Warren County New Jersey · May 3, 2016 2 Preface Welcome to Warren County new VHF radio band Public Safety Radio Network. This project has been several years in the making, with

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May 3, 2016 2

Preface

Welcome to Warren County new VHF radio band Public Safety Radio Network. This project has been

several years in the making, with most of the project time spent on obtaining radio frequencies in the 153-

159 MHz VHF radio band. Many new features are available that adhere to APCO Project 25 standards.

There has also been a heavy emphasis on mutual aid and interoperability features, not only for use in

county and within adjacent counties, but at a statewide and national level.

The intent of this document is to familiarize end-users with the new radio channels, radio equipment and

features, and the ways in which these channels are used and assigned for incidents. It also serves as a

training and qualification guide for those officers that are assigned personal radios.

Public Safety Radio Network Training Requirements

and Recommendations

This tutorial and any revisions can be viewed as an Adobe PDF document at the Warren County

Department of Public Safety’s web site: www.wcpublicsafety.com/psrnet.

An online radio network quiz is available at this web site that provides a printed certificate and includes

the named individual in a file of certified public safety radio operators. This certificate is required for

any responder that is assigned a personal portable or mobile radio. It is highly recommended that all

firefighters, EMTs and support staff also read this tutorial document, take the online quiz and become

certified using the web site.

May 3, 2016 3

Part One - A Brief History

Several phased-in communications improvements have been made in recent years:

• Phase One - A partial upgrade to our microwave system that links the Communications Center to our

remote tower sites in Mansfield, Blairstown and Harmony.

• Phase Two – A county-wide, simulcast alerting system for fire and EMS. This involved consolidating

several different alerting (tone-out) frequencies into a single frequency, and purchasing new state of

the art pagers for all fire and EMS volunteers. This alert channel is receive only – end users are not

permitted to transmit on it, nor is the Communications Center able to receive on it by design.

• Phase Three – Involved upgrades to the Communications Center radio and telephone consoles,

furniture, and computer network.

• Phase Four – Law Enforcement radio network and new mobile and portable radio equipment for

police, corrections, sheriff and prosecutor’s offices.

• Phase Five – Fire/EMS radio network consolidation of old low band frequencies onto new high band

VHF frequencies, and new mobile and portable radio equipment for fire/EMS agencies. Also involved

moving Warren County Road Department into new UHF channels so their existing VHF frequency

could be used as the new FIRERESP channel.

Summary of New VHF Radio Network Features:

• Six new repeated, simulcast channels that provide county-wide coverage and allows units to talk from

one end of the county to another. Thus, they are useful for talking over longer distances.

o EMSRESP – Used by EMS to reach the dispatcher – primarily to indicate a unit’s status

(responding, on location, clear, etc.)

o FIRERESP – Used by Fire and Hazmat to reach the dispatcher – primarily to indicate a unit’s

status (responding, on location, clear, etc.)

o WCIOP – A multi-discipline interoperability channel that allows police, fire, EMS, hazmat,

OEM, and other disciplines to communicate with each other county-wide.

o WCTAC-13 – A multi-discipline interoperability channel that allows fire, EMS, hazmat, OEM,

and other disciplines to communicate with each other county-wide. Useful for tasks such as water

shuttle and EMS transport

o COMMAND – A multi-discipline channel designed for use by the Incident Commander to

converse with dispatch without having to compete with other traffic on the response channels.

May also be used by unified command and/or command staff. It is not designed for use as a

ground channel for tactical operations.

o PDTAC – A Law Enforcement Only channel used daily by county law enforcement and for

municipal police agencies to communicate with each other county-wide.

• Six Fire/EMS ground channels designed for local interior and exterior communications that transmit

directly from radio to radio (not through county infrastructure). They include WCOPS-2 through

WCOPS-7.

• Access to several new VHF national interoperability channels.

• A private, digital and encrypted police channel for use by law enforcement only.

May 3, 2016 4

• New end-user base stations, mobiles and portables with ID features, emergency buttons, evacuation

tones and LED displays that show channel names rather than channel position numbers.

May 3, 2016 5

Part Two - New Radio Equipment

Motorola model XTL-2500 mobile radios and XTS-1500 portable radios were selected for use by end-

users. This will be the first time that the same end-user radio equipment has been used throughout the

county. This helps ease the learning curve by having the same model radios, features, and channel layouts

in each of them. This solves the problem of getting into vehicles and having to figure out how to use the

different radios that most had in them. Training materials are more easily authored and distributed

because they describe the same model radios and standard channel layouts and features across the board.

While each agency may have a few additional frequencies for mutual aid purposes, the general layout and

order of radios channels remains consistent across radios.

Radio Features

Several new features have been included in these new radios. This includes unique radio IDs that identify

a transmitting radio on the displays of all receiving radios. An emergency button is also available to

identify responders in trouble. Channel names rather than numbers on front panel displays made it easier

to identify a radio channel and its capabilities (receive only, repeated, etc.).

VERY Important:

After keying the microphone to transmit, please wait

approximately one (1) second until after the beep is heard to begin

speaking. This is necessary to allow the radio’s ID “squawk” to be

transmitted before you can talk. Failure to do so will result in

“front end clipping” where the first word or two of your voice is

cut off.

The following is a diagram of the Motorola XTL 2500 mobile radios. Note that most fire and EMS

stations should have one of these mobile radios inside their headquarters for communicating with field

units that are out of the station.

May 3, 2016 6

MOTOROLA XTL 2500 MOBILE RADIO

This radio is most likely installed in vehicles as a two-piece unit. The radio box is usually separate and mounted in an “out of the way” location in the vehicle. A control cable is run to the radio control “head” mounted in the cab of the vehicle. An optional, second control head can be purchased separately to mount in the rear of a vehicle or in a rear command cabinet.

