Comms Manual Flashcards
1
Q
agencies located at the McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operations Center
A
Communications Section, IT Division, Department of Information Technology (DIT), Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC)
2
Q
MPSTOC Branch
A
- 4 Captain I’s (UFOs) - primary POC for FRD after normal hours/field all requests for assistance from other public safety agencies
- 1 Captain II (oversees UFOs + primary liaison to DPSC)
- investigates service-delivery inquiries, maintains 24/7 staffing, develops training programs
3
Q
Field Comms Branch
A
- first-level comms support and maintenance for over 1800 portable and mobile radios and apparatus comms systems
- provides the equipment, interoperability, and tech services support to the FRD
4
Q
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Branch
A
- 2 CAD Officers (Captain I and LT)
- responsible for the admin and mgmt of the FRD components of the DPSC CAD system
5
Q
Dispatch Ops
A
- 4 UFOs that work 12-hour rotations (0600-1800; 1800-0600)
- UFO provides tech support/direction with the authority of a staff command position
- UFO has authority to deviate from normal dispatch procedures / make response complement changes
- controlling dispatcher + UFO = determine appropriateness of the response
6
Q
Dispatch of Apparatus
A
- Unit has 2 minutes from time to dispatch to enroute
- if they do not, dispatcher shall call the unit to confirm response (3 attempts goes unacknowledged, dispatch next closest unit)
- if a unit responds to a call without being dispatched, OIC notifies DPSC on 4B immediately (nature/location)
7
Q
Dispatcher / Radio Talkgroup / Channel Assignments
A
- Fire Pod A (FD01, FD02, FD03, FD04, UFOD, FSUP) = day shift
- Fire Pod B (FD09, FD10, FD06, FD05, FD08, FD07) = night shift
- All events dispatched by 4A by FD01/FD09
- All events on 4B monitored/managed FD02/FD10
- FD03/FD06 and FD04/FD05 = working interstate and large-scale events
8
Q
Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL)
A
- AQ = location based on station’s XY coordinates
- AR = location based on unit’s XY coordinates
- if unit’s AVL is not functioning/CAD is not functional = unit will be recommended from station’s XY coordinate
9
Q
Equipment Selection
A
- ALS First Responder (AFR) = suppression units with an ALS provider + ALS equipment
- all engine companies shall be AFR1
- at discretion of OIC and BMT, additional AFRs at station can choose which unit to place AFR1, AFR2, AFR3, etc.
- if suppression unit does not meet the AFR response criteria, the unit OIC shall select the blank option from dropdown + recognize the unit as having BLS response capabilities
10
Q
Selection for Dispatch
A
- AFR1 + AFR2 unit both AQ = AFR1 dispatched as primary
- two AFR1’s co-located AQ = unit in quarters longer will be selected
- two AFR1’s AR = closest unit identified by AVL dispatched
11
Q
Firebox Logic
A
- designed to assist with locating emergencies + administrative ownership of target hazards + LOIs
- 6 digit number:
— first 2 = COG regional unit numbering system;
— second 2 = first due station;
— last 2 = geographical area - 50/60/70 series fireboxes = limited access highways (I66/I95/I395/I495/Rt28/FC Pkwy/Rt267/Dulles Access Rd)
- 80 series fireboxes = I95HOV/Express lanes/George Washington Memorial Pkwy - DO NOT REQ OPP RESP
- 90 series fireboxes = mutual box response
12
Q
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
A
- FD01/FD09 dispatch - activates the MCT/Fire Alerting System (after 3 seconds), includes:
— Appropriate Automated Voice Dispatch (AVD) alert tone
— list of units being dispatched
— channel assignment
— box number
— type of event
— location of event
13
Q
When CAD is not functional (Manual Mode)
A
- stations notified by special announcement preceded by the all-call tone
- all-call tone active between 0700-2200 (all other times notification by general announcement only)
- between 0700-2200 station radios in day mode + desk watch + manual station alerting tones
- no digital alerting/messages to CAD terminals or MCTs
14
Q
What do unit officers voice when the CAD is non-operational?
A
- over assigned talk group ONLY (NOT 4A)
— enroute; on scene; with patient; transporting to [hospital]; at hospital; AOR
— only voice district/response area of where the unit is AR if it’s other than normal 1st due for a long period (IE: relocation) - DO NOT VOICE:
— AQ
15
Q
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is set by…
A
Operational Medical Director