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Radio Operations and Policies EMS COMMUNICATIONS CLASS - REFRESHER 2020

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Radio Operations and Policies EMS COMMUNICATIONS CLASS - REFRESHER 2020 Rensselaer County Bureau of Public Safety 800 MHz Radio User Training Radio Operations Radio Operations and Policies EMS COMMUNICATIONS CLASS - REFRESHER 2020 Zone Batt Nuis Radio MESSAGE FROM THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC SAFETY Operations The Rensselaer County radio system is an extremely vital part of the safety of our first responders while they provide a service to the residents of Rensselaer County. It is imperative these first responders operate and practice proper radio procedures while operating on the system at all times. This multi-year project costing 21 million dollars to provide a digital 800 radio system, paging system and 911 center renovations are all invaluable in providing vital communications for the emergency services. This presentation was developed to provide authorized users the proper usage and operation of the radio system, which includes; incident command structure, on-scene operations, fleet mapping, channel selection, mutual aid and inter agency communications. A full set of policies and procedures to include the Communications Field Operations Guide (CFOG) and Field Users Guide are available online: http://rensco.com/departments/publicsafety/ Thank you for attending and for your service to our communities. Director Jay Wilson Radio Operations: System Description Radio Operations • The Motorola 800 MHz Digital Trunked Radio System provides simulcast trunked and direct channels for Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, County Highway and County Government throughout the county. • The trunked system is designed to provide a high degree of street level portable radio coverage, established at a 98% portable street level countywide standard, operating at head level without a speaker microphone. • Direct or Ground channels are simplex (single frequency - radio to radio) 800 MHz channels that do not require access to a trunked repeater and are to be used for on scene, hazardous environment and interior building operations. These channels have approximately ½ mile line of sight range. • There are eight (8) trunked frequencies and 4 direct frequencies. Radio Operations Radio Operations SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE IN NEED OF EMPHASIS • RESPONSE MODES – NO CODES • RADIO IDENTIFIERS – APPROVED PER CFOG 29 • TAC USE AT INCIDENTS • USE OF EMS TAC 10 • ALS INTERCEPT – DIRECT FIELD COMMUNICATIONS • NO BLIND TRANSMISSIONS • USE OF ICS • TRUNKED VS GROUND CHANNEL USE Radio Operations Radio Operations Radio Operations EMS SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES • EMS SQUAD PERSONNEL RESPONDING COMMUNICATE CREW STATUS TO EMS DISPATCH • ALS RESPONSE AND INTERCEPT COMMUNICATIONS ARE ASSIGNED TO TAC 10 AND SHOULD BE DIRECT, NOT THROUGH DISPATCH • EMS UNITS COMMUNICATES DIRECT TO FD’S ON APPROPRIATE TAC CHANNEL, FD’S COMMUNICATE WITH EMS ON TAC 10 • RADIOS SHOULD BE PROGRAMMED TO SCAN THE CORRECT TAC CHANNELS • EMS INCIDENT EMERGENCY ALERT BUTTON POLICY (FOR FD AND EMS) Radio Operations: Alerting and Messaging Alerting: Radio Operations • Paging will be broadcast on VHF frequency 155.6550, and 800 Alert channel. • East Greenbush Communications dispatches the 3 Fire Departments in East Greenbush using the County Paging System. Text Messaging: • CAD technology will transmit text messaging via Internet to various devices using Cellular Service Provider by SMS technology. • Stations using "I AM RESPONDING" will receive messages through the APP by direct IP connectivity. • Both methods are dependent on the Cellular Service Provider systems. Radio Operations Radio Dispatch Procedures: Operations • Responding ambulance will be provided detailed call/patient information. • Station response will be announced on VHF Dispatch and 800 Alert. Radio Operations: Field Communications Procedures Radio Operations • Dispatch is referred to in all radio communications as "Dispatcher”. • Fire Dispatch and EMS Dispatch are separate Talk Groups, but same dispatcher • No codes are to be used, except those specifically authorized in the Radio User Guide. (Signals, EMD Patient Determinant) • Blind Transmissions o Blind Transmission is defined as the calling unit transmitting a message without first identifying the party they are calling and without waiting for the receiving party to acknowledge that they can copy the message o When messages are transmitted in this format, the dispatcher will reply by stating; "Dispatcher is on unit calling, identify and repeat your message." Radio Operations: Field Communications Procedures Radio Operations • Response Mode Terminology DO NOT USE CODE 2, CODE 3, Other Terminology such as proceed with caution, slow response, ETC o Emergency Mode - red lights & siren o Non-Emergency