sumner county emergency communications updated march 2013 1 begin

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Radio Procedures

Sumner County Emergency CommunicationsUpdated March 2013

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SCEC – Basic Radio Operations for Responders, Updated December 2012 2

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Radio Training

While not required, it is beneficial to complete the “Basic Radio Technology” and “Basic Radio Ops” training classes prior to completing this class.

This class should not be a substitute for the actual reading and study of the Communication Guideline.

3SCEC – Radio Procedures, Updated March 2013

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Purpose

Efficient radio communications are critical to the prompt and accurate response of emergency field units and their operations at emergency incidents. It is most vital in ensuring the safety of responders in the performance of their duties. It is important that all Radio Operators (as defined) follow and adhere to common radio practices to ensure that communications are successful.

Interim SOG “Radio System Usage”, effective 6/1/2013 replaces SOG Section 2-1 issued in 2004.


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Radio Operators

Law Enforcement Officers

Firefighters

Medical Technicians (EMR, EMT, and Paramedics)

EMA Personnel

Public Safety Dispatchers


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FCC Rules

All radio operators should adhere to FCC Rules.

If FCC Rules are violated, agencies and operatorscan be heavily fined, face criminal penalties,and have radio licenses revoked.

While there are numerous rules, those most common are listed here.

SCEC – Radio Procedures, Updated March 2013 6

FCC – Federal Communications CommissionNextBack

FCC Rules

Listen before transmitting.

This prevents causing interference withothers who may already be broadcasting orin the middle of a conversation.

Exception: Interrupt to transmit the report of a critical emergency involving lifesafety.


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FCC Rules

Do not transmit false calls or false distresssignals.

This may place other rescuers in dangerwho are responding to assist you. Criminal charges could also be placedagainst you.


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FCC Rules

Avoid unnecessary radio communications that could interfere with emergency communications.

The radio is a tool that may be needed for an emergency at any time. Commun-ications that can be performed via telephone or other means should not be broadcast by radio.

The radio is not a telephone.


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FCC Rules

Refrain from transmitting obscene language over the air.

Not only an FCC Regulation, but remember there are citizens listening on scanners.


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FCC Rules

Restrict communications to the most practical transmission time. Messages should be limited to no more than 30 seconds without a break.

This allows the opportunity for someone with emergency traffic to begin transmitting.


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FCC Rules

Personal business should not be conducted over public safety radio frequencies.


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Examples: • Placing a lunch order over the radio• Asking another radio operator to

make a personal phone call for you• Using public safety radios for hunting or sporting events

Radio Maintenance

Inspect radios frequently to ensure they are free of defects and connections are tight.

• Coax cables should be free of wear and connections should be tight.

• Insulation on electrical wiring should be intact.

• Electrical connections should be free of corrosion.

• Antennas should be securely mounted.


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Radio Maintenance

This is an example of how a portable radio antenna should NOT look.

While radio equipment and accessories are expensive, lives depend on them.

Funds should be budgeted to allow for the proper purchase and professional installation of radio equipment, and funds budgeted for replacement when needed.


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Radio Maintenance

Radios should be checked at the beginning of each shift to ensure they are working properly.

Walkie-Talkie batteries should be replaced every 18 months.


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Radio Maintenance

Use the microphone properly to ensure adequate communications.

Check the manufacturers recommendations for proper placement and use.

When using lapel microphones, remember it is the radio that transmits and not the microphone. Position yourself so the portable radio and antenna are able to reach the tower.


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Radio Maintenance

Limit background noises that can interfere with communications.

• Wind• FM Radios• Train horns• Highway traffic• Etc


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Radio Maintenance

Pause after pressing the PTT button to allow access to the trunking system and to allow repeaters to open.

This prevents “front-end clipping”, or cutting off the first one or two words of your transmission.


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PTT – “Push to Talk” button

Terminology

Use only commonly accepted terminology.Unfamiliar terms or jargon can confuse the situation and lead to a breakdown in communications and potential threat to safety.

Most “ten codes” are obsolete and can be different from location to location. Time must be dedicated to training operators on ten-codes, time that can be better spent on other essential training.


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http://www.dhs.gov/emergency-communications-guidance-documents-and-publications

http://www.dhs.gov/emergency-communications-guidance-documents-and-publications

Radio Review

Violating FCC Rules and Regulations can lead to


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a. Monetary fines

b. Revocation of radio license

c. Criminal penalties

d. All of the above

Click on the correct answer.

Radio Review

Sorry. That is incorrect.


Try Again

Radio Review

Correct!


