New Lenox Fire Protection District Communications Procedures Manual PDF

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 105 Procedures Manual Communications 105.1 PURPOSE o Establishes guidelines for appropriate use of the communications system. o This g...

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 105 Procedures Manual Communications 105.1 PURPOSE o Establishes guidelines for appropriate use of the communications system. o This guideline rescinds all previous procedures regarding the use of the communications system. 105.1.1 GUIDELINE It is incumbent upon officers and members to become familiar with the communications system and the proper uses of the system. 105.1.2 DEFINITIONS Lincolnway Communications Center (LCC) - LCC is the regional dispatch center that is a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) and dispatch center for 30 fire and police agencies within Will County. LCC operates on a 800mhz system as well as a VHF system that is simulcasted for LCC fire agencies. Communication – Defined as the process by which information is exchanged through a common known and understood system. This policy will assist fire department members and dispatchers by reducing radio confusion, allowing for the priorities of radio traffic and allowing for short, specific communication terms. MAYDAY – Shall be the standard emergency transmission for such events as but not limited to a firefighter down, a firefighter missing or a firefighter who is lost. EMERGENCY TRAFFIC – Shall be used for such events as a building becoming unstable or drastically changing conditions inside the structure. 105.1.3 PRIORITIES FOR RADIO TRAFFIC o Personnel indicating "MAYDAY" or "EMERGENCY TRAFFIC" during a radio transmission o Routine emergency incident scene communications o Routine non-emergency incident communications- these shall be limited as much as possible by the use of the department Nextel's The Fire Department operates on a number of radio frequencies. The main dispatching and responding frequency is County Fire West 800 (Zone- LCC Main, Channel- 1) which is used unless directed by Command or a requesting agency. Should the county 800 system be unavailable, the Fire West VHF (Zone- LCC Main, Channel- 16) channel shall be utilized for dispatching and responding to incidents. The VHF frequency Red Fireground (Zone- LCC Main Channel- 2) will typically be used for incident fire ground operations. This frequency will be monitored by Command and all other apparatus when operating at multiple company operations. This may allow communications with other automatic aid apparatus on the scene. The VHF frequency White Fireground (Zone- LCC Main, Channel- 3) will be the secondary fireground if Red is Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Communications - 1 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Communications unavailable. When responding to automatic aid incidents, companies will use the normal frequency of the requesting agency. Should VHF coverage within a building be compromised, the incident commander can have all on scene companies utilize West Ops 1 (Zone- LCC Main. Channel- 5) or West Ops 2 (Zone- LCC Main, Channel 6) (800mhz fire ground channels) for incident operations. A few examples of locations where 800mhz fire ground channels should be considered are (but not limited to) Silver Cross Hospital Campus, Lincoln-way Central and West, Large Box Warehouses. The IFERN frequency (Zone- LCC Main, Channel 7) will be utilized for responding to MABAS mutual aid incidents. 105.2 RESPONSE COMMUNICATIONS Units will go "en route" utilizing the MDC (Mobile Data Computer). In the event that the MDC is not working properly, units can use the Fire West 800 Main MHz) as the primary way of communications. In the event that the 800mhz system is non-operational, units shall use the Fire West VHF channel. During storm mode operations, the battalion chief or chief officers can assign companies to utilize the "New Lenox Fire" channel (Zone- LCC Main, Channel- 8) if other frequencies are being heavily trafficked. Units shall not go en route to an incident until the vehicle has been started and the overhead door is opening. This will provide other units a confirmation that the vehicle has not had any mechanical issues and they will be able to respond. At no time is a unit to go en route from a portable radio as it alters the department's response times. If needed the unit can confirm they have received the page and will be responding shortly, examples of this would be during training or while out of the vehicle at a large building.,Mobile data computers (MDC's) or department issued cell phones should be used to avoid tying up the Main channel during storms or other department having large incidents. 105.3 SIZE UP When the first unit arrives on an incident, the officer or senior member shall give a brief size-up or description of the conditions observed. A brief size-up only needs to be given unless something is showing or discovered. An example of a brief, yet informational size- up would be "LCC New Lenox Engine 63 on the scene of a large box store, we have nothing showing from three sides and Engine 63 will be out investigating." 105.4 DISPATCHING LCC will notify companies of calls via the USDD system in the fire stations as a primary form of notification. When companies are out of quarters they must go on the air from their MDC and have their station pager and department cell phones with them as a means of notification of calls. LCC will utilize the Will County 800 system LCC Fire Pg 1 channel to notify companies of calls when on the air. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Communications - 2 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Communications From time to time issues may arise on calls concerning errors in dispatching or information given to the dispatchers. Any concerns should be forwarded to the Battalion Chief who can address the issue or forward the information to the Communications Officer who can pursue the matter further. 