Chapter 3 Flashcards
9-1-1
Emergency telephone number that provides access to the publici safety services in the comjunity, region, and, ultimately, nation.
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO)
International not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public safety communications. Membership is made up of public safety professionals from around the world.
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
System that utilizes GPS technology to pinpoint the location of an emergency incident as well as the response vehicle that may be closest according to a computerized map.
Base Radio
Radio station that contains all of the antennas, receivers, and transmitters necessary to transmit and receive messages. Normally located in a station or communications tower.
Basic 9-1-1
Telephone system that automatically connects a person dialing the digits “9-1-1” to a predetermined answering point through normal telephone service facilities. Number and location information is not normally provided in basic systems.
Clipping
Term associated with the use of two-way radios that is used to describe instances when either the first part of a message or the last part of a message is cut off as the result of either speaking before pressing the transmit key or releasing the transmit key prior to the end of a transmission.
Command Vehicle
Typically used by operations chief officers in the fire service.
Communications
Sending, giving, or exchanging of information.
Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
Computer-based automated system that assists the telecommunicator in assessing dispatch information and then recommends responses.
Database
Organized collection of similar facts.
Deployment Plan
Predetermined response plan of apparatus and personnel for specific types of incidents and specific locations.
Emergency Call Box
System of telephones connected by private line telephone, radio-frequency, or cellular technology usually located in remote areas and used to report emergency situations.
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
System designed for use by telecommunicators to assist them in evaluating patient symptoms using predetermined criteria and responses.
Emergency Traffic
Term used to signify that a priority message is to follow on the radio.
Encoder
Device that converts an “entered” code into paging codes, which in turn activate a variety of paging devises.
Enhanced 9-1-1
Similar in nature to basic 9-1-1 but with the capability to provide the caller’s telephone number and address.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government agency charged with administering the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 and the revised Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is responsible for nonfederal radio-frequency users.
Fire Station Alerting System
System used to transmit emergency response information to fire station personnel via voice and/or digital transmissions.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
System of twenty-four satellites used as reference points to calculate positions. The satellites were placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense and were originally dedicated for military operations.
Home Alerting Devices
Emergency alerting devises primarily used by volunteer department personnel to receive reports of emergency incidents.
Mass Casualty
EMS incidents that involve more than five patients.
Mayday
A term used only to signify that a person is in a life-threatening situation and needs immediate assistance. A mayday can be declared by anyone having knowledge of a person in distress.
Mobile Data Computer
Communications device that, unlike the mobile data terminal, does have information processing capabilities.
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
Communications device that in most cases has no information processing capabilities.
Mobile Radio
Complete receiver/transmitter unit that is designed for use in a vehicle.
Mobile Support Vehicle (MSV)
Vehicle designed exclusively for use as an on-scene communication center and command post.
Multiple-Alarm Incident
Involves the response of additional personnel.
National Emergency Number Association
Not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 and made up of more than 6,000 members. The association fosters technical advancement, availability, and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system.
NFPA 72
National Fire Alarm Code
Personal Accountability Safety System (PASS)
A small motion-sensitive device worn by firefiters. The motion device will go into an audible alarm signaling that the firefighter may be in trouble if there is no movement for a set period of time. It can also be manually activated by the firefighter if desired. Also known as a personal alert safety system.
Prearrival Instructions
Self-help instructions intended to enhance the overall safety of the citizen until first responders arrive on the scene.
Ringdown Circuites
Telephone connection between two points. Going “off-hook” on one end of the circuit causes the telephone on the other end of the circuit to “ring” without having to dial a number.
Run Card Systems
System of cards or other form of documentation that provides specific information on what apparatus and personnel respond to specific areas of a jurisdiction.
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)
Device that allows citizens to communicate with the telecommunicator through the use of a keyboard over telephone circuits instead of voice communications.
Telecommunicator
Individual whose primary responsibility is to receive emergency requests from citizens, evaluate the need for a response, and ultimately sound the alarm that sends first responders to the scene of an emergency.
Type A Reporting System
System in which an alarm from a fire alarm box is received and retransmitted to fire stations either manually or automatically.
Type B Reporting System
System in which an alarm from a fire alarm box is automatically transmitted to fire stations and, if used, to outside alerting devices.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
Technology used in telephones that converts audio signals into digital data that is transmitted over the Internet.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Public law that bars discrimination on the basis of disability in state and local services. Enacted in 1990.
Emergency Communications Center
Facility either wholly or partially dedicated to being able to receive emergency and, in some instances, nonemergency reports from citizens. Centers such as these are sometimes referred to as fire alarm, headquarters, dispatch, or a public safety answering point (PSAP).
