168.5500 MHz is often listed as "NIMS Initial Contact" or "ICS Callup" or "NIMS Calling." I've come across some official material that indicates this now has an exclusive national assignment for smokejumper air to ground.
When I was working for the U.S. Forest Service this frequency was programmed into my mobile and labeled as one of the indicated above. I never heard of anyone using it. Everyone had dozens of frequencies in their radios so they just contacted each other via a NIFC tac or used the agency's primary channel. Our Kings had limited capacity at that time, maybe two groups of 14 channels, so 168.550 MHz was not included.
The national assignment for the smokejumper's tactical is the federal common frequency of 168.350 MHz with a 123.0 Hz pl. If the fire enlarges to an extended attack or involves the use of local initial attack forces a NIFC tactical or a local unit tactical is assigned. Crews are then supposed to use one of the 4 new federal common frequencies for intra-crew communications. They are encouraged to use the digital mode with a NAC to reduce interference from other crews. If a incident needs a Type I crew smokejumpers can assemble 18-20 members and qualify. It is typical for smokejumpers to have a lot of experience and qualify for a number of ICS positions. They can be absorbed into the incident management organization. This doesn't happen frequently as smokejumpers are reserved for initial attack or to insert on an isolated portion of a larger fire. They are most useful as an initial attack resource and given an isolated location, can arrive in less time than local forces can.
All this requires that a person jump out of a perfectly operating aircraft often over dense forest in steep topography, not something a recreational sky diver would do. When I think about it this boggles my mind.
When I was working for the U.S. Forest Service this frequency was programmed into my mobile and labeled as one of the indicated above. I never heard of anyone using it. Everyone had dozens of frequencies in their radios so they just contacted each other via a NIFC tac or used the agency's primary channel. Our Kings had limited capacity at that time, maybe two groups of 14 channels, so 168.550 MHz was not included.
The national assignment for the smokejumper's tactical is the federal common frequency of 168.350 MHz with a 123.0 Hz pl. If the fire enlarges to an extended attack or involves the use of local initial attack forces a NIFC tactical or a local unit tactical is assigned. Crews are then supposed to use one of the 4 new federal common frequencies for intra-crew communications. They are encouraged to use the digital mode with a NAC to reduce interference from other crews. If a incident needs a Type I crew smokejumpers can assemble 18-20 members and qualify. It is typical for smokejumpers to have a lot of experience and qualify for a number of ICS positions. They can be absorbed into the incident management organization. This doesn't happen frequently as smokejumpers are reserved for initial attack or to insert on an isolated portion of a larger fire. They are most useful as an initial attack resource and given an isolated location, can arrive in less time than local forces can.
All this requires that a person jump out of a perfectly operating aircraft often over dense forest in steep topography, not something a recreational sky diver would do. When I think about it this boggles my mind.
