1. Communications Training Introduction to: 800 MHz Radio1

2. Radio Communications 101

3. ObJectives:
A general introduction to 2-way radio communications systems
Specifics of the MetroSafe 800 MHz, Regional Communications Systems (RCS) 3

4. Very High Frequency (VHF)
Our Current System
Very High Frequency (VHF)
One frequency per channel.
Manual control of towers from the Dispatch Center.
May go through Repeater or Direct Radio to Radio
May be “voted” - Many sites receive but only one transmits.
You need to select the proper “Tone” to talk to the dispatcher!

5. Very High Frequency (VHF) Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
May go through Repeater or Direct Radio to Radio

7. Pros & Cons of Simplex
 “Simplex” refers to conventional ‘radio-to-radio’ function where two radios are tuned to the same frequency.  As long as the radios are within range of each other and tuned to the same frequency the user will be able to push to talk and release to listen at all times.
Pro – The use of simplex ensures that radio users within range (generally two miles or less) and tuned to the same channel will hear each other.
Con– Simplex dedicates the full-time use of a frequency; in other words, the resource is committed, even when no one is talking.

8. The New System
800 Megahertz
Digital
Trunked
Simulcast

9. Digital vs Analog Digital Analog
Not as susceptible to obstacles in path of radio wave travel
Receiving radio has circuits that try to correct items blocked during radio wave travel
All or nothing when receiving communications
Radio wave can be degraded by obstacles and distance
Analog cannot correct and you only receive “some” of the transmission when radio wave is obstructed

10. Trunked Multiple Voice Channels and One Control Channel
Control Channel prohibits “walk over”
Control Channel allows emergency messages to become priority – Emergency button gives user highest priority
MetroSafe will have 23 Voice Channels and 1 Control Channel

11. Trunked
The control channel is used by the system to automatically switch each radio on a given talkgroup to the same voice channel.
A voice channel is where the actual conversations take place.
Trunking is a method to make the most efficient use of voice channels.

12. Trunked
Trunked Radio Systems share a small pool of frequencies among a large number of users. They can do this because communications are generally short (typically less than 5 seconds long,) and a particular channel might be busy less than 5% of the time. System users are assigned to "talkgroups" which function as virtual channels.

13. Trunked
When a user makes a call, the radio transmits its current group ID and a request for a radio channel (frequency pair) to the computer which controls the trunking system. The computer then sends out a “channel grant” specifying which radio channel to use, and telling every other radio in that user’s group to also go to that radio channel and monitor for traffic.

14. Trunked
When the user stops transmitting, the frequency is released so that it is available for the next group to use, which can be any other users of the system. On a trunking radio, a “channel” is not the frequency in use, but is rather the code (Talk Group ID) assigned to a particular group of users on the system to identify them to that computer.

15. Trunked
The benefit of this technology to the agencies is that many more virtual channels are available for specialized traffic than there are frequencies. For example, the Fort Worth trunked system has only 20 frequencies, but services over 400 talkgroups. All radio channels in a trunking system are repeaters, so system traffic can be widely heard.

16. Trunked
Priorities: In rare situations there may be more requests to use the radio system - in our case 24 desires to converse cannot be accommodated by 23 voice channels. Should this happen, a priority system is in place. This gives people with a more critical function, such as emergency responders, faster access to the system than the garbage truck driver.

17. Encryption
The MetroSafe radio systems uses two levels of encryption so that sensitive communications remain confidential.
Low level encryption is used on Medical Channels so that private medical information relating to a patient cannot be heard by the public having scanners. However these conversations can be heard by MetroSafe radios.

18. Encryption
High Level Encryption is a more complex system. It is used for conversations requiring a greater amount of privacy, such as during police SWATT operations, or for arson while conducting a surveillance operation.
Only those MetroSafe radios specifically configured can receive high level encryption (the top 3 command officers for each department).
It could be used by fire command to discuss an injured firefighter’s condition without it being heard by undesired listeners, such as the firefighter’s family monitoring the incident on a scanner.

20. Pros and Cons of Trunking
Pro – Trunked radios allow a large number of radio users to have individual talkgroups (channels) while sharing a pool of frequencies over a large geographical area.
Pro – Talkgroups(channels) can be joined together for interoperability.
Con – The ability to communicate is dependent on the radio user’s connectivity with a repeater.  If the radio cannot reach a repeater, the user will not be able to communicate

21. Simulcast
Allows a user to be broadcast from all transmitters simultaneously
Greatly reduces, does not eliminate, dead spots within the service area

22. Topology of 2-way Communications
Simplex- AKA direct or talk-around. – Your transmit and receive frequencies are the same. You do not “go through” a repeater.
Repeater- Your transmit and receive frequencies are different and are routed through a remote radio site.
Simulcast- Broadcasting a message over multiple transmitters throughout a geographical region at precisely the same time 22

