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Location:  Publications > Messenger > Messenger Insert April/July 2006 Fire Department Communications

Ontario Fire Service Messenger

April/July 2006                Volume 15 Issue 3

Fire Department Communications

Revised Teaching Plan

Introduction:

The success of fireground/emergency operations depends on a number of variables including an effective incident management system, well-trained firefighters and officers, adequate personnel and equipment, and, of course, communications.

Given the complexity, pace and hazards of a fire scene, clear and precise communication is paramount to effective operations. Involving many roles, a high level of public safety can only be achieved through communication between officers and firefighters at the task level, communication between sector officers and task officers, communication between the incident commander and sector officers, and communication between the incident commander and the fire department communications center.

Personnel at the scene, and in the communications centre must receive and provide the information necessary to execute safe and efficient operations.

One vital part of the communications process is understanding how to use mobile (portable) radios and apparatus radios. When using these types of radios, it is important to know the basic skills of radio reporting, such as knowing what to report, when to report it, and how to report it. Each and every firefighter should possess this knowledge and skill-set in order to transmit a clear and precise report over a radio system at any given time.

Learning Outcomes:

The firefighter will:

1. Describe the techniques for transmitting messages over a radio

2. Recite the alphabet using key words, as it pertains to radio operation

3. Identify the method for transmitting numbers over a radio

4. Identify radio procedure words and phrases

5. Identify the priority of radio communications

6. Identify the procedures for radio tests

7. Demonstrate the use of a mobile (portable) and/or apparatus radio

8. Accurately report preliminary size-up observations through an Initial Report

9. Explain the purpose of, and demonstrate proper use of, the Emergency Communications (i.e., Mayday, Urgent, Evacuate)

Expectations of the Participant:

All participants are expected to:

• Actively listen during the classroom session
• Participate in classroom discussions
• Perform as a team player
• Practice the new skills

 Trainer Suggestion:

This would be an opportune time to take a break and assign the group the task of learning and committing to memory the international phonetic alphabet (IPA), number system and the radio key words and phrases. It might also be beneficial to give each learner a quiz and answer key to be completed on their own, for study purposes. Prepare a number of work related transmissions ahead of time and supply them to the learners for their practice. Messages requiring the spelling of difficult names and containing numbers are ideal. This will ensure consistency and allow you to more easily monitor their transmissions. This is a subject that requires a great deal of hands-on-practice.

 Summary:

As stated earlier, effective communication is essential to successful operations. With radio communications, it is very important that every firefighter be proficient in using a mobile (portable) radio and apparatus radio to enhance public safety and reduce property loss. Depending on the fire department, a firefighter may be assigned the incident commander role at any time and be charged with the responsibility of relaying information to fire crews and the fire department communications center. To capably fulfill this role, it is important to understand the basics of radio communications and communicating in a clear, concise, short and accurate manner. And like most other skills, practicing radio communication will make a perfect operator.

 Evaluation:

 Information Sheet

Radio Telephone Procedure

FOR MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN ONTARIO

Revised June 23, 2006

The efficient use of radiotelephony depends greatly on the clarity of the speech of the operator. As the distinctive sounds of consonants are liable to become blurred in the transmission of speech, words of similar length containing the same vowel sounds are apt to sound alike. Special care is therefore necessary in pronunciation.

Speak all words plainly and end each word clearly, to avoid the running together of consecutive words. Avoid any tendency to shout, to accent syllables artificially, or to talk too rapidly. The following points should be kept in mind:

202. Spelling

The words of the spelling of the international phonetic alphabet which follow should be learned thoroughly so that, whenever isolated letters or groups of letters are pronounced separately, or when communication is difficult, the alphabet can be easily and fluently used.

 Radio Telephone Procedure