Chicago Fire Department engines are staffed by 5 people: The company Officer (can be a Lt or Capt), the engineer and 3 firefighters. CFD Truck companies have a company officer (Lt or Capt), a driver of firefighter rank and 3 additional firefighters. Ambulance companies have 2 people, one a paramedic and the other the Paramedic In Charge (PIC). Engines carry water and hose, trucks carry ladders and equipment. The engineer is not supposed to leave the engine and is responsible for switching the vehicle motor from the turning drive wheels to the pump in order to supply water for fire suppression. Truck companies have the Jaws of Life, Hurst tool, etc and one or more truck company members are "roof men." A roof man is someone who gets to the roof of a burning building in order to use a saw or axe to open a hole allowing smoke (basically dangerous unburned fuel) to be ventilated out of the structure preventing flash-overs or "backdrafts."
Currently the CFD uses the dependable analog, conventional, VHF radio system that they've used for years and to which they've made adjustments and enhancements, making it one of the best in the country. Typically the Officer has a portable VHF radio and can talk to both the engineer and the Fire Alarm Office. The officer uses the company signature (e.g. "Engine 38 to Main" or "Truck 46 to Englewood) and the engineer will use the same format but with an X suffix (e.g. Engine 95 to Engine 95X...ready to charge the line.)
Due to interoperability concerns, the CFD is testing a digital, conventional UHF system to replace the VHF one. Plans for this system would include equipping each member of the company with a portable radio which would greatly increase firefighter safety.
Currently all portable radios are Motorola XTS5000 handhelds and the apparatus use whatever Motorola radio was the newest when the vehicle was put into service.
Hope this helps.
