Hunterdon County Communications System Emergency Services Operations & Standards Manual

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HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM EMERGENCY SERVICES OPERATIONS & STANDARDS MANUAL

NEW JERSEY’S FIRST COUNTY WIDE POLICE, FIRE, AND RESCUE 9-1-1 SYSTEM

HUNTERDON COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS George D. Muller Director

Eric C. Peterson Deputy Director

Ronal M. Sworen George B. Melick Matthew Holt Freeholders

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Cynthia Yard

CLERK OF THE BOARD Denise B. Doolan 908-788-1104

HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Police, Fire & Medical Emergency, Dial 9-1-1

TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Telephone # Fax Machine # Dispatchers - 24 hours a day 908-788-1202……………….908-806-8184 Fire & EMS 908-806-5804 Police North 908-806-5801 Police Central 908-806-5802 Police South 908-806-5803 Shift Supervisor 908-806-5806

Administration Mon.- Fri. 0830-1630 908-788-1205………………908-782-0057

Written & Compiled by: James S. Reasoner Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator #46 Hunterdon County Communications May 2007

1 MUNICIPALITY IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Alexandria Township 41 High Bridge Boro. 14 Bethlehem Township 42 Holland Township 15 Bloomsbury Borough 43 Kingwood Township 16 Califon Borough 44 Lambertville City 17 Clinton Town 45 Lebanon Borough 18 Clinton Township 46 Lebanon Township 19 Delaware Township 47 Milford Borough 92 East Amwell Twp. 48 Raritan Township 21 Flemington Borough 49 Readington Twp. 22 Franklin Township 91 Stockton Borough 23 Frenchtown Borough 11 Tewksbury Township 24 Glen Gardner Boro 12 Union Township 25 Hampton Borough 13 West Amwell Twp. 26

COUNTY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT PREFIXES Public Safety Dept 83 Freeholder Board 84 Communications 85 Emergency Mgmt. 86 Fire Marshal 87 Health Department 88 Prosecutors Office 89 Parks/Recreations 29 Sheriffs Office 99

HAZMAT-1,2,3 Hunterdon County Health Department Hazardous Materials Response Unit’s

COMMAND 86 Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management Mobile Command Post

N. J. STATE UNIT PREFIXES Division Fish, Game, and Wildlife 81 Human Services 97

PHONETIC ALPHABET A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie D Delta E Echo F Foxtrot G Golf H Hotel I India J Juliette K Kilo L Lima M Mike N November O Oscar P Papa Q Quebec R Romeo S Sierra T Tango U Uniform V Victor W Whiskey X X-ray Y Yankee Z Zulu

The phonetic alphabet should be used for spelling out unusual names of persons, locations, etc.

They should ALWAYS be given as; A Alpha, B Bravo, etc.

They should NEVER be given as; A as in Alpha, B as in Bravo, etc. or NEVER as just plain Alpha, Bravo, etc.

2400 HOUR TIME

2400 HOUR TIME 12 HOUR TIME

2400 (Twenty-Four Hundred……………………………………….Midnight 0001 (zero,zero,zero,one)………………………………………….One Minute After Midnight 0015 (zero,zero,one,five)……………………………………………Quarter Past Midnight 0045 (zero,zero,four,five)…………………………………………..45 Minutes Past Midnight 0100 (zero, one-hundred)………………………………………….One O'clock A.M. 0130 (zero,one,three,zero)…………………………………………One Thirty A.M. 0200 (zero, two-hundred)………………………………………….2 A.M. 0300……………………………………………………………………..3 A.M. 0400……………………………………………………………………..4 A.M. 0500……………………………………………………………………..5 A.M. 0600……………………………………………………………………..6 A.M. 0700……………………………………………………………………..7 A.M. 0800……………………………………………………………………..8 A.M. 0900……………………………………………………………………..9 A.M. 1000 (ten hundred)…………………………………………………..10 A.M. 1100 (eleven hundred)………………………………………………11 A.M. 1200.(Twelve Hundred Hours)……………………………………..Noon 1201 (twelve, zero, one)…………………………………………….One Minute After Noon 1215 (twelve, fifteen)…………………………………………………Quarter Past Noon 1300 (add 1:00 to 12:00) (thirteen hundred)…………………..1 P.M. 1345 (add 0045 to 1300) 1:45 P.M. (thirteen, forty-five)……1:45 1400 (add 2:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..2 P.M. 1500 (add 3:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..3 P.M. 1600 (add 4:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..4 P.M. 1700 (add 5:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..5 P.M. 1800 (add 6:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..6 P.M. 1900 (add 7:00 to 12:00) …………………………………………..7 P.M. 2000 (add 8:00 to 12:00) (twenty hundred)…………………….8 P.M.. 2100 (add 9:00 to 12:00) (twenty-one hundred)………………9 P.M.. 2200 (add 10:00 to 12:00 (Twenty Two Hundred)……………..10 P.M. 2300 (add 11:00 to 12:00)………………………………………….11 P.M.

