8007 Radio Operations (Fire Communications)

Question 1

Who shall be responsible

for maintaining this document.

Answer 1

The Deputy Chief, Operations Bureau, or his/her designee

Question 2

Define

Bank

Answer 2

Also referred to as zone, is another selection of available radio channels/frequencies to be selected and used.

Question 3

Define

Bonk

Answer 3

Term used to indicate the audio noise emitted from a radio that is out of range of the system repeaters.

Question 4

Define

DIR (Direct Channel)

Answer 4

A radio-to-radio channel that allows users to talk without going through the repeater system

Question 5

Define

Emergency Alert

Answer 5

An 800 MHz radio function that alerts FCC of a firefighter in need of assistance when s/he cannot immediately relay a request for assistance verbally.

Question 6

FCC personnel shall

Answer 6

Assign tactical Channels
A2 OPS 2, A3 OPS 3, A4 OPS 4 and A5 OPS 5 for Tacoma units or

A6 OPS 6, A7 OPS 7, A8 OPS 8 for
CPFR units as part of the dispatch information.

Question 7

When TFD personnel encounter an area or a building or other structure where there is no radio coverage, direct channels can be used for

Answer 7

routine (non-emergency) radio traffic or for emergency communication with a
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) when one is established.
a. The user will hear a “bonk” on the radio when the transmit (“Push to Talk”) button is pressed.

Question 8

TFD operations personnel shall:

a. Use Public Safety trunked radios on the B-bank for

Answer 8

responses into West Pierce or Browns Point/Dash Point.
i. Channels will be assigned by Pierce County Fire
Communications.
ii. FCC personnel shall notify responding units of the channel
assignment with dispatch information on the MDT/MDC.

Question 9

TFD operations personnel shall:
Use Public Safety trunked radios on the
C-bank for

Answer 9

responses into other areas dispatched by West Pierce FireComm.

Question 10

TFD operations personnel shall:
Use Public Safety trunked radios on the
F or K banks for

Answer 10

mutual aid response into King or Snohomish Counties.

Question 11

The Emergency Alert button is active on the

Answer 11

King County system.

Question 12

Depressing the Emergency Alert button while assigned to a King County
incident will

Answer 12

set off an alarm at the dispatch center making the resource request.

Question 13

TFD units who accidentally activate the emergency alert button for a King
County incident shall

Answer 13

use the words “all clear” or “Code 4” as a unit response and reset the radio as directed by the communications center.

Question 14

PROCEDURE FOR MUTUAL AID RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Answer 14

1. Select the assigned channel and report unit/company number and assignment to the requesting agency.
   EXAMPLE: “Fire Comm from Tacoma Engine 10, responding to your incident at 123 Main Street.”
2. Upon returning to service, advise the requesting agency of available status for reassignment or release.
3. Once released by the requesting agency, switch to Tacoma A1 DSP and report availability to FCC.
4. Return to the TFD service area as directed by FCC.

Question 15

What policy number is

Radio Operations

Answer 15

8007

Fire Communications