S-212 Communications

Course Overview:

Learning Objectives & Specific Outcomes:

Two-way radio communications follow a standard set of procedures that have been put in place in order to maintain clarity and efficiency. The S-212 Fire Communications course prepares trainees to communicate with wildfire dispatchers or become dispatchers themselves.

Topics Include:

S-212 Fire Communications is a 1/2-day course that introduces trainees to the procedure involving two-way radios. Trainees familiarize themselves with two-way radio equipment, learn correct radio procedures including caller and station ID, and learn the importance of following etiquette when using government channels. They learn about appropriate modes of speech, learning to speak slowly and clearly, to use the globally recognized phonetic alphabet in order to spell out words that could be misinterpreted, to use specific two-way radio terms such as “Affirmative” and “Over,” and to make and receive distress calls. Trainees also learn about range limitations and the use of repeaters.