Burlington County New Jersey Radio Manual 2007 < to firerad2, firerad2 <
Burlington County Department of Public Safety
Radio Policy Manual
Section Three
Fire and EMS
adopted July 11, 2007
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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.
1.
This station shall be referred to as BURLINGTON COUNTY CENTRAL
COMMUNICATIONS, abbreviated as "CENTRAL" for radio transmissions.
2.
All Fire and EMS stations will be dispatched by station number,
address, and type of incident.
3.
Paging Dispatch Sequence
1.
Tones
2.
Voice Announcements as noted in section 3.4 on page 13.
3.
Responding units will sign on responding on the appropriate
response channel as described below. Until a dispatched unit signs on
radio, Central will re-tone as prescribed in this policy to achieve
the proper response.(0 minutes initial dispatch, 5 Minutes, 8 minutes
and every 4 thereafter re-dispatch until a response has occurred.)
4.
Individual stations may contact their zone dispatcher for
special circumstances, to clarify or to provide relevant information.
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
ALERT SEQUENCE
DESCRIPTION
ELAPSED TIME
1
LOCAL AGENCY, Initial dispatch – duty or all call
0 – MINUTES
2
LOCAL AGENCY, Second dispatch – duty or all call
5 – MINUTES
3
LOCAL AGENCY, Third dispatch as an all call plus first back-up agency
per grid assignment
8 – MINUTES
4
LOCAL AGENCY, Fourth dispatch as an all call plus second dispatch for
first back-up agency.
12 - MINUTES
At any Time in the Dispatch Sequence
*** If Central 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******
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:
"Task force 3621, Camden County Engine 135, 12 Apple Lane, a
dwelling, " (Task force includes 361, 362, 363 and 368)
"Task Force 131, Ladder 502, Engine 341" 535 Main Street. an
apartment. ' (Task force includes full station compliment -2 Engines,
Tanker, Utility and BLS 139)
"Task force 90, Ladder 303, Engine 302, Bucks County Rit 53 255
East Pearl Street, a building" (Task force includes all BC Stations as
assigned by chief)
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
"Station 363, Station 362, 729 Liberty Road, an automatic fire
alarm."(The use of Light force may be substituted in place of
individual stations. Thus Light Force 363 includes a unit from station
362 and one from station 363.)
"Station 131, E 501, 535 Main Street, a sparking electrical outlet."
"Station 905 255 East Pearl Street, a CO alarm"
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
"Station 363, 729 Liberty Road, report of mulch on fire."
"Station 131, 535 Main Street, report of a car on fire."
"Station 905, 255 East Pearl Street, a trash can."
Each department/chief will determine resources to be alerted on the dispatch.
2.5 Non-Structure – Non-Fire
"Station 363, 729 Liberty Road, a vehicle lock out"
"Taskforce 362, MEDIC 35, NJ TK MP 36.5 NB, a motor vehicle
accident rescue assignment." (Taskforce 362 includes Engines 3621,
3631, rescues 3639, 3699 and BLS 368)
"Station 278, rescue 272, RT 541 and Woodlane Road a motor vehicle
accident rescue assignment."
"Station 131, 535 Main Street, an animal rescue."
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:
"Central Engine 1611 is responding 7 Enfield Lane with 4."
"Central Ambulance 1393 is responding to Independent Living."
"Central Engine 9051 Responding with 4."
"Central Engine 3631 with 4."
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
"Central Battalion 3603 is responding to 7 Hampshire Lane"
"Central EMS 36 is responding to the New Jersey Turnpike mile post
38 southbound"
"Central Chief 9000 is responding to Rt. 130"
"Central Supervisor 3608 is responding to 400 Fernbrook Lane."
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:
"Engine 9061 is arriving at a two story SFD with nothing showing,
9061 is command"
"Ambulance 9093 is arriving"
"Ambulance 1393 on location"
"Chief 1300 is arriving at a two story MFD with light smoke
showing from unit ___. " The first arriving chief is assumed to be
command in the absence of any other transmission.
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
1.
Central will provide an initial report of information available
for fire incidents after the first chief signs on responding or after
one minute from the initial first due unit response transmission.
