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SOME HISTORY...
BARNSTABLE COUNTY FIRE NETWORK
THE END OF - DAILY RADIO TEST
The Barnstable County Fire Network Radio System, dates
back to about 1956 when the first 33.70 Mhz. radios were installed in some
vehicles. Prior to that, radio use in the area was limited to the State fire
radio frequency 31.34 Mhz.
For many years, all departments dispatched calls and operated
on the same shared radio frequency across Cape Cod.
In the 1960s and 70's, some departments gradually began getting
their own FCC assigned frequencies. Calls were then dispatched on their own
local low band 'Fire Alarm' frequencies.
Eventually 33.70 Mhz became known as "County" and served as a
Department to Department, and Mutual Aid Communications channel.
______________________________________________________________________
EARLY RADIO & MUTUAL AID
By agreement, early on, the Hyannis Fire Department KCD
454, conducted a Daily Radio Test at 0900 with a Roll Call of each Fire
Department based on their FCC Assigned Call Signs.
Also by agreement, when Fire Chiefs established the first Mutual
Aid System (around 1960) the Yarmouth Fire Department KCD 246 handled Mutual
Aid. Apparatus tags on a board, kept track of In Service and Out of Service
apparatus. Basic run cards were developed and managed by Yarmouth.
In the mid 1970s, the Cape & Islands EMS System was
established, and trained the First Paramedics in Massachusetts. The UHF EMS
Radio System known as Barnstable CMED KAG 416 was placed in the
Barnstable Sheriff's Department "Radio Shack" in Barnstable village.
In the late 1970s, Yarmouth Fire became KNCS 289, and
eventually became Barnstable County Control. About that time, they also
took over the Barnstable County Daily Radio Test at 0915. In 1983, the
use of Mutual Aid tones was added for dispatching departments.
______________________________________________________________________
BARNSTABLE COUNTY CONTROL
On Nov 3, 1991, responsibility for Barnstable County
Control was transferred to the Barnstable County Sheriffs Department at "The
Shack" in Barnstable village. All Mutual Aid was then handled by Barnstable
County Control KCB 781. The Daily Radio Check Roll Call continued on the
33.70 Mhz frequency at 0915.
In 1994-1995, Enhanced E-911 was up and running across
Cape Cod, with all agencies having designated PSAPS and backups.
On February 10, 1998, the historic 5 Alarm
Provincetown Whaler's Wharf Fire occurred. It was dispatched on the 33.70 Mhz
"County" channel. It was one of the last major incidents on the low band radio
system.
At about the same time in 1998, all Barnstable County
fire, and most police, departments began using the Mass State Police 800 Mhz
Trunking Radio System.
Soon after, the use of the FCC radio call signs was greatly
reduced. The Roll Call began using the Department Names, rather than the
old familiar radio Numbers.
______________________________________________________________________
DAILY RADIO TEST COMES TO END 2025
On July 11, 2007, the Barnstable Sheriff's Department
Communications Center, including Barnstable County Control, Barnstable CMED, a
number of Fire Alarms, and other Sheriff's Department communications moved into
the brand new Otis Fire Station out at the base.
By 2013, about half of the Fire Departments (10) were
dispatched by the Barnstable Sheriff's Department Communications Center. More
will soon follow.
Most departments have given up their local in station
"base station radios" and are dispatched by more regionalized Communications
Centers.
So, as of January 8, 2025, the decision was made to
DISCONTINUE the Barnstable County Fire Radio Network Daily Radio Test. The
end of a LONG TRADITION that played an important roll over some 7 decades, or
more.
______________________________________________________________________
DAILY ROLL CALL 1970s
So for the record, one Last Time, the Daily Radio Test I grew
up listening to in 1970s went as follows....
TEST BY HYANNIS KCD 454
"This is KCD 454, conducting the Daily Radio Test, Stations
please acknowledge...."
