Fire and Rescue Communications

Chapter 5
Fire and Rescue Communications

Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to recall
basic information about fire and rescue communications including
systems, procedures, terminology, and signals used in aviation.

Objectives
Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student shall be
able to:
1. Describe basic airport communication systems.
2. Discuss pilot/ARFF Command communications.
3. Describe proper radio and telephone communication
procedures.
4. Identify International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Phonetic Alphabet designations.
5. Identify words and phrases unique to the airport
environment.
6. Discuss the use of computers in airport and ARFF
communications.
7. Describe light, hand, and other signals used in aircraft
accident operations.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

Instructor Information
This is the lesson covering fire and rescue communications. The
purpose of this lesson is to provide the student with an overview
of fire and rescue communications including systems, procedures,
terminology, and signals used in aviation.

This lesson outline follows the information in the IFSTA/FPP

manual Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, 5th ed. Instructors
may supplement this lesson with additional case studies and
other training related materials.

Chapter 5 of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting manual

addresses the following references and regulations:

NFPA® references:

NFPA® 1003 (2005)

6.2.2, 6.2.3

NFPA® 1002 (2003 – Chapter 9)

9.1.2, 9.2.2, 9.2.3

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR):

139.319(e)

Audiovisuals
 Visuals 5-1 to 5-40 (PowerPoint® Presentation)

Evaluation
 Chapter 5 Test

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

Section I: Introduction to Chapter 5

I. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER 5
A. Lesson Goal — After completing
this lesson, the student shall
be able to recall basic
information about fire and
rescue communications
including systems, procedures,
terminology, and signals used
in aviation.

B. Objectives

1. Describe basic airport

communication systems.

2. Discuss pilot/ARFF Command

communications.

3. Describe proper radio and

telephone communication
procedures.

4. Identify International Civil

Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Phonetic Alphabet designations.

5. Identify words and phrases

unique to the airport
environment.

6. Discuss the use of computers in

airport and ARFF
communications.

7. Describe light, hand, and other

signals used in aircraft accident
operations.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

Section II: Chapter 5 Lesson Outline

II. LESSON OUTLINE

pp. 160-166 Objective 1 — Describe basic
airport communication systems.
A. ARFF communications

1. System used depends on size of

the airport.

a. Local fire department located

off the airport

b. Dedicated ARFF dispatch

center located on the airport

2. Communication systems include

audible alarms, direct-line
telephones, and radios which
should be checked daily.

3. ATC personnel usually provide

basic information to firefighters.

a. Make and model of aircraft

b. Name of air carrier

c. Response category

d. Emergency situation

e. Number of persons on board

f. Amount of fuel on board

g. Other pertinent information

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

B. Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

1. A NOTAM is information issued

by the airport operator or air
traffic control personnel.

2. A NOTAM addresses important

information about airport
operations.

a. Runways

b. Taxiways

c. Essential services

3. Fire personnel should post

NOTAMs at the time the airport
operator issues them.

C. Audible alarms and direct-line

telephones

1. When an emergency is
reported, audible alarms will be
activated to alert individuals.

a. Airport or facility occupants

b. Regular ARFF personnel

c. Auxiliary ARFF personnel

d. Essential support services

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

2. Various systems are used to

alert ARFF personnel in the
airport fire station.

a. Direct-line telephone

b. Speaker system

c. Bell

d. Klaxon® or similar device

e. Combinations of systems

3. Various systems are used to

alert auxiliary firefighters or off-
duty firefighters.

a. Pagers

b. Tone-activated radio
receivers

c. Cell phones

d. Siren/horn

4. Direct-line communication
systems are established
between control tower and
multiple emergency agencies.

a. Provide a primary means of

aircraft accident/incident
notification

b. Lines should be tested

regularly

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D. Radio systems

1. Two-way radios are the most

efficient means for
communicating during
emergency scene operations.

a. Must have one or more

common channels for mutual
aid operations

b. Should have multi-scanning

capability to monitor local
radio channels

2. Clear text language or common

terminology should be used.

3. Fire service radio systems

should comply with FCC and AHJ
regulations.

4. Radios and communications

systems not in daily use should
be tested regularly.

5. Personnel must not transmit

false, misleading, or
inappropriate information.

6. Computer-monitored systems
may be used to record and
time-stamp verbal
communications.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

7. Communications/dispatch
center ensures proper operation
of the radio system.

a. Clearing the air as soon as

possible

b. Maintaining discipline on the

air

c. Determining the order of

priority for simultaneous
transmissions

E. Aviation radio frequencies

1. ARFF personnel monitor several

radio frequencies unique to
aviation.

a. Ground control frequency —

used at controlled airports to
obtain clearance for driving
on aircraft movement areas

b. Local control or air traffic

control tower frequency

i. Aircraft turn to this

frequency when they
enter a control tower’s
jurisdiction

ii. Approximately 10 miles

from airport

iii. Stay on frequency until

transfer to ground control

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c. Flight service stations (FSS)

may operate frequencies at
airports without active tower
or airport advisory.

