FIELD COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL May 2020

Question 1

In each radio zone, channels __ and __ shall be used as the dispatch channel.

pg 6

Answer 1

Alpha and Papa

Question 2

the primary small-scale incident response channel may be channel __.

pg 7

Answer 2

Bravo

This channel may be assigned to all incidents not requiring a command officer, additional dispatcher, or other communications resources. This channel may be assigned for use whether the incident is EMS, suppression, or public service related.

Question 3

In each radio zone, channels ___ through ___ may be used for any incident requiring its own incident channel, or as designated by the agency.

pg 7

Answer 3

Charlie through Mike

This is commonly seen when a command officer is responding on the incident.

Question 4

Incident and tactical command channels will be assigned in accordance with the policies of the ___.

pg 7

Answer 4

authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)

Examples would be tactical channels and command channels.

Question 5

Channel ___ is the universal safety channel in all primary radio zones.

pg 7

Answer 5

Oscar

• programmed as a direct, non-repeated channel
• it is not on the trunked system
• dispatchers cannot monitor radio traffic or receive an EA.

Question 6

Channel ___ is used when transmitting routine talk-around traffic, it can be used as a secondary safety channel.

pg 7

Answer 6

November

Channel November is typically programmed to be similar to channel Oscar, however some jurisdictions have programmed this channel for alternate use.

Question 7

Typical range of channels __ and __ is about a mile of line of sight of other radio users.

pg 7

Answer 7

November and Oscar

Question 8

___ will require numerous channels (usually more than four) and require the development of a communications plan.

pg 7

Answer 8

Large-scale incidents

Question 9

When the incident goes beyond the scope of this manual then the ___ or an ___ should be used in guiding communications.

pg 7

Answer 9

Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP) or Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Question 10

A ___ should be assigned and tasked with the development of a communications plan.

pg 8

Answer 10

Communications Unit Leader (COML)

Question 11

Clear and effective communications need to minimize or avoid noise. Noise during the communications process is grouped into four categories:

pg 10

Answer 11

Physical or external: (High heat, sounds of work)

Semantic: (Confusing word choices.)

Psychological: (Preconception bias and assumptions)

Physiological: (sweaty palms, pounding heart, anxiety)

Question 12

A __ is declared when a responder believes that physical threats could cause the injury or death.

pg 11

Answer 12

Signal 1

Question 13

Any time a Signal 1 is declared or suspected; the following minimum FD resources, aside from law enforcement, shall be dispatched:

pg 12

Answer 13

• The closest suppression piece.
• EMS transport unit.
• Battalion Chief.
• Safety Officer, if available.

Question 14

It is recommended that fire and rescue apparatus stage at a location that is ___ with the actual incident location until further direction is received from law enforcement.

pg 12

Answer 14

not in direct line of sight

Question 15

When a person declares they have emergency traffic, it gives that person ___ to the radio channel over all other radio traffic.

pg 15

Answer 15

priority

Question 16

A __ is declared when a firefighter is at risk or exposed to a potential imminent life threat in an IDLH atmosphere.

pg 15

Answer 16

Mayday

Question 17

___ attempts shall be made to contact a unit once an EA has occurred.

pg 16

Answer 17

Three

Question 18

When a unit is on an incident without command established and an EA is received by the ECC, the ECC dispatcher shall make __ attempts to contact the unit

pg 16

Answer 18

two

Question 19

If any unit activates an EA and is involved in an incident with command established, the __ will be immediately notified of the alias of the unit or numerical radio identifier broadcasting the signal in order to take the appropriate actions.

pg 17

Answer 19

IC

Question 20

When a location of the unit making the EA cannot be determined, the EA shall be considered a ___ until contact is made with that unit.

pg 18

Answer 20

Signal 1

Question 21

Two keys to effective communications are:

pg 19

Answer 21

Clear and concise communications & train often on radio usage and radio technology/functionality

Question 22

The 4 Cs Communication Model.

pg 19

Answer 22

Connect: Use the “Hey you, it’s me” model

Convey: Need additional crew to…

Clarify: Repeat the directive

Confirm: Affirmative/Direct

Question 23

___ are means for fire and rescue personnel to speak directly to each other and/or the communications center.

pg 20

Answer 23

Radio reports

Question 24

Water Supply Report is given from the __ to the __.

pg 20

Answer 24

Direct from Attack Engine to Supply Engine.

Question 25

On-scene Report goes to: pg 20

Answer 25

Go direct to first-due Command level Officer.

Question 26

Situation Report & Command Statement (After completing lap) goes to: pg 21

Answer 26

Go direct to first-due Command officer.

Question 27

what is a C.A.N. Reports pg 22

Answer 27

(ongoing situation report) To assist command with gathering information for the incident. A C.A.N. report is a quick means of asking for a situation report.

Question 28

The initial progress report should be given at approximately \_\_. pg 22

Answer 28

10 minutes

Question 29

Subsequent progress reports should be given after each ___ and can be much shorter and to the point pg 23

Answer 29

PAR check

Question 30

Regardless of which jurisdiction the unit is responding, incident personnel shall operate on the ___ radio system. pg 25

Answer 30

host jurisdiction’s

Question 31

While responding to incidents, units shall ___ directly to one another, and shall not routinely go through the dispatcher. pg 26

Answer 31

communicate Should the unit being contacted not respond to the unit making the transmission, the dispatcher shall then be incorporated into the process.

Question 32

All units on the initial dispatched full alarm assignment shall announce they are ___ and announce their \_\_\_. pg 26

Answer 32

onscene & unit assignment.

Question 33

Each radio, whether portable or mobile, will be identified using a \_\_\_. pg 26

Answer 33

radio alias and identifier These identifiers shall be in accordance with the current COG Communications Committee recommendations and guidelines.

Question 34

In cases where the riding position is not pertinent, the portable radio alias will contain the suffix __ to indicate a portable. pg 27

Answer 34

"P"

Question 35

\_\_\_ must be notified and approve the request when a company splits into two teams to work in two distinctly separate areas in an IDLH. pg 28

Answer 35

Command

Question 36

There are three Routine Response Conditions (RRCs) used by the NOVA Departments: pg 29

Answer 36

Condition 1: Condition 2 Condition 3

Question 37

Condition 1 is: pg 29

Answer 37

Normal operations During Condition 1, mutual and automatic aid is honored, calls are processed as normal, and responses are not adjusted or reduced.

Question 38

Condition 2 is: pg 29

Answer 38

periods of extended high incident activity or major event(s) are taking place. a department may go to Condition 2 during any day or night in which the call volume is unusually high.

Question 39

Condition 3 is: pg 29

Answer 39

greater than 50% of department on incidents or out of service. responses will be reduced dramatically to conserve resources.

Question 40

The following is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Phonetic Alphabet. This alphabet shall be used when communicating information (i.e., channel assignments, building sides, pole numbers, etc.) over the radio: pg 11

Answer 40

* A – Alpha * B – Bravo * C – Charlie * D – Delta * E – Echo * F – Foxtrot * G – Golf * H – Hotel * I – India * J – Juliet * K – Kilo * L – Lima * M – Mike * N – November * O – Oscar * P – Papa * Q – Quebec * R – Romeo * S – Sierra * T - Tango * U – Uniform * V - Victor * W - Whiskey * X – X-ray * Y - Yankee * Z - Zulu