ch 4

Question 1

A device that keeps a detailed record of every incident and activity that
occurs.

Answer 1

Activity logging system

Question 2

A series of data elements that informs the recipient of the location of the
alarm. (NFPA 1221)

Answer 2

Automatic location identification

Question 3

A series of alphanumeric characters that informs the recipient of the source of
the alarm. (NFPA 1221)

Answer 3

Automatic number identification

Question 4

A stationary radio transceiver with an integral AC power supply. (NFPA 1221)

Answer 4

Base station

Question 5

A system of telephones connected by phone lines, radio equipment, or cellular
technology to a communications center or fire department.

Answer 5

Call box

Question 6

An assigned frequency or frequencies used to carry voice and/or data
communications.

Answer 6

Channel

Question 7

A combination of hardware and software that provides data entry, makes
resource recommendations, and notifies and tracks those resources before,
during, and after fire service alarms, preserving records of those alarms and
status changes for later analysis. (NFPA 1221)

Answer 7

Computer-aided dispatch

Question 8

The transmission of information via radio waves using native digital (computer)
data or analog (voice) signals that have been converted to a digital signal and
compressed.

Answer 8

Digital radio

Question 9

A telephone that connects two predetermined points.

Answer 9

Direct line

Question 10

To send out emergency response resources promptly to an address or incident
location for a specific purpose. (NFPA 450)

Answer 10

Dispatch

Question 11

A radio system that is able to simultaneously use two frequencies per channel;
one frequency transmits and the other receives messages. Such a system uses a
repeater site to transmit messages over a greater distance than is possible with
a simplex system.

Answer 11

Duplex channel

Question 12

An urgent message, such as a call for help or evacuation, transmitted over a
radio that takes precedence over all normal radio traffic.

Answer 12

Emergency traffic

Question 13

A distinctive sign intended to be recognized by the occupants as requiring
evacuation of the building. (NFPA 72)

Answer 13

Evacuation signal

Question 14

The federal regulatory authority that oversees radio communications in the
United States.

Answer 14

Federal Communications Commission

Question 15

The number of cycles (oscillations) per second of a radio signal.

Answer 15

Frequency

Question 16

A system of computer software, hardware, data, and personnel to describe
information tied to a spatial location. (NFPA 450)

Answer 16

Geographic information systems

Question 17

A satellite-based radio navigation system comprised of three segments: space,
control, and user. (NFPA 414)

Answer 17

Global positioning systems

Question 18

A verbal declaration indicating that a fire fighter is lost, missing, or trapped
and requires immediate assistance.

Answer 18

Mayday

Question 19

Technology that allows fire fighters to receive data while in the fire apparatus
or at the station.

Answer 19

Mobile data terminals

Question 20

A two-way radio that is permanently mounted in a fire apparatus.

Answer 20

Mobile radio

Question 21

Simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams, most often voice signals,
in either or both directions over the same frequency.

Answer 21

Multiplex channel

Question 22

A battery-operated, hand-held transceiver. (NFPA 1221)

Answer 22

Portable radio

Question 23

A facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency and non-emergency calls
requesting public safety services via telephone and other communication
devices. (NFPA 1061)

Answer 23

Public safety answering point

Question 24

A building or portion of a building that is specifically configured for the primary
purpose of providing emergency communications services or public safety
answering point (PSAP) services to one or more public safety agencies under
the authority or authorities having jurisdiction. (NFPA 1061)

Answer 24

Public safety communications center

Question 25

A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one
frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.

Answer 25

Repeater

Question 26

Cards used to determine a predetermined response to an emergency.

Answer 26

Run cards

Question 27

A radio system that uses one frequency to transmit and receive all messages;
transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both;
when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is
transmitting is unable to receive.

Answer 27

Simplex channel

Question 28

A simplex channel used for onsite communications.

Answer 28

Talk-around channel

Question 29

An individual whose primary responsibility is to receive, process, or disseminate
information of a public safety nature via telecommunication devices. (NFPA
1061)

Answer 29

Telecommunicator

Question 30

The phase in a 911 call during which the telecommunicator asks questions to
obtain vital information such as the location of the emergency.

Answer 30

Telephone interrogation

Question 31

A system of predetermined coded messages, such as “What is your 10-20?” used
by responders over the radio.

Answer 31

Ten-codes

Question 32

Status updates provided to the communications center every 10 to 20 minutes.
Such an update should include the type of operation, the progress of the
incident, the anticipated actions, and the need for additional resources.

Answer 32

Time marks

Question 33

A radio system that uses a computerized shared bank of frequencies to make
the most efficient use of radio resources.

Answer 33

Trunked radios

Question 34

User devices that allow speech- and/or hearing-impaired citizens to
communicate over a telephone system. TTY stands for teletype, and TDD stands
for telecommunications device for the deaf; the displayed text is the
equivalent of a verbal conversation between two hearing persons.

Answer 34

TTY/TDD systems

Question 35

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 MHZ.

Answer 35

Ultrahigh-frequency band

Question 36

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; this spectrum is further divided
into high and low bands.

Answer 36

Very high-frequency band

Question 37

Technology that converts a person’s voice into a digital signal that can be sent
via the Internet to another device.

Answer 37

Voice over Internet Protocol

Question 38

Recording devices or computer equipment connected to telephone lines and
radio equipment in a communications center to record telephone calls and
radio traffic.

Answer 38

Voice recording system