Mode - no red lights & siren o Stand-by Mode - no response • The Emergency Communications Center is capable of, and records, all transmissions on the trunked system, on all channels. Recordings are confidential and will be released for authorized purposes only. Recordings will be used for training purposes and to identify incorrect use of the Radio System. Radio Operations Radio Operations Field Communications Procedures: EMS • All responding units will communicate when enroute and arriving to Dispatch for all incidents. • Fire Department units will communicate with EMS Units on TAC 10. EMS Units will communicate with Fire Units on the Battalion TAC. Radio Operations: Field Communications Procedures Radio Operations • RADIO IDENTIFIERS o All identifiers must be authorized and approved. CFOG POLICY 29 (PP 70-73, 128-129) • Unauthorized Radio Identifiers are prohibited on all channels • UNIT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (UID) o Each radio (mobile, portable, or control station) on this system has a unique identification number assigned by the Bureau. (UID) o This number will identify the radio. o Dispatch will maintain a master copy of all UID’s on the system. o The ALIAS (Actual Car # or Unit ID) will be displayed at the Dispatch console. Radio Operations: Radio Identifiers • EMS UNITS Radio Operations • STATION # & ID # Ambulances • STATION # & ID # (60 SERIES) Medic (ALS) • FIRST RESPONSE + STATION # First Response (BLS) • STATION NAME & CAR # Command Officers, Duty Crew Chiefs • FIRE UNITS • STATION NAME & CAR # Chiefs • ENGINES STATION # & NUMERIC 1 – 9 • SPECIALIZED APPARATUS Use Station Number with Identifier Apparatus should not use Station Name with Identifier NO OTHER RADIO IDENTIFERS ARE AUTHORIZED AND ARE NOT BE USED ON ANY TALKGROUP OR DIRECT CHANNEL. Radio Operations: Radio Identifiers Radio Operations Out of County Units use their standard radio ID proceeded by Agency Name on Rensselaer County System – Examples: Cambridge 2217 Valatie 708 Radio Operations: RADIO VOICE Radio Operations Speak in a normal voice NO YELLING Think before you transmit Listen to transmission – Don’t Assume to know what message is Avoid unnecessary phrases and terminology that may be confusing or RADIO SLANG Copied information – Not Copied Direct What Does “Same Traffic” Mean “Be Advised” - Why else are you communicating the information Radio Operations: Priority Transmissions Radio Operations Priority Transmissions: • EMERGENCY is defined as a potentially critical life threatening situation. • There are 2 accepted priority transmissions: o EMERGENCY TRAFFIC o PRIORITY AIR Radio Operations: Priority Transmissions Radio Operations • EMERGENCY TRAFFIC is a message from the field that requires an immediate response from the dispatcher. • In the event that an incident occurs, or a situation arises where an Emergency Transmission is required, the following procedure should be used: o Contact the Dispatcher using your Radio Identifier, and state "Emergency Traffic". o The Dispatcher will immediately acknowledge your transmission. o Once the Dispatcher acknowledges you, transmit your Emergency message. Radio Operations: Priority Transmissions Radio Operations • PRIORITY AIR is a declaration by the dispatcher. Once declared, this means that no other units are to transmit until the Priority Traffic is cleared by Dispatch • Priority Air is UNIT SPECIFIC or INCIDENT SPECIFIC. Only communications related to the Priority Air declaration are allowed on the system, until the Priority Air is lifted. Radio Operations: Emergencies in the Field Radio Operations Personnel operating at an incident may be subject to various emergency situations that require communications support. • EVACUATION - Incident Commander orders an emergency evacuation of personnel out of a building • MAYDAY - Personnel declare an emergency using the term "MAYDAY" or other verbal communication requesting assistance. • EMERGENCY RADIO ALERT ACTIVATION - Emergency Alert should only be used for life threatening situations. It is activated by pressing the Emergency Button on the radio. Radio Operations: Emergencies in the Field Radio Operations • Each of these emergency incidents will require an immediate response from Dispatch, along with on-scene operational procedures not defined in this training session. • Definitions may be found in Department Standard Operating Guidelines or SOGs. • Each agency must develop its own fire ground procedures for these incidents. The procedures in this training session are communications related only. Radio Operations Radio Operations MAYDAY: • In the event of a firefighter trapped, incapacitated or lost at the scene of an operation, the firefighter will transmit the word MAYDAY over the radio. • All units shall cease transmitting so that command may establish the nature and location and coordinate rescue • If a MAYDAY or other emergency declaration is received by Dispatch for
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