Multi-Band Radio Fact Sheet

Single-band radios make communications a challenge during multi-agency response

Most hand-held emergency response radios typically operate on a single band and cannot directly access other frequency bands. This means that most agencies cannot communicate with those outside of their jurisdiction—or even within their jurisdictions, sometimes—if they operate on different radio bands.

In a multi-agency response, it is rare that everyone will be using the same band. Therefore, to communicate with their colleagues, responders often resort to swapping or sharing radios, using a patching system, relaying messages through dispatchers, or even using runners to hand-carry messages. None of these solutions is practical, and many can be time-consuming in a time-critical situation. To provide a successful coordinated response, first responders must be able to effectively communicate with all partners across jurisdictional lines, including local, regional, state, and federal entities.