Radio Communication Operators
Every Fire and Rescue Department needs someone back at the station to facilitate communications with responders in the field. Some departments call them “dispatchers” – here at Portal Rescue we have “Radio Communication Operators”. Our RCOs rush to the fire station (or use home-based equipment) at the start of an incident and facilitate our communications.
Call Sign: Portal Rescue Communications
- Things RCOs do:
- Use a two-way radio.
- Keep track of event times.
- Contact outside agencies by telephone.
- Relay information to the Incident Commander in the field.
- Help us find a location.
- Answer the phone anytime of the day or night.
- Things RCOs don’t do:
- Be in charge.
- Make decisions about our field operations.
- Relay identifying medical information.
- Answer a 911 call from a panicked resident.
- Skills:
- Communicate clearly on radio and telephone (a learned skill).
- Act as a steady calm voice for stressed field responders.
- Be a good listener and recorder.
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If this sounds like a way you’d like to help Portal Rescue, then give the EMS Chief Jackie Lewis or Fire Chief David Newton a call.
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Library of “toneout” sound files. Lots of noise. Imagine you’re in the wind.
Our current RCOs:
Susanne Apitz
Bonnie Bowen
Dinah Davidson
Marilyn Forestell
Rolf Koford
Jackie Lewis
Linda Wadsworth
Bill Wilbur