Chief Douglas Aiken, chair of the International Associate of Fire Chiefs Communications Committee, has named committee member Chief Charles Werner to chair the Digital Noise Working Group. This working group will investigate problems related to the use of digital radios on the fireground and is open to all interested parties.

The IAFC initially alerted its members of this issue on March 20.

A steering committee will oversee the working group. Members include Aiken; Werner; two members of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section; Alan Caldwell, IAFC staff liaison; and one representative from each of the following:

• International Association of Fire Fighters.
• National Volunteer Fire Council.
• Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association.
• National Public Safety Telecommunications Council.
• Telecommunications Industry Association.

Over the next two weeks, the steering committee will receive the results of a test procedure posted at www.iafc.org. They will meet on April 9 to plan for the working group meeting and to review the submitted field reports. The first working group meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., on May 8.

All interested parties, including manufacturers of radio equipment, SCBA and fire equipment as well as firefighters and other public-safety entities, are welcome to participate. To join the working group, go to www.iafc.org/digitalproblem, click on Join Working Group and complete the online form.