E-RAD(U) Radio and Communication Use Part 1

Study Notes

All Toronto Fire Services personnel are responsible for properly using radios.
Company Officers are responsible for ensuring their crew members follow this guideline.
The Communications Division is responsible for coordinating and managing all TFS radio use.

Portable radios should be worn in bunker suit pockets or cases for protection from damage by exposure or dropping at all times.
Personnel are accountable for damage to radios in their possession.
Personnel should use the remote microphones on portable radios whenever possible.

In the event of loss or damage to a radio, personnel must report it to the Communications Centre, District Chief, and Platoon Chief, and complete a Lost or Damaged Equipment Report.
The radio should be sent to the Communications Centre (if damaged), and the report should be forwarded to the Division Chief (Communications).

Batteries should be routinely changed at the beginning of each shift.
Batteries should be changed after extended periods of operation, and batteries failing to indicate charge after extended charging should be removed from service and forwarded to the Communications Centre.

Radio identifiers should be used at all times during transmission.
Names and personal references should not replace radio aliases during transmission, except during a “May Day” situation.
The term “over” should not be used to end each transmission.
Personnel should limit their use of codes in all radio communication.
Non-essential radio codes should not be used in joint agency operations.
A code should be maintained for potentially life-threatening and violent incidents requiring immediate Police response.
Code 1 indicates that Police are required immediately at the scene, and the safety of the Incident Commander or crew may be jeopardized if the Incident Commander or crew do not use discretion.
Code 2 will be used by Communications to advise incoming crews of potentially violent situations.

All words should be spoken plainly and each word ended clearly to avoid running together consecutive words.
Avoid shouting, artificially accenting syllables, or talking too rapidly.
Personnel should familiarize themselves with what they plan to say before opening the microphone.
The rate of speech should be kept constant, neither too fast nor too slow.
High-pitched voices transmit better than low-pitched voices.
Maintain a natural rhythm of conversation, avoiding unnecessary sounds like “er” and “um”.
Maintain the correct distance between the mouth and the microphone, with lips no more than 3 cm from the microphone.

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