Embedded Files
Communications Plan (ICP)
Overview - Interoperable Communications Plan
Overview - Interoperable Communications Plan
The Interoperable Communications Plan (ICP) provides a framework to ensure reliable, coordinated, and effective communications among responding public safety agencies during joint operations, critical incidents, and large-scale emergencies.
Agencies Involved:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Alabama Highway Patrol (AHP)
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS)
BFRS Emergency Medical Services (BRFD EMS)
Birmingham Police Department (BPD)
Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
Governance and Leadership
Lead Agency: BPD will coordinate the implementation of the ICP.
Radio Channels Usage
Radio Channels Usage
Interop Channels
There are 3 interoperable channels available for use. These channels provide easy communication between agencies and dispatch.
POLICE
Primary Agency: FBI, AHP, BPD
Purpose: General law enforcement operations to communicate with dispatch.
FIRE
Primary Agency: BFRS, BFRS EMS
Purpose: Fire, medical, and rescue calls to communicate with dispatch.
DOT
Primary Agency: ALDOT, AHP, BPD
Purpose: Traffic barricades, traffic control, towing, or road maintenance operations.
Key Guidelines:
Active Listening: Ensure you are able to actively listen and respond to both in-game radio channels and your designated raido frequency at all times. Even while on break, keep your radio on in the event of a panic or emergency call.
Switching Channels: Please only switch channels when instructed or when the role demands it. For example, AHP should use POLICE to call in a traffic stop (law enforcement duty), but should switch to DOT to call in a lane closure, barricade, or control.
Requesting External Agencies: If external agency support is needed (e.g. EMS, towing services, etc), please contact dispatch via your home channel. If dispatch is not available, you may switch to the respective channels on your own.
Radio Check: In the scenario where a unit has been inactive on Interop radio for more than 5 minutes, dispatch should conduct a radio check to ensure the welfare of the unit. If the radio check does not come back, dispatch should attempt to access the unit’s body camera and GPS to ensure the unit’s welfare.
Panic Calls: All units may switch to any channels to assist in panic or SOS activation calls. During a panic call, different units are authorized to directly communicate with each other without dispatch/command.
Agency Specific Channels/Frequency
Agency-specific communication channels provide units with channels to communicate within themselves. This can be used for tactical units, command, or task force operations, allowing encrypted communications.
Click here to view the list of all radio frequencies.
Switching Channels/Frequencies
Primary Channels First: Units must always operate on their designated agency frequency unless instructed to switch.
Only Switch with Authorization: Frequency changes may only take place if:
Authorized/requested by a supervisor, command staff, or dispatch.
Announced before and after switching.
Return After Scene Clears: After a joint/tactical operation scene ends, units must return to their original frequency unless reassigned.
Switching Examples:
Law Enforcement Units (BPD, AHP, FBI)
You may switch to another law enforcement agency’s frequency if:
You're assisting with a pursuit crossing jurisdictions.
A joint tactical operation is active (e.g., SWAT, hostage rescue).
A specific agency is commanding a scene (e.g. FBI federal scene).
Proper Callout: “Dispatch, BPD 2A45, switching to frequency FBI TAC 1 for inter-agency coordination. Will advise when back on BPD.”
Fire & EMS (BFRS)
You may switch between BFRS frequencies or law channels if:
Responding to a mass-casualty incident.
Coordinating with law enforcement/rescue at a crash or fireground.
Tactical EMS deployment is required with SWAT.
Proper Callout: “Dispatch, 1A-96B switching to frequency TAC 3, staging for SWAT entry.”
Department of Transportation
You may switch to joint or law channels if:
Managing traffic at a major scene (e.g., multi-vehicle crash, barricade).
Requested by Highway Patrol or Fire Command.
Supporting police barricades or road closures.
Proper Callout: “Dispatch, 5R-99D switching to frequency DOT 2 for traffic support on HW-55 barricade.”
Joint Frequencies
Joint frequencies (e.g., MAJ 1, MAJ 2, DOT 2) are reserved for:
Active tactical deployments across agencies
Major crime scenes where multiple agencies are involved
Multi-agency coordination (Unified Command)
Only units involved in the scene should switch to these. Dispatch should log the switch.
Radio Etiquette & Protocol Guide
Radio Etiquette & Protocol Guide
To ensure clear, concise, and professional radio communications across all agencies during active operations, dispatching, emergency response, and tactical situations, radio etiquette and protocol should be followed by all units, at all times.
General Principles
DO:
Speak clearly, calmly, and concisely.
Use plain language where possible.
Identify yourself and your unit at the beginning of every transmission.
Pause briefly after pressing the PTT (Push-To-Talk) before speaking.
Confirm messages with "Copy", "10-4", or "Affirmative".
AVOID:
Use profanity or slang.
Talk over others unless absolutely necessary.
Use the radio for casual or non-operational talk.
Transmit without being sure the frequency is clear.
Repeat unless necessary — avoid redundancy.
Radio Check Guidelines
When testing your radio or VC comms:
“Dispatch, this is [unit]. Radio check.”
Clear: You’re being heard well.
Unreadable: Signal or audio is bad.
Weak but Readable: Can be understood, but poor quality.
Basic Transmission Guidelines
[Recipient (Leave blank if intended for all units)], [Your Unit], [Message].
