Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Fire Department Communications.

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Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Fire Department Communications

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Fire Department Communications

Its effectiveness is vital to the success or failure of fire service operations.

To be effective, communications center employees MUST: be versed in customer service and

communicating with people under stress

keep track of the status of emergency resources

Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-1)

9-1-1 U.S. number Used to request emergency aid, report a fire, accident or

crime, etc. Easy for people in times of stress to contact emergency

agencies Has reduced response times

Fire department communications are authorized under licenses granted to E-9-1-1 centers by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).

Purpose Of E-9-1-1

E-9-1-1’s purpose is to connect callers with the correct emergency agency.

The digits 9-1-1 provide direct access to the E-9-1-1 system.

E-9-1-1 systems consist of three separate elements: Network Element Public Safety Answering (or Access) Point (PSAP)

Element Data Management System/Automatic Location

Identification (DMS/ALI) Element

Public Service Access Points (PSAP)

The PSAP is the call center that: Receives E-9-1-1 calls Directs them to the appropriated emergency

response agency (i.e., fire, police, ambulance) The system interfaces with the DMS/ALI

database Displays the street address and other information Used with Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems

Computer-aided Dispatch

Also known as computer-assisted dispatchTelecommunicator is assisted by a computer

systemShortens response timeDispatchers can handle greater call volumeCan reduce the amount of radio traffic

between themselves and responding units

Simple systems Retrieve run card information

Complex systemsProgrammed to select and dispatch unitsDetermine the fastest route to the scene of an

emergencyMonitor unit statusTransmit supplemental information via

mobile data terminalsMost major fire departments would have

difficulty functioning without some sort of computer system

Enhanced 9-1-1 Systems

Combine telephone and computer equipment to provide the telecommunicator with information instantly Caller’s location Caller’s phone number Directions to the location

Automatic Location Identification (ALI) Uses Global Positioning System (GPS) data Identifies caller’s location

Wireless telephones will NOT activate the E-9-1-1 ALI system.

Expanded Dispatch

Centers located away from the permanent dispatch center Incidents often escalate beyond the capabilities of the

communication/dispatch center Mobile Command Posts City Hall Training Academy

Expanded Dispatch

Take the additional load off dispatchers performing regular duties Increased radio traffic at major

incidents Dedicate specific channels for major

incident radio traffic An expanded dispatch center was

used for the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center

Expanded Dispatch

National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Boise, Idaho Used in wildland fire season to coordinate fire attacks

and responses in affected jurisdictions as needed Coordinates resource requests Tracks availability of resources used for suppressing

fires or supporting incident operations

Communications Center Personnel

TelecommunicatorWorks at a PSAPFull time communication specialistSome jurisdictions use firefightersMost contact with the public of all fire

department personnel

Telecommunicator Roles

Process calls From unknown and unseen people in stressful situations Must obtain complete and reliable information from the caller Ring back feature

Dispatch emergency personnel Incident stabilization Know availability and status of emergency resources to assign

them effectively

Provide a community service Professional service Work with the public and multiple agencies Handle non-emergency calls as well as 9-1-1 system calls

Telecommunicator Skills

NFPA 1061, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Public Service Telecommunicator

Minimum job performance standards Handle multitasking Make judgments based on common sense Deal with verbal abuse Function under stress Maintain composure Maintain confidentiality

Telecommunicator Skills

Communication skills Basic reading and writing skills Ability to speak clearly and follow written

and verbal instructions

Procedure For Reporting an Emergency By Telephone

1. Dial 9-1-12. State the address or nearby landmarks of the emergency3. Give the phone number from which you are calling4. State the nature of the emergency (i.e., fire, auto

accident, medical emergency)5. State your name and location6. Stay on the line if requested7. Once the call is received, dispatch should occur within

60 seconds8. When a distress call is given out over the radio, it is

classified as “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC” and the channel is cleared

Emergency Service Relationships

Positive work environments ensure effective emergency service.

Emergency service organizations work together to create shared responsibility communicate to:

Improve performance Improve productivity Provide a safe working environment

It is the responsibility of each agency to do everything possible to protect and serve the citizens of its community. Legal responsibility Moral responsibility

Police, fire, and emergency medical service departments are independent of each other on a day-to-day basis. During an emergency they MUST

work together Petty jealousy = poor public

service Focus is public service NOT public

attention

Office of Emergency Management (OEM)Coordination and training for inter-agency

response Functional training exercises Shared resources Education programs Reduces duplication of effort

The true test of an effective Emergency Management Program is how a community responds during an emergency. Effective early warning or notification Dealing effectively with public safety issues Damage assessment Long term recovery issues

Reasons good working relationships between police, fire, and emergency medical service agencies are essential:Valuable shared informationImproved services for customers (public)Appreciation for the difficulty in which each

an agency operatesThe top priorities are similar

o “to save lives and property”o “to protect and serve”

Resources

1418001775, Introduction to Fire Protection (3rd Edition), Klinoff, Robert

0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)

Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Fire Department Communications.

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