M.A.B.A.S. Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 14

SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS

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DATE IMPLEMENTED: DECEMBER 1, 1996 REVISED:

PURPOSE: To provide the Incident Commander with sustained communication

throughout the duration of an extra alarm MABAS incident.

INTRODUCTION

In the event that an incident exceeds the capabilities of the stricken community and its automatic aid (AA) companies, the incident commander shall request mutual aid in accordance with all MABAS guidelines.

BACKGROUND

All fire departments within Division 20 are also members of MABAS. As a result, each fire department is expected to operate in compliance with MABAS guidelines. This policy derives its reference and definitions from the General Operating Procedures of the current MABAS guidelines and the Model Procedures Guide for Structural Fire Fighting, IFSTA, 1st Edition, also located in the current MABAS guideline.

USE OF ASSIGNED RADIO FREQUENCIES

Each fire department in Division 20 has access to four radio frequencies. The designation and purpose of each radio frequency is:

154.370 Primary radio frequency, (except for Bensenville, Rosemont and Park Ridge) used for dispatching units to reported incidents.

154.265 NIFERN, (Northern Illinois Fire Emergency Radio Network) used

for mutual aid fire departments, especially when the mutual aid companies are not using the same primary radio frequency.

153.830 Fireground radio frequency, this radio frequency is to be utilized on the scene between portable and mobile radios only. Base radios are prohibited from using this frequency because of FCC regulations limiting the transmitting output of radios to less than 30 watts.

155.340 MERCI radio frequency. This radio frequency is designed to provide a communication link from the scene of an EMS incident to area hospitals.

M.A.B.A.S. Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 15

SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS

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PROCEDURE

According to MABAS, the first fire department member or unit to arrive at the scene shall assume command of the incident. The incident commander shall implement whatever parts of the Incident Management System are needed to effectively manage the incident scene.

In the event the incident requires additional resources, personnel or fire equipment, the Incident Commander shall notify Division 20 Main Dispatch (NORCOMM) and request the appropriate level alarm via the primary radio frequency. Once the dispatcher at NORCOMM receives the request, he/she will acknowledge Command and request all fire units to switch to the fireground radio frequency.

The use of the fireground radio frequency serves two significant functions. First, the primary radio frequency is now clear for mutual aid departments to activate their respective department call back systems. Secondly, the NIFERN radio frequency can be used to activate the MABAS system without "stepping on" the radio traffic between Command and the companies operating on the scene of the emergency incident.

NORCOMM will transmit their usual message which includes, ...."have all units switch to, and acknowledge on the NIFERN frequency".... Companies due to the MABAS extra alarm will switch to the NIFERN frequency and notify NORCOMM they are responding, in accordance with MABAS guidelines. Upon arrival on the scene, the unit will notify NORCOMM that they are at their assigned location, staging, change of quarters, the scene, etc. and then switch to the fireground radio frequency.

This allows NORCOMM to monitor units that have responded so as to provide Command with an estimated time of arrival for those companies and to identify departments that have not. The use of radio frequencies during MABAS alarms will be as follows:

154.370 Primary frequency

a. Command requesting MABAS assistance

b. Local fire departments to activate their call back systems

M.A.B.A.S. Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 16

SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS

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154.265 NIFERN

a. NORCOMM will activate the MABAS system

b. NORCOMM will communicate with local departments

c. units due to the MABAS incident will transmit their response

153.830 FIREGROUND

a. Command will communicate with all companies on

the scene

b. Command will communicate with the command van

c. Units on the scene will communicate with each other, sector officers, the command post and Command

The Incident Commander will continue to communicate on the fireground radio frequency to companies working at the scene until the incident has been struck out and companies are instructed to return to the primary fire radio frequency.