Ensuring a safe and secure homeland for all North Dakotans

ND Department of Emergency Services

Radio Protocol GuidelinesLegal, Effective and Appropriate

Radio Communication

Module 2

FCC Overview

• Monitors

• Reviews

• Licenses

• Fines

• Suspends

• Revokeswww.fcc.gov

Frequency License• Licensee

responsibilities:

– Maintain station

control

– Function

– Operate properly

Wall of circuit boards connecting

dispatch consoles with base

stations throughout North Dakota

RulesNot allowed:

• False calls

• Fraudulent distress signals

• Unnecessary or unidentified communications

• Obscene, indecent or profane language

• Improper call signals

Monitoring Transmission

• Monitor for at least

3 seconds before

transmitting

• Avoid causing

harmful

interference

Restrictions

• Minimum practical time of transmission

• No chatting

• Be concise when transmitting

Courtesy of RRR Dispatch

Priorities

Priority calls:

• Life safety

• Property

Common Errors

and Best Practices

Radio Protocol Guidelines

Voice Quality

• Maintain consistent

pitch, volume and

delivery speed

• Use normal tone

Rate of Speech

Whoa, slow down.

Headquarters,251,furryfelinefoundfearfulforfleesinfirtree…

Pronunciation

Problem Solution

• Mispronounced

– Words

– Names

• Speech

– Drawled

– Lazy

• Phonetically spell

word or name

• Maintain consistent

voice quality in all

situations

Voice Clipping

Remember the 2-Second Rule!

• Depress PTT button

2 Seconds beforespeaking

• Release PTT button

2 Seconds afterspeaking

Letting Feelings Talk• Avoid:

– Anger

– Frustration

– Boredom

• Be thoughtful

Thinking Out Loud• Think before you

speak

• Be clear and concise

• Insert pauses or

breaks for longer

transmissions

• Use “stand by” to

collect thoughts

• Keep it simple!

I, uh, think he went, um, that way.

Wow, the sun is bright.

Wow, the sun is bright.

Personal Pleasantries

Thanks for all the help!

Really, don’t mention it.

Crowded or Noisy Areas

• Raise voice

• Whisper

• Turn away from noise

• Use conversational tone

• Use normal voice

• Face noise

Method of Calling

4810, Dispatch. 4810.

Method of Calling

4810, copy.

40010 East Carpenter Road theft report. Meet with Clark Kent regarding wallet theft. 4-0-0-1-0 East Carpenter Road.

Acknowledging

Transmission

4810, copy.4810, ambulance enroute.

Pre-alerting

• Prioritize

• Prepare to receive

– Information

– Be On the Lookouts

(BOLOs)

– Telephone numbers

Pre-alert Categories

• Inquiries – Need to ask

a question or run

information

• Information – Sharing

information to be

written down

• Details – Follow up with

details to incident call

Emergency! Now What?Responders inform the

PSAP when they:

1.Receive their page

2.Are enroute to the scene

3.Arrive at the scene

4.Leave the scene

5.Are back at base

Addresses & Locations

• Whole address

– First, say normally

– Second, break

down numbers

• Common names

– Universally known

Addresses & Locations

• Whole address

– First, “4320 3rd

St. E.”

– Second, “4-3-2-0

Third Street East”

• Common names

– Discovery Middle

School

Example

Code Usage

?8120, 10-30 using 10-codes. 10-62.

Code Usage8120. We’ve got an illegal use of 10-codes. Reply to message.

8120, copy.

Dispatch Traffic• Confirm receipt of

correct information

• Reinforce

information for

dispatcher

• Prevent other units

from calling before

dispatch is ready

Conclusion

• Guidance

• Recommendations

• Appropriate and acceptable practices

Ensuring a safe and secure homeland for all North Dakotans.

ND Department of Emergency Services