HomeMy WebLinkAbout305.001 - Definitions and Usage
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL
COMMUNICATIONS COMPONENTS
305.001 DEFINITIONS AND USAGE
EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 2007
Current Revision Date: 1/25/19 Next Revision Date: 1/25/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Justin Hill, Captain Review Level: 5
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide members with definitions related to, and
usage of, the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or Department) communications
infrastructure as clear text.
APPLICATION
To understand how the Department communications system operates, members
must have a thorough understanding of its components. The information provided in
this policy will assist members in better understanding, and better utilization, of the
Department communications system.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The information below includes Department and standard industry terms. The
definitions are not model specific and cover terminology used in all aspects of the
Department’s communication system.
1. All Call: One alert tone broadcast over the station alerting channel and
the primary dispatch channel used to notify all members of a pending
message. The tone will be followed by a vocal announcement.
2. Base Station Radio: A fixed radio located in the fire station. When
using this radio, the identifier will be the fire station number.
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Example: “Engine 15, Station 15, your staffing replacement is
available in quarters.”
3. Simplex Radio Channel: A simplex radio channel is assigned one
frequency. Communications equipment can transmit and receive over
the same frequency. Simplex communications are line of sight,
allowing all equipment within range to send or receive messages.
4. Duplex Radio Channel: A duplex radio channel has two assigned
frequencies: one frequency for outgoing transmissions and a second
frequency for receiving transmissions. This configuration requires the
use of an intermediate repeater to enable mobile units to communicate
with each other.
5. Features: Functions found on Department radios, which are
manipulated by the operator. Additional operational instructions for
individual radios can be found in TargetSolutions, the Department
Learning Management System (LMS).
a) Operator Selected Tone (OST): This feature allows the
operator to change the pre-programmed transmit tone within the
radio. FIRESCOPE utilizes 32 predetermined tones for use on
large, mutual-aid events. (See Appendix A.)
b) Scan: This feature enables the radio to scan operator selected
channels.
c) Talk Around (TA): This feature allows the operator to manually
convert a duplex radio channel to a simplex channel while the
TA feature is active. This feature is used when building
construction or terrain features prevent a portable radio from
reaching a repeater site by allowing the operator to speak
directly to on-scene units. Since this feature does not utilize
repeaters, the Communications Center will only be able to
transmit and will not be able to receive broadcasted frequencies
from TA transmissions. The transmit frequency is dropped and
the receive frequency is utilized for receiving and transmitting.
d) Talk-Back: This feature is enabled whenever the portable or
mobile radio is scanning. The operator must press the Push to
Talk (PTT) button immediately after receiving transmission to
participate in the radio traffic; otherwise scanning continues to
the next channel. This allows the operator to participate in a
radio conversation on multiple channels.
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6. Mobile Radio: A radio designed to transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx)
analog messages and designed to be permanently mounted within a
vehicle. The power for this type of radio is dependent on the vehicle
power source.
7. Operations Channels (FIRE 1 FRN, FIRE 2 FRN, FIRE 3 FRN):
Duplex channel utilized by responding units and while on scene to
communicate fire operations. Units responding to a request for a
second alarm or greater will receive a second broadcast on the
Primary Dispatch Channel and be directed to go en route on the
Operations Channel.
8. Portable Radio: A handheld radio designed to transmit and receive
analog messages and designed to be carried by members,
independent of outside power source. Portable radio power output is
regulated by FCC to 6.5 watts maximum output.
9. Pre-Alert: A distinct audible tone broadcast over the station alerting
channel (UHF) and the primary dispatch channel (VHF) are used to
alert all members of a pending structure fire dispatch. The pre-alert
tone will be followed by a vocal announcement of the fire zone and
major cross streets of the incident.
10. Primary Dispatch Channel: A very high frequency (VHF) channel used
to broadcast emergency incident information and manage routine
Department business traffic.
11. Primary Dispatch Channel (METRO FRN\RURAL FRN): Duplex
channel utilized for dispatch of units to medical aids, still alarms,
single-unit response, and for initial alerting of multi-unit response.
Metro FRN should be used on portable and mobile radios generally in
the geographic area of the Fresno metropolitan area. Rural FRN
should be used on portable and mobile radios generally in the
geographic area west of the Fresno metropolitan area and northeast
Fresno.
12. Receiver Voting System: The Department uses a receiver (Rx) voter
system on all Operations channels, Primary Dispatch channels,
Command channel and some Tac channels. This type of system
deploys multiple receiver sites strategically placed throughout the
geographical jurisdiction. When one, or more receivers, detect a signal
from a portable or mobile radio, the impairment is measured, and the
highest-quality signal is sent to the dispatcher through the microwave
system, or to the transmitter.
