911 Communications Center

Jeff Central Communication System Information and Operations

By: Alan Braun

The system

• The cad system works as a main software that looks up information in 5 different files.

• Cad is an address specific information system.• Cad color codes: Red – high priority, Yellow –

second priority, Green – low priority.• Flags – are address specific notes added into the

system for later use, and can be found on the call run sheets.

The center

• Four consoles in the main room, one spare in another for training, data entry, or back up use.

• Three computer screens that allow the operator to control the system. Radio, Cad, Enhanced 911.

The Operation

• The center is set up for three personnel normally, but two during slower hours.

• Position 1 is for Law Enforcement.• Position 2 is Cole County Sheriff and

during slow hours is County Fire dispatch, and the call taker.

• Position 3 is the call taker and County Fire dispatch.

The job

• Provide radio communications to Jefferson City Police, JC Fire, Cole County Sheriff, Cole County Fire, Osage Fire, Regional West Fire, Russellville Fire.

• They are also are in radio contact with the Conservation Department, Missouri Park Rangers, Taos and Wardsville City Police Marshals, as well as the Fire Marshals Office on Fire Mutual Aid.

The Weather

• Jeff Central monitors the weather channel as well as Nex-Rad radar from KC.

• They have the capability to contact the St. Louis weather center or the Jefferson City Airport for specific weather for us on the scene.

• The national weather service alert system is also monitor from the panel.

Nex-Rad

Weather Channel

The Console

• Three computer screens. First is the Enhanced 911 phone operations to the right.

• Second is the Cad system in the middle.

• Third is the radio touch screen on the left.

Radio system

• The screen is a touch screen and it has five different screens to be on.

• Each screen is set up for specific operations for one of the agencies the center has communications with.

Cad System and 911

• The 911 is a computer that taps into the phone company files to give dispatch the information of the caller.

• The information is then transferred by two button pushes into cad.

• Then the dispatcher enters the call code and presses send, the tones are then sent.

Alpha Pagers

• The text is entered by the dispatchers and sent when the cad system assigns a call or run number to the call.

• If we are dispatched to assist or mutual with someone we are not assigned a call number and therefore will not received a page on the alpha pagers.

Back up communications

• Communications are done by computer and in the event of system failures they have a back up phone and radio system.

• Two mobile radios are installed in the communications room for use in case of a system failure.

Multiple calls

• Usually the dispatchers will try to split the calls if possible.

• Sometimes their will be talk over from one dispatcher helping another if it is really busy in the center.

Directions

• Directions by cad have been entered and are entered on the street address as a whole.

• Cross streets to specific places are only given if the address is past a cross street.

• 1906 Rt. E will not show a cross street if the cross street is at 1908 or 1920

• Dispatchers have to look at a map like the rest of us. There are no specific directions on the cad system to give to us on the radio.

Hydrant information

• This information is on the call run sheets.

• You also can have the dispatchers query the cad system to help us on scene.

• The downfall to this is there may be a hydrant on a cross street nearby that won’t show up because the query is on the scene address only not on the area.

Ems Calls

• These calls are handled the same as the others, however Jeff Central also three way calls Capitol Region EMS.

• This is done in case there is a need for another agency to respond with ems.

• Doing this speeds up response during these events.

The call Procedure

Order of a call being taken.

First the call is received.

Call procedure con’t

• The caller information is brought onto Cad from the 911 phone computer on the right.

• The center computer, cad, then needs a command of the help or need of the caller.

• Narratives can be added by the dispatcher of things they have heard on the phone. They are on the faxed call run sheets.

• Cad searches it’s files then displays agency information needed to respond.

Call procedure con’t

• The dispatcher then uses the left touch screen to dispatch the proper agency.

• Radio communications are done for them by foot pedals at their feet. The channels they speak on are done by the touch screen.

Radio response

• Dispatch – Jeff Central

• Cole County and the number of the person or unit that is responding.

