
Firefighter II

31. Incident Reports
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) outlines information needed
NFIRS uses the Internet to transfer data from each state to the federal database
A vital part of the emergency
Available to the public
(Continued)
Firefighter II

32. Incident Reports
An incident report should include detailed information
Entered into databases at the state and national level
Information is used for a variety of purposes
Firefighter II

33. Summary
Fire department communications are a critical factor in the successful outcome of any incident. The better the communications, the safer the incident.
Firefighter II

34. Review Questions 1. List three guidelines for speaking over the radio.
2. What information should be given in an arrival report?
3. Why are tactical channels used?
(Continued)
Firefighter II

35. Review Questions 4. When are evacuation signals given?
5. What information should be given in an incident report?
Firefighter II