Manchester, NH
Fire Department

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Early in 2002, the City of Manchester, NH began operating an 800 MHz trunked radio system, with call letters "WPDK444". The Manchester Fire Department utilizes this system for fire & EMS dispatch, fire & EMS tactical operations, fire prevention, training, fire alarm repair, and other administrative activities.

This was a huge change for the department which has dramatically improved their communications capabilities. When the change was made to the trunked system, many of the local scanner listeners were technologically "left behind" and have since been unable to hear the Manchester Fire Department. For that reason, we are pleased to provide this live scanner feed on NHFireNews.com.

You will need Windows Media Player to use this audio feed. Please contact the NHFireNews.com Webteam if you experience any problems with the audio feed. Enjoy the live audio!

Manchester, NH Fire Department
Radio System General Information

The Manchester Fire Department has assigned 16 "Tac" channels for specific purposes. The assigned channel plan is below:
Tac Assigned Use Tac Assigned Use
1 Fire & EMS Dispatch 9 Fire Operations
2 BLS EMS Operations 10 Fire Operations
3 Joint Fire & EMS Operations 11 Fire Operations
4 Fire Operations
(Single unit responses)		 12 Fire Operations
5 Fire Operations 13 Logistics (Training)
6 Fire Operations 14 Safety
7 Fire Operations 15 Fire Alarm Repair
8 Fire Operations 16 Fireground Direct (Not repeated)

The live audio feed on NHFireNews.com is currently only scanning Tac 1, Tac 3 through Tac 12, and Tac 16 to provide the best opportunity to hear fireground activity.

The Fire Alarm Office has ultimate control over the radio system and no one is allowed to operate on a Tac channel without being assigned to that channel by a Fire Alarm Operator.

Tac 1 is the primary fire and EMS dispatch channel. All emergency calls are toned and announced on Tac 1. At the end of each dispatch, the Fire Alarm Operator will assign a Tac channel for the incident, and all subsequent communications are moved to that channel. Tac 1 is also used for routine field communications with Fire Alarm. Incidentally, you will rarely hear Manchester fire apparatus sign "on responding" or "in service", as they utilize a Zetron system with push-button computer communications with Fire Alarm for such messages.

Tac 2 is only assigned for BLS EMS traffic. It would rarely, if ever, be used by fire apparatus. Tac 2 is not being rebroadcasted on NHFireNews.com.

Tac 3 is a joint fire and EMS operational channel. It is assigned for incidents which both agencies will operate at such as motor vehicle accidents or ALS medical calls. Multiple incidents may be "stacked" on Tac 3.

Tac 4 is the "Still Alarm" fireground operational channel. It is assigned for single unit or 1 and 1 responses, such as car fires, dumpster fires, or low-risk alarm activations with only one engine company and one truck company responding. Multiple incidents may be "stacked" on Tac 4.

Tac 5 through Tac 12 are fireground operational channels. These channels are assigned anytime multiple companies or a full box alarm (3 engine companies, 2 truck companies, 1 rescue company, 1 district chief) is dispatched. They are used for incidents such as building fires, high-risk alarm activations , smoke or gas in a building, technical rescues, or anything else requiring multiple resources and a dedicated communications channel. Multiple incidents are not "stacked" on Tac 5 through Tac 12, however a single incident my be assigned more than one Tac channel for various uses on the fireground (i.e.: fireground operations on Tac 5, FAST operations on Tac 6).

Tac 13, 14, & 15 are the administrative channels. Typical uses are company training, fire alarm and radio repair, fire inspections, and civic event fire details. They are very busy with routine traffic during business hours, making it possible for the scanner to be tied up with such traffic while fire operations are underway. They are not being rebroadcasted on NHFireNews.com.

Tac 16 is a Fireground Direct channel which is not included in the trunked system. It is intended to be used in situations where portable radios are unable to access the trunking repeater (ie: high rise incidents). The channel is repeated into the trunked system by the District Chiefs' vehicle to allow cross-system communication.

- Listen to Manchester Fire -
If you operate a trunking capable scanner in the greater Manchester area, you may listen to the Manchester Fire Department by programming all of the following frequencies in this specific order:
1) 856.2125 7) 854.9875
2) 856.4875 8) 856.7625
3) 857.4875 9) 857.2375
4) 858.4875 10) 857.9375
5) 859.4875 11) 855.4875
6) 860.4875  

Tac 16 Direct:
866.0125
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