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And so it began… The great radio strap debate of 2007. We have heard a few different thoughts, and a few different justifications on how and when to wear a radio strap. Some people prefer it under the coat, some prefer it over the coat, but under the SCBA, some prefer it on top of everything, and some even feel it has no place on the fireground. Even if you have posted your thoughts before under another posting, please take the time to leave a comment under this post with some of your thoughts. It will make the search function work better. Our apologies go out the reader who submitted an idea for this post some time ago, we lost your write-up in one our recent computer crashes. Please feel free to email us the write-up again and we’ll include it with this one.
We hope you enjoy the cornball photo we used to get this post started; we just wanted to prove that we are still willing to have fun, even if it is at our own expense!
**We found the submitted post we mentioned earlier. Click here to see a write up from Firefighter Shawn Roark from Bristol (VA) Fire. It’s a basic demonstration of how to wear the radio strap under the coat. Judging by the comments we have already received, this is the way a majority of you wear it. Thanks goes out to Shawn for sending it in, and taking the time to resubmit it. We wanted to make sure we recognized him for his efforts**
Under, It protects the radio and also wont get caught on as many things under your coat
Coat Pocket ( Chest). No tangles so far and i can find it when i need it because it wont swing around.
Radio Strap under the coat. That is how I wear it. With the mic hanging out the top. I used to wear it on top of my SCBA, however my deputy chief came out and said that it has to go under the turnout gear to protect it.
The thing is this.
In the end, the only thing that gets protected is the wire, because the radio has to be accessible to change channels or volume so it hangs out the bottom of the coat. The mic is exposed at the top.
It works for me, but his thought process is lacking. It does get rid of the tangle issue.
I wear my radio strap under the coat,with the shoulder mike out of the top. This does eliminate the entanglment issue. I used to use the radio pocket on the turnout coat, however, they are placed on the left side and the mike presents and entanglement hazard with the low pressure air hose and facepiece. If the pockets were on the left I personally feel that is the best option.
I understand the whole tangle issue, but what do you have to go through to hit emergency button for Mayday, or change channels?
I take mine out of the strap and put it in my chest pocket for fires. I just don’t like anything additional to get tangled, its accessible to change channels. K.I.S.S. ( Keep It Simple Stupid)Helps me out a lot.
Stay safe
Alison
FF/PM MFD Q47/R47
I wear mine low on the inside. Just low enough so I can get to the radio to the channels. With the scba, axe scabbard, radio strap and a lightbox I feel like a walking entanglement prop.
Stay Safe,
FTM-PTB
Josh Materi
I wear the strap over the pants/under the coat with the radio slung with the controls just below the hem of the coat, so they are still easily accessible with gloves on. I pull the mic out at the neck and clip it to the collar, so I can hear it and transmit without moving it.
I also use one of those little retention straps clipped to a key ring on the draw-strap on the hip of my bunker pants, to keep the strap/holster from flopping around when we’re rolling hose or doing the unthinkable… EMS!
I understand the argument that the strap/holster presents additional entanlement hazard (even under the coat), but I’ve also always thought it was more important to be able to change channels/volume and use my emergency button without digging around in my pocket and trying to pull the radio out with gloves on… And it always annoyed me to have the mic wire around my neck or hanging freely.
Incidentally, for those who prefer to put the radio in the inside coat pocket and zip it in… That’s been proven to seriously reduce your radio’s transmitting power as the trasmission is absorbed by the core of the body.
Be safe Brothers.
Chris
I wear mine underneath my coat as well. I tried in the pocket, over the coat under the SCBA, and over everything.
In the pocket doesnt work for me becuase A. I am a small guy and need to use the chest strap on the SCBA wearing the radio in the pocket makes the pack ride funny and makes the radio uncomfortable on my chest. B. The mayday, volume, and channel changer are all hard to get to.
Over everything was just like piling more stuff on top to get caught up in. I already had my SCBA, Vulcan light, TIC, etc. why add something else. Under the scba created the same problems.
