Communications (LCES)

Effective communication is a critical component of safe and successful operations.

Discuss the factors that can affect radio communication at the incident.

• Knowledge of the radio issued to the individuals.
• Net control, frequencies.
• Line-of-sight restrictions.
• Antenna polarization effect (direction of the antenna).
• Minimizing noise interference.
• Wide band vs. narrow band.
• Potentially unfamiliar local jargon (e.g., Coulee, candlestick, fence post, etc.).

How can you mitigate potential problems?

• Implement effective communication procedures—be brief, use clear text and to-the-point messages.
• Give a good comprehensive briefing. (Refer to the Briefing Checklist inside the back cover of the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461).
• Confirm that relayed information is received and understood.
• Keep a continuous information flow (e.g., updates on weather, fire behavior, work progress; changes in strategy/tactics; arrival of additional resources; and solicitation of feedback).
• Establish emergency check-in procedures.
• Provide a minimum of four radios per 20-person firefighter crew.

The Five Communication Responsibilities for all firefighters:

• Brief others as needed.
• Debrief your actions.
• Communicate hazards to others.
• Acknowledge messages.
• Ask if you don't know.