23. MetroSafe Repeater Sites
Delta Dental                                   9901 Linn Station Road.
Fern Creek Fire                              9409 Bardstown Road.
Waverly Hills                                   4800 Waverly Park Dr.
Meidinger Tower                             462 South 4th Street
Watterson Lake Park                      Old Manslick Road and I-264
Hubbards Lane                               4400 Hubbards Ln.
Petersburg                                      4601 Old Shepherdsville Road.
Utica                                               Charlestown Road. Utica Indiana
I-71 at County Line                         Hitt Lane and Ballardsville Rd.
Hopewell                                         New Hopewell Road and I-265
Mitchell Hill                                      Mitchell Hill Road (top of hill)
Transmitter                                      1306 Bardstown Road. 23

24. MetroSafe Repeater Sites

25. Why are we changing?
There are a limited number of radio frequencies available with our current VHF/UHF radio systems.
One radio can't communicate with all public safety communities - you would have to carry 10 separate radios to communicate with all of them.
The new system provides the ability of two different agencies to communicate with each other, on demand, and in real time.
The 800 MHz band has the capability of providing nearly 150 frequencies for the metro area to operate on a single radio system.

26. 800 MHz – The FDNY Questions
In the aftermath of September 11th, many questions have arisen about communications difficulties that were encountered. Reading many of the articles the term communications was not limited to radio technology. Many communications were procedural and operational. Since we are in the midst of a large-scale radio system change, the communications problems encountered in NYC were looked at from a radio technology standpoint.
In March 2001, the Fire Department of New York made an attempt to switch to newer digital technology. While these radios were digital, they were not trunked. The department remained on their old frequencies but switched to digital radios. This can be likened to switching from analog cell phone service to digital. The department did minimal training, and the radios acted differently than the old analog radios. Since the users had minimal training, they were not aware of some of the operating characteristics of the new radios. Users soon complained of poor communications. After one week in the field, the digital radios were pulled from service. The New York Fire Department conceded that they had moved too fast in an effort to get the radios into the hands of the firefighters. The commissioner stated that the core problem was the failure of the fire department to properly train the firefighters about the characteristics of the new digital technology. These radios were reprogrammed back to the analog mode. The digital mode has not been utilized since March 2001.

27. 800 MHz – The FDNY Questions
It was also reported that communications were so poor that when a city engineer said the buildings were at risk of imminent collapse, a runner had to be sent to notify the ranking fire chief. What was not mentioned is that the chief who received the report was Chief Peruggia of the EMS Bureau. The EMS Bureau does not have the same radios as the fire department. The only options the chief had were to send a runner or obtain a fire department radio so that he could notify them of the buildings’ conditions. This was an inter-operability problem between city departments.
When the aircraft hit the Trade Center, a radio repeater was destroyed. This repeater had been installed on the tower to improve radio coverage in the area. This resulted in diminished radio coverage. To what extent this contributed to loss of life can only be guessed. It was reported that many did not hear the order to evacuate. The loss of a repeater could be a contributing factor.

28. Key points as they relate to a trunked radio system
Digital technology was not a factor. The digital radios were removed from service. The problems encountered in NYC are not comparable to the system we will have in Louisville. A computer will act as a traffic cop – allowing only one user to talk at a time.
The fire department is planning a detailed training program so that our users will be proficient and comfortable in the operation of the new radio system.
Radio communications inter-operability caused difficult communications between departments. The new system is designed with a focus on inter-operability

29. Voice Channel Assignment
When your radio is keyed up the Central Controller, through the Control Channel, assigns you a voice channel.
All other radios using the same Talkgroup, in the area of the same tower, will then use the same voice channel. 29

30. Basic 800 System
This slide represents four Agencies using a four channel 800 Site. 30

31. Positive – Trunked radios allow a large number of radio users to have individual talkgroups(channels) while sharing a pool of frequencies over a large geographical area.
Positive – Talkgroups(channels) can be joined together for interoperability.
Negative – The ability to communicate is dependant on the radio user’s connectivity with a repeater.  If the radio cannot reach a repeater, the user will not be able to communicate

32. 800 Talk Group Types
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
Dispatch - Talkgroup designated for the dispatch center (MetroSafe) to alert firefighters of an incident to which they should respond. This is a “one way” path. Field units should not transmit on this channel.
For suburban fire, the JCF PAGE talkgroup is patched to the VHF fire paging frequency so that both fire pagers and new radios hear the dispatch information at the same time.
For urban fire, the LFD ALERT talkgroup is patched to the Fire Station Alerting System so the both new radios and the FSAS hear the dispatch information at the same time.
Operations - Talkgroup designated for communications at incidents between responders at the scene and also with the dispatch center (MetroSafe). MetroSafe monitors Operations Channels. They are designated FIRE 1 through FIRE 8. Fire 1, 2, 5, and 6 monitored. 32

