8008 - Emergency Alert Activation Flashcards
Who shall be responsible for:
- Ensuring Fire Communications Center (FCC) personnel abide by the guidelines set forth in this document
- Maintaining this document
The FCC Manager
Who shall be responsible for:
- Providing immediate assistance to firefighters who activate emergency alerts
- Ensuring law enforcement assistance is immediately available as appropriate for the incident
The Incident Commander
Who shall be responsible for being aware of and able to execute this policy.
FCC personnel and TFD operations personnel
In a life-threatening situation, all TFD personnel who are able to do so shall:
activate the EMER channel to confirm the existence of an emergency situation.
a. Activating the EMERGENCY ALERT function on the radio shall be treated as a life-threatening situation for which immediate assistance is required b. Multiple emergency activations shall be treated as a confirmed emergency need
- Use of the emergency alert function shall be limited to situations where:
normal voice communications are either not possible or could increase the immediate danger to the firefighter.
a. Examples of these situations include:
i. The firefighter is unable to use the radio because s/he is dealing with a dangerous situation (e.g. Code Blue)
ii. The firefighter is unable to use his/her radio due to injury (e.g. MAYDAY)
iii. Radio traffic is too heavy to be able to relay a request for emergency assistance
At FCC
a. Portable radio emergency alert activation displays:
b. Mobile radio emergency alert displays:
the firefighter’s radio assignment ID
the vehicle ID number
At FCC
When the emergency alert button is pushed on the mobile or portable radio, the radio sending the emergency alert will go automatically to _______ and:
Channel A16
a. A continuous emergency tone will be heard from the selected speaker and the resource border will flash red on the FCC dispatch console
b. The Stack will display “Emer Alarm”, the select audio will automatically set to maximum volume and the Activity Log will display “Emer Alarm”
c. The field units will not receive the audible alert
- FCC personnel shall monitor Channel A16 at all times.
Single Unit or EMS Response Activation
- Upon receiving an emergency activation from a single unit response incident, FCC personnel shall acknowledge the activation on the EMER channel.
- The activating unit shall respond immediately to FCC personnel and relate their condition or status if able to do so.
Ma. If an accidental activation has occurred the unit immediately shall make their status known on the air - If unable to relay specific details of status due to a hostage/duress situation, the response to FCC personnel shall be “Code Blue” or “Firefighter needs help”.
a. TFD personnel shall not call for a Code Blue if it is possible to make a routine request for law enforcement support - If no response is received after the first attempt to contact the activating unit, FCC personnel shall determine which unit activated the emergency alert and attempt to make contact by unit number and radio ID number on the appropriate assigned response channel.
- If FCC personnel do not receive a response after both attempts to contact the unit activating the emergency alert, s/he shall dispatch the closest Battalion Chief and law enforcement assistance immediately.
Multiple Unit Response Activation
- If multiple emergency alert activations are received from a fireground with established incident command, FCC personnel shall immediately notify the Incident Commander.
- The Incident Commander shall: a. Respond to the emergency activation b. Request additional resources as needed c. Update FCC personnel as to the unit status
- Law enforcement shall not be contacted for fireground emergency alert activations unless requested by the Incident Commander.
- If multiple emergency alert activations are received from the same incident without an established incident command, FCC personnel shall immediately dispatch the closest Battalion Chief and law enforcement assistance without contacting the activating units.
In-Service Unit Activation
- If an emergency activation is received from a unit that is in-service, but not assigned to an incident, FCC personnel shall make two attempts to contact the activating unit; one on EMER Channel and the second on the dispatch channel (A1 DSP).
- If FCC personnel do not receive a response after both attempts to contact the unit activating the emergency alert, the closest Battalion Chief and law
Activation by Unit not Logged on to CAD or Assigned in PTS
- If the unit activating the emergency alert is not logged on to CAD or assigned a position in PTS, FCC personnel shall contact the appropriate Battalion Chief and using the activating unit’s radio ID number, advise that an emergency alert has been activated and that the radio is not shown as assigned.
