Clearwater Fire & Rescue Radio Communications PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 631 SUBJECT: Radio Communications PAGE 1 of 8...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 631 SUBJECT: Radio Communications PAGE 1 of 8 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Operations APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 REVIEWED DATE: 02/01/22 SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: CFR Form-003 Damaged Missing Equipment Report NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: To provide effective dispatch and radio communications. 631.1 Pinellas County Emergency Communications Dispatch System (800MHZ) A. The Pinellas County Emergency Communications Dispatch System utilizes an 800 MHZ configuration. The following channels are designated for the radio-assisted exchange of verbal information employed by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department and other emergency services throughout Pinellas County..ZONE A - COUNTY FIRE / EMS.FIRE-DISP Fire Dispatch.FTAC-B Primary Working Tac-Channel *.FTAC-C Overflow Tac- Channel *.FTAC-D Secondary Fire Tac -Channel.FTAC-E Structure Response Channel/Overflow *.FTAC-F Overflow/Event Tac-Channel.FTAC-G Secondary Working Tac-Channel *.FTAC-H Fire TAC (encrypted channel**) *.FTAC-I South TAC (encrypted channel**) * BAYFLIGHT (1-Joliette) LZ Communications FADMIN Admin. / Hailing (non-emergency communications to Dispatch) 1O ----- †.FD-TA FD non repeat channel/TALK AROUND * Only monitored by Dispatch when calls are assigned to these sub-fleets. ** encrypted channels are not monitored by media and should be used for situations that dictate those conditions. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 2 OF 8 Suppression.ZONE B - MEDICAL CONTROL (COUNTY FIRE / EMS) †2A Med-Dir- A (Medical Control Hailing) †2B Med-Dir- B (Medical Control Primary) †2C Med-Dir- C (Medical Control Admin/Secondary) †2D Local Law Enforcement (if authorized) †2P FD TALK AROUND †= NOT Monitored by Dispatch.ZONE C - LOW PRIORITY CHANNEL.3A (F-LP-A) PH, TS, EL.3B (F-LP-B) DU, SH, OL.3C (F -LP-C) CL.3D (F -LP-D) LA, PS.3E (F -LP-E) SE, LE.3F (F -LP-F) PP, MB, CFR.3G (F -LP-G) SPFD INSPECTORS.3H (F -LP-H) SP.3I (F -LP-I) GU, PA, TI, SB.3J (F -LP-J) Reserved.3P FD TALK AROUND Zone C Low Priority Channels are not normally monitored by Dispatch.ZONE D – SUNSTAR 4A SUNSTAR A 4B SUNSTAR B 4C SUNSTAR C 4D SUNSTAR D 4E SUNSTAR E 4F SUNSTAR F 4G SUNSTAR G 4P FD TALK AROUND ZONE E- Pinellas County EOC, Clearwater PD, and Florida Mutual Aid Channels SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 3 OF 8 Suppression ZONE F- 7TAC Channels, National Interoperability Channels ZONE G- Polk County Channels ZONE H- Hillsborough Channels B. Portable Radio Identifiers For accountability and safety purposes, Clearwater Fire & Rescue has instituted a feature on our portable radios to assist line personnel with ensuring that they have the correct radio for their position on the apparatus. 1. The display screens on all portable radios are programmed to correspond with the apparatus identifiers and position (see Figure 1). The portable radios are assigned to certain positions by utilizing their corresponding serial numbers. 2. At the beginning of each shift, all personnel shall confirm that the identifier on the screen of their portable radio matches the one registered with the dispatch center and that each individual is using the correct radio with the correct identifier for assigned riding positions. 3. If for any reason personnel must use a spare radio in place of the regularly assigned radio, then personnel shall contact Pinellas County Dispatch on 1 Kilo and advise them of the change and what position the radio will be operating in. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 4 OF 8 Suppression Any changes made through Dispatch via 1-Kilo are only temporary, permanent radio ID changes must be done through Support Services. Figure 1 D45 Radio Identifier C. SIMS Code-H Emergency Radio Feature 1. The Sims Code-H button is the orange button located on the top of the portable radio next to the antenna and the tactical channel switch knob (see Figure 2). This SIMS Code-H button shall be used by Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel when immediate assistance is needed during volatile or Mayday situations. Once depressed, this button will send a notification to all the County dispatchers’ screens notifying the communications center that a certain radio designation has been activated. Firefighters are capable of activating the SIMS Code-H button without removing their firefighting gloves. 2. All the dispatch consoles will receive your SIMS Code-H regardless of which channel you are on; however, it will not work on the Talk-Around (TA) channel. Most importantly, it will prioritize that particular radio so that once personnel key-up the mic all radio transmissions will be heard from that portable on that channel. 