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Section 701.01
Radio Procedures
I. Scope:
This standard establishes guidelines for the use of two-way communications equipment operated by the department. It was created to promote the most effective and efficient use of the radio communications system.
II. General:
A. The department operates a two-way radio system. The system uses transmitters located on top of the fire tower and a county repeater located at Akasu Hill, approximately 11 kilometers east of Vegreville.
B. Most of the department’s radios contain 12 channels or frequencies, which have been assigned as follows:
Channel Designation
1 Fire Department Local
2 Fire Department Repeater
3 Vegreville Public Works Local
4 Vegreville Public Works Repeater
5 Provincial Disaster
6 Prairie EMS
7 Minburn County Emergency
8 RCMP
9 Innisfree Fire
10 Mannville Fire
11 Lamont County Emergency
12 Weather Radio
C. It is the responsibility of all personnel to remain in radio contact with Dispatch and the Incident Commander during an incident.
III. Restricted Activities:
A. The radio system is designated for emergency communications and those activities that support the accomplishment of the department’s mission. Therefore, a number of subjects are inappropriate when
using the system. Common sense and good judgment should always be the user’s guide when deciding the appropriateness of a message.
B. Personnel who use the two-way system should realize that the radio does not afford the user the same level of privacy as when making a telephone call.
C. The following items are inappropriate and should never be broadcast over a two-way radio:
1. Any term that would be offensive to someone of another race or gender.
2. Profanity.
3. Any discussion of an athletic or political event.
4. The name of deceased or injured persons.
5. Business of a personal nature.
IV. Channel/Frequency Assignments:
A. Channel 1 has been designated the department’s primary channel. All incidents are dispatched on this channel and routine traffic will be conducted on this channel unless otherwise instructed by dispatch or the incident commander. Therefore, all members should monitor this channel at all times.
B. If an incident happens in the county area, all apparatus responding to the incident as well as dispatch, shall switch to channel 2. However, this is for apparatus radios only. Radios assigned to personnel shall remain on channel 1 during the incident.
C. At large scale incidents the incident commander may request dispatch to assign a separate frequency or channel for staging, water supply, and other support functions.
V. Terminology:
A. Use plain speech or clear text when transmitting over the two-way radio system. The department does not use any system of 10-codes or CB lingo. Although the department does not use numerical codes, a distinctive vocabulary of words, phrases and terms have been developed for use in radio communications. These terms simplify and clarify radio conversation as well as contribute to brevity.
B. The department also uses the 24-hour clock rather than the traditional 12-hour clock.
C. Use the phonetic alphabet to clearly identify each letter of the alphabet:
A-Alpha B-Bravo C-Charlie
D-Delta E-Echo F-Foxtrot
G-Golf H-Hotel I-India
J-Juliet K-Kilo L-Lima
M-Mike N-November O-Oscar
P-Papa Q-Quebec R-Romeo
S-Sierra T-Tango U-Uniform
V-Victor W-Whiskey X-Xray
Y-Yankee Z-Zulu
VI. Sending and Receiving Messages:
A. To ensure that a radio message will be clear and understandable, the user of a two-way radio should observe the following practices:
1. Always speak in a conversational tone and at a moderate speed.
2. Speak directly into the microphone. While speaking, keep your lips within a half-inch of the microphone.
3. Remain calm. Always speak distinctly and clearly.
4. Phrase your message naturally. Avoid lengthy discussions.
5. If surrounding noise interferes, speak louder, do not shout.
B. Message format:
1. Identify the unit or function sending the message, as well as the unit or function to which the message is being directed.
(E.g. “Engine 1 to command”)
2. Wait for the unit being called to acknowledge, and then keep the message brief and to the point.
C. Eliminating a common error:
1. The most common error committed by a user of our two-way radio is short keying. Whenever the County repeater is used, the radio operator attempts to transmit a message before the repeater has time to engage. This practice chops off the first part of the message.
2. To correct the problem, the user should press the transmit button and delay his message for 2-3 seconds. This allows the repeater time to engage.
3. When using the local channel (channel 1) it is good practice to delay the message approximately 2 seconds after pressing the transmit button. This ensures the whole message will be received.
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