FIREGROUND COMMUNICATIONS
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” - Epictetus
Good fireground communications should be a part of your everyday operation. They are vital for efficient fireground operations. When communications are weak, operations usually go poorly. Most fires that turn into disasters are plagued by poor communications. There is no such thing as good communications at a lousy operation. The following suggestions can improve your department’s communications.
BUY THE RIGHT RADIOS
Radios should be “firefighter proof.”
Too many fire departments buy “Star Wars” radios–– more radio then they really need. Radios should be “firefighter-proof,” in the words of an old salty lieutenant. This means that it should be difficult to screw up or make mistakes with the radios. The more features and gadgets a radio has, the more likely you are to have problems operating them. The features of a good practical radio are simplicity, reliability, and ease of operation, especially simplicity. Some radios have tiny knobs and fancy features—like the capability of phoning your stockbroker from the fireground. Needless to say, this function is seldom needed on the fireground!
Besides buying the right radios, the next step is to keep the radios fully operational. Most fire departments buy radios in a group. This means that the radios are all new together, so they also all wear out together. This can result in unreliable radios and batteries. A few years ago, a fire officer died trying to radio for help on a defective radio that had been reported as defective, but had not yet been repaired. Every fire department should have a rule: no reliable radio, no going inside. This means that a fire company does not go inside a building unless it has at least one working radio.
Every maintenance person in every mall in America has a portable radio on their belt to report problems or to be dispatched to clean up a spilled drink in the mall, but we sometimes send firefighters into burning buildings without radios. In many departments, there is only one radio per company! Firefighters without radios must try to stay near the one radio, thus limiting their usefulness and productivity. All firefighters should have a radio for their own safety. Many in the fire service say, “Gee, we can’t afford radios for everyone.” The truth is that we can’t afford not to. How many deaths and near misses must occur before every firefighter has a radio? Some firefighters have radios but leave them behind on the rig because they can’t find the radio or they are in a hurry. Firefighters are to be responsible for bringing their radios with them.
COMMUNICATIONS BASICS
Communications can be complicated, so it is important to focus on the basics.
Arrival Reports
The first company on the scene gives a layout location and then a size-up report—similar to the example below:
Engine 1 (first due) on the scene of a split level house, ordinary construction, with heavy smoke showing from one window on the second floor, quadrant A (left, front), passing command.
This report indicates the building type and location of the fire in one succinct message. It is an excellent report because it allows everybody responding to visualize the scene. Other responders are no longer flying blind and will be better prepared when they arrive. Besides helping other responders, it also helps the officer who called it in by forcing him to focus on what the problem is. This process can help the officer to make good decisions.
The first company in the rear of a building or incident site should give command a size-up report similar to the one below:
Engine 2 (second due) on the scene, side C, fire showing from all the second floor windows.
Proper size up is very important.
Poor Arrival Reports
Often, poor arrival reports, such as the following, are usually screamed over the radio:
Engine 1 on the scene, heavy smoke showing.
All that the other responders know from this report is that there is a fire. The fire could be in a detached residential garage, or in a major building. This report really doesn't help inform the other responding companies. If the first arriving company does not give a complete size-up, the next arriving company should give the report.
Correcting The Address
Companies dispatched to a wrong address should give corrected information for the other responding companies. This is common sense, but sometimes companies get excited and simply go into action when they find a fire. Consequently, other responding companies go to the wrong location.
Mask Speak
Good communications are possible while using SCBA. You can effectively talk on the radio through a facemask using a voice amplifier on the mask. The amplifier enhances fireground communications while speaking to one another or while transmitting a radio message while breathing air from the SCBA. Even without voice amplifiers, you can talk and transmit through the mask, however the message will not be as clear.
Report Potential Conditions
The fireground channel should be used to report what you see, what you don't see, and what you think. It is better to report a possible condition (see examples below) immediately than to give a positive report later. It is best to do both.
- ·
It smells like trash
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There is an odor, possibly electrical
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I think we have an apartment fire
Report What You Don't See
If you find no smoke or odors on entering the reported fire floor, notify Command. The actual conditions are obvious to you, but Command doesn't know if you're crawling down a smoky hall, or looking for an apartment number.
Reporting Smoke Conditions
When company officers are checking for smoke conditions in a large building by starting from the top floor and working their way down, conditions on the top floor should be reported as soon as possible. The other floors can be grouped. Officers should not wait until all floors are checked to give a report. For example:
- Truck 2 to Vent: The top floor number 9 has light smoke.
