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Burlington County Department of Public Safety
Radio Policy Manual Section Three Fire and EMS adopted July 11, 2007
click here for training schedule Radio Policy Manual Radio Techniques and Procedures – General
3.0 Introduction This policy manual has been revised to reflect the new digital radio system installed and placed in full operation February 2005.
The procedures written reflect the consensus of the cross functional multi-discipline work group that began meeting in July 2005 and worked continuously until completion of the update in June 2007.
Similar to all policies it is not possible to include every potential situation nor is it possible to anticipate all possible communication protocols. Thus flexibility must be allowed for all users to adapt to unanticipated situations.
It is expected that all users will allow for this flexibility and will accept the intent of the user group even if there is an occasional divergence from the adopted policy.
Central Communications Contact Phone Number Hot Line Shift Supervisor see member's only section Incident Times All Other Communications
MOBILE OPERATORS GUIDELINES
3.1 Fire and EMS Radio Procedures Communications Operators and Mobile Operators shall adhere to Radio Procedures as given in this guideline.
D. EMS DISPATCH POLICY 1. Grid Development
1.1 Each Agency will be responsible to provide Burlington County Central Communications with their selection of grid responses to include a minimum of three (3) backup agencies. This hierarchy will be utilized for backup dispatches and / or multiple rig assignments. The grids will be developed as prescribed by the Burlington County EMS Coordinators, Multiple Victim Incidents (MVI) and Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Standard Operating Guidelines.
1.2 Grid Development will be primarily designed into two principal time periods. The first 0600 – 1800, the second 1800 – 0600.
1.3 EMS Chief Operating Officers will be responsible to develop and provide Central Communications with any desired grid update information for their jurisdictions on or before March 31st of each year.
1.4 Failure of a jurisdiction to submit their response grids in accordance with the parameters of this guideline will result in the Chief County EMS Coordinator or his / her designee developing those grids for the local jurisdiction.
1.5 Interim changes of the grids will also be the responsibility of the local jurisdiction. However, mid-year grid changes will be limited to those that are absolutely necessary. Substantial changes of the response grids will only be allowed as described in section 1.3 of this guideline.
2. Dispatch Procedure
2.1 EMS crews dispatched to an emergency call in their local jurisdiction shall have a total of 7 minutes and 59 seconds to respond. Dispatch may be made for Duty Crew or All Call at the discretion of the local jurisdiction.
2.2 If after 4 minutes and 59 seconds the local agency has not responded from the initial dispatch, there will be a second toning. This second toned dispatch may be made for Duty Crew or All Call at the discretion of the local jurisdiction.
2.3 If after 7 minutes and 59 seconds the local agency has not responded, the next toned dispatch will be an All Call for the local agency and the first available backup agency from the hierarchy.
2.4 If after 11 minutes and 59 seconds there is still no response, the local agency and the backup agency will be dispatched. If Central communications deems appropriate, such as an ALS or RIT assignment the most appropriate available unit may be simultaneously dispatched.
2.5 If no agency has responded after 15 minutes and 59 seconds the most appropriate available agency will be dispatched.
3. Backup Agency Dispatch Procedures
3.1 Backup agencies will be dispatched per hierarchy whenever the local agency fails to respond to an assignment as described in section 2 of this Guideline.
3.2 Backup agencies, at the request of the local EMS Chief Operating Officer may be asked to be added to initial dispatch whenever the local agency has inadequate staffing and / or requires additional coverage.
3.3 Backup agencies may also be dispatched to all mutual aid responses.
4. Available Agency Dispatch
4.1 If there is no pre-planned backup agency responding after the appropriate dispatch procedure as per section 2, Central will dispatch the closest available unit.
4.2 If Central communications deems appropriate, such as an ALS, RIT or similar life threat assignment, then the dispatcher can add the most appropriate additional unit to the assignment.
5. Mutual Aid Dispatch
5.1 Mutual Aid Dispatches may include all or part of County EMS Strike Teams, once the local and backup agencies have been exhausted in a grid. The County EMS Coordinators will be responsible to request and assign regional EMS Cover assignments as needed during major incidents.
5.2 The Burlington County EMS Coordinator will be responsible to add Additional agencies to any hierarchy for the purpose of mutual aid.
5.3 Agencies that are dispatched to a mutual aid call that are unable to respond due to local protocols, despite having an available crew for their local jurisdiction, must contact Central immediately to advise them that they are unable to respond to that mutual aid assignment. This will expedite the mutual aid process for Central to dispatch the next mutual aid squad in the hierarchy.
