Break, Break

[Gymbag]

Ok, I have to ask, where did this "break, break" come from at the Fire Depts? I'm old enough to know that during the CB hey days it was used quite a bit, but with these firefighters and a few dispatchers it sounds like they are yapping on a CB. Sounds terribly unprofessional.

 

[mciupa]

Is this Oxford County like your location states?

 

[Forts]

Many departments use it, including mine. When I’m mid transmission and I need to redirect to someone else it’s an effective attention getter.

 

[mikewazowski]

Exactly how it's used in Simcoe County. Usually a status message to dispatch, break and then an instruction to a firefighter or arriving apparatus.

 

[Gymbag]

Is this Oxford County like your location states?

Ingersoll, Oxford County, Perth County

 

[Aviator747]

They don't use it here. At least as far as I have heard.

 

[gary123]

Forts explanation fits what I have seen/heard in the past.

 

[a417]

Our local dept uses "Break" when you are (essentially/functionally) splitting a single radio transmission into separate functional components.
ie; "[scene command] acknowledges unit X is onscene BREAK [scene command] to dispatch, please dispatch another unit for ...". First part ack'd a scene transmission, second part was from the scene commander to dispatch, all on the same keydown. It is widely accepted (and at some time confusing) practice that when a transmission ends, that the information therein is considered to be complete. A listener who is multitasking can(and will) 'tune out' to some level when the transmission is not directed to them, and this helps draw attention that this is a compound transmission. Appropriate utilization can help with OTA congestion.

They also use "Check" when they have a slip of the tongue and have to immediately correct a part of a transmission, within that transmission.
ie; "[scene unit] to responding medic, the pt's blood pressure is 170/40 right now, CHECK , 70/40...". Same keydown, correction of information within.

 

[redbeard]

Ohio State Highway Patrol uses 'break' quite frequently on the 7/800 TRS here. Usually when there is a long amount of info to be conveyed and the dispatch wants to give the unit a chance to digest it all or ask for some details to be repeated before moving on.

 

[firefgtr]

Tillsonburg FD uses it frequently, they dispatch Fort Erie and Welland Fire service down here in Niagara

 

[murphcc1]

They use it all the time around SE MASS........its to distinguish one communication from another........

 

[Birdwatch66]

It gets some usage at the Niagara District Airport when things get busy and the controller needs to delineate between instructions for different airplanes.

 

[Aviator747]

I just heard break break for Ottawa MOH. Used break break and break several times in 30 seconds or so. First I have heard it that I recall. Maybe I have heard it before and never noticed.

 

[Gymbag]

Tillsonburg FD uses it frequently, they dispatch Fort Erie and Welland Fire service down here in Niagara

Tillsonburg Fire Dispatch are the worst. All their dispatchers must have graduated from auctioneer school with the exception of the one male dispatcher they have. Tillsonburg dispatch can’t even do radio checks properly, they just say “loud and clear” not strength 5 or 4. Don’t even get me started with the test pages on the “back up system” all that does is leave a dial tone on the freq for an extended period time🤬🤬🤬

 

[firefgtr]

Tillsonburg Fire Dispatch are the worst. All their dispatchers must have graduated from auctioneer school with the exception of the one male dispatcher they have. Tillsonburg dispatch can’t even do radio checks properly, they just say “loud and clear” not strength 5 or 4. Don’t even get me started with the test pages on the “back up system” all that does is leave a dial tone on the freq for an extended period time🤬🤬🤬

You read my mind! St. Catharines FF dispatch is far superior!

 

[lamarrsy]

BREAK is also commonly used on marine VHF channels by Canadian Coast Guard in their notices to shipping, for example.
It is used for the same meaning or purpose as what has been said here, of your Fire services.
But still, it differs a bit from the title of your message, as it is not a “break-break” as with CB, it is rather a single “break”.