Apparatus Radio Response examples

• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 responding• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 on scene• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 clearing scene• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 in quarters• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 in service on

special detail• Jeff Central Cole Co. 1101 out of service

for maintenance

Personnel Radio Response examples

• Personnel do not address Jeff Central unless there is emergency traffic that they need to transfer, i.e.: Jeff Central Cole Co. 144 on the scene, nothing showing, two story residential structure. Will be investigating, establishing Rt. E Command.

• When a response from Jeff Central is needed you must start your transmission with “Jeff Central”.

• Cole Co. 144 responding (No Jeff Central Needed)• First on scene person needs to mark them self on scene with

a size up. All others do not mark them selves on scene, in service, clear scene or anything else. Only chief officers and Apparatus do this.

Call or Run sheets

• These sheets are faxed at the time of dispatch to each station.

• The information on them include: Caller name, address, routing instructions, Hydrant locations, narrative of what was said during phone conversation with dispatcher and a history on all calls to the address

Cad Call Information Sheet

• This sheet is sent by fax when Jeff Central is requested to send the fax information.

• When the first in engine or report taker goes back in quarters simple say Jeff Central Cole County 1101 is in quarters. Please fax times to 1101.

• This sheet contains the call number and information needed to fill out the report.

Radio and Response SOP

Cole County Fire Protection District

Radio Terms

• Responding: Accepting a call and proceeding to the location as given.

• On-the-air: Apparatus is not in quarters, but is available by radio for a run, if needed

• On-the-scene: Arrival at the incident location, either as given, or as discovered

Radio Terms Con’t

• Incident under control: emergency situation has been contained and generally is an indication that no more emergency apparatus will be needed

• Out of service: Not available for a call/run• In service: Available for a call or run,

maybe qualified by a further statement relating to equipment, manpower,ect.

Radio Terms Con’t

• Remaining on the scene: Maybe qualified by saying in or out of service, but remaining at the location

• Full Alarm: Full Box, complete run card assignment

• Still Alarm: Generally a single company response such as a car fire, stuck elevator, ect.

Radio Terms Con’t

• Clear: Understood, received, an affirmative acknowledgement

• Clear of the scene: Apparatus reporting that they have left the location of the incident

• Public Service: To call by phone

• Command: Officer in charge of the incident

Radio Terms Con’t

• Special Assignment/Detail: Public education, company may or may not remain in service and NO incident number is required unless requested.

Response Guidelines• Structure Fire: 3 Engines, 3 Tankers, Air and

Light truck, and all personnel from the three closest stations. All other Apparatus and personnel on standby.

• Vehicle Fire: 1 Engine, 4 personnel• Brush Fire: 1 Engine, Brush and Tankers• Power Line Down: 1 Engine, 3 personnel• Assist Ambulance with accident: 1 Engine, 1

air/light, 6 personnel• Extrication: 2 engine with rescue equipment, 1

air/light, 7 personnel

Response Guidelines Con’t

• Assist Ambulance: 1 Engine, 3 personnel• CO Alarm: 1 Engine, 3 personnel• Fire Investigation: 1 Engine• Fuel spill: 1 Engine, 1 air/light• Wash down: 1 Engine• Haz-mat: 2 Engines, Air and Light truck• Flue Fire: 2 engines, 1Tanker, 1 air/light • Aircraft Standby: (Landing zone) 1 Engine• Aircraft Accident: 2 Engines, 2 Tankers, Air and Light,

1 Brush truck

Response Guidelines Con’t

• Water Shuttle: (In District) 1 Engine, 4 Tankers• Water Shuttle: (out of District) 1 Engine, 2

Tankers• Unusual Request: 1 Engine • Water Rescue: Watercraft, Air and Light truck, 1

Engine• Drowning: Watercraft, Air and Light truck, 1

Engine

Response Guidelines Con’t

• Mutual Aid: What is asked for or

• 1 Engine, 2 Tankers, air/light

• Out of District: 1 Engine, 2 Tankers