Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the term 'Out of Service' indicate?
What does the term 'Out of Service' indicate?
Which phonetic representation corresponds to the letter 'K'?
Which phonetic representation corresponds to the letter 'K'?
What is the first step in the Dispatch Format?
What is the first step in the Dispatch Format?
What is the meaning of the term 'Affirmative' in communications?
What is the meaning of the term 'Affirmative' in communications?
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Which of the following is NOT part of the Dispatch Format?
Which of the following is NOT part of the Dispatch Format?
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Who is responsible for advising status changes over the radio?
Who is responsible for advising status changes over the radio?
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What should be avoided when using the radio?
What should be avoided when using the radio?
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What type of radio system does Montgomery County utilize?
What type of radio system does Montgomery County utilize?
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When a unit arrives at the scene, what status should they communicate?
When a unit arrives at the scene, what status should they communicate?
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Which city has a tower that is part of the Montgomery County Radio System?
Which city has a tower that is part of the Montgomery County Radio System?
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What type of language should be used over the radio?
What type of language should be used over the radio?
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What is NOT necessary for single unit responses to incidents?
What is NOT necessary for single unit responses to incidents?
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What is the primary function of the Inter Subsystem Interface (ISSI) switch in Montgomery County's systems?
What is the primary function of the Inter Subsystem Interface (ISSI) switch in Montgomery County's systems?
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How many sites are part of the MCHD/MCFCA VHF Simulcast system?
How many sites are part of the MCHD/MCFCA VHF Simulcast system?
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Which VHF frequency is patched to FD 1 WARN?
Which VHF frequency is patched to FD 1 WARN?
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What is the purpose of the TAC channels in Montgomery County's radio system?
What is the purpose of the TAC channels in Montgomery County's radio system?
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Which of the following channels is NOT part of the FD 4-8 tied to the WARN system?
Which of the following channels is NOT part of the FD 4-8 tied to the WARN system?
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What channels are available for expanding incidents or area command during regional events?
What channels are available for expanding incidents or area command during regional events?
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When should FD 5-8 be used?
When should FD 5-8 be used?
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Which events should Events 1-5 be utilized for?
Which events should Events 1-5 be utilized for?
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Who manages the Harris P25 and VHF simulcast and repeater system?
Who manages the Harris P25 and VHF simulcast and repeater system?
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Which department has the radio number 9?
Which department has the radio number 9?
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OPS 1-3 may be used for which of the following purposes?
OPS 1-3 may be used for which of the following purposes?
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What is the primary use of FD 1 channel?
What is the primary use of FD 1 channel?
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What is the correct monitoring protocol for FD 2?
What is the correct monitoring protocol for FD 2?
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Which channel is primarily used for medical calls?
Which channel is primarily used for medical calls?
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Which of the following channels should be monitored constantly by Fire Com?
Which of the following channels should be monitored constantly by Fire Com?
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What is one of the main uses of the WARN Channels?
What is one of the main uses of the WARN Channels?
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Which channel is specifically for motor vehicle collisions?
Which channel is specifically for motor vehicle collisions?
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How are units directed to return to service after a call?
How are units directed to return to service after a call?
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What is the purpose of the PSAP Talk Groups?
What is the purpose of the PSAP Talk Groups?
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What should be done if a unit does not respond to a call within three minutes?
What should be done if a unit does not respond to a call within three minutes?
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Who should be informed when sending mutual aid to another department?
Who should be informed when sending mutual aid to another department?
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What happens after all units have updated their status as en route?
What happens after all units have updated their status as en route?
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What should be done when units arrive on scene and report their size-up?
What should be done when units arrive on scene and report their size-up?
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What is the appropriate action for out-of-territory units responding to a call?
What is the appropriate action for out-of-territory units responding to a call?
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What tone is given before announcing special calls and signals?
What tone is given before announcing special calls and signals?
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Which action is incorrect when managing resources during a medical call?
Which action is incorrect when managing resources during a medical call?
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What should be communicated when a command is established according to the communications procedures?
What should be communicated when a command is established according to the communications procedures?
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What is the purpose of the 20-Minute Clock?
What is the purpose of the 20-Minute Clock?
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What does the announcement of '7-1' signify?
What does the announcement of '7-1' signify?
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When is the first Period of Action Report (PAR) due after the 20-Minute Clock is given?
When is the first Period of Action Report (PAR) due after the 20-Minute Clock is given?
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Which departments are responsible for traffic blocking on certain major roadways?
