TERMINOLOGY
GENERAL
Red Oak Fire Rescue will utilize the radio terminology adopted by the Fire Department Staff.
PLAIN ENGLISH/CLEAR TEXT (NO SCREAMING STAY CALM)
Radio codes and signal codes will not be utilized. “Plain English” or “Clear Text” terminology will be utilized.
MILITARY/MEDICAL TIME
The military or medical 24 hour time system will be utilized in Red Oak Fire Rescue Communications.
EXAMPLES of time communication:
- 0700 = 7:00 A.M.
- 1500 = 3:00 P.M.
- 0000 = Midnight
- 1200 = Noon
RADIO TERMINOLOGY
The use of standard words and phrases contribute significantly to the conservation of airtime. They are short, easily understood, and convey concise meaningful information. Use the words and phrases as stated. Do not abbreviate or ad-lib, and when communicating with outside agencies use the standard phraseology, when applicable.
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
TERM
MEANING
COMMAND
Assign to person in charge at any incident.
REPEAT YOUR MESSAGE
Used when radio message is broken or garbled
LOUD & CLEAR
Used to acknowledge clear radio transmission during daily radio check
STANDBY
Used when necessary for radio caller to stop and wait
RECEIVED
Used to acknowledge or Clear (I understand).
NEGATIVE
Used to signal “NO”.
OUT OF SERVICE
Used to report status. Unable to respond to an emergency call
FILL-IN
Used when a unit is relocating to cover an empty station
AVAILABLE
Used to report status. Able to respond to an emergency call
STAGED AT____________
Unit is standing by at a designated location
PUBLIC SERVICE__________ AT #___________________
Use to inform unit of need to telephone. Give name and telephone #.
EN ROUTE TO: “NAME”
Used to inform and confirm Address/Building response to the correct building name and /or address
“WORKING FIRE”
Indicates a situation which will require the commitment of all responding companies
“BENCH MARKS”
Broadcast by Command only
“Evacuate Building”
The announcement of a change to a defensive mode will be made as “Emergency Traffic” and the benchmark will be transmitted and noted within the dispatch record.
Terminating Incident/Terminating Command
Used by the last unit to leave an incident. It signifies to ARP and other companies, there are no units remaining on scene and shall be noted within the dispatch record
ALL CLEAR
Benchmark declaring completion of the Primary Search
AVAILABLE
Term used to clear apparatus from an incident
BRUSH
A light, mobile vehicle, having limited pumping and water capacity – used for off-road operations
CLEAR TEXT
The use of plain English in radio transmission. No “ten codes” or agency specific codes or term uses when Clear Text
CODE 1
Response with no lights or siren
CODE 3
Response using lights and sirens
CODE BLUE
Police needed immediately. HOSTAGE SITUATION
COLD ZONE
Area where the Command Post (CP) and support functions that are necessary to control the incident are located. This is also refereed to as the Clean Zone
COMMAND POST (CP)
That location at which primary command functions are executed. The Command Post is usually located with the Incident Base
COMMANDER (BY FUNCTION)
Supervises and coordinates the resources assigned to staging area, resource area, rehab area, etc
COMPLETE – PRIMARY – SEARCH
First search during a working fire. This is during the initial attack
COMPLETE – SECONDARY – SEARCH
2ndSearch that is done after the fire is under control
DISPATCH
A facility from which resources are directly assigned to an incident
DISREGARD
Order given to incoming equipment at means that they may return to a non-emergency status
D.O.S.
Deceased on scene
EMERGENCY TRAFFIC
This statement is made when everyone needs to clear the channel for a communication that is of the utmost importance. When this is heard you must hold all radio traffic until the emergency is resolved
ENGINE
A ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping,, water, hose capacity, and personnel.
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL ( ETA)
Estimated time of arrival per unit or agency
HAZARDOUS LOCATION
A person on the scene has some form of communicable disease and/or domestic violence and/or weapons on scene, etc
HAZARD ZONE
The area of maximum hazard. For a structure fire, the hazard zone is the structure itself, the collapse perimeter, and any area exposed to the fire or products of combustion. Access to the hazard zone shall be restricted to essential personnel who are wearing equipment suitable for the hazards, which may be encountered. Company integrity is required within the hazard zone
HAZ-MAT
Hazardous material
HOT ZONE
Area immediately surrounding a dangerous goods incident, which extends far enough to prevent adverse effect from released dangerous goods to personnel outside the zone. This zone is also referred to as exclusion zone or restricted zone
INCIDENT COMMANDER (IC)
The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations
LAY A LINE
Pull hose off of the apparatus, usually refers to establishing a water supply line from a fire hydrant to the attacking company
J.P.
