Radio Procedures - School-Based Emergency Radios

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for providing Douglas County schools with mobile Motorola Base radios?

To streamline communication with DC 911 during potential or actual acts of violence. (correct)

To replace the existing phone systems in the schools with a more modern communication system.

To provide students with a way to contact emergency services in case of a medical issue.

To allow school staff to communicate directly with each other during emergencies.

According to OPD policy, what is the required response status for officers when a school-based emergency radio is activated?

Respond after gathering more information about the situation from DC 911.

Respond at normal patrol status.

Respond only if requested by the school principal.

Respond at an expedite status. (correct)

Who assumes ownership of the school-based emergency radios after they are purchased with grant funding?

Motorola.

Douglas County 911 Communications.

The school systems in Douglas County. (correct)

The Omaha Police Department.

What is the responsibility of school principals regarding the school-based emergency radios?

To ensure that appropriate staff members are aware of the policy and proper radio operation. Signup and view all the answers

Why must the emergency button be pressed to guarantee communication with DC 911?

Using only the Push to Talk (PTT) button does not guarantee that DC 911 will hear the transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification given to any activation of the orange button on a school-based radio by 911 Communications?

A Priority 1 call. Signup and view all the answers

How will school-based communication ensure all radios receive transmissions?

Radios will be on the same talk group. Signup and view all the answers

Why were school staff instructed NOT to solely depend on the Push to Talk (PTT) button to communicate with DC 911?

Communicating only with PTT does not guarantee that DC 911 will hear the transmission. Signup and view all the answers

According to the protocol, what is the immediate action DC 911 dispatchers should take upon receiving a school-based emergency radio activation?

Listen for immediate relevant information during the 15 second open microphone period while dispatching officers. Signup and view all the answers

In the event of a school-based emergency radio activation, under what specific condition will DC 911 broadcast a 'School Activation' call leading to a city/county wide response?

If there are indications of an active shooter/killer incident, shots fired, or act of terrorism. Signup and view all the answers

What action should responding officers take when they are notified of a probable accidental/false activation of a school-based emergency radio?

Continue en route to the school and ensure the situation is secure upon arrival. Signup and view all the answers

According to the protocol, in which of the following situations are school officials/staff authorized to activate the school-based emergency radios?

When directed by the SRO due to portable radio failure or incapacitation, or during a life-threatening emergency. Signup and view all the answers

In what time frame will 911 treat a 'key up' or 'mic activation' as a Priority 1 call?

In the first 5 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What specific information should school staff provide to DC 911 when activating the radio, if it is safe to do so?

School name, staff name, nature of emergency, location of threat, description of suspects, type of weapons, number of victims, extent of injuries, and any other relevant information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that the 911 Dispatcher will NOT explain how to reset the radio over the radio?

The inability to deactivate the radio could be an indicator of a non-school official attempting to pass as a school official. Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure for testing school-based emergency radios, according to the protocol?

Radios should be tested quarterly on dates when students are not in the building, in coordination with OPD SRO command and DC 911 supervisors. Signup and view all the answers

If, after five minutes of a 'key up' or 'mic activation', what will 911 communications do?

Contact the area sergeant or command officer for the precinct in which the school is located. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 15-second open microphone period after a school-based emergency radio is activated?

To enable DC 911 to listen to the area surrounding the radio, in case staff are unable to give an update or must run from the area. Signup and view all the answers

In the event of an unverified activation, what specific action does the SRO command officer take?

The SRO command officer will respond, but will not be dispatched by 911. Signup and view all the answers

According to the protocol, who has the authority to adjust the DC 911 directed response to an incident at a school?

A command officer in the area/precinct of the affected school. Signup and view all the answers

What visual indication will occur on the school-based emergency radio when it is activated?

The digital screen on the radio will light up indicating it is now in 'Emergency Mode.' Signup and view all the answers

After a school-based emergency radio activation with no information directed to the 911 Dispatcher, what type of tone will be broadcasted?

A 'Crime in progress tone.', with name School Activation - Unverified Signup and view all the answers

During an active school-based emergency radio activation what should school staff, who are able to do so, communicate with DC 911?

Information by either corded or Bluetooth microphone while pushing their PTT button during either the open microphone Signup and view all the answers

What is done immediately after school officials hear a successful transmission response from DC 911 during a radio test?

School officials reset the radio. Signup and view all the answers

What specific announcement should school personnel make using the microphone during a school radio test?

"(School name) Radio Test." Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the OPD SRO command regarding school-based radio tests?

To maintain a log of completed tests to ensure proper functioning. Signup and view all the answers

If there are issues during the radio test broadcast to DC 911, who is responsible for coordinating to resolve these?

The SRO on-site, in coordination with the 911 supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

What initial action do school personnel take to start the school radio test?

Activate the radio using the emergency button. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Douglas County School Radio System Policy

Purpose: Provide rapid communication to DC 911 in school emergencies, particularly violence.
Equipment: All Douglas County public middle and high schools have Motorola Base radios.
Access: Radios exclusively communicate with DC 911.
Activation: Schools will use an emergency button to notify DC 911.

OPD Response Protocol

Priority 1: Any radio activation is a Priority 1 call, dispatched immediately.
Dispatch: OPD officers dispatched to school based on specific protocol in PPM Appendix “K”.
Officer Response: OPD SRO command and officers will respond to all activations, even if no further transmissions are heard from school staff.
Timing:
- First 5 minutes: 911 treats as Priority 1, dispatches accordingly.
- After 5 minutes: Area sergeant/command officer notified and determines response.
- 15-second open microphone period: DC 911 listens for initial information while dispatching.
Active Shooter/Killer Incidents: DC 911 broadcasts to alert a city/county response following OPD "IMS – Response to Active Killer/Threats" policy.
Other Incidents: DC 911 dispatches based on reported information or call prioritization guidelines from OPD "Radio Procedures – Dispatch, Talk Groups, and Call Prioritization" policy.
False Alarm: Responding officers will secure the area but are informed if the activation was unintentional.

School Staff Activation Procedures

Activation Criteria: Staff can only activate in life-threatening emergencies.
Procedure:
- Press orange emergency button.
- Provide information: School name, staff name, nature of emergency, location, suspects, weapons, victims, injuries, and other pertinent details
- Use corded or Bluetooth microphones
- 15-second open microphone period for DC 911 to listen.
Unverified Activation: If no information is provided, a “Crime in progress” tone will alert responding officers and a command officer, following PPM Appendix “K”.

Radio Testing

Frequency: Quarterly testing (no students present).
Procedure:
- Activate radio, announce "(School name) Radio Test."
- Wait for a response from DC 911, "Radio Test Clear."
- Reset the radio, confirm it.
Maintenance: OPD SRO command monitors testing and addresses any issues with DC 911 supervisors.

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Description

This quiz covers the Douglas County School Radio System Policy and the OPD Response Protocol. It focuses on emergency communication procedures, equipment used, and the protocol for police dispatch in school emergencies. Understand the priorities and timing involved in responding to urgent situations in schools.