(Always report the floor number of the top floor.)
-Vent to Command: Floors 6, 7, and 8 are clear.
Report All Known Or Possible Life Problems
Examples of known or possible life safety threats included in the report are:
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People are at the windows
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People are evacuating the building
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People are on the balconies
Any single report may not be significant, but multiple reports indicate a rescue problem.
Report All Relevant Information
Don't assume that the IC or others are aware of what you are seeing.
Firefighters arrived to find a store full of smoke, and they thought that the fire was in a storeroom on the first floor. One of the first arriving officers was told by the owner that the fire was in the basement. A firefighter noticed smoke coming up from cracks in the floor tile at the front entrance.
Neither observation was reported or acted upon. It is vital that this type of information be passed to Command. The firefighting forces were unaware that they were operating over a basement fire and the situation turned ugly very fast.
All company officers must understand that the IC is relying on them for information. Danger signs need to be reported. Don't assume that Command or others are aware of what you are seeing. Firefighters can get hurt when everybody on the fireground is not aware of what is happening.
Too often crews will operate in areas where conditions may appear normal, while being unaware of critical factors occurring around them. Following a collapse that injured firefighters, it was determined that some officers saw various danger signs that, taken individually, were not critical and were not reported. The combined observations indicated structural problems that ultimately resulted in the collapse. With complete information, Command and Sector Officers can take action to improve firefighter safety.
Communicate Solutions, Not Just Problems
If you need assistance, report the situation and recommend the solution to the problem.
Don't report, Rescue to Command, we need some more help. This report is not specific enough and will require Command to have to ask what you need. If you need assistance, report the situation and recommend the solution to the problem, as in the following example:.
We have two codes and need another Medic Unit and Engine Company. If you radio only the information We have two codes. Command wouldn't know if you're handling it or are expecting Command to supply resources.
Or radio the following when the masks are low: The masks are running out. We will need a fresh engine company and truck company soon. Do not radio only the following: The masks are running out.
Radio the following: I recommend a second alarm. Not the following: We have lots of fire.
The radio message should be specific and informative:
Attack to Command: We need a backup line.
Vent to Truck 2: We have rescues in front. Open the roof.
Take action if possible to resolve problems:
Rescue to Command: We found a hole in the first floor, and have covered it with an old door.
Everybody Listens
On the fireground when everybody listens, the operation will run more smoothly, and fewer messages will need to be repeated.
Listening skills are an important part of communications. Learn to be a good listener. All responding companies should monitor the fireground channel for reports between on scene companies so they will be aware of the fireground situation before arriving. In addition responding companies monitoring the fireground channel can easily be assigned before they arrive on the fireground.
When everybody on the fireground listens, the operation runs more smoothly and fewer messages need to be repeated. For example, if the Exposures Sector calls Command requesting a ladder for checking the attic, Truck 1 on hearing the request, can respond immediately that the ladder is on the way. This action helps Exposures and Command by using heads-up radio work.
Fireground radio communications should be independent of Dispatch. The fastest, safest, and most accurate communications are direct. Avoid relaying radio messages through Dispatch. If you can't communicate directly with your own companies, something is seriously wrong.
The Quiet Radio Problem
The fire was reported to be on the roof, and the response was two engines, a truck company, a heavy rescue squad and a battalion chief. Upon arrival, nothing was showing and companies checked out the roof and the attic while the chief established a command post. I listened to the fireground channel, but there was nothing to hear. The companies checked and went to the command post to inform the chief of their findings. Some officers seem to believe that the less you say on the radio the better. There was no radio traffic at all at this incident. When these companies do have a working fire, communications will probably be a problem from lack of practice. Every fireground sets the stage for future incidents.
It Sounds Stupid But It Works
Every company becomes an active part of the radio network on every alarm.
As an IC or Sector Officer, do you ever have problems on the fireground because some companies do not answer when you call them? The problem is usually because they are not listening, or they are on the wrong channel. The solution is to talk to all companies on all alarms. Chief Dinosaur says “We are trying to get less traffic on the radio, not more.” He is right that we should try to reduce radio traffic at major incidents, by using face-to-face communication and sectoring. But we should increase radio traffic at routine incidents. It may sound stupid, but it works. At routine incidents, find a reason to talk to all the companies, even if it is just to confirm that they received the message to return to the station. This forces company officers to become better listeners and communicators. Using this system routinely helps everyone become accustomed to working and talking with each other so that communications work smoothly.