i. Provide information and

support services

ii. Frequently used only

during normal working
hours

d. Unified communications
(UNICOM) is a private,
nongovernmental frequency

i. Provide information and

access to services

ii. Found at general aviation

airports

e. Common Traffic Advisory

Frequency (CTAF) is used on
airports without operating
ATCT or when tower is
closed.

i. Frequency used may be

UNICOM, FSS, or a tower
frequency.

ii. Pilots broadcast

information such as
position and intended
flight activity.

iii. Vehicle operators

announce intended
ground operations.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

f. Automated Terminal
Information Service (ATIS)
frequency has continuous
broadcast on weather and
airfield information.

i. Runway(s) in use

ii. Taxiway closures

iii. NOTAM information

g. Uncontrolled airports should

have SOPs established for
movement.

h. Firefighters should monitor

appropriate frequencies
when responding or
operating on aircraft
movement areas.

i. Firefighters should
communicate with ground
control by giving specific
information and ending
communication with “Over.”

i. Name of facility being

called

ii. Vehicle identity

iii. Firefighter location

iv. Request of clearance to

desired area

v. Preferred route to take

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

pp. 166-167 Objective 2 — Discuss pilot/ARFF

Command communications.
A. Cockpit and ARFF command
communications

1. A discreet frequency is used for

communication between cockpit
and ARFF incident commander.

2. Communication allows the

incident commander to provide
information to crew.

a. Visible condition of the

aircraft

b. Status of ARFF equipment

c. Specifics relating to the

emergency

3. ARFF incident commander can

advise flight operations
personnel of conditions outside
the aircraft so they can make
key decisions regarding
passenger evacuation.

4. Flight crew may provide

information to ARFF IC.

a. Number of people on board

b. Amount of fuel remaining

c. Hazardous materials

5. The pilot should initiate

communication.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

6. Pilot is ultimately responsible for

aircraft and its occupants.

a. ARFF IC only advises crew.

b. IC does not convey

evacuation instructions
unless requested.

c. Guidance is found in FAA

Advisory Circular 150/5210-
7C, Aircraft Rescue and Fire
Fighting Communications

B. Interphone system

1. An interphone system can be

used for ARFF personnel to
communicate with aircraft crew
members.

2. Interphone system is used by

airport personnel to
communicate with personnel
inside aircraft during routine
operations.

3. Fire departments can use the

system during emergencies to
talk with the pilots.

a. A special headset can be

plugged in to an interphone
jack location for
communications.

b. There are two systems for

communication.

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i. Flight connection —
allows communication
only with flight deck and
pilots

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ii. Service connection —

allows communication
with flight deck as well as
various compartments
and areas on the aircraft

p. 167 Objective 3 — Describe proper

radio and telephone
communication procedures.
A. Radio/telephone guidelines

1. Speak directly into the

microphone.

a. Hold it at least at a 45-

degree angle to the mouth

b. Hold no more than one and

one-half inches (40 mm)
from the mouth

2. Speak distinctly, calmly, and

clearly.

3. Pronounce each word carefully.

a. Convey messages in natural

phrases

b. Not word by word

4. Use a conversational tone and

moderate speed.

5. Speak as loudly as in ordinary

conversation.

6. Speak in a low-pitched voice.

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

p. 168 Objective 4 — Identify International

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Phonetic Alphabet designations.
A. Phonetic alphabet

1. When radio transmissions are

difficult to hear, critical
information is spelled out
substituting certain standard
words for letters of the
alphabet.

2. This practice reduces confusion

from letters of the alphabet that
sound alike.

3. The ICAO phonetic alphabet is

used for spelling out words.

B. ICAO phonetic alphabet

designations

1. A — Alpha (al-fah)

2. B — Bravo (brah-voh)

3. C — Charlie (char-lee or shar-

lee)

4. D — Delta (dell-tah)

5. E — Echo (eck-oh)

6. F — Foxtrot (foks-trot)

7. G — Golf (golf)

8. H — Hotel (hoh-tel)

9. I — India (in-dee-ah)

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10. J — Juliett (jew-lee-ett)

11. K — Kilo (key-loh)

12. L — Lima (lee-mah)

13. M — Mike (mike)

14. N — November (no-vem-ber)

15. O — Oscar (oss-cah)

16. P — Papa (pah-pah)

17. Q — Quebec (kwee-beck)

18. R — Romeo (rom-me-oh)

19. S — Sierra (see-air-rah)

20. T — Tango (tang-go)

21. U — Uniform (you-nee-form

or oo-nee-form)

22. V — Victor (vik-tor)

23. W — Whiskey (wiss-key)

24. X — X-ray (ecks-ray)

25. Y — Yankee (yang-key)

26. Z — Zulu

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C. Number designations

1. 1 — Wun

2. 2 — Too

3. 3 — Tree

4. 4 — Fow-er

5. 5 — Five

6. 6 — Sicks

7. 7 — Sev-en

8. 8 — Ait

9. 9 — Nin-er

10. 0 — Zero

p. 169 Objective 5 — Identify words and

phrases unique to the airport
environment.
A. Common terms and phrases
used in ARFF

1. Air Traffic Control (ATC) —

services operated by
appropriate authority to
promote the safe, orderly, and
expeditious flow of air traffic

