Scanner Frequencies

Scanner Frequencies

Most channels listed here use NFM (also called FMN) mode, meaning “narrow band FM”. When programming your scanner, make sure to select the correct mode for the channel.

Regular FM mode uses a 25 KHz channel bandwidth, 5 KHz deviation.

NFM mode uses a 12.5 KHz channel bandwidth, 2.5 KHz deviation.

Important Channels

These are all primary “repeated” channels for Sonoma County Fire / EMS focused on West Sonoma County. Repeated channels are re-broadcast from one or more towers, which means you are likely to be able to hear them in most places.

For Sonoma County, most all incidents are initially called out on REDCOM. The responding units are instructed to move to a specific Control channel. For West Sonoma County that is usually Control 2.

  • 154.31000 – REDCOM (Dispatch) – NFM
  • 155.26500 – Control 2 (Incident Command) – NFM
  • 154.15250 – Coast Blue (Zone 4 Command – Mobile to Mobile) – NFM
  • 151.2500 – CDF CMD 6 – NFM

There are several CAL FIRE / CDF TAC and VFIRE channels that are also relevant at times in our area, but their use and configuration is dependent on the situation. The CAL FIRE IAP will describe the channel plan for large incidents.

Additional Frequencies

RadioReference.com has information on more frequencies that may be interesting to you. Be aware though that adding too many channels that aren’t relevant can be distracting. Most scanners do allow programming of “banks” that allow you to switch on or switch off sets of channels in order to allow you to focus on what is most important.

Important Note: Many channels are not repeated, meaning you may only be able to listen if you are in the general area where people using those channels are located. Some CAL FIRE “TAC” (Tactical) channels are repeated at least within certain areas, and none of the Sonoma County TAC channels are repeated.

  • CAL FIRE (CDF) – All frequencies in the CAL FIRE band plan.
  • REDCOM – Sonoma County Fire and EMS frequencies.

Radio Identifiers

During smaller incidents radio identifiers are generally limited to departmental identifiers, and possibly one designator for the IC (incident command). During larger incidents where CAL FIRE or the Forest Service are involved, there will be additional command structure and location identifiers that are situation dependent.

Note: A given firefighter may use two different identifiers in the process of a call. When in a vehicle they will use the identifier assigned to that vehicle, and when out of the vehicle they may use the identifier assigned to themselves.

The first two numbers are the departmental identifier. The vehicle or firefighter identifier is denoted by xx below. The fire chief is generally the xx00 or xx01 identifier.

  • 14xx – St. Helena] (CAL FIRE Sonoma / Lake / Napa Unit)
  • 43xx – FRVFD (Fort Ross Volunteer Fire Department)
  • 44xx – NCFD (North Coast Fire Department)
  • 45xx – TCVFD (Timber Cove Volunteer Fire Department)
  • 52xx – CVFD (Cazadero Volunteer Fire Department)
  • 54xx – MRFPD (Monte Rio Fire Protection District)
  • 57xx – OFD (Occidental Fire Department)