Under the coat just made sense its out of the way, still reachable just below my coat line, and I dont have to take it off to get anything else off. Usually even after SCBA is done you still need your latern and your radio so that why I wear the radio under the coat and the light under my SCBA.
GREAT DISCUSSION
Having the radio in the pocket never worked for me. I could never hear the damn thing and if I needed to talk it was a pain in the ass to get it in and out of the pocket.
I wear the strap and take a lot of Hell because of it. In this part of Texas the FDNY style straps are highly uncommon. Of the 16 departments in my county and well over 1,000 firefighters I know of only 4 guys who have them.
HOWEVER, I still wear it, cause it works.
It’s excellent for EMS runs and being out in the public because it keeps the mic closer to my ear and I don’t have to have the volume way up.
I wear mine under the coat. This keeps the strap from being an entanglement hazard. I pull the mic out of the top of my collar and clip it to a one of those mic saver things. This keeps the mic close to my voice amplifier and my ear. The radio hangs out under my coat on the right side. Our lapel mics have two buttons on them. This allows me to switch channels without having to look at the radio. If for some unknown reason I can still change channels. We don’t use emergency buttons. I don’t use the little retention strap when I wear it under my coat because my SCBA pinned the stap against my belt and the radio wouldn’t move at all. Without using that little strap I am able to move the radio in the event it gets tangled.
So of the guys hook the lapel mic to their chinstrap.
I have a Pelican Little ED on my coat that’s my personal one. The department has Survivor lights in the truck but I don’t trust it, so I throw it in my pocket if I carry it at all. I owned one and hated it. The Pelican glows in the dark and runs on rechargeaable AA’s. I carry an ISG thermal imager. I’m tall and skinny so I’m able to put it over my head and one left shoulder. This allows me to still use it but keeps it from flying around. Other than that I carry a Griff Hook. It’s a 3 foot New York Roof Hook that I am very happy with.
Stay safe,
564
A Shift Captain
Preference goes to outside of the coat under the scba. Easily accessible and has no effect on transmitting or hearing traffic. Tangle hazard is lowered by running mic chord through the extra mic loop (at least mine is equipped with one) because I wear my mic on the top loop. also wearing the chest strap supplied by Scott keeps the chord back. The waist straps keep the holster snug to your hip. I have also seen guys tape the extra chord to the strap before every shift just to keep it out of the way. Just another variation!!!
Over the coat NY style strap under you SCBA. By placing it under the SCBA it takes care of the entanglement problem for the most part, nothing is full proof. You also still have access to the mayday button, channels, and volume. Also, should your lapel mic get wet or damaged you can unclip it,pull your radio out and continue to use it. That is, if you took the time at the beginning of your shift to unscrew the locking screw on the lapel mic connection clip.
I’ve tried all configurations as well. I keep my radio slung low so the body stays below the coat and wear it under the coat. Lapel mic comes out at the top of the zipper and hangs between the throat closure and zipper. I found that it’s more comfortable off my left hip so i have room for a box light off my other hip. I’ve never had an issue wearing it the way i do now. The mic is right where you need it and not in a position to be keyed against the body or equipment. No entaglement problems. We do alot of survival and collapse training. We had people almost cut through their radio wire while trying to untangle with plumber’s dikes. That would suck.
Like so..
