TEEX

Chapter 5 — Fire and Rescue Communications

After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to recall basic information about fire and rescue communications including systems, procedures, terminology, and signals used in aviation.

1. Describe basic airport communication systems.

2. Discuss pilot/ARFF Command communications.

3. Describe proper radio and telephone communication procedures. (Continued)

4. Identify International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Phonetic Alphabet designations.

5. Identify words and phrases unique to the airport environment.

(Continued)

6. Discuss the use of computers in airport and ARFF communications.

7. Describe light, hand, and other signals used in aircraft accident operations.

System depends on size of airport

Local fire department off airport

Dedicated ARFF dispatch center

(Continued)

Communication system components

Audible alarms

Direct-line telephones

Radios

(Continued)

ATC personnel provide information

Make and model of aircraft

Name of air carrier

Response category

Emergency situation

Number on board

Amount of fuel

Information issued by airport operator or ATC personnel

Addresses important information

Runways

Taxiways

Essential services

Post NOTAMs

Audible alarms alert individuals

Airport or facility occupants

Regular ARFF personnel

Auxiliary ARFF personnel

Essential support services

(Continued)

Alerting ARFF personnel in fire station

Direct-line telephone

Speaker system

Bell

Klaxon®

Combination (Continued)

Alerting auxiliary/off-duty ARFF personnel

Pagers

Tone-activated radio receivers

Cell phones

Siren/horn

(Continued)

Direct-line communications systems

Between control tower and multiple emergency agencies

Primary means of notification

Test lines regularly

Two-way radios — most efficient means of communication

One or more channels

Multi-scanning capability

Use clear text language or common terminology

(Continued)

Comply with FCC and AHJ

Test systems regularly

Do not transmit false, misleading, or inappropriate information

Computer-monitored systems record and time-stamp communications

(Continued)

Communications/dispatch center ensures proper operation

Clearing the air

Maintaining discipline

Determining priority

Ground control

Local control or air traffic control

FSS

UNICOM

CTAF

ATIS

Uncontrolled airports — SOPs established for movement

Monitor appropriate frequencies

Communicate with ground control

Give specific information

Finish with “Over”

Use a discreet frequency

IC

Provide information to crew

Advise on conditions outside of aircraft

Crew may provide information to IC(Continued)

Pilot

Should initiate communication

Responsible for aircraft and occupants

Uses of interphone system

ARFF personnel to communicate with crew members

Airport personnel during routine operations

Speak directly into microphone

Speak distinctly, calmly, and clearly

Pronounce each word carefully

Use a conversational tone/moderate speed

(Continued)

Speak as loudly as ordinary conversation

Speak in a low-pitched voice

Critical information is spelled out with words

Reduces confusion

ICAO phonetic alphabet is used

A — Alpha B — Bravo C — Charlie D — Delta E — Echo F — Foxtrot

• G — Golf

• H — Hotel

• I — India

• J — Juliett

• K — Kilo

• L — Lima

(Continued)

M — Mike N — November O — Oscar P — Papa Q — Quebec R — Romeo S — Sierra

• T — Tango

• U — Uniform

• V — Victor

• W — Whiskey

• X — X-ray

• Y — Yankee

• Z — Zulu

1 — Wun 2 — Too 3 — Tree 4 — Fow-er 5 — Five

• 6 — Sicks

• 7 — Sev-en

• 8 — Ait

• 9 — Nin-er

• 0 — Zero

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

Base leg Base to final Blind (dead) spot Downwind leg

• ETA

• Final approach

• Flameout

• Fuel on board

• Gear down

• Go around

(Continued)

Hold your position

Hung gear Jet blast Low approach Make a 90, 180,

or 360

• Minimum fuel

• Missed approach

• Overhead approach

• Prop or rotor wash

• Wind direction and velocity

Various computers are used

Laptops

Mobile data terminals

GPS

(Continued)

Use will expand

Information tool

Communications system

Fire scene management

(Continued)

Computers can provide

Data on airport layouts

Prefire plans of buildings

Diagrams on aircraft

Dangerous goods information

Ability to provide status and location

On-screen messaging

Steady green light Steady red light Flashing red light Flashing white light Alternating red and

green lights

Green means you are clear to proceed to next point

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Red always means

STOP

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Immediately clear the runway or taxiway that you are on

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Return to your starting point on the airport

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Exercise extreme caution

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If you are on the AOA, and the tower starts flashing all runway lights, then immediately clear the runway

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Recommended evacuation

Recommended stop

Emergency contained

Back out or retreat

Apparatus is running out of agent

Open or close handline

Change handline nozzle/stream pattern

Advance with handline

Back out with handline

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Communications are vital during any emergency. Airport firefighters must be thoroughly trained and proficient in the usage of the communications systems and procedures found at their particular airfield

(Continued)

This chapter covered NOTAMs, audible alarms and direct-line telephones, radio systems and aviation frequencies. It also covered radio/telephone guidelines, computers in ARFF, and signals used in ARFF.

1. Who may handle aircraft rescue and fire fighting communications?

2. How might airport auxiliary firefighters be notified of a situation?

3. What is the most efficient means for communicating with personnel during emergency scene operations?

(Continued)

4. What is the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)?

5. How does an interphone system work? 6. What guidelines should be followed for

proper radio/telephone use?

(Continued)

7. Why is use of the phonetic alphabet necessary?

8. What does the phrase ”hold your position” mean?

(Continued)

9. What is a mobile data terminal (MDT)? 10. When using light signals, what does a

flashing red light mean?

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