1
Q
agencies located at the McConnell Public Safety Transportation Operations Center
A
Communications Section, IT Division, Department of Information Technology (DIT), Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC)
2
Q
MPSTOC Branch
A
- 4 Captain I’s (UFOs) - primary POC for FRD after normal hours/field all requests for assistance from other public safety agencies
- 1 Captain II (oversees UFOs + primary liaison to DPSC)
- investigates service-delivery inquiries, maintains 24/7 staffing, develops training programs
3
Q
Field Comms Branch
A
- first-level comms support and maintenance for over 1800 portable and mobile radios and apparatus comms systems
- provides the equipment, interoperability, and tech services support to the FRD
4
Q
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Branch
A
- 2 CAD Officers (Captain I and LT)
- responsible for the admin and mgmt of the FRD components of the DPSC CAD system
5
Q
Dispatch Ops
A
- 4 UFOs that work 12-hour rotations (0600-1800; 1800-0600)
- UFO provides tech support/direction with the authority of a staff command position
- UFO has authority to deviate from normal dispatch procedures / make response complement changes
- controlling dispatcher + UFO = determine appropriateness of the response
6
Q
Dispatch of Apparatus
A
- Unit has 2 minutes from time to dispatch to enroute
- if they do not, dispatcher shall call the unit to confirm response (3 attempts goes unacknowledged, dispatch next closest unit)
- if a unit responds to a call without being dispatched, OIC notifies DPSC on 4B immediately (nature/location)
7
Q
Dispatcher / Radio Talkgroup / Channel Assignments
A
- Fire Pod A (FD01, FD02, FD03, FD04, UFOD, FSUP) = day shift
- Fire Pod B (FD09, FD10, FD06, FD05, FD08, FD07) = night shift
- All events dispatched by 4A by FD01/FD09
- All events on 4B monitored/managed FD02/FD10
- FD03/FD06 and FD04/FD05 = working interstate and large-scale events
8
Q
Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL)
A
- AQ = location based on station’s XY coordinates
- AR = location based on unit’s XY coordinates
- if unit’s AVL is not functioning/CAD is not functional = unit will be recommended from station’s XY coordinate
9
Q
Equipment Selection
A
- ALS First Responder (AFR) = suppression units with an ALS provider + ALS equipment
- all engine companies shall be AFR1
- at discretion of OIC and BMT, additional AFRs at station can choose which unit to place AFR1, AFR2, AFR3, etc.
- if suppression unit does not meet the AFR response criteria, the unit OIC shall select the blank option from dropdown + recognize the unit as having BLS response capabilities
10
Q
Selection for Dispatch
A
- AFR1 + AFR2 unit both AQ = AFR1 dispatched as primary
- two AFR1’s co-located AQ = unit in quarters longer will be selected
- two AFR1’s AR = closest unit identified by AVL dispatched
11
Q
Firebox Logic
A
- designed to assist with locating emergencies + administrative ownership of target hazards + LOIs
- 6 digit number:
— first 2 = COG regional unit numbering system;
— second 2 = first due station;
— last 2 = geographical area - 50/60/70 series fireboxes = limited access highways (I66/I95/I395/I495/Rt28/FC Pkwy/Rt267/Dulles Access Rd)
- 80 series fireboxes = I95HOV/Express lanes/George Washington Memorial Pkwy - DO NOT REQ OPP RESP
- 90 series fireboxes = mutual box response
12
Q
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
A
- FD01/FD09 dispatch - activates the MCT/Fire Alerting System (after 3 seconds), includes:
— Appropriate Automated Voice Dispatch (AVD) alert tone
— list of units being dispatched
— channel assignment
— box number
— type of event
— location of event
13
Q
When CAD is not functional (Manual Mode)
A
- stations notified by special announcement preceded by the all-call tone
- all-call tone active between 0700-2200 (all other times notification by general announcement only)
- between 0700-2200 station radios in day mode + desk watch + manual station alerting tones
- no digital alerting/messages to CAD terminals or MCTs
14
Q
What do unit officers voice when the CAD is non-operational?
A
- over assigned talk group ONLY (NOT 4A)
— enroute; on scene; with patient; transporting to [hospital]; at hospital; AOR
— only voice district/response area of where the unit is AR if it’s other than normal 1st due for a long period (IE: relocation) - DO NOT VOICE:
— AQ
15
Q
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is set by…
A
Operational Medical Director
16
Q
If clarification is needed on an Emergency Medical Dispatch regarding a specific incident, submit an inquiry …
A
through the chain of command to the UFO
include: OIC name/contact info, incident number, info being questioned, supporting arguments/suggestions for process change
17
Q
Condition 1
A
- normal operations
- make status changes via MCT/proper radio channel (never dispatch channel)
- ADDING TO CALL: voice intent on proper radio channel (to 1st due BC: unit identifier, call wanting to add to, where responding from, anticipated run order); AFTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/CONFIRMATION - push add on MCT
18
Q
Mutual Aid Calls
A
- switch to appropriate channel
- voice status changes AND update MCT for duration of call
19
Q
Condition 2
A
- extended period of increased incident response (ie: heavy thunderstorms, ice/snow, etc.)
