Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico Fire and EMS

Welcome!  This Feed scans Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover Fire/EMS in the Metro Richmond VA region.  These are digital trunked systems.  Feed is sourced from a Uniden SDS200 & RadioFeed with Alph Tags so you can see what agency/channel is transmitting.  Note that there is a 30-45 second delay on traffic coming through this feed.  See below for information intended to help you nevigate what you're hearing.

Richmond/Henrico/Chesterfield - Motorola Smartzone Type II

Richmond FD-Disp (Auto), TAC2 (EMS incl Traffic Crashes, Lesser responses such as fire alarms), TAC3, TAC4, TAC5, TAC6,TAC7, TAC 8, TAC 9, TAC10*

Chesterfield FD-Disp (Auto), Ops 2 (Incidents not assigned a TAC), TAC3, TAC4, TAC5, TAC6, TAC7, TAC8, TAC9, TAC10*

Henrico FD-Disp 1 (Auto), Disp 2 (Direct comms to Fire Disp), TAC4 (EMS incl Traffic Crashes),TAC5, TAC6, TAC7, TAC8, TAC9, TAC10*

*Each agency has TACs that go above 10; however, in most cases these are used for training so I excluded them.  Encrypted LE TGs are excluded, as well as UnEncrypted LE TGs (e.g. Fire Marshal Tacs)

Capital Region - Project 25 Phase II

Hanover FD-Disp 1 (TACDISP-single company responses), Disp 2 (Auto), TAC4 (EMS), TAC5, TAC6, TAC7, TAC8, TAC9 (mutual aid)

Metro Radio Designations:

• Richmond-100 (used only for Mutual Aid responses; e.g. “Engine 123” is the engine from station 23 on a Mutual Aid response into another jurisdiction)
• Chesterfield-200 (Used 24/7; e.g. “Truck 207” is the truck from station 7)
• Henrico-300 (Used 24/7; e.g. “Engine 312” is the engine from station 12)
• Hanover-400 (Used 24/7; e.g. “Rescue 404” is the rescue truck from station 4)

Each of these agencies utilize automated dispatch protocols; Henrico and Richmond revert to a dispatcher announcing calls on the 1st of each month for training and software updates to the automated system. 

Richmond Fire and Chesterfield Fire/EMS are connected to the PulsePoint™ app, available on iOS and Android.   This app allows you to set real time alerts for certain call types and will provide location details and a map view.  VDOT511 is a great resource for live video of incidents on interstates and some VDOT maintained roadways. There is a VDOT511 app available on iOS and Android; or it can be accessed on your phone’s browser.

General Definitions:

Engine- an engine (also called a pumper or engine company) is a fire apparatus primarily designed to provide fire suppression through the delivery of water.

Tanker-Apparatus primarily used to carry a large amount of water to a scene.

Brush- Apparatus specifically designed for navigating rough terrain and carrying a small amount of water and booster line for brush/forest fires.

Truck- a truck (also called a ladder truck or truck company) is a fire apparatus primarily designed to support fireground operations involving search and rescue, ventilation, forcible entry, ladder operations, and access to elevated areas.

Tower Ladder- a tower ladder is a type of aerial fire apparatus equipped with a hydraulically operated, telescoping or articulating ladder or boom with an elevated platform (bucket) at its end.

Rescue- a rescue (also called a rescue truck, heavy rescue, or rescue company) is a specialized fire apparatus primarily designed to support technical rescue, vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and other emergency operations requiring specialized equipment.

Squad-Similar to a Rescue, with varied meanings across the country.   On this feed, there is only one Squad operating-in Henrico County-Squad 301.  This is a dual purpose Engine company that carries Technical Rescue equipment and specially trained firefighters.  They still fulfill Engine first due responses, but are designated as a Squad.    Station 1 is where the Technical Rescue team is housed.

Medic- Ambulance staffed by Advanced Life Support personnel.

Ambulance- Ambulance staffed by Basic Life Support personnel.

Utility or Air Utility- A truck that carries a Cascade system capable of refilling air bottles at a scene; some also are equipped with multiple light towers.

REHAB- A truck/team that responds to working Fire/Police/EMS incidents to provide rehabilitation services for first responders.  In the Greater RIchmond Region this is provided by the Metro Richmond Flying Squad-a 501c3 Volunteer Fire Department with Stations in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and New Kent.  Radio designations are based on the jurisdiction of the incident, e.g. Rehab 101-Richmond, Rehab 201-Chesterfield, Rehab 301-Henrico, Rehab 401-Hanover, Rehab 501-New Kent.