JUSTICE OF PEACE
MEDIC (MICU)
A ground vehicle providing patient transport capability, specified equipment capability, and personnel (basic life support ambulance or advanced life support ambulance, etc.)
MEDICAL CONTROL
Organization that provides medical control for advanced life support care.
MUTUAL AID
Established plan of assistance with surrounding departments
MVA
Motor vehicle accident
OFFENSE TO DEFENSE
All personnel must be informed of the change in strategic Operating Mode and evacuated form the interior before the application of exterior fire streams
ON SCENE
Used to check out on the location of an incident
(OUT –OF- SERVICE) RESOURCES
Resources assigned to an incident but unable to respond for mechanical, rest, or personnel reasons.
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT (PAR)
Benchmark requiring a Roll Call of personnel operating in the Hazard Zone
QUICK ATTACK
To make an initial attack on a fire with existing resources
QUINT or Ladder
A ground vehicle providing an aerial ladder 55 foot or greater, a main fire pump, supply hose, ground ladders, and water. Quint companies may function as either a Ladder Company or an Engine Company
REDUCE CODE AND CONTINUE
Continue on code 1 to the incident
RESCUE
A ground vehicle providing specified rescue equipment, capability and personnel.
REHABILITATION (REHAB)
That function and location that includes medical evaluation and treatment, food and fluid replenishment, and relief from extreme climatic conditions for emergency personnel. Rehab operators are established according to the circumstances of the incident
RIT TEAM
Two in, two out. Two man team sole responsibility for rescue of firefighter personnel accountable to Incident Commander
SAFETY OFFICER
Member of the Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards, unsafe situations, and developing measures for ensuring personnel safety
SECTOR
That organizational level having functional responsibility for primary segments of incident operations such as Geographical Area, Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The Section level is organizationally between Branch and Incident Commander
SIZEUP
Brief description of an incident, given when a fire apparatus first arrives on a scene
SPECIALTY TEAM
A grouping of resources with either an exterior geographic or functional assignment.
STAGING
Used for large, complex, or lengthy operations. Additional resources are staged together in a specific location under a Staging Officer
STAGING AREA
That location where individual personnel and equipment are assigned on an immediately available basis
UNAVAILABLE
Apparatus that is already on assignment or out of service
UNDER CONTROL
Signals the forward progress of the fire has been stopped and incident has been stabilized
VENTILATE
To open a structure in such a way that heat and smoke can be removed
WARM ZONE
Area where personnel and equipment decontamination and hot zone support take place. It includes control points for the access corridor and thus assists in reducing the spread of contamination. Also referred to as the decontamination, contamination reduction, or limited access zone
EXAMPLES OF TERMINOLOGY USE
- ENROUTE - This term denotes that a piece of apparatus is going to a certain location on a Fire or Med response.Ex: Eng 181 ENROUTE to 1615 Cherry Ave.Ex: Quint 1 ENROUTE 200 S. Parks
- ON SCENE - Term used to check out on the location of an incident or hospital. This is a part of our standard checkout sequence. (Address, hydrant, location)On Scene sequence goes like this:
- Apparatus I.D. (apparatus then number, Ex. Eng 181)
- On Scene
- Address
- Description
- Conditions
- Action taking if applicable Ex: Eng 181 - On Scene - 105 Spinner - One-story brick - Nothing showing (fire call)
Ex: Squad 181 - On Scene - 103 Hwy 342 - We have two cars involved with moderate damage (traffic accident).
- AVAILABLE - Term used to clear apparatus from an incident.AVAILABLE sequence:
- Apparatus I.D.
- AVAILABLE
- From what location Ex: Eng 181- AVAILABLE - from 200 Ovilla Rd.
- EMERGENCY TRAFFIC - whoever broadcasts this message, owns the air.Emergency Traffic sequence:
- I.D. (Apparatus, Command, Person)
- Emergency traffic
- State messageALL UNITS HOLD MESSAGES FOR EMERGENCY BROADCAST
- ALL CLEAR - Term used at the end of the primary search. All clear is broadcast to all units. Primary search determines that there are no victims and a safe attack can be made. Ex: Interior to Command - All clear on primary search
Ex: Command to all units: All clear on primary search
- ICS setup dictates that LOCATION is COMMAND. Ex: Bluebird COMMAND
Always set up command and terminate command. Command is passed face-to-face in most instances.
- OUT OF SERVICE - This term denotes when a piece of apparatus goes out of service for a reason.Out of Service sequence goes like this:
- Apparatus I.D.
- Out of service
- Reason - mechanical, manpower, water EX: Eng 1 – OUT OF SERVICE – for manpower
GENERAL
Red Oak Fire Rescue will utilize the radio terminology adopted by the Fire Department Staff.