[img]http://www.rescue1fdny.com/files/guys_12-25-06b.JPG[/img]
A radio without an external mic has been listed in certain NIOSH reports as a factor leading to a firefighter death. The firefighter wasn’t able to reach their radio. So an external mic is certainly a step in the right direction. I agree that having a radio with an external mic can be a pain in the ass. I don’t like it clipped on my belt and the mic always seems to fall off whatever I have it attached to. For EMS work swinging the mic around my back and clipped to my shoulder epplet is an option, but only if I am wearing my class B shirt. This doesn’t work well for fire ops and besides that, it makes you look like a cop. A worse option is to hang the mic from the antenna. The radio strap used with a radio that has an external mic is the best option in that it keeps the mic from swinging freely and it puts the Mic close to your ear so we can hear better. Purchase a stabilizer strap and clip it to your belt loop so the radio doesn’t swing in front of you when you bend over. In my opinion ,during fire ops, the only place to wear this is under the coat. The strap worn any other way creats another entanglement hazard. I put my radio on first but I don’t clip the stabilizer strap, or I unclip the stabilizer strap if I already have the radio on allowing the radio holder to pass through the front and back left suspender connections. This stabilizes the radio while allowing the radio to hang outside my pants. After I have my coat on, I simply pull the mic from the holder and allow it to hang from the neck opening. This places it close to my ear for hearing and close to my mask for transmitting. I never have to search for the mic. I don’t have to dig it out of a pocket and then put it back. I simply transmit and release. As far as the position of the radio under the lower portion of my coat, I wear it up under my coat. Not to protect it, but because I have found that wearing it too low causes another entanglement hazard. If I need to change channels I lift my coat to access the radio and then put it back down afterward. If your radio is like mine accessing the distress button is hard enough without gloves. Good luck doing it with gloves on no matter how you wear your radio. Besides, I am calling for a Mayday on my external mic right where I left it. Hanging in front of me where I can access it.
Stay safe Bros.
Jim H.
I purchased my radio strap about 5 months ago and have experimented with several different configurations as well. I have found that under the coat works best for me simply because it’s less of an entanglement issue. The outside of my coat did not feel right because of my SCBA, flashlight and the TIC all hanging on the outside I felt like a entanglement waiting to happen. The coat pocket does not work for me because the radio always falls out of the pocket if you bend over; of course this occurs at the worst time! I wear the radio low enough that it hangs out of the bottom of my coat and is still reachable and my lapel mic is between the zipper and the neck cuff.
One important thing to remember in any configuration is to memorize your radio buttons and channels. In all of these situations you could end up not having visual access to your radio if things go bad!
Stay Safe,
MCFR 18/A “shift”
I keep my radio in a radio pocket on the right side of my coat. Then take the mic and run it over the coller of the coat. I then clip it to my coat. This works will and is easy to get to if I need to change channels. Some thing you might want to look at for your radio is a lapel mic that has a mayday button on it. This works great and is quick.
I like the radio in the a radio pocket on the left side and the mic cord run behind your neck and clipped on a tab on the right hand side. Mic is always in the same spot, on the right side, right next to my voice amplifier. It goes on my coat first thing in them morning so it’s under my pack in case I need to remove my pack for any reason. We also have a seperate radio, no mic, that stays in our EMS unit for EMS runs. Just me $.02.
I vote for the under the coat method. I have been using this for several years and have not had any problems. I use a FDNY type strap and wear it all shift. That way I never have to worry about what apparatus I have to get on. Most of my time now is spent on the ambo or driving the engine or truck. If driving the fire truck, I usually just throw my coat on when I get on the scene. I am thinking about getting a mic strap sewed on my collar to keep the mic closer to my ear (I’m getting a little deaf!). The radio hangs just low enough if I really needed to I just lift the hem of my coat just a little and I can adjust volume/channels. As soon as I get on the scene, or sometimes enroute, I set it to the fireground channel, and crank the volume all the way up. That way, I shouldn’t have to mess with the switches at all. Has been very successful for me thus far.
Stay Safe
I use my Radio Strap every shift. Many of the Firefighters in my Department also wear Radio Straps. I personally do not use it when I am wearing my turnout gear. I unclip the mic, and slide it into the Radio Pocket on my jacket.
Under the coat with the mic out the top. It keeps the strap in place and not open to getting hung up on. As far as how I use it I do the same as Chris in regards to setting the freq and cranking the volume. The reason I went to the radio strap is that I got sick of my antenna poking me from the radio pocket and the radio falling out or coming close everytime I had to bend over or was crawling.
