Fire Service Communications

1. 3 Fire Service Communications

2. Skill Drill 3-1Initiating a Response to a Simulated Emergency 1. Identify your agency. Ask whether there is an emergency. 2. Record the information needed. Initiate an alarm following protocols.

3. Skill Drill 3-2Touring Your Local Communications Center Arrange for a tour. Conduct yourself in a professional manner. Observe the use of equipment. Observe the receipt of a reported emergency. Differentiate the needs of fire, police, and EMS personnel. Understand the telecommunicator's job.

4. Skill Drill 3-3Using a Radio Determine that the channel is clear of any other traffic. Speak across the microphone at a 45-degree angle and hold the microphone 1 to 2 inches from the mouth. Speak clearly and keep the message brief.

5. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (1 of 6) 1. Connect to the Internet. Start NFIRS by clicking the Windows Start Menu and moving the cursor to Programs, then NFIRSv521, and then Data Entry Tool. 2. When a connection has been established, NFIRS will open. Beside the red fire fighter’s hat is the fire department identification (FDID) and department name. Under the Fire Dept menu, select Open Fire Dept and enter the department, personnel, and apparatus information. Click OK when you are done.

6. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (2 of 6) 3. To enter a new incident, select New Incident under the Incident Menu, or click the New button under Incident on the right-hand menu. Fill in the FDID number, incident date (mm/dd/yyyy), and incident number if this number does not appear by default. 4. Complete the Basic Module. Click Basic Module, and then click the Open button under the module on the right-hand menu.

7. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (3 of 6) 5. Sections B-E of the basic module will open. Complete them, and then click the Sections F-J tab at the top of the screen, or click the Next Tab button on the lower right. 6. Continue completing each form. Use the tabs at the top or the lower right to advance through forms. When you are finished, save the information by selecting Save Incident under the Incident menu or click Save under Incident on the right-hand menu.

8. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (4 of 6) 7. If required fields are incomplete or have an invalid code, the “Critical Validation Errors Exist” prompt will appear. The Validation Errors and Warning screen gives details of the form, field, error message, and error level (critical or warning). Critical errors must be corrected to save the incident as valid (V). Incidents can also be saved as invalid (I) and completed at a later date.

9. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (5 of 6) 8. To search for incidents, select Open Incident under the Incident menu, or click the Open button under Incident on the right-hand menu, and then click Search. 9. For a general search, complete the fields under Address Search Criteria. For a detailed search, fill in the incident number, exposure number, status (valid or invalid), incident type, incident date range, and/or property use under the “Key Search Criteria” section.

10. Skill Drill 3-4, Fire Fighter IIUsing the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (6 of 6) 10. To exit NFIRS, select Exit NFIRS from the Incident menu. Clicks Yes when the prompt asks, “Exit NFIRS Data Entry Tool?”

11. Skill Drill 3-5Operating and Answering the Fire Station Telephone and Intercom Systems 1. Determine immediately whether the caller has an emergency. If there is an emergency, follow SOPs. 2. Obtain vital information. Take accurate information. Never leave someone on hold.