TN 104.3.1- IMS Communications

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Questions and Answers

Why are separate radio channels allocated at incidents?

To prioritize radio traffic based on urgency

To reduce non-emergency scene radio traffic (correct)

To facilitate communication between different emergency services

To allow for multiple simultaneous communications

What is required for Communications to assign a second Fireground channel?

A request from the Incident Commander

A spare portable radio

Another on-scene vehicle with a DVRS, set to that channel (correct)

Approval from the Communications Centre

Who is responsible for monitoring radio communications at an incident?

Communications Centre personnel

Sector Officers

Fireground Incident Technician(s) or Command Post personnel (correct)

The Incident Commander

What is the purpose of radio identifiers in the Firefighter Accountability System?

To identify teams operating at an incident Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the Emergency Call Button (Orange Button) is activated?

The portable radio identifier is displayed on the communications centre console Signup and view all the answers

Why is familiarity important for using portable radio identifiers?

It helps personnel automatically tune into relevant radio transmissions Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for identifying the last known location of personnel who have activated their Emergency Call Button?

Portable radio identifiers Signup and view all the answers

What must be logged correctly at the Entry Control board?

Portable radio identifiers Signup and view all the answers

What should be notified when a portable radio is replaced due to being defective?

Toronto Fire Signup and view all the answers

What is used to facilitate identification of personnel at an incident?

Passports with radio identifiers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for utilizing Face to Face communication at an emergency incident?

To reduce radio communications and free up the channel Signup and view all the answers

When is it most appropriate to use the radio for communication at an emergency incident?

When Face to Face communication is not practical Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the IC in the communication process at an emergency incident?

To maintain and control the communication process Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for assigning additional radio channels at an emergency incident?

Toronto Fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using Face to Face communication at an emergency incident?

To reduce radio communications and free up the channel Signup and view all the answers

When should the IC utilize Face to Face communication at an emergency incident?

When speaking with those personnel who are in their immediate span of control Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Effective Communications in Emergency Incidents

Effective communication is vital at an emergency incident and is a basic Command function to initiate, maintain, and control the communication process.
Communication is the link between task level activities, the Incident Commander (IC), and other personnel in the Incident Management System.

Communication Types

There are two main forms of communication at an emergency incident: Face to Face and Radio.
Face to Face communication reduces radio communications and frees up the channel, and should be used when possible, especially when:
- The IC wishes to speak with personnel within their immediate span of control.
- Designated personnel are speaking with personnel within their span of control.
Radio communication is the most common means of communication and allows everyone to be part of the communication process, and should be used when:
- Face to face communication is not practical.
- Communication is needed with multiple personnel.
- When communicating Benchmarks to Command or Toronto Fire.

Assignment of Additional Radio Channels

The assignment of radio channels is a decision made by Toronto Fire after the IC has requested a new channel.
Reasons for allocating separate radio channels include:
- Reducing non-emergency scene (operations) radio traffic.
- Managing specialized incidents (e.g. Hazmat) or large/complex incidents.
- Maintaining a span of control over radio traffic for the IC, Section, Branch, or Sector Officer to manage their Incident Action Plan responsibilities.

Monitoring of Radio Communications

It is the responsibility of the Fireground Incident Technician (FIT) or other assigned Command Post personnel to monitor all radio communications pertinent to the emergency incident.
Monitoring includes relaying information or requests for assistance from sectors not assigned to the main (operations) radio channel to the IC.
Monitored information may need to be relayed to personnel updating the tactical boards.

Radio Identifiers

Radio identifiers are used to identify teams operating at an emergency incident, teams entering a controlled area, and/or those relieving interior teams.
The IC determines the radio identifiers to be utilized by personnel at the incident, using the portable radio identifier as the communications identifier for teams.
Examples of radio identifiers include:
- Portable radio identifier (e.g. Pumper 224 Crew).
- Radio alias per tactical objective or geographical area (e.g. Fire Attack Sector, Roof Sector).
Reasons for using portable radio identifiers include:
- Emergency Call Button (Orange Button) functionality.
- Familiarity and ease of identification of radio transmissions.
It is essential that Entry Control correctly logs every portable radio identifier/alias of every portable operating at an emergency incident.

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Description

Explore the importance of effective communication at an emergency incident, including command functions and types of communication such as face-to-face and radio. Read replacement portables in this TN Study Notes printed.