Radio Communications

Question 1

Why do radio communications exist?

Answer 1

to ensure public safety

coordinate an appropriate emergency response for fire personal

provide a central answering location for all emergencies

Question 2

What are the basic components of emergency fire communications?

Answer 2

• Receiving information
• Interpreting information
• Relaying information

Question 3

What are the key elements of the CFD radio communication system?

Answer 3

• Mobile radio
• Portable radio
• DVRS repeaters
• Zones
• Channels
• Base station
• Calgary 911
• Tower Sites

Question 4

What is a mobile radio?

Answer 4

radio located inside the apparatus

Question 5

What is a portable radio?

Answer 5

Handheld radio carried by firefighter

Question 6

What is a DVRS repeater?

Answer 6

A repeater integrated with a mobile radio control head that merges the primary tactical channel with the back up simplex channel

Question 7

How many zones are there?

Answer 7

6

A, B, C, D, E, and F

Question 8

How many channels are there?

Answer 8

16 per zone

Question 9

What is a base station?

Answer 9

A fixed mobile radio located at the fire station

Question 10

How many tower sites are there?

Answer 10

8

1. Bankers hall DT
2. Spy hill
3. Forest Lawn
4. Trans Alta
5. Fish creek park
6. Airport
7. South Calgary hospital
8. Coventry north

Question 11

What is the function of a tower site?

Answer 11

Emit frequencies and aid in the sending and receiving of duplex radio communications.

Question 12

What is Calgary 911?

Answer 12

Essentially dispatch.

Question 13

How many and what radio systems does CFD use?

Answer 13

3

• mobile radios for vehicles
• hand-help portable radios for fire crews
• DVRS (Digital Vehicle Repeater System)

Question 14

What Modes do radio systems use?

Answer 14

Simplex (conventional) or Duplex (Trunking)

Question 15

What is Duplex?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What is simplex?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is a talking group?

Answer 17

Zone paired with a channel

Question 18

What are the dispatch channels?

Answer 18

B 13-14

C 13-16

Question 19

Where are the different dispatch channels for?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are the tactical channels?

Answer 20

Zone B and C 1-12

Question 21

What are the Utility Channels?

Answer 21

A 1-5 and A 10-12

Used for non emergency like inspections, hydrant testing and in station training etc

Question 22

What are the training channels?

Answer 22

A 7-11

- Used at training and are DVRS compatible

Question 23

What alpha channels are and are not monitored by dispatch for EAB?

Answer 23

A7 & A8 yes

A9- A11 no

ps. no simplex on A10/A11

Question 24

What channels are there simplex?

Answer 24

E 1-12 and F 1-12 mainly

D 7-9

Question 25

What radios will and EAB activation reach on a simplex channel?

Answer 25

Only those in proximity. Not dispatch or duplex, unless DVRS is present and on same channel.

Question 26

Whats the range of CFD radio identification number?

Answer 26

760001- 762000

Question 27

What is DRRD and what does it help with?

Answer 27

Dispatch Registered Radio Database, helps with identifying a EAB user

Question 28

When giving numbers of radio check what does the ranking mean and why 2 numbers?

Answer 28

1= bad to 5= excellent

Clarity first and volume second of the signal

Question 29

What is the radios submersion rating?

Answer 29

2 meters for 2 hours

Question 30

What is RSM?

Answer 30

remote speaker module

Question 31

What is the heat rating of the RSM cable

Answer 31

500 degrees F (260 C) for 5 mins

Question 32

What color of button is the EAB?

Answer 32

orange

Question 33

What are the 3 RSM best practices?

Answer 33

1. Wear orange button up
2. Talk to closest mic
3. 2 or 3 brisk shakes to clear water

Question 34

What does a orange back light mean?

Answer 34

Emergency Alerts

Question 35

What does a red backlight mean?

Answer 35

Critical alerts

Question 36

What are emergency alerts?

Answer 36

• Radio initiates an emergency alarm or call

- Radio receives an emergency alarm or call

Question 37

What are critical alerts?

Answer 37

• Radio is out of range
• Radio battery is low
• Unable to establish connection with system
• unable to authenticate or register with system

Question 38

How should the RSM be positioned in relation to the SCBA voice amplifier?

Answer 38

45 degree angle, 2-3 inches away

Question 39

What 3 criteria are needed for DVRS to be on?

Answer 39

1. DVRS turned to vr enabled channel
2. Park brake applied
3. Emergency lights active

Question 40

What are the 3 types of critical messages?

Answer 40

1. Mayday
2. Emergency traffic
3. Urgent message