Which departments are responsible for traffic blocking on certain major roadways?
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What initiates the activation of the Working Fire Procedure?
What initiates the activation of the Working Fire Procedure?
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When can other PARs be set beyond the first?
When can other PARs be set beyond the first?
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What should units with Mobile Data Centers (MDCs) do?
What should units with Mobile Data Centers (MDCs) do?
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How do the PARs conclude during an incident?
How do the PARs conclude during an incident?
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What is the primary purpose of issuing a MAYDAY on the emergency scene?
What is the primary purpose of issuing a MAYDAY on the emergency scene?
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What is a key requirement for establishing a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)?
What is a key requirement for establishing a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)?
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Which of the following scenarios requires the issuance of a MAYDAY?
Which of the following scenarios requires the issuance of a MAYDAY?
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What should be transmitted to the Incident Commander to initiate a MAYDAY procedure?
What should be transmitted to the Incident Commander to initiate a MAYDAY procedure?
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Under what condition should an exterior attack be made before forming a Rapid Intervention Team?
Under what condition should an exterior attack be made before forming a Rapid Intervention Team?
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What is the role of Fire Com when a working fire alarm is activated?
What is the role of Fire Com when a working fire alarm is activated?
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Which of the following is NOT a critical station for back-in assignments during a fire incident?
Which of the following is NOT a critical station for back-in assignments during a fire incident?
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What must be included in the communication for additional alarms?
What must be included in the communication for additional alarms?
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Which of the following equipment is typically requested for back-in assignments?
Which of the following equipment is typically requested for back-in assignments?
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When a second or greater alarm occurs, what action should Fire Com take?
When a second or greater alarm occurs, what action should Fire Com take?
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Who does Fire Com need to notify for traffic and crowd control during an incident?
Who does Fire Com need to notify for traffic and crowd control during an incident?
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What should be done when activating additional alarm levels during an incident?
What should be done when activating additional alarm levels during an incident?
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Which of the following statements about the critical stations for back-in assignments is true?
Which of the following statements about the critical stations for back-in assignments is true?
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What must be done if a unit in the field calls Fire Com and uses the term 'emergency'?
What must be done if a unit in the field calls Fire Com and uses the term 'emergency'?
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If a unit adds 'x-ray' to their unit number, what does it signify?
If a unit adds 'x-ray' to their unit number, what does it signify?
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How often should Periodic Alarm Reports (PARs) be conducted during a Mayday situation?
How often should Periodic Alarm Reports (PARs) be conducted during a Mayday situation?
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What is the first task the Incident Commander (IC) must coordinate during the initial rescue effort?
What is the first task the Incident Commander (IC) must coordinate during the initial rescue effort?
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What action is taken when Fire Com receives a bomb or terroristic threat?
What action is taken when Fire Com receives a bomb or terroristic threat?
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What information must be relayed to responding units if staging has been noted?
What information must be relayed to responding units if staging has been noted?
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Which of the following actions is required when establishing constant radio communications with trapped personnel?
Which of the following actions is required when establishing constant radio communications with trapped personnel?
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What happens if a dispatcher sounds a single short alert tone?
What happens if a dispatcher sounds a single short alert tone?
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Study Notes
Montgomery County Radio Systems Overview
- Montgomery County utilizes a Motorola Astro P25 Digital five-site Simulcast Radio System, part of the Texas Wide Area Radio Network.
- The system is capable of operating in site-trunking mode when the TXWARN system experiences issues.
- Towers are located in Montgomery, Conroe, Grangerland, Tamina, and Magnolia.
- The Montgomery County Hospital District/City of Conroe Harris P25 Digital Radio System is a six-site system with many talk groups connected to TXWARN.
- The MCHD/MCFCA VHF Simulcast and six-site VHF Repeater TAC Channel System offers a six-site simulcast system with towers in Willis, Conroe, Splendora, South County, and Magnolia.
- EMS1 and FD 1-3 utilize the VHF simulcast system.
- There are six tower sites with six associated repeated pair channels available for fire ground operations, tactical operations, and redundancy.
Radio Channel and Talk Group Lineup
- FD 1, FD 2, and FD 3 are VHF frequencies patched to WARN and connected by ISSI to MCHD.
- FD 4-8 are WARN TGs connected to MCHD by ISSI.
- TAC 10-15 are VHF repeated channels with associated fire ground channels.
- Events 1-5 are WARN TGs available for expanding incidents, IC needs, regional events, or area command during large events.
