Port Ludlow Disaster Preparedness

Radio Communications Guidelines

The Fire Station’s Emergency Communications Room and the North and South Bay Communications Centers should be active in 30 minutes after an incident.

·        (All North Bay Captains except those in areas N8 and N9 turn on FRS radio channel SEVEN (sub 0) and will report to November Comm. Center. The North Bay Captains in areas N8 and N9 will tune their radio to FRS channel SIX (sub 0) and will report to Sierra Comm Center.

·        All South Bay Captains except those in areas S12, S14, S15, and S20 turn on radio to FRS channel SIX (sub 0) and will report to Sierra Comm Center. The South Bay Captains in areas S12, S14, S15, and S20 will tune their radios to FRS radio channel SEVEN (sub 0), and will report to November Comm Center.        

There are three elements of good two-way communications that you have control over that can affect the transmission/reception quality either positively or adversely.

1)    Location

UHF radios operate over Line-of-Sight for very short distances. That makes them very effective without interfering with other transmitters. The downside is that if you get too far away, or obstructions block the signal, they become less effective or sometime totally ineffective.

2)    Good transmitting and listening etiquette.

These little gadgets work really well when only one person is talking at a time. Unfortunately, receivers are not dedicated; therefore they cannot distinguish or segregate a conversation. The receiver will pick up anything broadcasting on the same frequency.

                                          Now The Tips!

Gather your information together before calling. Your report should include area location, damage and/or injury report and assistance requested.

Stop. Listen. Go: Make sure the frequency is clear before you start.

Stay calm, speak slowly and clearly, so people can hear and understand you. Key the mike and wait one second before you talk.

Identify The Intended Party: Say their name twice clearly and slowly in a normal voice. This is called hailing, and only need be done at the outset. Yelling at the radio does not make it louder on the other end. Only the other guy’s volume control can do that.

Identify Yourself: Do I need to explain this one?

Let ‘em Know You Are Done: Conclude all transmissions for which you expect a response with “OVER”

Sign Off: Conclude the engagement with “OUT”. This is a matter of courtesy. It tells others that it’s now their turn.

Radio Check Glossary:              

Loud and clear-just like it sounds

                        Loud and garbled-it is loud enough, but you can’t understand the words.

Weak and clear-the words are clear enough, you just have to strain to hear. Check your own volume control first.

Weak and garbled-just like it sounds. Usually you hear something, but you just aren’t sure what it was. Check your volume control.

Each of these has special meaning, which may help us determine what corrections may need to be made with regard to transmitting locations. Please limit yourselves to these so everyone knows what you really mean

Typical two-way exchange

“November Comm. Center, this is November Six Captain (last name), over.

 November Six Captain (last name), this is November Comm Center, over.

November Comm Center, this is November Six Captain (last name),  We have a  large tree down on top of the house at  number _____, ______ street.   There is no-one answering in the house but we can smell some propane gas”  No other damage in our area, over.

 November Six Captain (last name), this is November Comm Center, I copied your report and will relay. Take no further action at this time until I return to you, over.

November Comm Center , this is November Six Captain (last name), I copy your last and am standing by.  Thank you, out.

3)    To Improve Your Reception 

·        Change your location 

·        Move to a window

·        Get out of your car

·        Hold your radio vertically and slightly to the side of your mouth

Revised October 2008