Browndale Fire Co.
Fire Station 43
Standard Operating Guideline 
 

Date of Issue: 6-10-97
Effective Date: 6-10-97
Developed By: Earl Obelenus
Issued by Authority of: Earl Obelenus, Fire Chief

USE OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
S.O.G. 700-97-1

I. PURPOSE
To establish guidelines for the use of communications equipment in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

II. SCOPE
All fire department personnel who may be required from time to time to use any mode of communications equipment.

III. RESPONSIBILITY
All fire department personnel who may use communications equipment will have a working knowledge of the operation of that equipment. Company officers will be responsible to insure that all firefighters are trained in the use of this equipment and use it in compliance with this guideline.

IV. BACKROUND
The use of emergency communications equipment greatly enhances the operations of the fire department in every aspect of emergency response. However, the misuse or abuse of communications equipment can greatly hamper the overall operation and also have a far reaching implication in that it involves several agencies and is an indicator of our professionalism.

V. PROCEDURES
1. Both “high” and “low” band radio frequencies are available in apparatus and in hand held radios. High band will be utilized as the primary frequency (154.310). Low band frequency(33.86) will be used in areas of response that uses low band radios such as Waymart. This will also depend on the other companies communications capabilities. The IC will determine the “primary” frequency to be used on the fireground. There may be times that both “high” and “low” band radios may be used at an incident. FC TAC2 (153.89) is the fireground frequency to be used on the fireground during emergency incidents. This will be announced by the IC when command is established.

2. The cellular phone located in Engine 43 may be utilized at the discretion of the engine officer or IC for fire department business only.

3. All responding apparatus will acknowledge the Wayne County Communications Center (WCCC). Since more than one piece of apparatus may be responding, it is imperative that the airways are not tied up making the transmission of vital information impossible. Brevity is vital. An example of a transmission via radio to WCCC acknowledging response: “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 RESPONDING WITH A CREW OF 6”.

4. The first apparatus on scene will provide a size-up of the initial conditions. “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 ON SCENE, NOTHING SHOWING”. The exception to this rule would be on a large structure in which the first arriving apparatus is responding from a different direction and reports a condition and the second arriving apparatus approaching from another direction notes different initial condition. In this situation all apparatus that are in different locations around the structure shall give a size-up.

5. All other apparatus arriving on the scene shall only acknowledge being on scene. “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 ON SCENE”.

6. Upon arrival, there being no fire or smoke imminent, the first apparatus on scene will advise all incoming apparatus. “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 ON SCENE, NOTHING SHOWING. HAVE ALL APPARATUS CONTINUE IN AT AREDUCED RATE”.

7. Once the apparatus is on scene, the officer in charge will advise the WCCC which piece(s) he will be holding.  “WAYNE COUNTY, 43CHIEF HAS COMMAND. WILL BE HOLDING ENGINE 43, ALL OTHER APPARATUS MAY RETURN”.

8. Apparatus in service on the fireground shall advise the WCCC of such by radio. “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 WILL REMAIN ON SCENE, AVAILABLE”.

9. When apparatus is ready or available for service the appropriate message will be transmitted. “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 IN SERVICE, AVAIABLE”. Will add  “RETURNING TO STATION” when leaving scene.

10. When apparatus is back in the station, the message will be transmitted, “WAYNE COUNTY, ENGINE 43 BACK IN STATION”.

11. All transmissions will be brief, impersonal and transmitted in a normal tone of voice. Personal names will be used only to reference a location. The use of the “10 code” will be avoided eliminating confusion during transmissions.

VI. SUPERSEDED GUIDELINE
This is a new guideline on this subject matter. It does not supersede any memo or guideline.
 
Reviewed:2-21-02