FIRE FIGHTER FATALITY INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM

September 2003

Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Research Needs Pertaining to Firefighter Radio Communication Systems

Disclaimer: This report was prepared by TriData Corporation under contract with NIOSH. It should not be considered a statement of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual who was involved.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) commissioned this study to identify and address specific deficiencies in firefighter radio communications and to identify technologies that may address these deficiencies. Specifically to be addressed were current and emerging technologies that improve, or hold promise to improve, firefighter radio communications and provide firefighter location in structures.

Entire Document [PDF 827 KB]

Table of Contents [PDF 167 KB]

Acknowledgements [PDF 159 KB]

Executive Summary [PDF 216 KB]

Chapter I – Introduction [PDF 132 KB]

Chapter II – Methodology [PDF 146 KB]

Chapter III – Firefighter Communication Issues [PDF 187 KB]

Chapter IV – Structure Communication Issues [PDF 252 KB]

Chapter V – Current Technology Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Research Needs [PDF 267 KB]

Appendix A – Prioritized Project Issues [PDF 115 KB]

Appendix B – Fire Department Communications – Experiences From the Field [PDF 197 KB]

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations [PDF 127 KB]