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Violating FCC Rules can lead to monetary fines, loss of license, and potential criminal prosecution.

Radio Review

Listening before transmitting ensures


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a. The channel is not already in use

b. Background noises are adequate

c. Your alternator is not creating “engine noise”

d. All of the above


Radio Review



Try Again

Radio Review

Correct!


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The radio is a tool used by many public safety officials. Unless you have a critical emergency, you should listen before transmitting to ensure you do not “walk on” or interrupt another unit’s broadcast.

Radio Review

The radio is a tool that may be needed for an emergency at any time. Communications that can be performed via telephone or other means should not be broadcast by radio.


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a. True

b. False


Radio Review



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The radio may be used at any time for an “officer down” or “mayday” message. If you do not have a need to talk on the radio, use another form of communication.

Radio Review

Correct!


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The radio may be used at any time for an “officer down” or “mayday” message. If you do not have a need to talk on the radio, use another form of communication.

Radio Review

A daily radio inspection ensures that


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a. The radio is narrowband capable

b. Your radio will always hit the repeater

c. Wiring and connections are tight and intact

d. None of the above


Radio Review



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Radio Review

Correct!


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Radio operators are not radio technicians. Inspecting the radio ensures that wiring and coax insulation is intact and connections are tight, but does not guarantee you will always be able to hit the repeater.

Radio Review

It is important to replace radios and radio accessories when needed because


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a. The newest radios are always the best

b. Lives depend on the radio

c. You will maintain status quo with other agencies

d. All of the above


Radio Review



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Radio Review

Correct!


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Lives depend on the radios we use. They should be treated with the same care and given the same consideration as a law enforcement officer’s weapon, or a fire department SCBA, or the AED on the ambulance.

LTR Talk groups

Do not confuse LTR “Zones” with the channel banks that are installed in your radio.


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Zone 1 talk groups end with the digit “1”.• Patrol 1• Patrol 1 South• Investigations 1• Fire/EMS 1• TAC 1 and TAC 11• Admin 1• EMA 1• Training 1• Common 1

LTR Talk groups


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Zone 2 talk groups end with the digit “2”.• Patrol 2• Patrol 2 South• Investigations 2• Fire/EMS 2• TAC 2 and TAC 12• Admin 2• EMA 2• Training 2• Common 2

LTR Talk groups


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Zone 3 talk groups end with the digit “3”.• TAC 3 and TAC 13• Training 3• Common 3

LTR Talk groups


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Patrol 1 South and Patrol 2 South actually transmit on the Caldwell PD frequency which is bridged to the trunking system,

LTR Talk groups


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Patrol units working west of Drury Rd and south of 90th Street South should switch to Patrol 1 South (or Patrol 2 South as warranted).

Caldwell units leaving the designated area should switch to Patrol 1 (or Patrol 2 as warranted).

Direct


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Any radio channel with the suffix “D” (as indicated by the LCD screen on the radio) indicates the channel is “direct”, or a talkaround channel, and bypasses the repeater.

National Mutual Aid Channels


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National Mutual Aid Channels, as stipulated by the Kansas Mutual Aid Reference Guide, include the following;

• 800MHz – 8CALL90 and 8TAC92• UHF – UCALL40 and UTAC 42

LTR Trunking Ops


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The trunking system receives and analyzes data received from mobile and portable radios. If the radio is programmed and authorized correctly, the trunking system activates and begins to operate.

When keying up on the trunking system, an “access” beep will be heard indicating the system has been accessed.

Field units should wait until the access beep is heard before transmitting to prevent front-end clipping.

LTR Trunking Ops


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If radios are not within range of the trunking system, operators will not hear an access beep, and the transmit light on the radio will begin flashing.

Units not in range of the trunking system (or a bridge to the trunking system) should switch to the appropriate conventional channel or wait until they are in range.

LTR Trunking Ops


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In the event all trunking repeaters are busy, operators will receive a “busy” tone.

Units should wait until the trunking system is available, or switch to the appropriate conventional channel to transmit.

LTR Trunking Ops


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If units cannot access the trunking system using a handheld radio, the operator should try moving their position a few feet which may allow access.

If access cannot be gained, units should use their mobile radio, or switch to the appropriate conventional channel.

Channel Monitoring


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Because of the number of available talk groups and conventional channels, dispatchers will only monitor the following;

•Patrol 1•Patrol 2•Fire/EMS 1•Fire/EMS 2•EMA 1•TAC 1

•Ops 1•Ops 2•Ops 3•Ops 4•Ops 5

Law Enforcement Operations


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All Patrol units will operate on Patrol 1.