244 = KCD 244 = Falmouth FD = (units 20-39)
246 = KCD 246 = Yarmouth FD = (units 40-59)
Otis Fire = The Base did not have FCC Call sign = (units 10-11)
264 = KCF 264 = Truro FD = (units 280-289)
271 = KCD 271 = Harwich FD = (units 60-79)
288 = KCE 288 = Martha's Vineyard = (M units on own freq)
319 = KCF 319 = West Barnstable = (units 290-299)
358 = KCF 358 = Centerville Station = (units 300-319)
(454) = KCD 454 = Hyannis = (units 80-89)
481 = KCF 481 = Barnstable Station = (units 200-209)
492 = KCD 492 = Dennis = (units 100-119)
497 = KCD 497 = Bourne = (units 120-139)
498 = KCD 498 = Sandwich = (units 140-154)
500 = KCD 500 = Wellfleet = (units 90-99)
556 = KCD 556 = Orleans = (units 170-179)
574 = KCD 574 = Eastham = (units 155-169)
574 = KCF 574 = Mashpee = (units 250-259)
594 = KCD 594 = Chatham = (units 180-189)
697 = KCD 697 = Provincetown = (units 190-199)
702 = KQL 702 = Civil Defence
760 = KCD 760 = Osterville / TOB FFD = (units 210-229)
781 = KCB 781 = Sheriff's (Barn/WB Disp)
815 = KCD 815 = Cotuit = (units 260-269)
845 = KCD 845 = Brewster = (units 230-249)
Plymouth Fire = Plymouth Fire Dept
"All stations loud and clear, KCD 454 clear, 0902."
[Note: (units 1-9 assigned to State Forest Fire Service, units 12-19 assigned to
County Forest Fire Department, units 270-279 assigned to Cape Cod National
Seashore.]
______________________________________________________________________
DAILY ROLL CALL 1980s
TEST BY YARMOUTH KNCS 289
"This is KNCS 289, Barnstable County Control,
conducting the daily radio test. Stations please acknowledge...."
244 = KCD 244 = Falmouth Fire = (units 15-39)
Otis Fire = No Call sign = (unit 11 +others / most no County radio)
264 = KCF 264 = Truro Fire = (units 281-289)
271 = KCD 271 = Harwich Fire = (units 60-79)
(289) = KNCS 289 = Yarmouth Fire = (units 40-59)
319 = KCF 319 = West Barnstable = (units 290-299)
358 = KCF 358 = Centerville Station = (units 300-319)
393 = KNAW 393 = Bourne Fire = (units 120-139)
454 = KCD 454 = Hyannis Fire = (units 80-89)
481 = KCF 481 = Barnstable Fire = (units 200-209)
492 = KCD 492 = Dennis Fire = (units 100-119)
498 = KCD 498 = Sandwich Fire = (units 141-154)
500 = KCD 500 = Wellfleet Fire = (units 90-99)
556 = KCD 556 = Orleans Fire = (units 170-179)
574 = KCD 574 = Eastham Fire = (units 155-169)
574 = KCF 574 = Mashpee Fire = (units 250-259)
594 = KCD 594 = Chatham Fire = (units 180-189)
697 = KCD 697 = Provincetown Fire = (units 190-199)
702 = KQL 702 = Barnstable Civil Defence
703 = KQL 703 = East Harwich Station = (units 60-69)
760 = KCD 760 = Centerville-Osterville = (units 300-319)
781 = KCB 781 = Barnstable Sheriff's Dept
815 = KCD 815 = Cotuit Fire = (units 260-269)
845 = KCD 845 = Brewster Fire = (units 230-249)
Plymouth Fire = No Call Sign (Plym County)
905 = KMVH 905 = Martha's Vineyard Dispath
"All stations loud and clear, KNCS 289, Barnstable County
Control clear, 0915."
[Note: (units 1-9 assigned to State Forest Fire Service, units 12-19 assigned to
County Forest Fire Department until about 1982, units 270-279 assigned to Cape
Cod National Seashore.]
______________________________________________________________________
DAILY ROLL CALL 2000s
A lot changed over the years. The status of Out of
Service Apparatus was confirmed daily by answering stations. During burning
season (Jan 15-May 1) a fire weather report was included. On the first Sunday of
each month, a test of the Mutual Aid Tone was included.
A more recent daily radio test conducted by Barnstable
County Control went more like....
TEST BY BARNSTABLE COUNTY CONTROL KCB 781
"This is Barnstable County Control, KCB 781, conducting the
Daily Radio Test, and apparatus status check, for (date). Stations please
acknowledge...."
