Contractors Section

Fire Approved Radios (P25)

January 26, 2005

The term “Fire Approved” refers to a digital radio meeting additional requirements beyond those required for inclusion into the DOI radio contract. The USFS is currently using DOI’s radio contract for P25 radio equipment purchases. Fire testing ensures the radio has met a more rigorous testing regimen to survive field conditions. Several radios have contract deficiencies. Whomever is purchasing radios must review the deficiency list to ensure a specific deficiency will not effect their intended operations. Currently, only portables and aviation radios are fire approved by NIFC.

Portable radio fire requirements include:

• Front Keyboard Programmability 
• Radio to Radio Cloning Capability 
• AA Battery Clamshell 
• Rotary Switch Channel Knob
• Keypad
• Priority Channel Scan
• Leather Case
• Tone Pick List