Exceptions:•Caldwell PD operates on Patrol 1 South•Field units patrolling or responding to areas west of Drury Rd and south of 90th St South should switch to Patrol 1 South•When leaving the designated geographical area for Patrol 1 South, Caldwell units should switch to Patrol 1.•Courthouse Security Officers should operate on “Courthouse Link”. This is a bridge between a Courthouse radio and the trunking system.•When WPD units are at their station, they should use Courthouse Link for portable radios. (Structural barriers prevent Courthouse Security and WPD from transmitting outside of their buildings).



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Communications between detectives/investigators should be conducted on Investigation 1.

When calling dispatch, investigators should use Patrol 1.



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Administration 1 is available for administrative communications with and between Chiefs, the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Chief Deputy, etc.

Example:“100 to 102…meet me on Admin 1”.

When calling dispatch, administrators should use Patrol 1.



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Communications between agencies or non-dispatch related communications between units can be conducted on Common 1.

Example:•“50 to 60…meet me on Common 1”.•“Wellington 200 to County 901…meet me on Common 1”.



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Field units communicating or attempting communications with Harper, Kingman, or Cowley County units should use the appropriate conventional radio channel.



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Field units conducting traffic control should ask dispatch for the assignment of a tactical talk group or Ops channel.

This keeps the primary dispatch channels clear of unnecessary traffic for dispatching calls and communications with active field units.



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TAC channels should also be used for incidents requiring lengthy scene times. Examples include;

• Manhunts• Barricaded Subjects• SWAT Ops• Etc



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When “emergency traffic” is issued on a channel or talk group, all other law enforcement units should refrain from using the radio.

Dispatchers will not assign an alternate channel.

In the event a field unit finds it necessary to communicate with dispatch, Patrol 2 or TAC 1 should be used.



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Emergency traffic is issued on;

• Vehicle and foot chases• At the request of a law enforcement field unit• At the discretion of the Dispatch Supervisor

Only law enforcement field units have the authority to release emergency traffic.



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ATL/BOLO’s are broadcast if they have originated within Kansas Division 5 and in conjunction with the following guidelines;

• Stolen vehicles must be taken within the last four hours• Runaways must be thought to still be in the area• Check welfare ATL/BOLO’s must be enroute to Sumner

County• Officer safety ATL/BOLO’s



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Officer Safety ATL/BOLO’s are issued if the suspect is armed and dangerous and the message originated in;

• Kansas• Nebraska• Iowa• Missouri• Arkansas• Oklahoma• Colorado



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Hard copies of ATL/BOLO’s are faxed to each agency.

These should be posted so additional shifts can review them at shift change.

LTR/LE Ops Review

When operating in the area west of Drury Rd and south of 90th Street South, law enforcement units should operate on which talk group?


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a. Patrol 1

b. Patrol 2

c. Patrol 1 South

d. Any of the above




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LTR/LE Ops Review

Correct!


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Patrol 1 South is a channel bridging the Caldwell PD repeater with the Trunking System.

LTR/LE Ops Review

LTR/LE Ops Review

How will you know if you are in range of the trunking system?


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a. Access beep

b. Blinking red light on radio

c. Warble tone





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LTR/LE Ops Review

Correct!


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If you are in range of the trunking system, you will hear an access beep when you press the PTT button.

LTR/LE Ops Review

LTR/LE Ops Review

If you receive a busy signal when keying on the trunking system, what action should you take?


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a. Wait until the system is not busy

b. Attempt to broadcast on another talk group

c. Broadcast on a conventional ops channel

d. Either (a) or (c)




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LTR/LE Ops Review

Correct!


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If you receive a busy signal when attempting to key up on the trunking system, you should wait until the system is not busy. If your radio traffic is urgent, use the appropriate conventional ops channel to call dispatch.

LTR/LE Ops Review

LTR/LE Ops Review

You can contact dispatch on Common 1, 2, or 3.


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a. True

b. False



LTR/LE Ops Review

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Dispatch only monitors Patrol 1 and 2, Fire/EMS 1 and 2, EMA 1, TAC 1, and the five conventional channels. If you attempt to contact dispatch on any other talk group, your radio traffic will not be heard.

Correct!


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Dispatch only monitors Patrol 1 and 2, Fire/EMS 1 and 2, EMA 1, TAC 1, and the five conventional channels. If you attempt to contact dispatch on any other talk group, your radio traffic will not be heard.

LTR/LE Ops Review

LTR/LE Ops Review

To avoid interfering with dispatch operations, what should a field unit who is conducting traffic control do?