• � Volume – Controls incoming audio volume (does not power up radio)

• Backlight – Toggles backlight in LED display on or off

• Home Channel – Returns radio to Zone 1, Channel 1 (your home radio channel). Must press and

hold for about a second until radio beeps.

• � Channel Selection – Selects radio channel (rotate left for previous, right for next)

• � Emergency Button – Press and hold for 1 second until radio beeps to send an emergency signal to

dispatch and other units monitoring your home channel (automatically switches radio to home

channel). Unit will transmit open mic for 10 seconds without holding in the transmit button.

• Power – Toggles radio power on or off

• SCAN – Turns channel scan on or off (The icon will appear in LED display when Scan is on)

• NUIS (Nuisance) – Temporarily removes displayed channel from scan list (used to remove very

noisy or continuous static filled channel that is interfering with the ability to scan other channels)

• MON (Monitor) – Toggles channel guard (private line) on or off. Normal mode is off. Turn on

only to permit reception of other co-channel and out-of-county users that may also be licensed on the

same channel. (the icon will appear in LED display when Monitor is on)

• ZNUP (Zone Up) – Changes to the next channel zone (bank). LED display will change to show

current Zone number (Z1, Z2, etc.)

• PAGE – Sends a special alert tone to an individual radio selected from a list if implemented.

• Arrow Buttons – Use right arrow to show any additional menu button items. Use left arrow to

scroll back to the original menu.

May 3, 2016 7

Mobile Radio PAGE Feature

This is NOT a paging feature to send alerting tones to activate Motorola pagers.

If available, this feature provides a way to set off alert beeps on a specific mobile or portable radio using

its unique radio ID. It may be useful to help locate a lost portable or to signal a first responder at an

incident who is carrying a portable. The only requirement is that both the sending and receiving radio unit

must be on the same channel.

To operate:

1. Press the PAGE button

2. Push the right arrow button multiple times until the desired radio ID appears.

3. Key the microphone one second to activate the alert beeps for the targeted radio (or press the

Home button to cancel).

4. The paging (sending) radio will display the message “PLEASE WAIT” until it receives an

automatic acknowledgement back from the paged (receiving) unit. If successful, “ACK

RECEIVED” will display for 2 seconds. If unsuccessful, the paging (sending unit) will resend the

page several times until it is successful or times out after ten seconds. If the radio being paged is

turned off, on another channel, or out of range, the radio sending the page will time out and

display “NO ACKNOWLEDGE”.

5. If the paged (receiving) radio receives the page correctly, it will display “PAGE RECEIVD” and

the radio ID of the radio that sent the page. The paged radio will also continue to beep until its

user keys the microphone or turns the radio off.

6. You will be returned to your original channel once the page is either successful or times out.

Future Menu Features

Other options may be available on the second menu (hit right arrow to access). These options should not

be used as they were programmed for possible use in the future for voiceless communications.

• STS - Sends a pre-programmed text based status transmission to a specially programmed control base

station. This provides an electronic method to indicate a unit’s status (responding, on location, at

staging, etc.). This option should not be used as they were programmed for possible use in the future

for voiceless communications.

• MSG – Sends a pre-programmed text message indicating the assigned task or ICS function to a

specially programmed control base station. This provides an electronic method to indicate a unit’s

assignment (triage, treatment, transport, ventilation, water supply, etc.). This option should not be

used as they were programmed for possible use in the future for voiceless communications.

Received Unit ID in LCD Display

The LCD display will show the radio alias or radio ID of the officer, vehicle portable or apparatus radio

that you are receiving. Each radio has a unique 4-character ID made up of the numbers 0-9 and the letters

A-E. The unit number of four digit fire and EMS vehicles (e.g. 8352) or officers (e.g. 8350) will display

as is because these unit numbers and electronic radio IDs are the same. Other unit ID containing a letter

(e.g. 8350A) cannot be electronically programmed as four-digit IDs. Thus, there is an alias list

programmed into every radio that translates the unique electronic radio ID into something understandable

May 3, 2016 8

to be displayed. For example, the portable assigned to “8350A” has an electronic radio ID of “D551”.

Using the alias list, the LCD display will show “8350A” even tough the electronic radio ID is “D551”.

Each agency will have an alias list for their agency’s radios for IDs that cannot be represented as 4-digit

numeric value.

Fire Evacuation Tone Feature

This is a feature that was requested by fire departments to sound an audible alarm over a radio channel to

indicate an immediate mandatory evacuation of an unsafe building or structure. Its ability to be

transmitted is restricted to mobile radios and may only be used at the direction of the Fire Officer in

charge or the safety officer at an incident. A Standard Operating Procedure for use of the evacuation tone

is forthcoming from the Warren County Fire Chief’s Association.

Follow the below procedure to sound the evacuation tone when authorized to do so:

1. On a fire mobile at the fire scene, switch to the zone and channel being used for interior operations

2. Key up and continue to hold in the transmit button in the microphone

3. Press and release the orange emergency button on the radio while continuing to keep the

microphone keyed.

4. An evacuation tone will transmit over the selected channel. Keep the microphone pressed for at

least ten seconds so that the evacuation tone can transmit long enough to gain everyone’s

attention.

5. Un-key the microphone, and then re-key the microphone to transmit a voice message. For

example: “Evacuation Alert – Evacuation Alert – All interior units operating at the ______ fire

must evacuate the structure immediately (repeat voice message)”. Consult the evacuation SOP for

additional information or procedural requirements.

6. Return to step one to repeat the evacuation tone and message on any additional radio channels

being used for interior operations, including ventilation and roof crews.

