The U.S. fire season has been breaking records in the summers for the last few years. Unfortunately, 2024 will not be an exception. The National Interagency Fire Center’s forecast predicts extreme fires from hotter-than-average summer temperatures.
This change in summer temperatures and a decrease in precipitation will only continue. Moreover, this summer—it is not just the stereotypical areas in the country that are at risk for fires. Therefore, emergency departments and firefighters across the country need to be prepared.
Read this article to make sure your team is prepared for the upcoming fire season with the following communications technology:
- Two-Way Radios
- Batteries for Two-Way Radios
- Holster for Two-Way Radios
- Headsets for Two-Way Radios
Radios:
Two-way radios are a great form of reliable and instant communication in remote areas. Most wildfires happen in remote locations and then spread to civilization. In the remote areas, it is tough to find a service. On the other hand, cell service towers burn in the fires making cellular connections hard to find.
Consequently, two-way radios are firefighters’ best chance to stay connected and safe during missions. Two-way radios are durable in challenging environments and are designed to endure high temperatures.
Wildfires tend to average above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and radios need to be able to operate within these conditions. Two-way radios with MIL-STD and IP67 are the best options to guarantee operation in these extreme situations.
The best two-way radios for firefighters often are the BK Technologies KNG radios. These radios are made with the firefighter in mind.
Batteries:
Batteries are what power your lifeline—two-way radios—during fire responses. Before wildfire season takes off, make sure your batteries are up to date and can withstand high temperatures, smoke, and drops etc.
To determine your battery’s age or expiration date, check the serial code on the bottom of the battery. This Motorola battery was manufactured in 2013. Two-way radio batteries are only expected to last 18-24 months and should be replaced to guarantee proper operation.
If your department needs new batteries, we recommend intrinsically safe options. These batteries are required to be certified by these standards:
- SGS to TIA-4950/CSA C22.2 No.157/UL 913 5th Edition Standard
- Class I, II, III/ Division 1/Groups C-G/-20 degree C to 40 degree C, T3C
- Non-incendive use (Class I, II, III/Division 2/Groups A-G/-20 degree C to 40 degree C, T3C)
These certifications ensure the batteries are safe to operate in explosive environments. The design eliminates the potential for ignition. This type of battery is perfect for firefighter use and response.
The next thing the department should evaluate when purchasing batteries is work time. The batteries used during fire season need to last for long shifts. Moreover, the battery must work at full ability for that entire time.
Lastly, make sure the battery can charge quickly. As firefighters know, during an active wildfire, time off to rest is rare and short so batteries need to charge rapidly.
Holsters:
Holsters for your two-way radio are great for firefighters. This accessory is useful because it encourages hands-free communication, less possibility for damage, and it helps keep track of your radio.
With a holster, you can hear transmissions from the radio without holding the device. Hands-free comms is valuable during wildfire response because you are navigating dangerous terrain.
Holsters also help firefighters keep track of their radios and minimize potential damage. If a firefighter falls, is running, etc. it is easy for a radio to fall out of a pocket or drop from their hands. A holster ensures a firefighter will not lose their main form of team connection and safety while on the job.
Headsets:
Two-way radio communications headsets are great for wildfire response teams for three main reasons:
- You won’t miss communications
- Your communications will be transmitted clearly
- Environmental listening
With a comms headset, radio transmissions from your team will be heard clearly. Most communications headsets feature high-fidelity speakers in the earcups. These speakers replicate sound perfectly, ensuring you will hear communications.
In addition to hearing comms well, you can be sure what you say over the headset will be transmitted clearly. These headsets are fitted with boom microphones that are designed to only transmit what is spoken directly into the microphone. This is an important feature because outside sounds like sirens, helicopters, machinery, etc. will not override your comms.
Lastly, environmental listening helps firefighters focus, prevent hearing damage, and communicate fully. This feature will make dangerous noise levels be heard at a safe level.
For instance, while around sirens, environmental listening will lower that high noise to a safe level. Noise is still heard so the user is aware of their surroundings, but they can hear properly in the moment and the future.
In-Vehicle Chargers:
In-vehicle chargers are necessary for any emergency workers responding to wildfires. This type of emergency often involves a lot of travel and off-site response. In-vehicle chargers give teams more flexibility to stay in the field for longer periods without sacrificing communication.
We understand that space in emergency vehicles is limited by extensive equipment; therefore, in-vehicle chargers have a small footprint. Lastly, responders can charge their radios while driving so time is not wasted.
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We hope this fire season is not devastating; however, according to data, this will be a hot and dry summer. Therefore, fire departments and emergency responders must prepare for the worst and update/expand their communications equipment.
With the right communication tools, you can be sure your team is prepared to stay safe and work efficiently during the upcoming fire season.