PLAIN ENGLISH/CLEAR TEXT (NO SCREAMING STAY CALM)
Radio codes and signal codes will not be utilized. “Plain English” or “Clear Text” terminology will be utilized.
MILITARY/MEDICAL TIME
The military or medical 24 hour time system will be utilized in Red Oak Fire Rescue Communications.
EXAMPLES of time communication:
- 0700 = 7:00 A.M.
- 1500 = 3:00 P.M.
- 0000 = Midnight
- 1200 = Noon
RADIO TERMINOLOGY
The use of standard words and phrases contribute significantly to the conservation of airtime. They are short, easily understood, and convey concise meaningful information. Use the words and phrases as stated. Do not abbreviate or ad-lib, and when communicating with outside agencies use the standard phraseology, when applicable.
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
| TERM | MEANING |
| COMMAND | Assign to person in charge at any incident. |
| REPEAT YOUR MESSAGE | Used when radio message is broken or garbled |
| LOUD & CLEAR | Used to acknowledge clear radio transmission during daily radio check |
| STANDBY | Used when necessary for radio caller to stop and wait |
| RECEIVED | Used to acknowledge or Clear (I understand). |
| NEGATIVE | Used to signal “NO”. |
| OUT OF SERVICE | Used to report status. Unable to respond to an emergency call |
| FILL-IN | Used when a unit is relocating to cover an empty station |
| AVAILABLE | Used to report status. Able to respond to an emergency call |
| STAGED AT____________ | Unit is standing by at a designated location |
| PUBLIC SERVICE__________ AT #___________________ | Use to inform unit of need to telephone. Give name and telephone #. |
| EN ROUTE TO: “NAME” | Used to inform and confirm Address/Building response to the correct building name and /or address |
| “WORKING FIRE” | Indicates a situation which will require the commitment of all responding companies |
| “BENCH MARKS” | Broadcast by Command only |
| “Evacuate Building” | The announcement of a change to a defensive mode will be made as “Emergency Traffic” and the benchmark will be transmitted and noted within the dispatch record. |
| Terminating Incident/Terminating Command | Used by the last unit to leave an incident. It signifies to ARP and other companies, there are no units remaining on scene and shall be noted within the dispatch record |
| ALL CLEAR | Benchmark declaring completion of the Primary Search |
| AVAILABLE | Term used to clear apparatus from an incident |
| BRUSH | A light, mobile vehicle, having limited pumping and water capacity – used for off-road operations |
| CLEAR TEXT | The use of plain English in radio transmission. No “ten codes” or agency specific codes or term uses when Clear Text |
| CODE 1 | Response with no lights or siren |
| CODE 3 | Response using lights and sirens |
| CODE BLUE | Police needed immediately. HOSTAGE SITUATION |
| COLD ZONE | Area where the Command Post (CP) and support functions that are necessary to control the incident are located. This is also refereed to as the Clean Zone |
| COMMAND POST (CP) | That location at which primary command functions are executed. The Command Post is usually located with the Incident Base |
| COMMANDER (BY FUNCTION) | Supervises and coordinates the resources assigned to staging area, resource area, rehab area, etc |
| COMPLETE – PRIMARY – SEARCH | First search during a working fire. This is during the initial attack |
| COMPLETE – SECONDARY – SEARCH | 2ndSearch that is done after the fire is under control |
| DISPATCH | A facility from which resources are directly assigned to an incident |
| DISREGARD | Order given to incoming equipment at means that they may return to a non-emergency status |
| D.O.S. | Deceased on scene |
| EMERGENCY TRAFFIC | This statement is made when everyone needs to clear the channel for a communication that is of the utmost importance. When this is heard you must hold all radio traffic until the emergency is resolved |
| ENGINE | A ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping,, water, hose capacity, and personnel. |
| ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL ( ETA) | Estimated time of arrival per unit or agency |
| HAZARDOUS LOCATION | A person on the scene has some form of communicable disease and/or domestic violence and/or weapons on scene, etc |
| HAZARD ZONE | The area of maximum hazard. For a structure fire, the hazard zone is the structure itself, the collapse perimeter, and any area exposed to the fire or products of combustion. Access to the hazard zone shall be restricted to essential personnel who are wearing equipment suitable for the hazards, which may be encountered. Company integrity is required within the hazard zone |
| HAZ-MAT | Hazardous material |
| HOT ZONE | Area immediately surrounding a dangerous goods incident, which extends far enough to prevent adverse effect from released dangerous goods to personnel outside the zone. This zone is also referred to as exclusion zone or restricted zone |
| INCIDENT COMMANDER (IC) | The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations |
| LAY A LINE | Pull hose off of the apparatus, usually refers to establishing a water supply line from a fire hydrant to the attacking company |