I wear mine under the coat. I clip the tail piece to my bunker pants. I have the strap set long enough so the radio is just below my coat. The mic is usually hanging out of the top of my coat so I can grab. I have never had any problems with changing channels or getting to the radio when I need it. Our radios have our main channel as 1 and fire ground as 16 or 5 depending on which radio I have for the day. This eliminates the need to look and see what channel I am on. If I need firegroud I turn it all the way to the righ, and all the way to the left to go back to main. This seems to work well for me
I wear mine like others who have posted, under the jacket and out the top clipped to the chest strap. For those who have trouble pressing the mayday button with gloves on I know that with our Motorola radios if you follow the radio antenna down the mayday button is near the base of that. If you take the antenna and bend it over it will depress the button for you. No taking off of gloves nessesary.
Over the coat and under the MSA straps. I like having the accessability of the radio for channle changing, if need be and the lapel up high on the clip. No digging around in your pocket.
I have tried it various ways. I recently got an old black nomex turnout pocket and turned it into a radio pouch attached to the strap instead of the open radio strap it came with. I accidently created the first fire service Man-Purse!
The problem I’ve had is under the coat I can’t get to it to adjust the volume or change the channels. Plus moving around would change the channel or turn it down.
Over the coat during S.T.A.R. training, I got the radio hopelessly tangled. Also, I was told outside the coat and pocket, you’re running the risk of heat related radio failure.
This week I’m trying the ‘ol radio pocket on the coat and the mike clipped to the Gear Keeper mike keeper.
Over the jacket but under the SCBA. People say that you can get tangled but if you know your gear, train with your gear, and feel comfortable with it then it should not be a problem. The straps from the SCBA keep the radio close to you body. Everyone does it different, and thats the way it will always be.
I wear it on top of my coat & SCBA. Why? Need to be able to switch to TAC Channel, adjust Volume and access Emergency button. It would be great if Motorola could come up with shoulder mic that has a protection cover over the talk button. Ex. Lift cover & Press with one finger(thumb). Also when shoulder mic is plugged in to radio the keypad and main radio push/talk button should be locked out. This would stop alot of keyed mics while working. Be Safe & Train Hard…
I wear mine over my coat and under my SCBA. I haven’t encountered any problems with this configuration. The mic is out and attached to the top of the strap and I’ve wrapped electric tape around both the cord and the strap in a couple of spots to secure the cord to the strap and thus eliminate the potential tangle problems. I’ve also added “knob extensions” to the control knobs on top of the radio to make them easier to operate with a gloved hand. My only problem seems to be that I wear my strap over my left shoulder, which places the mic on the left side of my face, and the voice amplifier is on the right side of me face piece. I know, I know…just switch shoulders dummy! But I can’t get into the habit of doing because it feels awkward…like playing a guitar backwards. Why can’t Scott make their voice amplifier mounts “ambidexterous”?? Just sayin.
Be safe! Train hard! Train often!
FTM-PTB-EGH
The “Over the Coat/Under the SCBA” method works fine until you have to do a reduced profile maneuver to get through a diminished opening. When you have to reposition or completely remove your SCBA, the radio strap tends to swing away from the body causing an entanglement hazard. That’s why I prefer to keep the radio in the pocket of my coat with the mic slung around my neck secured by a caribiner.
I keep mine in the radio pocket on my coat. I’ve tried all the other spots and I always go back to that. It seems like it works the best for safety and accessibility. By the way, nice raincoats guys.
Yeah, We finally ditched the raincoats for some real gear. Something we can finally have some PRIDE in. -Jimm-
Seems like most people prefer to wear it under the coat. My question is does this expose your body beause of the breech threw the gear with the mic wire?? I wear mine under my SCBA/ over the caot. I’ve done it under the coat but had issuse with my hood staying down because of the wire.
I wear mine on top of my coat and pack. Under the conditions we work in, our means of communication have to be accessible. My mic wire runs through a sleeve down to the radio so it can’t get hung up. As some one stated earlier, training, as usual plays a major role. Know your gear and equipment. This works for me, but to each his own. Whatever works for you as long as it’s safe and we all go home in the morning.
