Zones/Channel Assignments
***There are over 20 Zones in the radios. Most have duplicate channels in the zone, numbering may be different. These are 2 Zones Fire & EMS will be using primarily. Other Zones will be used for different purposes/events.. Number in parenthesis (1-16) is actual channel number in radio.
Zone (FD)
(1) FIREMAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(2) FIREENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(3) ADMIN: For communications between FS&R companies and ambulances.
Used as alternate Fireground channel if a MAYDAY is requested.
(4)FIREGRND: For FS&R communications at the scene of an incident.
(5) FIRE CMD: Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of an extra
alarm or other large-scale incident.
(6) EMS CMD: Used as the EMS tactical channel during EMS Plan incidents.
(7) EMS OPS: Under the direction of the ranking EMS Command Chief, EMS
companies shall utilize the EMS OPS channel for communications when
operating at a high-rise fire.
May be designated by the EMS Command Chief as a EMS tactical
channel at a large incident.
(8) OPS 8: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used as an alternate Fireground channel at a second incident, if a
MAYDAY is requested at an incident in close proximity.
(9) OPS 9: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
For FS&R communications at the scene of a second incident if an incident
in close proximity is already using FIREGRND.
(10) OPS 10: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, , alternate EMS tactical
channel, etc.).
Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of a second
extra alarm or large-scale incident if another extra alarm or large-scale
incident is already using FIRE CMD.
(11) CTA FIRE: Used by Department units/members working on the scene of an incident
within the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) tunnel/subway.
(12) UMETRO 3: Interoperable channel to communicate with other city/county agencies.
With permission from the Incident Commander, can be used as a backup
channel for CTA to FS&R communication at the scene of a CTA subway
incident.
(13) CW FIRE: Alternate dispatch channel used by the OEMC during high-volume
periods.
(14) LAKEFRNT: Used to communicate with Chicago Park District lifeguards on the
beaches.
(15) FIREENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(16) FIREMAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
Zone (EMS):
(1) EMS MAIN: Used by EMS companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(2) EMS ENGL: Used by EMS companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(3) ADMIN: For communications between FS&R companies and ambulances.
Used as alternate Fireground channel if a MAYDAY is requested.
(4) FIREGRND: For FS&R communications at the scene of an incident.
(5) FIRE CMD: Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of an extra
alarm or other large-scale incident.
(6) EMS CMD: Used as the EMS tactical channel during EMS Plan incidents.
(7) EMS OPS: Under the direction of the ranking EMS Command Chief, EMS
companies shall utilize the EMS OPS channel for communications when
operating at a high-rise fire.
May be designated by the EMS Command Chief as a EMS tactical
channel at a large incident.
(8) OPS 8: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used as an alternate Fireground channel at a second incident, if a
MAYDAY is requested at an incident in close proximity.
(9) OPS 9: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
For FS&R communications at the scene of a second incident if an incident
in close proximity is already using FIREGRND.
(10) OPS 10: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of a second
extra alarm or large-scale incident if another extra alarm or large-scale
incident is already using FIRE CMD.
(11) CTA FIRE: Used by Department units/members working on the scene of an incident
within the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) tunnel/subway.
(12) CITY W5: Used by Chicago Police as a Special Events Channel monitored by
OEMC.
(13) CW FIRE: Alternate dispatch channel used by the OEMC during high-volume
periods.
(14) LAKEFRNT: Used to communicate with Chicago Park District lifeguards on the
beaches.
(15) FIRE ENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.
(16) FIRE MAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.