Bellarine Group Communications Plan

Appliances responding to calls put turnout & on-scene messages in to VICFIRE on the dispatch channel CH21

Wallington T1 on scene now “Main Rd Control” CH: 21 VICFIRE

First appliance on-scene designates a fireground channel for all other oncoming appliances to turn to, once they have booked on-scene with VICFIRE

Bellarine Group’s Fireground Channels in priority order are: 1 st Fireground Channel: 1 2 nd Fireground Channel:24 3 rd Fireground Channel :77 Trial Digital Fireground Channel: 272 (Used at Incident Controllers discretion) Alternative Fireground Channels: 67423

FG CH: 1 VICFIRE Main Rd Control CH: 21

Once a Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) arrives on scene it can take over as the control unit and the first appliance on scene can join the fire fight. The FCV is listening to both CH21 & the Fireground Chanel 1

FG CH: 1 VICFIRE Main Rd Control CH: 21

Once the fireground has been sectorised more fire ground channels need to be utilised for each sector. Once this occurs a Command channel is also established. Bellarine Group Command Channel is 394. The Incident Controller, Sector Commanders & LCF use this Channel to talk to each other.

The following slide depicts control still being run from the fireground, and the LCF providing support to the Incident Controller.

VICFIRE Main Rd Control CH: 21 Sector A Sector N FG CH: 24 FG CH: 1 CH 394 LCF CH 394 ICP

The following slide depicts the LCF taking over communications from VICFIRE or a transfer of control taking place so control is now being run by the LCF (Now a level 2 ICC) The Operations Officer is operating from the Fireground. The Incident Control Point is now an Operations Point.

VICFIRE Main Rd Control CH: 21 Sector A Sector N FG CH: 24 FG CH: 1 CH 394 LCF CH 394 ICP CH 394 CH: 21

If another fire breaks out in the Group Area, the Group will advise which fireground channel is to be used at that fire.

If the 2nd fire turns into a fire that also requires sectorisation, the Group will advise what channels are to be used. The IC/Op’s at the 1 st fire will be given a new channel for the commanders at that fire to work on. The controllers at both fires will continue to use CH 394 to talk to the LCF.

VICFIRE 1st Fire Sector A Sector N FG CH: 24 FG CH: 1 CH 394 LCF CH 394 CH: 21 CH 77

The controllers at both fires will continue to use CH 394 to talk to the LCF. The next slide shows the complete communications plan for both Fire 1 & Fire 2 with all Communications being run out of the LCF.

VICFIRE Fire 1 Fire 2 LCF CH 394 CH: 21 CH 77 CH 6 CH: 24CH: 1 CH: 74CH: 23

Strike Team Dispatch Radio Channels

Appliances responding to assembly areas (Eg, Leopold Fire Station) for Strike Team Deployment turnout to VICFIRE on CH21 and wait for them to acknowledge your call.

Then put your portable on CH21 and change your appliance radio to CH 394 whilst you travel to the Strike Team assembly area. This is so the Strike Team Leader, LCF or Group Duty Officer can contact you if required on your way to the assembly area.

“Drysdale T1 Turning out as part of ST0702 to assemble at Leopold Fire Station” CH: 21 VICFIRE STL CH: 394

Once you arrive at the assembly area (Eg, Leopold Fire Station) call VICFIRE on CH21 and let them know you are on scene.

“Drysdale T1 on scene at Leopold Fire Station” CH: 21 VICFIRE STL CH: 394

Once the Strike Team has formed up, all appliances in the Strike Team will change their appliance Radio to on CH360. This is now the Statewide travel channel all Strike Teams will use to talk amongst themselves en-route to the Fire/Incident.

The Strike Team Leader calls VICFIRE once the Strike Team is ready to leave the assembly point, to advise they are leaving for the Fire/Incident.

Travel Channel CH 360 VICFIRE CH: 21 “ST0702 leaving Leopold Fire Station en-route to (Fire Location).”