National Incident Radio Support Cache

NATIONAL INCIDENT RADIO SUPPORT CACHE

This cache is maintained and used primarily for wildland fire, however, it may show up on any large incident such as floods, hurricanes, law enforcement (it was used for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in 2004), and tornadoes. The cache is located and maintained by the National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD) [1] of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) [2] in Boise, Idaho. The use of these frequencies is coordinated by the NIICD Communications Duty Officer to avoid interference with nearby incidents.

Tactical

Frequency  Type  Description
168.050    BM    Tactical 1
168.200    BM    Tactical 2
168.600    BM    Tactical 3
164.1375   BM    Tactical 4
166.725    BM    Tactical 5
166.775    BM    Tactical 6
168.250    BM    Tactical 7

Command

Frequency  Type  Description
168.700    BM    Command 1
168.100    BM    Command 2
168.075    BM    Command 3
166.6125   BM    Command 4
167.100    BM    Command 5
168.475    BM    Command 6
162.9625   BM    Command 7

Logistics

Frequency  Type  Description
414.650    BM    Logistics 1
415.400    BM    Logistics 2
415.500    BM    Logistics 3
417.300    BM    Logistics 4
417.350    BM    Logistics 5
417.500    BM    Logistics 6
417.800    BM    Logistics 7
 
The use of the following logistics frequencies is unknown at this time.
410.275
411.800
412.600

• These frequencies may also be used for cross band repeaters and links.
• These frequenices are normally used as repeater outputs.

Air VHF FM

Frequency  Type  Description
168.625    BM    National Air Guard
168.650    BM    National Flight Following
166.675    BM    Air to Air Tactics 1
169.150    BM    Air to Air Tactics 2
169.200    BM    Air to Air Tactics 3
170.000    BM    Air to Air Tactics 4
167.950    BM    BLM Air to Ground
166.6875   BM    Air to Ground
171.1375   BM    Air to Ground

• Air Tactics Frequencies can also be used as Air to Ground and are normally pre-assigned by area.

• NOTE There are additional air to ground frequencies being used in local areas and they are not cleared for use all over the western U.S. as these are. The western U.S. clearance starts at either 95 degrees longitude or at the Mississippi River. In the east these frequencies may be used, but with restrictions and subject to pre-approval by the National Interagency Incident Communications Division Communications Duty Officer.

Air VHF AM

Frequency  Type  Description
122.925    BM    AA/AG/FW/RW
122.850    BM    AA/AG/RW
122.975    BM    AA/RW
123.050    BM    AA/RW/Helispots
123.075    BM    AA/AG/RW/Helispots
123.975    BM    National Air Tanker Base

AA = Air to Air
AG = Air to Ground 
FW = Fixed Winged (Airplanes)
RW = Rotary Wing (Helicopters)

• 122.925 Is is a national natural resources multi-com frequency and is usually not used on fires as it can be used by any level of government in the U.S.

Common

Frequency  Type
163.100    BM
168.350    BM

• These are used for local tacticals in some areas, however they are common for the entire Federal government

Incident Command System Initial Callup

Frequency  Type
168.550    BM

• Used as a common frequency during initial phase of an incident.
• Also used by smokejumpers as a tactical/air to ground while accomplishing jumping.

Source: The Forest Service Manual, Northern and Southern California Geographical Area Coordination Centers Mobilization Guide, and other sources gained as a retired USFS employee. Fred Richter August 2005