Stay Safe
Squad 3
From the IC’s point of view I wish you’d all wear it under the coat, especially in the HOT south. The first thing y’all want to do when you exit the scene is take off your coat, which means off comes the radio and it gets put down on the back step, window sill or trunk of a car. When I’m trying to contact you and you don’t answer the third call my boss and everyone else in their air conditioned rooms are wondering why I haven’t transitted a mayday!!
KO
No matter what method you choose, you must practice with it. In the fire academy or any survival classes you take, you practice low profile escapes, you practice getting your airpack out of a mess of wires or debris… but how many of us practice with the radio in place as you would wear it on a fire?
I have tried a few methods and found, for my department, the need to access the radio to change channels or activate a little orange may day button that does not really do anything to help find me (it does piss off the dispatchers however)… sorry, thats a different discussion.
Anyway, I have found that for my agency and more importantly, for how I work, having the radio in a leather FDNY style strap worn outside the bunker coat but under the SCBA works best for me. I can access the radio controls, I have it for the most part secured under the pack and I have practiced low profile and removing the SCBA with my radio in place. One side works better for me and I wear it on that side.
On EMS calls it also blocks my blame tag I mean name tag on the side I wear it on.. BONUS-
HOWEVER you choose to wear it, PRACTICE IT. You spent weeks or months practicing with your SCBA operations and use, but most people never practice with the radio in place.
Stay safe. RFB
~Egan
I wear mine all the time on shift so its second nature as to where the mic is so I wear it on the outside of the coat and under the airpack.
Under the coat it is a SOP.
I’ve worn it over the coat and it works better I think but then your radio is more exposed. By the way what fire company 61 is on the shields?
I wear it FDNY style under coat, over pant suspenders on left side. I tried the radio pocket on coat, but the antenna and mic always seemed to entangle in scba strap and would often key the mic.
I wear it under my coat.
I have tried all of the different ways of wearing my radio strap. For me, much like a lot of you, I wear it under my coat. Bunker pants first, then radio strap, then coat, then I pull the mic out and clip it to the mic tab on my coat. IF I need to change the channel I simply lift the tail of my coat to access my radio. There are only a few guys on my department taht use radio straps, but I think we are finally convincing the majority in our favor.
Stay safe and may we never forget.
– Ben
BFR T-2
I have worn mine under my coat for almost 15 years and have found it to be the best way. Before we got the 800 mhz radios, getting to the mayday button was not an issue – they didn’t have one. The 800 mhz Motorola radios that we now use have a remote mayday button built into the mic and is easily accessible. If your department uses this type of radios, I would highly recommend that you purchase mics with this capability.
Anyway to create and actual poll guys
Eddie,
Funny you should ask about a poll. We actually tried to install a poll when we first wrote this post. We also thought it would be a great idea. However, we had a slight problem, while we were installing it; the site crashed and was down for 36 hours. It may have been totally unrelated. Needless to say we are a little reluctant to try to install it again. We have a few minor upgrades we have to perform first.
We like the way you think! –Jimm-
Over the coat, under the pack seems to work pretty good for VHF radios. If you wear it under the coat without pulling out the antenna, your signal gets blocked by your body and coat. It doesn’t seem to be suck a big issue with 800mHz, but we’re still waiting to upgrade our system!!!
Stay safe!
I wear mine with the radio strap and it is under my coat on fire calls. I don’t wear it under my coat on car fires or MVC’s though. Stay Safe.
as long as the wearer has shown he or she can get out of any tangle, or low profile situation who cares where they wear it.
the only important thing is that the wearer is confident it the ability to get out of any situation that may be presnted by the strap itself
I wear mine under my SCBA with the radio tucked just below the waist strap. It sets nice where the radio stays in one spot so I can easily reach it if needed and the mic sits perfectly under my exhalation valve if I need to talk. Forget using the electric voice box that comes with our masks, sounds like a drive-thru.
I wear mine in the chest pocket. The beginning of every shift I place the radio in my pocket wrap the wire to the mic around the back of my neck under my collar. It goes to my right side and into the retractable mic holder.
