south plains emergency medical services, inc.
Contents
1. Depress the PTT button and enter the 3 digit Off Code for the local repeater It is the responsibility of the unit initiating the call to turn off or close the repeater To contact a Lubbock hospital Lubbock EMS Dispatch or AeroCare Dispatch 1 Open the local repeater by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the local repeater Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Open the Regional Control Station by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the appropriate Med Channel MED Channel On Code Off Code MED 1 12 12 MED 3 34 34 MED 5 56 56 MED 7 78 784 Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Alert the Lubbock hospital by depressing the PTT button and entering the 4 digit code for the hospital being called Hospital Alert Code UMC 229 111 CMC 624 015 AeroCare Dispatch N A Dispatch 660 660 Pick up the microphone amp depress the Push to Talk PTT button Identify the hospital being called your hospital and the MED Channel being used Release the PTT button to receive acknowledgment When contact is completed wait for the hospital to clear and say your hospital call sign found in Appendix II and clear 10 Depress the PTT button and enter the 3 digit Off Code for both the Regional Control Station and local repeater It is the res2. 5 When transmitting numbers such as vital signs repeat the numbers to assure there are no mistakes Use the phonetic alphabet when spelling words or names of medications 6 Discretion should be used when transmitting sensitive information such as rape victim or attempted suicide Patient names should NEVER be transmitted SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 14 APPENDIX DTMF ACCESS CODES County MED On Off Hospital Alert Channel Code Code Code Bailey 1 74 14 Muleshoe Area Medical Center 524 Cochran 3 13 13 Cochran Memorial Hospital Morton 565 Crosby 5 12 12 Crosbyton Clinic Hospital 382 Dawson 5 Medical Arts Hospital Dickens 3 63 63 Floyd 1 45 45 W J Mangold Memorial Hospital Lockney 373 Gaines 3 500 500 Memorial Hospital Seminole N A Garza 7 87 87 Covenant Medical Center Plainview 531 Hale see Sen High Plains Hospital Hale Center 471 Hockley 5 46 46 Covenant Medical Center Levelland 963 Lamb 7 56 56 Lamb Healthcare Center Littlefield 411 Lynn 3 58 58 Lynn County Hospital Tahoka 533 Motley 7 52 52 Terry 1 42 42 Brownfield Regional Medical Center 551 Yoakum 7 98 98 Yoakum County Hospital Denver City 121 1 12 12 3 34 34 Regional 5 56 56 Control 7 78 18ft Station University Medical Center 229 111 Lubbock Covenant Medical Center 624 015 AeroCare Dispatch N A Lubbock
3. EMS Dispatch 660 660 SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 15 Quick Reference Map Use this map as a quick reference for the on code for each repeater For the off code replace the with Cochran Hockley Lubbock Dickens MED 3 MED 5 Regional MED 3 Control Station 13 46 MED 1 3 5 7 63 Yoakum MED 7 98 Gaines Dawson MED 3 MED 5 500 HH SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 16 APPENDIX II HOSPITAL CALL SIGNS City Hospital Call Sign Amherst South Plains Hospital WGM 295 Brownfield Brownfield Regional Medical Center Crosbyton Crosbyton Clinic Hospital WGM 290 Denver City Yoakum County Hospital WGM 289 Floydada Caprock Hospital WGM 293 Hale Center Hi Plains Hospital WGM 291 Lamesa Medical Arts Hospital Levelland Covenant Medical Center Levelland WGM 297 Littlefield Lamb Healthcare Center WGM 294 Lockney W J Mangold Memorial Hospital WGM 286 Lubbock Covenant Medical Center KMK 229 Lubbock Covenant Medical Center Lakeside KMK 229 Lubbock University Medical Center KMK 229 Morton Cochran Memorial Hospital WGM 288 Muleshoe Muleshoe Area Medical Center WGM 296 Muleshoe Muleshoe Police Department WGM 299 Plainview Covenant Medical Center Plainview WGM 292 Post 22 WGM 287 Seminole Seminole Memorial Hospital Tahoka Lynn County
4. Hospital WGM 298 SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 17 APPENDIX Ill REGIONAL UNIT NUMBERS SPEMS Mobile Radio ID Numbers All radio communications equipment on the South Plains Regional Communication System must be assigned a unit number by the SPEMS Communications Committee to be considered as a provider legally operating under FCC rules and regulations Anyone on the current system or entering for the first time must comply with these rules and regulations Anyone who has not received a unit number should contact the South Plains EMS Radio System Unit Numbering Scheme For mobile radio equipment all unit numbers used in the SPEMS system are four digits and are assigned by the SPEMS Communications Committee The unit number is designed to not only identify the unit but to inform the operator and the dispatcher of the units Home channel and backup channel As an example Muleshoe unit 1701 The one indicates the unit s home channel to be MED 1 and the seven indicates that the next closest repeater is MED 7 The last 2 digits are the number of the particular ambulance 1 7 01 MED 1 Repeater MED 7 Repeater Unit of Primary MED Channel Secondary MED Channel Ambulance This number would quickly relate to the receiving centers that this ambulance is from a specific part of the region SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 1
