HERO UNIT
Training Module
Radio/Telephone
Protocol
Overview
This course is designed to provide the HERO
Operator with guidelines for both the operation
of a portable radio, utilizing the ten codes and
signals, and a hand held cell phone.
Course Outline
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Radio Protocol
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Ten Codes and Signals
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Guidelines for usage
Common problems
Reminders
Why are they used?
Numeral Pronunciation
• Cellular Phone Protocol
• Summary
Radio Protocol
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Guidelines
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Turn off the truck radio (siren when possible) before
keying the mike
Wait a few seconds before talking after keying the mike
Remember the acronym C-Y-M-B-A-L
Color
Year
Make (Model)
Body
Any other identifiers
License Plate (State first, then letters and numbers)
Radio Protocol
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Guidelines
• When describing people its:
Race
Gender
Height
Weight
Hair
Clothes
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Always provide a tag number when assisting a
stranded motorist – SAFETY is the #1 Rule
Radio Protocol
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Guidelines
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Always know your location and situation before
keying your mike
Speak slowly and calmly
Be clear
Be concise
Be correct
Radio Protocol
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Guidelines
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Keep your radio “on”, and with you at all times, while
on duty
The use of profanity, while transmitting, is prohibited
Never dispatch 10-60 for yourself – contact the TMC
for back up
Do not call the TMC or other operators with food or
objects in your mouth
Do not yell into the radio
Do not put the mike so close to your mouth that what
you say becomes muffled
Radio Protocol
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Guidelines
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Do not use the word “request” (10-52, 10-53, 10-60,
etc.) just use the ten codes
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Refrain from using phrases such as “Be advised
that…” or “its going to be a…”
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Do not use “possible, probable, and partial”
(Possible 10-41, lane 2 is partially blocked) either it is
or it isn’t
Radio Protocol
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Common Problems
• Speaking too fast
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The average person speaks 90-100 words per minute
The average person can only copy 30-50 words per
minute, when using abbreviations
• Not Speaking Clearly
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Using “ah” is unacceptable. Do not key the mike
unless you know what you are going to say!
Radio Protocol
♦ Reminders ♦
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Keep transmissions brief. Should not be longer than 30
seconds
If the transmission is long, re-key the mike
Make sure you don’t leave your mike hanging open
NEVER leave your radio unattended
Avoid “front end clipping” (failure to depress the transmit
switch before beginning the broadcast)
When there is heavy radio traffic, like during an emergency,
listen for a second or two before keying the mike, to ensure
that you don’t “step” on another transmission.
Ten Codes
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Why are they used?
The purpose is to be able to rapidly and accurately
handle official dispatches, messages and information
between mobile units and the TMC, between the TMC
and other departments within the system. These
abbreviated codes are used to help avoid some of the
miscommunication when talking on the radio during
an emergency scene and to reduce “air time”.
10-Codes
Signals (Phonetic Alphabet)
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Why are they used?
This system of communication is used to make the
spelling of names and reading of license plates less
confusing. Since many of the letters sound alike, in
the event of a poor transmission, the dispatcher might
misunderstand one of the letters the operator is
saying. For example, the letters “B” and “E” might be
confused. To avoid this, instead of the operator
saying, “B”, the word “Bravo” would be used. A tag
with the license plate reading FCS-876 would be read
as follows, “Fox trot, Charlie, Sierra - 876”.
Phonetic Alphabet
A
Alfa
J
Juliet
S
Sierra
B
Bravo
K
Kilo
T
Tango
C
Charlie
L
Lima
U
Uniform
D
Delta
M
Mike
V
Victor
E
Echo
N
November
W
Whisky
F
Foxtrot
O
Oscar
X
X-ray
G
Golf
P
Papa
Y
Yankee
H
Hotel
Q
Quebec
Z
Zulu
I
India
R
Romeo
Numeral Pronunciation
Number
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Zero
Pronunciation
Wun
Too
Thruee
Fower
Fie-Yiv
Siks
Sev-von
Ate
Nie-Yon
Zeero
Cell Phone Protocol
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The cell phone is NOT to be used for
personal calls (incoming or outgoing)
• The cell phone is issued to you and is
therefore your responsibility.
• If you lose your cell phone you will be
subject to replacement cost.
Cell Phone Protocol
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Cell phone numbers are restricted and shall not be given out
A cell phone log is required of HERO operators and must be
completed for each call made and received on a daily basis.
Motorists are allowed one (1) “Courtesy Call”,
the HERO operator should:
• Dial the number for the motorist
• Insure that the call does not exceed 2 minutes
• Conversation should be related to the problem at hand
• If assistance isn’t secured on the first call, you may allow the
motorist to make 1 additional call
Cell Phone Protocol
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The cell phone is also a means of BACKUP
communication. Use it when all else
fails.
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Maintain your cell phone, keep the battery
charged and your phone clean.
Summary
“Communication is the Key”
TMC
HERO Operator
THE END
Questions or Discussions