White Fire Information

[rfdadams]

Hey Everyone,

I am new to the comm world and am getting in as a comm tech for CA-USAR 6. I am assisting our department with this narrow banding issue and am making up a pocket guide for our radios and frequently used mutual aid frequencies. Now what is the protocol for White Fire. I hear White Fire 1 is not to be used in Riverside County but is a state wide channel now and White Fire 2 is used mainly on the west end and White fire 3 is used on the east end. Is this correct if not can someone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Chris

" First step to failure is a lack of communication"

 

[jmarshl]

Chris, I don't know about any Riverside County specific guidlines, but the Cal-IFOG indicates that WHITE channels are intended for interagency fire operations. WHITE 2 and WHITE 3 are for on-scene use only. The Cal-IFOG is available at California Interoperability Field Operations Guide (Cal-IFOG). Good luck on your new job.

 

[K6CDO]

Hey Everyone,

I am new to the comm world and am getting in as a comm tech for CA-USAR 6. I am assisting our department with this narrow banding issue and am making up a pocket guide for our radios and frequently used mutual aid frequencies. Now what is the protocol for White Fire. I hear White Fire 1 is not to be used in Riverside County but is a state wide channel now and White Fire 2 is used mainly on the west end and White fire 3 is used on the east end. Is this correct if not can someone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Chris

" First step to failure is a lack of communication"

By FCC Rule [47 CFR 90.20(d)(19)] the White / VFIRE frequencies are for INTERSYSTEM use (cannot be used by a single department). As of June 1, by California policy, White 2 and White 3 are to be narrowbanded and operated low power only, with the channel names changed to "VFIRE 22" and "VFIRE 23" to comply with National standards, and the names WHITE 2 and WHITE 3 are obsolete.

As previously noted you may wish to obtain a copy of the California I-FOG. In addition you may want to obtain a copy of the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide, which you can order or download from the DHS SAFECOM Program's website at National Interoperability Field Operations Guide.

 

[Markb]

Hi Chris,

Regarding Riv Co White usage:
I think that may have been temporary until all the reprogramming was completed for narrowbanding. Did you hear this recently?

Also Check out the official CalEMA doc:

http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/PDF/Fire%20Bulletins%202007/$file/Operations%20Bulletin%2028.pdf

Mark
Your neighbor in Corona.......

 

[ajohansson]

Chris,

Please talk to Jeff Loveland about all of this. We have established a Riv Co Fire Chief's Comm Working Group which Jeff is a part of. Just curious who told you White 1 wasn't to be used and the allocation of White 2 and 3.

Just to clarify like others posted. White 1 is still good for this season. White 2 and 3 Narrowbanded and renamed VFIRE 22 and 23. These are simplex channels and will work fine Wide to Narrow if someone gets missed. June 1 is cut over for the name change.

These frequencies are good to use everywhere.

AJ

Your other neighbor in Corona.

 

[rfdadams]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I should have double checked my facts and asked the right person within my department. I am very new and very intrested in the communication field but as I said very green and need alot to learn, but thank you.