Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH
Fire Station/Personnel Notification
Fire station alerting is a part of the telegraph fire box system—bells sound in the station when there is an
alarm or fire box activation. The system also controls apparatus bay doors on stations with newer door
electronics, as well as turn on lights in the station. Additionally, the CAD system transmits digital pages when
there is an event. All stations have a CAD status monitor that will display the alarm information.
Response Determinations
The Center uses station (box) order to determine responses. The station orders are predesigned by
administrators then the dispatcher reviews unit availability and response criteria for a response.
Workflow
While there is no operations committee to collect feedback and input from the users of the system, Deputy
Chiefs can ask for changes at any time for temporary solutions. More permanent changes require senior staff
approval or direction.
There is a separation of duties for on-duty staff. Dispatchers receive an assignment of either radio dispatcher
or call-taker. The Center does not track call answer performance or use dispatching protocols as EMD is
performed at the primary PSAP.
Upon answering an emergency call, the call-takers will determine the location and type of event, then send
out a pre-alert on the radio. The event goes into a CAD pending queue for a radio dispatcher to handle.
The dispatcher will announce a new event on a dispatch out-only channel. Then there are five fire, and three
EMS Control/Command channels for use. On average, there are five units on each channel at any one time,
and the dispatchers are required to listen to multiple channels at the same time. There are tactical channels
assigned by the dispatcher on request. The dispatchers are required to monitor the tactical channels.
Quality Assurance (QA)
OA is performed on phone and radio calls, but it is not done consistently. Typically, QA is only done to review
complaints/issues. The administrative staff does the audits. The dispatchers do not receive feedback from
these audits.
Other Duties as Assigned
Despite a recent move to an online option, dispatchers still receive controlled burn questions on Burn Days.
Additionally, dispatchers are responsible for tracking the local hospital status and monitoring the 100
milliamperes system (Fire Alarm Boxes).
Mutual Aid
Dispatchers are required to be aware of their mutual aid partners' unavailability only.
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