SAN ANDREAS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Standard Operating Procedures

This page shall serve as the official Communications Policy for the San Andreas Fire Department:

Last Updated:  11/21/2022
By:   Kidd B.

5.1- Purpose:

A reliable communications system is essential to obtain information on emergencies, and to direct and control our resources responding to those situations. A department’s communication system can set the stage for efficient actions and improve effectiveness of tasks being performed on emergency scenes.  San Andreas Fire Department currently runs on a radio system that has both repeated and non-repeated channels.  Fire Dispatch is located as LSFD Station #1.


5.2- Nodus Agencies Radio Channels:

SAFD Operations Channel: 11

SAFD Alternate Channel: 11.1

EMS Operations Channel: 12

LSPD Operations Channel: 1

DOC (Jail)  Ops Channel: 10   **as of 11/12,  SAFD & EMS can't access this**



5.2- General Communication Guidelines:

5.3- On-Scene Reports & Situation Updates:


Number of floors:

Simple, look up and count them.  After completing your 360 you will use this information to “label” the building.  This information could be pertinent when describing the scene to those who are 

still on the way or when giving directions to crews who are operating.   

Example.  You arrive on scene of a 4 story building, but fire is only on the second floor.  Your 360/Situation Update may sound like this:

“Battalion F03, situation update. We have a 4 story commercial building. We will be labeling this floors one, two, three and four.  We currently have fire showing from 

side Alpha on the second floor. There is a hydrant in front of the building on side Alpha.  We will be initiating an offensive fire attack with a crew of 2 on the second 

floor, have the second in engine proceed to floor three to check for extension. Battalion F03 will be establishing command at my vehicle on side Alpha.”


This update gives a clear picture that the building is multiple floors, where the fire is, where crews are initially operating.  

It also allows that second engine to know when they get there they are going to the third floor of this building. 


Sometimes the number of floors on side Alpha may be different than side Charlie. For example, the building is built into a hillside. 

It is important we label these because when you go in on the first floor from side alpha and make your way to side Charlie, you may actually 

now be on the second level and if you need to jump out of a window that could affect things.  Radio traffic for this would sound something 

like, “We are on scene of a 3 story building. 2 in the front, 3 in the rear. Labeling this  Basement, One, Two”.


Type of Occupancy:

It is important that we attempt, to the best of our ability, describe the occupancy type. Different occupancies present different types of 

hazards, layouts, etc to firefighters. Time of day also plays into this.  A “Single Family Home” is very different from a “Commercial Building”.   

A house may have 3 or 4 people in it, some couches, ect. Whereas a commercial building could have any number of people in it and could be used 

for a various number of business related purposes and will have many more hazards associated with it.


NFPA Occupancy Classifications: 



Conditions and Pertinent Info:

Anything that needs to be communicated in order to expedite the task at hand or that could significantly impact incoming crews or crews 

operating on scene.  

Examples:


Water Supply:





Mode of Attack:


5.4- Signal 1  (/panic):