2. Base leg — flight path at a right

angle to the landing runway off
the approach end

3. Base to final — turning into final

approach position

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4. Blind (dead) spot — area from

which radio transmissions
cannot be received; may also be
used to describe portions of the
airport not visible from the
control tower

5. Downwind leg — flight path

parallel to the landing runway in
the direction opposite to landing

6. ETA — estimated time of arrival

7. Final approach — portion of the

landing pattern in which the
aircraft is lined up with the
runway and is heading straight
in to land

8. Flameout — unintended loss of

combustion in turbojet engines
resulting in the loss of engine
power

9. Fuel on board — amount in

pounds on aircraft remaining

10. Gear down — landing gear in

down and locked position

11. Go around — maneuver

conducted by a pilot whenever
a visual approach to a landing
cannot be completed

12. Hold your position — “Do not

proceed! Remain where you
are.”

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13. Hung gear — one or more of

the aircraft landing gear not
down and locked

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14. Jet blast — wind and/or heat

blast created behind an aircraft
with engines running

15. Low approach — approach

over a runway or heliport where
the pilot intentionally does not
make contact with the runway

16. Make a 90, 180, or 360

(degree turn) — instructions
normally given by the control
tower to the aircraft to indicate
the degree of turn the pilot is to
execute; also frequently used
by the control tower to direct
vehicles on the ground

17. Minimum fuel — indicates

that an aircraft’s fuel supply has
reached a state where it can
accept little or no delay before
landing

18. Missed approach —

maneuver conducted by a pilot
whenever an instrument
approach cannot be completed
into a landing

19. Overhead approach (360

overhead) — series of standard
maneuvers conducted by
military aircraft (often in
formation) for entry into the
airfield traffic pattern prior to
landing

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20. Prop or rotor wash —

windblast created behind or
around an aircraft with engines
running

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21. Wind direction and velocity

— given to the nearest 10
degrees, and velocity is given in
knots

p. 170 Objective 6 — Discuss the use of

computers in airport and ARFF
communications.
A. Computers and ARFF

1. Various types of computers are

used in ARFF.

a. Laptops

b. Mobile data terminals

c. Global positioning systems

(GPS)

2. The use of computers will

continue to expand.

a. Information tool

b. Communications system

c. Fire scene management

system

B. Information computers can

provide

1. Data on airport layouts

2. Prefire plans of airport buildings

3. Diagrams and information on

various aircraft

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4. Information on dealing with

hazards associated with
dangerous goods

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5. Ability for personnel to give the

dispatch center the status and
location of ARFF apparatus

6. On-screen messaging between

apparatus and dispatch

pp. 171-173 Objective 7 — Describe light, hand,

and other signals used in aircraft
accident operations.
A. Light signals

1. Steady green light — clear to

cross, proceed, or go

2. Steady red light — stop

3. Flashing red light — clear the

taxiway/runway

4. Flashing white light — return to

the starting point on the airport

5. Alternating red and green lights

— exercise extreme caution

B. Hand signals

1. Recommended evacuation —
Arm extended from body and
held horizontal with hand
upraised at eye level. Execute
beckoning arm motion angled
backwards. Nonbeckoning arm
held against body.

2. Recommended stop — Arms in

front of head and crossed at
wrists.

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3. Emergency contained — Arms

extended outward and down at
a 45-degree angle. Arms moved
inward below waistline
simultaneously until wrists
crossed, then extended outward
to starting position (umpire’s
“safe” signal).

C. Other signals

1. Back out or retreat — sound all

audible devices (horns, sirens,
etc.) for obviously extended
time (1 to 2 minutes)

2. Apparatus is running out of

agent — flash headlights and
sound the siren

3. Open or close handline — tap

hand firmly on the desired
nozzle barrel

4. Change handline nozzle/stream

pattern — place wrists together
and clap hands

5. Advance with handline — pat

shoulder

6. Back out with handline — tug

coattail sharply, or with the
hands in front of the chest, give
series of pushing motions

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 Fire and Rescue Communications

Section III: Summary and Review

III. SUMMARY AND REVIEW

A. Chapter summary

1. Communications are vital during

any emergency. Airport
firefighters must be thoroughly
trained and proficient in the
usage of the communications
systems and procedures found
at their particular airfield.

2. This chapter covered NOTAMs,

audible alarms and direct-line
telephones, radio systems and
aviation frequencies. It also
covered radio/telephone
guidelines, computers in ARFF,
and signals used in ARFF.

B. Review questions

1. Who may handle aircraft rescue

and fire fighting
communications?

2. How might airport auxiliary

firefighters be notified of a
situation?

3. What is the most efficient

means for communicating with
personnel during emergency
scene operations?

4. What is the Automated Terminal

Information Service (ATIS)?

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5. How does an interphone system

work?

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6. What guidelines should be

followed for proper
radio/telephone use?

7. Why is use of the phonetic

alphabet necessary?

8. What does the phrase ”hold

your position” mean?

9. What is a mobile data terminal

(MDT)?

10. When using light signals,

what does a flashing red light
mean?

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