National Interagency Fire CenterAll Social Media
Contact Us
Toggle Font Size
      Toggle OpenDyslexic
      Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme
      Contact Us
KeywordsFire InformationNational Wildland Firefighter DayNational Fire NewsNICCInternational SupportFor MediaFire PreventionHot TopicsWildfire PreventionWildfire Prevention VideosWildfire MitigationWildfire EducationWildfire InvestigationFor PAOsAdditional ResourcesPIO Bulletin BoardAgency InformationHot TopicsIncident Resources for PIOsInciWeb InformationPIO ContactsSocial Media for PIOsTraining and Qualifications for PIOsWorking with Media and PublicProducer’s Guide to FilmingMilitary Support HistoryInciWebMapsNews ReleasesMilitary aircraft equipped with MAFFS mobilized to assist with wildfire suppressionUS firefighters continue to support Canada during record-breaking wildfiresNIFC celebrates second annual National Wildland Firefighter DayU.S. supports Canada with aviation resourcesU.S. fire resources continue to support CanadaU.S. resources support Canadian wildfiresSituation ReportNICC ReportsArchivesStatisticsSuppression CostsHuman-caused wildfiresLightning-caused wildfiresUAS IncursionsWildfires and acresOur ResourcesFirefightersCrewsOverheadSmokejumpersIncident Management TeamsAircraftAirtankersHelicoptersTactical AircraftSmokejumper AircraftEquipmentDozersEnginesWater TendersCaterersShowersNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionHotsheet NewsNIICD ContactsNIICD DocumentsAvionicsCommunication Duty OfficerEngineering and DevelopmentP25 Digital RadiosInfrared BranchPhoenix Capabilities and ProductsMaintenanceCommunications OperationsRework and SupplyTechnical TrainingSuppliesGreat Basin CacheAccountabilityCache DemobilizationCache VansContactsEmergency HiringFormsOrderingReturnsMobilizationNICCNational Mobilization GuideTaking Care of Our OwnEmployee Assistance ProgramCritical Incident Stress ManagementManager’s ToolkitPeer Support RecruitmentRequest SupportSuicide PreventionStandardsRed BookBIA Preparedness ReviewsBLM Preparedness ReviewsFWS Preparedness ReviewsNPS Preparedness ReviewsUSFS Preparedness ReviewsProgramsCasual Payment CenterPublicationsProceduresCPC FormsAD Pay PlansAgency MemosHiring DocumentsCPC LinksDo What's Right TrainingAll SectionsPOSH ModuleCourse MaterialsHow to Report Harassment and PoliciesDownloadsEqual Employment OpportunityInformation TechnologyInteragency Fire Program ManagementIFPM StandardHuman ResourcesFire ManagementAgency SpecificBIABLMFSFWSNPSArchivesContactsJoint Fire Science ProgramMedical StandardsNational Incident Management OrganizationNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNICCPost Fire RecoveryRAWSSafetySmoke ManagementTrainingVeteransCareersHuman ResourcesHuman Resources ContactsBenefitseOPFEmployee RelationsEthicsFormsPermanent EmployeesTemporary EmployeesTransfer Employees (within BLM)Transfer Employees (within DOI)Transfer Employees (outside DOI)Jobs and Human ResourcesTeleworkOWCPPerformance ManagementRating ManagementRetirementSecurityManager’s CornerDOI Wildland Fire JobsUSAJOBSBLM Fire Jobs PortalWorking in Wildland Fire with NPSUSDA Forest Service Job OpportunitiesAbout UsWhat is NIFC?Great Basin CacheGreat Basin SmokejumpersNICCRadio CacheRAWSReturns WarehouseWildland Firefighters MonumentNIFC CampusCampus TourHow Do I?Our PartnersBIABLMRecruitment ToolkitPodcastsBLM Aviation ProgramAdministrationAerial SupervisionAirspaceHelicoptersLibrarySafetySEATsSecuritySmokejumper AircraftTrainingUASBLM Aviation Support PositionsBLM CrewsBonneville HotshotsChena HotshotsCraig HotshotsDiamond Mountain HotshotsJackson HotshotsKern Valley HotshotsLakeview HotshotsMidnight Sun HotshotsRuby Mountain HotshotsSnake River HotshotsVale HotshotsBillings Veterans CrewDevil's Canyon Veterans CrewFolsom Lake Veterans CrewMedford Crew 10Spokane Veterans CrewVegas Valley Veterans CrewBLM Engine CrewsBLM Fire ManagementBLM Fire Prevention and EducationBLM Fire SupportBLM Fire TrainingATV Drip TorchFire Vehicle TrainingFitness ChallengeHigh Reliability Organizing (HRO)Improving Radio DisciplineLeadership Self-Development and IDPsBLM DispatchersBLM Fire InvestigationBLM Fuels CrewsBLM Fuels Management ProgramBLM Fuels TreatmentsCommunity AssistanceBLM Helitack CrewsBLM Alaska SmokejumpersGreat Basin SmokejumpersInformationOperationsTrainingRecruitmentHistoryOperational Medical Support ProgramNPSNWSFWSUSFSUSFANASFDODNIFC HistoryWorking with  UsWildland Fire JobsPublic ParticipationSubmit New Innovative IdeasVolunteerContractingDonationsNIFC Help DeskTelephonesWirelessIQCS Help DeskHelp Desk LinksSocial MediaMedia SubmissionFirefightersAircraftEquipmentNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionSuppliesMobilizationTaking Care of Our Own Home
                        Our Resources
                        National Interagency Incident Communications Division
                        Engineering and Development
  P25 Digital Radios
Background
The US Congress, through the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA), has mandated that all federal government radio operations in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) government radio bands be "narrowbanded." The transition to narrowband channel spacing should have been accomplished by January 1, 2005 for the VHF band. The date for "narrowbanding" the UHF band was January 1, 2008. Narrowbanding means the changing from 25 kHz channel spacing to 12.5 kHz channel spacing. This effectively doubles the number of channels/frequencies available for government use in the same amount of electromagnetic spectrum.
Concurrently, new digital technologies for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) are being developed. This is being accomplished jointly among the federal government, the telecommunications industry, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials - International (APCO). The standard for digital LMR radio is known as "P25", "APCO Project 25" and as the Electronics Industry Association/Telecommunications Industry Association "EIA/TIA-102" standard.
At the recommendation of the Department of the Interior (DOI) Radio Liaisons, DOI decided to adopt the P25 digital radio standard as the standard for all radio purchases within DOI. DOI has also mandated that all radios/radio systems that carry law enforcement traffic comply with the EIA/TIA-102 standard which include encryption capabilities/technologies. These mandates are outlined in DOI IRM Bulletins 1998-001, 1998-002, and 1998-003.
As of October 1, 2005, the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) has also mandated the purchase of P25 compliant radio equipment. The USFS is requiring the purchase of digital P25 radio equipment from the DOI Digital Radio contract.