4 HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS, 10-CODE to PLAIN LANGUAGE DEFINITIONS

10-01- Unable to copy, repeat or change location. 10-02- Loud & Clear, or Signal is clear. 10-03- Stop transmitting, or cease your transmission’s. 10-04- Received 10-05- Relay to _____. 10-06- Busy. 10-07- Off radio, Fax Times. 10-08- On radio 10-09- Repeat. 10-10- Negative. 10-11- Reserved. 10-12- Stand-by. 10-13- Report conditions. 10-14- Message or information…. 10-15- Message has been delivered. 10-16- …reply/replied to your message. 10-17- Responding 10-18- ….urgent… . 10-19- Contact has been made. 10-20- What is your location?? 10-21- Call by phone to…. 10-22- Disregard or cancel 10-23- On location/Arriving/On scene 10-24- Returning to______/Leaving Hospital 10-25- Report to or Respond to…. 10-26- ETA??… 10-27- DL Information…. 10-28- Registration information…. 10-29- NCIC check…. 10-30- Use caution…. 10-31- Pick up….. 10-32- ____ Units are needed. (*) 10-33- Help Me Quick!!! 10-34- Correct time….. 10-35- Time Check (See Procedure) 10-36- Are you alone?? 10-37- In Service 10-38- Out of Service 10-40- Code C Hostage or intruder 10-41- On duty 10-42- Off duty 10-44- 9-1-1 hang up… 10-45- Stolen vehicle. 10-46- Disabled motorist or vehicle. 10-47- B & E… 10-48- Stopping….. 5

10-49- Fall victim…. 10-50- Motor Vehicle Accident or MVA 10-51- Wrecker (needed or responding) 10-52- Ambulance or EMS (needed or responding) 10-53- Fire apparatus or Fire Department (needed or responding) 10-54- CERT Team respond to…. 10-55- Intoxicated Driver 10-56- Intoxicated Pedestrian 10-57- Hit & Run 10-59- Escort or Escorting…. 10-60- Alarm (Bank or Burglar) 10-61- Domestic 10-62- Assault 10-63- Bomb threat 10-64- Homicide 10-65- Armed robbery 10-66- Weapons involved 10-67- Sexual assault 10-68- Prowler 10-69- Drowning (In progress or just discovered) 10-70- Fire (Specify type) 10-71- Fire Drill 10-72- Under control 10-77- Aggressive driver 10-80- Transportation 10-81- Fracture of (___) 10-82- Head injury 10-83- Laceration of (___) 10-84- Asphyxiation (Smoke/Gas) 10-85- Poison (Specify Type) 10-86- Burns (Specify where & extent) 10-87- Bite from… (Snake or animal) 10-88- Maternity (Give specifics) 10-89- Hemorrhage of….. 10-90- Stroke 10-91- Heart attack 10-92- Seizure or convulsions 10-93- Suicide attempt by…. (Specify) 10-94- Gun shot 10-95- Reaction to narcotics… 10-96- Psychiatric 10-97- DOA 10-98- Respiratory distress 10-99- Cardiac arrest 10-100- Disaster (Specify)

NOTE for plain language: This is the language that has been approved by the Hunterdon County Police, Fire, & Squad Chiefs Associations to be used when communicating from Dispatch to the user agency and vice versa. We WILL preferably be known as “Hunterdon” or “Hunterdon County” however “County” is acceptable. The highlighted codes herein are being kept as a 10-code at the request of the HCPCA in order to keep confidentiality on behalf of the PD & the caller.

Inappropriate & unacceptable verbiage such as “out”, “on the job”, “going” etc. will not be tolerated by Hunterdon County Communications and the unit will be asked to clarify. Departments will be responsible to see that members and/or employee’s will know these terms and use them as such. Continued use of unacceptable verbiage will be noted by the Room supervisor and the Chief officer will be notified with dates and times of recorded incidents.

Please note the change in verbiage for signing a unit on and off the air. We will now use “On Radio” for a unit signing on and “Off Radio” for a unit signing off the air. Police officers will use on duty & off duty when starting or ending their tour. In & Out of service are now reserved for placing a unit In or Out of service while on a call. Fire & Rescue agencies are reminded that when placing a unit in or out of service when it is not on a call should call Hunterdon on the phone at (908)-782-2255.

The goal here is to make a more professional approach to our communications and your assistance will be surely appreciated.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES GUIDELINES

EMS/RESCUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Amwell Valley 48 Kingwood Township 16 High Bridge/Hampton/Glen Gardner 27 Bloomsbury 43 Lambertville 17 Whitehouse/Branchburg 32 Califon 44 Lebanon Township 19 Clinton 45/46 Milford/Holland 92 Flemington/Raritan 49/21 Pattenburg 25 Frenchtown 11 Stockton 23 Hampton 13 Tewksbury 24 High Bridge 14 Whitehouse 22 Quakertown 91 Hunterdon Dev Ctr EMS 97

Out-of-County Bradley Gardens 39 Hopewell 52 Branchburg 74 Pennington 51 Erwinna 94 Stewartsville 98 Hillsborough 79 Titusville (Union) 53

Underwater Recovery Garden State 68

Hunterdon Medical Center EMS EMS-1 Hunterdon Medical Center Mobile Intensive Care Unit - Based in Flemington EMS-2 Hunterdon Medical Center Mobile Intensive Care Unit - Based in Warren County EMS-3 Hunterdon Medical Center Mobile Intensive Care Unit – Based in Lambertville

EMS/RESCUE MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS:

