COMMAND CHANNEL
All FDNY personnel operate on the same primary tactical channel during fires and emergencies. As an operation progresses, the large number of sets on the tactical channel cannot be controlled effectively by the incident commander.
The IC will instruct all chief officers (sector chiefs) on the scene to switch their portable radio frequency to a primary command channel. This allows the IC to coordinate supervision of operations with an effective span of control.
When the primary command channel is being used for communications, all chief officers have a subordinate nearby to monitor the tactical channel to maintain contact with units under the chief’s area of control and for possible emergency transmissions.
