Chapter 4 - Fire Service Communications

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 stationary radio transciever with an integral AC power supply (NFPA 1221)

Answer 3

Base station

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Call box

Question 5

The authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecomms in Canada

Answer 5

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commision (CRTTC)

Question 6

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

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 alarm and status changes for later analysis.

Answer 7

Computer aided dispatch (CAD)

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Automatic Number Identification

Question 9

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 9

Digital Radio

Question 10

A telephone that connects two predetermined points

Answer 10

Direct line

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Dispatch

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Duplex channel

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Emergency Traffic

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Evactuation signal

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 system

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Question 18

A verbal declaration that a firefighter is lost, missing or trapped and requires immediate assistance

Answer 18

Mayday

Question 19

Technology that allows fire fighters to recieve 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 1601)

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 Answering Point

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 uses one frequency to transmit and receive all messages; transmissions can occur in either direction but no simultaneously in both; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to 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 telecomm (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 pre-determined 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 centre every 10-20 minutes. Such an update should include the type of operation, the progress of the incident and that 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 device that allow speech- and/or hearing-impaired citizens to communicate over a telephone system. The displayed text is the equivalent of a verbal conversation between two hearing persons.

Answer 34

TTY/TDD Systems

Question 35

Radio frequencies between 300-3000MHz

Answer 35

UHF band

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Very High frequency band (VHF)

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 (VOIP)

Question 38

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

Answer 38

Voice recording system