COMMUNICATION ORDERS
COMMUNICATION ORDERS
Communicate using plain language.
Observe all policies and procedures.
Maintain a professional attitude at all times.
Maintain situational awareness continuously.
Safety is the first Operational Thought
Obtain current mission status.
Remain in communication with other operators, your supervisor and served agency
Determine safety zones and escape routes.
Ensure mission objectives are clearly communicated.
Retain control consistently.
Stay alert, calm, think clearly, and act decisively.
WATCHOUT SITUATIONS
No communication with other radio operators.
Instruction and assignments not clear.
Safety hazards not clearly identified.
Radio equipment not checked prior to mission.
Not working in accordance with work instructions and relevant work procedures.
Not ensuring equipment is properly grounded.
Uniformed on strategy, tactic, and hazards.
Unfamiliar with weather and local factors
Safety zones and escape routes not identified.
Not identifying overhead hazards.
In an area not seen in daylight.
Not identifying the key points of the assignment and take action in order of priority.
Not recognizing changing conditions and immediately revising plans to handle
REFUSING ASSIGNMENT POLICY
Placerr County ARES policy on refusing an assignment requires the individual to immediately inform their supervisor and/or served agency representee they cannot safely complete the task as given, and document the refusal using the criteria in the risk management process. The supervisor and/or served agency representee must then notify the safety officer (or Section Chief/IC) immediately. The individual should also explain the reasons for the refusal, and if another resource is assigned, the supervisor and/or served agency representee must inform them of the previous refusal and its reasons.
Procedure for refusing an assignment
Inform supervisor: Directly tell your supervisor that you are turning down the assignment and explain why.
Document the refusal: Use the criteria outlined in the risk management process (such as the 11 Standard Communication Orders or Watch Out Situations) to document the turn-down.
Notify safety officer: The supervisor must immediately inform the Safety Officer. If there is no Safety Officer, they must notify the Section Chief or Incident Commander (IC).
Communicate with new resource: If a supervisor asks another resource to perform the assignment, they are responsible for informing that resource that the assignment was refused and the reason why.
Submit a SAFETCOM form: If an unresolved safety hazard or an unsafe act occurred, submit a SAFETCOM form to document the incident.
Reasons for refusal
An individual can refuse an assignment if they determine it to be unsafe based on criteria such as:
Unsafe conditions or practices
Environmental factors that make the work unsafe
Lacking the necessary qualifications or experience
Using defective equipment
A violation of established safe practices