Remember:

KEY UP AND HOLD THE MICROPHONE TRANSMIT BUTTON PRIOR TO PUSHING THE

ORANGE EMERGENCY BUTTON. Failure to do so may result in your radio sending out an Emergency

(man down) signal.

Only MOBILES can send an evacuation tone. Portables transmit with much less power, making them

inadequate for this use.

May 3, 2016 9

MOTOROLA XTS 1500 PORTABLE RADIO

LCD Display

Z1 = Channel Zone (Bank) FIRERESP = Channel Name F83 = Agency Prefix 8360 = Officer number or vehicle portable number

Top Controls:

• � On/Off/Volume Knob – Turns on/off

radio and controls incoming audio volume

• Channel Selection Knob – Changes

channels in current zone (1-16 channels)

• A/B/C Mode Dial – A=Normal, B=Talk

Around, C=Monitor (modes defined below)

• � Emergency Button – Press and hold for 1

second until radio beeps to send an

emergency signal to dispatch and other units

monitoring your home channel (automatically switches radio to home channel). Unit will transmit open mic for

10 seconds without holding in the transmit button.

Side Controls:

• Backlight Button – Toggles backlight in LED display on or off

• Transmit Button – Press and Hold to transmit or release to un-key

• Zone Up – Changes to the next channel zone (bank). LED display will change to show current Zone number

(Z1, Z2, etc.)

• Scan Button – Turns channel scan on or off (The icon will appear in LED display when on)

A/B/C Knob Mode Settings

• A – Normal Mode: Portable operates normal in this position (used nearly all the time)

• B – Talk Around Mode: Used to bypass repeater and talk directly from radio to radio on selected channel (if

repeated).

• C – Monitor Mode: Turns channel guard off. Use only to permit reception of other out-of-county users that

share the channel. (the icon will appear in LED display when Monitor mode is on)

May 3, 2016 10

Part Three - Radio Related Definitions

There are several terms used in the remainder of this document. They are explained here. Please read and

understand them before reading the next section.

Auxiliary Receiver – A receive only radio that is used to boost reception of

signals transmitted by field units. These receiver audio feeds are fed back to

a single location and “voted” against other receivers to choose the strongest

and clearest signal to play to a dispatcher.

Control Point – A location where a dispatcher or base station radio

operator actually operates from. Usually refers to a communications Center.

Note that the base station transmitters are usually not where the dispatcher operates from. Microwave,

radio tie lines, radio over IP, and other methods are used to link the control point to transmitters and

receivers located off site, such as at remote radio towers.

Control Station – A device used to transmit and receive radio signals to and from a remote location. It is

essentially a microphone and speaker attached to a remotely controlled radio.

Channel Guard – Also known as Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Private Line

(PL). It consists of an inaudible tone that is transmitted and received along with a radio signal to reduce

the annoyance of listening to other users on a shared two-way radio channel. It filters out other users if

they are using a different channel guard or none at all.

Interoperability - Interoperable Communications for Public Safety is defined as the ability of public

safety services and support providers to talk with each other via voice and data on demand, in real time,

when needed and when authorized

Multicast – Transmitting the same voice or data over two or more different radio frequencies, usually

from a control point.

Repeated Channel – Used to extend the range of a radio signal over longer

distances by receiving it on one frequency and re-transmitting it on a second

frequency from a higher location and with more transmitter power.

Shadowing – The obstruction of a received radio signal by a terrain, including a

mountain or man-made natural structure or building. “Simulcasting” can help the

radio signal be received better by transmitting the signal from different

directions, allowing it to sneak around obstructions.

Simplex Channel – Also known as a direct channel. Both the transmitter and

receiver are operating on the same frequency. Communications goes directly

from one radio to another and does NOT traveling through a repeater or third

party equipment. A simplex channel is preferred for working in basements, over

distances of one mile or less, or when building construction or terrian impede

signals on repeated channels from operating sufficiently.

May 3, 2016 11

Simulcast – The transmission of a radio signal from a control point (e.g.

dispatch center) that occurs on the same frequency but from multiple

transmitter locations. Special timing and synchronization circuits between all

the simultaneous transmitters is required. This is done to extend transmit

range, usually over a regional or county-wide basis.

Steered Transmitter – Used to chose the single base station that is closest to the targeted field unit. This

is sometimes performed automatically by voting the best received signal and then steering back to the

closest transmitter to that location.

VHF High Band – A group of frequencies in the 136 to 174 MHz radio band. VHF high band

frequencies for public safety generally are in the 153 to 159 MHz range within this band.

VHF Low Band – A group of frequencies in the 25 to 50 MHz radio band. VHF low band frequencies for

public safety generally are in the 45 to 46 MHz range within this band.

Zone – Motorola’s terminology for a bank of radio channels.

May 3, 2016 12

Part Four – Radio Interoperability

Interoperable Communications for Public Safety - the ability of public safety services and

support providers to talk with each other via voice and data…

• on demand

• in real time

• when needed

• when authorized

In contrast, interoperability does not mean everyone talking to everyone. Care must be taken not to violate

the chain of command for example, by requesting resources at a lower level without the Incident

Commander’s knowledge. An example would be a probationary firefighter contacting dispatch to send 3

mutual aid engines and a ladder truck without the Incident Commander’s knowledge or consent.

A task force composed of a police officer, two firefighters, an EMT and team leader usually do need to

talk with each other via radio. However, individual first responders usually do not have a need to converse

with personnel from other disciplines unless they are operating in a supervisory nature. Thus, in the

definition of interoperability above, the phrase “when authorized” is one of the most important factors to

consider.

Levels of Interoperability

There are several ways of achieving various levels of interoperability. The most basic form is swapping

radios at an incident. Another method is to obtain radios from a radio cache at the county or state level.

