Comms Manual Flashcards
agencies located at the McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operations Center
Communications Section, IT Division, Department of Information Technology (DIT), Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC)
MPSTOC Branch
- 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
Field Comms Branch
- 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
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Branch
- 2 CAD Officers (Captain I and LT)
- responsible for the admin and mgmt of the FRD components of the DPSC CAD system
Dispatch Ops
- 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
Dispatch of Apparatus
- 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)
Dispatcher / Radio Talkgroup / Channel Assignments
- 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
Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL)
- 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
Equipment Selection
- 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
Selection for Dispatch
- 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
Firebox Logic
- 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
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
- 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
When CAD is not functional (Manual Mode)
- 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
What do unit officers voice when the CAD is non-operational?
- 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
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is set by…
Operational Medical Director
If clarification is needed on an Emergency Medical Dispatch regarding a specific incident, submit an inquiry …
through the chain of command to the UFO
include: OIC name/contact info, incident number, info being questioned, supporting arguments/suggestions for process change
Condition 1
- normal operations
- make status changes via MCT/proper radio channel (never dispatch channel)
- ADDING TO CALL: voice intent on proper radio channel (to 1st due BC: unit identifier, call wanting to add to, where responding from, anticipated run order); AFTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/CONFIRMATION - push add on MCT
Mutual Aid Calls
- switch to appropriate channel
- voice status changes AND update MCT for duration of call
Condition 2
- extended period of increased incident response (ie: heavy thunderstorms, ice/snow, etc.)
- initial response complements to frequent event types reduced (ie: fire alarms, accidents, and wires)
- discretion of UFO
when in condition 2:
- place radios in day mode (0700-2200)
- info about wires, power outages, or roadways sent to SD01 via CAD/MCT
- avoid unnecessary calls to UFO
Condition 3
- > 50% of FRD units are committed to incidents or OOS
- associated with peak incident response (ie: multiple working incidents)
- responses reduced dramatically to conserve resources
- can only be authorized by DCFO or SDO in coordination with UFO
in condition 3:
- day mode
- wires/power outage/roadways - SD01 via CAD/MCT
- NO requesting dispatch to add to calls
- don’t call UFO
Dispatched OOJ
when it happens:
- check with Fairfax dispatch on 4B to ensure not on another call
- provide 4B with: unit identifier, jurisdiction, address of incident, event type, operational channel
“In service” outside FC
update unit status to reflect jurisdiction
— AR100 = Arlington County
— AR200 = Alexandria
— AR300 = MWAA
— AR500 = Prince William
— AR600 = Loudon
— AR700 = Montgomery County
— AR800 = Prince George
— AR900 = Frederick
In service outside COG region
AR499
Med-Evac / Landing Zone / Helispot Comm Procedures
- IC provides safe LZ/Helispot - suppression unit requested/dedicated to establishing
— determine/confirm location, secure location, comm with helo, established prior to landing/maintaining until departed) - single-helo = remain on tactical channel / can be assigned separate channel
— unit assigned to LZ switches to/remains on designated channel until helo departs - Radio transmissions used during landing:
— LZ/HELISPOT talk direct to helo / give wires/LZ report
— helo announces final approach
— FFX tells all units to hold traffic
— helo notifies FFX when on ground
— FFX releases channel for normal traffic - Radio transmissions used during landing:
— helo announces ready to depart
— FFX tells all units to hold traffic
— helo notifies FFX of departure
— FFX releases channel for normal traffic
HELO Radio Transmissions to abort landings / lift offs
LANDINGS = “ABORT ABORT”
DEPARTURES = “ABORT LIFT OFF”
MCI Incidents (who do we coordinate with & recommended activation levels)
Coordinated distribution of patients:
- RHCC (NOVA Regional Hospital Coordinating Center)
- Contacted via Channel 49A / 999-987-7422
RECOMMENDED ACTIVATION LEVELS
- 10 or more patients from a single incident
- 3 or more patients from a HAZMAT incident
- any incident where patients transported to 3 or more hospitals
Hostile Events (DV, stabbing, fight, shooting)
- once ENR, dispatch notifies talk group scene is hot.
- first due unit determines staging location.
- OICs can choose to stage at FS
- once staging location determined, general notification made to notify all units.
- controlling dispatcher shall update once scene is determined to be warm/cold.
- OICs determine staging or not.
police standby events
- for when PD are involved in high-risk event (hostage situation, barricade, etc.)
- dispatch incs: 1 engine; 1 medic; 1 EMS Supervisor; 1 BC; 1 SAFO
Apparatus Relocation
- ENROUTE WITHIN 5 MINS OF DPSC NOTIFICATION
— do not call UFO regarding relocation (ask appropriate chain of command + deputy aide)
— only exception is if delayed or unable to make the relocation due to an equipment issue
Notifications
- all personnel are required to keep their online staff locator emergency contact info updated
hospital diversion
- real time hospital status can be obtained by selecting the hospital guide tab on the home page of the MCT
Fairfax County Primary Talkgroup Assignments
4A/4P - primary dispatch talkgroup/simulcast copy of 4A
4B/41B/43B - primary response channel
4C/41C/43C - primary tactical channels / all roadway incidents requiring an opposite response
4D-4K - incidents that require tactical and/or command talkgroups
41J and K - talkgroups from Arlington County; can be used for IDLH incidents
41L and M - talkgroups from Montgomery County; canNOT be used for IDLH incidents
4N/4O - “talk around” / safety channels; not repeated/not monitored by DPSC
Portables for Additional Personnel
- contact BC to obtain spare radio
What do unit officers need to do daily with mobile radios?
- ensure ID numbers are entered correctly into the roster on the MCT
Portable Radio Batteries
- charging takes about 8 hours
- orange light = reconditioning; takes about 12 hours
- must be charged when level is below 50%
- must be changed after any prolonged fire and/or EMS operation
- not holding charge/significant damage = online comms e-form completed with battery serial number and a copy attached to the battery; then forward to field comms branch of the comms section
MCT Maintenance
- each unit OIC with an MCT shall manually install windows updates weekly
MCT Sign-on
Sign-on:
- Unit ID + Vehicle # (career 7 + FRD vehicle #; volley 70 + FRD vehicle #) + mobile radio PTT ID
