This chapter discusses communications systems and procedures used for airport fire and rescue operations. It covers topics like NOTAMs, alarm systems, radio frequencies, guidelines for radio use, the ICAO phonetic alphabet, common aviation terms, and light and hand signals. Effective communication is essential for airport firefighters to coordinate effectively during emergencies.

1. TEEX Chapter 5 — Fire and Rescue Communications

2. Chapter 5 Lesson Goal 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.

3. Objectives 1. Describe basic airport communication systems. 2. Discuss pilot/ARFF Command communications. 3. Describe proper radio and telephone communication procedures. (Continued)

4. Objectives 4. Identify International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Phonetic Alphabet designations. 5. Identify words and phrases unique to the airport environment. (Continued)

5. Objectives 6. Discuss the use of computers in airport and ARFF communications. 7. Describe light, hand, and other signals used in aircraft accident operations.

6. ARFF Communications System depends on size of airport Local fire department off airport Dedicated ARFF dispatch center (Continued)

7. ARFF Communications Communication system components Audible alarms Direct-line telephones Radios (Continued)

8. ARFF Communications ATC personnel provide information Make and model of aircraft Name of air carrier Response category Emergency situation Number on board Amount of fuel

9. NOTAM Information issued by airport operator or ATC personnel Addresses important information Runways Taxiways Essential services Post NOTAMs

10. Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones Audible alarms alert individuals Airport or facility occupants Regular ARFF personnel Auxiliary ARFF personnel Essential support services (Continued)

11. Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones Alerting ARFF personnel in fire station Direct-line telephone Speaker system Bell Klaxon® Combination (Continued)

12. Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones Alerting auxiliary/off-duty ARFF personnel Pagers Tone-activated radio receivers Cell phones Siren/horn (Continued)

13. Audible Alarms and Direct-line Telephones Direct-line communications systems Between control tower and multiple emergency agencies Primary means of notification Test lines regularly

14. Radio Systems Two-way radios — most efficient means of communication One or more channels Multi-scanning capability Use clear text language or common terminology (Continued)

15. Radio Systems 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)

16. Radio Systems Communications/dispatch center ensures proper operation Clearing the air Maintaining discipline Determining priority

17. Aviation Radio Frequencies Ground control Local control or air traffic control FSS UNICOM CTAF ATIS

18. ARFF and Radio Frequencies Uncontrolled airports — SOPs established for movement Monitor appropriate frequencies Communicate with ground control Give specific information Finish with “Over”

19. Cockpit and ARFF Command Communications Use a discreet frequency IC Provide information to crew Advise on conditions outside of aircraft Crew may provide information to IC (Continued)

20. Cockpit and ARFF Command Communications Pilot Should initiate communication Responsible for aircraft and occupants

21. Interphone System Uses of interphone system ARFF personnel to communicate with crew members Airport personnel during routine operations

22. Radio/Telephone Guidelines Speak directly into microphone Speak distinctly, calmly, and clearly Pronounce each word carefully Use a conversational tone/moderate speed (Continued)

23. Radio/Telephone Guidelines Speak as loudly as ordinary conversation Speak in a low-pitched voice

24. Phonetic Alphabet Critical information is spelled out with words Reduces confusion ICAO phonetic alphabet is used

25. ICAO Phonetic Alphabet 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)

26. ICAO Phonetic Alphabet 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

27. Number Designations 1 — Wun 2 — Too 3 — Tree 4 — Fow-er 5 — Five 6 — Sicks 7 — Sev-en 8 — Ait 9 — Nin-er 0 — Zero

28. Common Terms and Phrases 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)

29. Common Terms and Phrases 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

30. Computers Various computers are used Laptops Mobile data terminals GPS (Continued)

31. Computers Use will expand Information tool Communications system Fire scene management (Continued)

32. Computers 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

33. Light Signals Steady green light Steady red light Flashing red light Flashing white light Alternating red and green lights

34. Steady green Green means you are clear to proceed to next point ARFF Communications

35. Steady red Red always means STOP ARFF Communications

36. Flashing Red Immediately clear the runway or taxiway that you are on ARFF Communications

37. Flashing White Return to your starting point on the airport ARFF Communications

38. Alternating Red and Green Exercise extreme caution ARFF Communications

39. Danger If you are on the AOA, and the tower starts flashing all runway lights, then immediately clear the runway ARFF Communications

40. Hand Signals Recommended evacuation Recommended stop Emergency contained

41. Other Signals 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

42. ARFF Communications move truck foward hand signals

43. ARFF Communications move truck backwards hand signals

44. ARFF Communications Hand Signals throttle pump engine down hand signals

45. ARFF Communications increase pump pressure Hand Signals hand signals

46. ARFF Communications dispersed pattern (full fog) Hand Signals hand signals

47. ARFF Communications intermediate dispersed pattern Hand Signals hand signals

48. ARFF Communications straight stream hand signals Hand Signals

49. ARFF Communications hand signals stop turrent flow

50. ARFF Communications ground sweeps on or off hand signals

51. ARFF Communications hand signals undertruck nozzles on or off

52. ARFF Communications hand signals left turn

53. ARFF Communications right turn hand signals

54. ARFF Communications

55. Summary 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)

56. Summary 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.

57. Review Questions 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)

58. Review Questions 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)

59. Review Questions 7. Why is use of the phonetic alphabet necessary? 8. What does the phrase ”hold your position” mean? (Continued)

60. Review Questions 9. What is a mobile data terminal (MDT)? 10. When using light signals, what does a flashing red light mean?

61. ARFF Communications THE END