Toronto Fire Services Communication Procedures

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of all Toronto Fire Services personnel regarding communication procedures?

They must create new communication protocols.

They are responsible for maintaining a complete understanding and proficiency in communication procedures. (correct)

They should initiate radio calls only during major incidents.

They need to verify the equipment used for communications.

Who is responsible for ensuring that crew members understand and follow radio procedures?

All officers. (correct)

The Communications Division District Chief.

The Communications Centre personnel.

The Incident Commander.

In case of multiple emergency calls, which type of calls should be prioritized when answering the Communication Centre?

Non-emergency calls.

Emails from the public.

General inquiries from citizens.

Still alarms from fire stations. (correct)

What must the Incident Commander ensure throughout an incident according to the guidelines?

Frequent updates to the Communications Centre. Signup and view all the answers

How should radio identifiers be formatted when reporting vehicle type?

Radio aliases must include the vehicle type followed by the vehicle number. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an emergency call that should be prioritized?

Routine maintenance inquiries. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles has the responsibility to notify Platoon Chiefs about a Second Alarm or higher in progress?

The Communications Centre. Signup and view all the answers

Which vehicle type is characterized by having an articulating boom?

Tower Signup and view all the answers

What does the mobile radio identifier for a Chief indicate?

Command and District Signup and view all the answers

Which vehicle type is NOT explicitly listed in the document?

Ambulance Signup and view all the answers

How should the identifier for 'Pumper 123' be pronounced?

Pumper one twenty three Signup and view all the answers

What is the format for radio identifiers of emergency vehicles?

Vehicle type followed by three digits for Command, District, and fire station number Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a radio identifier for a Rescue vehicle?

Rescue 411 Signup and view all the answers

Which option correctly represents the broadcast of 'Aerial 244'?

Aerial two forty four Signup and view all the answers

Which vehicle type is combined in the designation 'Rescue/Pumper'?

Both Rescue and Pumper Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of vehicle specifically intended for highrise situations?

Highrise Signup and view all the answers

What essential information must be communicated to the TFS Communications Centre when requesting Toronto EMS?

Details of the situation, including medical updates and safety issues Signup and view all the answers

Why should on-scene personnel not assume an ambulance is responding as a high priority?

The EMS crew may lack vital information about the incident Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the updates communicated to the TFS Communications Centre by the TFS Incident Commander?

Safety issues, medical updates, and actions underway by fire personnel Signup and view all the answers

What protocol must be followed when requesting Police assistance?

Reasons for police assistance must be provided and requests recorded Signup and view all the answers

When should canteen/support vehicles be notified to respond?

During multiple alarm fires and major incidents of prolonged duration Signup and view all the answers

What should a dispatcher do if there is difficulty understanding a portable radio identifier?

State each digit individually. Signup and view all the answers

When starting a radio conversation, what is essential to prevent confusion?

Identify both parties involved. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT included in a dispatch message?

Purpose of the call. Signup and view all the answers

How should the fire station number be identified in radio communication?

As 'Station [number]'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper way to address a radio message from one unit to another?

Calling party followed by the party being called. Signup and view all the answers

What should happen after the initial link is established in a radio conversation?

Conversations may become less formal. Signup and view all the answers

Which identifier is valid for referring to the emergency unit involved in a rescue operation?

Rescue 411 Crew. Signup and view all the answers

What should the dispatch message include regarding the incident?

Type of incident and a brief description. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how to state a unit identifier correctly?

Pumper one twenty three crew. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'alert' tone in the dispatch process?

To announce the start of a dispatch message. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not require the initial radio report to include the assumption of command?

Rubbish fire Signup and view all the answers

How does the TFS Communications Centre relay updates to responding personnel?

Using Mobile Data Terminal and verbal updates Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Code 2' signify when communicated by the Dispatcher?

Potentially violent situation Signup and view all the answers

What is required from all other apparatus upon their arrival according to protocol?

Report their arrival to the Communications Centre Signup and view all the answers

What should the Incident Commander do after arriving at the scene of a fire?

Give a brief summary of the initial assessment Signup and view all the answers

How should updates received after the apparatus arrives at the scene be communicated?

Stating 'Code 2' if related to a violent situation Signup and view all the answers

The Incident Commander is responsible for notifying the Communications Centre when which situation occurs?

