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I am new to this site and new to Tacoma area (about a year). I grew up in Everett and enjoyed listening to Police and Fire calls on my scanner where everything is broadcast at 154.995 mhz and 154.385 mhz.

Since moving to Tacoma, I have been trying to scan for City of Tacoma Police and Fire. I have been able to find the police frequences (460.150) and I am able to hear Fire at 154.130 mhz. I have noticed that I only hear actual Fire Responses toned out. Is there a way to hear medical responses? Do they tone out for those in Tacoma?

My knowledge of scanning is very limited and could really use any help possible. I love this hobby. I have little to no knowledge of Trunked Systems if that is what Tacoma has. I have two realatively good scanners BC 2500xlt and 800xlt.

In addition I have been reading in the News Tribune that Tacoma is upgrading there dispatch & radio system come this winter. They said that it will no longer be able to be scannable by the public. Do you know if that is true or what can I do to still listen to the calls.

I appreciate your help on Tacoma, Trunked Systems or what I need to do next to continue scanning.

Thank you.

Tacoma fire dispatch is 154.130 which you already know. They also use 154.295. That is correct that you only hear the fire calls dispatched. As far as dispatch for EMS goes they use what is called an MDT(Mobile Digital Terminal) whichis a vehicle mounted computer connected by radio to the dispatch center that allows emergency response units to recieve and display information on a small screen. This info includes the incident address , special information such as the presence of hazardous materials or other hazards. The MDT reduces the need for voice communication over the radio.

I.E. you will hear the Tacoma fire dispatcher come on the air and say for example Engine 10 check you MDT for a call.

Here is some further info on Tacoma FD for you.

STATION 1: ENGINE 1, TRUCK 1
STATION 2: ENGINE 2, 182(BATTALION CHIEF)
STATION 3: ENGINE 3(PARAMEDIC ALS ENGINE)
STATION 4: ENGINE 4, RESCUE 4(PARAMEDIC ALS UNIT)
STATION 6: ENGINE 6, SPECIAL UNIT 49(17" BOSTON WHALER)
STATION 7: ENGINE 7
STATION 8: ENGINE 8, TRUCK 2, RESCUE 2(PARAMEDIC ALS UNIT), SPECIAL UNIT 48(TECHNICAL RESCUE)
STATION 9: ENGINE 9, TRUCK 3, 181(BATTALION CHIEF)
STATION 10: ENGINE 10
STATION 11: ENGINE 11, RESCUE 5(PARAMEDIC ALS UNIT)
STATION 12: ENGINE 12, TRUCK 4, RESCUE 3(PARAMEDIC ALS UNIT), SPECIAL UNIT 44(HAZARDOUS MATERIALS) (FIFE STATION)
STATION 13: ENGINE 13
STATION 14: ENGINE 14
STATION 15: ENGINE 15, SPECIAL UNIT 45(WATER TENDER)
STATION 16: ENGINE 16, RESCUE 1(PARAMEDIC ALS UNIT)
STATION 17: ENGINE 17, SPECIAL UNIT 42(MOBILE AIR UNIT) (FIRCREST STATION)
STATION 18: FIREBOAT DEFIANCE, FIREBOAT COMMENCEMENT (UNSTAFFED)
STATION 16: ENGINE 16

I don't know if this is going to interest you but I figured I would tell you anyways.

These are frequencies for Pierce County Fire Communications Center(firecomm).
153.890 Fire 1 County Fire Dispatch
154.355 Fire 2 I-5 West Fireground
154.160 Fire 3 Central Pierce, Roy Fireground
154.265 Fire 4 Buckley Fire Dispatch/Puyallup Fireground
154.385 Fire 5 East/Valley Fireground
154.325 Fire 6 South County Fireground

Fire 1 is the dispatch frequency for all departments in Pierce County with the exception of Buckley, Carbonado and Tacoma and maybe Greenwater and Crystal Mountain because I have never heard them dispatched.

Fire 2 is the Fireground for the following departments:
Lakewood Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #2)
University Place Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #3)
Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One(Pierce County Fire District #5)
Browns Point Dash Point Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #27)
Key Peninsula Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #16)
Anderson Island Fire Department
Dupont Fire Department
Ruston Fire Department
Steilacoom Fire Department

Fire 3 is the fireground for the following departments:
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue(Pierce County Fire District #6)(Spanaway, Elk Plain, Parkland, Midland, South Hill, Summit)
Roy Fire Department

Fire 4 is the fireground for the following departments:
Puyallup Fire and Rescue

Fire 5 is the fireground for the following departments:
Sumner Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #1)
Edgewood Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #8)
Pierce County Fire District #18(unincorporated areas surrounding Orting)
South Prairie Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #20)
East Pierce Fire and Rescue(Pierce County Fire District #22)(Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps, Prairie Ridge)
Orting Fire Department(Pierce County Fire District #47)

Fire 6 is the fireground for the following departments:
South Pierce Fire and Rescue(Pierce County Fire District #15)(Unincorporated area between Graham and Eatonville)
Graham Fire and Rescue(Pierce County Fire District #21)
Ashford Elbe Fire and Rescue(Pierce County Fire District #23)
Eatonville Fire Department


Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Nick

TFD also uses 159.390 as Tac-3, and 156.225 as Tac-4. I never heard more than a little chat on them, and some low-power simplex fireground stuff at a structure fire on Hilltop (5/03).

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
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