Special Services- Typically describes a Truck Company or Rescue Company.

5 Inch- A large diameter supply line used to connect apparatus to a hydrant.  

Inch and Three Quarter-An attack line commonly used to fight fire, primarily carried as a "cross lay".

Two and a Half-Larger diameter hose used for master stream operations on a larger fire.

CFO-Term used by Henrico FD, this is the Comms Fire Officer who is separate from the Fire dispatcher.   The CFO is staffed 0700-1900 each day by a Fire Lieutenant or above.  They handle reduction or upgrade of responses once the auto system has dispatched the call.  They will also function as a TAC dispatch operator as needed   

RSI- Rapid Sequence Intubation-primarily used for patients with compromised airways who require sedation

CAN-Fireground term for “Conditions, Actions, Needs”-utilized for a crew to update the Command Officer on their status.

CPR- Fireground term for “Conditions, Progress, Resources” -utilized for a crew to update the Command Officer on their status.

360- Fireground term used to identify a visual check of all sides of a structure

PAR- Personnel Accountability Report-Typically these are done at 20-minute intervals once a working fire declaration has been made.  It calls for each officer at the scene to confirm they know where their people are, what they're doing, and that they're OK.

Offensive Mode- Generally used to describe crews going inside a structure to fight fire.

Rescue Mode- Generally used to describe crews going inside to search for & rescue victims.

Defensive Mode- Generally used to describe crews fighting fire from the exterior only.

Transition Mode- Used to describe the tactic of an initial exterior hit on the fire, followed by crews making entry to the interior.

Investigative Mode- Used when crews are checking for hazards/fire, typically when the initial size up reported nothing evident.

Primary- Describes an initial search for victims within a structure.

Secondary- Describes a recheck for victims within a structure.

All Clear- Used to declare that the Primary and Secondary searches have been done and no victims were located.

RIT- Rapid Intervention Team-a crew assigned to stand by at an entryway and be ready to make entry to rescue a downed firefighter.  

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday- Firefighter(s) in need of immediate assistance. This may also be accomplished by pressing the mayday button on a radio which is followed by tones and an announcement from dispatch.

Victim, Victim, Victim- a call made by firefighter(s) when locating a victim.

Evacuation- Generally used by Command to order all personnel from the interior of a structure and may be followed by dispatch sounding a specific tone and announcing the order to all personnel at the incident.   On the fireground, when staffing allows, apparatus near the structure will sound their airhorns as an additional alert to personnel inside.  Can also describe the compelled evacuation of people within a given area of an incident.​

Shelter in Place-Used when conditions don't require an evacuation of occupants, or when an occupant may not be able to relocate but they are safe where they are.

Water Can-A pressurized water fire extinguisher, used commonly on smaller fires.

Water on the Fire-Used to inform Command that crews have applied water to the fire.

Knock Down- A term used to inform Command that crews have extinguished the fire.

Extension- Term used to describe a condition where fire may have spread beyond the initial source; commonly interior walls or ceilings. 

Exposure- A term used to describe potential at-risk structures near the fire building.  Generally used with the appropriate Building Identifier “Exposures on the Bravo and Charlie sides”

Building Identifiers:

• Alpha – The front side of a structure, typically the side that faces the main roadway or the side where the identifiable main entrance is.
• Bravo- Working to the left while facing the Alpha, Bravo is the left side of the structure.
• Charlie- Working to the left while facing the Bravo, Charlie is the rear side of the structure.
• Delta- Working to the left while facing the Charlie, Delta is the right side of the structure.
• Division-Describes a level of a structure, e.g. Division 1, Division 2, etc.     

TRIAGE TERMS:

• GREEN-Patients with relatively minor injuries who can generally walk and whose treatment can safely be delayed.
• YELLOW-Serious injuries requiring medical attention, but treatment can be temporarily delayed. Examples include certain fractures, burns, or stable abdominal injuries.
• RED-Life-threatening injuries requiring immediate treatment to maximize the chance of survival. Examples include severe bleeding, airway compromise, or shock.
• GRAY-Patients who are deceased

Useful Links:

Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield Active Calls- ActiveCalls

Richmond Fire Districts- FireStationsMap

Chesterfield Fire Districts- FireStationsMap

Henrico Fire Districts- FireStationsMap

Hanover Fire Districts- FireDistrictList