This page allows you to preview fire department tones used on the BRICS 800MHz system.
Digital radio systems do not normally reproduce tones correctly or in a way we are familiar with from analog radio systems. For this reason, the fire tones we use on our VHF and UHF systems to trigger station alerting and fire pagers are not simulcasted on the 800MHz system.
Standard FD Tone
We have selected a standard tone that will be used on the 800MHz system as a “pre-alert” to any fire or EMS dispatch. The normal tones used for pager or station alerting will continue to be broadcast on VHF / UHF. This tone will be transmitted simultaneously on 800MHz to alert users to the following dispatch announcement. Most tones used for fire alerting on VHF / UHF do not reproduce properly on digital 800MHz. This tone was selected to “fill the air” while the dispatcher is transmitting tones on VHF / UHF and to alert responders on 800MHz. It will be heard on main fire dispatch talkgroup. It can optionally be heard on the law enforcement talkgroups, if simulcasted, depending on dispatch center policy.
Click to hear the Standard FD Tone
Optional / Additional Audio Alerts
Fire departments requested that we provide, when possible, an additional sound that would tell the fire department personnel listening to 800MHz whether the call was for an EMS company, a fire company or an “all-call” general alarm.
For an EMS company, we can add two beeps following the standard tone.
Standard FD Tone – EMS Company (2 Beeps)
For a fire company, we can add three beeps following the standard tone.
Standard FD Tone – Fire Company (3 Beeps)
For an EMS company and fire company together, we can add two and then three beeps.
Standard FD Tone – EMS Company w/ Fire Company (2 Beeps and 3 Beeps)
For an “all-call” general alarm, we can add “hi-lo” beeps following the standard tone.
Standard FD Tone – General Alarm / All-Call (Hi-Lo-Hi-Lo-Hi-Lo)