Central will prompt for a progress report after 20 minutes has elapsed
from first arriving unit and in 20 minute increments thereafter for
both Fire and EMS incidents until the incident is placed under
control.
2.
The first arriving unit will make a report of conditions upon
arrival. When the first arriving unit reports nothing evident upon
arrival, the incident commander at the scene shall as soon as possible
initiate a call to Central advising of the conditions present and
whether or not additional assistance and/or equipment will be needed
as well as disposition of resources on scene and in route.
3.
EMS units will receive a report from Central once they sign on
responding. The EMS Reports will provide the following general
information – Sex/Age, Level of Consciousness, Chief Complaint using
descriptions as listed in section 3.17, and any hazards to responders.
4.
All units whether Fire or EMS shall maintain contact with
Central via mobile or portable at all times while engaged in an active
incident.
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:
Attention all companies responding to 7 Enfield Lane. Proceed in
at reduced speed.
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:
"Attention all companies that responded to7 Enfield Lane. Recall"
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:
Central initiates - "Engine 3631 recall." Engine 3631
acknowledges, "Engine 3631 Received" or "Engine 3631 OK"
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:
MHBC Virtua Memorial Hospital Mt Holly
LMC Lourdes Medical Center Willingboro
WJM West Jersey Marlton (Virtua)
WJV West Jersey Voorhees (Virtua)
WJB West Jersey Berlin (Virtua)
WJC West Jersey Camden (Virtua)
CMC Cooper Medical Center Camden
CTC Cooper Trauma Center Camden
OLOL Our Lady of Lourdes Camden
SOCH Southern Ocean County Hospital
JFKCH JFK Cherry Hill
JFKS JFK Strafford
MMC Mercer Medical Center
RWJH Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton
HFMD Helene Fuld Medical Center
HFTC Helene Fuld Trauma Center
CHOP Children's Hospital Phila.
LBH Lower Bucks Hospital Phila.
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:
"Sta. 278 Medic 31, Westampton Township, Tarnsfield, 1 Greenwich
Drive, Cross Streets Quail Hollow Dr and Beacon St, A Cardiac
Emergency repeating 1 Greenwich Drive, a cardiac emergency."
Example:
"Task Force 272, Ladder 361, Rescue 391, Engine 501, in Westampton
Township, 1 Academy Drive, The Burlington County Public Safety Center,
Cross Street Pioneer Blvd, A Building, repeating 1 Academy Drive, a
building Operate on North Central Response 1."
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
1.
Paging over base stations will be limited to emergency
situations and routine and necessary testing only and must be approved
by Central. No paging will be done when central is extremely busy due
to storms or incident work load.
2.
Base station operators shall contact Central by phone prior to
any dispatch operations.
3.
Emergency operations include but are not limited to Central out
of Service and unable to dispatch.
B. Operations
1.
Base station to mobile communications will conform to all
procedures and guidelines contained within this manual.
2.
Base station unit identifiers will be the emergency station
number of the facility in which the operation is enclosed. Example:
Station 369 will be known as "Base Station 369"
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:
(Dispatch tones, alert tone), "In Burlington City (Actual
jurisdiction) 437 HIGH ST (Actual ADDRESS) ALL COMPANIES IN SERVICE."
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:
(Dispatch tones, alert tone), "In Burlington City (Actual
jurisdiction) 437 HIGH ST (Actual ADDRESS) ALL COMPANIES IN SERVICE."
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:
All hands operations in Burlington City as previously described
above. Station 408 is on another assignment. Upon hearing the All
Hands Dispatch, 4082 will switch from North 1, their initial channel
to North 2 and after one minute will call Central to advise they are
now on response 2 as follows: 4082: " Central Ambulance 4082 on North
Response 2", Central: "OK 4082"
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.
1.
Unscheduled meetings and drills
2.
Deaths of department members or other Public Safety agency members
3.
County training, seminars, and meetings
4.
Storm warnings and any related cancellations of regularly
scheduled classes or meetings.
5.
Unscheduled work details for returning equipment to available
status with Chief Officer Authorization
E. Training
Training sessions will be announced as DRILLS.
1.
Local drills requiring notification must be requested at least
one hour in advance of the drill start time.
2.
Large scale multi-jurisdictional drills must be planned at least
24 hours in advance of the start time.
