Competency framework for fire service personnel operating radio communications within the Incident Command System (ICS). Drawn from NFPA 1221, NFPA 1026, NFPA 1061, NFPA 1001, NFPA 1002, NFPA 1500, ICS-100/200/300/400, FEMA/DHS NIMS, FCC Part 90, and APCO/NENA interoperability standards.
Competencies (40)
Understand and apply emerging radio technologies in fire service communicationsRadio Regulatory and Technical Knowledge
Apply radio communications for active shooter and hostile event (ASHER) incidentsSpecialized Incident Communications
Use radio communications to support unified command operationsCommand-Level Radio Operations
Apply radio communications in an Incident Command Post (ICP) environmentCommand-Level Radio Operations
Manage radio communications for planned events (special events, pre-planned incidents)Command-Level Radio Operations
Apply crew resource management (CRM) principles to radio communicationsICS Communications Fundamentals
Develop and deliver radio communications training for fire service personnelTraining and Competency Development
Apply APCO and NENA standards for public safety communications interoperabilityRadio Interoperability
Use radio communications to support command and control of multiple companiesCommand-Level Radio Operations
Perform radio communications under reduced visibility and high-noise environmentsRadio Equipment Operation
Communicate with aviation resources (air-to-ground communications)Specialized Incident Communications
Understand and use radio documentation and logging requirementsRadio Regulatory and Technical Knowledge
Manage communications during transfer of commandCommand-Level Radio Operations
Perform radio communications during high-rise fire operationsSpecialized Incident Communications
Apply NFPA 1561 Emergency Communications requirements for incident management systemsICS Communications Fundamentals
Apply communications procedures for mass casualty and EMS incidentsSpecialized Incident Communications
Conduct radio after-action review of communications performanceICS Communications Fundamentals
Maintain situational awareness through active radio monitoringICS Communications Fundamentals
Apply radio security and encryption practices for sensitive communicationsRadio Regulatory and Technical Knowledge
Understand and apply FCC licensing and regulatory requirements for fire service radio systemsRadio Regulatory and Technical Knowledge
Conduct radio communications during wildland and wildland-urban interface (WUI) incidentsSpecialized Incident Communications
Conduct radio communications for technical rescue and special operations incidentsSpecialized Incident Communications
Conduct radio communications for hazardous materials incidentsSpecialized Incident Communications
Use radio to support personnel accountability systemsEmergency Radio Procedures
Request and coordinate additional resources via radioCommand-Level Radio Operations
Transmit and manage progress reports during incident operationsIncident Reporting
Maintain radio discipline and manage radio traffic congestionRadio Transmission Procedures
Recognize and manage radio dead zones and coverage failures on the firegroundRadio Interoperability
Apply radio interoperability procedures for multi-agency incidentsRadio Interoperability
Operate within a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) communications environmentCommunications Unit Operations
Operate as Communications Unit Leader (COML)Communications Unit Operations
Complete and use the ICS-205 Incident Radio Communications PlanCommand-Level Radio Operations
Manage radio traffic as Incident CommanderCommand-Level Radio Operations
Transmit and receive Evacuation (Emergency Evacuation Signal) notificationsEmergency Radio Procedures
Transmit and respond to a Mayday radio transmissionEmergency Radio Procedures
Transmit and acknowledge tactical assignments via radioIncident Reporting
Transmit and receive initial size-up and on-scene reportsIncident Reporting
Use standard radio transmission procedures and plain languageRadio Transmission Procedures
Operate portable and mobile radio equipment in an incident environmentRadio Equipment Operation
Identify and describe the ICS radio communications structureICS Communications Fundamentals