Chief/Captain's Number…………50 Line Officers………………………..50A, 50B, etc. BLS Unit/Transport only………….51 – 54 BLS Unit/Transport with………….55 Extrication tools Rescue Vehicle/Primary………….56 Vehicle extrication Marine Rescue Vehicle…………....57 1st Responder Vehicle…..…………58 Technical Rescue Vehicle…………59 Marine Unit or boat………………..5M Trailer Units…………………………5 TRU Utility Vehicles or Support Units……………………76 - 79

FREQUENCIES AND USAGE

CHANNEL: FREQUENCY USE: AMB 2 155.205 Primary Alerting Frequency AMB 3 155.340 Ambulance to Hospital AMB 5 155.400 Primary Communications Frequency, Dispatch to Ambulance, Ambulance to Ambulance, Etc. AMB 6 155.400 Secondary Simplex Command Frequency SPEN 4 153.785 On Scene Communications AMB 9 155.280 Statewide - Alternate On Scene Communications TAC 1 154.965 Alternate Command Frequency PARKS 159.255 Primary HCPA channel & secondary Helicopter Landing Zone Frequency.

AMB 2 For use in initial dispatch.

AMB 3 aka H.E.A.R. Radio. Ambulance to hospital communications.

AMB 5 Units will use this channel to communicate with Hunterdon. Upon establishing command, to minimize radio traffic, only the Incident Commander should communicate with Hunterdon. All requests for resources shall go through command to avoid duplication of requests. On scene communications are to be on SPEN-4.

AMB 6 Ambulance to ambulance. Localized on scene communications.

SPEN-4 Localized on scene communications.

AMB-9 Statewide frequency. For communications with out of county EMS units.

TAC 1 Local government duplex frequency for interagency communications including landing zone communications with medical evacuation helicopters & FD’s. Can be used as a command Channel with the authorization of or at the request of Hunterdon. Should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

PARKS Hunterdon County Parks System communications communications channel & Secondary landing zone channel to be used by the FD landing zone officer, to communicate with the helicopter.

RADIO PROCEDURES

1. MOBILE TO MOBILE:

A. When calling another mobile, use that mobile number first. Example: 21-10 from 21-11.

B. When answering, use your mobile number. Example: 21-11 go ahead.

C. Calling mobile will give message. Example: 21-11, report to the Station.

D. Called mobile will acknowledge the calling mobile with his number. Example: 21-11, Received.

2. COMMUNICATIONs OPERATOR TO MOBILE:

A. When calling, the communications operator will use the mobile number twice. Example: 49-51, 49-51 (called mobile).

B. Mobile when answering, will use his number. Example: 49-51, or 49-51 go ahead.

C. Communications Operator response. Example: 49-51, MVA with injuries, Route 31 and Wescott Dr.

D. Mobile response. Example: 49-51, Received, or 49-51, enroute.

3. MOBILE TO COMMUNICATIONs OPERATOR:

A. When calling, the mobile will use Hunterdon. Example: Hunterdon from 26-61, or Hunterdon, 26-61.

B. Communication Operator response. Example: 26-61.

C. Mobile response. Example: 26-61, Off radio, Station 26.

D. Communication Operator response. Example: 26-61, Received.

4. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ALERTING PROCEDURES:

1. There will be an “Alert Tone" preceding home alert tones and sirens. This tone is to alert working units on the radio to stop transmitting. This tone is to signify that there is a call for another station.

Example: (Alert Tone) plus "All Stations Clear for a Station 49 Rescue Alert, Main and Church St, Flemington Boro”.

2. Siren and Home Alert Tones will follow.

3. Announcement of Call and Type.

Example: "Station 49 Rescue, Flemington Boro, Main and Church Streets, MVA with injuries, . Repeating, Station 49 Rescue, Flemington Boro, Main and Church Streets, MVA with injuries. 1717 Hours, Operator 46, KYQ-553.”

4. First Unit Response.

Example: "Hunterdon, 49-51, on radio."

5. Communications Operator will repeat the call to first unit(s) signing on.

Example: "49-51, MVA with injuries, Main and Church Streets, Flemington Boro."

6. Mobile Acknowledgement.

Example: "49-51, received, or 49-51, enroute."

7. (RESCUE ONLY) After the original alert, if no response from the assigned station is received within four minutes, a second alert will be sounded. If still no response after three additional minutes, the next closest station indicated by the Communications center locator computer will be called. This is in accordance with the policy set by the 10th District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council.

NOTE: The first unit (ambulance, crash truck, or officer) to sign on with Hunterdon has assumed the responsibility for the call!

10TH DISTRICT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES Establishing Command Location: It is the intent to provide a structured county-wide approach to implementing a command location (post) for an emergency incident.

1. Officer number, or vehicle call number is to be used until the command location is established.

2. A vehicle or facility (not an individual) becomes the COMMAND LOCATION. The name should be to a geographical reference per ICS i.e. BROAD STREET COMMAND.

3. Individuals, unless their assignment is the COMMAND LOCATION, should refrain from transmitting to Hunterdon. All communications should be through the Incident Commander.

4. A single command location is to be established for an incident, even with multiple departments and/or agencies involved. NOTE: The need for command should be based upon the complexity of the incident. Command need not be implemented in every type of incident.

