Chicago Fire Department moves to digital radios – more
July 11 12:30:42, 2025
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This information comes from Dave Weaver. He shared details about the UHF radio zone channel assignments used by the Chicago Fire Department (FD) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). These channels are essential for communication during emergencies and are organized into different zones depending on the type of operation and jurisdiction.
The numbers in parentheses (1-16) represent the current channel numbers assigned to FD and EMS units. Each radio is programmed with over 20 zones, and many channels are duplicated across zones with different numbering. Below are the two main zones currently in use: **FD Zone** and **EMS Zone**.
**FD Zone:**
1. **FIREMAIN**: Used by Fire Suppression & Rescue (FS&R) companies in the North jurisdiction for communication with the OEMC.
2. **FIREENGL**: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communication with the OEMC.
3. **ADMIN**: For communication between FS&R units and ambulances. Also serves as an alternate fireground channel during a MAYDAY.
4. **FIREGRND**: For on-scene communications during incidents.
5. **FIRE CMD**: Used by chief officers to coordinate activities at extra alarm or large-scale incidents.
6. **EMS CMD**: Acts as the EMS tactical channel during EMS Plan incidents.
7. **EMS OPS**: EMS companies use this channel when operating at high-rise fires, under the direction of the ranking EMS Command Chief. It may also be designated as a tactical channel during large incidents.
8. **OPS 8**: Can be assigned by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel for search and rescue, support, or alternate EMS operations. It can also serve as a backup fireground channel if a nearby incident requires it.
9. **OPS 9**: Similar to OPS 8, this channel can be used for tactical purposes during large incidents. It’s used when another incident is already using FIREGRND.
10. **OPS 10**: Assigned by the Incident Commander for large-scale operations. Chief officers use this if another incident is already using FIRE CMD.
11. **CTA FIRE**: Used by units working at CTA tunnel or subway incidents.
12. **UMETRO 3**: An interoperable channel for communication with city and county agencies. It can also act as a backup for CTA-to-FS&R communication during subway incidents.
13. **CW FIRE**: A secondary dispatch channel used by OEMC during high-volume periods.
14. **LAKEFRNT**: For communication with lifeguards at Chicago beaches.
15. **FIREENGL**: Repeated for South jurisdiction FS&R units.
16. **FIREMAIN**: Repeated for North jurisdiction FS&R units.
**EMS Zone:**
1. **EMS MAIN**: Used by EMS units in the North jurisdiction for communication with OEMC.
2. **EMS ENGL**: Used by EMS units in the South jurisdiction for communication with OEMC.
3. **ADMIN**: Same as in the FD zone—used for inter-unit communication and as an alternate fireground channel.
4. **FIREGRND**: Same as in the FD zone—on-scene communications.
5. **FIRE CMD**: Same as in the FD zone—used by chief officers during large incidents.
6. **EMS CMD**: Tactical channel for EMS during plan-based incidents.
7. **EMS OPS**: Same as in the FD zone—used in high-rise fires and large-scale incidents.
8. **OPS 8**: Same as in the FD zone—tactical or backup channel.
9. **OPS 9**: Same as in the FD zone—used when another incident is occupying FIREGRND.
10. **OPS 10**: Same as in the FD zone—used for coordination during multiple large incidents.
11. **CTA FIRE**: Same as in the FD zone—used for CTA-related incidents.
12. **CITY W5**: A special events channel used by Chicago Police, monitored by OEMC.
13. **CW FIRE**: Same as in the FD zone—secondary dispatch channel.
14. **LAKEFRNT**: Same as in the FD zone—beach lifeguard communication.
15. **FIRE ENGL**: Repeated for South jurisdiction FS&R units.
16. **FIRE MAIN**: Repeated for North jurisdiction FS&R units.
These channels are crucial for ensuring effective communication and coordination during emergency responses, especially in complex or multi-agency situations.
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