5. Lubbock EMS Dispatch Center will monitor and record all radio traffic of simultaneous contacts and will put calls through on a priority basis If you call and are advised to standby do not deactivate the Regional Control Station or your local repeater by punching in their respective Off Codes Release the PTT button to listen and wait for permission to transmit SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page8 To contact Lubbock hospitals Lubbock EMS Dispatch or AeroCare Dispatch directly When within direct radio range of Lubbock hospitals approximately a 25 mile radius use the primary channel of the hospital being called The Lubbock hospitals monitor all radio traffic on their primary MED Channel therefore no alert code is needed Hospital MED Channel PL Tone UMC 229 MED 2 173 8 Hz CMC 624 MED 4 173 8 Hz CMC Children s 624 MED 4 173 8 Hz Highland 251 MED 8 173 8 Hz Heart Hospital 373 MED 8 173 8 Hz EMS Dispatch 660 AeroCare Dispatch MED 173 8 Hz Lubbock EMS Dispatch requests that all units from outside Lubbock County use MED 10 to advise when they enter or near the city limits of Lubbock The information needed includes the unit number destination and transport code Code 1 or Code 3 The City of Lubbock Police Department requests that all ambulances notify Lubbock Police Department dispatch when responding or transporting Code 3 in the city limits
6. entering the 3 digit On Code for the local repeater Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Open the Regional Control Station by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the appropriate Med Channel MED Channel On Code Off Code MED 1 12 12 MED 3 34 34 MED 5 56 56 MED 7 78 784 Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Alert the Lubbock hospital by depressing the PTT button and entering the 4 digit code for the facility being called Hospital Alert Code UMC 229 111 CMC 624 015 AeroCare Dispatch N A EMS Dispatch 660 660 Pick up the microphone amp depress the Push to Talk PTT button Identify the hospital being called your unit number and the MED Channel being used Release the PTT button to receive acknowledgment When contact is completed wait for the hospital to clear and say KA80279 clear 10 Depress the PTT button and enter the 3 digit Off Code for both the Regional Control Station and local repeater It is the responsibility of the unit initiating the call to turn off or close the Regional Control Station and local repeater 11 The hospital staff should be sure to reset the control station alert signal NOTE The Regional Control Station receives on all four MED Channels simultaneously but can transmit on only one MED Channel at a time
7. may access it easily A copy of this manual should also be kept in each ambulance or other vehicle which has a mobile radio used on the system Updates to this manual will be distributed as necessary to keep the contents current If information contained within this manual requires revision please contact the SPEMS office SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 4 SPEMS SYSTEM DESIGN The SPEMS Communications System is an Ultra High Frequency UHF FM system licensed to operate under the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission F C C in the Public Safety Radio Service Within this radio band the F C C has identified ten paired sets of frequencies that are reserved specifically for Emergency Medical Service communication These frequencies are standard throughout the country and are designated MED 1 through MED 10 The first eight medical frequencies MED 1 8 are to be used only for Medical Control radio traffic the transmission of medical information to and from hospital and field providers The last two medical frequencies MED 9 amp 10 are available for dispatch and coordinator information In addition to the specific MED Channels the F C C has required that all mobile radios have all MED 1 8 Channels with the exception of those in existing systems and all base stations amp control stations must have at least four of the MED 1 8 Channels Theoretically this will insure that an
