December 23, 2005 

To: Geographic Area Coordination Groups

From:  National Fire and Aviation Executive Board

Subject:  Radio Narrowband Training

The purpose of this memo is to request assistance from the Geographic Area Coordinating Groups in providing radio/narrowband training to firefighters before the beginning of this fire season. 

Over the past five years, a steadily increasing number of reports concerning communications issues have been received through SAFENET and SAFECOM.  These reports prompted the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) to charter a Fire and Aviation Safety Team (FAST) in August of 2005.

The FAST gathered information from over 70 sources including personnel on wildfire incidents, dispatch centers and the National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD) at the National Interagency Fire Center.  Their findings validated the reports, and gave a much clearer picture of communications problems encountered throughout the fire service.

In response to the Area Command and FAST team findings, work began at NIFC on training to be delivered to firefighters before the beginning of next fire season.  The training being developed is a one hour class on radio narrowband basics which will be delivered to all firefighters and dispatchers through face to face training sessions within each geographic area.

Two “train the trainer” sessions will be conducted in Boise, ID, on January 31^st and February 14^th.  We are asking that each geographic area send an appropriate number of training representatives to one of the “train the trainer” sessions. The training representatives will then be asked to coordinate delivery of the training within their geographic areas.  Arrangements will also be considered for providing a limited number of the train the trainer sessions at selected locations within Geographic Areas.

Events of the last year have taught us just how important it is for every firefighter to know their radio and how it works.  We are hopeful that this effort will bring us closer to that goal.

For questions, please contact John Gould (208)-387-5177 or Steve Jenkins (208) 387-5485.