Communications Procedures

Question 1

What does UHF and VHF stand for

Answer 1

Ultra-high frequency Very high frequency

Question 2

When you notice damage or a fault with your Harris XL-200P portable radio, what actions should you take

Answer 2

Report to operational CMDR through chain of command. SO will tag radio with repair or fault details. Email TOSS with details and name of CMDR who has arranged collection. CMDR will arrange tagged radio to be sent to TOSS for repair and spare radio issued temporarily.

Question 3

Name 5 zones found on ACTF&R radios and detail what can be found at each zone

Answer 3

Zone A: 17 talk-groups. Current ACTF&R, includes ACTNSWD304 and A510 NSW FR, simplex channels Zone B: National simplex channels, hazard reduction burn, southern region RFS units Zone CT: Common trunk talk-groups, common to all ESA Zone DZ: Disaster zone Zone CA: Common analog ( ability to talk to RFS on simplex

Question 4

What TRN talk-group is always monitored by ACTF&R? An don what zone and channel?

Answer 4

OPS 1 Zone A, Channel 1

Question 5

Describe the difference between simplex and network talk-groups

Answer 5

TRN talk-groups transmit through towers in the ACT and NSW to effectively cover all of the ACT. Often encrypted and monitored by ACTF&R comcen. Simplex talk-groups communicate direct radio to radio. They operate off the network meaning comcen cannot monitor.

Question 6

Use pro words to shorten ‘This is pumper 9. I have received your call and I’m awaiting your message.’

Answer 6

Pumper 9. Replying

Question 7

5 ALIAS names found on portable radios in a standard pumper. Pumper 2

Answer 7

P2 SO ( station officer ) P2 MD ( motor driver ) P2 SFF ( most senior of crew in back seat) P2 FF ( less senior of crew in back seat) P2 AUX ( auxiliary radio )

Question 8

At what percentage should you change your portable radio battery during daily checks

Answer 8

When below 80%

Question 9

When changing and charging batteries what are 3 thing you should never do

Answer 9

Remove a battery whilst the radio is turned on. Place the radio in a charger whilst the radio is turned on. Use excessive force when fitting a battery to a radio.

Question 10

When using Zone DZ ( OPS1 - 11 ) what tower will our operations channels default

Answer 10

Black Mt

Question 11

If you experience continued disruptions on Zone DZ Ops 1-11 during a TRN failure. What could you do?

Answer 11

Change to CH, 18 - 30 which will lock onto different towers. If its still disrupted change to simplex which will communicate radio to radio.

Question 12

Why does radio shadow occur

Answer 12

UHF radio waves follow a relatively straight line. When hills or large building block these waves they cast a shadow which weakens or totally blocks the signal.

Question 13

What type of radio used in ACTF&R has the highest output

Answer 13

base station and mobile radio have higher output at 25W compared to portables at 5W. Its important to remember if reception is poor the mobile may get through when the portable won’t.

Question 14

What does RSSI mean

Answer 14

Received Signal Strength Indicator

Question 15

What does the black key mean in the status area of a radio

Answer 15

Connected to an encrypted talk-group, which offer a higher level of security.

Question 16

What does message priority colour code Yellow mean

Answer 16

Routine message not relating to an incident

Question 17

What does message priority colour code Green mean

Answer 17

Stop message ( or code )

Question 18

What does message priority colour code Blue mean

Answer 18

Message or request relating to an incident

Question 19

What does message priority colour code White mean

Answer 19

Priority message to report a new incident while mobile. ( E.G. smoke sighting, MVA en route etc. )

Question 20

What does message priority colour code Red mean

Answer 20

URGENT message requiring immediate action that has priority over everything else.

Question 21

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You have recieved a fire call at station?

Answer 21

Receive DTS, crew acknowledge, get in truck and acknowledge MDT.

Question 22

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You have arrived at an incident?

Answer 22

Change MDT status to ‘at incident’ followed by a brief R/T.

Question 23

List the actions, which routinely communicate the following situation back to comcen. You are departing an incident and returning to station?

Answer 23

Brief R/T followed by MDT update.

Question 24

5 pieces of information that could be given in a ‘Sitrep’

Answer 24

Search and Rescue Change in conditions Fire extension Fire is under control Structural collapse

Question 25

The pumper is just about to enter the engine bay. The SO has selected the status ‘at home station’ on the MDT. What should he/she ensure before alighting from the vehicle.

Answer 25

Wait for the correct status to show in upper case.

Question 26

When you PTT on your TRN radio and hear a brief ‘chirp’. What does this mean?

Answer 26

You have received the grant tone and are now clear to talk.

Question 27

In which vehicles would you find a satellite phone

Answer 27

Both operational CMDR’s vehicles and the RAR vehicle 49.

Question 28

When would ‘Zone A CH 14 P/Hse Sec3’ be used

Answer 28

Parliament house

Question 29

The spare pumper, pumper 14, is operating out of station 4 whilst pumper 4 is in repair. What is its call sign?

Answer 29

Pumper 14-4

Question 30

When updating crew into the MDT, what letter must be input before members ID number

Answer 30

F

Question 31

Can a member be added into the ‘crew movements’ if he/she is already assigned to another vehicle

Answer 31

No

Question 32

When PTT is depressed on your portabke radio and you recieve a beeping sound and ‘KEY NOT FOUND’ message displayed on the screen what should you do?

Answer 32

Navigate to security menu. Its likely the active keyset has been changed to KS2_MIX. Press to change back to KS1_MIX. Try PTT again.

Question 33

List all TRN towers in ACT and surrounds

Answer 33