8. microphone amp depress the PTT button Identify the ambulance unit being called and your unit number Release the PTT button and wait for acknowledgment When contact is completed wait for the called ambulance to say clear and say KA80279 clear Depress the PTT button and enter the 3 digit Off Code for the local repeater It is the responsibility of the unit initiating the call to turn off or close the repeater To contact a local hospital 1 Open the local repeater by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the local repeater Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Alert the local hospital by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit code for the hospital Pick up the microphone amp depress the PTT button Identify the hospital being called and your unit number Release the PTT button and wait for acknowledgment When contact is completed wait for the hospital to clear and say KA80279 clear Depress the PTT button and enter the 3 digit Off Code for the local repeater It is the responsibility of the unit initiating the call to turn off or close the repeater The hospital staff should be sure to reset the control station alert signal SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page To contact a Lubbock hospital Lubbock EMS Dispatch or AeroCare Disptach 1 Open the local repeater by depressing the PTT button and
9. not transmit again until called upon Traffic Radio message between stations Urgent Second order traffic in importance SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 12 Patient Information Presentation Protocol One of the main purposes of the SPEMS Communications System is to provide a mechanism for EMS providers in the field to communicate vital patient information directly to the physician in the Emergency Department The field EMS provider must remember that national training standards in both BLS and ALS all address the importance of initial assessment of the scene patient s condition diagnostic signs gathering pertinent medical history and relaying this information to the receiving health care facility The EMS provider should consider this a major responsibility to insure that established patient care standards are maintained The following format for patient information presentation is widely accepted throughout the region however EMS providers are encouraged to contact their local medical control and discuss possible changes in this format to meet specific needs of the local EMS system 1 Establish contact with appropriate facility 2 Identify yourself unit number name of service Med channel and personal ID number 3 Identify your patient s age sex weight 4 Briefly describe situation causes mechanism of injury complications amp identify chief complaint or injuries 5 Provide
10. vital signs pulse respirations blood pressure pupils skin neurological amp vascular signs 6 Provide pertinent information about medical history medications amp allergies 7 Describe treatment given amp significant changes in patient condition 8 Give name of patient s physician 9 Give method of transport Code 1 or Code 3 and estimated time of arrival E T A Several points should be made concerning the radio transmission of this information 1 Not each patient transport will require this amount of detailed information The EMS provider must use judgment as to the pertinent amount of information to be given The ultimate goal is to provide the quickest most accurate description of the patient s overall condition 2 If reporting on multiple patients number each patient and present complete information on each patient before continuing to the next You should start with the most serious 3 Avoid on going radio transmissions If your report will take longer than one minute stop transmitting and confirm the receiving party has copied all information remember the receiving party will not be able to interrupt your transmission if there are any questions or problems SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 13 4 If you are uncomfortable in presenting this information a good practice is to write down all the information in the order you want to present it before you start transmitting
11. 8 Regional Unit Numbers Unit Service Unit Service Unit Service Bailey County Gaines County Lamb County 1701 Muleshoe 3516 Seminole 7500 Amherst 1702 Muleshoe 3517 Seminole 7501 Amherst 1703 Muleshoe 3518 Seminole 7502 Earth 3906 Seagraves 7503 Earth Cochran County 3907 Loop 7504 Littlefield 3501 Morton 3908 Seagraves 7505 Littlefield 3502 Morton 7506 Sudan 3503 Morton Garza County 7507 Sudan 7901 Post 7509 Littlefield 1 Resp Crosby County 7902 Post 7510 Littlefield 5901 Crosbyton 7307 Olton 5902 Lorenzo Hale County 7308 Olton 5903 Ralls 3901 Hale Center 7309 Olton 1 Resp 5904 Crosbyton 3902 Hale Center 3903 Petersburg Lynn County Dawson County 3911 Plainview Fire 1901 O Donnell 9301 Lamesa 3912 Plainview Fire 1902 O Donnell 9302 Lamesa 3913 Plainview Fire 1903 Tahoka 9303 Lamesa 3914 Plainview Fire 1904 Tahoka Dickens County Hockley County Motley County 3510 Dickens 5910 Levelland 7508 Matador 3511 Dickens McAdoo 5911 Levelland 3512 Dickens Spur 5912 Anton Terry County 5913 Ropesville 1518 Brownfield Floyd County 5914 Sundown 1519 Brownfield 1501 Floydada 5915 Sundown 1520 Brownfield 1502 Floydada 5916 Levelland 1506 Lockney Yoakum County 7101 Denver City 7102 Denver City 7103 Plains 7104 Plains 7107 Denver City SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAF
