HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 505.01 REVISED_4-2012_ Tones for Emerg Traffic505.01 - Radio Tones for Emergency Traffic & Evacuation
Effective: 9/5/2009
Revised: 4/5/2012 � H4 f� N-4 p: ,�
Replaces: UOG 510.01 -
I. Guiding Philosophy
It is essential that the fire department be prepared to respond appropriately in the face of
an emergency involving a member, the evacuation of a structure/area, or a crisis condition that
requires immediate, emergency radio communications and alert tones. Our ability to achieve the
best possible outcome depends on personnel following a standardized process for declaring
"Emergency Traffic" and appropriately responding to the situation.
II. Purpose
The purpose is to establish communicate radio traffic priorities and detail the procedures
associated with implementing emergency radio traffic.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Define the radio traffic priorities.
B. Describe the general emergency traffic guidelines.
C. Detail the process for declaring emergency traffic.
D. Detail emergency evacuation procedures.
IV. Definitions
A. MAYDAY — term broadcast by a firefighter in distress or in the event of a
missing firefighter.
B. Emergency Traffic — term used to alert personnel monitoring or operating a radio
that a priority message needs to be transmitted.
C. Evacuation — term used to withdraw from a structure or immediate area due to
impending danger.
D. PAR — acronym for Personnel Accountability Report.
V. Radio Traffic Priorities
A. Good communication depends on discipline, especially in complex situations. The
communication system losses effectiveness if important messages cannot get
through. Personnel are expected to maintain radio discipline at all times.
B. The following radio traffic priorities will be recognized by all personnel:
1. First Priority, — MAYDAY radio traffic
2. Second Priority — Emergency radio traffic
3. Third Priority — Push -to -Talk (PTT) routine radio traffic
SOG 505.01 — Radio Tones for Emergency Traffic Page 1 of 3
VI. General Emeraencv Traffic Guidelines
A. The term "Emergency Traffic" will be used as a designation to clear radio traffic
to report an immediately dangerous emergency condition that poses a non -routine
threat to life or safety.
B. Any member who is in trouble or sees an emergency condition can declare
"Emergency Traffic."
C. Examples of emergency conditions that may warrant emergency radio traffic
include, but are not limited to:
1. Change in strategy from offensive to defensive
2. A firefighter in the hazard zone incapacitated due to injury
3. Impending structural collapse
4. High heat or other conditions that could signal an imminent flashover.
5. Loss of water supply or other extinguishing agent that would endanger
members.
D. Any firefighter hearing an "Emergency Traffic" signal who realizes that the
communication is not being acknowledged shall:
1. Acknowledge the radio transmission
2. Ascertain its nature
3. Promptly relay all information to Command or Headquarters.
VII. Procedures for Declaring Emergency Traffic
A. When a member needs to transmit an important emergency message to Command,
Headquarters, or other units on the emergency scene, he/she shall transmit,
"Emergency Traffic" over the tactical operating channel by using the following
standard process:
1. The member shall announce his/her identifier (Unit designation) followed
by "Emergency Traffic."
2. Unit shall repeat the "Emergency Traffic" radio transmission to give any
emergency member monitoring an opportunity to hear and react to the
emergency.
E -,Ie: "Engi e I to I-Iewitlit iter , I' m emj� 7" qf i� ®
Engine I to I-Iewitlit iters, Emergemj" ql ism®
3. The Dispatcher will:
a. Echo Emergency Traffic ("Engine I Emergemjqli
b. Provide a series of three (3) alert tones and announce, '7: )ne �
f l ii,
5. The member
calling for emergency traffic should then:
a. Announce the message or order.
b. Direct each unit or company to appropriately provide
acknowledgement.
VIII. Emergency Evacuation Procedures
A. When conditions require the emergency evacuation of personnel, all
Driver/Operators shall initiate four (4) cycles of the air horn evacuation signal:
1. Three (3) short blasts of 1 second duration
2. Pause 2-3 seconds
SOG 505.01 — Radio Tones for Emergency Traffic Page 2 of 3
B. When this signal is sounded, all personnel will report to their Group/Division
Supervisor to determine accountability status.
C. The Group/Division Supervisor will ascertain accountability status of the work
group and provide a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) to Command when
prompted (see SOG 303.01 Personnel Accountability System).
D. The Incident Commander will alter the incident action plan as necessary to
achieve a PAR. No freelancing! Personnel will follow the direction of
Command if *a group/division reports that they do not have a PAR.
E. When all units have reported a PAR, the Command will provide a report to
Headquarters and release the channel back to regular radio traffic.
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