Chapter 4 - Fire Service Communications Flashcards
A device that keeps a detailed record of every incident and activity that occurs
Activity Logging System
A series of data elements that informs the recipient of the location of the alarm (NFPA 1221)
Automatic location identification
A stationary radio transciever with an integral AC power supply (NFPA 1221)
Base station
A system of telephones connected by phone lines, radio equipment, or cellular technology to a communications centre or fire department
Call box
The authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecomms in Canada
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commision (CRTTC)
An assigned frequency or frequencies used to carry voice and/or data comms
Channel
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.
Computer aided dispatch (CAD)
A series of alphanumeric characters that informs the recipient of the source of the alarm (NFPA 1221).
Automatic Number Identification
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
Digital Radio
A telephone that connects two predetermined points
Direct line
To send out emergency response resources promptly to an address or incident location for a specific purpose (NFPA 450)
Dispatch
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
Duplex channel
An urget message, such as a call for help or evacuation, transmitted over a radio that takes precedence over all normal radio traffic
Emergency Traffic
A distinctive signal intended to be recognized by the occupants as requiring evacuation of the building (NFPA 72)
Evactuation signal
The number of cycles (oscillations) per second of a radio signal
Frequency
A system of computer software, hardware, data and personnel to describe information tied to a spatial location (NFPA 450)
Geographic information system
A satellite-based radio navigation system comprised of three segments: space, control and user (NFPA 414)
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A verbal declaration that a firefighter is lost, missing or trapped and requires immediate assistance
Mayday
Technology that allows fire fighters to recieve data while in the fire apparatus or at the station.
Mobile Data Terminals
A two way radio that is permanently mounted in a fire apparatus.
Mobile radio
Simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams, most often voice signals, in either/or both directions over the same frequency
Multiplex channel
A battery operated, hand held transceiver (NFPA 1221)
Portable Radio
A facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting public safety services via telephone and other communication devices (NFPA 1601)
Public Safety Answering Point
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)
Public Safety Answering Point
A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency
Repeater
Cards used to determine a predetermined response to an emergency
Run Cards
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
Simplex Channel
A simplex channel used for onsite communications
Talk Around Channel
An individual whose primary responsibility is to receive, process or disseminate information of a public safety nature via telecomm (NFPA 1061)
Telecommunicator
The phase in a 911 call during which the telecommunicator asks questions to obtain vital information such as the location of the emergency
Telephone interrogation
A system of pre-determined coded messages such as “what is your 10-20?” used by responders over the radio
Ten-codes
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
Time Marks
A radio system that uses a computerized shared bank of frequencies to make the most efficient use of radio resources.
Trunked radios
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.
TTY/TDD Systems
Radio frequencies between 300-3000MHz
UHF band
Radio frequencies between 30-300 MHz; the spectrum is further divided into high and low bands
Very High frequency band (VHF)
Technology that converts a person’s voice into a digital signal that can be sent via the Internet to another device.
Voice over internet protocol (VOIP)
Recording devices or computer equipment connected to telephone lines and radio equipment in a communications centre to record telephone calls and radio traffic.
Voice recording system