12. SouTH PLAINS EMERGENCY Menica SERVICES INc REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL Updated January 2006 Le 2006 South Plains EMS rd All rights reserved No o pa art of this document may be used or reproduced in whole or pa any m with the express written permission o f South Plains EMS ine P O Box 53597 Lubbock Tex S 79453 3597 806 an 9582 TABLE OF CONTENTS x Fable f COMES eek latent at Page 2 e ntroduction ENNO KEENE Page 3 e SPEMS System Design Lu rugleutdseneekeeerndnenmdaiietnsddete Page 5 SPEMS System Operations srarsvrnrrnvrnrrvrnrrnvrnrrnrnrrnvrvernennrnrrnennernrnrrnernennn Page 6 5 EMS Opsrations ape Page 6 o Hospital Base Station amp Control Station Operations oo Page 9 o Radio Etiquette 5 aS Page 10 o Microphone Techniques mmrsnrvrrvervrnrrvrrvrrrenrrnernernenrrnrrsernennrnnrsennnn Page 11 o The Stuck Microphone 23 acacaaccueenenecnandwe eae Page 11 o Radio Message Format ccccseseesssssssesseerssssessesesersseseesrsreas Page 12 o Patient Information Presentation Protocol ccc cece cece Page 13 e Appendix DTMF Access Codes nrrnrnnrnnrnrrvrrnennrnrrnrrnennrnernersernennrnennenn Page 15 e Appendix Il Hospital Call Signs rrrrrrnrrrrrrrrrrnrrrrnrrrerrrnnrrrrrrrrernrnnrrrrnennnn Page 17 e Appendix Ill Regional Unit Numbers msernrvrrvrrnrrrrrrrverrernrnrrvernennrnernenn Page 18 e Appendix IV Lubbock EMS Categories amp Si
13. T DRAFT Page 19 Unit Service Unit Service Unit Service Lubbock County 9740 Lubbock 9770 RRAMS Lubbock Ambulance 9741 Lubbock 9771 RRAMS 9742 Lubbock 9772 RRAMS 9743 Lubbock 9773 RRAMS 9744 Lubbock 9745 Lubbock AeroCare 9746A Abernathy AC 1 Helicopter 9746B Abernathy AC 2 Helicopter 9747 Idalou AC 3 Fixed Wing 9748A Slaton AC 4 Helicopter 9748B Slaton AC 5 Helicopter 9749 Wolfforth AC D3 Ground Unit 9750 Shallowater 9751A Carlisle 9751B Carlisle 9752 Lubbock 9753 Lubbock 9754 Lubbock 9755 Lubbock SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 20 APPENDIX IV LUBBOCK EMS CATEGORIES amp SIGNALS CATEGORIES 1 Abdominal Pain Problems 2 Allergies Hives Med Reactions Stings 3 Animal Bites 4 Assault Rape 5 Back Pain 6 Breathing Problems 7 Burns 8 CO Inhalation Hazardous Materials 9 Cardiac Respiratory Arrest 0 Chest Pain 1 Choking 2 Convulsions Seizures 3 Diabetic Problems 4 Drowning Near Diving Accident 5 Electrocution 16 Eye Problems 7 Fall 18 Headache 9 Heart Problems 20 Heat Cold Exposure 1 Hemorrhage 2 Industrial Machinery Accident 3 Overdose Poisoning Ingestion 4 Pregnancy 5 Psychiatric Behavioral Problem 26 Sick Person Specific Diagnosis 7 Stab Gunshot Wound 28 Stroke CVA 9 Traffic Accident Injury 0 Traumatic Injury Specific 1 Unconscious Fainting 32 Unk
14. ad the user s manual for each radio they may be required to use to become familiar with the specific operating instructions The Communications Committee is available to assist agencies amp hospitals in training personnel Radio Licensing SPEMS is responsible to the F C C for assuring that the system is operated in accordance with F C C Rules and Regulations The licensee is also required to have full and exclusive control of the system equipment at all times as well as its use All agencies operating radios on the SPEMS Regional Communications System must adhere to all applicable F C C Rules and Regulations Title 18 Section 1464 United States Code Annotated is specific and the F C C sternly enforces the obscenity rule that when violated constitutes the most noxious of all transmissions and about which the Commission is the most particular Whoever utters any obscene indecent or profane language by means of radio communication shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years or both Violation of these rules may result in fines or other sanctions against the agency or individual responsible Base stations control stations amp mobile stations must be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission F C C for operation and must have the license in plain view of the operating consoles Base stations control stations amp mobile stations are required by the F C C to have and use the call sign when signing off t