105.4.1 STORM MODE LCC will activate "Storm Status" when the proper criteria has been meet within the dispatch center. When Storm Status is activated all companies will be required to monitor the radio and the Battalion Chief will serve as the point of contact for LCC. o During Storm Status calls that are a threat to life will take precedence. o Only ACCINF, DIVEF, STRUCF, GASINF and all AMB calls will be toned and dispatched immediately per CAD recommends. o Single company responses will be used for all fire alarms unless indications of smoke or flames. o Telecommuincators should stack all weather related calls (i.e. wire down with no hazards, trees down.) o During Storm Status communications on the main radio channel should be limited with status changes taking place via MDC's 105.5 PORTABLE RADIO USAGE Dual-band 800mhz/VHF portable radios are assigned to each front line apparatus. Portable radios shall be inspected and checked for proper operation at the beginning of each shift. These radios shall be fully charged and ready for use, and each member of the company shall have a dual- band radio in their possession while out of quarters and away from the vehicle. Each radio shall be equipped with the following items: o antenna o securely mounted remote microphone o battery Any radio that is missing equipment or not functioning properly must be reported to the company officer. A repair order will be completed and forwarded to the department communications officer. This radio shall be removed from service and sent for repair. The Battalion Chief will have a number of spare portables assigned that may be utilized as replacements. To maximize the effectiveness of communications and to minimize damage, radios are to be carried in one of the following approved methods: o belt clip on belt, with microphone clipped to epaulet of shirt, or button area of shirt near pockets. o in bunker coat radio pocket with microphone clipped to mic clip on coat, ring attached to top buckle, or clipped to collar of coat Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Communications - 3 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Communications o bunker pants (without bunker coat): clip radio on top of pants, and clip mic to suspenders in department approved leather-carrying case with either a belt clip attachment, or leather shoulder strap (commonly known as the New York strap). No other method of carrying shall be used unless approved by the Communications Officer. Radio equipment will not be altered in any way. This includes labeling, marking of company assignment, personal name, removal of any parts, or modification of any parts. Fire department personnel shall be professional in their radio use at all times. Members shall speak clearly and calmly in a normal tone of voice and shall not imitate or mimic other voices heard on the radio. 105.6 STATION PAGERS Station pagers will be assigned to the company officer and paramedic in charge at the beginning of the shift. Both members are responsible for the care and use of the pager. Station pagers are to be worn at all times while on duty. When personnel are in the bunk room, the pagers should be on and placed into the chargers. Should there be a malfunction of the pager or it becomes damaged, the shift commander shall be notified and a work order shall be generated. The communications officer will supply a spare pager for use until repairs or a replacement are completed. 105.7 COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH TERMINALS Computer Aided Dispatch terminals (CAD) are located in each station as an additional way of call notification. The settings on the CAD computers have been adjusted for each individual station and shall not to be adjusted. The communications officer and the IT staff are the only individuals who are authorized to adjust these settings. The CAD terminals provide an important secondary link to the dispatch center in case of a radio system failure. 105.8 USDD (STATION ALERTING SYSTEM) US Digital Designs (USDD is the current station alerting system that is located in each fire station. The station alerting system primary function is to notify a station(s) of an emergency response within our district and/or a mutual aid response. Every fire station has an ATX station control module that is programed specifically to align with the Fire District's operations. Unless authorized by the Fire Chief, his/her designee or the communications officer, no personnel shall adjust, tamper, or repair any component of the ATX station control module or any adjunct devices. Additionally, every fire station is equipped with an 800mhz mobile radio to serve as a "backup" in the event that the control module or programming is not functioning properly. Unless authorized by the Fire Chief, his/her designee or the communications officer, no personnel shall adjust volume, radio settings, or make any repairs to the mobile radio. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Communications - 4 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Communications 105.9 DEPARTMENT ISSUED CELLULAR PHONES Department issued cellular phones are located in each front line suppression company and ambulance as a way of communicating with other apparatus, shift commander, hospital telemetry line, LCC and as an additional call notification device. Department issued cell phones can also be utilized for the following: o Documentation for information transmission into fire recovery o Pre-plan documentation o Researching information pertaining to an incident (i.e. hazardous materials incident) o Contacting other agencies ( i.e fire/police agencies, dispatch centers other than LCC, Water department, public works, school officials) Department issued cell phones should not be utilized for personal business unless authorized by a Chief Officer. When out of the fire station the fire company officer and ambulance paramedic in charge shall carry the department cell phones. Any damage to the cell phones shall be reported to the shift commander and a work order shall be generated. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Communications - 5 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District