• Volume and On/Off Control Knob: To turn the radio on, twist the knob in the clockwise direction. There is a "click" and the radio will chirp when turned on. Twisting this knob in the clockwise direction after the click will also increase the volume; twisting counterclockwise until the click will decrease the volume. Turning the knob counterclockwise until there is a "click" turns the radio off. The radio must be "On" in order for a page to be received.
• Channel Select Knob: Selects the channel (specific frequency) that the radio is transmitting and receiving on. CER uses the same channel as Colby Security. This knob should always be set to channel 2. Channel 1 is the frequency for PPD and Jitney; a CER page will only be received if the radio is set to channel 2.
• Scan Mode Switch:Each radio has the ability to either be scanning all radio traffic on the selected frequency (open channel) or to only tone if a page is sent (closed channel). CER uses the same channel and dispatch as the Colby Safety and Security department; whenever CER is dispatched, a page-tone is sent out which is followed by specific CER information. This page can be received on either a closed or open channel. If this silver switch is set to B or C, the radio is on "scan" mode (open channel) and you will be able to listen to all Security radio traffic. If the switch is on A, the radio is on "page" mode (closed channel) so only a CER page will be heard. Once a page is sent, the radio automatically goes on "scan" mode so you will hear the dispatch information (and all other traffic) after the tone. Furthermore, you can transmit through the radio while on a closed channel (A), but you may accidentally cut in on someone else talking on the radio on that channel. Thus it is recommended that CER rescuers keep his/her radio on A but switch to B or C to speak into the radio. Please do not leave radios on scan mode (B or C) while in public places.
• LED Indicator: Will be illuminated (flash red) during radio transmissions on the selected channel. Furthermore, it will flash green if a page has gone out without response. The LED will also flash green once when the radio is turned on.
• Push To Talk (PTT) Button: Must be depressed (and held down while talking) to transmit and released to receive a transmission.
• All other buttons on the radio are not programmed for our use and should not be used for any reason. Furthermore, the universal connector on the radio is covered by a protective plate that should be left in place unless one of the radio accessories is being used.
• If functioning properly, the radio will chirp once, when first turned on, it will chirp twice in short succession when the battery is running low. These are distinctly different tones from when a CER page is sent. Please make sure you are familiar with these indicator sounds.
• CER uses 36-hour rechargeable batteries for the radios.
• Each on-duty rescuer should take a spare battery from the office; please make sure all batteries taken are recorded on the sign in sheet.
• Dead (uncharged) batteries should either be placed on a charger in the office or in the appropriate bin.
• Please do not place batteries that contain a charge on the charger - this will kill the battery (only put a battery on the charger if it makes the radio chirp).
• Charged batteries (indicated by the green light on the charger) should be placed in the appropriate bin.
• At hand-off the crews should communicate the status (when the battery was put on the radio, etc) of the batteries in the radios and packs.
• It is the responsibility of the crew coming-off duty to ensure that all dead batteries are removed from the packs and placed in the appropriate place in the office (on the charger or in the "uncharged" bin).
• If a battery is not functioning properly (including discharging long before it should), put it aside and note it one the equipment whiteboard (in the appropriate place) and/or inform the Equipment/Supplies officer so that the battery may be reconditioned (please do not recondition batteries yourself).
• Using the radio (including getting calls and scanning traffic) drains the radio quicker. A battery does not need to be reconditioned until it lasts less then 20 hours.
• There are universal standards in radio traffic; CER and Colby Security are no exception, therefore please take extra care in the radio traffic used for both the sake of CER and of Colby Security.
• Under no circumstance should a patient's name be stated over the radio.
• In general, all radio traffic should start with: who you are to whom/where you are calling. An example would be: "Rescue 2 to Central..." and then the message.
• CER shares a radio channel with and is dispatched by Colby Security; our dispatch station is referred to as "Central".
• Generally, avoid using any names or specifics over the radio (including details of calls and rescuers names).
• Don't be affraid of the radio - please feel free to ask for a repeat of dispatch information, directions to the location, etc...
