Cards used to determine a predetermined response to an emergency.
Run cards
Technology that allows fire fighters to receive information while in the fire apparatus or at the station.
Mobile data terminal
A building or portion of a building that is specifically configured for the primary purpose of providing emergency communications services or public safety answering point services to one or more public safety agencies under the authority or authorities h
Communications center
A facility in which 911 calls are answered. (NFPA 1221)
Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
A device that keeps a detailed record of every incident and activity that occurs.
Activity logging system
Status updates provided to the communications center every 10 to 20 minutes. Such an update should include the type of operation, the progress of the incident, the anticipated actions, and the need for additional resources.
Time marks
User devices that allow speech- and/or hearing-impaired citizens to communicate over a telephone system. TDD stands for telecommunications device for the deaf; TTY stands for teletype; text phones visually display text. The displayed text is the equivalen
TDD/TTY/text phone system
A radio system that uses a shared bank of frequencies to make the most efficient use of radio resources.
Trunking system
A distinctive signal intended to be recognized by the occupants as requiring evacuation of the building. (NFPA 72)
Evacuation signal
An urgent message, such as a call for help or evacuation, transmitted over a radio that takes precedence over all normal radio traffic.
Emergency traffic
The phase in a 911 call during which the telecommunicator asks questions to obtain vital information such as the location of the emergency.
Telephone Interrogation
A simplex channel used for on-site communications
Talk-around channel
A two-way radio that is permanently mounted in a fire apparatus
Mobile radio
A system used by fire departments to report and maintain computerized records of fires and other fire department incidents in a uniform manner.
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
Recording devices or computer equipment connected to telephone lines and radio equipment in a communications center to record telephone calls and radio traffic.
Voice recording system
A combination of hardware and software that provides data entry, makes resource recommendations, notifies and tracks those resources before, during, and after fire service alarms, preserving records of those alarms and status changes for later analysis. (
Computer-aided Dispatch
The federal regulatory authority that oversees radio communications in the United States.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
A battery-operated, hand-held transceiver. (NFPA 1221)
Portable radio
A system of telephones connected by phone lines, radio equipment, or cellular technology to a communications center or fire department.
Call box
A radio system that uses one frequency to transmit and receive all messages.
Simplex channel
A radio system that automatically retransmits a radio signal on a different frequency.
Radio repeater system
A system of predetermined coded messages, such as "What is your 10-20?", used by responders over the radio.
Ten-codes
An electric circuit designed to cut off weak radio transmissions that are only capable of generating noise.
Squelch
A code indicating that a fire fighter is lost, missing, or trapped, and requires immediate assistance.
Mayday
A radio system that uses two frequencies per channel; one frequency transmits and the other receives messages. Such a system uses a repeater site to transmit messages over a greater distance than is possible with a simplex system.
Duplex channel
To send out emergency response resources promptly to an address or incident location for a specific purpose. (NFPA 450)
Dispatch
A stationary radio transceiver with an integral AC power supply. (NFPA 1221)
Base station
A telephone that connects two predetermined points.
Direct line
An enhanced 911 service feature that shows the calling party's phone number on the display screen at the telecommunicator's terminal.
Automatic number identification (ANI)
A trained individual who is responsible for answering requests for emergency and nonemergency assistance from citizens. This individual assesses the need for a response and alerts responders to the incident.
Telecommunicator
An enhanced 911 service feature that displays where the call originated or where the phone service is billed.
Automatic location identification (ALI)