33. 800 Talk Group Types Urban
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
FIRE 1 is in the channel 1 and channel 16 position on all fire radios for all zones.
That was done so that a responder in trouble can rotate the channel selector knob as far as it will go in either direction and will have a fire dispatcher on the receiving end.
Good time to note that Urban fire radios will have their channels programmed identically. 33

34. 800 Talk Group Types Suburban
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
FIRE 5 is in the channel 1 and channel 16 position on all fire radios for all zones.
That was done so that a responder in trouble can rotate the channel selector knob as far as it will go in either direction and will have a fire dispatcher on the receiving end.
Good time to note that Suburban fire radios will have their channels programmed identically. That means a firefighter from department A can pick up a department Z radio and will know which channels are which without having to do much thinking.
Exception – Channel position 11 in Zone A which is a department specific tactical channel 34

35. 800 Talk Group Types
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
Tactical - Talkgroup designated for communications between field units only. MetroSafe does NOT monitor Tactical channels.
Tactical channels may be used at incident scenes when the IC chooses to do so.
FD TAC 1 and FD TAC 2 are general Tactical Channels available to all fire departments. Can be used during Haz Mat or special rescue incidents.
F TAC xx are department specific tactical channels where xx corresponds to the department number, such as 11 for Highview. (Every radio will have access to all department specific tactical channels should the need arise.) 35

36. 800 Talk Group Types
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
Mutual Aid - Talkgroup designated for communications between different agencies or for administrative contact with MetroSafe (such as for complex status changes).
All MetroSafe radios (police, fire, EMS and local government users) have Mutual Aid talkgroups.
They are MUTAID 1, MUTAID 2, MUTAID 3.
Simplex – is a channel that by-passes the radio system and is intended for use in areas with poor or ineffective system coverage. Radios will be programmed with a “No Service” alert, which informs users they are in a dead zone. If this alert activates at an incident, responders should back out to where there was coverage and inform command that simplex use is necessary. MetroSafe cannot monitor the Simplex channel. 36

37. 800 Talk Group Types
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
Department specific tactical channels can be equated to “Command”, “Training” or “Channel 8” with the current radios.
Command talkgroups are used for command and control communications while conducting operations. Command talkgroups are found in command radios only.
These are encrypted talkgroups and cannot be monitored by other radios or scanners.
There is a Fire Command talkgroup (FD CMD), and an All Command talkgroup (ALL CMD). The All Command talkgroup would be used for appropriate communications between other agencies such as Police/Fire, EMS/Police, Fire/EMS. 37

38. 800 Interoperable Channels
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
These channels have been established by the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council.
They are common to all public safety radios nationwide.
This means if we get called to another Hurricane Katrina, we can take our radios down to New Orleans and communicate with responders there.
Calling - Channel designated for a person from one agency to contact any person from the same or another agency or Dispatch Center. Once contact is made, the conversation should be switched to an available tactical talkgroup. It is named 8CALL90 in our radios 38

39. 800 Interoperable Channels
Note: See the MetroSafe 800 Fleet Map, for a complete list of Zones installed in the departments 800’s.
Tactical - Channel designed to hold conversations, or conduct tactical operations between responders and between responders and their IC. They are named 8TAC91-8TAC94 our radios.
8TAC92 is the recommended fire tactical channel.
8TAC91 is the recommended police channel.
8TAC93 is the recommended medical channel.
8TAC94 is the recommended command and control channel.
If the channel has a “D” beside the name, it is a direct/simplex channel which bypasses a repeater.
First attempt to use a Repeater channel. If communications cannot be established, assume there is no repeater coverage in the area. 39

40. Site Trunking is a back up mode that maintains site communications without disrupting the rest of the zone. So, Transmissions at the site are only re-broadcast at that site, and transmissions at other sites are not re-broadcast at the site in Site Trunking.
If this occurs, you may not be able to contact your dispatcher . To reestablish a connection with the central computer, you may need to do one or both of the following:
(1) change locations until your radio affiliates with another repeater,
IMPORTANT – If a 800 site goes completely off the air you will only be able to communicate locally on one of the “conventional” channels (8TAC91-8TAC94 or SIMPLEX channels). 40

41. Dispatch Center Evacuation Handout “E”
All Firefighter tone group activated
Announcement made that center will be temporarily out of service
Metrosafe re-located to 768 Barrett
During the time center is out of service Severe Weather Procedure shall be implemented.
Metro safe shall relay any calls for service to appropriate fire district’s via FIRE 8

42. Dispatch Center Evacuation
If back up dispatch center is activated a test of radio equipment will be conducted.
A test of all Fire Operations Channels and activation of fire pagers will be conducted
Metrosafe shall confirm with fire department units that Operations channels and fire pager activation was successful
Upon completion of successful testing the Severe Weather Procedure shall be terminated

