PURPOSE: To identify policy for activation, assignment & use of two-way UHF radio channels supporting incident operations.

BACKGROUND: The Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association formulated plans to identify and address common radio system issues. Amongst these was agreement to pursue UHF radio channels for common use during mutual aid, and other designated operations. In 2004, receipt of federal grant funding supported development of multiple county repeater sites. Included are Canton, Sharon, Westwood and Franklin. In 2006, Norfolk County Fire Dispatch was licensed for three UHF radio channels for common use during mutual aid, and other designated operations. Call sign WQGC947 further includes licensing for mobile and portable two-way radios for use, county-wide.

Communities with UHF equipment are encouraged to utilize this system. “On scene” coordination of mutual aid resources and personnel safety is enhanced by operation on common radio frequencies. Locally, the practice of “competing for air time” during multiple incidents can be eliminated through assignment of a separate operations channel for each.

Communities planning to utilize UHF radio equipment for Department operations should include sufficient channels to support local AND mutual aid operations.

GENERAL:

A. Licensed frequencies are as follows:

BAND	CH.	FREQ,	PL	DESIGNATION	MONIKER
UHF “receive”	1	482.275	146.2	Station-to-station	Norfolk Control
	2	482.300	151.4	Fire ground	Channel 2
	3	475.350	D051	Fire ground	Channel 3
	4	460.5875	156.7	Fire ground	Channel 4
UHF “transmit”	1 2 3 4	485.275 485.300 475.350 460.5875	D143 D174 D051 156.7	Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above	Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above

B. VHF – High 154.295 will remain active and designated for “Station-to-station” until all communities are moved to UHF. UHF channel 1 and the VHF frequency will be patched.

C. UHF – “Mutual Aid 1” is designated for “Station-to-station” use. Communities should request mutual aid assistance utilizing this channel.

D. UHF – “Channel 2, 3 and 4” are designated for incident operations. Channels 1 & 2 are repeated.

E. NCC shall conduct a radio test – UHF – “Mutual Aid 1” daily, at 0900.

F. Utilization of UHF frequencies, by local communities, must comply with FCC rules for operation in the “narrow band”, 12.5kHz split.

G. In compliance with the above rules, local communities shall periodically provide current radio inventories, utilizing UHF Ch. 1-4, to Norfolk County Fire Dispatch.

POLICY:

A. Activation

1. Local Community

a. Upon initial notification to NCC of incident designation as a “working fire”, greater response; MCI, or other incident, a UHF “Fire ground” channel assignment will be automatically designated.

b. Local communities may request assignment of a UHF “Fire ground” channel, as required. Requests shall be made to NCC via phone – 1-781-767-2233 or radio – “Mutual Aid 1”.

c. Communities requesting a UHF “Fire ground” channel for training or related exercises shall operate “off repeater”, in “direct” mode.

d. The local community shall notify NCC upon termination of incident or other exercises.

2. Norfolk County Control

a. Upon notification of incident designation as a “working fire”, greater response; MCI; or other incident, dispatch shall include assignment of a UHF “Fire ground” channel.

Ex. “Norfolk County Control announcing a working fire, MCI, etc. in the Town of Avon.

Fire location is 1000 Main St.

Response is a Holbrook engine ‘to the fire’, Randolph and Stoughton engines ‘for station coverage’ –

“Channel 2” is the fire ground channel

Norfolk County Control to Randolph Fire…”.

b. Upon channel assignment, dispatch shall monitor radio traffic.