Examples:
“Dispatch, 2A45, show me 10-8.”
“2B12, 2A45, I’m behind you on the traffic stop.”
“Dispatch, Rescue 2, show us en route to Structure Fire on 12th Ave S.”
When to Transmit
Only transmit when:
You are calling dispatch or another unit.
You are responding to a call.
You are changing status (e.g., en route, on scene, clear).
You are in emergency or tactical coordination.
Urgent Traffic/Emergency Tones
Emergency Override Phrase:
“Priority traffic!”
Only use for:
Officer/Firefighter/Medic in distress.
Active scene requiring all other radio traffic to stop.
Mayday or evacuation orders.
Protocol:
Dispatch or scene command will announce:
“All units hold traffic. Priority traffic only.”Once announced, you should avoid all unnecessary radio traffic unless absolutely necessary.
Identifying Units
Use official call signs, not nicknames or real names.
Each unit should begin with their agency prefix:
Examples:
“Dispatch, BPD 4A34, show me en route, code 3.”
“FBI scene command, AHP unit 66, requesting green light for entry.”
“Dispatch, FBI 2A-73, show me on a code 5 stop, Highway 55, brown sedan.”
“Tactical EMS command, EMS 1A-96B, is it clear to begin medevac?”
“AHP unit 66, 5R-99D, 2 lanes have been fully closed down.”
10-codes & Callsigns
10-codes & Callsigns
1. 10-codes
10-codes are to be used whenever possible to increase communication efficiency and decrease
Code Meaning
10-1 Signal weak / Unable to copy
10-4 Acknowledged / Copy
10-6 Busy
10-7 Out of service
10-8 In service / On duty
10-9 Repeat
10-10 Out of service (Break)
10-11 Traffic stop
10-13 Shots fired (Emergency)
10-20 Location
10-23 On scene
10-26 Detaining suspect
10-29 Wants/warrants check
10-32 Requesting backup
10-33 Emergency traffic only
10-51 Request tow
10-52 Request EMS
10-98 Scene cleared
10-99 Officer needs help (Panic)
Understanding Radio Calls
[Recipient (Leave blank if intended for all units)], [Your Callsign], [Your Message]
Examples:
“Dispatch, 2A25, show me 10-76 to 10-31 on 3rd Ave S.”
Officer 2A25 is responding to a crime in progress.
“2A25, 10-13, shots fired!”
Officer is in a critical situation, backup needed immediately.
“Rescue 3, 10-97, staging outside active scene.”
Medic unit has arrived and is holding back for safety.
Basic Transmission Guidelines
[Recipient], [Your Unit], [Message].
Examples:
“Dispatch, 2A45, show me 10-8.”
“2B12, 2A45, I’m behind you on the traffic stop.”
“Dispatch, Rescue 2, show us en route to Structure Fire on 12th Ave S.”
Department Callsigns
Department Callsigns
Callsigns identify units, their function, and position. Structure varies by department. When speaking to a specific unit over radio, always refer to them via their callsign.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Format: FBI-[Unit-Number]
Special Agents utilize a 2-number unit system. Command team uses 01-06, Special Agent-in-Charge team uses 07-09, Supervisory Special Agents uses 10-24, and Special Agents uses 25-99.
Internally, the Bureau may attach their division unit number next to their individual unit number. For example, Critical Incident Response Group Tactical Response Team (2A) may be referred to as FBI-2A-94.
Click here for a list of common division/unit designations.
Alabama Highway Patrol
Format: HP-[Unit-Number]
Alabama Highway Patrol troopers utilize a 1-3 digit numbering system. Their callsign may be accompanied by their unit. For example, SRT HP-108.
Birmingham Police Department
Format: [Precinct][Shift-Beat][Unit-Number]
Example: 4A83
4 = West Precinct
A = Beat or shift
83 = Unit or officer number
Precinct Codes
The local Birmingham Police Department operates under West Precinct area.
4-xxx = West Precinct Patrol Unit
4-xx = West Precinct Station Desk
Special Units
7-xx = Investigations (e.g. 7-44)
X-xx = Tactical / SWAT (e.g. X-83)
TRF-xx = Traffic units (e.g. TRF-92)
Command Staff = 900–999 range
Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service
Format: [Station-Number][Vehicle]-[UnitNumber][Position-Rank]
Station Number (2L-67A)
The station number refers to that unit's assigned station number.
Sandstone Rd. Station: Station 1
Maple St. Station: Station 2
Assigned Vehicle (2L-67A)
This number represents the vehicle that the unit is assigned to.
Fire Engines: E
Fire Tankers: T
Heavy Rescues: H
Ladder Trucks: L
Utility Vehicles: U
Ambulance/EMS: A
Unit Number (2L-67A)
This 2-digit number is the number assigned to the unit. It can not be repeated, making it unique to only that unit.
Leadership: 01-05
Supervisor: 05-15
Firefighter/EMS: 16-99
Rank Letter: (2L-67A)
This letter refers to your position in the department.
Standard Firefighter: Alpha
Standard EMS: Bravo
Fire Supervisor: Charlie
EMS Supervisor: Delta
Leadership: Echo
Divisions:
Tactical EMS: Tango
Search & Rescue: Sierra
HazMat: Hotel
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