Wiki Page, Radio Communications: Radio Etiquette

Wiki Page
2014-04-05T17:47:33-06:00

Radio Etiquette

Radio air is public property. Many supervisors, personnel, and citizens listen to the scanner. Your use of the radio should support proper radio etiquette. This means using the radio in a professional and well-managed manner.

Fall River County Dispatch’s Identifier is "271"

In the radio communications system, Fall River County’s Dispatch is represented by 271, pronounced, “two-seven-one.”

Radio Right

Review the job aid below for information about radio communications best practices.

Radio Problems and Solutions

How you use the radio affects how well you are understood. This is important for the safety of the individual and others. The table below highlights common radio problems and solutions.

Radio Problems and Solutions
Problem | Description | Solution
Clipping | Parts of message are lost | Key the radio, pause, then talk
Fast rate of speech | Speaking too quickly | Take a breath and slow down; ask the speaker to slow down so they can be understood

Excessive

chit-chat

Discussing issues at length and taking up too time

Ask speaker to use a talk-around channel to free up the radio

Unintended Keying of Radio | Radio is unintentionally keyed keeping others from accessing the radio and hearing messages | Properly stow the radio mic on its holder to keep key button from being depressed

Review the following video about the radio problem of "clipping."

Radio Etiquette: Clipping

Fall River County Dispatch’s Identifier is "271"

In the radio communications system, Fall River County’s Dispatch is represented by 271, pronounced, “two-seven-one.” The table below offers standard radio responses common to a fire call.

Standard Radio Responses
Remember: 1) clearly identify yourself and 2) keep message short
Dispatch’s call to Oral | “Oral Fire, 271 We have a fire at [location]”
Acknowledging call | “271, Oral acknowledges page”
Driving to the scene | “271, Oral 202 en route”
Arriving on the scene | “271, Oral 202 is on scene”
Request mutual aid | “271, Oral 202 page Hot Springs for mutual aid”
Incident is over | “271, Oral 202 is clear of the scene”
Arrive back at fire hall | “271, Oral 202 back at the fire hall”