Ensuring a safe and secure homeland for all North Dakotans

ND Department of Emergency Services

Radio Protocol Guidelines

Legal, Effective and AppropriateRadio Communication

Module 2

FCC Overview

• Monitors• Reviews• Licenses• Fines• Suspends• Revokes

www.fcc.gov

Frequency License• Licensee

responsibilities:– Maintain station

control– Function – Operate properly

Wall of circuit boards connecting dispatch consoles with base stations throughout

North Dakota

RulesNot allowed:• False calls• Fraudulent distress

signals• Unnecessary or

unidentified communications

• Obscene, indecent or profane language

• Improper call signals

Monitoring Transmission

• Monitor for at least 2 seconds before transmitting

• Avoid causing harmful interference

Restrictions

• Minimum practical time of transmission

• No chatting• Be concise when

transmitting

Courtesy of RRR Dispatch

Priorities

Priority calls:• Life safety• Property

Common Errorsand Best Practices

Radio Protocol Guidelines

Voice Quality

• Maintain consistent pitch, volume and delivery speed

• Use normal tone

Rate of Speech

Whoa, slow down.

Headquarters,251,furryfelinefoundfearfulforfleesinfirtree…

PronunciationProblem Solution

• Mispronounced– Words– Names

• Speech– Drawled– Lazy

• Phonetically spell word or name

• Maintain consistent voice quality in all situations

Voice Clipping

Remember the 2-Second Rule!

• Depress PTT button 2 Seconds before speaking

• Release PTT button 2 Seconds after speaking

Letting Feelings Talk

• Avoid:– Anger– Frustration– Boredom

• Be thoughtful

UFF-

DA!

Thinking Out Loud• Think before you

speak• Be clear and

concise• Insert pauses or

breaks for longer transmissions

• Use “stand by” to collect thoughts

• Keep it simple!

I, uh, think he went, um, that

way. Wow, the sun is

bright.

Wow, the sun

is bright.

Personal Pleasantries

Thanks for all the help!

Really, don’t mention

it.

Crowded or Noisy Areas

DO NOT:• Raise voice• Whisper• Turn away from

noise

DO:• Use conversational tone• Use normal voice• Face noise

Method of Calling

4810, Dispatch. 4810.

Method of Calling

4810, copy.

40010 East Carpenter Road theft report. Meet with Clark Kent regarding wallet theft. 4-0-0-1-0 East Carpenter Road.

Acknowledging Transmission

4810, copy.

4810, ambulance enroute.

Pre-alerting• Prioritize• Prepare to receive

– Information– Be On the

Lookouts (BOLOs) – Telephone numbers

Pre-alert Categories• Inquiries – Need to

ask a question or run information

• Information – Sharing information to be written down

• Details – Follow up with details to incident call

Emergency! Now What?

Responders inform the PSAP when they:

1.Receive their page2.Are en route to the

scene3.Arrive at the scene4.Leave the scene5.Are back at base

Addresses & Locations

• Whole address– First, say

normally– Second, break

down numbers

• Common names– Universally

known

Addresses & Locations

• Whole address– First, “4320 3rd

St. E.”– Second, “4-3-2-

0 Third Street East”

• Common names– Discovery

Middle School

Example

Code Usage

?8120, 10-30 using 10-codes. 10-62.

Code Usage8120. We’ve got an illegal use of 10-codes. Reply to message.

8120, copy.

Dispatch Traffic• Confirm receipt of

correct information

• Reinforce information for dispatcher

• Prevent other units from calling before dispatch is ready

Conclusion• Guidance• Recommendations• Appropriate and acceptable practices

Ensuring a safe and secure homeland for all North Dakotans. 

ND Department of Emergency Services