15. gnals rrrrrsrrrrrrrrrerrenne Page 21 e Appendix V Maintenance amp Emergency Repair Procedures Page 22 SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page2 INTRODUCTION This manual is provided for the use of all agencies in the South Plains Regional Communications System and other agencies that may travel into the region or use the system The intended purpose of this manual is to provide a basic understanding of the capabilities proper utilization and maintenance policies of the SPEMS Communications System Its content specifically addresses the fundamental knowledge applicable to the EMS provider rather than a technical resource for system design and operation The purpose of the SPEMS Communications System is to maintain a region wide radio system allowing two way voice and biomedical telemetry communications between ambulances rescue units and local emergency and health care facilities The major functions of the SPEMS Communications System are to provide 1 communications between Ambulance amp Rescue units and Hospital Emergency Departments to allow A notification of incoming seriously ill or injured patients to healthcare facilities to permit healthcare facilities to mobilize specialized resources prior to patient arrival B on line medical control and consultation from emergency healthcare physicians to both BLS and ALS field providers C ambulance diversion to specialized
16. habet These should be spoken as A Alpha B Bravo C Charlie etc or A as in Alpha B as in Bravo etc Microphone Techniques Speak directly into the microphone In case of loud background noise you should shield the microphone by turning the face of the microphone away from the noise or cupping the hand around it Shouting and yelling into the microphone may cause a distorted signal and must be avoided even in the presence of a great deal of background noise It is essential that you maintain a constant volume that does not trail off at the end of sentences To avoid clipping words depress the PTT button for a moment before speaking and do not release it for a moment after completion of your last word otherwise a portion of your message may be lost Do not mumble or speak too fast Do not become excited or try to transmit while someone else is transmitting SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 11 The Stuck Microphone 1 Beware of the stuck PTT button 2 If your microphone is stuck on the air no one will be able to transmit or receive on that frequency 3 Everything you say will be picked up by the microphone and transmitted for all to hear 4 The PTT button could accidentally be depressed if a heavy object such as a book is placed on the desktop microphone or if a mobile microphone is placed on the seat of a vehicle 5 Check the transmit light on the radio occa
17. he air The licensee of a base station or control station should maintain a radio log for agency records as required by the F C C A standard radio log similar to the one used by most hospitals is available from the Communications Committee SPEMS will coordinate the F C C licensing procedure amp maintain an F C C license for each member agency in the system All mobile amp portable radios throughout the region are maintained under one license Each base station or control station along with each repeater will have a license for each radio or group of radios Repeaters Each repeater in the system should remain off until needed to insure that unwanted transmissions from neighboring radio systems do not cause interference This will also help extend the life of the repeater The user initiating radio contact should turn on or open each component needed to establish radio communications It is the responsibility of the user initiating contact to turn off or close each component used SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page6 EMS Operations The following instructions should be used when initiating radio contact from a mobile vehicle or portable handheld radio To contact another ambulance 1 Open the local repeater by depressing the Push to Talk PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the local repeater Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off Pick up the
18. healthcare facilities when the original facility does not have the necessary care capabilities available D continuous communication of vital patient information from field units to emergency healthcare facilities to enhance overall patient care and allow initiation of further field treatment 2 dispatch center functions to A provide ambulances with assistance when mechanical or navigational problems arise B provide ambulances with immediate assistance or information from Law Enforcement Fire Departments Highway Department or other agencies road conditions weather conditions etc C provide a Central Coordination Center in cases of regional or statewide disaster response D paging and dispatching of EMS personnel and vehicles SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page3 3 hospital to hospital communications to A provide a link of direct communication for medical resources and patient transfers B provide a back up communications link if telephone service is lost The success of the medical communications system will be determined by how it is used Therefore participants are encouraged to exercise good judgment courtesy and cooperation in their daily use of the system Users of the system should familiarize themselves with its proper use by reading this manual and attending training sessions A copy of this manual should be kept near each base station or control station so that users
