Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Call Taker Responsibilities 2
Incoming Phone Calls/Entering Incidents into CAD 2
Duplicate Incidents 2
Maintaining Unit Status 3
Placing Units In and Out of Service 3
Dispatching Fire Incidents 4
Fire Ground Talk Group 9
Recall 9
Use Caution 10
Reduce and Hold 10
Special Dispatch Procedure 10
Paging Requests 11
Dive Teams 11
Helicopters 12
Fire Marshals 12
Priority Radio Procedure 13
Radio Protocol 14
Radio Etiquette 15
Responder Requests 15
Citizen Requests 16
Inquiry and Complaint Procedure 16
Miscellaneous Information 16
Commonly Used Words and Phrases 17
Special Situations 18
Emergency Identifier 18
Tanker Task Force 18
Disaster Dispatch 18
Medical Box 18
Evacuation Procedure 19
911HLP 19
Comm 1 19
Unit Designators 20
Fire 20
EMS 20
Substations 20
Fire Officers 21
Other Designators 21
Type Codes Appendix I
HazMat Dispatch Protocol Appendix II
Helicopter Protocol Appendix III
Chester County Department of Emergency Services
Field Users Guide for Fire/EMS
May 20, 2005
Introduction
The purpose of the Fire Field Users Guide is to clearly define the level and types of services
that the Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) will provide to the Fire/EMS
community. These services are provided via the County-wide radio system, mobile data
terminals (MDTs) and telephone lines.
The mission of the DES is to promote and help provide for the safety and security of the
public. The mission of the 911/Communications Division is to receive emergency calls and
coordinate the dispatch of emergency service providers in an accurate, expedited, professional
manner. The 911/Communications Division also assists those in need with instructions and/or
assistance when needed. The safety and security of Fire responders is of utmost concern to DES.
DES urges the users of its System to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in this
Guide in order to expedite dispatch times and to provide for continued safety of the public and
emergency service providers.
This guide is organized in sequential order--from the time a call is received by a call taker
through the completion of the incident. It is based on departmental policies and procedures,
which may be modified from time-to-time. Additional information on each of the areas outlined
is available, as the Guide is intended to be a quick reference summary for the entire fire/EMS
community.
DES intends to discuss any potential departmental policies and procedures that may impact
this Guide with representatives of the Fire Chiefs Advisory Board/EMS Board prior to
implementing any changes. Immediate changes will be made by notice noting section and page
of the change. Other changes will be made as required and users will be notified in writing and
receive the new guide, page or pages.
Suggestions for changes/additions should be forwarded, in writing, to the Deputy Director of
Operations of Emergency Services.
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Call Taker Responsibilities
1. The call taker is responsible for verifying the location of the incident as accurately as possible
based on the information obtained from the caller and the information in the Verizon and
CAD data bases and selecting the proper type code so that the information can be relayed to
the appropriate dispatcher as quickly as possible. The call taker is also responsible for
relaying additional information, which is relevant to the dispatch and safe completion of the
process as quickly as possible.
2. The call taker is not responsible for advising a caller that a particular fire department may or
may not handle a specific type of request unless the situation is explicitly outlined in this
Guide.
3. The call taker is responsible for providing additional assistance to callers as needed to protect
life and property.
Incoming Phone Calls/Entering Incidents into CAD
1. All incoming telephone calls that require a response from an emergency service provider will
be entered into the CAD system as an incident except transfers for other agencies and
duplicate incidents. Call takers are instructed to enter incidents in cases that may not be clear
cut.
2. All 911 "hang-up" calls will be immediately called back. The call taker will enter an incident
after the call back.
3. DES does not provide information to callers with regard to the following types of incoming
calls. Where appropriate, callers will be provided the telephone number of their municipal
police department.
A. Municipal ordinance requests
B. Garbage collection
C. Fireworks
D. Utility complaints (non-emergency)
Duplicate Incidents
1. Telecommunicators are responsible for determining whether entered incidents are duplicates
of already existing active incidents or are new requests for service.