5. The Incident Commander should ALWAYS use a mobile radio.

DUAL ALERT STATUS - MUTUAL AID: At the request of the 10th District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council, this protocol will be followed in the event that a first aid or rescue squad cannot field a crew 24 hours a day.

1. The initial call will be alerted following normal alerting procedures.

2. If an ambulance has not signed on at the end of the normal seven minute alerting period, the nearest available mutual-aid squad will be alerted and the initial squad will be placed on dual alert status. Once the squad has reached this status, their tones will no longer be included in the alert. If a second call is received for that squad, their tones will be included on the initial alert only.

3. If an ambulance has not gone en-route by the end of ten (10) minutes from the end of the initial dispatch, mutual aid will be dispatched and the initial squad will be placed on dual alert status. Mutual Aid can be cancelled upon the ambulance going en-route or upon the authorization of an officer. The officer then assumes responsibility for the call.

4. Dual alert status can be canceled by an officer via telephone when they know they have a crew. This officer must identify themselves by name and number.

5. If any call is assigned to more than one squad as normal procedure, this protocol does not apply.

6. If a mutual aid squad does not respond within the seven minute time frame, it will be placed on dual alert status and the next closest available mutual aid squad will be called.

7. If a call goes to mutual aid and the first due mutual aid squad is already on dual alert status, that squad and the next due in will be alerted.

8. If a squad officer determines beforehand that there will not be a crew available for emergencies, i.e. the regular crew is on a transport, he/she can put the squad on dual alert status (via telephone) prior to any emergencies being received.

NOTES: In the event of bad weather or other extenuating circumstances, the Communications Operator shall have the discretion to waive the 10 minute time frame. This will be based on knowledge that the operator possesses, i.e. someone is responding to the building, hazardous road conditions, etc.

"The above protocols are not an attempt to supersede the authority of any squads leadership, but intended to provide a more timely response to those in need of service." 10th District Protocol Drafted June 9, 1994.

TESTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MESSAGES BROADCAST FOR RESCUE AND FIRE AGENCIES VIA HOME ALERT Message content that are authorized to be broadcast shall be limited to the official rendition of services by the respective agencies, which include:

1. Alerting for Calls.

2. Tests of the Home Alert and/or Siren System.

These may be interpreted as to include "drills" and/or "special assignments", with the text limited to the above quoted phrases. Funeral announcements are also permissible within the "authorized content" limitations.

Messages which are NOT permitted include, but ARE NOT limited to:

1. Fund Raising Events.

2. Parades.

3. Standard Regularly Scheduled Meetings.

4. Any Other Quasi-Social or Commercial Activity.

In summary, if it sounds "official to the rendition of SERVICES" when broadcast, it is permissible. If it does not, IT IS NOT.

Unit out of service & Squads on dual alert announcements are made daily at 0745 & 1815 hours.

TESTING RESCUE BASES

There will be designated days and times that Rescue Squads will be tested by Hunterdon County Communications. This testing verifies the proper operation of communications equipment. For the majority of agencies, testing will be reduced to once a week.

Tests will normally be for siren and/or home alerts only. Any announcements should be provided to Communications by 1800 hours for inclusion with the regular test. These messages must conform with the MESSAGES BROADCAST FOR RESCUE AGENCIES VIA HOME ALERT policy. Announcements for special meetings, special drills or work details will be made once, at the time of the scheduled test. This will be the only time during the day that announcements will be made. Multiple announcements on the same day for the same event are not normally permitted, unless there are extenuating circumstances. These circumstances must be approved by the Senior Communications Operator on duty.

If the request for an announcement is on a day that a test for that agency is not scheduled, it will be done at 1815 hours. Announcements will not be made for regularly scheduled drills or meetings.

A schedule has been designed to include all agencies currently being tested. This schedule is based upon the principle that tests are done to check alerting equipment. It tests all towers daily. In order to properly test all sites, some Fire or Rescue agencies may be tested more than once a week.

Every endeavor will be made to do the test at the assigned time. Tests may be delayed or cancelled at the discretion of the Senior Communications Operator on duty, depending on the workload.

This procedure will not affect properly licensed base stations of user agencies.

NOTE: When placing a unit out of service, going to or out for a drill, going to a parade, or any other non-emergent assignment, please contact Hunterdon County Communications by phone at (908)-782-2255 ONLY if times are needed to be tracked, otherwise, no call is necessary.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION PROCEDURE

1. Information will be released only to the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, or Rescue Squad Captain/Chief of the specific agency which responded to the call and was the "unit-in- charge" at the scene. In the absence of one of the aforementioned, information will be released to the person designated in-charge by the governing body or organization involved. Written notification of this designee must be on file prior to release.

A. Only information involving the specific service will be provided to that service. B. All requests for information will be made in writing prior to its release; and, in the event that other than the in-charge agency head is personally reviewing same, his/her designee is to be named in the letter of request. C. In the event that an incident required a multiple service response, and there is a police investigation involved, authorization for release will be required from the Chief of Police in-charge, or a higher law enforcement authority. D. Requested information for an incident that requires a multiple service response may be requested by going through OPRA.