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:
1.
Monitor to assure that the emergency transmission was received
by the incident commander. If necessary confirm same.
2.
Assure that Response group traffic is cleared and assist the IC
as necessary
When the activation of the radio emergency button is not connected
with an active incident:
1.
Call the radio number and confirm that it is a true emergency or
accidental activation
2.
If no response, then page that person/unit and have them call Central.
3.
If there is no response to the page Central will contact the
agency Chief officer of the unit/station for further direction
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
1.
Central will make general application announcements dependent on
the type and nature. For example CLASS DAY will be announced as
seasonal conditions warrant.
2.
General information county wide announcements will be made at
1800 hours if possible and be authorized by a CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS
SUPERVISOR.
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
1.
CENTRAL: "Station 129, Route 130 and Cooper Street, a motor
vehicle accident".
2.
UNIT: "CENTRAL, Ambulance 1291 responding Rt. 130 and Cooper
Street" This informs Central that ambulance 1291 is responding to that
call. If 1291 has an incorrect address, Central will provide a
correction.
3.
CENTRAL: "OKAY 1291" Central acknowledged. Okay is used so as
not to confuse affirmative with a "yes."
4.
UNIT: "CENTRAL, Ambulance 1291 on location." Any visual
information should be given at this time.
5.
CENTRAL: "OKAY 1291" Central Acknowledged.
6.
UNIT: "CENTRAL, Ambulance 1291 in route to MHBC" This informs
Central that 1291 is proceeding to Memorial Hospital and will be on
the assigned response channel. Note: Mileage and time stamp will apply
as determined by the ambulance crew.
7.
CENTRAL: "OKAY 1291" Central Acknowledged.
8.
UNIT: "CENTRAL, Ambulance 1291 out at MHBC" This informs Central
they are at the hospital.
9.
CENTRAL: "OKAY 1291" Central acknowledged.
10.
UNIT: "CENTRAL ambulance 1291 available from MHBC" This makes
Central aware that 1291 is returning to station 129 and is available
to handle calls. If not available, they should state they are out of
service until they are available for response. If not returning to
station they should specify where they are going.
11.
NOTE: Units that do not need times, reports, or any other
information from Central need not use the hotline when they have
returned to the station. When the unit is back at the station or in
their response area, they need only to say the word "Available" and
that call shall be terminated.
12.
Units that use the hotline for times, reports, or any other
information shall say nothing when they arrive at their station and
call Central by hotline on extension 7777.
13.
At certain times when Central is extremely busy, especially
during severe weather and major incidents, station(s) will be asked to
call back later for their times and other information. This is
necessary to ensure the emergencies are properly handled.
14.
For additional examples, see Basic Instructions for EMS radios.
Be brief but specific. Always notify Central upon arrival at
destination. Remember, all transmissions are recorded on tape and are
kept on file for Communications Center records.
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.
1.
A phone call to officer in charge of the user causing the issue.
Failure to rectify any violation or complaint will result in step wise
progression to the next level of supervision until such time as an
agreement has been secured.
2.
Memorandum to radio representative or officer in charge of
station with a mandatory reply of the type of action to be taken. A
copy of same will be issued to the Radio Committee.
3.
Memorandum and Federal Communications Commission notification if
violation persists.
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:
12:01 A.M.: 0001 Zero, Zero, Zero, One
1:00 A.M.: 0100 Zero, One Hundred
6:00 A.M.: 0600 Zero, Six Hundred
12:00 NOON: 1200 Twelve Hundred
1:00 P.M.: 1300 Thirteen Hundred
6:00 P.M.: 1800 Eighteen Hundred
9:30 P.M.: 2130 Twenty One Thirty
11:59 P.M.: 2359 Twenty Three Fifty Nine
MIDNIGHT: 2400 Twenty Four Hundred
All reports will show this time.
3.15 Phonetic Alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet shall be used.
A. ALPHA N. NOVEMBER
B. BRAVO O. OSCAR
C. CHARLIE P. PAPA
D. DELTA Q. QUEBEC
E. ECHO R. ROMEO
F. FOXTROT S. SIERRA
G. GOLF T. TANGO
H. HOTEL U. UNIFORM
I. INDIA V. VICTOR
J. JULIETT W. WHISKEY
K. KILO X. X-RAY
L. LIMA Y. YANKEE
M. MIKE Z. ZULU
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
situation
MEDIC: Advanced Life Support Unit
MONITOR: Listen on the assigned response channel.