43. Radio Trunking System Controller Failure
If the trunking central controller or all voice channels fail, the radio system has a “Fail-Soft” feature.
All MetroSafe radios are programmed to automatically react to a “failsoft” condition. This is displayed on the radio when this happens.
Several talkgroups are automatically combined during a Failsoft condition, thus reducing the number available for use.
Radio traffic must be kept to a minimum during this time due to the reduced number of talkgroups

44. Radio Trunking System Controller Failure
MetroSafe will activate the All Firefighter tone group and make an announcement that the system is in failsoft condition.
The Severe Weather Procedure shall be in effect during the failsoft condition
FIRE 8 will be used to relay all calls for service from MetroSafe to the Fire Departments
MUTAID 1 shall be used for fire departments to contact MetroSafe

45. Radio Trunking System Controller Failure
All Fire Department Tactical Channels will be combined into one.
(A department could use its old VHF radio equipment for conversations that would have been on the Tactical Channels).
The Simplex Channel will still work.
The 8TAC channels will still work.

46. Radio Trunking System Controller Failure
When the failsoft is corrected MetroSafe shall test the Fire Operations Channels and Fire Pager activation
After successful testing Severe Weather Procedure shall be terminated

47. Event Channels Handout “F”
The Metrosafe radio system has ten talk groups for large scale events such as derby and Thunder over Louisville
The talk groups are located in Zone C
MetroSafe will coordinate use of event channels
Fire Departments should request use of these channels in advance thru MetroSafe
If justified MetroSafe may assign a dispatcher to monitor the channels

48. MotoBridge Handout “O”
The MotoBridge is a radio resource that can connect different radio systems together for use major incidents such as outside county departments (Bullitt, Oldham, etc.)
The MetroSafe system can only be used to link to a different system if the responders are going to be in range of the Metrosafe system
The incident commander must request the use of the Motobridge
Examples of uses would be Multi Alarm Fires and Large Hazardous Materials

49. Agencies Accessed by the MotoBridge
Anchorage Police
Jefferson County Sheriffs Office
Jeffersontown Police
Louisville Metro Animal Control
Louisville Metro Corrections
Shively Police
Bullitt County Sheriff
Henry County Sheriff
Kentucky State Police
Meade County Sheriff
Nelson County Sheriff
Anchorage Police
Jefferson County Sheriffs Office
Jeffersontown Police
Louisville Metro Animal Control
Louisville Metro Corrections
Shively Police
Bullitt County Sheriff
Henry County Sheriff
Kentucky State Police
Meade County Sheriff
Nelson County Sheriff
Oldham County Sheriff
Shelby County Sheriff
Spencer County Sheriff
Trimble County Sheriff
Clark County Sheriff
Floyd County Sheriff
Harrison County Sheriff
Indiana State Police
Washington County (IN) Sheriff
Oldham County Sheriff
Shelby County Sheriff
Spencer County Sheriff
Trimble County Sheriff
Clark County Sheriff
Floyd County Sheriff
Harrison County Sheriff
Indiana State Police
Washington County (IN) Sheriff

50. FleetMap
General:
A Fleetmap is the layout of talkgroups or channels for a given radio. The following tables illustrate the Fleetmap for both Urban and Suburban fire radios.
Please note the following:
1. Zone “G” is enabled only in command radios (chief officers).
2. Channel positions 1 and 16 are the same regardless of which zone the radio is using. This is for emergencies (Mayday) and other methods of calling for help are unsuccessful (such as PASS devices, calling for help on the assigned talkgroup).
3. Channel positions 1-4 are the fire department’s primary operating talkgroups.
4. Channel position 5 is the “knock-out” talkgroup for a given department.
5. Channel position 11 in Zone A is the given fire department’s tactical (TAC) talkgroup.
6. PS 1 is Public Service (public works, etc).

51. Fleet Mapping Suburban Command
Channel
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zone D
Zone E
Zone F
Zone G 1
FIRE 5 2
FIRE 6
FD TAC 1
EVENT 1
8CALL90
LFD TAC
FD TAC 37
FD CMD 3
FIRE 7
FD TAC 2
EVENT 2
8CALL90D
FD TAC 11
FD TAC 40
ALL CMD 4
FIRE 8
MED 1
EVENT 3
8TAC91
FD TAC 12
FD TAC 50
ARSON 1 5
JCF PAGE
MED 2
EVENT 4
8TAC91D
FD TAC 16
FD TAC 55
POLICE 1 6
FIRE 1
MED 3
EVENT 5
8TAC92
FD TAC 18
FD TAC 71
POLICE 2 7
FIRE 2
MED 4
EVENT 6
 8TAC92D
FD TAC 20
FD TAC 77
POLICE 3 8
FIRE 3
MED 5
EVENT 7
8TAC93
FD TAC 22
FD TAC 80
POLICE 4 9
FIRE 4
MED 6
EVENT 8
8TAC93D
FD TAC 26
FD TAC 90
HOSP CP 10
LFD ALERT
HOSP 1
EVENT 9
8TAC94
FD TAC 30
FD TAC 99
PS  1 11
FD TAC ##
HOSP 2
EVENT 10
8TAC94D
FD TAC 33 12
MUTAID 1 13
MUTAID 2 14
MUTAID 3 15
Simplex 16

