Radio communications was a major problem from the outset.
The Oakland Fire Department’s primary radio channel (Ch2) was
overwhelmed with traffic as companies tried to report their approach
and request instructions from command officers, report worsening fire
conditions, request assistance, and describe their actions. The Command
Officers tried to contact units and make assignments, but the radio traffic
was so overwhelming that most messages went without acknowledgements
and many were never heard. The only alternate frequency that was
available for the Command officers to communicate with each other was
Oakland Channel 1, and all other Oakland incidents were being handled
on that channel, including a structure fire.
Companies were deployed above and below the fire and on both
flanks. Without effective radio communications, it was impossible to direct
or keep track of them or to maintain any awareness of fire conditions in
different areas.
In the Oakland Fire Communications Center, the situation was also
out of control. The incoming telephone lines rang continuously, with one
caller after another reporting the fire, requesting the fire department to
come to a particular address, asking if residents should evacuate, and
telling the dispatchers to send more fire trucks to different locations. The
news media were calling for information. The radio was so jammed with
traffic that it was difficult to hear and respond to the messages that were
directed to the Communications Center. When Command officers asked
the Communications Center to do something, the dispatchers were so
overwhelmed that several minutes would elapse before it could be done.
With so many telephone calls coming in, it was almost impossible to make
a call out from the Communications Center.
Under these conditions, there were several miscommunications and
delays in processing information and requests. Automatic notifications had
to be made on the multiple alarms, and a recall of off-duty personnel had
to be initiated. Mutual aid requests had to be processed. Calls to other
agencies were delayed, and callbacks from agencies requesting additional
information went unanswered or were put on hold. Additional experienced
personnel arrived within the first 15 to 20 minutes to assist in the
Communications Center, but the overload condition persisted for several
hours.
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