radio.html

RADIO CODE EXPLANATIONS

Radio Channel Designations

Oakland Fire Department radio system consists of an Erickson
800 MHz Trunked System. The OFD uses Channels Oakland 1
through Oakland 14, using the following system:

Oakland 1 - For all EMS and other Single Unit responses, as
well as Commercial Fire Alarms.
Oakland 2 thru Oakland 7 - For all Multiple Company
Responses, using Oakland 2 first, and with the next call going
to the next Channel.
Oakland 8 - For HAZMAT Traffic
Oakland 9 - Command Channel on Large Incidents
Oakland 10 - Oakland 13 - Various Training Channels
Oakland 14 - Oakland International Airport Units (Part of OFD)

"Stills"

Oakland Fire Department is unique among major urban fire
departments, in that we still hear all 911 phone calls for
reported fires, in the fire house, 24 hours a day over a
loud-speaker system from dispatch. This phone call is called a
"Still".

This is incredibly helpful in rapidly responding to fires, as well
as knowing the actual information given to dispatch. For
example, "I smell smoke in my house", as opposed to "My
house has fire coming out of it, and my Husband is still inside"
. Both are dispatched as a Box Alarm, but have very different
potential. Only in Oakland do we have the ability to know the
different, and vital information that this provides.

Also, since we hear the address prior to dispatch, we have an
almost instant response to fires, since we hear the information
at the same time as the dispatchers. We are allowed to
respond prior to the actual dispatch if we know that we are due
on the box.

While listening to recorded clips, you will often hear
dispatchers use the term "Confirming Stills", meaning that
multiple calls have been received for the fire, and which
obviously means there is a greater chance of a working fire.

Oakland Fire Engine Numbering System:

Based on a Alameda County Wide System, as during the
Oakland Hills Fire in 1991, with so many Mutual Aid companies,
confusion was terrible. This system was designed to help,
which in many peoples opinion, has only made it much much
worse.

For example, 13 Engine on the Radio is Engine 2553.
The "25" designates Oakland Fire Department.
The "53" designates 13 Engine, using the following system:

Chief 2500 - Chief of Department
Chief 2501-2505 - Assistant and Deputy Chiefs
Battalions 2512-2514 - On Duty Battalion Chiefs
2520-2529 - Staff Units
2530-2534 - Fire Investigators
Engines 2541 - 2569 - Engines 1 thru 29 (40 + Engine Number)
Trucks 2571 - 2577 - Trucks 1 thru 7 (70 + Truck Number)
2591-2597 - Special Units (i.e. Air Van, Rescue Boats etc.)
2598-2599 - HAZMAT Vehicles
25R1 - Rescue 1