SOP 11-12

Radio Communication Policy

• The purpose of the policy is to provide for the safety and integrity of all County hardware, software, and data files.
• The policy applies to any Fire-Rescue personnel who has access to computer equipment utilized by the Department.

Talk Group Designations

• The radio selector dials are used to direct to a talk group.
• Talk Group A-1 is the initial talk group assignment for all Fire Rescue apparatus to monitor dispatched events.
• Fire Rescue Communications will refer to talk groups only by the radio selector dials.
• Company officers are responsible for becoming familiar with talk group designations, descriptions, and their purpose.

Portable Radios

• Portable radios are specifically assigned to apparatus and should not be moved between apparatus unless approved by the Battalion Chief.
• Radios are issued during shift change, and the radio number corresponds to the apparatus and seat position in Telestaff.
• Portable radios should be physically exchanged between off-going and on-coming personnel during shift change.
• On-coming personnel should confirm that the radio is present, functioning, and free of damage.

Radio Care and Maintenance

• Portable radios should be charged according to the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure prolonged battery life.
• Radios should be protected by positioning the harness/strap under the bunker coat, with the remote speaker microphone (RSM) attached.

Radio Misuse and Damage

• Personnel are accountable for the proper handling and use of radios throughout the shift.
• Missing and/or damaged radios will be immediately reported to the Battalion Chief's office, who will initiate a Department Investigation Report.

Computer Use Policy

• The purpose of the policy is to provide a basic understanding and set of generalized procedures for computer use.
• The policy applies to any Fire-Rescue personnel who has access to computer equipment utilized by the Department.

Computer Security

• Users consent to having their activities on the system/network monitored and recorded.
• Users are responsible for keeping their accounts and passwords secure.
• Users are not permitted to intentionally modify files without permission from the owner of the file.

Reporting Computer Problems

• E-mail all work order requests to the "Fire-Rescue Computer Support" group.
• The Officer in Charge should submit work orders, as they need to be aware of any issues at the station.
• Do not directly e-mail or call MIS technicians in regards to new work orders.

Radio Communication Procedures

• Clear text language will be used at all times. Law Enforcement signals and 10-codes are not permitted, except as noted in the section titled Emergency Communications-Violent Situations.
• Control numbers (CR) will be issued for every call dispatched.
• Radios will be used for official purposes only. No personal messages should be delivered on any Talk Group.

Emergency Communications

• In the event of an emergency, radios will be used to communicate the situation, location, and crew size.
• Fire Rescue Communications will respond as if a "10-24" has been issued.
• Incident Command will try to continue to establish contact with the firefighter in trouble.

High Call Volumes

• During periods of high call volume, Battalion Chiefs and Captains must take control of the management of apparatus and other resources.
• To expedite appropriate resource management during high call volumes, the most appropriate or available Battalion Chief will provide direction over the radio.### Damaged Equipment
• Damaged or non-functioning equipment will be turned over to the Shift Leader for processing.

Portable Radio Zones

• Portable radios have multiple Talk Groups that can be used in a support or mutual aid role.
• Selecting a new Zone is done using selector buttons on the back of the radio.
• All portable radios will be set to SJCFR Zone A to access Fire Rescue primary Talk Groups.

Dispatch Notification and Response

• Radio transmissions should be short, concise, and to the point.
• Transmissions should start with "St. Johns" followed by the unit designation.
• Volume controls should be turned up to hear messages clearly.
• Radios will be on primary Fire Talk Group A-1 unless instructed otherwise.

Communication and Alert Tones

• Units will use radio headsets on apparatus to assist with in and out of unit communications.
• Personnel assigned to the pump panel should use a radio headset.
• All UHF radios will be on SJ Med 2, unless otherwise instructed.
• Units will notify Fire Rescue Communications when responding to calls, on scene, and preparing to transport.

Alert Tones

• Units are alerted to pending calls using an alert tone (four short tones) automatically generated by the communications system on Talk Group A-1.
• Alert Tone 1 indicates an important message from Fire Rescue Communications or an Incident Command change.
• Alert Tone 2 indicates a Mayday.
• Alert Tone 3 indicates an evacuation order.

Alternate Talk Groups

• Alternate working Talk Group assignments are available for specific incidents, usually circumstances requiring multiple units.
• Talk Group assignments will be made based on the type of incident.
• Fire Rescue Communications may initiate Talk Group assignments in the initial page.
• Units dispatched with a Talk Group assignment will conduct all radio transmissions on the specified Talk Group.

Emergency Department Notification

• Rescue units will notify Fire Rescue Communications of the receiving facility name upon leaving the scene.
• The receiving emergency department should be contacted by the inbound unit to provide patient information and estimated time of arrival.
• The Florida State EMS Communications Plan has assigned specific medical channels for each individual ED.
• Units transporting to other area hospitals will attempt to contact the hospital ED directly on the assigned UHF channel or 800MHz Talk Group for that facility.

Emergency Communications-Violent Situations

• If Department personnel feel in imminent danger, they should radio for assistance using the "10" code "10-24" followed by their specific location.
• Fire rescue units have the capability of issuing an emergency call without voice communications by pushing the orange button on the top of the radio.
• Upon receipt of the Emergency Alert, Fire Rescue Communications will respond over the radio to the unit issuing the alert and request a "situation update".