However, these solutions require a lot of coordination and resource tracking – something that is time

comsuming and can delay a response to an emergency.

The preferred method, although costly, is to have compatible radios and shared, governed radio channels

for mutual aid and interoperability. Warren County first responder agencies have paved the way by using

the same brand and models of user radios. The Communications Center radio project also obtained shared

radio channels that are designed for use on a county-wide basis. These include:

• PDTAC channel for law enforcement

• WCTAC-13 channel for Fire/EMS use

• WCIOP channel for all disciplines

• COMMAND channel for all disciplines for Incident Commander to Dispatch, Command Staff and

Unified command

• Single EMSRESP and FIRERESP response channels

• Shared WCOPS ground channels for fire and EMS use

• The Statewide Police Emergency Network (SPEN) channels

• New National Interoperability Channels.

May 3, 2016 13

Levels of Interoperability – Warren County Channels

There are four repeated, simulcast channels within Warren County that are used for interoperability within

the borders of Warren County. By repeating and simulcasting these channels from multiple locations,

anyone transmitting on these channels will be heard across the entire county. This allows units to

communicate with each other from anywhere in the county. These channels are also monitored by and can

be transmitted on by the Communications Center. These channels include:

• WCIOP – This multi-discipline channel can be programmed in all agency owned public safety radios,

including law enforcement, EMS, medic units, fire, hazmat, emergency management, and public

works. All other agencies must obtain permission from the Communications Center for access to this

channel. It is generally used for ongoing communications and tactical purposes for units that must

communicate over greater distances. It can also serve as a command channel for larger incidents

involving multiple agencies from several jurisdictions.

• WCTAC-13 – This channel can be programmed in all agency owned public safety radios but is

specifically designed for use by Fire and EMS where communications over long distances is

necessary. It is included in law enforcement, EMS, medic units, fire, hazmat, emergency management,

and public works radios. All other agencies must obtain permission from the Communications Center

for access to this channel. It is generally used for ongoing communications and tactical purposes for

units that must communicate over greater distances. This includes functions such as command/IC,

water shuttle and EMS transport.

• COMMAND – A multi-discipline channel designed for use by the Incident Commander to converse

with dispatch without having to compete with other traffic on the response channels. May also be used

by unified command and/or command staff. It is not designed for use as a ground channel for tactical

operations.

• PDTAC – A Law Enforcement Only Interoperability channel. It can only be programmed in law

enforcement radios, but cannot be programmed in or used by non-law enforcement agencies,

including fire, EMS, hazmat, municipal OEM, etc.

• EMSRESP – This is the channel that EMS units contact the Communications Center on. It is also used

to provide unit status (awaiting crew, responding, on location, to hospital, at hospital, leaving hospital,

at station, clear, in staging, etc.). Any discipline can contact EMS on this channel, but must eventually

switch to another channel for ongoing conversations, such as WCIOP or one of the WCOPS channels.

• FIRERESP – This is the channel that FIRE units contact the Communications Center on. It is also

used to provide unit status (awaiting crew, responding, on location, in staging, etc.). Any discipline

can contact fire units on this channel, but must eventually switch to another channel for ongoing

conversations, such as WCIOP or one of the WCOPS channels.

May 3, 2016 14

Levels of Interoperability – State of New Jersey Channels

There are four VHF Statewide Police Emergency Network (SPEN) frequencies that have been in use for

several years.

Statewide Police Emergency Network Channels

• SPEN 1 – Statewide Calling (monitored by most Communications Centers)

• SPEN 2 – National interoperability channel for Law Enforcement only (Not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

• SPEN 3 – Car to car secondary operations within the State of NJ for Law Enforcement (Not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

• SPEN 4 – Fire/EMS/OEM/Mutual Aid within the State of NJ (mostly used in mobile and portable radios – not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

While all of these channels may be programmed into your mobile and portable radios, SPEN-4 is the only

one generally accessed by fire and EMS.

SPEN-1 is generally used as a hailing frequency between Communications Centers and may not be used

for operational or tactical radio traffic.

May 3, 2016 15

Levels of Interoperability – National Interoperability Channels

There are several channels in each radio band that have been assigned on a national level for public safety

interoperability. They can be used anywhere in the nation for mutual aid efforts. If available, these

frequencies may be used to enhance interoperability for larger incidents requiring mutual aid from two or

more outside jurisdictions. They are not available for single agency operations or for routine operations.

It is strongly recommended that the assignment and use of these interoperability channels for an incident

be requested and coordinated through the Warren County Communications Center.

The following VHF High Band national interoperability channels have been programmed into Warren

County first responder agency radios:

National Interoperability Channels (VHF Radio Band) – Zone 4

• VCALL-10 Multi-discipline use. Used as a calling (hailing) frequency to make initial contact with

another unit. Continued and ongoing communications should be moved to an available

VTAC channel.

• VTAC-11 Multi-discipline use for ongoing mutual aid radio traffic




• VTAC-36 Multi-discipline use. Repeated channel made up by pairing VTAC-11 and VTAC-14.

Repeater only activated when requested and VTAC-11 and 14 are not already in use.

Repeater is in Fieldcom and must be dispatched to incident.

• VTAC-37 Multi-discipline use. Repeated channel made up by pairing VTAC-12 and VTAC-13.

Repeater only activated when requested and VTAC-12 and 13 are not already in use.

Not yet available, but may be added to repeater in Fieldcom and would need to be

dispatched to incident.