Acknowledge And Follow Up
If companies fail to get a radio acknowledgment, they usually ignore the radio and freelance.
Radio transmissions should always be acknowledged. Sometimes you hear messages such as: Engine 2 to Command, we have found the fire on the first floor, that are never acknowledged by Command. Too often messages are sent but not acknowledged. If important messages are missed, people can die. Never allow your radio system to become so clogged, busy, or otherwise messed up that messages cannot be acknowledged.
Assume that messages that are not acknowledged have not been received. If the crews are accustomed to not being acknowledged, the whole system becomes sloppy. If companies fail to get a radio acknowledgment they usually ignore the radio and freelance. Important messages are commonly missed because the IC is not using the ICS and the radio traffic is out of control. Another reason may be that the IC is running around with a portable radio and missing messages.
Too often orders such as: Engine 8 check for water supply problems, are given but no follow up report is sent back. When you complete assignments, inform whomever gave you the assignment that your mission was accomplished. When it takes a while to complete an assignment, keep Command informed with regular progress reports. If Command and Sector Officers don’t hear back, it’s important that they follow up on company assignments to ensure accountability and to make sure that the right things get done promptly.Radio messages must always be acknowledged.
Good Communications Goes Both Ways
Keep your troops informed.
Fireground communication is a two-way street, and it is important for the IC to keep the troops informed about what is happening from the command perspective. Messages from the IC such as: “The visible fire in your sector looks as if it has been knocked down as seen from the outside,” gives the troops feedback and another viewpoint. It also gives them confidence that they are part of an organized effort, and that Command is sharp and looking out for their welfare. Acquaint your crews with the game plan. Brief them during long term incidents such as haz mat or police barricade situations, so they know the situation and what is expected of them.
Emergency Traffic
Emergency traffic messages are a very effective way to clear the radio channel for critical messages. Any sector or company officer can communicate with Command when an emergency exists. Most SOPs use the terms “Emergency traffic,” “ Mayday,” “Urgent” or “Priority” to identify critical messages. When Command receives critical messages affecting fireground safety, the IC should make sure that all the troops are aware of the information.
Don't Play Musical Chairs With Radio Channels
The fewer changes made, the less the chance for error.
The fireground channel should be established at the time of dispatch. Companies should arrive with everyone already on the right channel. If a fireground channel is not designated until it is needed on the fireground, communications will usually be poor. This is because once the troops go into action with masks, gloves, and commotion, it is usually a disaster trying to change radio channels. Normally less than half of the radios get the word. The result is chaos, and on the fireground, chaos is dangerous. The fewer changes that are made, the less chance for error. The moral is: Establish a fireground channel from the beginning.
Adding Radio Channels To A Working Incident
At major incidents, establishing a command channel for the chief officers will reduce fireground radio traffic. The channel change must be announced and then followed up with a roll call to be sure that the chief officers are on the new channel.
After a command channel is established, the command officers must continue to monitor the fireground channel. A scanning radio is not the answer because a critical message may be missed. Critical messages can come over the fireground or the command channel. The command officers should have a second radio or an aide equipped to monitor both channels.
The best time to add new fireground channels is when new sectors or branches are established, so that existing channels will be unaffected. For example, when an exposures sector is established, assign that sector to a new channel. If that is not practical and it is necessary to have some radios change channels, choose sectors that would be easiest to change. The easiest sectors to change are usually the noncombatant sectors such as water supply or logistics. Avoid changing sectors that are involved in interior fire fighting.
Once additional channels are added, it is very important that the command post continually monitor all the channels. At major operations with multiple channels in use, some radios may be on the wrong channel. There have been incidents when firefighters have called for help on the wrong channel and were never heard. Proper monitoring by Communications Officers addresses this problem.
During major operations, there is always a critical need for more channels. It is wise to have available a cache of radios that are on an entirely different frequency. This doesn’t necessarily mean buying more radios. It means knowing from whom extra radios can be borrowed during a disaster and setting up an agreement for their use beforehand. Cellular phones enhance communications and they don't add to radio traffic. Setting up a cellular telephone link between major functions, such as the command post and staging, reduces radio traffic.
