Arizona DPS Radios regarding Fire Vehicles

[tillman42]

Hey, all. I have a question. I heard on the Phoenix Metro Area Fire Scanners on Broadcastify that Arizona DPS is on the Scene with Gilbert Fire and Gilbert PD. However, Engine 258, Medic 251, Medic 258, Battalion Chief 251, and Ladder 251 were not heard by their usual callsigns on DPS Radio when DPS advised that they were on-scene.

Here's what DPS Referred the Fire Vehicles as:

1. Engine 258 was called in as Edward 258
2. Medic 258 was called in as Mary 258
3. Battalion 251 was called in as Boy-Charles 251
4. Ladder 251 was called in as Lincoln 251

Is that normal to hear that on DPS Radios for any Fire Vehicle in the Phoenix Area? If so, what can be the reason?

 

[GlobalNorth]

It's new to me, but I've been out of the business for years now. Probably someone at DPS trying to be different.

When I was on the MDC, Union Hills became Onion Hills, Deer Valley became Beer Valley, Carefree Highway became Careless Highway [based on the quality of driving often displayed], Cactus Road became Cacti Road, etc. Why? Night shift could get boring.

 

[scanbc780]

I am going to have to assume they using phonetics for E258, M258, BC251, and L251.

 

[ScanRafael]

At what date and time did you hear this?

 

[cfsimmont]

Hey, all. I have a question. I heard on the Phoenix Metro Area Fire Scanners on Broadcastify that Arizona DPS is on the Scene with Gilbert Fire and Gilbert PD. However, Engine 258, Medic 251, Medic 258, Battalion Chief 251, and Ladder 251 were not heard by their usual callsigns on DPS Radio when DPS advised that they were on-scene.

Here's what DPS Referred the Fire Vehicles as:

1. Engine 258 was called in as Edward 258
2. Medic 258 was called in as Mary 258
3. Battalion 251 was called in as Boy-Charles 251
4. Ladder 251 was called in as Lincoln 251

Is that normal to hear that on DPS Radios for any Fire Vehicle in the Phoenix Area? If so, what can be the reason?

When I lived out there I would frequently hear this. The FD units were not operating on the DPS channel, DPS trooper on scene was advising dispatch what Fire units were on scene and what ambulance was transporting a patient from the scene. They were simply using the phonetic alphabet as mentioned before since most troopers are not familiar with fire apparatus enough to know what the letter designators are.