OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings

Question 1

*23/24 exams
OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
Actions - Consider issuing a Red Flag Warning when…

Answer 1

Consider issuing a Red Flag Warning when a change in circumstances presents a significant risk to safety, or is predicted to present a significant risk to safety. This may include but is not limited to the following:
- Weather conditions
- Fuel conditions
- Incident/fire behaviour
- Potential hazardous atmosphere
- Equipment availability
- Communications issues/difficulties
- Access issues/difficulties
- Structural collapse
- LPG BLEVE or other possible explosion

Question 2

*23/24 exams
OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
Actions - Who can send a Red Flag Warning

Answer 2

Ensure Red Flag Warnings are only issued by the following personnel, in their area of responsibility, for the geographical area likely to be affected by the changed circumstances at a specific incident:
- Sector Commander
- Division Commander
- Operations Officer
- Incident Controller

note A regional controller, state and regional agency commanders, state duty officer, ACFO and the rostered area or District Duty Officer may issue a Red Flag Warning via an Incident Controller

Question 3

OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
How do you convey a Red Flag Warning?

Answer 3

By any appropriate means, including:
- Radio
- Telephone
- Written Notice
- Verbal

Question 4

OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
Requirements when issuing a Red Flag Warning (format)

Answer 4

Ensure it is preceded by the words “Red Flag Warning”, then issued as follows:
“Red Flag Warning from ___. All personnel are advised of ___ conditions that may present a hazard to personnel as follows ___. All personnel are to take this information into account in determining a strategy, tactics and deployment. This warning is to be passed to all personnel under your command and is current up to ___hours, ___ date. Acknowledgement is required.”

Question 5

OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
What doesn’t a Red Flag Warning message have priority over?

Answer 5

Ensure a Red Flag Warning takes priority over all other radio traffic, except for a Mayday and Red, Red, Red priority message.

Question 6

OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
What details of a Red Flag Warning need to be logged?

Answer 6

Document/log all details of the Red Flag Warning, including:
- Name of person who issued the Red Flag Warning
- The time it was issued
- The information it contained
- How it was issued
- Who it was issued to and who was informed (both up and down the chain of command)
- The time acknowledgements were received from those you supervise

Question 7

OMS 014 - Communications - Red Flag Warnings
Requirements on receipt of a Red Flag Warning

Answer 7

Ensure personnel who receive a Red Flag Warning complete the following:
- Confirm the Red Flag Warning has been received immediately
- Repeat the key points of the warning back to the sender to demonstrate understanding
- Notify all responding and support agency personnel of the Red Flag Warning under your supervision/in reporting line
- Obtain a confirmation from these personnel that they have received the warning