Ch 2 Computer Assisted Dispatch System

Question 1

The screen is a touch screen. Most objects (finger, pen, glove, etc) can be used to select a button. Touching the screen on the button or anywhere within the border surrounding the button will select the button. The button can also be selected by
pressing the underlined character on the keyboard. When a button is selected, the border surrounding the button will change to what color?

Answer 1

2.1.2

Red

Question 2

When should the 10-14 button be used?

Answer 2

2.1.2 B
Used by an engine company staffed with an Officer and four Firefighters to acknowledge receipt of an alarm requiring a structural response. Since the engine could be assigned 2nd or 3rd due on the box, the apparatus MDT must be checked to determine the unit assignment.

Question 3

CLR/TEST-Performs the following functions:
-Verifies that the touch screen is functioning properly by turning all borders red.
-Clears the Selector Panel if a button is erroneously
pressed in either the identifying or reporting stage (or both).
-Stops the audible signal beeping.
When the PC/ATS is on line, the red border surrounding the CLR/TEST button will be flickering on and off. If the red border remains steady what actions shall be taken?

Answer 3

2.1.2 C

If the red border remains steady the PC/ATS is out of service and Starfire Control Center should be notified by phone.

Question 4

The ADM button can only be used in quarters where what are located?

Answer 4

2.1.2 C
Is used to generate a Borough Status Report (MICS 201) only in quarters where Battalions and Divisions are located. To obtain this report from the PC/ATS, units at the housewatch desk or in the
chief’s office must depress the ADM, 10-4 and SEND buttons in that order.

Question 5

Alarm message is displayed in the window and printed on the printer. The housewatch shall read the message and determines which units are to
respond. The housewatch acknowledges only for what units?

Answer 5

2.2.1 B
Those units responding from quarters. The housewatch then tears the message off at the
knife-edge.

Question 6

The housewatch has __ seconds to acknowledge. If there is no response in __ seconds, the dispatcher will prompt the unit to verify response via
the Voice Alarm.
Fill in the blanks

Answer 6

2.2.1 C
20
20

Question 7

To acknowledge a signal the housewatch shall select the UNIT IDENTIFICATION, 10-4 and SEND buttons. If more than one unit is to respond, what must be depressed first followed by the 10-4 and send buttons?

Answer 7

2.2.1 D

UNIT IDENTIFICATION buttons must first be depressed for all such units followed by 10-4 and SEND buttons.

Question 8

Immediately upon return to quarters, and if “available”, update status by bringing
unit “in service”.
EXAMPLE: L123 AQ SEND
After the SEND button is depressed, the computer will return, in small print, an acknowledgment of the status entered.
All units in the same quarters can make themselves AQ simultaneously unless:
(3 Answers)


Answer 8

2. 2.2
   - Units responded to different boxes.
   - Unit(s) did not go 10-8.
   - One unit is a relocated unit.

Question 9

Teleprinter Messages Received while Units are 10-8
Check alarms to see if previously responded to. All alarms to which a unit responded while 10-8 are also printed in quarters. Upon return to quarters, the
Selector Panel will be “beeping” and alarms will be printed on the Alarm Teleprinter. The housewatch should do the following:


Answer 9

2. 2.3
   - Check “time out” on bottom of ticket to verify that this is a previous alarm.
   - If no response is required, press CLR/TEST button and then proceed to make the unit available in quarters.

Question 10

Units responding to verbal alarms must be identified via Selector Panel.
EXAMPLE: UNIT/UNITS VERBAL SEND
This automatically assigns the response to their home box. What MUST the Unit do upon leaving quarters?

Answer 10

2.2.4 A & B
This must be followed by a radio report, upon leaving quarters, indicating what they are responding to and the location. The units must also indicate if additional assistance is required.

Question 11

The VERBAL button should be used only if the alarm is within ___ blocks of a unit’s quarters in any direction. If the alarm is more than ___ blocks away, the unit should respond and give information
and location via radio.
Fill in the blanks

Answer 11

2.2.4 C
two
two

Question 12

Units that are granted R&R shall not go 10-8 when leaving the scene of an incident. Upon return to quarters, place unit on R&R via selector panel in the
following manner:
EXAMPLE: E259 RCP SEND
At the conclusion of recuperative time, the unit will bring itself back into service in the following manner:
EXAMPLE: E259 AQ SEND
Who shall ensure that the unit comes back in service at the appropriate time?

Answer 12

2.2.5 & Note:

The unit’s officer shall ensure that the unit comes back in service at the appropriate time via the PC/ATS.

Question 13

Acknowledgments and status updates involving relocated units must be done independently. For example, Box 2185 is received in quarters of
E60, L17 and BC14. The following would indicate that a relocated Engine, Ladder and Battalion Chief are responding.
EXAMPLE: ACT’G E060 10-4 SEND
(immediately followed by)
ACT’G L017 10-4 SEND
(immediately followed by)
ACT’G BC14 10-4 SEND
Note: The ACT’G button can only be used by the first relocator into the original unit. If subsequent relocations are made into that unit, the ACT’G
button can no longer be used.
These Units must make any acknowledgements and status reports via what means?