52. Fleet Mapping Urban Command
Channel
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zone D
Zone E
Zone F
Zone G 1
FIRE 1 2
FIRE 2
FD TAC 1
EVENT 1
8CALL90
LFD TAC
FD TAC 37
FD CMD 3
FIRE 3
FD TAC 2
EVENT 2
8CALL90D
FD TAC 11
FD TAC 40
ALL CMD 4
FIRE 4
MED 1
EVENT 3
8TAC91
FD TAC 12
FD TAC 50
ARSON 1 5
LFD ALERT
MED 2
EVENT 4
8TAC91D
FD TAC 16
FD TAC 55
POLICE 1 6
FIRE 5
MED 3
EVENT 5
8TAC92
FD TAC 18
FD TAC 71
POLICE 2 7
FIRE 6
MED 4
EVENT 6
 8TAC92D
FD TAC 20
FD TAC 77
POLICE 3 8
FIRE 7
MED 5
EVENT 7
8TAC93
FD TAC 22
FD TAC 80
POLICE 4 9
FIRE 8
MED 6
EVENT 8
8TAC93D
FD TAC 26
FD TAC 90
HOSP CP 10
JCF PAGE
HOSP 1
EVENT 9
8TAC94
FD TAC 30
FD TAC 99
PS  1 11
HOSP 2
EVENT 10
8TAC94D
FD TAC 33 12
MUTAID 1 13
MUTAID 2 14
MUTAID 3 15
Simplex 16

53. Fleet Mapping Suburban Firefighter
Channel
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zone D
Zone E
Zone F 1
FIRE 5 2
FIRE 6
FD TAC 1
EVENT 1
8CALL90
LFD TAC
FD TAC 37 3
FIRE 7
FD TAC 2
EVENT 2
8CALL90D
FD TAC 11
FD TAC 40 4
FIRE 8
MED 1
EVENT 3
8TAC91
FD TAC 12
FD TAC 50 5
JCF PAGE
MED 2
EVENT 4
8TAC91D
FD TAC 16
FD TAC 55 6
FIRE 1
MED 3
EVENT 5
8TAC92
FD TAC 18
FD TAC 71 7
FIRE 2
MED 4
EVENT 6
 8TAC92D
FD TAC 20
FD TAC 77 8
FIRE 3
MED 5
EVENT 7
8TAC93
FD TAC 22
FD TAC 80 9
FIRE 4
MED 6
EVENT 8
8TAC93D
FD TAC 26
FD TAC 90 10
LFD ALERT
HOSP 1
EVENT 9
8TAC94
FD TAC 30
FD TAC 99 11
FD TAC ##
HOSP 2
EVENT 10
8TAC94D
FD TAC 33 12
MUTAID 1 13
MUTAID 2 14
MUTAID 3 15
Simplex 16
FIRE

54. Fleet Mapping Urban Firefighter
Channel
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zone D
Zone E
Zone F 1
FIRE 1 2
FIRE 2
FD TAC 1
EVENT 1
8CALL90
LFD TAC
FD TAC 37 3
FIRE 3
FD TAC 2
EVENT 2
8CALL90D
FD TAC 11
FD TAC 40 4
FIRE 4
MED 1
EVENT 3
8TAC91
FD TAC 12
FD TAC 50 5
LFD ALERT
MED 2
EVENT 4
8TAC91D
FD TAC 16
FD TAC 55 6
FIRE 5
MED 3
EVENT 5
8TAC92
FD TAC 18
FD TAC 71 7
FIRE 6
MED 4
EVENT 6
 8TAC92D
FD TAC 20
FD TAC 77 8
FIRE A
MED 5
EVENT 7
8TAC93
FD TAC 22
FD TAC 80 9
FIRE 8
MED 6
EVENT 8
8TAC93D
FD TAC 26
FD TAC 90 10
JCF PAGE
HOSP 1
EVENT 9
8TAC94
FD TAC 30
FD TAC 99 11
HOSP 2
EVENT 10
8TAC94D
FD TAC 33 12
MUTAID 1 13
MUTAID 2 14
MUTAID 3 15
Simplex 16

