None of this is particularly new. The tones were first used for ALS dispatch when ALS was first instituted in 1980. Since Boston uses a tiered system, a BLS truck is sent along on ALS calls when available. Even if only one unit is sent, the tones are supposed to be used. At least that's how it was, but management might have changed it since that is only done sporadically now. A few years ago, the policy was changed so that ANY multiple unit dispatch is supposed to get tones. That includes if a BLS unit and a supervisor are sent, or ALS, BLS, and a supervisor, and so on.
Tac 12 has been the primary tactical channel for more than 2 years. Tac 9 is a regional resource, which is what it's always supposed to have been. Over the last few years with the increase in "interop", Tac 9 is now used to contact Highway Operations for incidents on the Interstates in Boston.
For those reasons, traffic is minimized on Tac 9 and now Tac 12 is the primary channel. That will change in a week or so when narrow banding takes effect. Tac 12 will become Tac 5, be P25 and might be encrypted sometimes. Tac 7, 460.525 will probably become the primary tactical channel. Analog, in case people are wondering. The new channel line up is over at Scan New England for those interested.
Boston doesn't use MPD, so there are no "Alpha, Bravo", whatever levels. Calls are Priority 1, Priority 2, Priority 3. Doesn't really matter as all calls are responded to L&S.