Answer 13

2.2.6 B.

Acknowledgments and status reports must be done via Voice Alarm, radio or telephone.

Question 14

Units must be 10-8 in order to go AQ via the PC/ATS in their quarters. If not, an error message will be generated to that unit to call the dispatcher
via telephone to verify and update their status.
If the original unit goes 10-8 while the first relocator is in their quarters, a RETURN FROM RELOCATION ticket will be sent to that firehouse
informing the relocated unit to return to its own quarters. This message must be acknowledged by using the ACT’G, UNIT, 10-4 and SEND
buttons. If the ticket is not forthcoming, the relocated unit shall call the dispatcher by telephone. When can a Unit leave a relocation before receiving a message to do so?

Answer 14

2.2.6 D

Under no circumstances should a unit leave before receiving a teleprinter message to do so.

Question 15

When the wrong identifying or status buttons (or both) are pressed, merely press the CLR/TEST button. All borders will turn red. Take finger off the CLR/TEST button and the red borders will turn off. Start over again in the proper sequence to complete the message. If the mistake involves a response, and is not noticed until after the SEND button is pressed, the housewatch FF shall take what actions?

Answer 15

2.2.9

Immediately notify the officer who in turn will call the dispatcher, by department radio, and give particulars.

Question 16

• Units scheduled for non-emergency activities away from quarters must wait for a response message before leaving quarters.
• Receipt of a non-emergency response message must be acknowledged by use of the 10-4 button. The 10-8 button shall not be used for this purpose.
• Units not scheduled for a non-emergency response who receive such a message, units unable to leave quarters as directed and units that have not received a ticket for a scheduled activity should contact the dispatcher via what means?

Answer 16

2.2.10

They must contact the dispatcher by telephone.

Question 17

Chiefs question
Within _____ days of the occurrence of any incident, an Incident History Printout can be received on the teleprinter in quarters. To obtain the Incident History Printout contact the Field Communications Unit.
Fill in the blank

Answer 17

2.3.2

five

Question 18

There are two types of teleprinter messages: Response messages and Administrative messages.
Two types of printing are used to differentiate between the two types of messages what are the 2 types of print?

Answer 18

2.4
Response messages are in EXPANDED print and require an acknowledgment. Administrative messages appear in SMALLER print and do not require an acknowledgment.

Question 19

BARS (Box Alarm Readout System)
This message designates an alarm originating with a pulled street box.
BARS - DRB (Discretionary Response Box)
This identifies a box to which a battalion chief responds at his discretion. When should the units in quarters with the battalion acknowledge for the chief?

Answer 19

2.4 D
Units shall not acknowledge for the chief when this message is received unless the battalion chief responds. DRB’s are in effect on select boxes between 0900 hours and 2400 hours.

Question 20

Response to ERS boxes varies with the time of day. When a caller from an ERS box fails to make verbal contact with a dispatcher between ____ and ____ hours, one engine is dispatched. At other times the policy is “no contact, no response.”
Fill in the blanks

Answer 20

2.4 H

2300 and 0800

Question 21

Input Unit Status’s Separately

This message will be sent to units what (3) three times?

Answer 21

2.4.2 D
This message is sent if units, which responded to different boxes, try to report AQ status together; if a unit, which did not go 10-8 from a box, tries to report AQ status with another unit; or if one of the units is a relocated unit.

Question 22

The Alarm Teleprinter/Selector Panel (PC/ATS) is not to be tampered with in any way. The only maintenance to be performed by members is?

Answer 22

2.6.1

Changing the paper roll and replacing printer ink cartridge. Contact Starfire to receive replacement cartridges.

Question 23

Each unit shall maintain at least ___ spare rolls of teleprinter paper in the company office. Spare paper rolls may be secured at _________ headquarters.
Fill in the blanks

Answer 23

2.6.1
two
Battalion

Question 24

Members must be familiar with the location of the PC/ATS power supply source. Older quarters have a separate circuit box with an exterior ON/OFF switch. This box is clearly labeled “ALARM TELEPRINTER”. All police/fire combination quarters have a breaker designated in their circuit breaker panel box. When can we operate these switches and breakers?

Answer 24

2.6.4

These switches or breakers are operated only upon direction from Starfire personnel.

Question 25

When should the teleprinter emergency power system be examined and tested?

Answer 25

2.6.5
On the first of every month the teleprinter emergency power system shall be examined and tested in accordance with instructions contained on the decal affixed to the front panel of the red charging unit in the vicinity of the batteries.

Question 26

The officer shall contact Starfire Operations and indicate the nature of the problem. The officer shall make an entry in the company journal indicating what?

Answer 26

2.7.1

The nature of the problem, the time the notification was made and the name of the operator notified.

Question 27

When a buzzer is sounding on or near the teleprinter stand what does it mean? W
Who do we contact?

