Incident communications

Question 1

Channel 1

Answer 1

2.1 Incident command communications.

Question 2

Channel 2

Answer 2

2.2 The command channel at incidents, which should only be initiated when channel 1 is likely to be over used. This channel is only to be used on the instructions of the incident commander, and requires the attendance of a Command Unit (CU)

Question 3

Channel 3

Answer 3

2.3 May be used for firefighter communications within crews during specific incident ground tasks.

This channel is only to be used on the direction of the Incident / Sector / Operations Commander.

Question 4

Channel 5

Answer 4

2.4 To be used for communications (including BA) at all sub-surface London Underground (LUL) railway premises, where leaky feeder and base station equipment is installed, or other premises where channel 5 leaky feeder is installed or deployed.

Question 5

Channel 6

Answer 5

2.5 All BA communications except as above (channel 5), and may also be considered for use as an additional channel for crews when BA is not in use.

Question 6

Channel 4

Answer 6

8.1 Hand-held radio channel 4 is not to be used unless directed by the duty radio officer.

Question 7

Channel 7/8

Answer 7

8.2 Channel 7 and 8 are legacy inter-operability channels – Channel 8 Police Inter Agency for
communications in specific buildings where leaky feeder or appropriate base station equipment is installed.

Question 8

Channel 10

Answer 8

8.3 Channel 10 is available as a dedicated radio channel for the command support officers. The
mapping officer will use channel 10 to communicate with the command planning system booking-in officer on the CU. The channel may also be used by command support staff to communicate between CUs or for general command support duties.

Question 9

Channel 11

Answer 9

8.4 Channel 11 is used for monitoring hand held radio traffic from BAA fire crews at Heathrow Airport.

Question 10

10.3 Subject to other operational considerations, the CU should ideally be:

Answer 10

• In a position where the radio signal is strongest.
• Sited as near to the incident, as practicable.
• Where possible positioned clear of large steel structures and steel framed buildings.
• More than 10 metres away from other emergency command vehicles.

Question 11

11.2 The incident commander must make sure that the use of fireground radios at hospitals or similar establishments is considered only in:

Answer 11

• Exceptional circumstances.

* Where the circumstances are unavoidable.

Question 12

Premises fitted with a base station operating on fire ground channel 5

Answer 12

• All sub-surface (LUL) stations and running tunnels.
• Running tunnels on the East London Line.
• Crossrail stations and running tunnels
• Channel tunnel rail link
• All stations on the Heathrow Express, and all running tunnels.
• Sub surface DLR stations and running tunnels

List not exhaustive….. read appendix for rest…..

Question 13

• Considerations when using communications

Answer 13

o CU to monitor hand held and airwave channels o H/held radios & phones turned off on CU

o Base station & Repeater are same function (CH 2, 5, 8) –cause interference when too close( less than 10 metres).

o Radios can interfere with medical devices

Question 14

• Fireground call signs

Answer 14

o WM – Station,Appliance followed by 1
o Driver – Station,Appliance followed by 2
o BA – Station,Appliance followed by 3/4