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Clear Text or Radio Codes? Are you NIMS Compliant?
There has been a big push the last 10-years to do away with any code usage. This was primarily done because of mutual aid responses. It's too difficult for everyone to know all the various numerical codes that agencies were using. Not much is really standardized unless you are talking on a CB. A couple of years ago, this discussion occurred regarding the use of 10-Codes.
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With words, everyone knows what is going on. Short, concise phrases or words are used to minimize radio traffic and in some cases, voice communications are minimized with the use of buttons on a computer console that indicates responding, on scene, available, etc.
One of the best descriptions of an emergency communications system was provided by who works in Fort Washington, Maryland.
"Our county uses computer dispatching along with numeric paging and station tone outs. We use standard vocal transmissions on 10 UHF channels one of them the main dispatch channel and the rest response and fireground channels. EMS radio channels are controled through state medical operations for medical transmissions to hospitals but we can transmit info on a response channel to our communications center so they can call the hospital by phone and tell them what a ambulance is bringing to them.
The med channels have tone guards so that units can use the same channel without messing with the other units in another county or state. As far as I know this is a nation wide radio system because we can transmit to hospitals in other states under direction of the state EMS operations.
The county is working on replacing the present radio system with a 700 to 800 mHz system. All the surrounding counties, cities and states have replaced theirs and our county was the holdout while the others are talking to each other and we are still using VHF mutual aid radios or putting their radios in our units to talk to them."
How are things done in Australia and New Zealand?
Aaron Whitford posted in a discussion that in New Zealand, they use a LMR (land mobile radio) network. This allows a "toned" message to be sent to the fire communications center to minimize voice communication. The LMR is posted above.
from Melbourne, Australia reported that they are dispatched by alpha/numeric pagers. Communication from then on is by VHF radio using repeaters. All communication is by plain English, with no use of codes. replied to this and provided and shared that the New Zealand Fire Service are again upgrading the LMR (land mobile radio) to touch screen computerized units.
So where do you stand now in 2010? Are you NIMS compliant? Has your agency been able to obtain and use the newer computerized systems or are they still using older radio systems. Of course there's always the option of using Blackberry's and iPhones down the road. Maybe this is the answer?
TCSS,
CBz
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CHRIS PUYLARA on
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In our Dept. we use plain text on just about all of our transmissions....except for maybe....10-4. Other depts. in the county don't.Would have to say that our Fire Control is an offender...but I will give them alot of lattitude...they always have alot on their plates....and I really like them too (great people doing a very difficult job). And I have one question Capt. ....the pic of Capt Stanley....is that from the episode where Gage got bit by the rattler? TCSS.....YOUR FRIEND CHRIS
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Define NIMS compliant.
Common terminology? There is no such thing! FFN is a perfect example.
All one has to do is listen to streaming audio of departments nationwide. It is very unlikely departments from the east could very effectively communicate with departments from the west, even on the same frequency. Even regional groups and departments have a difficult time.
There isn't a lot of common terminology even between departments 30 miles apart in my area, and we all use clear language. But yet according to the feds, we are all "NIMS compliant".
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Why, I believe so... But I don't know for sure... Perhaps one of the EMERGENCY! experts here on the FFN can help out?
CBz
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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I agree with oldman what may be common terminology between A& B departments may sound like it's coming from Mars. Add in the noise and confusion the more button pushing communicating you can do the better. Then we have to deal with those who garble the air ways with needless transmissions. Using computer or wireless communication for as much of the communication as possible is a welcome change to me and may eliminate some of this clutter.
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To be honest Oldman, I never thought much about NIMS compliance. I took the tests and memorized the answers, passing all the required test, but you are right, who really follows NIMS to the letter? Your comments reinforce going to a more computer orientated / non-verbal system maybe?
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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We been using clear text for about 2 years now, and EMS just went to clear text this week. I'll tell you, it takes a long time to break the habit of using codes, still trying to get use to using clear text! I prefer it over codes anyway.
Citizens that have scanners, eventually learn the codes after awhile anyway.
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Your so right Ralph, digital scanners "BIG BUCKS" lol..
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Permalink Reply by Trainer on
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"define NIMS compliant"
Having your NIMS ordinance on file with FEMA, or for us it's IEMA, and have completed nimscast up to 09.
What does that mean??? you got your paperwork done...
As for any downfalls for NOT using, none that I've heard, but if you get any federal money, I'd be working towards implementation.
Now for "common terminology" some of this is address in resource typing.
The ultimate goal here is to get everyone on the same page, man wouldn't that be nice, will everyone....no, but we can always hope. Even here in Illinois where we are miles ahead of everyone else at mutual aide, I'll never see 100% compliance in my lifetime or 90% for that matter.
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We have one of those too, I think every department has at least one. Hell, I'm not too sure he even understands the clear text. lol...
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Joyce, as a dispatcher, do you prefer clear text over the codes? Whats your view on this?
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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CBz - Of course still plain English (we do use the 'proword' concept of specific single words to reduce radio traffic). No number 'codes' at all. If someone were to use the old CB radio '10-4', they would be told about correct radio procedure!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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Hey Capt Busy did you notice the mic position of Capt. Stanley in the pic? If I'm not too terribly mistaken he's talking into the mike holder not the windscreen. What do you think?
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