2. The information as detailed above may be released upon receipt of a subpoena to produce such information in a Court of Law.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) RULES AND REGULATIONS

It is unlawful:

1. To transmit superfluous signals, messages, or communications of any kind on your radio transmitter.

2. To use profane, indecent, or obscene language.

3. To willfully damage or permit radio apparatus to be damaged.

4. To cause unlawful or malicious interference with any other radio communication.

5. To intercept and use or publish the contents of any radio message without the express permission of the proper authority within the Communications System.

6. To make unnecessary or unidentified transmissions.

7. To transmit first without making sure that the intended transmission will not cause harmful interference.

8. To make any adjustments, repairs, or alterations whatsoever to your radio transmitter. It is required by law that only a professional radio technician, holding a second class license or higher, may make adjustments and repairs.

9. To deny access to your radio equipment if a properly identified representative of the Federal Communications Commission asks to inspect it. The equipment must be made available at any reasonable hour.

10. To transmit a call signal, letter, or number which has not been assigned to your station or car.

NEW JERSEY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RADIO NETWORK DIRECTORY

ATLANTIC COUNTY: DTMF NUMBER: Atlantic City Medical Center 5101 Shore Memorial, Somers Point 5102 William B Kessler Memorial 5103

BERGEN COUNTY: Bergen Pines – Paramus 5201 Englewood Hospital Association 5202 Hackensack Medical Center 5204 Holy Name – Teaneck 5205 Pascack Valley _ Westwood 5206 Saddle Brook General 5208 South Bergen - Hasbrouck Hgts. 5209 Valley – Ridgewood 5210

BURLINGTON COUNTY: Burlington County Memorial 5301 Garden State Community – Marlton 5302 Rancocas Vallry – Willingboro 5303 Walson Army Hospital 5305 Zurbrugg Memorial 5304

CAMDEN COUNTY: Cooper - Camden 5402 JFK – Cherry Hill 5401 JFK – Stratford 5403 Our Lady of Lourdes - Camden 5404 West Jersey Eastern Division 5405 West Jersey Northern Division 5406 West Jersey Southern Division 5407

CAPE MAY COUNTY: Burdette Tomlin 5501

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Cumberland County Comm. 5600 Bridgeton Hospital 5601 Millville Hospital 5602 Newcomb Hospital 5603

ESSEX COUNTY: REMCS 5700 Clara Maass 5701 College Hospital 5707 Columbus Hospital 5702 East Orange General 5704

ESSEX COUNTY Cont’d. Hospital Center at Orange 5705 Irvington General 5706 Montclair Community 5708 Newark Beth Israel 5710 St. Barnabas- Livingston 5711 St. James 5712 St. Marys 5713 St. Michaels 5714 United Hospitals-Newark 5716 VA Medical Center 5718

GLOUCESTER COUNTY: Gloucester County Communications 5800 JFK – Washington 5802 Underwood Memorial - Woodbury 5801

HUDSON COUNTY: Bayonne Hospital 5901 Christ Hospital - Jersey City 5902 Jersey City Medical Center 5905 Palisades General 5911 Riverside General 5907 St. Mary Hospital - Hoboken 5909 West Hudson - Kearny 5910

HUNTERDON COUNTY: Hunterdon Medical Center 6001 Phillips Barber Health Center 6002

MERCER COUNTY: Donnelly Memorial 6101 Hamilton Hospital 6102 Helene Fuld 6103 Mercer Medical Center 6104 Medical Center at Princeton 6105 St. Francis - Trenton 6106

MIDDLESEX COUNTY: JFK Medical Center - Edison 6201 Middlesex General - New Brunswick 6202 Raritan Bay Health Serv. -Pert Amboy 6203 Raritan Bay Health Serv. -Old Bridge 6206 South Amboy Memorial 6205 St. Peters, New Brunswick 6204

MONMOUTH COUNTY: Bayshore - Holmdel 6301 Freehold Area Hospital 6302 Jersey Shore – Neptune 6303 Monmouth Medical Center – Long Branch 6304 Riverview Hospital - Red Bank 6305 Patterson U.S. Army - Ft. Monmouth 6306

MORRIS COUNTY: Chilton Memorial - Pompton Plains 6401 Dover General Hospital & Med. Center 6403 Morristown Memorial 6404 Riverside Hospital - Boonton 6405 St. Clare's – Denville 6406

OCEAN COUNTY: Community Memorial 6501 Northern Ocean Hospital System 6503 Paul Kimball – Lakewood 6502 Southern Ocean County – Manahawkin 6504

PASSAIC COUNTY: Barnert Memorial - Paterson 6601 Beth Israel - Passaic 6602 Greater Paterson - Wayne 6603 Passaic General 6604 St. Josephs - Paterson 6605 St. Mary’s – Passaic 6606

SALEM COUNTY: Salem County Communications 6700 Elmer Community 6701 Salem County Memorial 6702

SOMERSET COUNTY: Somerset Hospital – Somerville 6802

SUSSEX COUNTY: Newton Memorial 6903 Walkill Valley General – Sussex 6902

UNION COUNTY: Alexian Brothers - Elizabeth 7001 Elizabeth General 7002 Memorial General - Union 7003 Muhlenberg – Plainfield 7004 Overlook Hospital - Summit 7005 Rahway Hospital 7006 St. Elizabeth’s - Elizabeth 7007

WARREN COUNTY: Hackettstown Community 7101 Warren Hospital 7102

ACRONYMS/DEFINITIONS

COMMAND Chief or highest ranking officer at scene. Hunterdon County Communications will assume that the unit with the lowest number is the COMMAND officer, unless otherwise notified.