- FCC personnel shall then:
Ma. Attempt to get the last known assignment for that radio by verifying the last time the unit was in service and logged on
b. Attempt to make contact with the user of the activated radio on EMER Channel
c. Update the Battalion Chief, and law enforcement if appropriate, of any additional information obtained
PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ALERT ACTIVATION
TFD Operations Personnel
TFD Operations Personnel
- Depress the orange button regardless of channel selection. OR
- Turn channel selector all the way clockwise.
- Make sure toggle switch is in the A or B position.
- Upon contact with FCC personnel: a. Advise as to status and/or condition b. Provide any other details that can be safely communicated EXAMPLE: “Tacoma, Engine 10 Driver, everything is okay”
- If unable to relay specific details of status or condition due to hostage/duress situation, call for a Code Blue.
EXAMPLE: “Tacoma, Engine 10 Driver, Code Blue”
PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ALERT ACTIVATION DISPATCH FCC Personnel
Single unit or EMS response activation
- Attempt to make radio contact with the activating unit on both the EMER channel and the assigned tactical channel. EXAMPLE: “Engine 10 Driver, you are on channel A16”
- If no response, make another attempt to contact on the EMER and assigned tactical channels.
- If no response after two attempts to contact:
a. Enter type code “EMER” with associated event number
b. Determine which unit activated the EMER alert
c. Memo the incident in CAD with details in the incident event history
d. Notify LESA that a Code Blue has been called and request law enforcement support
e. Provide the following information to LESA–
i. Identification number of the unit issuing the alert ii. Type of call the unit is on
iii. Last known location of unit
iv. Any additional pertinent information
EXAMPLE: “LESA. This is Tacoma Fire. We have an EMER activation by Engine 10 Driver on a BLS call at 4911 South Alaska. There is no response from the unit. We are requesting “Code Blue” response to 4911 South Alaska.”
f. Immediately dispatch the closest Battalion Chief
PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ALERT ACTIVATION DISPATCH FCC Personnel
Multiple unit response activations
- Attempt to contact the activating unit(s) on both the EMER channel and the assigned tactical channel.
- If no response, make a second attempt to contact on the EMER and assigned tactical channels.
- Upon confirmation of an emergency, sound an alert tone with the emergency message on the EMER channel and on the tactical channel assigned to the incident.
- Notify the Incident Commander of the EMER activation
a. Advise of attempts to contact
b. Provide any additional pertinent information
EXAMPLE: “Tacoma Dome Command, Radio EMER Activation by E10 Driver radio. No response by E10 Driver on Channel A16.” - If no established incident command, immediately dispatch the closest Battalion Chief and law enforcement assistance to the incident location.
PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ALERT ACTIVATION DISPATCH FCC Personnel
In-Service unit activation
- Attempt to contact the activating unit on both the EMER channel and A1 DSP.
- If no response, make a second attempt to contact on the EMER channel and A1 DSP. 3. If no response after two attempts to contact:
a. Enter type code “EMER” with associated event number
b. Determine which unit activated the EMER alert
c. Notify LESA and request law enforcement support
d. Provide the following information to LESA–
i. Identification number of the unit issuing the alert
ii. Unit is currently in service
iii. Time of last contact with unit
PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY ALERT ACTIVATION DISPATCH FCC Personnel
Activation by unit(s) not logged in CAD or assigned in PTS
- Attempt to contact with the activating unit on the EMER channel and A1 DSP. EXAMPLE: “Medic 2 in charge, you are on Channel A16.”
- Advise law enforcement and appropriate Battalion Chief of EMER activation.
- Attempt to verify last known assignment for the activating radio.
- Provide last known assignment information to previously notified Battalion Chief.
- Update the notified Battalion Chief, and law enforcement if appropriate, of any additional information obtained.
a. Provide radio identification number
b. Inform him/her that radio does not show as assigned
PROCEDURE FOR ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION AND RADIO RESET
TFD Personnel
FCC Personnel
- Immediately notify FCC of the accidental activation.
- To reset portable and mobile radios:
a. Push and hold the EMER button down for two seconds OR
b. Turn the radio off and then on again - Clear the activation from the channel.
