Radio Incident Management Procedures

1. Radio Incident Management Procedures Warren County, Kentucky 450mHz and 800mHz Radio Procedures

2. Safety and the proper radio policies and procedures. • Weather Responses • Explosions • Confined Spaces • Emergency Situation • Water Accidents • Water Recovery

3. Management • Use your own “crystal ball.” • What will you need to manage? • People • Equipment • Services

4. Principles of Incident Response and Radio Usage • “Do not use unless needed”…At all times, the radio’s is to assure safety and proper communications. • Preserve respect & dignity when using the radio(s). • Fix the problem, not the blame. If you make a mistake, accept it! • Restore “normal” operations. • Prevent recurrence.

5. Incident Command System • Organized system for managing emergencies. • Used by the all Service’s for many uses such as: accountability, safety, etc. • Helps you to plan, lead, organize, control response & resources. • The use of ICS will only occur if you properly use it and train using it.

6. Incident Command System • Establishes hierarchy for emergency…not for everyday site management. • Requires intimate knowledge of the facility, the people, emergency management, multitude of site plans. • Some of your best “everyday” managers will become totally useless under ICS. • Develop ICS Structure & Roles in your site Emergency Preparedness Plan.

7. Getting to the Scene~Initial “Size Up” • Take your own pulse. • Ensure the area is safe & that no other persons will become similarly injured. • Protect would-be responders/rescuers. • Ensure proper radio structure is established immediately. • Ensure structural integrity. • Complete proper ICS.

8. 800mHz Daily Radio Procedures 1. All portable radios have ID numbers that addressed to each firefighter that carries a 800mHz radio. This is to ensure proper usage. 2. All member’s that carry or use an 800mHz radio are required to sign a application form that describes the use and consequences. 3. All 800mHz radio’s shall be carried on the appropriate channel and scan the channels approved by the Commander. 4. The 800mHz radio’s shall be used for business only. 5. When member’s respond to a scene only the Incident Commander should have the 800mHz radio scanning. 6. The responding and on-scene members should only transmit on the designated Tactical Channel. 7. No member shall use foul language on any channel that is on the Bowling Green Warren County Radio System. 8. Remember to turn the Scan function off before you talk on the radio.

9. 450mHz Daily Radio Procedures 1. These radios should only be used by personnel that do not have 800mHz radios after the initial page is made. 2. All member’s that carry or use an 450mHz radio are required to sign a application form that describes the use and consequences. 3. All 450mHz radio’s shall be carried on channel #2 and scan the channels approved by the Commander. 4. The 450mHz radio’s shall be used for business only. 5. When a member responds to a scene the 450mHz radio should not be used. This will keep from to many radio’s from being used. 6. When the member is on-scene he/she should not carry an 450mHz radio on the fire ground. 7. No member shall use foul language on any channel that is on the Bowling Green Warren County Radio System.

10. Radio Usage when Responding 1. When responding to a call remember the following: EMERGENCY RESPONSES 1. Each member responding should inform the commander (or his/her designee) that they are responding. 2. Each vehicle or unit should inform the commander they are enroute. 3. Upon the designated Incident Commander arriving on the scene this should be transmitted over the radio. 4. The last unit leaving the scene or IC shall terminate Command. 5. Upon the change of Command, it shall be transmitted over the radio for all units to hear. NON-EMERGENCY RESPONSES All responses need to be the same as above except The Chain of Command is not as important in this case.

11. Radio Usage on the Scene • Only the Incident Commander shall use repeater channels unless long range communications is required. • All units on the scene shall confirm that their portable is on the correct Tactical Channel. • If there is multiple sites being used during an incident a different channel shall be used for that location. • When multiple locations are being used a Operations Officer is recommended to assist the IC. • Comments and Discussion*

12. Communications Protocol WARREN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL February 8, 1999 (Revised February 14, 2000)

13. Communications Protocol Incident Commander The highest-ranking Officer or First Responder that’s responsible for the scene operations until relieved by higher ranking Officer or release of command to another fire department or agency. The Incident Commander must identify himself/herself to dispatch as “Command”. Command Post Should be established as an area of operations for the Incident Commander at the scene of any incident. The location (engine, tanker, etc.) should be announced over the radio to all units, in which the Incident Commander should remain in or close to the command post. On Scene Report The radio transmission which is given by the first unit (apparatus or firefighter) to arrive at the scene of an emergency. This report shall contain the following 1). Unit number and description of what is found, in a clear voice 2). Establish Command 3). Report if fire department mutual aid, ambulance service or BGFD Rescue 1 or Rescue 2 is needed, and then a description of the incident. 4). Terminate the Command and put all units returning to quarters

14. Communications Protocol RADIO COMMUNIATIONS 1. All radio communications shall begin with the firefighter or apparatus unit number from which the communications is originating, then the word “to” and the unit number or location being called. (Unit 9990 to Fire Dispatch) After the unit or location being called answers by announcing their call name, proceed with the information portion of the message. After the information is completed the unit or location being called shall repeat the message to the caller. (Unit 9990 to Fire Dispatch – “Answer” – Unit 9990 – “Answer” – Fire Dispatch page out Plano for more manpower – “Answer” – Fire Dispatch OK. 2. In March 1995 a list of radio procedures was established and are still in effect along with the list of 10 Codes that was approved by the Warren County Fire Chiefs to be used only. 3. The 10 Codes are: 10-4 (OK), 10-6 (Enroute), 10-7 (Out of Service), 10-8 (Available), 10-45 (Non-Injury Accident) and 10-46 (Injury Accident).