3. An important note, personnel must wait approximately one (1) second after depressing the button to transmit messages due to a short “activation alert”. Once the mic is released on the portable, all future key-ups will be prioritized until the 60 second priority timer has expired. In order to reprioritize, personnel only need to re- SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 5 OF 8 Suppression key the radio to restart this timer. This priority will continue until the emergency signal is cleared by the dispatcher as well as re-setting the portable. This can be achieved by depressing and holding the emergency button on the radio for 3 seconds or shutting the radio off. 4. As with any transmission, a broadcast cannot exceed 30 seconds, or it will automatically terminate. This is also true for the SIMS Code- H function. If this happens personnel will have to re-key to complete the message. Figure 2 Sims Code H Button (Orange) D. Lost or Damaged Portable Radios 1. In the event of a lost or damaged portable radio, immediate notification to the appropriate supervisor is required. This supervisor should then arrange for a replacement radio and ensure that the event is properly documented on CFR Form-003. 2. The supervisor shall then contact the Logistics Division to acquire the new radio and start the process of replacement (if damaged beyond repair). Notification of the appropriate District Commander is also required. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 6 OF 8 Suppression E. Extended Mics for Portable Radios This device is another Clearwater Fire & Rescue safety action taken to ensure that all radio transmissions are communicated properly. 1. The extended mic shall be attached to each portable radio used within the Operations Division. 2. Damaged, inoperable, or lost extended mics shall be reported to the on-duty District Commander and the Logistics Bureau, accompanied by the appropriate documentation. 3. Portable radios for Marine units are not required to have an extended mic. F. Portable Radio Antennas 1. Each portable radio used within the Operations Division will have an antenna attached to the radio. 2. This antenna will be at least six inches in height. G. Radio Cases and Radio Straps 1. All 800 radios assigned within the Operations Division shall be stored in a protective leather case and have a radio strap attached to the case. 2. The only exceptions to this storage will be when on an incident; the radio may be stored in the radio pocket on the personal protective ensemble or when on a marine call where the radio shall be stored in the protective waterproof bag. After the incident the radio shall be returned to the leather protective case and strap. Figure 3 Portable 800 MHZ Repeater SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 7 OF 8 Suppression 631.2 Clearwater Fire Rescue Emergency Communications Dispatch System In an effort to provide continuous radio communications during a natural or man-made disaster, and any other type of emergency incident which negatively affects our ability to communicate, Clearwater Fire & Rescue has implemented the following emergency radio procedures in the event the 911 Communication Center is incapable of operating effectively. A. Clearwater Fire & Rescue shall utilize 30 portable radios (CERT) to assist our department with communications during large public gatherings and the occasional severe weather system. B. These portable radios are a stand -alone system and do not require the 911 communications center to operate. When used simply as a walkie-talkie, these portable radios will have a range of ½ mile to 1 mile. C. When needed, the department shall increase the range of these portable radios by utilizing a repeater and antennae system that is located in the east training tower. Once this system is activated, the range of these portables is amplified to provide coverage for the entire City of Clearwater. D. Below you will find the frequency list for these emergency (CERT) portable radios. Channels 1, 2, 3, 4 are designated as the department’s primary channels. These portable radios are stored at Logistics and will need to be distributed to the stations during storm preparations or after a countywide radio system failure. CHANNEL RX TX PL 1 154.160 154.160 156.7 Talk- around 2 154.310 154.310 156.7 Talk- around 3 154.355 153.770 156.7 Port Rptr 4 154.400 153.890 156.7 Port Rptr 5 154.295 154.295 156.7 Fire Blue 6 154.445 154.445 CSQ Talk- around 7 155.340 155.340 156.7 Hear/ Med 8 154.340 154.340 156.7 Talk- around 9 154.400 154.400 156.7 Talk- around SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/25/12 S.O.P. 631 Radio Communications REVISION DATE: 03/25/20 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 8 OF 8 Suppression 10 155.475 155.475 CSQ Talk- around 11 174.000 ----- CSQ N/A 12 154.220 154.220 88.5 Tampa FD 13 (W4) 162.425 ----- CSQ Weather 14 (W1) 162.550 ----- CSQ Weather E. In conjunction, the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department shall also utilize emergency mobile radios that have been programmed by Motorola to coincide with our emergency portable radios. These mobile radios have been placed in the following vehicles: D45, D48, CL200, the spare DC vehicle, Command Bus, and Clearwater Fire & Rescue’s DOC. Similar to the portable radios, the mobile units are stand-alone and do not require the 911 Communications Center to operate and utilize the same frequencies as the portable radios. F. If for some reason the repeater and antennae system located at the east training tower loses power or are damaged and unable to be utilized for emergency communications, Clearwater Fire & Rescue shall place into service 2 emergency portable generators and 2 emergency portable repeaters along with 4 portable antennae systems (see Figure 4). It is important to point out that channels 3 and 4 are the only channels that can be used once this type of system has been activated. Figure 4 Emergency Portable Repeater