Hey guys, new EMT here, I tried searching the forum for an existing thread on using the two-way rances but didn't find anything. I finished the EMT course and they taught us nothing on how to operate the radio - and I just spent 2 hours online to search and am more confused than before. Here in Jersey we have just 3 channels for us BLS ambulances.
1. BLS ambulance-to-Emergency Department
2. Statewide EMS coordination
3. Statewide public safety coordination for police, fire and EMS
So what's expected of me from these channels? Which ones can I use to communicate with in case of emergency? And how? There's a DTMF microphone in the patient compartment - and I have a list of 4 digit numbers to call hospitals there, but no clue how to do that. Please let me know where I could read up about this.
I probably will never use the radio but I should know how to use it
ok, first of all, you're not correct. you have bad information. I would normally just say speak to your agency (or whomever is your boss), but since you asked, I will help you get some correct information.
1) Statewide, NJ has 4 VHF JEMS (Jersey Emergency Medical Services I think) channels, not 3. JEMS1 is typically your ALS dispatch channel, although some ALS agencies use that as their primary operations channel too. If you need to request an ALS unit, speak to an ALS unit, or speak to the ALS dispatch center, you can do so on this channel. JEMS2 is BLS ambulance to hospital, usually the ED, but sometimes to a monitored area elsewhere (such as the ALS dispatch center), who can relay information to the ED. Some places use it more than others. JEMS3 is intragency communication, or a isolated incident interagency TAC channel which (IIRC) isn't repeated. So if you are all operating on a major incident (emergency or preplanned, like the county fair), where you have people from all over, they can all share a common channel. JEMS4 is simliar to JEMS3, but it is repeated, and is the same as SPEN4, which is the State Police Emergency Network. in theory, every public safety vehicle has this channel, and can talk to each other, but I stress, this is only in theory.
2) JEMS2 uses the DTMF channels. in a nutshell, when you want to call a particular hospital, switch the radio to JEMS2, press the DTMF numbers, and you will alert the receiving hospital that you are calling and only speak to them. there should be a list of the 4 digit hospitals in your area, and they are usually broken down by county (ie, all 62xx were middlesex county hospitals).
3) most people DON'T operate on the statewide channels; the agency has it's own frequency (VHF, UHF, 800mz, trunk system, the list goes on) which means you may or may not be able to talk directly to your neighbor. but you should be able to call your other units and dispatch with minimal problems. You will use the local channels much more than the statewide ones. To get them to work, put the PTT button, and talk. very simple. your agency should teach you how to do all this.
The trick to radio operations is to minimize their usage. Every time you key up the radio you may be impacting the ability of somebody to get out an emergency message.
with all due, the trick to radio operations is to minimize chatter. radios are designed to be tools of communications. use them as such. Delivery your message, ensure it was recieved, and move on. you don't need to minimize what you say, but make sure it needs to be said, and said it clearly over the radio so the other person gets the message. oh, and only use it for professional reasons.... you'd be surprised how often people forget that the radio is public safety equipment and should be used for public safety related stuff only.