Use Different Channels For Dispatch And Fireground Operations
Some departments use one frequency for both dispatch and fireground operations. Too often, dispatch channel transmissions interfere with the fireground transmissions, killing your communications. Critical messages may be lost or delayed because somebody on the other side of town has a headache and an ambulance is being dispatched. For the same reasons, avoid using radios in the scan mode at emergency operations.
ICS And Communications
ICS improves communications because sectoring reduces radio transmissions, and allows more face-to-face communications. The company officer is responsible for keeping the Sector Officers informed about their location and their progress. Companies should notify their Sector Officer of their progress, when an assignment has been completed, or if they must leave the building because of low air bottles.
Sector officers are responsible for communications from their sector. Before ICS, the IC sometimes received the same message from three different companies, and at other times they received very little information. Sector Officers should give progress reports to Operations or Command at no less than five-minute intervals without being asked. A sample report would be:
Attack to Command: Engine 1 and Engine 2 are attacking the fire, and appear to be making progress.
Who Talks To Whom?
Command often violates the radio chain of command by talking to company officers instead of Sector Officers.
The IC talks to the Sector Officers unless there is an Operations (Ops) Officer to talk to them. The Sector Officers talk to the company officers. This is how the fireground should operate when the ICS and SOPs are used. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Command often violates the radio chain of command by talking to company officers instead of Sector Officers. This is a very common and serious problem. Even in many “ICS fire departments” the IC talks to companies instead of Sector Officers, or to a mix of companies and sectors.
The reason this happens is that many Incident Commanders fail to sector routine incidents and talk directly to company officers. When an incident escalates, they often continue to talk to company officers instead of Sector Officers. What we do on everyday incidents becomes a habit that is almost impossible to change in the heat of battle.
When the IC talks to company officers on the radio, the command system is starting to fail. Too often the blame is wrongly placed on the ICS system, instead of the fireground commanders. Command talks to sectors not companies.
The IC Coordinates Communications
Because the IC delegates functions to different sectors, the sectors must be coordinated.
It is critical to firefighter safety for the IC to make sure that the right people hear the messages that apply to them. For example, if the roof team reports heavy smoke coming from the hatch of an exposure, the IC should make sure that the Exposure Sector copied the message. If the Search Sector is operating on the second floor, and the IC gets a report that fire was discovered on the first floor, the IC must immediately notify the Search Sector that the fire is below them. It is important that ventilation and extinguishing operations be coordinated. Engine companies must be notified when truck operations are delayed, and truck companies must be notified of engine company delays. Because the IC assigns functions to different sectors, it is vital that the IC coordinate sector operations.
Messages to the IC are not always accurate. Troops operating inside fire buildings usually have tunnel vision. Most fire departments have tales of inside companies reporting that the fire is under control when in fact it is coming through the roof. Interior reports are often best estimates coming from hot, smoky, and often confusing situations. The IC must keep this in mind when receiving and coordinating fireground communications. The IC must coordinate the sectors.
Incident Progress Reports
Command should give progress reports at regular intervals. The purpose of the reports is to advise Dispatch and responding companies what the situation is. The IC also benefits because formulating a periodic progress report forces the IC to stop for a minute and think about exactly what the situation is at that moment.
The Communications Officer
At major incidents it is wise for the IC to assign a Communications Officer. This officer helps to keep communications operating properly by:
- Recommending the establishment of new radio channels when needed
- ·Working with the phone company to establish telephone lines
- ·Setting up fax and cellular telephone links
- ·Ensuring that all the channels are monitored for safety at each incident
- ·Working with mutual-aid fire departments to handle radio frequency problems
It is important to ensure that your radio equipment (and procedures) are adequate and sufficient to support radio traffic at multiple responder firegrounds.
DON'T WASTE RADIO TIME WITH POOR MESSAGES
Radio discipline is critical because we can't afford to waste radio time. Too many incidents have messages such as the following:
Exposures to Command, we're over here in one of the exposures. It used to be a shoe store, but I don't think it is any more, and I'll let you know when we find something out.
After the fire we can laugh at radio transmissions like that, but they eat up valuable radio time.
Fireground communications should be complete, concise, and clear. The following examples of poor transmissions were taken word for word from the radio tape:
Engine 1 to Command, it's coming out the window. (What's coming out the window: fire, smoke, water, confetti?)