55. Description of Talkgroups (Channels):
FIRE 1: Talk group assigned for Urban Fire primary operations.
FIRE 2: Talk group assigned for Urban Fire secondary operations.
FIRE 3: Back-up talk group for overflow of calls for service, primarily used for Urban Fire. Available if needed for Suburban Fire.
FIRE 4: Back-up talk group for overflow of calls for service, primarily used for Urban Fire. Available if needed for Suburban Fire.
FIRE 5: Talk group assigned for Suburban Fire low priority incidents and administrative communications.
FIRE 6: Talk group assigned for Suburban Fire medium and high priority incidents communications.
FIRE 7: Back-up talk group for overflow of calls for service, primarily used for Suburban Fire. Available if needed for Urban Fire.
FIRE 8: Back-up talk group for overflow of calls for service, primarily used for Suburban Fire. Available if needed for Urban Fire.
LFD ALERT: Will be used for monitoring fire dispatch audio from the Fire Station Alerting system. This talk group is receive only.
JCF PAGE: Will be used for monitoring page tones from the JCFD paging system. This talk group is receive only.

56. MUTAID 1: Talk group designated for use between different public safety disciplines.
MUTAID 3: Talk group designated for use between public service command and public safety command.
SIMPLEX: Direct unit to unit radio communications, not utilizing a repeater. This channel is NOT monitored by MetroSafe.
MED 1: The primary talk group for LMEMS for units operating in Division 1.
MED 2: The primary talk group for LMEMS for units operating in Division 2.
MED 3: The primary talk group for LMEMS for units operating in Division 3.
MED 4: Back-up talk group for LMEMS units and will be staffed based on call volume predicted in the event such as a storm etc.
MED 5: Back-up talk group for LMEMS units and will be staffed based on call volume predicted in the event such as a storm etc.
MED 6: Back-up talk group for LMEMS units and will be staffed based on call volume predicted in the event such as a storm etc.
HOSP 1: Talk group for LMEMS units to have direct contact with hospital personnel at the following facilities; Audubon, Clark Memorial, Floyd County Memorial, Jewish, Jewish South, Norton Downtown, Southwest, St Mary’s and University.
HOSP 2: Talk group for LMEMS units to have direct contact with hospital personnel at the following facilities; Baptist East, Baptist Northeast, Jewish East, Jewish Northeast, Jewish Shelbyville, Kosair, Norton Brownsboro, Suburban and Veterans.

57. HOSP CP: Talk group for hospitals to establish a command post at hospital and for operations of a large scale incident.
EVENT 1-10: These talk groups are available for managing large scale events such as Derby and Thunder over Louisville. Use of the event talk groups shall be planned in advance and assigned by MetroSafe. MetroSafe will determine if the event will require a dispatcher to monitor and/or track the activities of the event.
FD TAC 1: Talk group not assigned to any particular department. Talk group shall be used for incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest an operations talk group. This talk group will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 2: Talk group not assigned to any particular department. Talk group shall be used for incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest an operations talk group. This talk group will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
LFD TAC: Talk group assigned to Louisville, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 11: Talk group assigned to Highview, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 12: Talk group assigned to Harrods Creek, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 16: Talk group assigned to Lyndon, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.

58. FD TAC 18: Talk group assigned to Worthington, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 20: Talk group assign to Anchorage, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 22: Talk group assigned to Pleasure Ridge Park, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 26: Talk group assigned to St. Matthews, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 30: Talk group assigned to Dixie Suburban, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 33: Talk group assigned to Jeffersontown, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 37: Talk group assigned to Buechel, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.

59. FD TAC 40: Talk group assigned to Lake Dreamland, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher
FD TAC 50: Talk group assigned to Camp Taylor, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 55: Talk group assigned to McMahan, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 71: Talk group assigned to Fern Creek, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 77: Talk group assigned to Eastwood, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD TAC 80: Talk group assigned to Okolona, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FDTAC 90: Talk group assigned to Fairdale, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.

60. FD TAC 99: Talk group assigned to Middletown, is used for short term incidents with excessive radio traffic that may congest the operations talk group and will not be monitored by a dispatcher.
FD CMD: Talk group for fire command units.
ALL CMD: Talk group for interagency command units.
ARSON 1: Primary operations talk group for arson investigators.
ARSPVT: Talk group assigned for arson units to communicate among each other.
POLICE 1: Primary operations talk group for Division 6 and Division 7.
POLICE 2: Primary operations talk group for Division 3 and Division 8.
POLICE 3: Primary operations talk group for Division 1 and Division 2.
POLICE 4: Primary operations talk group for Division 4 and Division 5.
PS 1: This is the primary talk group for public service and is shared between all public service units. MetroSafe will utilize this talk group in the future to contact public service units with calls for service.

