Radio Communications Flashcards
Why do radio communications exist?
to ensure public safety
coordinate an appropriate emergency response for fire personal
provide a central answering location for all emergencies
What are the basic components of emergency fire communications?
- Receiving information
- Interpreting information
- Relaying information
What are the key elements of the CFD radio communication system?
- Mobile radio
- Portable radio
- DVRS repeaters
- Zones
- Channels
- Base station
- Calgary 911
- Tower Sites
What is a mobile radio?
radio located inside the apparatus
What is a portable radio?
Handheld radio carried by firefighter
What is a DVRS repeater?
A repeater integrated with a mobile radio control head that merges the primary tactical channel with the back up simplex channel
How many zones are there?
6
A, B, C, D, E, and F
How many channels are there?
16 per zone
What is a base station?
A fixed mobile radio located at the fire station
How many tower sites are there?
8
- Bankers hall DT
- Spy hill
- Forest Lawn
- Trans Alta
- Fish creek park
- Airport
- South Calgary hospital
- Coventry north
What is the function of a tower site?
Emit frequencies and aid in the sending and receiving of duplex radio communications.
What is Calgary 911?
Essentially dispatch.
How many and what radio systems does CFD use?
3
- mobile radios for vehicles
- hand-help portable radios for fire crews
- DVRS (Digital Vehicle Repeater System)
What Modes do radio systems use?
Simplex (conventional) or Duplex (Trunking)
What is Duplex?
Trunking: Radio communications are transmitted on one frequency and received on another. All duplex transmissions must reach a radio tower in order to rebroadcast back to other duplex users and/or dispatch.
What is simplex?
Conventional transmissions, radio to radio and are sent and received on the same frequency. They are line of sight and have a limited transmission range local to the area around the radios. They will not be heard throughout the city like on duplex. Can improve communications for incidents where the duplex system is not providing good coverage.
What is a talking group?
Zone paired with a channel
What are the dispatch channels?
B 13-14
C 13-16
Where are the different dispatch channels for?
B13: primary station is north of bow river
C13: primary station is south of the bow river
B14/ C14-16: Major. incidents, multiple alarms or B/C13 alternate when they are isolated
B15-16: Used by specialty teams
What are the tactical channels?
Zone B and C 1-12
What are the Utility Channels?
A 1-5 and A 10-12
Used for non emergency like inspections, hydrant testing and in station training etc
What are the training channels?
A 7-11
- Used at training and are DVRS compatible
What alpha channels are and are not monitored by dispatch for EAB?
A7 & A8 yes
A9- A11 no
ps. no simplex on A10/A11
What channels are there simplex?
E 1-12 and F 1-12 mainly
D 7-9
What radios will and EAB activation reach on a simplex channel?
Only those in proximity. Not dispatch or duplex, unless DVRS is present and on same channel.
Whats the range of CFD radio identification number?
760001- 762000
What is DRRD and what does it help with?
Dispatch Registered Radio Database, helps with identifying a EAB user
When giving numbers of radio check what does the ranking mean and why 2 numbers?
1= bad to 5= excellent
Clarity first and volume second of the signal
What is the radios submersion rating?
2 meters for 2 hours
What is RSM?
remote speaker module
What is the heat rating of the RSM cable
500 degrees F (260 C) for 5 mins
What color of button is the EAB?
orange
What are the 3 RSM best practices?
- Wear orange button up
- Talk to closest mic
- 2 or 3 brisk shakes to clear water
What does a orange back light mean?
Emergency Alerts
What does a red backlight mean?
Critical alerts
What are emergency alerts?
- Radio initiates an emergency alarm or call
- Radio receives an emergency alarm or call
What are critical alerts?
- Radio is out of range
- Radio battery is low
- Unable to establish connection with system
- unable to authenticate or register with system
How should the RSM be positioned in relation to the SCBA voice amplifier?
45 degree angle, 2-3 inches away
What 3 criteria are needed for DVRS to be on?
- DVRS turned to vr enabled channel
- Park brake applied
- Emergency lights active
What are the 3 types of critical messages?
- Mayday
- Emergency traffic
- Urgent message
