Fireground communications.pdf

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 305 Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications 305.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides on-scene communication procedures for Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department units operating on emergency incidents. Corresponding Policies: Fireground Ac...

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 305 Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications 305.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides on-scene communication procedures for Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department units operating on emergency incidents. Corresponding Policies: Fireground Accountability Hazardous Materials Response High-Rise Incident Management Incident Management Mobile Data Terminal Use Rapid Intervention/Two-In Two-Out Staging 305.2 FIRST FIVE MINUTES When practicable and when applicable, the following communications should include, but not be limited to: #Communications to Dispatch from the first arriving Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department unit: • Unit on-scene • Initial scene size-up • Unit establishing incident command (IC) • Declaration of a working incident • Request for a tactical channel together with any additional channels which may be required due to the size and nature of the incident • Location of primary (Level 1) staging area • 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. • Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) request • Declaration of command mode, investigation, fast attack, or defensive mode • Declaration of an offensive or defensive strategy #Communications from Dispatch to the IC and incoming units: • Tactical operations channels • Location of the primary (Level 1) staging area • RIC assignment Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Fireground Communications - 1 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications • 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 system check-in location if needed. 305.3 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. Radio transmissions should be made using plain language and unit designations instead of names. Use of codes should be avoided in all transmissions. 4. Personnel should acknowledge receipt of transmissions/orders and repeat. 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: • "Command to Engine 43,, take a 1 ¾" pre-connect to the door on the Charlie Side." "Engine 43 copies, 1 ¾" pre-connect to Door on the Charlie Side." 5. Personnel should decide what to say before pressing the transmit button. 6. When practicable, personnel should hold the radio microphone a few inches from the mouth to avoid audio distortion. 7. Personnel should not hold a portable radio with the antenna touching or very close to exposed skin, especially the eyes or face, when transmitting. 8. Portable radios should not be operated in an explosive atmosphere unless they are rated as intrinsically safe for fireground operations. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Fireground Communications - 2 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Fireground Communications 305.4 PROCEDURE DECISION TREE Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Fireground Communications - 3