61. Radio Daily Checks
Ensure each position has a portable radio assigned to them
Check for physical damage to the radio
Change battery on radio once a month
Check all knobs to ensure proper operation
On VHF - check battery charge by depressing the PTT, if red light on portable is solid the battery is fully charged
On 800's - check battery gauge for level of charge on the battery
On 800's - check signal strength indicator for reception
If radio is dirty, clean with a damp cloth

62. Radio Operations
Face to face communication is always the preferred method
Know Emergency Traffic procedures
Know May Day procedures
Hold radio 1" to 2" from face
Speak clearly and slowly
On 800's - Speaking loudly can distort the digital audio
All radio traffic should be concise AND BRIEF!! (Time out timers set for 30 seconds.)
Each member must carry a radio into the hazard zone
Know what you are going to say before you say it
Call signs for members that are away from their crew
On 800's - proper keying of PTT, 1-2 second delay until talk-permit-tone is heard
Radios should be protected from prolonged exposure to water
Protect portables from heat by using turnout coat pocket
Use speaker mics when possible to minimize damage to radios
Be professional

63. Maintenance Security of our radios is critical
Report stolen radio immediately
Missing radios should be reported if not found quickly
Broken radios should be reported

64. And, Before I Forget!
ALL our radios employ close talk microphones to reduce unwanted background noise. This means, if you don’t hold the radio or microphone close to your mouth no one will hear you! ????? 64

65. Approved Radio Language Handout “A”
Responding
On Scene
In Quarters
On Pager
Emergency/Non Emergency Response
On the Air
In Service/Out of Service

66. Arson Investigator Call-Out Handout “B”
Metro Safe notified of Arson Unit Request
Investigator will advise Metro Safe of ETA
Chief Officer Radios programmed with channels for direct communication if necessary
Apparatus to remain on scene until Arson arrival

67. Bomb Alarm Operations Handout “C”
No Fire dispatch until Police request
Respond to Police designated staging area
Fire units respond non emergency
Upon Arrival (Follow Procedure)
Do not use radios, cell phones or Blackberries unless approved by IC (could initiate an explosion).

68. Fire Service Support at Police Activity Incidents Handout “I”
Procedure when law enforcement requests fire service support
Emergency vs Non – Emergency
Scene Communications
Action upon arrival

69. Interoperability Handout “M”
All agencies in Metro Louisville will have direct radio communications with each other
Agencies from Metro Louisville will be able to communicate with other specific State agencies
Agencies from Metro Louisville will be able to communicate with other specific Federal Agencies

70. Inter-county Mutual Aid Communications Handout “M”

71. MotoBridge Handout “O”
Conducted by MetroSafe from radio console
Connects different radio systems together
Can provide interoperability with surrounding agencies on different radio systems

72. Communications to Potentially Hostile Scenes Handout “Q”
Description of a Potential Hostile Scene
Metro Safe actions for Potential Hostile Scene
Fire Service action if fire units stage before arrival
Action to be taken if scene becomes Hostile

73. Requests for Public Information Handout “T”
Requests for Information from Media
General nature
Terminated incident
On – Going incident

74. Requests for Public Information for Level 3 Hazmat Handout “T”
Media Staging
Released Product Information
Evacuation Area
Use of Dialogic System
National Weather Service Radio Information
Sheltering in Place

75. Severe Weather Procedure Handout “U”
Severe Weather Watches
Severe Weather Warnings
Severe Weather Procedure for unusual events
Tornado Warnings
Triaging of Calls for Service
Fire Incident Dispatch

76. Severe Weather Procedure Continued
Individual Department Establishing base of operations
Individual Department has not established a base of operations
Fires reported directly to fire stations
Emergency Operations Center Activation
Resumption of Normal Dispatch Procedures

77. L.G. & E Protocol Priority 1
An energized wire, transformer, or other electrical device connected to or in contact with a structure, vehicle, or other situation which poses an immediate threat to life or property, and/or which may prohibit rescue or suppression activities.
Example: Energized wire on an occupied vehicle, energized wire on a structure that is on fire, hot air balloon trapped in energized wires.

78. L.G. & E Protocol Priority 2
An energized wire, transformer, or other electrical device connected to or in contact with a structure, vehicle, or other situation which poses no immediate threat to life or property, and does not prohibit rescue or suppression activities.
Example: Energized wire on the ground next to a structure fire, energized wire laying across the street, energized wire at the scene of an accident but not directly involved in the incident.

79. L.G. & E Protocol Priority 3
An energized or non-energized wire, transformer, or other electrical device that is not in contact with any structure or occupied vehicle, and is otherwise not an immediate dangerous situation.
Example: Energized or unknown wire hanging in a tree, energized or unknown wire laying in a yard away from a structure.
**The Fire Incident Commander should advise Metro Safe if the Fire Department is standing by on the incident scene and waiting for a response by Louisville Gas and Electric or not.