The fire is under control Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of frequent updates to the Communications Centre by the Incident Commander?

To allow the Communications Centre to manage resources Signup and view all the answers

What does the Communications Centre Dispatcher do if a situation is identified as potentially violent while the apparatus is en route?

Update the Incident Commander in plain language Signup and view all the answers

Upon arriving at the scene, what should the Incident Commander communicate to the Communications Centre?

Initial assessment summary of the situation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Communications-Dispatching-Radio Procedures

Purpose: To provide a guideline for all Toronto Fire Services personnel regarding communications, dispatching, and radio procedures.
Responsibility: All personnel are responsible for understanding and proficiently using communications, dispatching, and radio procedures. Officers ensure crew members understand and follow these procedures. Communications Division District Chiefs and Company Officers ensure Communications Centre personnel understand and follow procedures. The Incident Commander is responsible for frequent updates to the Communications Centre from all incident scenes.
Prioritization (1.1): During incidents, the Incident Commander gives frequent updates to the Communications Centre. Emergency calls are prioritized as follows:
- 9-1-1
- TFS seven-digit emergency number
- Still alarms from fire stations
- Toronto EMS
Vehicle Radio Identifiers (2.1): Radio aliases indicate vehicle type and fire station number (e.g., vehicle type first, followed by the vehicle number). Examples:
- Pumper
- Rescue (Rescue/Pumper)
- Aerial
- Platform
- Tower
- Squad
- Air/Light
- Fireboat
- Hazard
- Hazard Support Unit
- Highrise
- Decon
- Decon Support Unit
- Car (Chief's Vehicle)
- Command (Command Vehicle)
Mobile Radio Identifiers (3.1): Emergency vehicle identifiers include vehicle type and three-digit identifiers for Command, District, and fire station number (e.g., Vehicle 423; Command 4, District 2, Fire Station 3). Chiefs have a two-digit identifier.
Portable Radio Identifiers (4.1): Portable radios are assigned to personnel and identified by vehicle number and designation (e.g., Fire Prevention, Public Education, Fire Investigators, Training, Mechanical).
Dispatch Radios (5.1): Fire Station number designates the dispatch radio identifier (e.g., Station 123 - "Station one twenty three").
Radio Identification Standards (6.1): At the start of radio conversations, both parties identify themselves. Once established, repeating the full identifier is not required during ongoing conversations. The party being called is identified, followed by the calling party.
Dispatch Messages (7.1): Vehicles are dispatched via voice announcement over the fire station public address system/dispatch system. The dispatch includes an alert tone, the emergency vehicle response, incident type, and a brief description of the problem, and address.
Still Alarms (8.1): Refer to a guide (G-STIL) for Still Alarms information.
First Emergency Vehicle on Scene (9.1): Initial radio reports to Communications (e.g, street address, incident structure description, visible signs, action to be taken, and confirmation of command).
Incident Commander or Crew Updates (10): The Communications Centre relays additional information to responding apparatus as it becomes available, verbally and via the mobile data terminal. This is important in potentially violent or safety-critical situations.
Other Vehicles Arriving (11.1): All incoming vehicles report arrival to the Communications Centre, including arrival status and time to the Incident Commander.
Incident Updates (12.1): Incident Commanders provide a brief summary of the incident assessment to the Communications Centre.
Requests to Toronto EMS (13.1): Personnel should not assume an ambulance is responding as a high priority and to provide valuable information.
Requests to Other Agencies (15.1): Requests for other agencies are accompanied by a reason.
Support Vehicles (16): Canteen/support vehicles (e.g., Salvation Army, Red Cross) and services are notified for response to multiple alarm fires.
Clearing Responding Vehicles (17.1): If the responding apparatus is no longer needed, the Incident Commander notifies the Communications Centre.
Vehicle Status (18.1): Company Officers ensure the Communications Centre knows immediately about any changes in vehicle status.
Common Dispatch Terms/Codes (e.g., PD ACCIDENT, PI ACCIDENT, VSA): Common terms used during dispatch or updates (e.g., Property damage accident, Personal injury accident, Vital signs absent).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the communication procedures and responsibilities of Toronto Fire Services personnel. This quiz covers radio procedures, prioritization of emergency calls, and guidelines for reporting incidents. See how well you understand the protocols essential for effective communication in emergency situations.