• VFIRE-21 Fire departments only for mutual aid use



• VMED-28 Emergency medical only for mutual aid use

• VMED-29 Emergency medical only for mutual aid use

• VMED-31 Law enforcement only for mutual aid use

A public safety agency must have a license to operate a base or control station on these

interoperability channels. Mobile operation, however, is permitted on these channels without an

individual license. Public safety licensees who are eligible to hold a FCC Part 90 license, or who are

otherwise licensed under Part 90 can operate mobile units on these interoperability channels without an

individual license per Paragraphs 86-90 of http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/fcc00-348.pdf.

These frequencies are licensed under the State of New Jersey - Office of Public Safety and

Communication and the State Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness.

May 3, 2016 16

Part Five – Radio Channels & Layouts

Mobile and portable radios for each discipline are programmed with essentially the same channel zones

(banks) and channel layouts, although their order may differ per discipline.

Radio Zone (Channel Bank) Overview

• Zone 1: Contain primary channels for Fire and EMS related to response and ground operations, while

Law Enforcement radios will have their primary law enforcement frequencies in Zone 1

• Zone 2: Contains mutual aid channels depending on discipline

• Zone 3: Law enforcement radios will have county licensed Fire and EMS channels in this zone, while

Fire and EMS may have receive only capabilities for law enforcement channels.

• Zone 4: Contains the National Interoperability channels

Tip: Use the Zone Up (ZNUP) button on mobile and portable radios to switch to the next zone.

FCC Licensing and License Restrictions

The following tables contain restrictions listed on an agency’s license. Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) radio licenses may specify one or more frequencies that are licensed to a specific

government entity (state, county or municipality) or public safety agency (police, fire, etc.), The FCC

license includes three important restrictions that all units operating on the frequencies must follow:

1. Operating Range – The specific geographic area the frequency is permitted to operate in. This is

usually listed as a geographic border (town or otherwise) or a distance radius expressed in

kilometers around a specific address or latitude and longitude coordinate. Distances have been

converted to miles in the following tables.

2. Output Power – Listed in watts. The ERP (Effective Radiated Power) value is the number of

watts that an antenna system is allowed to transmit. This is usually in terms of base station or

mobile / portable power.

3. Number of Units – The number of actually radios with transmit capabilities on the frequency.

This includes base stations, mobiles and portables.

Note that a licensed agency cannot simply just let a number of mutual aid agencies operate on their

licensed frequencies without making sure they do not exceed transmit power, talk outside of their

specified operating range or increasing the number of units on their license. In addition, a written “Letter

of Authorization” should be created to allow other agencies to operate on a licensed frequency. This

authorization should contain the name of the licensed agency and auxiliary agency(s), the licensed

operating area, transmit power limitation in watts, number of or specific radio units to have transmit

capabilities, and any agreed upon radio ID numbers.

May 3, 2016 17

Warren County Standard Channel Layouts - Police

(as of May 11, 2016)

POLICE Channel Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4

1 PDlocal PDlocal PDlocal PDlocal

2 WCIOP WCALERT< WCIOP VCALL-10

3 PDNEAST HCTAC-1 FIRERESP VTAC-11

4 PDCENTRL PDANDOVR EMSRESP VTAC-12

5 PDSOUTH PDBYRAM COMMAND VTAC-13

6 PDPBURG PDSHRFSC WCOPS-2 VTAC-14

7 PDTAC PDMTOLV WCOPS-3 VTAC-36

8 PDPRVT PDWSHTLV WCOPS-4 VTAC-37

9 FIRERESP (Custom) WCOPS-5 VFIRE-21

10 EMSRESP (Custom) WCOPS-6 VFIRE-22

11 COMMAND (Custom) (Custom) VFIRE-23

12 SPEN-1 (Custom) (Custom) VMED-28

13 SPEN-2 (Custom) ERHACKTN< VMED-29

14 SPEN-3 (Custom) ERWARREN< VLAW-21

15 SPEN-4 (Custom) WCALERT < VLAW-32

16 (Custom) (Custom) (Custom) WCIOPMRP

< Indicates a receive only channel (cannot transmit on it)

PDlocal Locally zoned police channel (e.g. PDCENTRL)

CHANNEL Channel name in bold blue means it is in scan list

CHANNEL Channel names in green can be customized by agency or are recommended channels in those positions

May 3, 2016 18

Warren County Standard Channel Layouts - Fire

(as of May 11, 2016)

FIRE Channel Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4

1 FIRERESP FIRERESP FIRERESP FIRERESP

2 WCOPS-2 WCALERT< WCIOP VCALL-10

3 WCOPS-3 F23OPS PDNEAST < VTAC-11

4 WCOPS-4 F94OPS PDCENTRL< VTAC-12

5 WCOPS-5 F94TAC PDSOUTH < VTAC-13

6 WCOPS-6 E94OPS PDPBURG < VTAC-14

7 WCOPS-7 E95OPS PDTAC < VTAC-36

8 SPEN-4 HCTAC-1 RESERVED VTAC-37

9 EMSRESP FDHC-9 FIRERESP VFIRE-21

10 F23OPS (Custom) EMSRESP VFIRE-22

11 F94OPS (Custom) COMMAND VFIRE-23

12 PAGER < (Custom) SPEN-1 < VMED-28

13 WCTAC-13 (Custom) SPEN-2 VMED-29

14 WCIOP (Custom) SPEN-3 VLAW-31

15 COMMAND (Custom) SPEN-4 VLAW-32

16 (Custom) (Custom) RESERVED WCIOPMRP




May 3, 2016 19

Warren County Standard Channel Layouts - EMS

(as of May 11, 2016)