80. Special Operations Teams Dispatch Procedures Handout “V”
Suburban Fire
Special Operations Teams Dispatch Procedures
Handout “V”

81. Special Operations can consist of any Emergency Response Team
Procedure:
1. Each Special Operations Team shall provide the MetroSafe with a dispatch matrix that shall be common in design and layout across all teams. This matrix will provide the information to be utilized in CAD as well as a backup manual system.
2. A Special Teams Agency will be created in CAD; all unit numbers specific to the special teams will be created in this agency for the purpose of deployment and tracking.
3. Special Teams Command units will also ask for an Incident Number for their individual fire district if they are not part of the initial call out. Units responding will need to use dual unit identifiers until arrival, after which they should utilize only the Special Team unit identifier. This will allow CAD to track response times for their home department.
4. The addendums that follow are specific to each team and shall provide a dispatch flow chart, notification log and personnel tracking log.
5. All Special Operations Teams shall be dispatched utilizing the Fire Fighter All Call Tone. (see attached procedures)
6. An incident leading to a Special Response Team call-out shall be assigned a dedicated Operations Channel. So as not to interfere with on-going activities, Special Response Team members shall use the Mutual Aid Channel to call responding and on scene. Once the Special Team member has arrived on scene, he or she shall switch his or her radio to the assigned Operations channel.
7. When a Special Response Team incident occurs, the Mutual Aid Channel and F-TAC-1 shall be reserved for use at the incident and can be used with the Incident Communications Plan (ICS Form 205).
8. Any information to be relayed to the responding Special Team members who have not arrived will be done on the Mutual Aid Channel.
9. Any request for additional resources or contact with MetroSafe will be made on the Operations Channel dedicated to the incident or as otherwise determined by the Incident Communications Plan.

82. Suburban Fire Four Digit Numbering System Handout “W”
THE FIRST TWO DIGITS REPRESENT THE NAME OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Anchorage 20
Buechel 37
Camp Taylor 55
Dixie Suburban 30
Eastwood 77
Fairdale 90
Fern Creek 71
Harrods Creek 12
Highview 11
Jeffersontown 33
Lake Dreamland 40
Lyndon 16
McMahan 55
Middletown 99
Okolona 80
Pleasure Ridge Park 22
St. Matthews 26
Worthington 18
Trench Rescue 64
Haz Mat Team 66
Water Rescue 68

83. Suburban Fire Four Digit Numbering System
THIRD DIGIT – TYPE OF APPARATUS FOURTH DIGIT – APPARATUS NUMBER
Chief Officer Always Fire Chief
Misc. Personnel/Officers On Duty I. C.
Engine Company
Engine Company
Quad Combinations
Truck Company: Aerial, Snorkel, Elevating Platform
Ladder Tower, Tele-Squrt, ETC.
Water Tanker
Brush Fire Unit
Heavy or Light Squad, Ambulance
Service, Utility or Special Purpose Vehicle
EXAMPLE: Unit 1632: 16 – Lyndon, 3 – Engine Company, 2 – Unit number two.
Unit 5047: 50 – Camp Taylor, 4 – Quad, 7 – Unit numbers seven.
Note: Telesqurts shall be classified as Truck Companies (Third Digit 5)
Articulating Squrts shall be classified as Engine Companies (Third Digit 3)

84. General Fire Radio Operations Policy
Handout “X”

85. Fire Radio Operations DEFINITIONS:
Refer to the Glossary section of this handbook. The following terms are used extensively in the General Radio Operations section:
Channel/Talkgroup
Dispatch Channel
Interoperability
Mutual Aid Channel
Operations Channel
SOA Channel
Tactical Channel
Zone
CHANNELS/TALKGROUPS:
The following Channels shall be available to all fire service radio users:
Description Radio Display Name Remarks:
Fire Operations One FIRE 1 Primary User: LFR
Fire Operations Two FIRE 2 Primary User: LFR
Fire Operations Three FIRE 3 Primary User: LFR
Fire Operations Four FIRE 4 Used for LFR & Suburban Fire joint responses
Fire Operations Five FIRE 5 Primary User: Suburban Fire
Fire Operations Six FIRE 6 Primary User: Suburban Fire
Fire Operations Seven FIRE 7 Primary User: Suburban Fire
Fire Operations Eight FIRE 8 Primary User: Suburban Fire
Suburban Dispatch JCF PAGE Suburban Dispatch Channel
LFD Dispatch LFD ALERT Louisville Fire Dispatch Channel
Fire Tactical One F-TAC-1 Primary User: All Fire (common use)
Fire Tactical Two F-TAC-2 Primary User: All Fire (common use)
Mutual Aid MUTAID1 Primary User: All emergency responders
Suburban Command FD CMD Primary User: All Fire Command Officers
Department Tactical FTAC-XX Primary User: Individual department where XX corresponds to the two numbers identifying the department. A department tactical channel is exclusive to one department only.

86. Tips for Being a Better Radio User
Handout “Y”

87. Changes to Emphasize in Standard Operating Procedures
Handout “AA”