MOBILE RADIO: Radio transmitter licensed to operate under a base
station license, fixed in a mobile unit.
NATURE AND EXTENT: Request for type of emergency and conditions of same.
NEGATIVE: No
OUT OF SERVICE: Unit not available for service
(Unavailable)
ON LOCATION: Unit is on location of incident to which it was dispatched.
O.K.: Received message.
ON RADIO: Unit is monitoring the radio, not given with
"Responding," only when vehicle is on radio and not assigned to an
incident.
OFF RADIO: Unit cannot be contacted by radio not to be used
when signing off at your station
OUT EMS unit out of the ambulance at a hospital.
PORTABLE: Hand held radio transmitter.
PRIORITY: Transmission which requests clear channel for
communications of an important nature
PROGRESS REPORT: A brief summary of what and how much has been
accomplished at the scene.
RECALL: Unit or station indicated should return to station.
This order should come from the officer or unit in charge of the
incident.
RECEIVED: To hear and understand radio message. Same as O.K.
REDUCED SPEED An order for units to proceed to assignment at
routine driving speed observing all traffic regulations and with out
emergency lights and audible warning devices in use..
RESCUE: An apparatus with a minimum compliment of hydraulic
consisting of at least one spreader and one cutter, stabilization and
mechanical extrication tools.
RESPONDING: Unit is in route to its assignment.
SQUIRT: Engine with Elevated waterway
STAGING AREA, LEVEL 1:Area for equipment to stand by
approximately one block from the
incident
STAGING AREA, LEVEL 2:A specific location as assigned be
command for all apparatus and units to
assemble and stage while awaiting
definitive orders.
STAND BY: Wait, monitor this frequency for reply or clearance.
STATION: Fire and EMS Vehicle Housing Location.
SUPERVISOR: Officer responsible for personnel within
span of control
TASK FORCE: NIMS term to represent a group of different
functional fire apparatus assigned to a single incident working under
the direction of a single leader.
TENDER: Apparatus with 2500 Gallons or higher
water tank
TRANSMIT: To send a message on the air.
TOWER Aerial device with platform
UNAVAILABLE: Out of service.
URGENT: Means you have an emergency message.
UNDER CONTROL: Incident or emergency has been contained to the
extent that additional personnel and equipment are not expected to be
required.
UNIT: Identified resource.
USE CAUTION WHILE RESPONDING: Drivers are to use caution
while responding due to hazardous road
or weather conditions. This is not
Reduced Speed.
VISUAL: Description of scene at incident, location as it
appears by operator or officer of first arriving unit, i.e., car in
water, two victims trapped. (Nature & extent)
3.17 EMS EMERGENCY CLASSES & DISPATCH METHODS
A. EMS EMERGENCY CLASSES
Abdominal pains 101
Allergic reaction 102
Animal bites 103
Assault Victim 104
Back Pain 105
Respiratory Emergency 106
Burns 107
Carbon Monoxide 108
Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest 109
Cardiac Emergency 110
Choking Victim 111
Seizures 112
Diabetic Emergency 113
Drowning 114
Electrocution 115
Eye problems 116
Falls/Fractures 117
Headache 118
Heart Problems 119
Heat/Cold Exposure 120
Bleeding 121
Industrial Accident 122
Overdose 123
Maternity 124
Psychiatric Emergency 125
Sick Person 126
Stabbing/Gunshot wounds 127
Stroke Victim 128
Motor Vehicle Accident 129
Lacerations 130
Unconscious Person 131
Medical Emergency 132
Motor Vehicle Accident Rescue Assignment 133
Special Assignment 134
Fire Stand By 135
Non Emergency transportation 136
Cover Assignment 137
Training/Drills 138
B. Potential Unsafe Scenes
All dispatches where there is a possibility of danger to the
responders will contain the following at the end of the dispatch:
"Unsafe Scene, Level 1 Stage"
C. Non-Responsive Patient
If the Communications Operator is led to believe from anyone other
than a physician that a patient has expired, the operator will
dispatch the call as an Unconscious Person.