Answer 27

2.8.1 & 2.8.2
The audible alarm (buzzer) located on or near the teleprinter stand will sound where the IPS will not function. The alarm silence switch is located inside the locked IPS cabinet. Therefore, the officer in charge of a firehouse where the IPS alarm is going off must notify the Supervising Fire Alarm Dispatcher of the condition. The Supervising Dispatcher will in turn have the borough
communications electrician investigate.
All firehouses have been equipped with an Interruptible Power Supply (IPS) unit adjacent to the electrical service entry in the basement to maintain normal operation of the Alarm Teleprinter System during periods of commercial power
failure. This supply is connected to the PC/ATS system so that the PC/ATS unit is automatically powered during “blackouts” or power interruptions.

Question 28

When should we change the paper in the teleprinter?

Answer 28

2.9.1

Paper rolls must be changed when a colored watermark appears on the edge of the teleprinter paper.

Question 29

Who will the housewatch notify when they are in need of a spare roll of paper?

Answer 29

2.9.2

Housewatch will notify the officer on duty of the need for a spare roll of paper.

Question 30

If an alarm is received while the paper change is bring made, what should the housewatch FF do?

Answer 30

2.9.3
Housewatch shall not turn the teleprinter off when changing paper. If an alarm is received while the paper change is bring made, let the printer continue to print. Upon completion of printing, insert paper, depress the 10 - 5 and SEND buttons
and a copy of the message will be printed.

Question 31

Which way does the paper feed from the roller at the housewatch?

Answer 31

2.9.4 D Note:
Make sure you check which way the paper comes out, so you can install it in the same manner. Remember that the paper always feeds from
the bottom.

Question 32

In order to insure proper system operation, the final step when changing the teleprinter paper is to?

Answer 32

2.9.4 J.
In order to insure proper system operation, the final step is to utilize the self-test feature of the selector by depressing the 10-11 and SEND buttons.
This sequence will request a test message from the computer which will include date, time and a short test message.

Question 33

What are the single action keys on the MDT?

Answer 33

2.11.1 A 5
The following keys are single action keys:
10-84 ……. arrived on scene
10-4 ……… acknowledge assignment to an incident, relocation or returning from relocation
10-14 …….acknowledge a response while roster staffed (engine companies only)
10-20 ……. proceed with reduced speed and follow traffic rules

Question 34

All units are designated by a letter prefix:

General Knowledge

Answer 34

2.12.3
BC Battalion Chief 
MB Marine Battalion
D Haz Mat Decontamination 
MK Mask Service Unit
DC Deputy Chief 
MR Marine Unit
DS Decon Support Unit 
P Purple K Unit
E Engine 
RA Recuperation and Care Unit
F Foam Carrier or Hi-Ex Foam Unit 
RC Rescue Collapse
FT Foam Tender 
RR Rapid Response
FC Field Com RS Rescue
H Hose Wagon 
SB Safety Battalion
HB Haz Mat Battalion
SO Special Operations Battalion
HM Haz Mat Unit 
SQ Squad
HR High Rise Unit 
ST Satellites
HT Hammer Team 
TR Technical Response Unit
L Ladder 
TS Tactical Support

Question 35

Units are designated by the following letter suffix when assigned a specific task at an incident:
General Knowledge

Answer 35

ENGINES
C CFR-D Engine 
D Tech Decon Task Force Engine 
F FAST Unit 
H Haz Mat Tech Unit 
L Lobby Control Unit 
N High Rise Nozzle
P High Pressure Engine 
S FC Satellite Unit 
T Transport Backup Unit
W Water - Ice Rescue Unit
Y Systems Control Unit 
LADDERS
C CPC Unit
D Tech Decon Task Force Ladder
F FAST Unit
H Hi-Rise Roof Team
R Rescue Collapse Transport
S SOC Support Truck
T Transport Backup Unit
W Water - Ice Rescue Unit
RESCUES
H Haz Mat Tech Unit 
C CPC Unit
SQUADS
H Haz Mat Tech Unit
HI RISE UNIT
N High Rise Nozzle
BATTALION CHIEF
C Communication Unit Leader 
D Tech Decon Task Force Leader
F Foam Coordinator
H Hi-Rise Roof Chief
P Staging Area Manager
R Resource Unit Leader
S Safety Officer
T Transit Liaison Officer

Question 36

Battalion Chiefs visiting quarters other than their own for more than __ minutes can have their alarms forwarded to those quarters.
Fill in the blank

Answer 36

2.12.4
15
Upon arrival at the quarters being visited, the dispatcher is notified by radio or telephone that the
Battalion is 10-9 at the quarters of the visited unit. Dispatcher then [relocates] battalion into those quarters, and all alarms for that Battalion will then be displayed on the screen and printed through that unit’s PC/ATS in quarters. Acknowledgments, however, must be made via radio or MDT. When leaving quarters where a Battalion Chief has been visiting, the signal 10-8 Code 1 must be given verbally to the dispatcher. Then the dispatcher will “unrelocate” the battalion in order to have subsequent alarms sent to the Battalion’s original
quarters.