Keep track of times

[cfddisp1]

I need to come up with an idea of keeping track of times for working structure fire, and heavy rescue extrications

[Bones42]

Might be able to do like we do.

We call our dispatcher and give them updates. They then give us a transcript of the call with times.

[fireman4949]

We do the same thing as Bones. All benchmarks (i.e. knock down, primary and secondary searches, fire out, extrication complete, etc.) are reported via radio to communications and the times are placed on the call log.

[ullrichk]

Ditto that for us. Sometimes I make a point to tell the dispatcher to make a note on the incident log when I want something entered that isn't an ordinary benchmark.

If you're in a position that you don't have the help of dispatch, a voice/data recorder will allow you to make your own transcripts with a time imprint.

[djgilbert32]

Our county dispatch does a check every 20 minutes when on the scene, at that time we'll do a PAR, and then let them know if we need them to continue check ups, also when things happen on scene we'll conact dispatch to advise then for record.

[dday05]

Any type of fire needs a control time and it's as simple as advising dispatch that over the radio. Even as you stated with calls of entrapment, advise your dispatch once the size up is done what you need to do. For example if you're going to be extricating , advise dispatch, and once the pt is out advise dispatch because that should be documented on your ems run sheet as well, if it's not documented on your sheet somewhere and lets say it took 35 minutes to extricate the pt, the er doc might be having a talk with you or who ever does your ems about why you're on scene that long. We usually call for our times once BIS and dispatch gives us our radio log sheets monthly in which everything is documented. Once you and your dept get in the habit of that it will be second nature to you.Good luck.

[JOKeefe]

cfddisp1, I'm going to "assume" that you are a dispatcher. If so, do you have a CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system? You should have a comments area in which you can make such notes. Otherwise, maybe you need to design a form to be used with various benchmarks already listed and just needing the times. Last resort, go back to your recordings and enter the times from there.

[MarionMedic]

Radio Dispatch with updates.

You might have to tell them to make a note of it.

[Geinandputitout]

All Clear - Primary Search Completed & Any Victims Evacuated

Under Control - Situation Stabilized - Fire Knocked Down

Loss Stopped - No more damage occurring to the property

20 minute timer

[oneforallb]

our department has downloaded a free computer program that records radio traffic on our computer. We cannot rely on our dispatcher to track our times. The program time stamps the the radio traffic. it is also a very valuable tool for incident critique. great for training.

The program is sound card recorder. down loaded it from download.com