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a. Operate on Patrol 2

b. Operate on a Cowley County channel

c. Request assignment of a TAC channel





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LTR/LE Ops Review

Correct!


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If you ask dispatch for assignment of a TAC channel, dispatch will route you to a TAC Channel that is not currently busy.

You can conduct your traffic control operations without affecting dispatch operations, scene operations, or the activities of other field units not associated with the incident.

Other operations (manhunts, SWAT operations, etc.) should also be conducted on TAC channels.

LTR/LE Ops Review

Fire/EMS Units should operate on Fire/EMS 1. Exceptions:

• Wellington Fire/EMS operate on WFD• Caldwell Fire and Caldwell EMS operate

on Ops4• Oxford EMR should operate on WFD when responding with

WFD/EMS. Oxford EMR should operate on Fire/EMS 1 when responding with Winfield EMS.

• When transporting patients out of Ops4 range, Caldwell EMS should switch to Fire/EMS1.

• Out of county units should operate on the appropriate Ops Channel.


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Fire/EMS Ops

EMR – Emergency Medical Responders


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Administration 1 is available for administrative communications with and between Chiefs, the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Chief Deputy, etc.

Example:“100 to 102…meet me on Admin 1”.

When calling dispatch, administrators should use Patrol 1.

Fire/EMS Ops

Multi-Agency Responses

When multiple agencies operating on different channels respond to the same incident, all units should be routed to a single channel/talk group.

The channel of choice is first based on communication capabilities.

Example: Fire Dist 9, Belle Plaine EMS, and Udall EMR are all responding to a motor-vehicle-accident. Since Udall does not have LTR capabilities, all units should be assigned to Ops5.


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Fire/EMS Ops


Example: Norwich EMS/Argonia EMS, and Argonia Fire are all responding to a motor-vehicle-accident. Since Norwich EMS does not have access to the trunking system, all units should be routed to Ops3.


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Fire/EMS Ops


If communication capabilities are similar, then the channel of choice should be based on the primary agencies operating channel.

Example: Wellington Fire and Fire Dist 8 are responding to a structure fire in Wellington’s response area. Since Wellington is the primary agency, Fire Dist 8 should be routed to WFD channel.Example: Wellington Fire and Fire Dist 8 are responding to a structure fire in Fire Dist 8’s response area. Since Dist 8 is the primary agency, WFD should be routed to Fire/EMS 1 channel.


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Fire/EMS Ops


If communication capabilities are similar, then the channel of choice should be then be based on the proximity to radio systems.

Example: South Haven Fire and Caldwell EMS are responding to a motor-vehicle-accident in SHFD response area. Since Caldwell EMS is out of range of Ops 4, all units should be routed to Fire/EMS 1.


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Fire/EMS Ops

Scene Operations

Fire/EMS Units working on an incident requiring a lengthy scene time (e.g. structure fire, wildland fire, train derailment, etc), should consider use of a TAC channel/talk group. The IC should request assignment of a channel from dispatch.

Assignment of TAC Channels is based on agency capabilities and proximity to trunking system/conventional towers.


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Fire/EMS Ops

Incident Commanders must remember the channels monitored by dispatch, and continue to request additional resources or conduct traffic with dispatch on a primary dispatch channel.

LZ Operations

Landing Zone operations should beConducted on the appropriateOps Channel for the area of theIncident.


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Fire/EMS Ops

Routine day-to-day communications between EMA and dispatch should be conducted on EMA1.

EMA Operations for weather events should be conducted on EMA1 except for Caldwell units which should operate on Ops4.

Field units reporting weather conditions should report directly to the EOC (when activated) on EMA1 or Ops4.

EMA responses to support fire or EMS events should be conducted on the operational channel of the primary law enforcement, fire, or EMS agency.


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EMA Ops

Fire/EMS/EMA Ops Review

On which channel/talk group do most fire or EMS agencies operate?


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a. Ops 3

b. Fire/EMS 1

c. WFD





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Correct!


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Most agencies operate on Fire/EMS 1. The exceptions are;• Wellington Fire/EMS• Caldwell Fire• Caldwell EMS• Oxford EMR (when responding with WFD)• And Out-of-County agencies



The operational channel of choice for multi-agency responses are based on


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a. Capabilities

b. Primary agency frequency

c. Proximity to LTR Trunking/Ops Towers

d. All of the above




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Correct!


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Choosing a common operating channels has to be based first on capabilities.

If capabilities are similar, then the channel of choice is based on the operating channel of the primary response agency.

