radio reports

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Todd Trudeau on December 27, 2008 at 11:44am

Depending on the officer, they can be detailed or pretty vague. I've been working to get them to be more consistant but not making much progress. Any tips?

Permalink Reply by Edward Moore Jr on December 29, 2008 at 8:15am

Jackson Fire Department District 3 has an SOP on first to arrive duties. The SOP goes over many things for the first in company to evaluate and examine and there is a brief mention of an initial radio report procedure.

Upon Arrival
-Transmit a brief and concise initial radio report to include:
a. Unit number and "on the scene"
b. Height of the building in stories
c. Type of building (wood frame, non-combustible, ordinary, etc)
d. Conditions on arrival

For the most part, all reports do sound the same and include "establishing command"
The first arriving unit has the authority to request assitional resources and/or alarms if necessary.

Permalink Reply by Anthony Avillo on December 30, 2008 at 12:27pm

here are some formats we use at nhrfr
i put them on an upload
let me know if u get them

Attachments:

• Exhibit 1-1.JPG, 368 KB
• Exhibit 1-2.JPG, 361 KB
• Exhibit 1-4.JPG, 359 KB

Permalink Reply by Michael Bricault (ret) on January 7, 2009 at 3:25pm

-We use a standard "On scene" radio report that all personnel are familiar with. This familiarization begins as soon as members are introduced to the radio in the fire academy. The thought process is to get members accustomed to what they should be listening to as well as preparing them to make any necessary radio transmissions themselves.
-The on scene radio report is usually very consistent city wide and consists of
1. Company designation
2. CAN report (Conditions, Actions, Needs)
3. Specific assignments for specific companies
4. Announce who is IC (until relieved)
-An example would be, "Engine 5 is on scene at a multi story, multiple residential occupancy with fire showing on the number three floor. Evacuation is in progress. Engine 5 will take a line up to the fire floor. Next in engine lay in a supply line from the corner of ... (Or first due ladder there are victims hanging out windows on the CD corner) Engine 5 is command."
-Stay safe.

Permalink Reply by Todd Trudeau on March 22, 2009 at 4:09pm

Erik,
We have to keep the adrenaline out of the radio report but at the same time paint a clear enough picture of what we have, what we're doing about it and what we need as far as support.
If you can come up with a standard report with standard objectives to meet (see the above examples), the info will be relayed in a short time consistantly.

KTF
Todd

Erik Pettaway said:

My department doesn't have a standard radio report.As such it all depends on the member giving the initial report.Some reports are somewhat descriptive but most are not.Conditions found,where's the fire,& type of structure should be a minimum.
Having said that when is it too much? When your first in and the adrenaline is flowing, should you take that much time to give a speech? As an officer I tried to give a good report but I was more concerned with either stretching a line or starting search & rescue operations.
Radio discipline is also something we should strive for. Sometimes I wonder if we're increasing safety or trying to make it Rocket Science 101. When I came on, we all didn't have radios and when you did, older and more seasoned vets would say keep the radio traffic to a minimum.Keeping the traffic to essential info is the way to go.IMHO

Permalink Reply by Anthony Avillo on March 25, 2009 at 7:17am

Two issues come into play here. The first is that no matter what you think is more important, a brief statement on conditions begins the most important of safety mechanisms -- the fireground organization process. An unorganized fireground is an unsafe fireground and if it is unorganized at the beginning, the curve of deviation amplification wil prevent it from becoming more organized as the incident ages. Someone must take charge, let everyone know he or she is in charge and let everyone know what is happening and what is being done about it -- otherwise everyone arriving has to start from the beiginning -- this is unacceptable when information is already available.
Secondly, if there is a format for the report, it will be relatively brief, lasting no more than about 20 seconds and will cue in everyone to what is happening from a single mindset -- that is what a format does for you -- everyone is conditioned to listen for the same thing. When there is no format (enforced!!), reports are all over the place and the "ummm" factor is prevalent as the unprepared try to think of sometheing to say while the mike is keyed
Some good responses - thanks for the input
be safe brothers and sisters

Permalink Reply by Anthony Avillo on March 28, 2009 at 11:10am

if u see tyhe exhibits i provided for our radio reports, you will see what we use. We laminate and paste the preliminary size-up (arrival) report in the cab of the apparatus. The rest is in the filed operations guides and most chiefs keep a copy on hand to sue if needed in the field. If it is adopted but left in the SOP book, what good is it?
Erik Pettaway said:

I like that, the "ummm factor".
A standardized report is important and should be formalized, I agree. Just wondering what others think or do, from less is better to the more the better. My departments history of radio traffic is to keep it to the bare minimum,i.e leave it for the chief. The mentality is changing and I'm one of the ones looking to change that. So keep it coming.
Anthony- question on the preliminary report, Obviously it must be in some Department SOP/G on communications. Do you keep one on the rig? and is this something your Fire Alarm Office also has and fills out as the initial IC gives it?