DOI Narrowband Digital Radio Contract
Due to the substantial investment in digital radios, and the potential to realize significant cost savings, DOI established a multi-year, multi-vendor contract for the purchase of P25 compliant digital narrowband radio equipment. The first five-year contract was awarded on August 21, 1998. The current DOI P25 digital radio contract is currently having submitted equipment tested.
EIA/TIA-102 (P25) Functionality and Capabilities
There are numerous questions concerning the functionality and compatibility of analog radios vs. digital radios. The biggest question seems to be: "Will the new digital radio work with the current (analog) wideband and narrowband radio systems?" The answer is "yes". All P25 compliant radios are "backward" compatible with both wideband and narrowband analog radio systems. Backward compatibility refers to a P25 radio's ability to communicate with older wideband and narrowband analog technology radio systems.
P25 radios have a "multi-mode" receive function which allows the radio to be programmed to receive both analog and digital transmissions. However, if a digital channel is currently selected, most radios must be switched to an analog channel to reply in the analog mode.

Testing for the Fire and Aviation Community
As directed and chartered by the National Fire and Aviation Executive Board (formerly the National Interagency Fire Directors), the NIICD Engineering and Development Section performs the "Fire Radio Certification" testing for all of the federal wildland fire agencies. Each radio submitted under the DOI Digital Radio contract as a "fire radio" undergoes additional functionality and performance testing. This testing includes "field tests" to insure it will meet the extreme operational requirements of the wildland fire and aviation community. Once a radio has passed these additional tests, a recommendation for inclusion on the "fire certified" list is sent to each of the National Fire Directors at the National Interagency Fire Center. Once approved, the updated list is distributed throughout each director's agency.

Questions concerning the fire certification process can be directed to NIICD's Engineer.
                              National Interagency Incident Communications Division
  

        
              Hotsheet News
                NIICD Contacts
                NIICD Documents
                Avionics
                Communication Duty Officer
                Engineering and Development
                                P25 Digital Radios
                Infrared Branch
                Maintenance
                Communications Operations
                Rework and Supply
                Technical Training
 Footer Logo
www.nifc.gov
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705-5354(208) 387-5512
              Features
  

        
              NIFC Campus
                NIFC History
                Fire Photos
                Contact Us
              Information
  

        
              Fire Information
                Mobilization Guide
                PIO Bulletin Board
                Red Book
              Social
  

        
              Facebook
                Twitter
                Flickr
                YouTube
                LinkedIn
              About
  

        
              About NIFC
                FAQ
                Map and Directions
                Phone Directory nifc.gov
An official website of the Department of the Interior
      
      About DOI.gov
	Accessibility statement
	FOIA requests
      No FEAR Act data
	Office of the Inspector General
	Budget & performance reports
      Agency financial reports
	Disclaimer
	Privacy policy
      Vulnerability disclosure policy
	Cummings Act notices
      Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov

The National Interagency Fire Center is committed to making its information and communication technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. To meet this commitment, we continue to monitor and update our content to make sure our documents meet these standards.