- initial response complements to frequent event types reduced (ie: fire alarms, accidents, and wires)
- discretion of UFO
when in condition 2:
- place radios in day mode (0700-2200)
- info about wires, power outages, or roadways sent to SD01 via CAD/MCT
- avoid unnecessary calls to UFO
20
Q
Condition 3
A
- > 50% of FRD units are committed to incidents or OOS
- associated with peak incident response (ie: multiple working incidents)
- responses reduced dramatically to conserve resources
- can only be authorized by DCFO or SDO in coordination with UFO
in condition 3:
- day mode
- wires/power outage/roadways - SD01 via CAD/MCT
- NO requesting dispatch to add to calls
- don’t call UFO
21
Q
Dispatched OOJ
A
when it happens:
- check with Fairfax dispatch on 4B to ensure not on another call
- provide 4B with: unit identifier, jurisdiction, address of incident, event type, operational channel
22
Q
“In service” outside FC
A
update unit status to reflect jurisdiction
— AR100 = Arlington County
— AR200 = Alexandria
— AR300 = MWAA
— AR500 = Prince William
— AR600 = Loudon
— AR700 = Montgomery County
— AR800 = Prince George
— AR900 = Frederick
23
Q
In service outside COG region
A
AR499
24
Q
Med-Evac / Landing Zone / Helispot Comm Procedures
A
- IC provides safe LZ/Helispot - suppression unit requested/dedicated to establishing
— determine/confirm location, secure location, comm with helo, established prior to landing/maintaining until departed) - single-helo = remain on tactical channel / can be assigned separate channel
— unit assigned to LZ switches to/remains on designated channel until helo departs - Radio transmissions used during landing:
— LZ/HELISPOT talk direct to helo / give wires/LZ report
— helo announces final approach
— FFX tells all units to hold traffic
— helo notifies FFX when on ground
— FFX releases channel for normal traffic - Radio transmissions used during landing:
— helo announces ready to depart
— FFX tells all units to hold traffic
— helo notifies FFX of departure
— FFX releases channel for normal traffic
25
HELO Radio Transmissions to abort landings / lift offs
LANDINGS = “ABORT ABORT”
DEPARTURES = “ABORT LIFT OFF”
26
MCI Incidents (who do we coordinate with & recommended activation levels)
Coordinated distribution of patients:
- RHCC (NOVA Regional Hospital Coordinating Center)
- Contacted via Channel 49A / 999-987-7422
RECOMMENDED ACTIVATION LEVELS
- 10 or more patients from a single incident
- 3 or more patients from a HAZMAT incident
- any incident where patients transported to 3 or more hospitals
27
Hostile Events (DV, stabbing, fight, shooting)
1. once ENR, dispatch notifies talk group scene is hot.
2. first due unit determines staging location.
3. OICs can choose to stage at FS
4. once staging location determined, general notification made to notify all units.
5. controlling dispatcher shall update once scene is determined to be warm/cold.
6. OICs determine staging or not.
28
police standby events
- for when PD are involved in high-risk event (hostage situation, barricade, etc.)
- dispatch incs: 1 engine; 1 medic; 1 EMS Supervisor; 1 BC; 1 SAFO
29
Apparatus Relocation
- ENROUTE WITHIN 5 MINS OF DPSC NOTIFICATION
— do not call UFO regarding relocation (ask appropriate chain of command + deputy aide)
— only exception is if delayed or unable to make the relocation due to an equipment issue
30
Notifications
- all personnel are required to keep their online staff locator emergency contact info updated
31
hospital diversion
- real time hospital status can be obtained by selecting the hospital guide tab on the home page of the MCT
32
Fairfax County Primary Talkgroup Assignments
4A/4P - primary dispatch talkgroup/simulcast copy of 4A
4B/41B/43B - primary response channel
4C/41C/43C - primary tactical channels / all roadway incidents requiring an opposite response
4D-4K - incidents that require tactical and/or command talkgroups
41J and K - talkgroups from Arlington County; can be used for IDLH incidents
41L and M - talkgroups from Montgomery County; canNOT be used for IDLH incidents
4N/4O - “talk around” / safety channels; not repeated/not monitored by DPSC
33
Portables for Additional Personnel
- contact BC to obtain spare radio
34
What do unit officers need to do daily with mobile radios?
- ensure ID numbers are entered correctly into the roster on the MCT
35
Portable Radio Batteries
- charging takes about 8 hours
- orange light = reconditioning; takes about 12 hours
- must be charged when level is below 50%
- must be changed after any prolonged fire and/or EMS operation
- not holding charge/significant damage = online comms e-form completed with battery serial number and a copy attached to the battery; then forward to field comms branch of the comms section
36
MCT Maintenance
- each unit OIC with an MCT shall manually install windows updates weekly
37
MCT Sign-on
Sign-on:
- Unit ID + Vehicle # (career 7 + FRD vehicle #; volley 70 + FRD vehicle #) + mobile radio PTT ID