Barnstable Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 200-219)
Bourne Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 120-149)
Brewster Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 230-249)
Centerville Fire = Disp by COMM = (units 300-329)
Chatham Fire = Disp by CHAT = (units 180-189 & 390-399)
Cotuit Fire = Disp by COMM = (units 260-279)
DCR Fire = Disp by Car 2 = (units 2 - 9)
Dennis Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 100-119)
Dukes County Fire = Disp by DUKES (Martha's Vineyard)
Eastham Fire = Disp by EAST PD = (units 150-165)
Falmouth Fire = Disp by FAL PD = (units 10-39)
Harwich Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 60-79)
Hyannis Fire = Disp by BARN PD = (units 800-839 +others)
Mashpee Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 350-379)
Nantucket Fire = Disp by NANT
Onset Fire = Disp by ONSET (Plym County)
Orleans Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 166-179 and 601-610)
Plymouth County Control = Disp for PLYM CNTY
Plymouth Fire = Disp by PLYM PD (Plym County)
Provincetown Fire = Disp by PT PD = (units 190-199 and 590-599)
Sandwich Fire = Disp by SAND PD = (units 439-469 +others)
Truro Fire = Disp by TRURO PD = (units 470-499)
Wareham Fire = Disp by WARE (Plym County)
Wellfleet Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 80-99)
West Barnstable Fire = Disp by BSO = (units 280-299)
Yarmouth Fire = Disp by YAR = (units 40-59 and 550-589)
"Thank you all stations, loud and clear, Barnstable
County Control, KCB 781 clear, 0915."
[Note: Joint Base Cape Cod Fire not in Roll Call = Disp by BSO = (units
400-429.]
______________________________________________________________________
MY IDEA - A NUMBERING SYSTEM!
APPARATUS RADIO NUMBERS
- Radio Communications is vital
- Each Unit Should Have a Unique Meaningful ID to Avoid
Confusion
- All Departments have experienced a Shortage or Need to
Change Numbers
- A Larger, Logical, and Meaningful Assignment of Numbers is
Possible
- A Simple System, Using Cape Cod Geography Makes Sense
- The Numbering System has Never Been Updated - Isn't It
Time?
COUNTY RADIO NUMBERS
Many Years Ago....
As Fire Departments got radios and installed them
in vehicles, they may have used the departments unit ID such as Car 1, or Engine
1, or Rescue 3.
Because multiple Fire Departments used the same
Radio Frequency, it did not take long to need a numbering system that better
defined apparatus accurately.
Fire Chiefs got together and handed out blocks of
numbers (10 or 20 in most cases) to give each unit a unique number. Chief's had
the ability to use those numbers however they chose at the time. When there were
not many vehicles, and not many calls, it was pretty easy to know what each
number represented.
Sometimes, departments used "Engine 1" on their Fire
Alarm, and "E107" on County. Rescue's in the day may have had 3 numbers "Rescue
1" and "87" on County and "337" on CMED. It was complicated sometimes.
Years later, nearly every Fire Department has grown far
beyond the imagination of the founding fathers "chiefs" who originally set up
the radio numbering system.
I'VE TRIED TO HELP - CAPECODFD.COM
CapeCodFD.com, and several Directories, and many lists
dating back to the Early Days of listening to the Cape Fire Radios (1973 or
so...) has from the beginning been about MAKING SOME SENSE OF THE RADIO
NUMBERS. Knowing WHAT IT IS that you are hearing is an important part
of communications.
While it is rewarding to be able to SHARE
INFORMATION with everyone on CapeCodFD.com, THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY!
I have Proposed a System Plan, that would Re-Number
ALL UNITS, Once and For All. This has NEVER BEEN DONE in 70 Years or More. Isn't
It About Time?
I POST THIS to Create Discussion and Move
Forward with Ideas on HOW TO BETTER COMMUNICATE WITHIN OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Send Your Thoughts and Share the Ideas....
