G-EVAC Emergency Voice Alarm Communications

Study Notes

Two laminated Voice Announcement Cards are issued to Captains and Acting Captains in the Operations Division.
Voice Announcement Cards must be carried by Officers into all incidents.

Lobby Control may request additional personnel from the Incident Commander to aid with Lobby Control duties, including EVAC system responsibilities.
The person assigned EVAC system responsibility may or may not be an Officer.
The Incident Commander should regularly advise the person assigned EVAC system responsibility on the status of firefighting operations or other relevant information.

Announcements are made under the direction of the Incident Commander:
- On arrival of apparatus to inform building occupants that TFS personnel are on scene.
- During investigative and operational phases to update building occupants at regular intervals.
- For evacuation purposes to offer specific instructions and direction to occupants.
- Before clearing the location to advise occupants of the incident status and when normal activities may resume.
Every announcement made by TFS personnel on the EVAC system is repeated three times.
At the conclusion of the last voice announcement, the person in charge of the EVAC system announces “there will be no further announcements”.

Officers record all use of EVAC systems and announcements made during each emergency response on the Emergency Incident Report.

All firefighting personnel should familiarize themselves with building EVAC systems in their response area during:
- Concluding a building response
- Routine building familiarizations
- Scheduled tours
- Unscheduled building tours approved by building staff
Familiarization includes:
- Location of the EVAC system
- Location/presence of a Central Alarm Control Facilities (CACF) room
- Key Location and access
- Operating switches (fans, elevator, etc.)
- Labelling
- Microphone operation
- Other system features (e.g., Firefighter telephones)

Additional and replacement Voice Announcement Cards for personnel are stocked at Quartermaster and distributed upon request.
Officers complete a Requisition for Voice Announcement Cards when needed.