Considerations on Fireground Communications

Fireground command success is determined by communication before, during and after a fire. Fireground commanders must communicate at a level that allows those who receive directives to understand how they must operate to properly execute the tactics that are necessary under a strategy that’s appropriate for the given complexities of the fire that must be controlled. Given this, command and control of fires starts way before the incident, when fireground commanders train and design response models for their department.

One-way vs. two-way
Communication is defined as the imparting or exchanging of information or news. Despite the “exchanging” element, sometimes, communication is one-way. Taking this into consideration in reference to command of fires, fireground commanders must understand that they command the control of fire by proper communication of what they want carried out by particular fire companies and firefighters who will support the coordination of fire attack that’s considered and determined by the fireground commander.

There absolutely are times when two-way communication is required, to allow input, feedback and suggestions regarding the tactics that ultimately will control the fire. However, always remember that, when all is said and done, one person must be in charge/in command and control of fire attack.

Command presence starts with the ability to communicate in the firehouse, on the training ground and, in the end, what must be accomplished on the fireground with true confidence. Communications is the start to building fireground command presence that has fire companies supporting and believing in the assignments.

At times, a fireground commander might give directions face to face—here, to a rapid intervention team officer—to minimize radio traffic.

Voice of command
In the early years of firefighting, there were no radios, only the trumpet to amplify voices when shouting instructions during a fire. (A bugle that signifies rank represents the tool that was used to command and the power of command.) The modern fireground has two-way radios, and most everyone now has an assigned radio on the fireground, which allows for the majority to hear the fireground commander’s orders. This definitely helps everyone to know what others are doing to overall support the coordination of fire control through the fireground commander’s orders.

That said, even with two-way radios, fireground commanders must have a tone that presents that of a voice amplified from the days of speaking into trumpets, a voice of command that gets all companies to do their best to execute their assigned tactics to support the other tactics that are carried out simultaneously.

In previous “Command & Control Success” columns, I covered command location and radio usage. In this month's column, I elaborate beyond the typical one-alarm assignment for a house fire.

Communications size-up
Command and control is about giving the proper assignments through communication methods and devices that are conducive for the complexity of a given incident. Most of the time, this is done with a portable two-way radio. However, there are times that fireground commanders must enhance their communication abilities by adding an additional radio or radios, to include larger mobile radios with additional options, such as a headset or a traditional telephone-type mic and ear set. Over the years, I found sometimes that wearing a headset or using a telephone-type mic while commanding allows more clear communication for both parties. I definitely can hear better with the headset and the telephone-type set.

The negative with the headset is the limited ability to hear those who are within talking range, even when outside of the command vehicle. Nevertheless, during a larger incident that involves a command team, use of a headset can be very beneficial when it comes to focusing on the assigned radio frequency.

Whether commanding from the sidelines/out front or from a stationary command post, such as an outfitted command vehicle, there are limitations to both the headset and the telephone-type set for fireground commanders. It’s critical to do a fireground command communications size-up of what the needs are. This is based on the complexity of the incident, the weather conditions, noise and barriers to communication, such as mutual-aid companies that are operating on a different radio system.

The hardwired red phone in the elevator at a high-rise allowed for direct-line communications with the command room that was located on the first floor. High-rises can be a challenge when trying to communicate via portable radios. Sometimes, cellphones work better.

Second radio and cellphone
The majority of the time, I operate with a portable two-way radio on a sling that mostly is on the tactical channel. I wear it underneath my bunker coat if I’m assigned to operate in the immediately dangerous to life or health environment. I also carry a second radio in my exterior coat pocket that I can remove rapidly to change channels, banks or zones or to access a patch from an outside agency.

I also carry a cellphone as an additional communication device for any need that might arise to rapidly receive a call from/make a call to fire dispatch or an agency that might not have the capability to talk on my department’s frequency.

Multi-alarm fires
When incidents get more complicated and might involve greater alarms and/or a unified command team, I usually operate from the rear of my command vehicle. This provides me access to the vehicle-mounted mobile radio that has an external speaker; a headset that connects to the mobile radio and/or the telephone-type set; and numerous portable radios, each of which can be set to different channels off scan, so I don’t miss important radio transmissions.

I also have a computer with computer-aided dispatch that provides responding resources, staffing, on-scene times and any other information that fire dispatch inputs. Sometimes, I request fire dispatch to input company assignment information, including who, how many and where they will operate. This eliminates the need for me to try to write down this information, which would require me to take my eyes off observing the incident as it unfolds, to properly adjust to changing conditions. This is more frequent when I operate as a single fireground commander and don’t have an aide or additional chiefs to assist.

Needs, concerns, options
In rare circumstances, other communications tools can be beneficial. These include the vehicle-mounted PA speaker that’s in the grille of the vehicle, a large spotlight (to get someone’s attention), a whistle and even a few tennis balls that would be the last resort to get the attention of someone who’s operating outside of the building. Hopefully, these never are needed, but when critical information must be conveyed, fireground commanders must have the ability to deliver information in any way possible, and the receiver must be aware that the commander is trying to send an important message.

Early in my career, we used the air horn to message the firefighter at the hydrant to charge it. We also used the air horn to evacuate the building. Utilizing the air horn for two totally different messages can be a huge problem. This was the case for me in the summer of 1992 when I operated on the second floor of an occupied apartment building, conducting the primary search for a reported child trapped. This was before portable radios were issued to each firefighter, and only the officer had a radio. The radio didn’t have a portable mic, so the officer frequently missed radio traffic based on not hearing the transmission, particularly when the speaker that was on the portable radio faced inward when it was placed in the turnout coat pocket.

As I was conducting the search, the air horn was blown numerous times and then, again, numerous additional times. Based on interior conditions and not knowing otherwise, I rapidly exited via a second-floor window, only to find the signal was for the firefighter at the hydrant to charge it. It was then that I knew the importance of everyone having a radio, from the firefighter at the hydrant, to firefighters operating on the interior—and of how and for what the air horn was used.

Something similar happened to me in the fall of 1995 when I operated at another apartment building fire: A later-arriving fire company blew the air horn while responding into the box. The firefighter at the hydrant heard the air horn and prematurely charged the hydrant that was yet to be hooked up to the attack pumper.

These are just two basic examples of why communications can be critical on the fireground and to the overall command success of incidents. Fireground commanders always must be evaluating through a proper command size-up that involves communications needs, concerns and options.

Say It Three Times

On occasions when a fireground commander speaks a one-way message, such as charge the hydrant, one should consider saying it three times, as when calling a mayday: “Command to hydrant: Charge the hydrant. Charge the hydrant. Charge the hydrant.” This limits the chance of the message not being received.

Other examples: “Command to roof. Get off the roof. Get off the roof. Get off the roof.” and “Charge the attack line. Charge the attack line. Charge the attack line.”

Commands such as these basically are one-way communications when they are received properly and without delay. I have found that when stating a command three times for such things as what’s noted above, most of the time, the message is received without delay or question.