• Common radio usage involves 10-codes assigned to specific actions or situations. Please do not use them if you are not familiar with them. If security or another rescuer uses them, and you do not understand, inform then to repeat the message without the 10-code. A list of commonly used 10-codes is included.
Radio traffic for CER calls:
When a CER page goes out, the Rescue-One should be the first to respond (if he or she does not in a timely fashion, the Rescue-Two or -Three may respond first). After a CER page-tone, the rescuer should respond telling Central to commence with the dispatch information. There should be confirmation that the dispatch was received by all rescuers along with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to the scene. Central should be notified when the first CER member is on scene, when and where the patient will be transported and when CER is back in service (after call is finished and CER is ready to take another call). If necessary, call Central to request gear from the security trucks, Delta, repeat of call location or dispatch information, confirm ETA or location of other rescuers, etc.
Sample radio traffic:
Radio Page-Tone: "Beep Beep Beep Beep"
Rescue-1: "R1 to Central, go ahead for CER"
Central: "There is a report of an unconscious person in Olin 1"
Rescue-1: "R1 to Central, 10-4, ETA of 3 minutes"
Rescue-2: "R2 to Central, call received, ETA of 5 minutes" or "R2 to Central, please repeat the dispatch information and location", etc...
Central: "10-4, CER. An officer will meet you at the door"
Rescue-1: "R1 is at the scene"
Rescue-2: "R2 is at the scene"
Rescue-1: "R1 to Central..."
Central: "Central, go ahead CER..."
Rescue-1: "We will need Delta to be dispatched to Olin 1 for a (pt description)" Or "CER will be transporting from Olin 1 to the Health Center; please have a security truck meet us at the door"
Colby College Security 10-Codes
COLBY COLLEGE SECURITY 10-CODES
10-1 Receiving Poorly/Unable to Copy
10-2 Receiving Well/Loud and Clear
10-3 Go Ahead/Please Respond
10-4 Acknowledged/Received
10-6 Standby/Busy
10-7 Out of Service/Broken
10-8 In Service/Available
10-9 Repeat
10-14 Escort
10-17 Meet With (person & place)
10-18 Complete Task ASAP
10-20 Present Location
10-21 Call By Phone
10-22 Give Phone # of Present Location
10-31 Crime in Progress
10-32 Person with Weapon
10-36 Correct Time
10-42 Possible Suicide/Attempt
10-43 Intoxicated Person
10-44 Possible Mental Subject
10-45 Domestic Dispute
10-48 Unattended Death
10-55 Auto Accident
10-57 Ambulance Needed
10-59 Assist
10-72 Fire Alarm
10-74 Officer Needs Help
10-85 Possible Assult
10-86 Possible Sextual Assult
10-90 CER Needed
10-91 Injured Person
10-93 Ill Person
10-94 Possible Alcohol Poisoning
10-95 Possible Drug OD
10-99 Chemical Spill
1000 Keep Radio Traffic to Absolute Minimum
Situation in Progress
• Radio should be "ON" and on channel 2 at all times.
• Never state a patient's name over the radio!!!!
• The radio should be on your person at all times while on duty.
• Please put the radio on the closed channel (A) while in public hearing - do not broadcast on an open channel in public.
• Please put the radio on an open channel (B or C) when transmitting (talking).
• Radios are for CER use only! Personal or misuse of radios will not be tolerated!!!
• Do not allow friends to play with teh radios, do not leave them where they could be broken, stolen or abused.
• Please document all radios and battereies taken on the sign-in sheet (batteries and radios are numbered on the back).
• Crews coming off duty are responsible for communicating the status of the batteries in the radios and packs and removing/recharging all used batteries.
• The crew signing in on duty is responsible for ensuring that radios and batteries are functioning; a test page should be done every night at hand-off.
• Please abide by radio-traffic protocols; limit chatter, be conscientious of confidentiality.
• Any lost, stolen, broken or malfunctioning radio equipment should be documented and reported the the Equipment & Supplies officer immediately.
• If working properly, the radio will let out one chirp--tone when switched on. It will let out little chirp-noises when the battery is dead. The actualy page is a long tone followed by some beeps. Make sure you are familiar with all of these tones.