January 18, 2025
Britton Crosby, Web Master CapeCodFD.com Since 2000
______________________________________________________________________
CAPECODFD.COM
PROPOSAL FOR NUMBERING SYSTEM
1. DESIGNATE EACH DEPARTMENT AN ID BASED ON GEOGRAPHY OF
CAPE COD
(The Upper Cape)
1 = Bourne
2 = Sandwich
3 = Joint Base Cape Cod
4 = Falmouth Fire
5 = Mashpee Fire
(The Barnstable Districts)
6 = Cotuit Fire
7 = COMM Fire
8 = Hyannis Fire
9 = West Barnstable Fire
10 = Barnstable Fire
(The Mid Cape)
11 = Yarmouth Fire
12 = Dennis Fire
13 = Brewster Fire
14 = Harwich Fire
15 = Chatham Fire
(The Lower Cape)
16 = Orleans Fire
17 = Eastham Fire
18 = Wellfleet Fire
19 = Truro Fire
20 = Provincetown Fire
(Other Agencies)
21 = County Units
22 = State Units
23 = Federal Units
2. ISSUE EACH DEPARTMENT 100 NUMBERS BASED ON DEPT ID
(Upper Cape)
100 - 199 = Bourne
200 - 299 = Sandwich
300 - 399 = Joint Base
400 - 499 = Falmouth
500 - 599 = Mashpee
(Barnstable Districts)
600 - 699 = Cotuit
700 - 799 = COMM
800 - 899 = Hyannis
900 - 999 = West Barnstable
1000 - 1099 = Barnstable
(Mid Cape)
1100 - 1199 = Yarmouth
1200 - 1299 = Dennis
1300 - 1399 = Brewster
1400 - 1499 = Harwich
1500 - 1599 = Chatham
(Lower Cape)
1600 - 1699 = Orleans
1700 - 1799 = Eastham
1800 - 1899 = Wellfleet
1900 - 1999 = Truro
2000 - 2099 = Provincetown
(Other Agencies)
2100 - 2199 = County Resources
2200 - 2299 = State Resources
2300 - 2399 = CCNS Federal Resources
3. ISSUE APPARATUS NUMBERS BASED ON UNIT TYPE OR ASSIGNMENTS
(Command Units)
00 - Shift Commander?
01 - Fire Chief
02 - Assistant Chief / or Deputy (next in
command)
03 - Deputy Chief / or (next in command)
04 -
05 -
06 -
07 -
08 -
09 -
(Staff Units)
10 - Command Vehicle
11 - Fire Prevention
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 - EMS Officer
17 - Training Officer
18 -
19 - Mechanic
(Engines)
20 - Reserve Engine?
21 - Engine 1 / or Station 1 assignment
22 - Engine 2 / or Station 2 assignment
23 - Engine 3 / or Station 3 assignment
24 - Engine 4 / or Station 4 assignment
25 - Engine 5 / or Station 5 assignment
26 - Engine 6 / or Station 6 assignment
27 -
28 -
29 -
(Ladders)
30 -
31 - Ladder Aerial
32 - Ladder Aerial Quint
33 -
34 -
35 - Ladder Tower
36 - Ladder Tower Quint
37 -
38 -
39 -
(Rescue Engines / Squads)
40 - Heavy Rescue Unit
41 - Squad 1 / or Station 1 Assignment
42 - Squad 2 / or Station 2 Assignment
43 - Squad 3 / or Station 3 Assignment
44 - Squad 4 / or Station 4 Assignment
45 - Squad 5 / or Station 5 Assignment
46 - Squad 6 / or Station 6 Assignment
47 -
48 -
49 -
(Tender-Tanker / Forestry Units)
50 - Tanker-Tender
51 - Brush 1 / or Station 1 Assignment
52 - Brush 2 / or Station 2 Assignment
53 - Brush 3 / or Station 3 Assignment
54 - Brush 4 / or Station 4 Assignment
55 - Brush 5 / or Station 5 Assignment
56 - Brush 6 / or Station 6 Assignment
57 -
58 -
59 -
(Ambulances EMS)
60 - Reserve Ambulance?