BLS Dispatch Timelines
Basic EMS Dispatch Procedure
E. Fire Dispatch Policy 1. Grid Development
1.1 Each Fire Department will be responsible to provide the Burlington County Central Communications center with their selection of grid responses after approval of the chief fire coordinator and in compliance with the minimum response guideline as adopted by the Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association (BCFCA).
1.2 Grid Development will be primarily designed into two principal time periods. The first 0600 – 1800 and the second 1800 – 0600.
1.3 Fire Chiefs will be responsible to develop and provide the Communications Center with the desired grid information for their jurisdictions on or before March 31st of each year.
1.4 All fire dispatches will be categorized into one of four families and will be applied across all jurisdictions. A fifth special hazard section exists for Forest Fires and other unique hazards but must have approval of the Chief County Fire Coordinator.
· Structure – Fire · Structure – Non-Fire · Non-structure -Fire · Non-structure –Non-Fire. · Special dispatch agency dependent(i.e. WUI Assignments, High Rise, etc)
1.5. Structure - Fire – Means a report of visible fire or visible smoke in or from the structure
1.6. Structure – Non Fire – Includes all alarm systems, sparking electrical, appliances, noises, odors with nothing visible or any other descriptor that would lead the call taker/dispatcher to believe there was no active fire at the address. Note a dispatcher can dispatch as a structure if he/she believes there may be an active fire.
1.7. Non-Structure Fire – Means all incidents of fire outside of a dwelling (SFD/MFD) or a commercial building. This includes trash, brush, cars, sheds and any other outside fire incident. Unique hazards may have an additional category and will be location specific
1.8. Non-structure Non-Fire – All incidents that fit this category including wires, outside odors, lock outs and any other miscellaneous incidents.
2. Dispatch Procedure
2.1 Fire dispatches will follow the same time sequence as EMS. Initial dispatch at 0 minutes, second tone dispatch after 4 minutes and 59 seconds without response, a third tone dispatch after 7 minutes 59 seconds and so on.
2.2 Structure - Fire:
All dispatches will use a plain English description of the incident and the expected resource by mutual aid station. Task force will be used for all structure fires for all departments in lieu of individual station announcements. All mutual aid will be announced by resource type (i.e. Engine, Ladder, Rescue etc.) including out of county resources on the assignment. Each department/chief will determine the resources to be alerted on the dispatch and whether to use two, three or four digit descriptors for the grids.
2.3 Structure – Non-Fire
Each department/chief will determine resources to be alerted on the dispatch and whether to announce stations or utilize Light Force when two stations are alerted
2.4. Non – Structure – Fire
Each department/chief will determine resources to be alerted on the dispatch.
2.5 Non-Structure – Non-Fire
Each department/chief will determine resources to be alerted on the dispatch and whether to do rescues by station or task force. It is strongly recommended that three or more stations be dispatched as a task force.
2.6 Resources.
The dispatch procedure outlined in 2.1 to 2.4 above alerts all responders to the address, the location (grid) the type of incident and the resources required. In terms of the resources required the Burlington County Fire Chief and Burlington County First Aid Council guidelines should serve as the model for minimum response.
On certain types of incidents or dispatches, Central will substitute the word "station" with engine, ladder, rescue, cascade, brush truck, etc. This will be done when the officer(s) have the information in their grids, or when special equipment is needed or requested to respond to an incident. At any time during the dispatch process and consistent with the adopted RIT guideline, Central has the discretion to add a RIT company to any assignment where a life threat may exist in order to enhance safety.
2.7. Covers
Covers will be planned through the fourth alarm in accordance with BCFC guidelines.
F. Unit Response Language
1.1 Unit Radio Response
Each Fire and EMS unit is required to initiate a radio call to Central on their primary response channel or alternative assigned channel by unit type and number when responding. Only the first responding apparatus is required to also announce the dispatched location. Other units may announce the location.
Example of Acceptable transmissions:
No unit will respond using any other acronym such as “on the way, on the job, en-route etc.”
1.2 Officers (Chiefs, Deputies, Battalions, assistants, supervisors)
Chief Officers responding directly to an incident will initiate a radio call to Central on their primary response channel or alternative assigned channel by unit type and number when responding. Example
1.3 Company Officers
Company officers responding on units will use only the unit identifier and not their radio number unless they are the ranking officer for the department on that particular incident.
1.4 NIMS Compliance
All radio communications will comply with NIMS requirements as adopted by Burlington County (BC) and as may be required by law.
G. Unit Arrival Language
1.1 Initial Arriving Unit
The initial arriving Fire and EMS unit is required to initiate a radio call to Central on their primary response channel or alternative assigned channel when arriving.
