Zone location and meaning

[mikec10]

I have listened to scanners since 1970 and was a volunteer for 10 years. So you would think I should no the answer to this question.
I listen to various fire departments being dispatched and they mention different ZONE locations sometimes. At first, I thought it was referring to locations within a commercial structure but other time it doesn't. I live in Schenectady County and listen to Saratoga Schenectady and Albany Counties. So what are the dispatchers referring to. If it is a super simple answer I will take my lumps......

 

[rhodester]

Saratoga Springs fire has 3 stations.The city is split into 3 sections or zones.When a fire alarm goes off the 2 closest stations respond.If it comes in as a structure fire all 3 stations respond.Medical calls go by zones also.Not sure about the other counties.

 

[mikec10]

Thank you, This is sort of what I thought. Yet some this morning referred to zone 47 or zone 12. This was outside of Saratoga Springs. Greenfield Fire does this as do other departments. I know Colonie refers to various zones also. I will keep watching for other posts.

 

[Thunderknight]

They could also be referring to a zone with a building. For example, the fire alarm might be indicating alarm zone 47. That might be the zone for smoke sectors on the 8th floor, or such. That’s kind of old terminology from when alarm circuits were individual wire circuits of groups of sensors into alarm controller. Modern systems are often individually addressed devices (eg smoke detector 172, room 14-11, 14th floor). But think the terminology has stuck around.
It depends on the context.
Colonie EMS uses zones to split up the town. For example, zone 4 EMS call might mean it’s in the east side of Latham.

 

[mikec10]

One of my thoughts also. Now if a specific zone is for a part of the town is it necessary to state the zone if you have an address. Maybe I am over thinking the subject

 

[rhodester]

One of my thoughts also. Now if a specific zone is for a part of the town is it necessary to state the zone if you have an address. Maybe I am over thinking the subject

The apartment building i live in has many zone numbers.So does many other buildings that SSFD dispatch will say.This isn't related to the city zones its specific to that building.

 

[chrismol1]

For fire alarms dispatches you are often hearing fire alarm zones

What are Fire Alarm System Zones? | FSS Technologies

Fire alarm zones are common in Conventional Fire Panels. Each zone represents a different area in the building in order to help firefighters and professionals pinpoint the source of an alarm. However, it can be a bit confusing to research fire alarm zones because they are not as common as they...

fsstechnologies.com

and for Greenfield, they have 4 companies 26,27,28,29 you will hear them dispatched which station/zone, 26, 27, 28, 29

 

[mikec10]

Thanks to all regarding my "zone" question. The info is appreciated. Some of the info I guess I knew or guessed at. When I joined the fire department in 1970 we did not have zones. Like everything changes take place.