Member's Area
The Member's Area contains an extensive knowledge base of communication procedures for Boston Fire Fighters.  Access is restricted to users on the BFD network..

1925

In October 1923, the first use of fire service two-way radio in the United States was introduced in Boston.  Initially used for communications with the fireboats, the simultaneous transmission of alarms by radio was commenced on June 26, 1928

BFD

 

 

 

 

Fire Fighter Communication Systems
(In-Building Radio Coverage)


The Boston Fire Department requires that high-rise buildings, and certain other structures, provide reliable radio communications for firefighters.

Fire Fighter Communication Systems Specification

Related Links

The view from one of our antennas

National Interoperabilty Field Operations Guide

Mayor's Office of Emergency Preparedness

Metro Boston Interop

Fire Alarm Box Patent

IAFF

BFD
 Boston Firefighters utilize 4 repeated channels for fireground operations, 1 channel for station alerting, and 5 channels for tactical operations.  If you own a scanner here are the frequencies that will allow you to listen in

Fireground Communications

Boston Firefighters recently battled a 9 alarm on Beacon St. This PDF provides 2 hours of radio traffic condensed into a non-stop 33 minutes of audio. The newest version of Adobe Reader is required.

 9 Alarms
Book

Voice Radio Communications Guide

This guide to firefighter communications systems is geared towards system planners but should be a "must-read" for all fire fighters

BFD/MBHSR Channel Plan
Plan

All radios assigned to firefighting units comply with the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region's channel plan, The plan provides 6 interoperability zones used by the 9 member communities.