Example:
There will be no other acronyms to signify arrival on location.
1.2 Additional Arriving Units
All additional arriving units will initiate a radio call on their primary response channel or alternative assigned channel stating they are arriving. Units who do not already have an assigned function will announce arriving level 1 or level 2 staging in conformance with the BC NIMS guidelines. Units will not ask for orders as they arrive. Central will acknowledge all arriving units.
H Scene Communications
All on scene radio communications will be clear text in compliance with NIMS requirements, specific guidelines as detailed in section 3.4 below and as adopted by Burlington County and as may be required by law.
I. Command Post
On major incidents as soon as is practicable the Incident Commander will establish a command post using the CP identifier as outlined in the BC ICS guidelines.
J. EMS First Arriving
EMS units will not be required to give a first in report on EMS only assignments. They may issue a report when arriving first at joint fire/EMS incidents.
K. Initial Reports Fire and EMS
L. Reduced Speed
A reduced speed order will be broadcast on the response channel and when possible simultaneously on F1 when so ordered by the incident commander. Units will not acknowledge.
Reduced Speed means non-emergency with no visible or audible emergency devices. Example:
M. General Recall Orders
Recall will be broadcast on the response channel and when possible simultaneously on F1 when so ordered by the incident commander. Units will not acknowledge Example:
N Specific Recall Orders
Individual unit recall orders will be broadcast on the appropriate response channel. These units will acknowledge the recall by stating RECEIVED or OK. Example:
O. Hospital Response and Arrival
All EMS units will initiate a call to Central when they are responding to a hospital. Hospital names and abbreviations are listed below. Upon arrival at a hospital or other medical facility the unit will transmit “OUT at _____”.
Hospital status requests may be made prior to departing the scene with the patient. EMS units will not ask for hospital status until they are packaging the patient and/or are ready to transport the patient. At all times Central may announce a hospital status issue to a squad en route to its dispatched location if such information is readily available.
Hospital Abbreviations:
P. Hospital Departure
All EMS units will notify Central upon leaving the hospital. If a unit is not available for contamination or other reason they will advise that they are out of service until they notify central otherwise.
Q. Unit Availability
When a unit becomes available from an assignment and is not otherwise recalled, the unit shall say simply “Unit _____ Available."
3.2 Equipment Usage
The Central Communications System shall be used only for the transaction of official business by authorized persons in accordance with the procedures described in this manual. Nothing in these procedures will prohibit the use of telephone communications if such use may be more practical and effective.
All operators shall comply with the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
3.3 Sequence Priority
Central Communications Operators are responsible for clearing traffic as quickly as possible, for maintaining Federal Communications Commission operating procedures on the air, and for determining the order of priority of simultaneous transmissions. These procedures shall be followed by all members of the Central Communications Network.
3.4 Channel Use
A. Dispatch Details
The F1 channel, 154.220, will be used for dispatching all Fire/EMS incidents. Neither mobile nor portable communications will take place on F1 unless an emergent need requires such action and in that case such communications will be brief.
Central will announce the Stations/Units/Etc. the Township (when needed), the Sub-Division, The Address, (Business Name and Suite), the cross streets, Type of Call. Station or unit information and cross streets will only be announced once; the physical street and number address will be repeated twice during the dispatch
Example:
Example:
Note: Central will announce which response channel to operate on when mutual aid from a different response zone is dispatched on the 1st Alarm and/or when a station is to operate on a zone other than their assigned default response zone.
A Second Alert will be sounded for the station if no response has been initiated within 4 minutes 59 seconds after the first alert.
B. Mobile Communications
Fire and EMS companies shall use trunked mobile radio for communications with Central utilizing the R-1 position of their assigned home zone unless directed by Central to an alternative zone or channel. Medic units will sign-on on the County Wide Medic channel and will be directed to the proper response channel.
The assigned R-1 response zones are listed below: Response Zone Assigned Districts Northwest: 10, 11, 12, 14, 20, 23, 24, 31, 36, 70, 80 North Central 13, 16, 27, 34, 39, 50 North 21, 26, 30, 32, 33, 40, 44, 60, 90 North East 18, 19, 38, 41, 46 West 17, 22, 25, 28, 37, 43 East 29 South 42, 45
All of the primary response channels (R-1) and County wide command are monitored and recorded. All other response channels (R2, R3, and R4) are recorded but not monitored as a routine. In certain cases such as a working fire or similar high traffic assignments Central will transfer routine communications for the rest of that zone to another response channel and that new channel will be monitored.
