Fireground_Communications.pdf

Procedure 400 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 1 Fireground Communications 400.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides on-scene communic...

Procedure 400 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 1 Fireground Communications 400.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides on-scene communication procedures for Chesapeake Fire Department units operating on emergency incidents. Corresponding Procedures: 405 Structure Fire Response Corresponding Policies: 302 Fireground Accountability 319 Hazardous Materials Response 310 High-Rise Incident Management 300 Incident Management 705 Mobile Data Terminal Use 303 Rapid Intervention/Two-In Two-Out 309 Staging 400.2 FIRST FIVE MINUTES When practicable and when applicable, the following communications should include, but not be limited to: #Communications to the Emergency Communications Center from the first arriving Chesapeake Fire Department unit should be communicated in an Initial Radio Report (IRR) and a follow up radio report. • Unit on-scene • Initial scene size-up • Unit assuming incident command (IC) • Declaration of a working incident • Request for any additional talk-groups which may be required due to the size and nature of the incident • Location of Level 2 staging area, if applicable • Cancel or request additional resources and next level alarms as required due to the size and nature of the incident and based on results of a 360 assessment. • Declaration of an offensive or defensive strategy #Communications from the Emergency Communications Center to the IC and incoming units: • Any change to the assigned incident radio talk-groups Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 2 • Any change to the location of the Level 2 staging area • Confirmation of additional resources and alarms requested #Communications from the IC to incoming units: • Instructions to any units needed to immediately operate at the scene, including: o Where units should position o Task assignments o Structure entry points o Advise as to any special tools or equipment personnel may need to accomplish assigned tasks o Department accountability location 400.3 PROCEDURES 400.3.1 RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT (a) Apparatus 1. When directed by the Emergency Communications Center apparatus radios should be tuned to the assigned radio talk-group while en route and on- scene. Officers should acknowledge assignments clearly and concisely to avoid unnecessary radio traffic but otherwise should generally avoid using the assigned radio talk-groups while en route unless called. (b) Personnel 1. Personnel operating within an immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) environment should each have a portable radio tuned to the assigned radio talk- group. 2. Personnel operating on the fireground should keep radio communications to a minimum when possible. 400.3.2 OPERATIONS Fireground communications may include: (a) Emergency Traffic Declaration 1. A request for an emergency traffic declaration should be reserved for situations involving immediate danger to personnel. Examples of situations that warrant an emergency traffic declaration include, but are not limited to: • Structure evacuation • Unexpected building collapse or sudden change in conditions • Serious injury to personnel • Motor vehicle accident involving fire department equipment that results in injuries Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 3 • An unstable situation in which personnel are being assaulted or physically threatened 2. A member requesting an emergency traffic declaration should radio the IC with a transmission similar to: “Engine 1 to Incident Command with Emergency Traffic.” Once acknowledged by the IC personnel should then go ahead with emergency traffic. 3. The IC will repeat the emergency transmission and take any necessary action. 4. When an emergency traffic declaration is made all other radio traffic should be held until the emergency traffic message is delivered and acknowledged. 5. Once the emergency traffic is completed the IC should announce “All units can resume radio transmissions.” (b) Mayday from a lost, injured or trapped firefighter 1. Mayday communications should follow the Mayday procedures outlined in Procedure 304 Mayday, and procedures outline in Procedure 303 On-Deck Operations. (c) Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) Communications 1. Incident on-scene and working time should be tracked by the Emergency Communications Center and prompt the IC every 20 minutes for a status report. The IC should use this time prompt to conduct a PAR. When the IC requests, all non-emergency radio traffic unrelated to the PAR should cease until the PAR is concluded. The company officer or crew leader should respond with this information: (a) Unit number or designation (b) Number of personnel and names (c) Location (d) Current assignment/function (e) Lowest SCBA air reading among the unit members 400.3.3 EMERGENCY EVACUATION TONE The Emergency Evacuation Tone is designed to provide immediate notification for all fire ground members of a notable hazard that is either about to occur or has occurred. During the course of the operations at an incident scene, conditions may arise which call for a rapid evacuation of the area or structure. These conditions may include, but are not limited to: • The weakening of structural components • Flashover • Backdraft or other explosions • Collapse (partial, total, impending, etc.) Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 4 • The sudden release of hazardous material (dust, liquid, gas, etc.) • Wind shift at a hazardous materials incident • Any other condition relating to firefighter safety as reported to the Incident Commander. Should such evacuation condition(s) arise, Command has the option of using their portable radio to activate the Emergency Evacuation Tone or request the Emergency Communications Center to activate the Emergency Evacuation Tone. Additionally, Command will order fire apparatus at the scene to sound continuous blasts on the air horn. Simultaneously, Command using radio communications will state “Evacuate the Structure!” All further radio communications will be limited to transmissions related directly to the emergency evacuation. This process will be repeated until all personnel are accounted for, as provided by P.A.R. Upon hearing this warning, all effected personnel should take the following action: 1. Evacuate immediately. Warn others along the way. Leave tools, hoses, etc. behind. These can be recovered later. 2. Regroup outside in a safe area and report to your company officer. 3. Company officers, Division, and Group supervisors should report to Command, accounting for all members within their command. 4. Be prepared to start a search and rescue operation for any missing member. These actions should not be confused with any orderly withdrawal from the structure/area when shifting from offensive to defensive operations. This signal is for Emergency Use Only. 400.4 UNIVERSAL PRACTICES 1. Radio communications on the fireground should be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. 2. Personnel operating on the emergency scene should remain aware of radio traffic and wait for breaks to avoid "walking over” other transmissions unless there is a need to request an emergency traffic declaration. 3. It is vitally important that courtesy and forethought be practiced when using the radio. When there is an emergency incident with multiple units operating, all other units should refrain from using the assigned Tactical talk-group for the incident unless it is essential for them to do so. 4. Radio transmissions should be made using plain language and unit designations instead of names. Use of codes should be avoided in all transmissions, with the exception of 'Code 4' when units are asked for their status. 5. Personnel should acknowledge receipt of transmissions/orders and repeat. 6. Order Model: o When the sender is ready to transmit a message, they call the receiver to determine if they are ready to receive the message; Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 5 o The receiver then acknowledges the sender; o When the sender receives the readiness reply, they can transmit the message; o The receiver then gives a brief restatement of the message to acknowledge the receipt of the message; and the sender restates the message if misunderstood. 7. The repeat doesn’t need to duplicate the original message word for word, but it should be a brief and concise summary of the message’s intent. For example: o “Command to Engine 1, take a 1 ¾” pre-connect to the door on Side C.” “Engine 1 copies, 1 ¾” pre-connect to Door Side C.” 8. Personnel should decide what to say before pressing the transmit button. 9. When practicable, personnel should hold the radio microphone a few inches from the mouth to avoid audio distortion. 10. Personnel should not hold a portable radio with the antenna touching or very close to exposed skin, especially the eyes or face when transmitting. 11. Portable radios should not be operated in an explosive atmosphere unless they are rated as intrinsically safe for fireground operations. All CFD portable radios, batteries and ancillary equipment is intrinsically safe. Additionally, all communications equipment is tested annually to ensure compliance of being intrinsically safe. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Fireground Communications - 6 400.5 PROCEDURE DECISION TREE