D. Medic Disposition
The responsible agency should advise Central as soon as possible if
the MEDIC unit is not needed. EXAMPLE: In case of obvious death,
medics will be recalled
3.18 FIRE EMERGENCY CLASSES & DISPATCH METHOD
A. Structure Fire
A dwelling, an apartment or a building with visible smoke and or fire showing.
B. Structure Non Fire (State exactly what it is)
1.
An Appliance (Refrigerator, Oven, Stove, Dishwasher, Microwave,
Toaster, etc)
2.
A Heater (electric, gas, oil etc includes Hot Water Heaters)
3.
An Electrical Hazard (arcing electrical outlets or equipment)
4.
Odor of Smoke (Odor or smell with nothing visible)
5.
Fumes (Gas Fumes, odor of fumes, inside a structure)
6.
Automatic Alarm System (Any NFPA 72 commercial system)
7.
Residential Alarm (Local smoke detector)
8.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CO alarm activated)
9.
Hazardous Materials Incident
10.
An Investigation (Dispatch does not fit in the above categories,
with clear text explanation)
C. Non Structure Fire (State exactly what it is)
All Incidents of fire outside a structure.
1.
Vehicles (Announce type, Automobile, Truck, Tractor Trailer,
Bus, Boat, Motor home, Motorcycle, Bulldozer, Fork lift etc.)
2.
Brush (includes woods, trees, bushes etc.)
3.
Rubbish (Includes trash in and out of cans, Dumpsters will be
announced as such)
4.
Shed (Small sheds detached and remote from large structures)
5.
Other (State what it is, mulch, a mail box, a lawnmower,
playground equipment, Propane grill, a tar pot etc.)
D. Non Structure Non Fire (State exactly what it is)
These are incidents where there is no fire but a hazard is present or
fire department response is requested. Categories' include:
1.
Wires (on poles, in trees or on the ground)
2.
Transformer (Pole or ground)
3.
Fumes (odor outside of a structure)
4.
Road Way Hazard: Fluids/debris on a roadway (formerly wash down)
5.
Motor Vehicle Accident (Fire department response needed)
6.
Motor Vehicle Accident Rescue Assignment (Entrapments)
7.
Special assignments (Lockout, Pump Out, Animal Rescue, Assist
Police, Assist EMS, Search).
E. Alarm Systems
Fire detection and Alarm systems can only be placed out of service by
FD Personnel or State Inspectors. All notifications of alarm will be
dispatched other than as noted above.
F. Motor Vehicle Accidents Standard Operating Guidelines
The following accidents will require a combined automatic EMS and FIRE response.
1.
1. Vehicle hitting a fixed object: Electric/Telephone Poles,
Traffic light standards, Bridges/Walls/Trees, Structures-any type of
Dwelling/Building/Etc. (No fire dispatch should be made for
Street/Stop signs, Mail Box posts, vehicles backing into/or tapping
fixed objects, unless there are reported injuries)
2.
Reported Entrapment: Requires a Rescue response and Medic
3.
Overturned Vehicles: Requires a Medic response. Final vehicle
position is immaterial.
4.
Vehicles with Fuel leaks.
5.
Vehicles with Smoke coming from them:
6.
Vehicles in Water: Any type Rivers, Creeks, Lakes, Ponds, Etc.
7.
Tractor Trailers involvement
8.
Trains/Light Rail involvement
9.
Hazardous Materials Involvement also requires County Health
10.
Accidents requiring ALS Response
11.
Air Bag Deployment
12.
Head on Accidents
13.
Bus involvements
14.
Multi-Victim/Multi Vehicle (Mass Causalities) also requires an
EMS coordinator
15.
Accidents with limited access: Woods/Sand Dunes/Etc.
16.
All motor cycle accidents
3.19 Appendix
Unit Typing Identifiers
Units Personnel
Engine Chief
Ladder Deputy
Tower Battalion
Squirt Assistant
Rescue EMS
Brush Supervisor Tender
FO (Fire official)
Cascade FM (Fire Marshal)
Utility FI (Fire Inspector)
Fire Police
Foam
Marine
Ambulance
Medic
Mass Casualty
Hazmat
HD (Health Department)
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