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A. Similar locations and types may require that emergency responders be contacted to
determine duplicate incidents.
B. If an incident is determined by the dispatcher to be a duplicate of an existing active
incident, the duplicate incident will be canceled as a duplicate and cross referenced to
an active incident that it corresponds to.
C. If an incident is no longer active, then a duplicate incident cannot exist. The incident
in question will be handled as a new incident.
Maintaining Unit Status
1. Fire units are considered to be available unless designated as unavailable by phone, radio, or
SMU/MDT.
2. Units should maintain status via SMU/MDT. (If company policy requires units to voice, status
by SMU then voice after SMU).
3. The highest ranking officer from each station will be acknowledged by radio.
4. The first unit and officer on location should SMU/MDT and voice.
5. Other units may use SMU/MDT only and should receive a voice acknowledgement.
Placing Units In and Out of Service
1. The fire radio should be contacted by telephone to place a unit in or out of service for the
daily out-of-service list.
2. The out of service/ back in service information will be entered into the CAD system to update
response streams.
3. The out of service/back in service unit will be announced over the dispatch frequency as
follows:
Chester to all stations, (unit #) is out of service. or
Chester to all stations (unit #) is back in service.
4. Equipment out of service announcements will be made daily at approximately 0815 and 1915
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hours (if radio is busy OOS list will be announced as soon as practical).
5. When a unit is placed OOS on an emergency (unscheduled basis) a request from the station
will be honored to activate/alert that station's fire or ambulance tones. It will be the
responsibility of the station to notify other agencies or counties.
6. For new units or stations going into service, a letter must be sent to the Fire Chiefs numbering
Committee from the station placing a new unit in service. The Numbering Committee will
make a determination as to the designation and forward their findings to the CAD team for
entry into the system.
5. The station Chief Officer must notify the Deputy Director of Operations, in writing, at least
forty-eight hours prior to the unit being placed in-service.
8. The Stations Chief Officer may request:
A. The fire board to activate/alert the station's fire or ambulance tones to announce the
new unit/station in service.
B. It will be the responsibility of the station to notify other agencies or counties.
Dispatching Fire Incidents
1. Incidents will be dispatched via radio and MDT with the following information when
available:
STATION NUMBER
BUILDING NAME (apartment, business, company)
STREET ADDRESS/ROAD NAME
APARTMENT NUMBER/LOCATION WITHIN BUILDING
DEVELOPMENT NAME
CROSS STREETS
MUNICIPALITY
RESIDENCE NAME
NATURE OF INCIDENT
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BOX NUMBER (not announced accidents/EMS)
2. Additional information, when available, will be provided after the first officer or unit
responds.
A. The first responding officer/unit will be advised of all additional information received
as soon as possible. This information will also be relayed to the chief or OIC when
they respond if they are not the first out.
B. The ranking officer and/or the first responding unit will be informed of road closings,
hydrants out of service if in close proximity to the incident, or any information
pertinent to the incident.
3. Calls will be dispatched in the order of highest priority, longest waiting to lowest priority.
4. If premise information/history or priority warning box text information exists, the dispatcher
will provide this information to the emergency service provider as part of the follow-up.
Dispatcher may enter premise information, with a seven (7) day limit by request of a fire/EMS
officer. Permanent entries require a request, in writing, from the officer in charge.
5. Dispatching calls by radio.
A. All calls requiring response from a Chester County dispatched agency will be
dispatched by radio. Units “AOR” will be hailed via radio. Redispatch will occur only
if requested by OIC or additional equipment is required.
B. Station(s) tones will be activated on high band according to the type of call.
C. Voice message broadcast on high band.
D. Voice message broadcast on proper zone channel.
E. After the dispatch, the station(s) are given five (5) minutes to respond. If no response
is made, a second dispatch is initiated following the same sequence as described
above (B-D).
F. After the second dispatch sequence is completed, the station(s) have two (2) additional
minutes to respond.