19. nown Problem Man Down 33 Emergency Transfer 34 Emergency Infant Transfer 35 Non Emergency Transfer 36 Standby Special Event SIGNALS 1 Radio Transmission Unreadable 2 Radio Transmission Loud amp Clear 3 Fire Department Needed 4 Jaws Needed For Extrication 5 EMS Crew Out For A Meal 6 EMS Crew Busy Not Subject To Call SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT 7 EMS Crew Away From Radio Available By Phone Or Pager 8 EMS Crew Going Off Duty 9 EMS Crew En Route To Refuel 0 EMS Crew En Route For Maintenance 1 EMS Crew En Route To Call 2 EMS Crew Out At Hospital 13 Potential Dangerous Situation 4 Request For Shift Chief On Duty 5 Request For Service Number 16 Intoxicated Patient 17 Non EMS Rider Observer 18 Public Service EMS Dispatch Non Urgent 19 Public Service EMS Dispatch Urgent PEN Needed Non Urgent 21 Police Needed Urgent 22 Justice Of The Peace Needed 23 EMS Crew On Scene 24 Cancel 211 25 Private Ambulance Needed For Dead Body 26 Mental Patient 27 Possible Dead Body 28 Confirmed Dead Body 29 Patient Injury Code Minor 30 Patient Injury Code Moderate 31 Patient Injury Code Serious 32 Patient Injury Code Critical 33 Patient Injury Code Cardiac Respiratory Arrest 70 Fire Department Needed 71 Jaws Needed For Extrication 211 One Additional Unit Needed 311 Two Additional Units Needed 411 Three Additional Units Needed N1 Unfounded Call N2 Duplicate Call N3 Patient Refused Treatment T
20. of Lubbock In order to facilitate this requirement Lubbock EMS dispatch will notify LPD when EMS units advise they are transporting Code 3 inside Lubbock In addition Lubbock EMS Dispatch frequently receives requests from local hospitals or other dispatch centers requesting the location of EMS units Notifying Lubbock EMS Dispatch will ensure that any unit s location is available when needed and that EMS units are advised of road closures hazards or other important information Hospital Base Station amp Control Station Operations The following instructions should be used when initiating radio contact from a hospital base station or control station radio To contact an ambulance service another hospital or other personnel within the county 1 Open the local repeater by depressing the Push to Talk PTT button and entering the 3 digit On Code for the local repeater 2 Wait for the transmit or busy light to go off 3 Pick up the microphone amp depress the PTT button 4 If contacting another hospital alert the other hospital by depressing the PTT button and entering the 3 digit code for the hospital 5 Identify the ambulance unit being called and your hospital ID 6 Release the PTT button and wait for acknowledgment 7 When contact is completed wait for the called ambulance to clear and say your call sign found in Appendix II and clear SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 9 8
21. ponsibility of the user initiating the call to turn off or close the Regional Control Station and local repeater The Regional Control Station receives on all four MED Channels simultaneously but can transmit on only one MED Channel at a time Lubbock EMS Dispatch will monitor and record all radio traffic of simultaneous contacts and will put calls through on a priority basis If you advised to standby do not deactivate the Regional Control Station or your local repeater by punching in their respective Off Codes Release PTT button to listen and wait for permission to transmit SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 10 9 Radio Etiquette Be polite and courteous Be calm and reassuring Be firm in a normal tone of voice Use clear speech All conversations need to be clear neat brief easily understood and in plain English Avoid dropping the sound level of voice Do not use the phrases over and out roger Okay or wilco The proper response is Received or your call sign Long messages should be broken into short phrases to give the receiver time to copy the message Be specific with time use a m amp p m or 24 hour time 10 You should transmit numbers twice with the word repeating between transmissions The number 0 is always pronounced ZERO Use the International Phonetic Alphabet when spelling difficult words or names if familiar with phonetic alp