EMS Channel Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4

1 EMSRESP EMSRESP EMSRESP EMSRESP

2 WCOPS-2 WCALERT< WCIOP VCALL-10

3 WCOPS-3 F23OPS PDNEAST < VTAC-11

4 WCOPS-4 F94OPS PDCENTRL< VTAC-12

5 WCOPS-5 F94TAC PDSOUTH < VTAC-13

6 WCOPS-6 E94OPS PDPBURG < VTAC-14

7 WCOPS-7 E95OPS PDTAC < VTAC-36

8 SPEN-4 HCTAC-1 RESERVED VTAC-37

9 FIRERESP HCAMBO-1< FIRERESP VFIRE-21

10 WCIOP HCAMBO-5 EMSRESP VFIRE-22

11 COMMAND ERHNTRMC COMMAND VFIRE-23

12 PAGER < DPSMTOLV SPEN-1 VMED-28

13 WCTAC-13 EMSMTOLV SPEN-2 VMED-29

14 ERWARREN EMSLGVLY SPEN-3 VLAW-21

15 ERHACKTN JEMS-2 SPEN-4 VLAW-32

16 (Custom) JEMS-3 RESERVED WCIOPMRP




May 3, 2016 20

Warren County Radio Channels List

(as of May 11, 2016)

The following is a list of Warren County based radio channels that might have been programmed into an

agency’s radios. Many of these channels are licensed and/or operated by the Warren County

Communications Center. Note that channels are referred to by name, not position number in the radio. Channel Name

Purpose

Frequency

Dispatcher

Repeated (oper. range)

Simulcast

PDNEAST

Police NorthEast Zone Blairstown, Independence, Hackettstown, Mansfield

154.875 (B) 156.030 (M)

Yes

Yes (locally)

Yes

PDCNTRL

Police Central Zone Belvidere, Washington Twp (covers Wash Boro, Oxford)

155.820 (B) 153.920 (M)

Yes

Yes (locally)

No

PDSOUTH

Police South Zone Greenwich, Lopatcong, Pohatcong

155.655 (B) 153.740 (M)

Yes

Yes (locally)

No

PDPBURG

Phillipsburg Police Zone Phillipsburg (also covers Alpha)

155.190 (b) 156.090 (M)

Yes

Yes (locally)

No

PDCOURT

Warren County Sheriff – Courthouse Security. Limited to use within Warren County Courthouse by Sheriffs officers only. Transmit cannot be put into any other agency radios.

154.860 (B) 156.135 (M)

No

Yes

(in Court House)

No

PDTAC

County Law Enforcement Agencies (W.C. Sheriff, Corrections, Prosecutor field units) and Police Only Mutual Aid / Special Operations Channel

154.860 (B) 156.135 (M)

Yes

Yes

(Cty wide)

Yes

PDPRVT

Police Private Operations Channel (Encrypted) (includes PDPRVT88 and PDPRVT89 keys). Cannot be programmed into non-law enforcement radios.

154.010

No

No

(Cty wide)

No

WCALERT

Warren County Voice Pager Alerting Channel. No other stations may transmit on this frequency!!!

159.180

For Alerting Only

No (Cty wide)

Yes

FIRERESP

Fire/Hazmat Vehicles/Officers to dispatch and Response Status

155.760 (B) 153.800 (M)

Yes

Yes (Cty wide)

Yes

EMSRESP

EMS Vehicles/Officers to Dispatch and Response Status

158.745 (B) 158.9875 (M)

Yes

Yes (Cty wide)

Yes

WCOPS-2 Ground & Interior Operations Channel (assigned by Dispatcher or allocated upon OIC request). Channel is not repeated (range is limited), nor is it monitored by dispatch unless Fieldcom responds to the incident.

154.800

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Cty Wide)

No


151.100

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Cty Wide)

No


151.010

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Cty Wide)

No


154.0025

No

(Fieldcom)

No

(Central Only)

No

COMMAND, WCTAC-6 & WCTAC-7 are future channels to be repeated and simulcast county-wide.

May 3, 2016 21

(Interoperability Channels) Channel Name

Purpose

Frequency

Dispatcher


Simulcast


158.940

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Cty Wide)

No


155.835

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Cty Wide)

No

WCTAC-13

County-Wide Tactical Channel for Fire / EMS / Hazmat

151.430 (B) 154.325 (M)

Yes

Yes (Cty Wide)

Yes

WCIOP

County-Wide Interoperability Channel for Police / Fire / EMS / Hazmat / OEM / Public Works

158.160 (B) 156.015 (M)

Yes

Yes (Cty Wide)

Yes

COMMAND

County-Wide Interoperability Channel for Command to Dispatch, Command Staff and Unified Command

151.2125 (B) 151.3100 (M)

Yes

Yes (Cty Wide)

Yes

SPEN-1

Statewide Police Emergency Network – Statewide Calling (monitored by most Communications Centers, including Warren County)

154.725

Yes

No

(Statewide)

No

SPEN-2

Statewide Police Emergency Network – National interoperability channel for Law Enforcement only (Not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

154.725

No

(Fieldcom)

No

(Statewide)

No

SPEN-3

Statewide Police Emergency Network – Car to car secondary operations for Law Enforcement (Not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

154.725

No

(Fieldcom)

No

(Statewide)

No

SPEN-4

Statewide Police Emergency Network – Multi-discipline use for Fire/EMS/OEM (mostly used in mobile and portable radios – not usually monitored by Communications Centers)

153.785

No

(Fieldcom)

No (Statewide)

No

VCALL-10

Nationwide Interoperability Channel used to make initial contact with other units (then switch to VTAC-n)

155.7525

No (Fieldcom)

No (National)

No

VTAC-11

National Interoperability Channel – Used for ongoing mutual aid communications when assigned by the Communications Center. No base stations allowed. Not available when VTAC-36 repeater is activated.