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Note: VFIRE 21 and TAC 1 are examples of a simplex channel with
the capability of being received by the Rx voter system. This
type of system allows the dispatcher to hear the units in the field
and transmit back to them from a tower with high wattage.
However, since it is a simplex channel, the limitation is proximity
to the Tx tower.
13. Station Alerting Channel: An ultra-high frequency (UHF) used
specifically to alert and notify fire companies of emergency incident or
operational changes assigned to them.
This frequency is used in conjunction with the primary dispatch
channel. The dispatcher will simulcast a set of tones, which open a
decoder in the UHF radios at each fire station. This decoder opens a
relay switch, which activates the speakers and lights in the fire station.
The fire dispatcher will then broadcast the incident. No other traffic is
transmitted or permitted on this channel while the broadcast is in
progress. The relay switch will reset itself in approximately 120
seconds.
All adjustments to station-alerting equipment are only to be done by
authorized members with approval of the Fire Chief.
14. Tactical Channels (TAC 1 FRN, TAC 2 FRN): Simplex radio channel
utilized when expanding incident requires the use of additional radio
channels between units operating on scene. These channels will be
utilized at the discretion of the IC. Units dispatched as a single
resource may request the use of a tactical channel. When not being
utilized for emergency incidents, the use of tactical channels may be
requested for business transmissions necessitated by normal
Department operations.
Note: The Communications Center has limited capabilities to monitor
and transmit to field units over tactical channels.
15. Tone: A tone is referred to as a channel guard. The purpose of a tone
is to open a repeater, which re-transmits the radio traffic over a wider
geographic location and prevents re-transmission of bleed-over and
skip from other agencies using the frequencies. (See Appendix A)
16. VFIRE Channels – VHF (Tactical Channel): VFIRE channels (i.e.,
VFIRE 21, VFIRE 22, and VFIRE 23) may be utilized for the purposes
of tactical operations or mutual-aid communication with other fire
agencies. These channels are not limited by geographical boundaries.
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17. VTAC Channels: The federal government has established four VHF
narrow-banded simplex channels for emergency usage for
interoperability with fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. These
channel identifiers are VTAC 11, VTAC 12, VTAC 13, and VTAC 14.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 204.002a, Department Licensed Frequencies
Section 204.002b, Radio Discipline and Terminology
Section 204.002c, Field Units Procedures
Section 204.002d, Communications Center
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APPENDIX A
FIRESCOPE California Standard 32 Tones
Tone 1 110.9
Tone 2 123.0
Tone 17 67.0
Tone 18 71.9
Tone 3 131.8
Tone 4 136.5
Tone 19 74.4
Tone 20 77.0
Tone 5 146.2
Tone 6 156.7
Tone 21 79.7
Tone 22 82.5
Tone 7 167.9
Tone 8 103.5
Tone 23 85.4
Tone 24 88.5
Tone 9 100.0
Tone 10 107.2
Tone 25 91.5
Tone 26 94.8
Tone 11 114.8
Tone 12 127.3
Tone 27 97.4
Tone 28 118.8
Tone 13 141.3
Tone 14 151.4
Tone 29 173.4
Tone 30 179.9
Tone 15 162.2
Tone 16 192.8
Tone 31 186.2
Tone 32 203.5
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APPENDIX B
The Department BK KNG portable radios have been pre-programmed with the
following six groups (Groups 1-6) of radio channels. All Department-assigned
frequencies have been programmed into Group 1 and should be used for day-to-day
operations.
