Chesapeake Fire Department Communications Operations Policy PDF

Policy 707 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Communications Operations - 1 Communications Operations 707.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish...

Policy 707 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Communications Operations - 1 Communications Operations 707.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for two-way radio communications during routine, local emergency, regional emergency and mutual aid events. The basic function of the communications system is to satisfy the immediate information needs of the Department in the course of its activities. Standards of performance are necessary if the system is to remain functional during emergencies. 707.1.1 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) COMPLIANCE All Chesapeake Fire Department radio operations shall be conducted in accordance with FCC procedures and guidelines. 707.2 POLICY The Chesapeake Fire Department will provide access to a two-way radio communication system to facilitate a more efficient response to emergency situations. The communication system is intended for official job-related communications between fire apparatus and the Emergency Communictions Center. Fire apparatus and members shall be equipped with the appropriate types of two-way radios, personal communication devices and/or satellite paging system for the jurisdiction, type of work anticipated, and for local and regional interagency/multi-agency incidents. 707.3 COMMUNICATIONS LOG It shall be the responsibility of the dispatchers in the Emergency Communications Center to record all relevant information on an incident. Dispatchers shall attempt to elicit as much information as possible to enhance the safety of the personnel who are responding and assist in anticipating conditions that may be encountered at the scene. Desirable information includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) Location of incident reported (b) Type of incident reported (c) Date and time the report was received (d) Name and address of the reporting party, if possible (e) Incident number (f) Time of dispatch (g) Apparatus dispatched to the incident (h) Time of apparatus arrival (i) Requests from members during the incident (j) Time the apparatus returned to service (k) Disposition or status of the reported incident Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Communications Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Communications Operations - 2 (l) All pertinent information as it relates to the incident and/or any requests initiated by the Incident Commander such as: Personnel Accountability Reports (PAR), requests for outside agencies, etc. 707.4 RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Operations are more efficient and member safety is enhanced when dispatchers, supervisors and members know the status of other companies, divisions or groups, including their locations and the nature of the tasks or objectives to which they are assigned. Most critical incident communication should occur verbally, over the radio, for this reason. 707.4.1 NO CALL GOES UNANSWERED If someone is calling for help and the Emergency Communications Center (ECC), call sign “CHESAPEAKE” does not answer, anyone hearing the transmission should answer it immediately and do whatever they can to lend assistance. Conversely, if a fire department unit is dispatched and does not sign on as “Responding” in a reasonable time, the dispatcher must immediately dispatch the next due unit to the incident. 707.4.2 APPARATUS IDENTIFICATION Apparatus radio designations shall be based on the type of apparatus and the station responsibility/jurisdiction. Members should use the entire call sign when initiating communication with Emergency Communications Center. The use of a call sign allows for a brief pause so that the dispatcher can acknowledge the appropriate company. When initiating communication with other agencies on Automatic Aid or Mutual Aid members shall use their entire call sign with the preface 'Chesapeake'. This requirement does not apply to continuing conversation between the mobile unit and Emergency Communications Center once the mobile unit has been properly identified. 707.4.3 RADIO TESTING Members assigned to an apparatus for a shift should check for radio functionality at the beginning of each shift to ensure that the mobile and portable radios are working as designed. Radios that are inoperable or malfunctioning shall be placed out-of-service, an appropriate repair tag completed and an email sent immediately to FD-RadioMaintenance. The portable radioshall be placed in the outgoing mail for the courier. 707.5 DESIGNATION OF PORTABLE RADIOS To comply with the Incident Management System, unit call sign for portable radios will be designated in the following manner. 707.5.1 FIRE COMPANIES The officer is always referred to by the unit radio call sign plus “Alpha”. This designation will always follow the officer regardless of their location unless the officer assumes another staff function. If this happens, a firefighter will move up within the company and assume the role of the officer and be referred to by the unit radio call sign and/or “Alpha”. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Communications Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Communications Operations - 3 The apparatus operator will be referred to by the unit radio call sign plus “Driver”. The jump-seat positions portable will be designated as “Bravo” (behind the officer) or “Charlie” (behind the driver). The designation of “Tiller” will be assigned to personnel in that position. 707.5.2 MEDIC COMPANIES The driver is always referred to by the unit radio call sign plus "Alpha". This designation will always follow the driver regardless of their location. The patient attendant will be referred as the call sign of the unit followed by “Bravo”. 707.6 PURCHASING AND REPAIR COC procurement procedures will be used when purchasing communications equipment. Procurement of any communication equipment, without prior written authorization from the Fire Chief or the Communication Officer is prohibited. All repairs on communications equipment must be coordinated through the Communication Officer and/or via email to FD-RadioMaintenance group.