151.1375

No

(Fieldcom)

No (National)

No

VTAC-12


154.4525

No

(Fieldcom)

No (National)

No

VTAC-13


158.7375

No

(Fieldcom)

No (National)

No

VTAC-14


159.4725

No

(Fieldcom)

No (National)

No

VTAC-36

Nationwide Interoperability Channels VTAC-11 and VTAC-14 paired into Repeated Mode. Repeater is located in Fieldcom and is normally offline and must be requested for an event.

151.1375 (B) 159.4725 (M)

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(using Fieldcom)

No

May 3, 2016 22

(Interoperability Channels Continued) Channel Name

Purpose

Frequency

Dispatcher


Simulcast

VTAC-37

Nationwide Interoperability Channels VTAC-12 and VTAC-13 paired into Repeated Mode. Future repeater to be located in Fieldcom and is normally offline and must be requested for an event.

154.4525 (B) 158.7375 (M)

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes (National)

No

VFIRE-21

National Interoperability Channel for Fire Department Use Only - Used for ongoing fire mutual aid when assigned by the Communications Center.

154.2800

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VFIRE-22


154.2650

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VFIRE-23


154.2950

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VMED-28

National Interoperability Channel for Emergency Medical Use Only – Used for ongoing EMS mutual aid when assigned by the Communications Center.

155.3400

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VMED-29

National Interoperability Channel for Emergency Medical Use Only – Used for ongoing EMS mutual aid when assigned by the Communications Center.

155.3475

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VLAW-31

National Interoperability Channel for Law Enforcement Use Only – Used for ongoing law enforcement mutual aid when assigned by the Communications Center.

155.4750

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

VLAW-32

National Interoperability Channel for Law Enforcement Use Only – Used for ongoing law enforcement mutual aid when assigned by the Communications Center.

155.4825

No

(Fieldcom)

Yes

(National)

No

WCIOPMRP

Locally repeated version of WCIOP channel. Repeater is located in county’s Interoperability Trailer and is normally offline. Must be requested for an event. If activated, WCIOP is not available for use.

156.015 (B) 158.160 (M)

No

(IOP Trailer)

Yes (From

IOP Trlr) (Cty wide)

No

• If only one frequency is specified, the transmit and receive frequency is the same (simplex channel)

• If two frequencies are specified, the transmit and receive frequencies are different (repeated channel)

• (B) indicates a frequency that the county base station repeater transmits on and a mobile, portable or

scanner receives on

• (M) indicates a frequency that a mobile or portable transmits on

• Channels with “No (Fieldcom)” in the Dispatcher column can be operated on scene using a Fieldcom

Dispatcher.

• “Cty-Wide” means the channel can be used anywhere within the borders of Warren County.

“Statewide” means within the State of New Jersey, and “National” means anywhere within the

borders of the USA.

• If a channel is repeated repeated with “Cty wide” coverage and simulcast, users can talk on the

channel from one end of the county to another.

May 3, 2016 23

Warren County Third Party Radio Channels List

(as of May 11, 2016)

The following is a list of radio channels that might have been programmed into an agency’s radios. These

channels are NOT licensed by Warren County. All users permitted to transmit on them by the licensed

agency are operating under that agency’s FCC license. Thus, there may be rules and restrictions in place

as to who, where and when the channel can be used. In particular, most channels can only be used in a

specific geographical area known as the FCC licensed operating range. See the “Operating Range” and “Use Restrictions” columns for notes regarding permitted operating ranges, channel rules, and permitted

agency use.

Warren County has received written authorization for transmit capabilities on several mutual aid channels

on behalf of other in-county agencies. This is indicated in the rightmost column of the below table (“Use

Permissions and Restrictions” column). Note, however, that some restrictions may be in place for

authorized transmit channels. There are also several other channels listed below that the licensee has not

granted transmit capabilities for (or did not respond to the county’s request). Thus, transmit capabilities

cannot be programmed for those denied or unanswered channel transmit authorization requests.

Transmit capabilities CANNOT be programmed into unauthorized radios – doing so can result in

FCC fines or confiscation of radio equipment.

Channel Name

Licensed Agency (� means a written agreement exists that defines any use permissions and restrictions)

Frequency

Operating Range

Use Permissions and Restrictions

PDANDOVR

Andover PD, Sussex County

155.5575 (B) 153.7625 (M)

12.4 mi. radius of 134 NewtonSparta Rd, Andover

PDNEAST units only (no FD, no EMS)

PDBYRAM

Byram PD, Sussex County (repeater)

155.640 (B) 154.770 (M)

12 mi radius of 25 Morningstar Dr, Sparta

PDNEAST units only (no FD, no EMS)

PDSHRFSC

�Sheriff’s Department, Sussex County (repeater)

154.845 (B) 156.090 (M)

Within Sussex County only

Any PD, FDs, EMS, OEM, Hazmat, etc.

PDMTOLV

�Mount Olive PD, Morris County (repeater)

156.060 (B) 153.875 (M)

6 mi. radius of 204 Flanders-Drakestown Rd

All PDs, WCOEM, H’town OEM only (no FD or EMS)

PDWSHTLV

Washington Township PD, Long Valley, Morris County. Called “POLICE-2” - secondary use channel (repeater)

155.415 (B) 159.210 (M)

40 mi. radius 214 W Mill Rd, Long Valley

Any PD, FD, EMS or OEM

F23OPS �Harmony Fire Department ground operations 154.130 Within Harmony Township only

PDSOUTH units only, all FDs, all EMS and Hazmat

F94OPS �Phillipsburg Fire Department ground operations 153.770 5 miles of PBurg Municipal Bldg

PDPBURG units only, all FDs, E94 only

F94TAC

�Phillipsburg Fire Department ground operations (repeater)

153.770 (B) 155.595 (M)

5 miles of PBurg Municipal Bldg

PDPBURG units only, all FDs, E94 only

FP73TAC

�Independence Fire Police (repeater)

154.800 (B) 159.015 (M)

16 mi. radius of Crestwood Ct, Hackettstown

Any PD, FD, EMS or OEM

FDHC-9

�Hunterdon County Fire Departments, Channel 9

154.160

Within borders of Hunterdon County

All FDs (only when assisting by request in Hunterdon Cty)

FDWSHTLV

Washington Township Fire, Long Valley, Morris County

154.325

15 mi. radius of ?????

