N E W P O R T F I R E D E P A R T M E N T

I N C I D E N T C O M M A N D T R A I N I N G1 S T E D I T I O N

COMMUNICATIONS

3rd Function of Command

Division of Training16 May 2015

COMMUNICATIONS

Major Goal

• “The Incident Commander will initiate, maintain and

control the communications process”

OBJECTIVES

Describe the general requirements for effective communications

Identify the available radio channels

Name the correct unit designations

Define and execute required reports

Identify Fire ground bench marks

Explain the difference between “Emergency Traffic” and “Mayday”

Explain The difference between “Withdrawal” & “Abandon the building”

OBJECTIVES

Describe the role that SOP’s, communication training and organizational management play in the communication process.

Identify the different forms of incident communications

Understand the responsibilities of all the communication participants.

Describe the different roles of the IC, Division/Groups & Companies to maintain effective communications

Define the IC’s role in controlling communications

Explain the components of the Communications IC Checklist

COMPETENCIES

Use Communications SOPs (Order Models, etc)

Start/control communications upon arrival with Brief Initial Report (BIR)

Use effective communication techniques to keep everyone connected

Use organizational chart as communication flow plan

Use companies and Divisions/Groups as communications partners

Maintain a clear controlled voice

Listen critically – understand communication difficulties from tough operating positions

COMPETENCIES

Coordinate timely progress reportsMaintain communication availability – answer on first callUtilize standard Order ModelKeep communications simpleTaskLocationObjective

Utilize CP position and staff to help communicationsCenter communications around tactical benchmarks Primary All Clear Knockdown Loss Stopped

COMMUNICATION ELEMENTS

SOP’s

Training

Organizational Management

Equipment

Communication Channels

Standard Language

Techniques

FORMS OF INCIDENT COMMUNICATIONS

Face to Face

Radio

Electronic Support

Standard Operating Procedures

COMMUNICATION PARTICIPANTS

Dispatch

Incident Commander

Command Support Staff – Division/Groups

Operating Units - Companies

Other Agencies

MAINTAINING COMMUNICATIONS

The IC’s RoleGet things going

Balance talking/listening

Control communications

Be available to communicate

Division/Group ReportingCommand Partners

Utilize standard reports

Emergency Traffic

Communicating with Operating Companies

IC COMMUNICATION CONTROL

Ability to Command

Who’s in Control?

The Conductor

COMMUNICATIONS

MAJOR GOALT O I N I T I A T E , M A I N T A I N , A N D C O N T R O L E F F E C T I V E I N C I D E NT C O M M U N I C A T I O NS.

COMMUNICATIONS

Start/control communications upon arrival with initial

radio report that describes conditions and actions

COMMUNICATIONS

Listen critically

• understand communications difficulties from tough operating positions.

COMMUNICATIONS

Mix and match forms

of communications

(face to face - radio -

computers - SOPs).

COMMUNICATIONS

• Use proper Order Model

• Timely Progress Reports

• Keep Communications

Simple

• Task

• Location

• Objective

COMMUNICATIONS

Utilize CP position and staff to help communications.

• How many times do we not do this?

• What are the PROs/CONs?

COMMUNICATIONS

• Center communications around the tactical benchmarks

• Primary All Clear

• Knockdown

• Loss stopped

COMMUNICATIONS

Reports

• Brief Initial Report

• Follow-up Report

• Personal Accountability Report

• Progress ReportsC.A.N. Reports

Completion Report

Exception Report

BRIEF INITIAL REPORT

Brief Initial Report – The first arriving unit on the scene will provide a Brief Initial Report.

This report will include:

1. Unit designation (Who am I?)

2. Incident Address (Where am I?)

3. Assume and name command (Who is in command?)

4. Brief description of the situation (What do I have?)

5. Action being taken and strategy declaration (What am I doing?)

6. State any immediate needs from incoming units or dispatch (What do I need?)

BRIEF INITIAL REPORT

SIZE IT UP!

Deploy your personnel?• What should they be

announcing and/or reporting?

• Resources?

SIZE IT UP

Deploy your personnel?• What should they be

announcing and/or reporting?

• Resources?

SIZE IT UP

Deploy your personnel?• What should they be

announcing and/or reporting?

• Resources needed?

SIZE IT UP

Deploy your personnel?• What should they be

announcing and/or reporting?

• Resources needed?

SIZE IT UP

Deploy your personnel?• What should they be

announcing and/or reporting?

• Resources needed?

FOLLOW-UP REPORT

Follow-up Report – After the first arriving unit has

evaluated the scene and identified the critical factors

you may provide a follow-up report. This report will

include:1. Situational Update*

2. Resource determination*

3. Any immediate safety concerns*

4. Clarify Command Mode and Strategy if not done in the Brief Initial Report*

*If needed

PROGRESS REPORTS

C.A.N. Report

• Conditions

• Actions

• Needs

Completion Report

Exception Report

SIZE UP AND INVESTIGATE

Brief Incident Report:Engine 1 goes into investigate. Review the next few slides, provide your Report.

C. A.N REPORT

What is your Report?• Conditions• Actions• Needs

C.A.N. REPORT

Brief Incident Report:Engine 1 goes into investigate. Review the next few slides, provide your Report.

C. A.N REPORT

What is your Report?• Conditions• Actions• Needs

C.A.N. REPORT

Brief Incident Report:

Engine 5 on the scene.

Out to investigate.

Review the next few slides, provide your Report.

C. A.N REPORT

What is your Report?• Conditions• Actions• Needs

C.A.N. REPORT

Brief Incident Report: Engine 1 on the scene.

Out to investigate. Review the next few slides, provide your Report.

C. A.N REPORT

What is your Report?• Conditions• Actions• Needs

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT

Personnel Accountability Report “PAR” – The Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) involves a roll call of all personnel assigned to crews and Division/Groups that are working in the hot zone.

• The PAR is a confirmation that all members are accounted for and have an adequate exit air supply.

• For the Division/Group Officer, a "PAR" is an accounting for all crewmembers of all companies assigned to his/her Division/Group.

• For the Company Officer, a PAR is an accounting of all crewmembers assigned to his/her company. Reports of PAR's should be conducted face-to-face within the Division/Group or company whenever possible.

BENCH MARKS

1. Water Supply

2. Water on the fire

3. Ventilation in place

4. Personnel in the structure

5. Primary all clear

6. Utilities secured

7. Knockdown

8. Secondary all clear

9. Loss stopped

• Dispatch will report 10 minute intervals to Command, from onset of the call.

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC

• The “Emergency Traffic” announcement will be utilized to provide immediate notification to all fire ground personnel that a notable hazard is either about to occur or has occurred.

• “Emergency Traffic” will receive the highest communications priority from dispatch, Command and all operating units.

WITHDRAW, EVACUATION & ABANDON

• Withdraw Order

• utilize “Emergency Traffic”

• Evacuation of the Building

• Abandon

• “Emergency Traffic”

REFERENCES

Brunacini, A. V. (2002). Fire Command. National Fire Protection Association.

Henderson Fire Department. (2015). Henderson Fire Department/training. Retrieved September 2013, from Henderson Fire Department: http://www.hendersonfireonline.com/Henderson_Fire_Department/Training.html

International Fire Service Training Association. (2007). Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer. Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University.