Hunterdon Hunterdon County Communications System ALS Advanced Life Support BLS Basic Life Support CDS Controlled Dangerous Substance CHF Congestive Heart Failure COPD Chronic Obtrusive Pulmonary Disease CVA Cerebral-Vascular Accident (Stroke) EMD Emergency Medical Dispatch GOA Gone on Arrival ICS Incident Command System LOC Level of Consciousness MCI Mass Casualty Incident MICU Mobile Intensive Care Unit (Paramedic) POV Privately Owned Vehicle RMA Refused Medical Assessment SOP Standard Operating Procedure

FIRE DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES

FIRE DEPARTMENT MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Chief's Number………………………60 Officers in Order of Rank………….70 - 80 – 90 …………………………………………..91 – 92 – 93 Pumpers……………………………….61 - 67 Rescue Pumper………………………68 Ladder…………………………………69 Tankers……………………………….71 - 75 Light & Auxiliary Vehicles…………81 – 86 Fire Marshall’s……………………….87-89 Portable Units……………………….94 - 98

FIRE DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Amwell Valley 48 Lebanon Borough 18 Annandale Hose 46 Lebanon Township 19 Bloomsbury 43 Milford 92 Califon 44 Oldwick 24 Clinton 45 Pattenburg 25 East Whitehouse 31 Quakertown 91 Flemington 49 Raritan Township 21 Frenchtown 11 Readington Vol. 32 Glen Gardner 12 Sergeantsville 47 Hampton 13 Stockton 23 High Bridge 14 Three Bridges 33 Holland Township 15 West Amwell 26 Kingwood Township 16 Whitehouse Station 22 Lambertville 17

OUT-OF-COUNTY: Asbury 58 Country Hills 93 Neshanic 79 Fairmount 34 New Hope, Pa. 96 Hopewell 59 Pottersville 63 Long Valley 78 Stewartsville 98 Titusville 53 Upper Black Eddy 95 Washington Boro 77 Washington Twp. 76

USAGE The following is to be followed by the Chief or Fire Officer in charge at every incident, large or small. The intent is to keep open channels to Hunterdon during major incidents:

FIRE 1: (With Ambo 2) to be used for all initial dispatching of fire departments. Command units will use fire 1 to call HUNTERDON. *All responding units will switch from FIRE 1 to an alternate channel as soon as possible. Command will determine channel to be used in order to keep non essential radio traffic off of FIRE 1.

FIRE 2 will be used as a secondary command channel at large incidents if needed in order to contact Hunterdon.

*Hunterdon County Communications can only monitor FIRE 1 & 2.

*The Incident Command System should be used at all calls, large or small in order to keep Officers and members current in its use.

After the original alert if no response from the assigned station is heard within (4) four minutes, a second alert will be sounded. If still no response after (3) three additional minute’s, the second due station of the initial stations box alarm for that level will be alerted

HUNTERDON COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION S.O.P.’s: ESTABLISHING COMMAND LOCATION: The purpose of this is to provide a structured county wide approach to implementing a command location or post, the following steps outline this function:

1. Officer number or vehicle number is to be used until the command location is established.

2. A Vehicle, Facility, or Address becomes the Command location. Example: Main St Command or Shop-Rite Command.

3. A single command location is to be established. A representative from each agency should report to the command post where the I.C. will descemnate all necessary information to HUNTERDON.

4.If multiple incidents occur for one agency or in one town, the command structure being used has to be easily identified in order to avoid confusion.

STATION ANNOUNCEMENTS: To minimize radio interference with active fire calls and/or county announcements, each station is to contact Hunterdon County Communications prior to making non-emergency announcements from the respective stations. Upon permission being granted, your message may then be transmitted. 24

BRIDGE OR ROAD CLOSING: In order to standardize announcements of this type, Hunterdon County Communications will use officer tones to contact a fire officer to contact communications. Whereas telephone is preferred, if the officer responds over the radio, communications will relay the message directly.

TANKER TASK FORCE: Hunterdon County has assembled (4) four Tanker Task Force teams, a North, South, East, and West. Each team has a various number of Tankers and 1-2 pumpers, each from a different Station. They are available upon request and also are part of the fire boxes depending on the severity of the incident. Each force has a support & strike team assigned to them in which are a downsized version of the complete Task Force. They can be utilized for smaller fires, but where it would take more than just a few pumpers of water to extinguish the fire. The following is a list of the departments of each force & team, and their area leaders:

TTFN: Tanker Task Force North: Station’s 12,13,14,18,24,31,32, & 34. Support Team: Station’s 18,31, & 46. Strike Team: Station’s 16,43,45, & 91.

TTFS: Tanker Task Force South: Station’s 16,17,23,33,47,49,91, & 96. Support Team: Station’s 12, 24, & 92. Strike Team: Station’s 16,23,33, & 49.

TTFW: Tanker Task Force East: Station’s 18,24,31,32,33,34,44, & 46.