| J.P. | JUSTICE OF PEACE |
| MEDIC (MICU) | A ground vehicle providing patient transport capability, specified equipment capability, and personnel (basic life support ambulance or advanced life support ambulance, etc.) |
| MEDICAL CONTROL | Organization that provides medical control for advanced life support care. |
| MUTUAL AID | Established plan of assistance with surrounding departments |
| MVA | Motor vehicle accident |
| OFFENSE TO DEFENSE | All personnel must be informed of the change in strategic Operating Mode and evacuated form the interior before the application of exterior fire streams |
| ON SCENE | Used to check out on the location of an incident |
| (OUT –OF- SERVICE) RESOURCES | Resources assigned to an incident but unable to respond for mechanical, rest, or personnel reasons. |
| PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT (PAR) | Benchmark requiring a Roll Call of personnel operating in the Hazard Zone |
| QUICK ATTACK | To make an initial attack on a fire with existing resources |
| QUINT or Ladder | A ground vehicle providing an aerial ladder 55 foot or greater, a main fire pump, supply hose, ground ladders, and water. Quint companies may function as either a Ladder Company or an Engine Company |
| REDUCE CODE AND CONTINUE | Continue on code 1 to the incident |
| RESCUE | A ground vehicle providing specified rescue equipment, capability and personnel. |
| REHABILITATION (REHAB) | That function and location that includes medical evaluation and treatment, food and fluid replenishment, and relief from extreme climatic conditions for emergency personnel. Rehab operators are established according to the circumstances of the incident |
| RIT TEAM | Two in, two out. Two man team sole responsibility for rescue of firefighter personnel accountable to Incident Commander |
| SAFETY OFFICER | Member of the Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards, unsafe situations, and developing measures for ensuring personnel safety |
| SECTOR | That organizational level having functional responsibility for primary segments of incident operations such as Geographical Area, Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The Section level is organizationally between Branch and Incident Commander |
| SIZEUP | Brief description of an incident, given when a fire apparatus first arrives on a scene |
| SPECIALTY TEAM | A grouping of resources with either an exterior geographic or functional assignment. |
| STAGING | Used for large, complex, or lengthy operations. Additional resources are staged together in a specific location under a Staging Officer |
| STAGING AREA | That location where individual personnel and equipment are assigned on an immediately available basis |
| UNAVAILABLE | Apparatus that is already on assignment or out of service |
| UNDER CONTROL | Signals the forward progress of the fire has been stopped and incident has been stabilized |
| VENTILATE | To open a structure in such a way that heat and smoke can be removed |
| WARM ZONE | Area where personnel and equipment decontamination and hot zone support take place. It includes control points for the access corridor and thus assists in reducing the spread of contamination. Also referred to as the decontamination, contamination reduction, or limited access zone |
EXAMPLES OF TERMINOLOGY USE
- ENROUTE - This term denotes that a piece of apparatus is going to a certain location on a Fire or Med response.Ex: Eng 181 ENROUTE to 1615 Cherry Ave.Ex: Quint 1 ENROUTE 200 S. Parks
- ON SCENE - Term used to check out on the location of an incident or hospital. This is a part of our standard checkout sequence. (Address, hydrant, location)On Scene sequence goes like this:
- Apparatus I.D. (apparatus then number, Ex. Eng 181)
- On Scene
- Address
- Description
- Conditions
- Action taking if applicable Ex: Eng 181 - On Scene - 105 Spinner - One-story brick - Nothing showing (fire call)
Ex: Squad 181 - On Scene - 103 Hwy 342 - We have two cars involved with moderate damage (traffic accident).
- AVAILABLE - Term used to clear apparatus from an incident.AVAILABLE sequence:
- Apparatus I.D.
- AVAILABLE
- From what location Ex: Eng 181- AVAILABLE - from 200 Ovilla Rd.
- EMERGENCY TRAFFIC - whoever broadcasts this message, owns the air.Emergency Traffic sequence:
- I.D. (Apparatus, Command, Person)
- Emergency traffic
- State messageALL UNITS HOLD MESSAGES FOR EMERGENCY BROADCAST
- ALL CLEAR - Term used at the end of the primary search. All clear is broadcast to all units. Primary search determines that there are no victims and a safe attack can be made. Ex: Interior to Command - All clear on primary search
Ex: Command to all units: All clear on primary search
- ICS setup dictates that LOCATION is COMMAND. Ex: Bluebird COMMAND
Always set up command and terminate command. Command is passed face-to-face in most instances.
- OUT OF SERVICE - This term denotes when a piece of apparatus goes out of service for a reason.Out of Service sequence goes like this:
- Apparatus I.D.
- Out of service
- Reason - mechanical, manpower, water EX: Eng 1 – OUT OF SERVICE – for manpower
