HomeMy WebLinkAbout204.002d - Communications Center
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
204.002d COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
EFFECTIVE: July 2012
Current Revision Date: 5/31/19 Next Revision Date: 5/31/19
Author’s Name/Rank: Robert Camp, Battalion Chief Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Leslie Oulashian,
Management Analyst II
Section 204.002d
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members with general guidelines related to communications
procedures utilized by fire dispatchers.
APPLICATION
This policy establishes the procedures to be followed by the Communications Center
when dispatching Department units to emergency and non-emergency incidents.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
It is the Department’s practice to use standardized emergency procedures in a
manner which will effectively and efficiently communicate information during
emergency situations.
Emergency and non-emergency dispatch of Department resources should be
initiated through the Communications Center.
Between 0700 and 2000 hours, prior to the dispatching of a confirmed structure fire,
the Communications Center should broadcast a “pre-alert.”
Example: (Pre-alert tone)
Fire Dispatcher: “Residential/Commercial Structure Fire,
Zone 4357, Blackstone and Shaw.”
Section 204.002d
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After a pre-alert has been broadcast, all routine radio traffic on the Primary Dispatch
channel should cease until the initial fire dispatch has been completed. Units sh ould
not ask for additional information from the dispatcher nor verbally change unit status
during this time. The only exception is when there is a need to relay emergency
traffic.
The Communications Center should alert non-emergency radio traffic to stand-by
during emergency dispatches and times of heavy radio traffic.
Units contacting the Communications Center during an incident outside the chain of
command should be directed to go through the Incident Commander (IC).
For “working” events, a notification of incident time progression to begin at the 15-
minute mark from the arrival of the first com pany and every 15 minutes thereafter
until the event is declared under control.
When a second alarm or greater is called by the IC, unless directed otherwise, all
units should respond and stay on the assigned Operations Channel.
After all third-alarm fires are dispatched, an “all call” alert tone should be broadcast
to notify the remaining companies the Department is working a third-alarm fire.
Example: (Alert tone)
Fire Dispatcher: All stations be advised, we are working a
third-alarm fire at Blackstone and Shaw.”
When, in the opinion of the dispatcher, radio traffic becomes severely congested on
the Primary Dispatch channel, companies on emergency incidents should be
directed to utilize an Operations Chann el designated by the dispatcher. In such
instances, a battalion chief should be notified immediately.
On first-alarm dispatches, the dispatcher should broadcast a secondary dispatch
within 90 seconds of the initial dispatch. The secondary dispatch is to repeat the
initial broadcast instructions over both the Primary Dispatch Channel and the
Operations Channel (simulcast). The dispatcher should also name the incident.
On second-alarm or greater dispatches, the dispatcher should broadcast a
secondary dispatch within 90 seconds of the initial dispat ch, over the Primary
Channel only.
Section 204.002d
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PROCESS
General Dispatching Process:
All units are to be dispatched on the Primary Dispatch channel. Units
available in quarters are notified over the station alerting channel.
When alerting a unit in quarters, the dispatcher is to activate the station
decoder that produces an alert tone, activates the station lights, and
opens the station radio.
If a dispatcher is unable to contact an available unit for dispatch on the
Primary Dispatch channel, an attempt is to immediately be made to
contact the unit on the fire station telephone, then the apparatus cell
phone.
If the unit does not respond, the next closest unit is to immediately be
dispatched, and an attempt is to be made to contact the missing unit in
quarters or via cellular phone. If no contact is made, a battalion chief
is to be notified immediately.
When the unit is located, the dispatcher and the unit officer are to use
their judgment to determine if the responding unit is to be cancelled
and the original unit re-assigned to the event.
Immediately following the alert tones, the dispatcher is to deliver a
simultaneous broadcast over the primary dispatch channel and the
station UHF frequency. The broadcast includes: type of event, unit(s)
dispatched, fire response zone, nearest intersection, description of
event, and street address, if known.
Particulars about the incident are sent to the unit MDT. This is to
include any assigned Operations Channel, which is to be added to the
comments field.
Incidents involving three units or less are to remain on the Primary
Dispatch channel for the duration of the incident. The IC should
request a tactical channel for incidents requiring higher amounts of
radio traffic.
All incidents involving four or more units on the initial dispatch (i.e., box
alarm, rescue or hazardous materials incidents) are to be dispatched
on the Primary Dispatch channel and assigned an Operations Channel
and Tactical Channel.
Section 204.002d
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TAC 1 FRN, TAC 2 FRN are assigned to multi-unit responses;
CALCORD to all medical incidents; or VFire22 as needed.
INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures
Section 204.002a, Department Licensed Frequencies
Section 204.002b, Radio Discipline and Terminology
Section 204.002c, Field Unit Procedures