NOTE: For fire police and QRS dispatches, if there is no response in the seven (7) minute
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window a redispatch for next due is not initiated unless requested by the OIC or
Command.
G. If no response has been made two (2) minutes after the second dispatch, a response
check is made:
"Chester to station ____, response check."
OR
"Chester to station ____ ambulance, response check."
H. For a fire call, if the chief officer of the primary station is on the radio, he/she will be
advised that the station has not responded. The chief officer will advise what action
to take.
I. If a chief officer/OIC is not on the radio, the next due station or unit(s) will be
dispatched as recommended by CAD.
J. On a mutual aid dispatch, if an assist station has not made a response, the chief of the
primary station should advise what action to take.
K. Second call in the district.
1. The OIC or Command Post will be advised on the zone frequency that there is a
second call in the district. The dispatcher will follow the normal dispatch procedure
for the next due response.
2. This procedure is used for fire, EMS and MEDIC units.
3. During the dispatch, an announcement will be made that there is a second call in the
district.
4. Multi-station/unit(s) voice message format.
a. The primary station will be announced first.
b. The assist station/unit(s) will be announced second.
c. The location information is identical to the single station format.
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d. Example of the multi-station format, specific units listed:
"Station____, Station____, (Unit number), (Unit number)"
EXAMPLE: "Station 4, Station 3, Ladder 2, Rescue 5......................."
e. Example of the multi-station format, equipment type listed:
"Station____, Station____, for (equipment type)."
EXAMPLE: "Station 54, Station 6 for an engine, Station 5 for an engine
and tanker."
f. Example of a multi-station accident format including an engine, ambulance and
rescue.
"Station____, Station____ambulance, Rescue____."
EXAMPLE: "Station 27, Station 22 ambulance, Rescue 21......................"
L. Wording of a fire/rescue/accident radio dispatch.
Single station dispatch:
EXAMPLE: "Station 24, the Center Square Apartments, 511 Center Street, Apt. A-3,
Kennett Square Borough, the Jones residence, smoke in the building,
Box 2401."
M. Dispatching "cover for" and "in place of."
1. "Cover for" is used to dispatch the next due station to handle a call because the
primary station is not available to respond as they may be committed on another
call or out of service.
a. The primary station tones are activated first followed by the next due station
tones.
b. Voice message will be:
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"Station____,covering for Station____."
EXAMPLE: "Station 41, covering for Station 46......"
c. The voice message will be followed by the location and nature. The voice
format is identical to the fire/rescue/accident.
2. "In place of" is used to dispatch the next due station to handle a call because the
primary station did not respond in the allotted time period.
a. The primary station tones are activated first followed by the next due station
tones.
b. Voice message will be:
"Station____,in place of Station____."
EXAMPLE: "Station 41, in place of Station 46."
c. The voice message is identical to the fire/ rescue/accident.
6. Out of county stations.
A. Delaware, New Castle, Cecil, Berks, Lancaster and Montgomery.
1. When an out-of-County unit is due on the call or specifically requested, the station
requested is announced on the dispatch frequency during the radio dispatch.
NOTE: If the out-of-county station is the primary response with no Chester County
station being sent, announcement will be made on the North-East or South-
West frequency by one alert tone and announcing the station, location, and
nature of the call.
2. The assisting County Center will then be called by phone.
7. Notifications and supplements will be viewed, read and dispatched by the dispatcher in a
timely fashion.
A. An incident is entered as dispatched during the tone activation function.
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B. A unit status is entered as en route as follows:
1. Via MDT/SMU by hitting the en route and transmit button or
2. Via radio by advising the dispatcher that it is en route to the incident.
C. A unit status is entered as on scene as follows:
1. Via MDT/SMU by hitting the on scene and transmit button or
2. Via radio by advising the dispatcher that it is on scene at the incident.
D. A unit status is marked as available as follows:
1. Via MDT/SMU by hitting the AOR or AIQ and transmit button or
2. Via radio by advising the dispatcher that it is available.
Fire Ground Talk Groups
1. Assigning fire ground talk groups will be at the discretion of the dispatcher.
2. The dispatcher should, if possible, have units switch prior to or soon after initiation of a
command post.