C. Portable Communications
All on scene portable communications shall be over the Ops 1 position with special emphasis for all personnel working in an IDLH (Immediately dangerous to life and health) atmosphere such as internal operations at structure fires, hazmat incidents etc. The on-scene Incident Commander may assign other needed communications groups to either an alternative Ops channel or other available trunked communication channels as directed by Central. These trunked/WAR channels are recorded by Central
3.5 Base Station Operations
A. Paging
B. Operations
3.6 Major Incidents
A. Fire
1. Initial Assignment – Primary Response Group
When Central is advised by the first on scene officer or apparatus of a working fire, upon request Central will dispatch the first alarm companies and make the following announcement over F-1 and the response channel in use:
Central will automatically dispatch any other resources as part of the all hands in service including a designated RIT if no RIT has already been dispatched. Central will follow the GRID protocol and the sequence shall be first the working fire dispatch, second the RIT and other preplanned resources and third covers as detailed in the grid. As soon as practical Central will notify utilities and initiate any additional emergency contacts as appropriate. All will operate on the dispatched response channel.
NOTE: The above announcement is primarily intended for structure fires but may be used for Hazardous Material Incidents or other “Serious” incidents.
NOTE: Central will follow the County Chiefs RIT and MAYDAY policies and other such policies as may be enacted. These policies authorize immediate actions on the part of Central.
B. EMS Incidents
1. Initial Assignment – Primary Response Group
When Central is advised by the first on scene officer or apparatus of a Multiple Victim or Mass Casualty Incident, Central will dispatch the first alarm companies and make the following announcement over F-1 and the response channel in use:
Central will automatically dispatch any other resources as per the EMS MVI / MCI SOG. Central will follow the GRID protocol and the sequence shall be first the MVI / MCI dispatch, second any other preplanned resources and third covers as detailed in the grid. As soon as practical Central will initiate any additional emergency contacts as appropriate. All will operate on the dispatched response channel.
NOTE: Central will follow the EMS Coordinators MVI / MCI Policies and other such policies as may be enacted. These policies authorize immediate actions on the part of Central.
C. FIRE and /or EMS Incidents
1. Additional assignments –Same Response Group
All other existing and new fire and EMS incidents will automatically be assigned to the next available Response channel. Units already on radio, upon hearing the All Hands transmission, shall switch to the next sequential Response channel and after approximately one minute will call Central to acknowledge the change in channel.
Example:
C. Command Functions
The Incident Commander will set up a command post as described above and advise Central of its physical location.
The command post will communicate with Central on the initial response channel or, at the discretion of the incident commander or a request from Central, a command channel may be established.
All units assigned to the same incident will operate under a single command and all resource requests for Central will come through the CP utilizing ICS in compliance with BC ICS standards.
D. Evacuation
Any necessary fire ground evacuation will follow the Burlington County Evacuation Procedure as adopted and implemented by the BCFC.
3.7 Special Circumstances and Guidelines
A. Bomb Threat
In the case of bomb threats, Central will dispatch the proper stations and announce "Report to your station(s) for an emergency standby assignment." It will be the decision of the officer in charge of the station(s) dispatched to respond to the scene. Stations who do not wish to be dispatched will advise Central in writing.
B. Special Assignments
Such assignments should be infrequent and will be monitored by Central.
C. Officer Contact
The Paging of local officers will be done for urgent department business only using only the regular alerting tones assigned. Central will announce for the officer as follows: “_____ Call Fire Communications" and the message will be given to the officer over the telephone. When a phone call is not possible the message may be given over the radio.
D. Announcements
There will be no tone alert or announcement of regular scheduled local meetings, drills, bingo, or work detail, etc.
Only the following are approved.
E. Training
Training sessions will be announced as DRILLS.
F. Emergency Radio Activation
Upon the activation of a Radio Emergency Alert Central will do the following: When the transmission is activated as part of an on going incident:
When the activation of the radio emergency button is not connected with an active incident:
3.8 Local Announcements
Local Announcements will be made at time requested between 0700 and 2300 hours. Officer making the request must state his name and ID number. The Central Radio Duty Supervisor must authorize transmission of the announcement and assure this procedure is not abused.
3.9 County wide Announcements
3.10 Transmission Examples and Explanations
The following are examples of Unit to Central and Central to Unit communications with an explanation for each portion of the message. The procedures outlined here will be required of all personnel. When a station or unit receives a tone alert for a dispatch, they will contact Central by radio and advise they are responding to the incident assignment and in the case of a multi-functional unit, identify the function they will provide (i.e. Engine, Ladder, Rescue etc.). Central will provide information or a report of the incident after the first Chief Officer signs on responding or at one minute after the first due unit response. Once the initial report has been given to the first unit and first chief, the report will not be given to additional units.
