NDOC Two-Way Radio Etiquette DON’T SOUND UNPROFESTIONAL!!

Why Do we need Etiquette on the Radio? In this era of communication, any person may own and operate a scanning devise that will allow them to listen to radio traffic inside a prison setting. If you communicate in an unprofessional manner, the whole department then becomes unprofessional.

What is a Two-Way Radio? Technically, it is known as a portable transceiver as it operates on batteries and is capable of transmitting and receiving on specific frequencies

This is What you are Looking For We call them Portable Radios

Orientation AntennaAntenna Power/VolumePower/Volume Channel SelectorChannel Selector SpeakerSpeaker Key (push-to-talk)Key (push-to-talk) MicrophoneMicrophone BatteryBattery

Orientation/Top View Emergency Button (Orange) Channel Selector Front Power/Volume

External Hand-set

Installs onto the back of the devise Battery

Using a Portable Radio  Make sure radio works  Conduct radio check  Secure radio in proper holster  Be professional

5 Steps to Success Engage Brain Form a Concise Thought Key the Microphone Pause Briefly Articulate your Message

Things to remember oKey mic. and count to two then talk  (Don’t count to two out loud) oSpeak clear oTurn out of the wind oSpeak loud but do not yell oDo not use 10 codes

DO’S u Be Professional - business use only u Have something worthwhile to say u Be brief and to the point u Listen before you begin your transmission u Engage brain before mouth u Remember - everyone can hear you u Speak directly and clearly in plain English u Acknowledge the receipt of all messages

DON’TS  Don’t “Step” on other’s transmissions  Don’t talk too much  Don’t use profanity or joke around  Don’t lose the radio  Don’t shout into the radio  Don’t turn the volume to max  Remain calm and speak clearly  Remember the radio is not a telephone

Brevity is Important u Officer u Officer down (Imminent Danger) u Man u Man down (Injured Inmate) u Need u Need Back-Up - - (Potential of Danger) u Need u Need Assistance (Non-emergency)

Calling for Assistance u Consistency is important. u Repeat assistance call two times. u Indicate any special instructions. I.e. # staff needed, where to enter, restraint, medical required, etc. u When situation is under control, communicate an “All Clear”.

Confidentiality u Keep staff’s names off the radio u Keep inmates names off the radio (if possible) u Inmates & Public can hears transmission u Can compromise security

Manners and Decorum: Never Use:  Profanity  Jokes  Names  Insults Always be:  Courteous  Professional  Clear  Concise

Radios are meant to be used only for the safe and secure operation of the facility and every communication should be treated as though it were going into a log