3. The first choice will be the zone fire ground 1.
The dispatcher shall announce on the dispatch frequency and primary talk group “Units
responding to (location) switch and operate on (assigned talk group).”
4. The dispatcher shall announce on the assigned talk group “(talk group) is assigned for units
responding to (location).”
5. Fire Officers may utilize fire ground talk groups to minimize congestion on the primary talk
group.
6. The decision to switch operations to a secondary talk group should be made with the entire
response community’s best interest in mind.
7. Fire Ground Talk Groups are monitored only when assigned for use by a dispatcher. Fire
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Ground 1 will be the first choice.
8. Fire Ground talk groups may be used for scene communications without being assigned by
dispatch, but will not be monitored.
Simplex
1. Simplex (FD) channels may be used as deemed appropriate by the OIC.
2. Simplex channels are for short distance communications.
3. Simplex channels are not monitored by the dispatcher.
Recall
1. Three (3) alert tones will be broadcast.
2. Voice message will be broadcast by the dispatcher:
"All units responding to (location of incident), authority of (OIC), recall."
3. A roll call of responding units which did not update status as AOR or AIQ will take place.
Units on scene are not roll called.
4. The units will be recalled in the order as displayed on the dispatcher's CAD screen.
5. If multiple stations are responding, the units will be grouped by station and each one will be
polled individually.
6. Units will not be polled during priority radio.
7. If specific units are to continue response, the following voice message will be broadcast:
All units responding to (location of incident), with the exception of (unit(s) to continue
response), recall authority of (OIC).
7. The following announcement will be broadcast on the North-East or South-West Channel:
Station(s)____have been recalled.
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9. Only the station number will be broadcast when all of the units from that station have been
recalled.
Use Caution
When a unit advises responding units to use caution followed by the reason, the following will be
broadcast by the dispatcher:
All units responding to (location of incident), use caution due to (supply given
information).
Reduce and Hold
1. When the OIC orders units to reduce and hold the dispatcher will broadcast.
All units responding to (location), reduce and hold.
2. The OIC may elect to have all units except specific units reduce and hold.
All units responding to (location) with the exception of (specified unit(s)), reduce and
hold.
3. When a unit responds after a Reduce and Hold announcement, the dispatcher will
acknowledge the response and remind the unit that they are under Reduce and Hold.
Special Dispatch Procedure
1. Any special dispatch procedure over thirty (30) days requires a letter from the fire chief.
2. When the special dispatch procedure is discontinued, a letter will be sent by the requester to
DES advising of the end of the special dispatch procedure.
3. Drills may be dispatched upon request.
A. When a drill form has been submitted.
NOTE: A drill form is not required for a single
station or single department drill request; however, two hours notice is required.
B. When a drill form has not been submitted the Shift Supervisor must authorize the
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dispatch
C. Emergency radio traffic has priority over drill dispatches.
Paging Requests
1. Company officers may be paged when requested for official business.
2. All requests are to be directed to the dispatcher. If the dispatcher has a question regarding the
page the supervisor will be notified .
A. Paging on fire frequencies should be done only after all other means have been
exhausted.
B. In the case of a burning ordinance question, the municipal Fire Marshal of the
municipality should be paged. If no municipal FM is listed, contact the fire Chief.
C. Contact will be attempted by: Digital pager, phone, then Ofc. tones.
3. Chief officers may request a Special Contact. Special Contacts may be used when the Chief is
unavailable. Special Contact letters should consist of dates unavailable and who should be
contacted in lieu of the chief.
Dive Teams
1. Dive teams will be dispatched for a water recovery when the victim(s) are reported to be
BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER.
2. When victim(s) are reported On The SURFACE OF THE WATER, dive teams will be
dispatched for a water rescue at the request of the local OIC or Command Post.
3. If sufficient information cannot be obtained from the caller regarding whether the victim(s)
are ON or BELOW the surface of the water, dispatch the dive team along with the local
station response that is designated in CAD under Water Rescue.
