IAFF and USFA Release Voice Radio Communications Guide 

December 2, 2008 – The IAFF and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have released a new manual, Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service, that provides updated information on communications technology and discusses critical homeland security issues and concepts that did not exist when the original manual was first published in 1996.

The new manual, developed from a joint IAFF and USFA study of safety and technology and conducted with support from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAFECOM Program Office, is designed for a wide fire service audience with a minimum level of familiarity with basic communications issues such as hardware, policy and procedures and human interface.

"The safety of both fire fighters and citizens depends on reliable, functional communication tools that work in the harshest and most hostile of environments," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "The IAFF is pleased to work with USFA on this important project."

U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade adds, "The need for an understanding of today's modern communications concepts and technology for fire fighter and citizen life safety and operational effectiveness remains as valid, if not more so today than it did in 1996. USFA is pleased to work with DHS SAFECOM and the IAFF on this study to provide critical information to the fire service."

For more information, click here.