*** NO RESPONSE *** Can’t be added at this time

FDANDVRB

�Andover Borough Fireground, Sussex County (repeater)

151.010 (B) 154.1675 (M)

8 mi. radius of 152 Main St, Andover Borough

F29, F78, F91 only, F33 and Fire Coords (no other agencies)

May 3, 2016 24

FDANDVRT

�Andover Township Fireground, Sussex County

151.580


Any mun. FD, any FD, and EMS Coord.

FDBYRAM

�Byram Township Fire, Sussex County

154.430

8 mi. radius of Paulnskill Rd & Ward Road

All FDs. All EMS, WCOEM for emergencies only with IC Permission

FDGREEN

Green Township Fire, Sussex County

154.355



FDNEWTON

�Andover-Newton Fire, Sussex County

154.490

6 mi. radius of 80 Andover Rd, Sparta

Any WC unit except DPW

FDMTOLV

�Mount Olive Fire, Morris County

159.105

15 mi. radius Rt46 & Drakestown Rd

Any FD, EMS, OEM, Hazmat, etc.

FDSTLWTR

Stillwater Township Fire, Sussex County

154.295



E94OPS Phillipsburg Emergency Squad ground operations 155.265 E94 coverage area only

PDSOUTH & PDPBURG units, all FDs and EMS

E95OPS

�Allamuchy-Green First Aid Squad (also used by several Sussex County EMS stations)

155.295

E95 coverage area only

Any FDs, EMS, OEM, WCPROS, SCSHERF. Hazmat,. No PDs, FCoords

ERHACKTN

�EMS to Hackettstown Hospital (HEAR channel)

155.340 PL=167.9

Within range of Hospital

Used by ambulances to call in patient information

ERWARREN

�EMS to St. Lukes-Warren Hospital (HEAR channel)

155.340 PL=85.4

50 mi. radius of Warren Hospital

Used by ambulances to call in patient information

EMSMTOLV

�Mt. Olive EMS, Morris County

156.120


Any PD, FD, EMS, OEM, Hazmat, etc.

DPSMTOLV

�Mt. Olive Fire and EMS alerting and operations channel (DPS), Morris County (repeater)

156.180 (B) 159.075 (M)


Any FD, EMS, HMAT, OEM (no PDs)

HCTAC-1

�Hunterdon County Multi-Discipline Tactical channel

154.965 (B) 158.955 (M)

Within Hunterdon County Only

All PDs, all FDs, all EMS (only when assisting by request in Hunterdon Cty)

TACLGVLY

�Long Valley, Washington Township (Morris County) repeated TAC Channel

154.085 (B) 158.880 (M)

Within borders of Long Valley

Any PDs, no Fire/EMS or other agencies

DPWALMCY

Allamuchy Department of Public Works (repeater)

151.040 (B) 156.240 (M)

14 mile radius of Panther Valley water tower


DPWFRANK

Franklin Department of Public Works

155.9625

10 mile radius of ?????


DPWHACKT

�Hackettstown Department of Public Works

151.130

20 mile radius of WNTI-FM tower on Thomas Drive

PDNEAST units only, Fire/EMS Coords, HMat, OEM (no FD, EMS)

DPWHARMY

Harmony Department of Public Works

156.165


Harmony Fire Units only

DPWINDEP

�Independence Department of Public Works

151.100 (B) 156.075 (M)

20 mile radius of Thomas Dr,ive Independence

Any PD, FD, EMS, OEM, Hazmat, etc.

DPWLBRTY

Liberty Department of Public Works (repeater)

156.195 (B) 159.120 (M)



DPWPOHAT

�Pohatcong and Alpha Departments of Public Works

154.040

16 mile radius of Alpha Muni. Bldg.

PDSOUTH,PDPBURG, F82,94,74,98,143,192,23, 57, E94,143,74,98 OEM94,82,74,98,143,192 WCOEM & Fieldcom

DPWPBURG

�Phillipsburg Department of Public Works (also referred to as “Baker Channel”)

153.845

Vicinity of Phillipsburg

PDPBURG units only, and Phillipsburg Fire and EMS only

MUAHACKT

�Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority

153.695

25 mile radius of 68 Asbury Rd, Independence

Only during emergencies: PDNEAST units only, OEM, 28,73&78 Fire/EMS, HMAT

May 3, 2016 25

Specifically NOT approved for use in Warren County Radios Channel Name

Licensed Agency

Frequency

Operating Range

Use Permissions and Restrictions

HCNORTH

Hunterdon County Police Zone – North Region (repeater)

154.785 (B) 158.910 (M)

Within Hunterdon County only

May not be programmed in Warren County units

HCCNTRL

Hunterdon County Police Zone - Central Region (repeater)

155.0175 (B) 156.1575 (M)



HCSOUTH

Hunterdon County Police Zone – South Region (repeater)

154.815 (B) 159.030 (M)



PDNEWTON

Newton PD, Sussex County (repeater)

155.490 (B) 158.895 (M)

15 mi radius of High St water tower, Newton


Documents

Warren County New Jersey · May 3, 2016 2 Preface Welcome to Warren County new VHF radio band Public Safety Radio Network. This project has been several years in the making, with