Helicopter Response for pre-Hospital Transports
1. Circumstances appropriate for the use of a helicopter in the pre-hospital setting include those
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instances where the reduction in transport time would result in a decrease in the mortality or
morbidity of the patient and in those instances where the time needed to initiate ALS can be
significantly reduced.
2. The current Helicopter protocol may be found in Appendix III of this document.
Fire Marshals
1. Fire investigations are handled by the Chester County Fire Marshal and the Pennsylvania
State Police Fire Marshal (Embreeville Barracks).
2. When a field unit requests the County Fire Marshal, the Chief County Fire Marshal will be
notified. The County Fire Marshal will make the request for the zone assistant.
3. Automatic notification of the County Fire Marshal will be for the following incidents:
A. Any civilian/firefighter injury related to a fire scene.
B. Any burn injuries.
C. Any fire scene fatality.
D. Any fire related incident at a county owned or leased property.
E. Any major fire (Supervisor will use discretion in regards to what is a major fire).
4. Municipal Fire Marshals.
A. A request for a Municipal Fire Marshal will come from a police or fire field unit.
B. When a Municipal Fire Marshal is requested to respond to an incident where the fire
department has not been dispatched, with the exception of a burning ordinance Paging
Requests 2 b, the fire chief of the first due station will also be notified.
5. The State Police Fire Marshal will be notified at the request of the County Fire Marshal.
Priority Radio Procedure.
1. There are situations that arise and conditions that may create an overload situation. These
may include winter storms, lightning storms, field fires, other major events.
2. At the discretion of the Shift Supervisor, a priority radio alert may be instituted.
3. Priority radio alerts will include the entire fire radio.
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4. Conducting a priority radio alert.
A. The fire radio will activate three (3) alert tones on the all call and announce that the
County is in a priority radio alert.
"Chester County Fire Radio is on Priority Radio"
B. Fire chiefs may determine the need to have personnel report to their stations.
C. The fire radio will announce at the end of each initial dispatch that the fire radio is
operating under priority radio alert.
5. During the alert condition, the fire radio will downgrade responses to one station for the
following:
A. Automatic alarms.
B. Trees and wires.
C. Lightning strikes with no visible fire.
6. Only one officer and the first responding unit will notify the fire radio that they are responding
via radio. Other units should utilize MDT/SMU only.
7. Only the first officer or piece of apparatus to arrive on location will advise the fire radio via
radio.
8. The OIC or Command Post will advise the fire radio when all units at the scene are available.
9. The fire radio will not provide incident times during alert condition.
10 Units already in service for, or responding to, nuisance type calls will not be tone alerted on
additional calls.
11. There will be no roll call of units on recalls.
12. The fire radio will announce when the priority radio alert has been terminated and the fire
radio will return to normal operating conditions.
"Chester County Fire Radio is off Priority Radio"
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13. During a priority radio alert, all unit to unit radio transmissions should be emergency only.
14. Cellular telephones should be used to handle requests and notifications on a local level when
possible.
15. Under extreme circumstances; stations may be notified via phone or station printer for
dispatches.
Radio Protocol
1. All users of the Emergency Services Radio system must adhere to the operational policies.
2. All radio transmissions between the fire radio and emergency responders must include the full
unit designation preceded by the unit identifier.
A. Units will be called by the dispatcher using the complete unit identifier preceded by
the word, "Engine, Tanker, Medic, Ambulance, etc."
EXAMPLE: "Chester to Engine 67-1"
B. The unit should then acknowledge the call using the complete unit identifier.
EXAMPLE: "Engine 67-1 go ahead"
2. The fire radio will be identified as "Chester."
3. When conversing by radio with other counties, the fire radio will be identified as, "Chester
County."