GROUP 1 FFD HOME
CH # Label Scan List Priority
Talk
Back
1 FIRE 1 FRN FIRE 1, TAC 1, CALCORD, TAC 2 FIRE 1 YES
2 TAC 1 FRN NONE
3 CMD 1 FRN CMD 1, FIRE 1, FIRE 2 CMD 1 YES
4 METRO FRN
METRO, RURAL, FIRE 1, FIRE 2,
CLOVIS 1, CLOVIS 2, FCO DIST 1,
FCO DIST 2
METRO YES
5 RURAL FRN
RURAL, METRO, FIRE 1, FIRE 2,
CLOVIS 1, CLOVIS 2, FCO DIST 1,
FCO DIST 2
RURAL YES
6 VFIRE 21
VFIRE 21, FIRE 1, FIRE 2, METRO,
RURAL, CMD 1, CLOVIS FIRE 1,
CLOVIS FIRE 2, FCO DIST 1, FCO
DIST 2, CALCORD
VFIRE 21 YES
7 CLOVIS FIRE 1 CLOVIS 1, CLOVIS 2, CLOVIS TAC,
CLOVIS 4 CLOVIS FIRE 1 YES
8 CLOVIS FIRE 2 CLOVIS 2, CLOVIS 1, CLOVIS TAC,
CLOVIS 4 CLOVIS FIRE 2 YES
9 CLOVIS TAC NONE
10 CLOVIS FIRE 4 NONE
11 FCO DIST 1 FCO DIST 1, FCO DIST 2, FCO DIST
3, VFIRE 21, CALCORD FCO DIST 1 YES
12 FCO DIST 2 FCO DIST 2, FCO DIST 1, FCO DIST
3. VFIRE 21, CALCORD FCO DIST 2 YES
13 FCO DIST 3 NONE
14 CALCORD
METRO, RURAL, FIRE 1, FIRE 2,
CLOVIS 1, CLOVIS 2, FCO DIST 1,
FCO DIST 2
METRO FRN YES
15 TAC 2 FRN NONE
16 FIRE 2 FRN FIRE 2, TAC 2, CALCORD, TAC 1 FIRE 2 YES
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GROUP 2 NEIGHBORS
CH # Label Scan List Priority Talk Balk
1 SELMA PRIMARY NONE
2 SELMA TAC NONE
3 SANGER CMD NONE
4 SANGER LOCAL NONE
5 SANGER TAC NONE
6 KINGSBURG NONE
7 REEDLEY NONE
8 XMA CMD NONE
9 PURPLE NONE
10 MDA CITY CMD NONE
11 MRCD CO TONE 1 NONE
12 MRD ORANGE NONE
13 CALCORD NONE
14 VFIRE 21 NONE
15 VFIRE 22 NONE
16 VFIRE 23 NONE
GROUP 3 CAL FIRE
CH # Label Scan List Priority Talk Back
1 FKU 1 TONE 1 NONE
2 FKU 1 TONE 3 NONE
3 FKU 1 TONE 7 NONE
4 FKU 2 TONE 1 NONE
5 FKU 2 TONE 3 NONE
6 FKU 2 TONE 7 NONE
7 MMU L TONE 3 NONE
8 MMU L TONE 5 NONE
9 CDF C4 TONE 3 NONE
10 CAL FIRE AG T1 NONE
11 R5 AG-5 NONE
12 R5 AG-6 NONE
13 NIFC T1 NONE
14 TUU L TONE 1 NONE
15 WEATHER NONE
16 CESRS NONE
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GROUP 4 CAL FIRE TAC
CH # Label Scan List Priority Talk Back
1 CDF TAC 1 NONE
2 CDF TAC 2 NONE
3 CDF TAC 3 NONE
4 CDF TAC 4 NONE
5 CDF TAC 5 NONE
6 CDF TAC 6 NONE
7 CDF TAC 7 NONE
8 CDF TAC 8 NONE
9 CDF TAC 9 NONE
10 CDF TAC 10 NONE
11 CDF TAC 11 NONE
12 CDF TAC 12 NONE
13 CDF TAC 13 NONE
14 CDF TAC 14 NONE
15 CDF TAC 15 NONE
16 CDF TAC 16 NONE
GROUP 5 CDF TAC/MISC
CH # Label Scan List Priority Talk Back
1 CDF TAC 17 NONE
2 CDF TAC 18 NONE
3 CDF TAC 19 NONE
4 CDF TAC 20 NONE
5 CDF TAC 21 NONE
6 CDF TAC 22 NONE
7 R5 AG-1 NONE
8 R5 AG-2 NONE
9 R5 AG-3 NONE
10 R5 AG-4 NONE
11 R5 AG-5 NONE
12 R5 AG-6 NONE
13 R5 AG-7 NONE
14 CAL FIRE AG T1 NONE
15 CAL FIRE AG T2 NONE
16 CAL FIRE AG T3 NONE
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GROUP 6 INTER OPP
CH # Label Scan List Priority Talk Back
1 OES 1A NONE
2 OES 1B NONE
3 OES 2A NONE
4 OES 2B NONE
5 CALCORD NONE
6 VCALL 10 NONE
7 VTAC 11 NONE
8 VTAC 12 NONE
9 VTAC 13 NONE
10 VTAC 14 NONE
11 VFIRE 21 NONE
12 VFIRE 22 NONE
13 VFIRE 23 NONE
14 VFIRE 24 NONE
15 VFIRE 25 NONE
16 VFIRE 26 NONE
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