201: Radio Communications

To establish clear guidelines for the use of radio communication equipment and protocols to ensure effective, efficient, and safe communication during fire department operations.

This policy applies to all fire department personnel, including full-time, part-time, and volunteer members, who use department radio communication equipment.

• Identification: Begin all transmissions by identifying yourself and your unit (e.g., "Engine 2 to Command").

• Acknowledgment: Acknowledge receipt of messages by repeating critical information back to the sender.

• Priority Communication: Emergency traffic always takes precedence. Use "Emergency Traffic" to indicate urgent communication.

• Knockdown: The act of reducing or eliminating the main body of a fire, typically referring to the initial phase of fire suppression efforts.

• Mayday: A distress signal used by firefighters to indicate an emergency situation, such as entrapment or injury, requiring immediate assistance.

• METRO/COUNTY BCC - Bureau of Central Communications (Dispatch): Used when communicating with dispatch.

• Identification: Begin all transmissions by identifying yourself and your unit (e.g., "Engine 2 to METRO/COUNTY").

• Acknowledgment: Acknowledge receipt of messages by repeating critical information back to the sender.

• Priority Communication: Emergency traffic always takes precedence. Use "Emergency Traffic" to indicate urgent communication.

• Use the term "Mayday" for firefighter emergencies (e.g., entrapment, injury).

• Provide the following information during a Mayday call:

LUNAR: Location, Unit, Name, Assignment, Resources needed.

• Command must immediately acknowledge the Mayday and initiate Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) deployment.

• Operational Channels: Use designated operational channels for specific incidents.

• Tactical Channels: Switch to tactical channels as directed for detailed incident coordination.

• Monitor Primary Channel: All units must monitor the primary channel unless instructed otherwise.

• Channel Discipline: Avoid unnecessary chatter to keep channels clear for essential communication.

RADIO FREQUENCIES:

• 300 - FIRE BASE - OPERATIONAL CHANNEL

• 301 - FIRE SIMPLEX - PEER TO PEER

• 311 - FIRE TAC-1 - TACTICAL CHANNEL

• 312- FIRE TAC-2 - TACTICAL CHANNEL

• 313 - FIRE TAC-3 - TACTICAL CHANNEL

• 321 - FIRE TRAINING

• 331 - FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

• 600 - REGCOM BASE

• 611 - REGCOM 1

• 612 - REGCOM 2

• Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

• All personnel are responsible for adhering to the standards outlined in this policy.

• All personnel must use department-issued radios and approved communication devices for operational communication.

• Communication must remain professional, clear, concise, and relevant to the operation.

• Personal use of radio equipment is strictly prohibited.