Radio and Pager Equipment

1. Radio and pager equipment will be issued to qualified members by the communications director. At that time, safe operation of the equipment will be explained by said director.

2. Members will be accountable for this equipment based on serial numbers. If you leave the department, or are not on active duty, this equipment will be returned to KFD.

When You Are In Route To Station

All members are to call dispatch and tell them you are in route to station. If you are authorized to go direct to scene, you are to let dispatch know that you are going direct.

Example: "412 in route to Station 1" or "401 in route direct"

When You Arrive At Station

Senior person at station changes radio name to that of the vehicle unit they are going to use. Immediately call Dispatch and tell them your status:

Example: "Kemah Dispatch, Engine 41. On pad, awaiting crew."

Additional personnel arriving at station after first unit departs should call on radio and notify the IC or first unit of status and update as personnel arrive. Use station number. If it appears insufficient personnel will arrive in time, request mutual aid.

When You Are In Route To Scene

The driver should not transmit on radio if others are in the vehicle who can handle the task. This procedure allows the driver to concentrate on traffic conditions. While in route the engine or vehicle number is to be used, and not persons own unit number. When it is a mutual aid call, check in-route with our dispatch and advise them you are switching to other city’s primary. Contact other city and let them know you you are in route.

When You Arrive At Scene

Let dispatch know when you arrive. Senior person should assume command and be identified as command.

Example: "Kemah Dispatch, Engine 41 on scene. 431 assumes command"

When it is a mutual aid call, contact other city’s command advise them you are on scene and need instructions.

Situation Report

A Situation Report is necessary to allow Dispatch, all other KFD members at the station, or in route, or elsewhere to know what is going on so they can anticipate and prepare.

Example: "Kemah Dispatch, this is command. We have a 2-story house, smoke showing."

Tapping Out

At the point the situation is under control, IC should call Dispatch and notify them that the incident is "tapped out", meaning that the incident is under control and no further resources are expected to be needed.

Clearing Truck Back Into Service

Notify Dispatch when you have left the scene, and again when you arrive at the station and are back in service.

KFD Unit and Officer ID Numbers

"Command-1"	-	Chief’s Suburban
"Engine-1"	-	First Out Pumper
"Engine-41"	-	Second Out Pumper
"Marine-1"	-	Fire & Rescue Boat
"Rescue-1"	-	Rescue Truck
"Squad-1"	-	Duty Officer’s Truck
"Squad-44"	-	Duty Officer's Truck
"Unit 400"	-	Chief
"Unit 401"	-	Assistant Chief
"Unit 402"	-	Station Caption
"Unit 403"	-	Marine Captain
"Unit 404"	-	Training Captain
"Unit 408"	-	Safety Officer
"Unit 409"	-	Station Lieutenant
"Unit 410"	-	Training Lieutenant

Member ID numbers will be issued as needed.

Acceptable Radio Terminology

At KFD we use plain English.  We do not use 10-codes.

Terminology	Meaning
"Affirmative"	Yes
"Negative"	No
"Copy"	I hear you OK; I heard that completely
"Correct"
"Say again"	Repeat what you said
"Acknowledge"
"I repeat"
"Please repeat"

05/03/2005