Finally, the channel of choice is based on proximity and range to the LTR trunking system and/or operational channel towers.



When tactical channels are needed, units should;


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a. Request a channel from dispatch

b. Switch to the channel of your choice

c. Wait until dispatch recommends a channel





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Correct!


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Requesting assignment of a channel from dispatch ensures that the channel is operational and is free of use by other agencies. Dispatchers are also in the best position to determine unit capabilities and proximity to radio systems.



A field unit is returning from a call during inclement weather and begins to observe hail larger than 1” (quarter). To whom should be unit report their observations?


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a. To the National Weather Service

b. EOC on EMA1 (if the EOC is activated)

c. Dispatch (if EOC is not activated)

d. Either (b) or (c)




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Correct!


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If the EOC has been activated, field units should report weather events directly to the EOC. This eliminates dispatch from having to relay the information and therefore, eliminates one step in the communications process.

If the EOC has not been activated, field units should report weather events to dispatch who in turn, will notify EMA of the severe weather report.



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Agencies conducting training can request the use of a Training Channel from dispatch. This eliminates unnecessary radio traffic from dispatch or operational channels.

Training Channels

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With the exception of the Zone 1 Repeater, all other repeaters can fail without the LTR System suffering any effects.

If the Zone 1 Repeater fails, all Zone 1 Talk Groups will fail to operate.

In this situation, all units and agencies operating on a Zone 1 Talk Group should be routed to a Zone 2 Talk Group.

Failure of the LTR Trunking System

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Patrol units should be routed to Patrol 2.

Fire/EMS/EMA units should be routed to Fire/EMS 2.

If Zone 2 channels become busy, units can be further routed to a Zone 3 Talk Group.


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General Broadcasts, as well as Countywide All Call Pages should be effected to notify all agencies and units of the Zone 1 failure.


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Aside from alert tones used for paging Wellington Fire/EMS, Alert Tone 1 is used for the following purposes;

• Gaining the attention of a field unit that is not responding to radio traffic

• Evacuation notices from structure fires or haz mat incidents

• Responder down or in trouble• At the discretion of the

dispatch supervisor.

Alert Tones

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General radio broadcasts, to alert units to Lost Children, Walkaways, or severe weather may be broadcast as directed by other SOGs.

Broadcasts should be made on the All Call Talk Group.

General Radio Broadcasts

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Whenever any channel or talk group is taken down for maintenance, a General Broadcast should be made on the All Call Talk Group as well as sending a Countywide All Call Page.

Once radio maintenance has been completed, the same procedure should be used to route agencies and units back to the repaired channel.

Radio Maintenance

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Any unit may use any channel to contact dispatch as the need arises. When it comes to Public Safety, there are no proprietary talk groups or conventional channels reserved for a particular discipline are agency.

Radio System Access

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Final Review

Units conducting traffic may use a Training Talk Group for their training communications. What is the proper procedure for using a Training Talk Group.


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a. Ensure the talk group is clear, then use it.

b. Request assignment of a Talk Group from dispatch

c. Use the Zone 3 Training Talk Group





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Final Review

Correct!


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Asking dispatch for assignment of a Training Talk Group ensures the channel is free from use by another agency as well as informing dispatch that the Training Drill is in progress.

Final Review

Final Review

When the Zone 2 Repeater fails, the entire LTR System is down.


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a. True

b. False



Final Review

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If Zone 2 Repeater alone fails, the LTR System will still functions through Zone 1 and the remaining three repeaters.

Correct!


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If Zone 2 Repeater alone fails, the LTR System will still functions through Zone 1 and the remaining three repeaters.

Final Review

Final Review

If the Zone 1 Repeater fails, units should route to


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a. A Zone 2 Talk Group

b. A Zone 3 Talk Group

c. A Zone 6 Talk Group

d. Any of the above




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Final Review

Correct!


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Patrol units should route to Patrol 2, and Fire/EMS/EMA units should route to Fire/EMS 2.

There are no talk groups in Zone 4, and there is no Zone 6 in the LTR Trunking System.

Final Review

Final Review

Any units may use any channel or talk group at any time it is necessary.


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a. True

b. False



Final Review

Next


Correct!


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Final Review

If you have questions about the material providing in this training class, contact your immediate Supervisor for clarification or for routing to the 9-1-1 Offices.


Questions?

Take This Class Again

End

sumner county emergency communications updated march 2013 1 begin

Documents

radio licenses

basic radio technology

common radio practices

emergency communications

interim sog radio system

fcc regulation

communications process

critical emergency