Chicago Fire Dept. (2013 Updates)

[werinshades]

***New year, new thread. I'm trying to keep any and all 2013 updates/information in this thread.***

Some of things you might have heard:

Over the past couple weeks, Battalion Chiefs and EMS Field Chiefs have been reporting to Headquarters (3510 S. Michigan), for some "additional" radio training, as well as promotional updates, new apparatus updates etc.

Uniden 996XT's are being issues to each firehouse, and one to each Battalion Chief as well as Academy, Headquarters etc. It's my understading 200 were purchased and being programmed then distributed 1st District houses have them so far.

Digital radio system is working, with your occasional user glitch. Firefighters are told to keep radios off Scan and monitor Fireground. I've gone through these radios with a few firefighters, and once the "simplicity" was explained, the comfort level increased. Had to explain more than once that Fireground was Analog, and not Digital. New Yourk's issues were mentioned, and I explained.

Not exactly radio related, but new voices will be heard in the coming months as a "mass-promotion" will be happening in the first quarter of the year. Early February will be the first promotions. 50 single-role paramedics will be graduating from the academy on Jan. 22nd.

[oemctx4]

Shades
I'm glad it's time for a new thread for the year. Thanks for being there!
Don

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by oemctx4

Shades
I'm glad it's time for a new thread for the year. Thanks for being there!
Don

Happy to help!

[scanfan22]

what is this frequency so-called fireground? if it is analog, why did they get rid of the analog RR feed? Are there new things coming to the Chicago FD digital feed?

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by scanfan22

what is this frequency so-called fireground? if it is analog, why did they get rid of the analog RR feed? Are there new things coming to the Chicago FD digital feed?

Not sure what the reference to "so-called Fireground" frequency means, but all frequency information is in the Database and everything is on UHF. I don't run the CFD Digital feed, so can't help you there.

[redburgundy]

Originally Posted by scanfan22

what is this frequency so-called fireground? if it is analog, why did they get rid of the analog RR feed? Are there new things coming to the Chicago FD digital feed?

Was the Fireground frequency ever carried on the RR feed? I don't think so. Possibly the Fireground transmitters are simplex and/or low power and can't be picked up reliably by the receiver that provides the RR feed. That's independent of whether the frequency is analog or digital.

[FFPM571]

The old VHF fireground was portable to portable 5 watt mostly. They command vans and rigs had a mobile that was lower power. Unless the fire was close to the reciever that was feeding the feed it wasnt heard. The new UHF is the same simplex analog portable and low power mobile

[gotdigital]

I see all the VHF antennas have been removed off the apparatus, command veh. etc.

[FFPM571]

The rigs do not have VHF radios. The command vans still do for MABAS

[oemctx4]

There was well over 30 vhf receivers fireground city wide, we heard and recorded all the traffic on 154.295 VHF is a thing of the past so they swapped radio and whips to uhf.

[werinshades]

A department-wide memo went out a couple weeks ago to all Battalion Chiefs to survey all apparatus in their districts for mobile radios. Over the past week, their has been many rigs going to the Radio Shops for installation.

[Chicago2210]

What about CFD companies that are due into the burbs for MABAS alarms. Where I live in division 3 if a high rise fire were to go to a 2nd alarm In Evanston Chicago is due with a engine and a truck (most likely engine 102 and truck 25.) How would they communicate on IFERN?

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by Chicago2210

What about CFD companies that are due into the burbs for MABAS alarms. Where I live in division 3 if a high rise fire were to go to a 2nd alarm Chicago is due with a engine and a truck (most likely engine 102 and truck 25.) How would they communicate on IFERN?

Batt. 9 would respond and the Chiefs and Specialty units have APEX UHF/VHF portable radios. No direct communication with the Engnes or Trucks and they'd relay anything that needs to be relayed.

[MKE-Ed]

Originally Posted by werinshades

Batt. 9 would respond and the Chiefs and Specialty units have APEX UHF/VHF portable radios. No direct communication with the Engnes or Trucks and they'd relay anything that needs to be relayed.

Just curious to know, but how often does CFD respond to request for mutual aid from the suburbs that border the city? Also, does the 911 center have the capability to talk to suburban fire depts directly via radio or do they have to go over to the Ifern channel. Thanks.

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by MKE-Ed

Just curious to know, but how often does CFD respond to request for mutual aid from the suburbs that border the city? Also, does the 911 center have the capability to talk to suburban fire depts directly via radio or do they have to go over to the Ifern channel. Thanks.

Not very often CFD responds to the suburbs. The OEMC has IFERN contact for MABAS responses.

[FFPM571]

Squad7 has been going alot to Division 20 alot latley though..

[Chicago2210]

Speaking of CFD I've always wondered what a EMS field officer is? Is that a EMS Battalion Chief?

[FFPM571]

Essentally yes... They are called EMS Field Chiefs now.

[wd9cms]

How is the system working now that its been in use for a while?

Thanks,

Bill

[werinshades]

[QUOTE=wd9cms;1936877]How is the system working now that its been in use for a while?

Thanks,

Bill[/QUOTE

All is good...