NIOSH Firefighter Radio Communications 

TriData Corporation i September 2003 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................III

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................... VI

Introduction.................................................................................................................... vi 

Methodology.................................................................................................................. vi

Communication Issues.................................................................................................viii 

Technology Summary..................................................................................................viii 

Conclusion ................................................................................................................... xiv 

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................1

Scope of Work ................................................................................................................ 1 

Types of Radio Systems ................................................................................................. 1 

Communications from Inside a Structure to the Outside or Vice Versa ........................ 3 

Firefighter Radio Communications Problems ................................................................ 4 

Organization for the Report ............................................................................................ 5 

CHAPTER II: METHODOLOGY...........................................................................6

Determination of Critical Areas of Interest .................................................................... 6 

Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 7 

Fire Department Communication Issues Review ........................................................... 9 

Knowledge Gaps Analysis.............................................................................................. 9 

Recommendations......................................................................................................... 10 

CHAPTER III: FIREFIGHTER COMMUNICATION ISSUES ..............................11

Technical Issues............................................................................................................ 11 

Human Factors.............................................................................................................. 16 

Applicable Standards and Regulations ......................................................................... 18 

Experiences From the Field .......................................................................................... 19 

Communications Problems in Firefighter Fatalities ..................................................... 27 

CHAPTER IV: STRUCTURE COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES .............................29

Communication Problems Inherent in Structures......................................................... 29 

Risk to Firefighters ....................................................................................................... 35 

Radio Spectrum Considerations.................................................................................... 36 

CHAPTER V: CURRENT TECHNOLOGY STATUS, KNOWLEDGE GAPS, AND 

RESEARCH NEEDS ..........................................................................................43

Ultra Wideband............................................................................................................. 43 

Mobile Area Networks.................................................................................................. 50 

Channel Coding, Interleaving, and Encryption ............................................................ 57 

Power Line Communications........................................................................................ 59 

RF Distribution in Buildings Using Heating and Ventilation Ducts ............................ 65 

Alternative Frequency Bands........................................................................................ 67 

Electronic Status and Firefighter Location ................................................................... 71 
NIOSH Firefighter Radio Communications Table of Contents 

TriData Corporation ii September 2003 

Bi-directional Amplifiers.............................................................................................. 71 

Smart Antennas............................................................................................................. 73 

Spread Spectrum........................................................................................................... 75 

Other Technologies....................................................................................................... 76 

General Recommendations........................................................................................... 77 

Summary of Recommendations.................................................................................... 79 

APPENDIX A: PRIORITIZED PROJECT ISSUES .............................................82

APPENDIX B: FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS – EXPERIENCES 

FROM THE FIELD..............................................................................................86

Austin, TX .................................................................................................................... 87 

Bellingham, WA ........................................................................................................... 88 

Boston, MA................................................................................................................... 89

Boulder, CO Rural Fire Department............................................................................. 90 

Brighton, CO................................................................................................................. 91

Charlotte, NC................................................................................................................ 91

Chicago, IL ................................................................................................................... 92 

Clark County, NV......................................................................................................... 93 

Dallas, TX..................................................................................................................... 94 

Detroit, MI .................................................................................................................... 95 

Everett, WA .................................................................................................................. 95

Fairfax County, VA ...................................................................................................... 96 

Gettysburg, OH............................................................................................................. 97 

Los Angeles, CA........................................................................................................... 98 

Milwaukee, WI ............................................................................................................. 99 

Phoenix, AZ.................................................................................................................. 99

Pittsburgh, PA............................................................................................................. 100 

Portland, OR ............................................................................................................... 101 

San Antonio, TX......................................................................................................... 102 

San Diego, CA ............................................................................................................ 103 

San Francisco, CA ...................................................................................................... 103 

Schaumburg, IL .......................................................................................................... 104 

Springfield, NJ............................................................................................................ 105 

Wichita, KS................................................................................................................. 106

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...........................................107

Terms........................................................................................................................... 107 

Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................................................................................... 108 

MASTER REFERENCE LIST...........................................................................111

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES BY SUBJECT AREA.................................140