Command to Truck 14, go to the rear and see if you can help them there. (Help whom, with what?)
Command to Engine 28, take the second floor. (And do what: fire attack, protect exposures, rescue?)
Roof to Command, the roof hatch has been taken off. (What was the result? Is smoke, fire or nothing coming out?)
The following radio traffic shows why many IC’s get prematurely gray.
Command to Squad 3, is the secondary search complete? (The IC shouldn't have to ask.)
Squad 3 to Command: We haven't found anybody, and we are opening the ceilings. (Are they looking for people in the ceiling?) 
Command to Squad 3: Does that mean that the secondary search is completed?
Squad 3, Affirmative.
The moral is that fireground communications should be complete, concise, and clear.
Terminology Problems
Many fire departments believe that terminology problems are between fire departments, not within a department. Actually, it is common to have terminology problems within a department.
Problem Cases
A classic case was captured on audio tape during a working house fire. The tape begins at the point where the IC wanted a report on conditions in the rear of the structure, and called a lieutenant in the rear for a report. This is how it went:
Command to Engine 2: How is it looking back there?
Engine 2 to Command: It’s going good.
Command to Engine 2: Is it going good-bad or is it going good-good?
Engine 2 to Command: It's going good bad. (This really happened. You can't make up stuff like this.)
I was a Lieutenant at a multiple alarm fire and stumbled upon an exposure that was so hot that it was starting to smoke from the radiant heat. I called the IC and told him that we had a severe exposure problem. He thought I said we had a severe explosives problem. I didn’t think the old man could run that fast.
Some communications become mixed up because there are no SOPs. One department uses the term “Take your assigned positions,” but the term is not written in the SOPs. Most members think it means to hold up or stage in line of approach, but it can be interpreted different ways.
At another incident, Command wanted a second alarm. This is what happened:
Command to Dispatch: I need a second alarm.
Dispatch: Are you asking for a second alarm or a second line?
Command: That’s correct.
Dispatch: O.K.
It was ten minutes before this snafu was corrected and the second alarm sent. Make sure that everyone is talking the same language.
Poor Fireground Terminology
One afternoon I was the IC at a major fire in the downtown business district. The fire was threatening to come through the roof. The exposure building was attached and much higher than the fire building. This situation made it a potentially severe exposure hazard.
To protect the exposures, I ordered the truck company to “set up their ladder pipe,” intending that it be ready for action if it was necessary to protect the exposures. When I told them to set up the ladder pipe, I could tell they were not very happy with the order, but I had too many other things happening to pay it any mind. It turned out that the fire was stopped on the top floor, so the exposures never really became a problem. In talking with the truck folks later, I found out that they thought I wanted them to start using the ladder pipe in the middle of an interior operation. I thought “set up” meant get ready to do it, but the truck thought that “set up” meant do it. This incident shows the importance of having common terminology. It ended well, but in a worst case scenario, we could have had troops on the top floor engaged in an interior attack and the truck company opening up with master streams from above.
Another example of problems with a lack of common terminology involved an engine company that was directed to cover the rear (Exposure C.) The company soon reported back that there was no exposure problem and requested another assignment. They were directed by Command to “cover your position” –– not a defined term in that department. It seemed that the IC was busy and not sure of what to do with them. What they did was freelance.
Still another example occurred in a fire department that had an evolution in which a standpipe pack was carried up into any large buildings that were not equipped with standpipes. When the fire was located, the standpipe pack was brought to the nearest window and the end of the hose lowered to the ground. Through the years, the evolution became known simply as “dropping the pack out the window.” One night, at a fire, an officer ordered a firefighter to “drop the pack out the window” The excited firefighter did what he was told. To the horror of the officer, the firefighter dropped the whole pack out the window! Using the right terminology is important. From then on, the firefighter has been known as “Drop Pack Williams.” (Name changed to protect the guilty.)
Ideal Working Fire Radio Sequence
Fireground radio communications should flow. This means that there is a smooth, reliable, and predictable stream of messages at every incident. The following radio transmissions offer an example of good fireground communications. Although not printed here, all transmissions are acknowledged by the recipient.
Engine 1 dropped a supply line from 3rd and Oak Streets.
Engine 1 on the scene of a two-story brick townhouse, ordinary construction, with heavy smoke showing from the second floor, Quadrant A (left, front), passing Command.