TTFW: Tanker Task Force West: Station’s 15,16,25,43,91,92,45, & 49. Support Team: Station’s 18,31,46. Strike Team: Station’s 16,43,45,91.

Area Leaders: PC Bob Stagg-46/N FF W Rockafellow-21 S/W PC John Rathborne-32/E Chief Jeff Smith-14/N PC John Phillips-92 S/W PC Mark Suharic-18/E

TESTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MESSAGES BROADCAST FOR FIRE AGENCIES VIA HOME ALERT Message content that are authorized to be broadcast shall be limited to the official rendition of services by the respective agencies, which include:

1. Alerting for Calls.

2. Tests of the Home Alert and/or Siren System.

Messages which are NOT permitted include, but ARE NOT limited to:

1. Fund Raising Events.

2. Parades.

3. Standard Regularly Scheduled Meetings.

4. Any Other Quasi-Social or Commercial Activity.

In summary, if it sounds "official to the rendition of SERVICES" when broadcast, it is permissible. If it does not, IT IS NOT.

Unit out of service & Squads on dual alert announcements are made daily at 0745 & 1815 hours.

NOTE: When placing a unit out of service, going to or out for a drill, going to a parade, or any other non-emergent assignment, please contact Hunterdon County Communications by phone at (908)-782-2255 ONLY IF TIMES ARE NEEDED TO BE TRACKED, OTHERWISE, NO CALL IS NECESSARY!!.

TESTING FIRE BASES There will be designated days and times that Fire Departments will be tested by Hunterdon County Communications. This testing verifies the proper operation of communications equipment. For the majority of agencies, testing will be reduced to once a week. Tests will normally be for siren and/or home alerts only. Any announcements should be provided to Communications by 1800 hours for inclusion with the regular test. These messages must conform with the MESSAGES BROADCAST FOR FIRE AGENCIES VIA HOME ALERT policy. Announcements for special meetings, special drills or work details will be made once, at the time of the scheduled test. This will be the only time during the day that announcements will be made. Multiple announcements on the same day for the same event are not normally permitted, unless there are extenuating circumstances. These circumstances must be approved by the Senior Communications Operator on duty.

If the request for an announcement is on a day that a test for that agency is not scheduled, it will be done at 1815 hours. Announcements will not be made for regularly scheduled drills or meetings.

Every endeavor will be made to do the test at the assigned time. Tests may be delayed or cancelled at the discretion of the Senior Communications Operator on duty, depending on the workload.

This procedure will not affect properly licensed base stations of user agencies.

OFFICER TONES: Officer tones are to be used for official fire department business only. Use for personal messages are prohibited.

POLICE DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES

POLICE DEPARTMENT MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Chief/Director's Number…………..01 Administrative Cars………………...02 - 04 Detective Cars……………………….05 - 09 Patrol Cars……………………………10 – 29 Police Motorcycle……………………30 ESU Units………………………………31-34 Portable Units………………………..35 - 40

POLICE DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS: Town of Clinton 45 Holland Township 15 Clinton Township 46 Lambertville 17 Delaware Township 47 Lebanon Township 19 Flemington Borough 49 Raritan Township 21 Franklin Township 91 Readington Township 22 Frenchtown 11 Tewksbury Township 24 High Bridge 14 West Amwell Township 26

BANK ALARMS: Upon receipt of a bank alarm to Hunterdon County Communications, the dispatcher will immediately call the patrol car, and advise of a bank alarm. The dispatcher will then call the bank on the phone (unless you tell them not to) advising the bank that an alarm has been received, and inquire as to the status. If Communications is advised of a false alarm, they will inquire who will be meeting with patrol and how they are dressed. Communications will then advise responding or on scene units that the bank has indicated a false alarm, and give a description of who they will be meeting with, omitting names.

PATROL STATUS CHECKS: As established by the Hunterdon County Police Chiefs Association, patrol status checks will be performed on the 2300-0700 shift nightly. The dispatcher will call each on duty car so long as they are on patrol and not in headquarters, on a call, or at some other location. The cars on the South Channel will be checked on once an hour starting at 0000 hours. The cars on the North Channel will be checked on once an hour starting at 0030 hours. The Dispatcher will also check on an officer that has been assigned a call by the Communications Center regardless of the nature, including phone calls at headquarters. This check will be performed every five minutes via radio or phone until the unit clears or the officer has advised Communications that a check is no longer needed.

The Office of Emergency Management, comprised of the Hunterdon County Emergency Management Council was established in 1986 by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the purpose of developing an emergency operations plan to address major emergency situations affecting Hunterdon County. The council, comprised of County officials and department heads, completed the plan in 1987 and updates it annually. The plan addresses hazardous waste spills, which require County level coordination when local resources are exceeded. Four phases of emergency management are addressed: mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery in order to minimize loss of life and property. Under the direction of the Emergency Management Coordinator, the council meets quarterly to further refine procedures as required, based upon the constantly changing character of Hunterdon County and emergency resources. As such, the plan is a continually changing “Living Document”.

