FIRESCOPE FREQUENCY PAGE
SEE NOTE AT BOTTOM

MACS 441-1
JUNE, 1996

FIRESCOPE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES

FIRESCOPE Radio Communications Guidelines are derived from the Cooperative Agreements for use of radiofrequencies between fire service agencies of California allowing for mutual use of radio frequencies during mutual aid efforts.

Standard radio frequency programming for large capacity multi-channel radios should conform to the Statewide Frequency Plan portion of this document. For agencies operating radios with fewer channel capability, frequencies should be selected by groups from within the plan.

Guidelines

1.      Frequency Plan Group 1 may be programmed at individual agency's discretion.

2.      There are two mutual aid contact frequencies:

3.      Each agency requesting mutual aid will advise responding agencies of initial contact frequency for the incident.

4.      Local policy will dictate frequency assignments for an incident until an incident communications plan is established.

5.      When established on an incident, the Communications Unit Leader is responsible for managing assigned frequencies. The Communications Unit Leader will clear the use of local state and federal frequencies with the controlling agencies prior to use.

6.      Clear text (plain English) should be used for all communications. CODES SHALL NOT BE USED. Actual frequencies and channel names should be started, e.g., 154.265, White 2; or 168.200, NIFC Tac 2; not a channel number. Likewise for tone information, e.g., "use standard tone 8, 103.5"

7.      Data communications (i.e., automated or push button status keeping for "computer aided dispatch" [CAD] systems) shall not be used outside of the agency's own jurisdiction.

8.      Frequency (mobile) extenders will not be used outside of the agency's own jurisdiction.

Statewide Frequency Plan

This plan was developed to assist fire service agencies in buying and programming synthesized radios. Local needs (Group 1) are those channels normally used in initial attack situations. Thes would probably require less than 16 channels and may also include White Fire channels from Group 2. A 16 channel radio may be adequate for an engine. However, it is recommended that vehicles used by command personnel, such as strike team leaders, batallion chiefs, division chiefs, etc., should be equipped wiith at least a 32 channel radio. In synthesized radios the additional channels cost very little. Command vehicles with 32 channel radios should be programmed with Group 1,2,3.

State of California agencies (e.g., CDF and OES) and Federal agencies use twelve standard subaudible tones for repeater access. Unless a radio has selectable tones or an external tone box, it would take twelve channels to have complete repeater access on one of their channels. Likewise, if the radiodoes not have a "direct/repeat" switch, one channel is needed for each direct frequency and one for each repeat frequency pair.

While numerous frequencies can be programmed into radios, it is important to note that in order to use those frequencies your angency must be licensed for those frequencies or have a frequency use agreement or memorandum of understanding with the agency which is licensed for the frequencies. Such agreements with CDF and U.S. Forest Service are not uncommon. Such agreements still limit the use of each frequency to certain geographic areas.

This plan lists recommended groups of frequencies by priority for programming radios, i.e., Group 1 is the highest priority. In order to use any frequency you agency must be licensed for the frequency or have a frequency use agreement or memorandum of understanding with the agency which is licensed for the frequency.

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