Engine 3 providing water supply to Engine 1 and assuming Command.
Engine 3 backing up Engine 1 in the Attack Sector.
Engine 2 on the scene in the rear with fire showing 2nd floor, quadrant B (left, rear.)
Engine 2 to Command: The basement is clear, and we're protecting Exposure B (building on the left), and assuming Command of the Exposures Sector.
Truck 1 on scene. Assuming the Vent Sector, and opening roof hatch.
Battalion 1 assuming Command.
Command to Engine 4: Cover Exposure D (right side.) You are assigned to the Exposures Sector, did you copy this, Exposures?
Exposures copied.
Exposures to Command: The 1st floor of exposure B is clear. We are covering the second floor. Light smoke.
Roof team to Command: The hatch is open, heavy smoke is coming out. Both sides look okay from here.
Rescue to Command: Primary search complete. Negative.
Vent to Truck 2: We are working the fire floor. Check below for salvage operations.
T-2 to Vent: We're throwing covers on the first floor.
E-4 to Exposures: The cockloft of exposure D has heavy smoke but no heat.
Exposures: Command copied E-4's message.
Attack to Command: Fire appears knocked down. Checking the overhead.
Rescue to Command: Secondary search complete. Results negative.
Vent to Command: Electricity has been shut off.
Exposures to Command: Smoke in exposure D is clearing up.
Command to all companies: Air monitoring negative. All clear, Okay to take masks off.
T-2 to Vent: First floor's covered. Basement okay.
Vent to Command: No fire extension.
Exposures to Command: Exposures B and D clear.
Command to Attack and Vent: Go to rehab for a break. Engine 2: You are now assigned to the pre-overhaul safety check of the fire building.
Another happy ending. No muss. No fuss. No errors and no screaming or lost messages. All the bases were covered. The attack crew attacked, and the backup team protected them. The building was vented and searched, and the exposures were protected. Things went well for the IC because this fire was fought using SOPs and management-by-exception principals.
Talk To Your Neighbors
Mutual aid is the only way that most fire departments can get enough resources to handle major incidents, so make sure that your radios are compatible with the radios in neighboring departments. Establishing good working relationships with mutual-aid departments before you need their services is critical to a smooth running radio system. Everybody agrees with this, but few do it. It takes a lot of foresight and work to make it happen.
When mutual-aid companies are on separate radio channels, it is not necessarily bad. Sometimes these companies can be grouped together using their own frequency during major operations. The Sector Officer is then assigned a radio from the host department.
SUMMARY
If you use good fireground communications at routine operations, you will have good communications at working incidents.
Radios should be “firefighter proof,” meaning that the radios should be difficult to screw up. Avoid those with too many bells and whistles.
The initial arrival report should indicate the building type and the location of the fire in one succinct message. This allows others who are responding to be better prepared when they arrive.
The fireground channel should be established at the time of dispatch.
Fireground communications should be complete, concise, and clear. You need to report what you see, what you don't see, and what you think.
All company officers must understand that the IC is relying on them for information. Danger signs need to be reported. Don't assume that the IC or others are aware of what you are seeing.
Radio transmissions must always be acknowledged. Messages that have not been acknowledged should be considered not received.
On routine incidents, Command should try to talk to all companies, so everyone becomes accustomed to working and talking together, so that communications will work smoothly at working incidents.
Use of emergency traffic messages is a very effective way to clear the radio channel for critical messages, such as firefighters in trouble or reports of serious situations.
ICS improves communications because grouping companies into sectors reduces radio traffic. Sector Officers give progress reports at least every five minutes, without being asked.
When sectors and companies need assistance, they should report the situation, and recommend the solution to the problem. Avoid simply reporting problems.
Because the IC delegates functions to different sectors, it is vital that the IC coordinate sector operations. The IC must make sure that the right people hear the messages that apply to them.
Fireground communications are a two-way street and it is important for the IC to keep the troops informed what is happening from the command perspective.
At major incidents, establishing a command channel for the chief officers reduces fireground radio traffic.
The best time to add new fireground channels is as new sectors or branches are established, so that existing channels are unaffected.
Once additional channels are added, it is very important for the command post to continually monitor all the channels. During major operations, a Communications Officer should be assigned to help keep communications operating properly.
Cellular phones provide good communications and reduce radio traffic.
Make sure that your communications equipment is compatible with your neighboring departments.