61 - Ambulance 1 / or Station 1 Assignment
62 - Ambulance 2 / or Station 2 Assignment
63 - Ambulance 3 / or Station 3 Assignment
64 - Ambulance 4 / or Station 4 Assignment
65 - Ambulance 5 / or Station 5 Assignment
66 - Ambulance 6 / or Station 6 Assignment
67 -
68 -
69 -
(Marine Units)
70 - In Water Fireboat
71 - Boat 1 / or Station 1 Boat
72 - Boat 2 / or Station 2 Boat
73 - Boat 3 / or Station 3 Boat
74 - Boat 4 / or Station 4 Boat
75 - Boat 5 / or Station 5 Boat
76 - Boat 6 / or Station 6 Boat
77 -
78 -
79 - Dive Truck
(Special Units)
80 - Unique Special Unit
81 - ARFF / Foam Unit
82 - ARFF / Foam Unit
83 - ARFF / Foam Unit
84 -
85 -
86 -
87 -
88 - Spill Trailer
89 - Lighting Trailer
(Miscellaneous Units)
90 - Pickup or Car
91 -
92 -
93 -
94 -
95 -
96 -
97 -
98 -
99 -
______________________________________________________________________
POTENTIAL EXAMPLES
UNIT ID
101 = 1 01 = 1 Bourne 01 Chief
(currently C141)
1301 = 13 01 = 13 Brewster 01 Chief (currently
C231)
2201 = 22 01 = 22 State DCR 01 Warden (currently
Car 2)
210 = 2 10 = 2 Sandwich 10 Shift
Commander Vehicle
411 = 4 11 = 4 Falmouth 11 Fire
Prevention
816 = 8 16 = 8 Hyannis 16 EMS Officer
221 = 2 21 = 2 Sandwich 21 Engine
Station 1 (currently E1 or E451)
722 = 7 22 = 7 COMM 22 Engine Station
2 (currently E304)
1622 = 16 22 = 16 Orleans 22 Engine 2 (only 1 Station)
(currently E177)
2025 = 20 25 = 20 Provincetown 25 Engine Station 5
(currently E195)
431 = 4 31 = 4 Falmouth 31 Ladder
Aerial (non-quint) (currently L26)
1032 = 10 32 = 10 Barnstable 32 Ladder Aerial Quint
(currently L206)
1536 = 15 36 = 15 Chatham 36 Ladder Tower Quint
(currently LT189)
541 = 5 41 = 5 Mashpee 41 Squad
Engine Station 1 (currently E351)
840 = 8 40 = 8 Hyannis 40 Heavy Rescue
(currently H821)
1141 = 11 41 = 11 Yarmouth 41 Squad Engine Station 1
(currently E43)
1341 = 13 41 = 13 Brewster 41 Squad Engine (only 1 Station)
(currently SQ241)
350 = 3 50 = 3 Joint Base 50
Tender-Tanker (currently T414)
950 = 9 50 = 9 West Barnstable 50
Tender-Tanker (currently T286)
1750 = 17 50 = 17 Wellfleet 50 Tender-Tanker (currently
T96)
463 = 4 63 = 4 Falmouth 63
Ambulance Station 3 (currently A38?)
465 = 4 65 = 4 Falmouth 65 Ambulance
Station 5 (currently A36? A37?)
863 = 8 63 = 8 Hyannis 63 Ambulance 3
(only 1 Station) (currently A3 or A833)
1462 = 14 62 = 14 Harwich 62 Ambulance Station 2
(currently A72?)
1464 = 14 64 = 14 Harwich 64 Ambulance (Station 2? only 2
Stations) (currently A74?)
270 = 2 70 = 2 Sandwich 70 Fireboat
in Water (currently M439)
870 = 8 70 = 8 Hyannis 70 Fireboat in
w\Water (currently M1 or M808)
1272 = 12 72 = 12 Dennis 72 Boat Assigned Station 2
(M119?)
381 = 3 81 = 3 Joint Base 81 ARFF 1
(currently F404)
882 = 8 82 = 8 Hyannis 82 ARFF 2
(currently F817)
1788 = 17 88 = 17 Eastham 88 DEP Spill Trailer
1090 = 10 90 = 10 Barnstable 90 Misc Pickup Truck
(currently S200)
2091 = 20 91 = 20 Provincetown 91 Misc Car
(currently ?)
______________________________________________________________________
BOTTOM LINE
1. All Departments could use more radio numbers
2. Radio Numbers should be logical and have meaning
3. Numbering should be simple and not too wordy
4. Number should be easy to learn and remember
5. There has Never been a Numbering System - Why not now?!
FOR COMMENTS, EMAIL
CAPECODFD.COM
Jan 18, 2025 |