U.S. Fire Administration Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service October 2008 U.S. Fire Administration Mission Statement We provide National leadership to foster a solid foundation for local fire and emergency services for prevention, preparedness and response. International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, CLC Dear Members, Radio communications for the fire service has evolved considerably over the last 60 years. Radios that were once refrigerator-sized monsters are now small enough to fit in the palm of the hand. It used to be that only the company officer was permitted to use a radio. Today, radios are a critical safety tool that must be in the hands of every fire fighter at every emergency scene. As advances in radio communication technology occur, it’s important to make sure that radios remain an effective and reliable means of communication. Specifically, new technology for radio communication systems must meet the unique demands of the job of fire fighting. Fire fighters must be able to communicate in cold and hot temperature extremes, in wet and humid atmospheres full of combustion byproducts and dust, while under or above ground, inside and below buildings and in rubble piles. Other environmental challenges include loud noise from apparatus, warning devices, tools and the fire itself. Any new radio communication system must take these factors into consideration. The IAFF has made it a priority to ensure that everyone goes home safe at the end of each shift. Because radios are one of most important pieces of safety equipment, we expect that any new communications system will be effective, safe, reliable and simple to use. I urge every IAFF affiliate to be involved early on in the process of developing a new radio communication system in their jurisdiction to make sure that the funding, staffing, training, testing, trouble-shooting and implementation meet the standards and requirements for fire fighters to respond safely and effectively. This Manual is designed to help affiliate leaders and members understand new communication and radio system issues in order to remain informed players in the process. An effective communications system requires proper planning at the front end in order to prevent problems later, and there is no one better to participate in the process than fire fighters. Stay safe, Harold A. Schaitberger IAFF General President ACknOwLedgement The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is committed to using all means possible for reducing the incidence of injuries and deaths to firefighters. One of these means is to partner with organizations that share this same admirable goal. One such organization is the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). As a labor union, the IAFF has been deeply committed to improving the safety of its members and all firefighters as a whole. This is why the USFA was pleased to work with the IAFF through a cooperative agreement to develop this Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service. The USFA gratefully acknowledges the following leaders of the IAFF for their willingness to partner on this project: General President Harold A Schaitberger General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent J. Bollon Assistant to the General President Occupational Health, Safety & Medicine Richard M. Duffy International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, CLC Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine 1750 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006 (202) 737-8484 (202) 737-8418 (FAX) www.iaff.org The IAFF also would like to thank Leif Anderson, Deputy Chief, Phoenix Fire Department; Jim Brinkley, IAFF Director of Occupational Health and Safety; Joseph Brooks, Radio Supervisor, Boston Fire Department; Missy Hannan, Senior Graphic Designer, International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)/Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University; Tim Hill, Captain, Phoenix Fire Department and President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona; Christopher Lombard, Lieutenant, Seattle Fire Department; Andy MacFarlane, Phoenix, Arizona; Brian Moore, Captain, Phoenix Fire Department and Director of Member Benefits, IAFF Local 493; Kevin Roche, Assistant Fire Marshal, Phoenix Fire Department; Mike Wieder, Assistant Director, IFSTA/Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University; and Mike Worrell, Captain, Phoenix Fire Department, for their efforts in developing this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION .1 Purpose.1 Why the Fire Service is Different .1 SECTION 2 – BASIC RADIO COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY .3 Radio Spectrum .3 Channel Bandwidth .5 Radio Wave Propagation .5 Interference .8 What Affects System Coverage? .9 Summary . 12 SECTION 3 – RADIOS AND RADIO SYSTEMS . 13 Analog Radios . 14 Digital Radios . 15 APCO P25 . 17 Direct and Repeated Radio Systems. 19 Simulcast Transmitter Systems . 23 Operational Considerations . 24 SECTION 4 – PORTABLE RADIO SELECTION AND USE .27 General . 27 Ergonomics . 27 Environmental Technical Standards . 28 How Many? . 29 What Type? . 30 Fire Radio Features . 30 Portable Radio User Guide . 32 Accessories . 33 Summary . 33 ((((( iv )))))