Firefighter III

Module CCommunications (4-4)

3-13.1. Identify the policy and procedures concerning the ordering and transmitting of multiple alarms and calls for special assistance from the emergency scene. (4-4.1)•A       Procedures for multiple alarms:•a)      Developed by local department.•b)      Procedures should outline:• i)        When the procedure is used.• ii)       Who can activate the procedure.• iii)     What equipment should be

dispatched.• iv)     What notifications need to be made.

3-13.2. Identify supervisory alarm equipment provided in the fire station: (4-4.2)

•A       Supervisory alarm equipment:•a)      Types:• i)        Central station.• ii)       Local protective signaling systems.• iii)     Remote station protective signaling

systems.

3-13.2. Identify supervisory alarm equipment provided in the fire station: (4-4.2)

•Question: When planning or redesigning alerting systems, the alerting methods employed should be effective but not startling to personnel. Extremely loud audible devices or bright lights that come on in the middle of the night can be somewhat shocking to the firefighter’s system and can raise stress and anxiety levels. Dull lights and reasonable audio devices are much better.

3-13.3. Identify the prescribed action to be taken upon receipt of designated signals on supervisory alarm equipment: (4-4.2)

•A       Actions:•a)      Call fire department.•b)      Alert occupants.•c)      Dispatch non fire department

personnel to the location.

3-13.4. Identify fire location indicators provided to direct firefighters to specific locations in protected public or private properties: (4-4.3)•A       Fire location indicators:•a)      Provided at a location acceptable to

the fire department.•b)      Indicators show:•i)        Particular building of the complex.• ii)       Which floor of the building.• iii)     What section of the floor.

•Question: Besides public means of notifying the fire department, private protective signaling systems are used to detect & transmit alarms to a fire department communications center.

•Question: Type of private fire alarm signaling system: A central station system is a commercial fire alerting system or group of systems that signal the alarm to the central station.

•Question: Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems: Instead of alarm going to the commercial central station, it goes by a direct circuit to a panel at a public fire alarm office or fire station where operators are available to act on the alarm.

Communications•Communications Center should not be

located near high risk fire hazards.•All lights should not be on a single,

branch-line fuse.•Adequate emergency power is essential,

including reliable secondary source independent of other sources that can apply its power to the line for 10 seconds.

Communications

•Receiving more than 2500 alarms per year, NFPA standards require at least two fully trained operators on duty at all times.

•NFPA 1221: Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Public Fire Service Communication Systems.

3-13.1*. Demonstrate the procedures concerning the ordering and transmitting of multiple alarms and calls for special assistance from the emergency scene. (4-4.1)