When a fire goes to a second alarm or more, the alert tone will be sounded
one long beep for each additional alarm. For instance, two beeps for a second
alarm, three beeps for a third alarm, etc. To dispatch a multiple alarm call, use
the following format using a second alarm as an example:
- Sound alert tone for the proper alarm.
- Say "Second alarm on Box 30-1, address of fire, Imperial Manor
Apartments, A Building. The following companies will respond switching
your radios to the Emergency band: Engine 38, Engine 39, Ladder 39."
- Sound the station tones.
- Repeat once more: "Second alarm on Box 30-1, address of fire,
Imperial Manor Apartments, A Building. The following companies
will respond switching your radios to the Emergency band: Engine 38,
Engine 39, Ladder 39."
- Announce again with time out.
Use of the Primary Zone for Multiple Alarm Fires
Companies due on the first alarm shall respond and remain on the
their primary operating zone.
FGC shall be prepared to designate a staging area when requesting the second alarm assignment.
Second alarm companies will switch their radios to the Emergency Band before responding and shall remain on that frequency, reporting to the staging area. The officer aboard the first arriving apparatus shall assume temporary command of the staging area until relieved by an officer designated by FGC.
The staging officer shall assume the title, "Staging Officer" and will remain on the Emergency Band to communicate with FGC. It is suggested that FGC use a portable radio switched to the Emergency Band to remain in contact with the Staging Officer.
Once a company is given an assignment either while enroute or at the staging area, they will then switch their radio to the first alarm operating channel.
When a single piece of apparatus or equipment is requested to the scene, the dispatcher will use the following format:
- Sound one long alert tone beep.
- Say "Attention Engine 91, respond on second alarm Box 2-12, address of
fire 700 Block of Second Street Pike at the Hampton House."
- Sound proper station tones.
- Repeat message #2 adding time out at the end of message, any
extra apparatus on a specific alarm will be dispatched as that
alarm until the until the next alarm is requested.