22. ransport N4 Patient Accepted Treatment Refused Transport EMS Refuses To Transport No Injuries N7 Transported By Other Means Dead Body Se N Nr Net DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 21 APPENDIX V MAINTENANCE amp EMERGENCY REPAIR PROCEDURES Any new or additional repeater or control stations to be added to the system will be coordinated by SPEMS Any agency requesting additional equipment should send a written Request for Radio Repair Additional Equipment or Change in Equipment form to the Communications Committee through the SPEMS office The form may be downloaded from www spems org or call the SPEMS office to have the form faxed The SPEMS Communications Committee will coordinate frequency assignment If an agency is experiencing problems with the Regional Communications System at ANY level a written Request for Radio Repair Additional Equipment or Change in Equipment form should be sent to the Communications Committee through the SPEMS office The form may be faxed to 806 791 5260 For immediate assistance call the SPEMS office at 806 791 2582 The Communications Committee will investigate the problem and recommend appropriate action All base stations and remote consoles along with mobile and portable radios being utilized on the SPEMS system will be maintained by the county or local provider repeaters and other major components will be maintained by SPEMS Maintenance or alterations MUST have prior approval from SPEMS to in
23. sionally to see if your radio is accidentally on the air 6 Personnel should place desktop microphones in a safe place and should hang up the microphone on mobile radio units Radio Message Codes amp Pro Words The use of a 10 code is acceptable if everyone in the system is knowledgeable of the 10 code being used Appendix II contains a list of the Categories amp Signals used by Lubbock EMS While their use is not required by SPEMS agencies they may be adopted as needed Remember the use of language common to all parties will always be the quickest and most reliable Certain words can be confusing or misunderstood when used over the radio Radio pro words should be used to make sure everyone understands the meaning of the message Pro Word Meaning Affirmative Yes Approach Within thirty to sixty seconds of arrival Contact Establish communications Clear Available for reassignment Disregard Do not take action on last transmission En Route Traveling to a specified destination Incorrect Wrong Monitoring Listening to all traffic on radio frequency Negative No Obtain Get Priority First order traffic requiring immediate attention Relay Pass the radio traffic or information to another person or location Received The message is understood Routine Third order traffic dealt with after priority and urgent category traffic Repeat Repeat last message Standby Do
24. sure there will be no adverse effects to the system No repairs will be made without authorization of SPEMS Payment for all unauthorized repairs or changes and any repairs to return the system to its original state will be the responsibility of the agency or individual requesting repairs The SPEMS office should be notified immediately when any station is out of service to initiate notification of Regional coordination points SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page 22 Sa South Plains EMS Vi Communications Committee Ves in he Request for Radio Repair Additional Equipment or Change in Equipment Please complete all information Submit this form to SPEMS by mail fax or email All repairs MUST have prior authorization from SPEMS All unauthorized repairs additions or changes will be the responsibility of the requesting agency or individual Contact Agency Contact Name Title Address City State Texas Zip Phone Email EEE em Pager Is les pm Fax County Primary MED Channel Description of Problem or Request please be as detailed as possible Include additional documentation if necessary Office Use Only Received by Date Time Forwarded to Date Time Repairs Authorized by Date Time Bill to Estimate Forwarded to Vendor Date Time Invoice 3 Repairs Completed Comments
25. y mobile unit can communicate with any base station in the SPEMS system SPEMS member services are authorized to transmit on the following UHF frequencies Med Base Station or Control Station or Channel Repeater Transmitter Mobile Transmitter MED 1 463 000 MHz 468 000 MHz MED 2 463 025 MHz 468 025 MHz MED 3 463 050 MHz 468 050 MHz MED 4 463 075 MHz 468 075 MHz MED 5 463 100 MHz 468 100 MHz MED 6 463 125 MHz 468 125 MHz MED 7 463 150 MHz 468 150 MHz MED 8 463 175 MHz 468 175 MHz MED 9 462 950 MHz 467 950 MHz MED 10 462 975 MHz 467 975 MHz Some general characteristics of UHF radio signals should be mentioned in order to understand some of the advantages and limitations of the system UHF radio signals require line of sight which means that UHF transmissions do not skip over obstructions such as mountain ranges or out of canyons These signals tend to be absorbed by these obstructions This characteristic decreases the radio range but it also decreases the interference caused by atmospheric conditions associated with lower radio bands UHF signals are particularly well suited for long range transmission since signals will tend to be precise and received with Clarity SPEMS Communications Manual 2006 DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Page5 SPEMS SYSTEM OPERATIONS Each radio used in the system will have different features amp operating instructions Therefore each user should re
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