4. All incidents will be dispatched via radio and MDT as described Dispatching Fire Incidents.
5. Additional information will be provided, if available, after the first unit responds.
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Radio Etiquette
1. The International Phonetic Alphabet is to be used at all times:
INTERNATIONAL PHONETIC ALPHABET
(A) ALPHA (N) NOVEMBER
(B) BRAVO (O) OSCAR
(C) CHARLIE (P) PAPA
(D) DELTA (Q) QUEBEC
(E) ECHO (R) ROMEO
(F) FOXTROT (S) SIERRA
(G) GOLF (T) TANGO
(H) HOTEL (U) UNIFORM
(I) INDIA (V) VICTOR
(J) JULIET (W) WHISKEY
(K) KILO (X) X-RAY
(L) LIMA (Y) YANKEE
(M) MIKE (Z) ZULU
2. Carefully monitor the working channel for other traffic.
3. Make certain you are on the correct talk group.
4. Allow time for other transmissions to end.
5. Wait for the tone acknowledgement before speaking.
6. Always place your microphone back in the holder when not in use.
7. Any complaint about service should be directed to the shift supervisor at 610-344-5100. It
should not be broadcast over the radio or discussed with a telecommunicator.
Responder Requests
1. Requests must be of an emergency nature.
2. DES will not be used as an answering service for personal matters of responders or their
family members.
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3. Emergency and routine radio problems/repair requests should be directed to the shift
Supervisor at 610-344-5100.
4. Tape requests should be directed in writing to the Quality Coordinator within 72 hours of the
incident.
5. Requests for special announcements should be directed to the Shift supervisor for approval.
6. Requests for fire police are to be dispatched as any other except that the house sirens are not
activated unless indicated.
7. Requests for additional equipment should only be made by the OIC.
Citizens Requests
Water in basements, animals in trees etc. are classified as public service calls. These calls are
dispatched to the chief officer for disposition.
Inquiry and Complaint Procedure
All inquiries, commendations and complaints should be directed to the Shift Supervisor at 610-
344-5100. If the situation is not resolved, the OIC should complete the DES Incident Report and
forward it to the Liaison Coordinator.
Miscellaneous Information
If a request is made for PECO Energy and Gas, the closest street address or the closest
intersection is needed.
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Commonly Used Phrases
Phrase or Word Meaning
Emergency Traffic only Keep this channel clear of all transmissions except those of
an emergent nature.
Proceed, priority only There is an emergency situation in progress, do not
continue to call unless you have an emergency.
Proceed Go ahead with your message.
Okay Message acknowledged
Standby Do not transmit your message at this time. I will call you
back when you may transmit.
Repeat Go again with your message.
Disregard You may cancel the last request/transmission.
Reduce and hold Units en route, reduce speed. Units which have not
responded, stay at your station.
Level 1 Staging Units stage 1 to 2 blocks from scene. Prepared to enter.
Level 2 Staging Units will stage at designated area. Provided by OIC
Or designee
Proceed with Caution Unit proceed, but be aware of danger or unusual
circumstance
Proceed, Reduced Rate Unit proceed at non-emergency rate
Command Incident Commander
CP Command Post when OIC is not on radio
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Special Situations
Emergency Identifier
1. Upon receiving an emergency identifier activation the dispatcher shall:
A. The dispatcher shall make an attempt to contact the unit on the Emergency Talk
Group. If the unit acknowledges and status is okay, the shift supervisor will be
notified.
B. If the unit is assigned to an incident and no response is received, a police incident will
be generated using the last known location.
C. If the unit is not on an incident and no response is received, the station will be
contacted to check status. If status cannot be verified, the Chief Officer will be
contacted.
D. If the responder is in danger and cannot say what the danger is, when the dispatcher
hails, he/she should respond they are 10-15. The dispatcher will acknowledge and
inform the responder to call in when clear for another assignment. This will let the
responder know that assistance is being dispatched for a field user in danger.
E. If the responder is in danger and can let the dispatcher know he/she should respond
with the actual condition.
Tanker Task Force
1. Most stations have a special box for a Tanker Task Force dispatch. CAD will recommend the
Tanker Task Force response for the incident.
