FIP-FIP9722 - Orientation and Comms

Course Description

The Firefighter I candidate shall correctly describe in writing the mission of the fire service, and the mission of the fire department in relation to the local jurisdiction and its member firefighters.

Fighting a fire requires the coordination of numerous resources and people. Different crews and equipment fill various functions on the fire ground, many of which occur simultaneously or must not start until something else has been accomplished. Ensuring a smooth interaction between all the firefighting tasks being performed requires good communications among fire suppression crews, officers, and members of the Incident Command System. In addition, fire departments need to have good communications protocols, techniques, and equipment to manage incoming calls for emergency assistance. Finally, fire service communications also encompass postincident reporting because sharing data and information about the cause of the fire and activities undertaken to suppress a fire is important for preventing fires and being able to suppress them more safely and efficiently. This chapter focuses on the processes, techniques, and equipment of fire service communications that a fire fighter needs to master to ensure personal safety, smooth operations, and adequate incident reporting.

After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will be able to describe the roles of the telecommunicator and dispatch. Students will also understand how to receive an emergency call, obtain necessary information, and initiate a response. They will also be able to discuss radio codes, emergency traffic, and basic incident reports.

Course Outline

The Firefighter I candidate shall correctly describe in writing the mission of the fire service, and the mission of the fire department in relation to the local jurisdiction and its member firefighters.

Fighting a fire requires the coordination of numerous resources and people. Different crews and equipment fill various functions on the fire ground, many of which occur simultaneously or must not start until something else has been accomplished. Ensuring a smooth interaction between all the firefighting tasks being performed requires good communications among fire suppression crews, officers, and members of the Incident Command System. In addition, fire departments need to have good communications protocols, techniques, and equipment to manage incoming calls for emergency assistance. Finally, fire service communications also encompass postincident reporting because sharing data and information about the cause of the fire and activities undertaken to suppress a fire is important for preventing fires and being able to suppress them more safely and efficiently. This chapter focuses on the processes, techniques, and equipment of fire service communications that a fire fighter needs to master to ensure personal safety, smooth operations, and adequate incident reporting.

After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will be able to describe the roles of the telecommunicator and dispatch. Students will also understand how to receive an emergency call, obtain necessary information, and initiate a response. They will also be able to discuss radio codes, emergency traffic, and basic incident reports.

Learner Outcomes

• Describe the role of the communications center in the fire service. (pp. 133–134)
• Describe the role and responsibilities of a telecommunicator. (p. 134)
• List the requirements of a communications center. (pp. 134–135)
• Describe the equipment used in a communications center. (pp. 135–136)
• Describe how computer-aided dispatch assists in dispatching the correct resources to an emergency incident. (pp. 135–136)
• Describe the steps in processing an emergency incident. (pp. 137–142)
• Explain methods of receiving emergency and nonemergency fire department communications. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, pp. 137–140)
• Describe how telecommunicators conduct a telephone interrogation. (p. 138)
• Describe how location validation systems operate. (pp. 140–141)
• Determine if a communication is emergent or nonemergent. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, p. 141)
• Explain procedures for transmitting the emergency information to a dispatch center. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, p. 142)
• Describe procedures for handling nonemergency calls. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.2, p. 144)
• Describe procedures for handling emergency calls. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, pp. 144–145)
• Explain the importance of following department SOPs for receiving and processing communications. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, p. 144)
• Identify information to be obtained when taking a report of an emergency to enable necessary assistance to be dispatched. (NFPA 1001: 4.2.1, p. 145)
• Describe the three types of fire service radios. (pp. 146–147)