Radio System Usage
- FD 1 is used for paging, dispatching incidents, sending messages, and alerting field units.
- FD 2 is the primary channel for still alarms.
- FD 3 is the primary channel for medical calls.
- FD 4 is the primary talk group for motor vehicle collisions.
Radio Number Assignments
- Each department in Montgomery County has an assigned radio number and an ESD.
Apparatus Seat Assignment
- D signifies the apparatus driver.
- C signifies the firefighter behind the driver.
- B signifies the firefighter behind the officer.
- A signifies the apparatus officer.
Radio Usage and Format
- Only chief officers and apparatus advise status changes over the radio.
- The first unit arriving at an incident provides a description and establishes command if necessary.
- Avoid using terms like "sir," "ma'am," or "thank you" over the radio.
Procedural Words
- A.Responding indicates the unit is enroute to the location.
- B.On Location indicates the unit has arrived at the scene.
- C.In Service indicates the unit has completed the call for service.
- D.Out of Service indicates the unit is unavailable for calls.
- E.Received acknowledges the unit/dispatcher understands.
- F.Affirmative signifies "yes."
- G.Negative signifies "no."
Phonetic Alphabet
- Alpha through Zulu are phonetically spelled out during radio transmissions.
Dispatch Format
- When stopping USDD for manual dispatch, a consistent format is followed with nine steps.
Communications Operating Procedures
- If a unit doesn't respond to a call within three minutes, re-encode the unit.
- For still alarms, dispatch the next closest unit.
- When sending mutual aid to another department, add the home department's BC to the call.
- For units responding out of territory, add the BC to all calls.
- Once all units have updated their status, Fire Com informs a chief officer or the first due apparatus of the status of units dispatched.
- Fire Com repeats size-up and instructions given by units on scene.
Special Calls and Signals
- The dispatcher repeats/announces:
- Establishment of Command
- Work Fire Announcement
- Command Initiated PAR Requests
- Signal 7-1/Incident under Control
Master Stream Operations
- The dispatcher announces:
- Master Stream Operations
- Offensive to Defensive Operations
- Evacuation of Structures
20-Minute Clock and PARs
- The 20-Minute Clock is given 20 minutes after receiving a call.
- The first PAR is due 20 minutes after the IC has been given the 20-minute clock.
- PARs stop when the Incident Commander announces "no more PARs" or issues a 7-1.
Signal 7-1
- The IC announces "7-1" to Fire Communication when an incident is under control.
- Fire Communication sounds a short alert tone and announces the 7-1.
Mobile Data Centers (MDCs)
- Units with MDCs should electronically make status changes.
- Size-up reports should be made over the assigned response channel.
Traffic Blocking on Major High-Risk Roadways
- Departments 9, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 15 will utilize a traffic blocking unit for responses on routes 145, 1-99, and 1-69.
- Departments 9 and 15 will utilize a traffic blocking unit for MVAs on 105 East.
Working Fires and Additional Alarms
- When the first apparatus or officer arrives on the scene of a working fire, Command will announce "Working Fire" to Fire Communication.
- Fire Com shall add an additional alarm level, generating an additional EMS response, updating the Fire Marshal's Office, and activating specific department resources.
- Fire Com shall also contact law enforcement and the electrical provider.
MAYDAY and RIT (Rapid Intervention Team)
-
A MAYDAY is used to report firefighters trapped, missing, or in distress.
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RIT is established prior to firefighters entering hostile environments.
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The IC notifies Fire Com of conditions:
- Interior Attack with RIT in Place
- Emergency Rescue with No RIT
- Exterior Attack until RIT in Place (NO-GO)
- Deploying Additional RITS
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A MAYDAY is initiated using the phrase "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" to the Incident Commander on the fireground channel.
Emergency Communications
- All pertinent information is relayed to responding units.
- If a unit uses "emergency" over the radio, all traffic stops on the channel/TG.
- If a unit adds "x-ray" to their unit number, it indicates immediate need for law enforcement due to danger.
- If an emergency activation is received from a unit's 800 radio, Fire Com asks the unit "What is your status?" and acts accordingly.
- If an alarm is received from a unit's MDC, the unit's status is confirmed over the radio and via CAD to the unit's MDC.
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Description
Explore the intricate details of Montgomery County's radio systems, including the Motorola Astro P25 Digital and VHF simulcast systems. This quiz covers the various tower locations, operational modes, and radio communication channels utilized by local emergency services. Test your knowledge on the structure and functionality of these essential communication tools.