2. If a station does not have a Tanker Task Force Box in place, a generic response will be
indicated.
3. In the dispatch, the box number will be prefixed with the phrase, " ___ alarm Tanker Task
Force."
Disaster Box
1. Most stations have a special box for a disaster dispatch. CAD will recommend the response
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for the incident.
2. If a station does not have a disaster dispatch box in place, a generic response will be indicated.
3. In the dispatch, the box number will be prefixed with the phrase, "Disaster dispatch."
Medical Box
1. Most stations have a special box for a Medical box dispatch. CAD will recommend the
response for the incident.
2. If a station does not have a medical box in place, a generic response will be indicated.
3. In the dispatch, the box number will be prefixed with the phrase, "medical box."
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
1. The OIC will make an announcement on the working channel.
(Location) Command to all units Priority- Evacuate the
building immediately
2. All apparatus operators will sound three (20 second) blasts of the air horn.
3. The zone (North-East or South-West) group page will be sent and the dispatcher will repeat
the OIC evacuation message.
4. Dispatch will initiate Emergency Radio; sound the evacuation alert tone and repeat the initial
evacuation announcement on the working channel and the dispatch channel.
5. Unit/sector commanders will initiate roll call and report to the OIC.
6. Emergency Traffic will be maintained until cleared by the OIC.
7. The OIC may repeat the procedure as necessary.
911HLP
1. 911HLP is a National Hailing Channel for use out of normal dispatch area.
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2. Units should contact the desired dispatch center As Follows:
"Chester County Engine 23-3 to (Center needed)on 911 Help."
3. Operation of incidents will normally be on an assigned InterOp Channel not 911HLP.
Comm. 1
The mobile communications van (Comm. 1) my be requested, by the OIC, to assist with on
scene communications and command post operations. Request for Comm. 1 should be directed
to the dispatcher.
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Chester County Department of Emergency Services
Field Users Guide for Fire/EMS
May 20, 2005
Unit Designations
Fire
The designation of fire apparatus will be the classification of fire apparatus followed by the
station number, followed by 0, 1, 2, etc.
EXAMPLE: Engine 24-1 Engine 6-1
Engine 24-2 Engine 6-2
Pumper Tankers will be designated by using the classification of Engine, followed by the station
number, followed by "5" or "6." Should there be only one piece of apparatus for a specific
classification, then the 0, 1, 2, etc., would not be added to the end of the designation. For
instance, there is only one ladder truck in Station 6, so the designation would be, "Ladder 6."
Emergency Medical Services
Ambulance will be designated the same as the fire category; classification followed by the station
number.
EXAMPLE: Ambulance 28-1
Ambulance 28-2
Medic Unit will be designated the same as the fire category; classification followed by the station
number.
EXAMPLE: Medic 93-1
Medic 93-2
Paramedics are further designated individually as follows:
Paramedic 93-1 Assigned to Medic 93-1
Paramedic 93-2 Assigned to Medic 93-1
Substations.
When a substation has its own list of officers and functions as a separate station, then a new
station number will be assigned to that station.
EXAMPLE: Station 54
Station 56
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Rev 4
Chester County Department of Emergency Services
Field Users Guide for Fire/EMS
May 20, 2005
Fire/Rescue Company Officer Designations.
Chief Officers - Single Station
Categories:
Chief, Deputy, Assistant, Battalion
* If more chief officer designations are required, the designations of "A", "B", "C", etc., will be
used within the appropriate category.
EXAMPLES: Chief 44 Chief 41
Deputy 44 Deputy 41
Assistant 44 Assistant 41
Assistant 44A Battalion 41
Other Line Officers.
Categories:
Captain, Rescue Captain, Lieutenant, Rescue Lieutenant, Safety
* If more line officer designations are required, the designations of "A", "B", "C", etc., will be
used within the appropriate category.
EXAMPLES: Captain 21
Captain 21A
Lieutenant 21
Lieutenant 21A
Lieutenant 21B
Safety 21
Rescue Captain 21
Rescue Lieutenant 21
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