EXAMPLE TRANSMISSION EXPLANATION
NOTE: In instances requiring explanation or specific information to be relayed, it is recommended that units call Central and wait for an acknowledgement before proceeding with their message. This will eliminate requests to repeat and also confirms the Central Operator has heard the unit and is prepared to copy any message given.
3.11 Summary
This summary of rules is for your general information concerning operating procedures. Subsequent changes in rules or interpretations may occur. The Radio Liaison Committee will attempt to keep all services informed as changes are made.
3.12 Individual Incident or User Problems
Any misuse of radios or related equipment and/or Federal Communications violations shall be dealt with by the Department Chief or Captain or the Chief of Public Safety Telecommunications. That officer shall be responsible to see that all users in that supervisors department comply with all techniques, procedures, and FCC regulations. All violations shall be brought to the attention of the users supervisor at the time the incident occurs so that the supervisor can take necessary corrective action to prevent additional violations. Violations shall be dealt with as listed below for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd offenses and all shall be documented in writing.
Central and Field Services shall follow this complaint procedure. All complaints must be written in order to obtain a written answer and must be made by the highest rank either Chief or Captain.
3.13 The Radio Committee Communication Process
The Burlington County Radio Committee is comprised of representatives from using organizations including the Fire Chiefs' Association, Firemen's Association, Emergency Management, Fire Police Association, and First Aid Council.
The purpose of the Committee is to review and recommend policy and procedure to the Communications Center. Further, the Committee acts as liaison between the Communications Center and using organizations.
It reviews and recommends, through the Director of Public Safety, the need for additional personnel and equipment to properly equip and staff the Communications Center. It acts as a mediator between the Center and using organizations to resolve problems between Departments, Companies, and Agencies.
All complaints about Central procedures, acts or issues that cannot be reconciled by the Supervising Communications Operator shall be forwarded in writing to the Chief Public Safety Telecommunicator:
Burlington County Radio Committee C/o Central Communications 49 Rancocas Road Mount Holly, NJ 08060
3.14 24 HOUR TIME CLOCK
Central uses a 24 hour time recording system, thus not using A.M. and P.M.; you must add 1200 to any time past 1259 P.M.
EXAMPLES:
All reports will show this time.
3.15 Phonetic Alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet shall be used.
Example: AXW is Alpha X-ray Whiskey – not A as in Alpha, X as in X-ray etc.
3.16 Standard Procedures and Terminology
AMBULANCE: BLS Unit for patient transport ACKNOWLEDGE: Did you understand my last message? AFFIRMATIVE: Yes. A.L.S.: Medic or Advanced Life Support AVAILABLE: Company or unit is ready and can be assigned to another incident, and previous call is terminated. BASE STATION: Radio transmitter licensed to operate at a fixed location. B.L.S.: Basic Life Support BRUSH: Off road unit CASCADE Unit with on board breathing air capacity for refill COMMAND UNIT: Number followed by command shall mean the person in charge of that unit only. COVER: Standing by for another station at their station or your station. DISPATCH TO: Alert a station or unit to respond to an incident. DISPATCHED: A unit status meaning assigned to an incident, not available for another incident. EMERGENCY MESSAGE: Must be of an urgent nature. EMERGENCY SPEED: Responding with visible and audible emergency devices activated. E.M.S.: Emergency Medical Service. ENGINE: Standard NFPA equipped structural fire pumper. FALSE INCIDENT: Incident recorded as a False Alarm FIRE POLICE: Unit or function for traffic control FI: Fire Inspector FM: Fire Marshal FO: Fire Official FOAM: Designated Unit with on board foam supply. GRID: A geographical area designation for Fire and EMS coverage. HAZMAT TEAM: Burlington County hazardous materials unit HEALTH DEPARTMENT: County department HIERARCHY: List of stations in order of expected response in grid. INCIDENT: Fire and EMS report of dispatch information. INCIDENT COMMANDER:Officer or person in charge of the incident. LADDER: Apparatus with an aerial device of 75’ or more LIGHT FORCE:: Used as an alternative to announcing multiple stations not associated with a task force assignment MARINE: Boat for lake and/or river operations MASS CASUALTY: Designated trailers for County response MCI: Mass Casualty Incident MVI: Multi Victim incident requiring up to 5 ambulances MAYDAY: Transmission of life threatening |
