The Communications Advisor- A tool in the Incident Commanders tool box!

The Communications Advisor- A tool in the Incident Commanders tool box. 

I have been assigned this position for the last several years and I decided to write a article that takes a look at this position and how it can increase the efficiency of  your Incident Command Post. The title varies depending on where you are at, Some of the common terms are Communication Officer, Field Communication Officer or Technician, Chiefs aid or incident command technician. 

The FDNY has been utilizing this position for years with great success. With in the last several years the M.A.B.A.S. division "Mutual Aid Box Alarm System" I work in introduced this position as a part of the I.M.T. "Incident Management Team" Which is dispatched at the Box Alarm level assignment. The team consists of the Senior Mutual Aid Advisor, Safety Officer, and the Communications advisor. I believe this Command Team concept has increased the efficiency of the over all Command of a incident. I am sure you all have heard that phrase  "there is power in numbers" when running a incident having a team manage the incident instead of one person makes all the difference. When the mutual aid program started our division saw a need to send help for the Incident commander. This Mutual aid Advisor or Senior Advisor would work beside the Incident Commander to provide assistance, advice and a checks and balances to the incident. One of the tasks they did was help manage the other radio channels the I.C. had to utilize. This sometimes distracts the Advisor from monitoring the situation as intensely as he should. When you introduce another part of the command team with addition of a  Communications officer this frees the I.C. to focus on the fire ground channel and incident at hand. This then allows the Senior Advisor to focus on the entire incident and truly give the team and extra set of eyes and ears to monitor the Incident. The Communications Advisor now handles the other radio channels, tactical work sheets, MDT's, and the accountability system. 

Training Requirements: 

One of the training tools we utilized to provide a foundation for the entire command team was the Blue Card Incident Command Training program. This simulation style training really helped us mold together into a well oiled machine on the fire ground. I recommend this program or style of simulation training to everyone. This should be a mandatory type training for all newly promoted company officers or firefighters who may act up. This style of training gives the team the realistic simulation training of managing a incident and operating the communications equipment and practicing the transition of the command post. Ideally this type of position is filled  by a Company officer, Chief Officer, Senior Firefighter with extensive Communications experience Who may also be a dispatcher, Radio Technician or Ham Radio Operator.  

Transiton of Command Position: 

Another key function we utilize this position in is the transition of command from a buggy to the command van. Once we have reached a incident that has grown into the need for a bigger command post and the decision is made to transition to a command van, This responsibility will fall on the Communications Advisor. The Communications Advisor will leave the initial I.C. enter the command van and take on the task of preparing the van's communications systems to move the I.C. to the Van. Once the Comm. Advisor is ready he will call command on the tactical channel and announce Command from command van we are ready for your transfer. Once the I.C. acknowledges the transmission The Comm. Advisor will now utilize the tactical call sign of Command and handle all traffic as the I.C. makes the transition.

Understanding your Radio System: 

We expect our Firefighters to know how to use the "irons" how to handle a nozzle and Engineers to pump our Engines. We should also have a strong grasp of the radio system we are using and how to manage it.  Where I work  we utilize VHF Analog as our main radio system. Some of our Main dispatch channels are simplex and others are repeated but all our Tactical Fire Ground Channels and main Mutual Aid Channel "I.F.E.R.N." is Simplex. Simplex is one frequency used for both transmit and receive. 

The Communications Advisor must have a in depth knowledge of the radio system utilized in his jurisdiction so he can be successful at setting up equipment in cars and vans. I am also a Radio technician so I can solve issues with equipment and come up with solutions to overcome issues.

Operating with Multiple Channels:

  The Incident Commander once a Box Alarm has been transmitted will utilize three radio channels for managing the incident. The main dispatch channel which keeps him in contact with his own dispatch center, One of six Tactical Fire Ground channels which is used for tactical work on the  assigned incident, and our statewide mutual aid channel also known as I.F.E.R.N. Inter-Agency Fire Emergency Radio Network. This mutual aid channel is used to talk with the  M.A.B.A.S. Dispatcher and all assigned mutual aid companies responding on the Box Alarm assignment. 

During a Box Alarm the I.C. has to listen to three channels and if necessary expand tactical channels for different sectors EMS, HAZMAT etc. That's too much for one person to handle during a high stress incident like a Apartment fire. Having the Communications officer handle status updates, traffic between staging, and local communications requests through the local dispatch center helps the Incident Commander focus on the tactical radio channel and the incident in front of him. This only leads to a stronger more focused Incident Commander. 

Tactical Work Sheets:

The Comm. Advisor will use Tactical Work Sheets or dry erase boards to help the I.C. to keep track of the incident, all the players, and the tactical objectives. During a escalating incident having that tactical worksheet makes all the difference. 

Take a look at your mutual aid system and see if something like this will work in your system, There is no right or wrong way and build it to work with your system. 

FDFC 

"Keep your Batteries Charged"