Staff:

George F. Wagner, 83-01, Director of Public Safety

William J. Powell, 86-01, County Emergency Management Coordinator

Mark Bishop, 86-02, Deputy County Emergency Management

Coordinator & Training Center Administrator

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Command 86, better know as “The Bus”, acts as a secondary communications center, having all of the county frequencies in radios that can also be programmed on site for any area it responds to, thus relieving the load on the dispatch center. It is also equipped with multiple cell-phones, a fax machine, computers for talking from car-to-car, command post-to-car, or command post-to- dispatch center. On board surveillance is available via mast mounted camera and infra-red camera that also can be recorded to the onboard VCR or time lapse VCR. The bus has 5 rooms: 2 conference type rooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and the dispatch room. Each area is individually heated and air-conditioned. The bus is available upon request with 2 dispatchers for any emergency or non- emergency event in the state of New Jersey. To request Command 86, just contact Hunterdon County Communications at any time.

The HCOEM offers for your use upon request 3 John Deere gators, all are 6 wheel, all wheel drive.

Gator 1 offers the capacity to haul, either a few personnel, equipment, or both up to 1000 pounds.

Gator 2, the MED-GATOR, offers the capability to transport a patient & personnel out of wooded area’s or area’s with limited access to automobiles.

Gator 3, set up for wildland fires, is equipped with a slide in unit for assisting fire departments in extinguishing fires in area’s with limited access for motor vehicles. It is equipped with a 100 gallon water tank.

All of the gator’s are available upon request through Hunterdon County Communications for emergency calls, and through the Office of Emergency Management for non-emergency calls and special events by calling 908-

788-1196 and ask for William Powell.

Hazmat 1

1989 Ford/Utilimaster

Hazmat 2

2006 Sterling / Hackney

Hazmat 3

2004 Ford / Warner

Hunterdon County Department of Emergency Services

COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL:

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: George F. Wagner 83-01

SUPERVISORS OF COMMUNICATIONS/TECHNICAL: Harry J. Heller III 85-03

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN: John T. Silliman 85-50

SENIOR CLERK TRANSCRIBER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SECRETARY: Beverly D. Hall

SENIOR CLERK TYPIST: Theresa A. Buntine

SENIOR CLERK TYPIST, TRAINING CENTER SECRETARY: Linda S. Rifino

THE HISTORY BEHIND HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS: Hunterdon County Communications was established in 1976 when a group of citizens, some from various Police, Fire, and Rescue depts. along with the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders decided to put all of the Emergency Services together into one facility, along with having a county wide 9-1-1 number for county residents to call in the event of an emergency. After some opposition from various town and townships, Hunterdon County hired it’s first 11 dispatchers in May 1976, and officially went on the air in June 1976. A house was purchased in Cherryville, Franklin Township and was converted for use as a dispatch center. Once completed and on the air, Hunterdon County Communications would become New Jersey’s first 24 hour County wide 9-1-1 system in the state as well as being the first county system that would cover all dispatching for the Police, Fire, and Rescue Dept’s. as well as the County Sheriffs dept, Prosecutors Office, and the County Road Dept. At present, HCCC has 35 dispatcher’s, of which 8 are part time. The original dispatch center building only had 3 consoles, but in 1988, the county moved into a new and modern building on an adjacent property to the old center. This new building would have a much larger dispatch room where today we have 6 dispatching consoles and 2 call taker positions set up as well as an administrative wing and training room. In 2006, construction began for a new and much larger dispatch room that will allow us to have as many as 12 consoles in one room. Hunterdon County Communications runs mainly with computer based systems including our phone and street locator systems. In the beginning, all dispatching records were run off of cards and flip charts in order to track calls and look up street segments and fire & rescue alerting procedures. Every radio channel and telephone line at HCCC is computer recorded, but in past years, compact discs, cassettes, and reel to reel tapes almost 15” across and 2” thick recorded all of HCCC’s day to day in and out going radio and phone calls.

PICTURE CREDITS & IDENTIFICATIONS: Front Page: Clinton Township Police Department 46-15 (File Photo) Clinton Rescue Squad 45-56 (File Photo) Raritan Township Fire Company 21-64 (File Photo) Hunterdon County OEM Command 86 (File Photo)

Page 8: Whitehouse Rescue Squad 22-55 (File Photo) Clinton Rescue Squad 45-54 (File Photo) Lambertville-New Hope RS 17-53 (File Photo) High Bridge Emergency Squad 14-51 (File Photo)

Page 22: Annandale Hose Company 46-61 (File Photo) Kingwood Twp VFC 16-83 (File Photo) Whitehouse Station FC #1 22-69 (File Photo) Clinton Fire Department 45-61 (File Photo)

Page 28: Town of Clinton Police Dept. 45-12 (File Photo) File Photo (File Photo) Raritan Township Police Dept. 21-11 (File Photo) Clinton Township Police Dept. 46-18 (File Photo)

Page 31: Hunterdon County OEM Command 86 (File Photo)

Page 32: Hunterdon County OEM Gator 1 (Bill Powell) Hunterdon County OEM Gator 2 (Bill Powell)

Page 33: Hunterdon County OEM Gator 3 (Bill Powell)

Page 34: Hunterdon County OEM Hazmat 1 (Bill Powell) Hunterdon County OEM Hazmat 2 (Bill Powell) Hunterdon County OEM Hazmat 3 (Bill Powell)

Page 35: Hunterdon County Communications (File Photo)

Page 36: Hunterdon County Communications (File Photo)