Ch2 Communications

Question 1

Can you name the 8 radio tower sites in Calgary?

Answer 1

Bankers Hall
Spy Hill
Forest Lawn
Trans Alta
Fish Creek
Airport
South Calgary Hospital
Coventry North

Question 2

Radio systems can operate in what two modes?

Answer 2

Duplex and Simplex

Question 3

How are direct signal transmissions primarily used?

Answer 3

Radio to radio

Fire Ground Communications

Question 4

What is a Duplex channel used for?

Answer 4

Contacting dispatch through a radio tower.

Question 5

What is the name of zone that is paired with a channel?

Answer 5

This is known as a Talk Group. When dispatch assigns an incident Zone B, Channel 3, fire crew communicate on talk group Bravo Three.

Question 6

What is a Code 15?

Answer 6

To check in every 20 minutes

Question 7

What is a Code 200?

Answer 7

A FF is under direct threat from an assailant

Question 8

The straight line travel of radio signals between the transmitting radio and the receiving radio is know as…

Answer 8

Direct Communication

Question 9

When portable radios are used in hazardous atmospheres, they must be…

Answer 9

intrinsically safe for the specific environment

Question 10

How many zones does the CFD use?

Answer 10

6 zones. A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Question 11

How many channels are on each zone that CFD uses?

Answer 11

16 channels

Question 12

What transmissions are radio to radio and are sent on the same frequency, have “line of sight” and have a limited transmission range…

Answer 12

Simplex mode (conventional)

Question 13

Radio communications are transmitted on one frequency and received on another are referred to as…

Answer 13

Duplex mode (trunking)

Question 14

Portable radio accountability… CFD manual

Answer 14

Portable radios have a unique encoded 6-digit identifier, which is displayed on the main and top LED screens as well as the attached label on the front.

Question 15

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that is a handheld portable radio used for communication on the fire ground and CFD business.

How long is the unit submersible in water for?

Answer 15

2 meters for 2 hours

Question 16

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that is a handheld portable radio used for communication on the fire ground and CFD business.

The Xtreme Temperature RSM Cable will withstand what heat exposure?

Answer 16

The Xtreme Temperature RSM Cable will withstand heat exposure of 500 degrees F for up to 5 minutes.

Question 17

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that has intelligent lighting. What are the colors of the lighting and their meanings?

Answer 17

Orange - This is for emergency alerts

Red - This is for critical alerts

Question 18

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that has an EAB on the portable radio main body and the RSM (speaker mic). What is the color of this button?

Answer 18

The EAB is the orange button located on the top of the RSM and portable radio.

This also activates the LED light on the RSM which will flash “SOS” in Morse Code.

Additionally, the top and front LED screens will flash orange and the word “Emergency” displays.

Question 19

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that when the EAB is activated has a hot mic feature. How long is that hot mic open for?

Answer 19

The hot mic is open for 10 seconds but the user should still depress the PTT to avoid being interrupted after 10 seconds expires.

PTT times out at 60 seconds.

Question 20

Public alerting systems… p58

Answer 20

Modern 911 capabilities now include text messaging and application software apps for smartphones.

Question 21

Radio communications… p63

Answer 21

It is a federal offense to send personal or other unauthorized messages over a designated fire department radio channel.

Question 22

Fire ground channels… p66

Answer 22

Most fire departments have a channel assigned for dispatching only. When units arrive at the incident, a command channel is assigned to the IC while a second tactical channel is assigned for fire ground operations. The command channel and tactical channels may be expanded as the incident grows in complexity as other agencies are added to it.

Question 23

Overcoming physical barriers with your radio… p67

Answer 23

To overcome physical barriers, you may need to turn your body 90 degrees, lift the portable radio higher, or raise the antenna straight up.

Question 24

Radio procedures…

What are some of the radio communications best practices? p70

Answer 24

Know what you are going to say before you open the microphone.

Use a moderate rate of speaking focused on clear understanding.

Do not use pauses or verbal fillers.

Avoid excitement or shouting over the radio.

Do not use profane language or obscenities.

Hold the speaker mic 1-2 inches from the mouth or SCBA mic.

Repeat the message back to the sender to ensure that they received and understood it.

When communicating over the radio, emergency transmissions have priority over routine transmissions.

Question 25

What must happen once an emergency has been reported? p63

Answer 25

The information must be transferred to responding units.

Question 26

The use of plain English rather than agency specific codes in radio communications is referred to as what? p63

Answer 26

Clear text

Question 27

What are remote areas or locations inside structures that cause the loss of cellular telephone service or radio signals? p67

Answer 27

Dead zones

Question 28

What are four possible sources of interference? p67

Answer 28

Vehicle ignition
High voltage power lines
Cellular telephone towers or transmitters
Computers

Question 29

What are two ways to overcome ambient noise? p68

Answer 29

Turn off apparatus audible warning devices
Move away from noise emitting equipment
Use your body or PPE to create a wind barrier
Move to a location that is quiet

Question 30

What is the correct procedure for radio communication transmissions?

Answer 30

Press and hold PTT button and wait for 2-3 seconds then announce who you are looking to speak to then identify yourself.

“Dispatch, Engine 21”

Question 31

There are three types of critical messages…

Answer 31

Mayday
Emergency Traffic
Urgent Message

Question 32

Dispatch Registered Radio Database…
The Dispatch Registered Radio Database is an electronic spreadsheet linked with the dispatcher’s radio console and is the primary system used to identify a radio user.

Answer 32

The database info must be accurate at all times. For this reason, District Chiefs will manage all portable radio issues including replacements, missing radios, conflicting data, etc. Only District Chiefs have replacement portables and the authorization to contact Dispatch with portable radio updates or changes.

Question 33

The CFD uses the Motorola APX 6000 XE that has a rechargeable battery. What is that battery?

Answer 33

The battery is a rechargeable 7.4 volt DC lithium ion battery with a rated capacity of 3100mAh.

Question 34

Portable Radio Daily Inspection…

Ensure the radio is labeled properly with the apparatus seat position and 6 digit ID.

Answer 34

A constant red light on the RSM (remote speaker mic) indicates that there is a problem with the RSM connecting to the radio. Remove RSM and carefully wipe connections with a clean dry cloth. Reattach. If still not working, switch with other radios and RSMs to determine if it is a RSM or radio issue.

Question 35

How can a firefighter overcome dead zones in a building that interfere with radio communications?

Answer 35

Move to an outside wall or a door way within the structure