FIELD COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL May 2020 Flashcards
In each radio zone, channels __ and __ shall be used as the dispatch channel.
pg 6
Alpha and Papa
the primary small-scale incident response channel may be channel __.
pg 7
Bravo
This channel may be assigned to all incidents not requiring a command officer, additional dispatcher, or other communications resources. This channel may be assigned for use whether the incident is EMS, suppression, or public service related.
In each radio zone, channels ___ through ___ may be used for any incident requiring its own incident channel, or as designated by the agency.
pg 7
Charlie through Mike
This is commonly seen when a command officer is responding on the incident.
Incident and tactical command channels will be assigned in accordance with the policies of the ___.
pg 7
authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
Examples would be tactical channels and command channels.
Channel ___ is the universal safety channel in all primary radio zones.
pg 7
Oscar
- programmed as a direct, non-repeated channel
- it is not on the trunked system
- dispatchers cannot monitor radio traffic or receive an EA.
Channel ___ is used when transmitting routine talk-around traffic, it can be used as a secondary safety channel.
pg 7
November
Channel November is typically programmed to be similar to channel Oscar, however some jurisdictions have programmed this channel for alternate use.
Typical range of channels __ and __ is about a mile of line of sight of other radio users.
pg 7
November and Oscar
___ will require numerous channels (usually more than four) and require the development of a communications plan.
pg 7
Large-scale incidents
When the incident goes beyond the scope of this manual then the ___ or an ___ should be used in guiding communications.
pg 7
Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP) or Incident Action Plan (IAP)
A ___ should be assigned and tasked with the development of a communications plan.
pg 8
Communications Unit Leader (COML)
Clear and effective communications need to minimize or avoid noise. Noise during the communications process is grouped into four categories:
pg 10
Physical or external: (High heat, sounds of work)
Semantic: (Confusing word choices.)
Psychological: (Preconception bias and assumptions)
Physiological: (sweaty palms, pounding heart, anxiety)
A __ is declared when a responder believes that physical threats could cause the injury or death.
pg 11
Signal 1
Any time a Signal 1 is declared or suspected; the following minimum FD resources, aside from law enforcement, shall be dispatched:
pg 12
- The closest suppression piece.
- EMS transport unit.
- Battalion Chief.
- Safety Officer, if available.
It is recommended that fire and rescue apparatus stage at a location that is ___ with the actual incident location until further direction is received from law enforcement.
pg 12
not in direct line of sight
When a person declares they have emergency traffic, it gives that person ___ to the radio channel over all other radio traffic.
pg 15
priority
A __ is declared when a firefighter is at risk or exposed to a potential imminent life threat in an IDLH atmosphere.
pg 15
Mayday
___ attempts shall be made to contact a unit once an EA has occurred.
pg 16
Three
When a unit is on an incident without command established and an EA is received by the ECC, the ECC dispatcher shall make __ attempts to contact the unit
pg 16
two
If any unit activates an EA and is involved in an incident with command established, the __ will be immediately notified of the alias of the unit or numerical radio identifier broadcasting the signal in order to take the appropriate actions.
pg 17
IC
When a location of the unit making the EA cannot be determined, the EA shall be considered a ___ until contact is made with that unit.
pg 18
Signal 1
Two keys to effective communications are:
pg 19
Clear and concise communications & train often on radio usage and radio technology/functionality
The 4 Cs Communication Model.
pg 19
Connect: Use the “Hey you, it’s me” model
Convey: Need additional crew to…
Clarify: Repeat the directive
Confirm: Affirmative/Direct
___ are means for fire and rescue personnel to speak directly to each other and/or the communications center.
pg 20
Radio reports
Water Supply Report is given from the __ to the __.
pg 20
Direct from Attack Engine to Supply Engine.
On-scene Report goes to:
pg 20
Go direct to first-due Command level Officer.
Situation Report & Command Statement (After completing lap) goes to:
pg 21
Go direct to first-due Command officer.
what is a C.A.N. Reports
pg 22
(ongoing situation report)
To assist command with gathering information for the incident. A C.A.N. report is a quick means of asking for a situation report.
The initial progress report should be given at approximately __.
pg 22
10 minutes
Subsequent progress reports should be given after each ___ and can be much shorter and to the point
pg 23
PAR check
Regardless of which jurisdiction the unit is responding, incident personnel shall operate on the ___ radio system.
pg 25
host jurisdiction’s
While responding to incidents, units shall ___ directly to one another, and shall not routinely go through the dispatcher.
pg 26
communicate
Should the unit being contacted not respond to the unit making the transmission, the dispatcher shall then be incorporated into the process.
All units on the initial dispatched full alarm assignment shall announce they are ___ and announce their ___.
pg 26
onscene & unit assignment.
Each radio, whether portable or mobile, will be identified using a ___.
pg 26
radio alias and identifier
These identifiers shall be in accordance with the current COG Communications Committee recommendations and guidelines.
In cases where the riding position is not pertinent, the portable radio alias will contain the suffix __ to indicate a portable.
pg 27
“P”
___ must be notified and approve the request when a company splits into two teams to work in two distinctly separate areas in an IDLH.
pg 28
Command
There are three Routine Response Conditions (RRCs) used by the NOVA Departments:
pg 29
Condition 1:
Condition 2
Condition 3
Condition 1 is:
pg 29
Normal operations
During Condition 1, mutual and automatic aid is honored, calls are processed as normal, and responses are not adjusted or reduced.
Condition 2 is:
pg 29
periods of extended high incident activity or major event(s) are taking place.
a department may go to Condition 2 during any day or night in which the call volume is unusually high.
Condition 3 is:
pg 29
greater than 50% of department on incidents or out of service.
responses will be reduced dramatically to conserve resources.
The following is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Phonetic Alphabet. This alphabet shall be used when communicating information (i.e., channel assignments, building sides, pole numbers, etc.) over the radio:
pg 11
- A – Alpha
- B – Bravo
- C – Charlie
- D – Delta
- E – Echo
- F – Foxtrot
- G – Golf
- H – Hotel
- I – India
- J – Juliet
- K – Kilo
- L – Lima
- M – Mike
- N – November
- O – Oscar
- P – Papa
- Q – Quebec
- R – Romeo
- S – Sierra
- T - Tango
- U – Uniform
- V - Victor
- W - Whiskey
- X – X-ray
- Y - Yankee
- Z - Zulu