Stay Low
FTM-PTB
Austin
Under the coat is the way to go. We have folks that do both but if your in the ring its gotta be under the coat. As far as access is concerned you can. It just needs to be low enough to to access with a slight tilt and then back under the coat where everything will slough off down the caot and not into the holder or the radio. The mic comes out the top above the zipper and presto easy access, SOME protection and no tangles. You can huy a keeper strap for the main belt and that will help in keeping the thing in place. My humble opinion but what do I know
Pedro Smith
Nelsonville Div. of Fire
FF
“So Others May Live”
Radio in the left breast pocket, Wire and Mic up and around back of neck to right side. Radio somewhat easily found for channel surfing and mic available. Maybe not the best solution, however to those who wear straps and holster how in the heck do you change channel easily and more important keep the radio from hitting you in the boys (IE Balls).
Capt. McK
A lot of guys claim a radio strap entanglement hazard. Has anyone thought of this…We are wearing nothing but entanglement hazards! SCBA, Helmet, Ax on the hip, brim flashlights, biners on gear… the list goes on.
By the way I wear my strap under my coat with the mike out the neck. Why? Because when the strap is worn under the SCBA I found I couldn’t make any adjustments to the postion of the mike and my chin would always make it transmit (Ya, I have no neck!). I don’t wear it in the pocket because I feel like it’s always pulling down on the shoulder of my coat.
For you channel changers out there…Your departments switch Tac channels in the middle of a fire when guys are inside? If so, sounds like it is time for a policy change. Your radio should be set-up while enroute and well before you arrive on scene.
Well i have had no issues in the last 14mo that i have had my strap. Its great to have for me because no matter what PPE im wearing my radio is in the same location and easy to look at and move channels. I prefer wearing it over everything just incase there is an entanglement issue in the future i can shed the strap without delay. M.Doney E81 sac,ca
I prefer not to use the radio strap for the same reason as others- entanglement hazard and comfort. I prefer to keep the radio like Jason, in my chest radio pocket w/ cord around my neck and extenda-mike clipped to my front flap. In the case of the radio turning off, when turned back on, our radios default back to Tac 1. Sometimes it gets changed when I don’t want it to. Either way, I can lift it up, and see the digital screen easily. I also seemed to band the radio up when it rode on my hip. Since I have to pay some money for damaging a $3500 radio, I try to be a little more careful with it. Some folks have good success with it riding under their coat. Each way has there pros and cons.
After experimenting with several options, my personal preference is to not use a radio strap while operating at an incident. I tried wearing it under my coat; it was extremely difficult to change channels and didn’t fit well at all with my SCBA waist-strap. I tried this with both the microphone still clipped to the strap and also clipped to the outside of the coat. I didn’t like wearing the strap outside of my coat due to the potential for tangling with other gear and/or anything else. Another consideration in my department is the I-CALL capability of the radios, which requires the user to be able to look at and manipulate the radio keypad. This feature is used on a regular basis between companies and between companies and the Chiefs.
I wear it in the radio pocket of my turnout coat. Our coats are equipped with a microphone tab on the chest and on the collar; I secure the microphone cord through my top coat buckle and put the microphone on my collar. This puts the microphone closer for listening and transmitting and also lets my left SCBA strap sit a little better on that shoulder.
I have found the radio strap extremely convenient and useful while conducting inspections, working at EMS incidents if we’re called and during taking up after an incident when all hands are draining and loading hose. The strap allows a member to keep their radio close while keeping their hands free; also without sticking it into a bunker pants pocket, which often results in the radio or other stuff falling out.
Many of our pump operators, Chiefs and Chief’s Aides utilize the strap under their gear, allowing them to have their portable with them at all times and not having to switch it from a strap to a pocket or vice versa. While straps are provided for all riding positions on all companies, I see very few members outside of Chiefs, Chief’s Aides and pump operators using them while working in turnout gear. It seems like the majority of the ladder drivers and firefighters opt for the radio pocket option.
Be safe.
An afterthought, for those who have said they crank the volume all the way up…
Since assigning a radio to every riding position (finally) several years ago, we started having a new problem… That being that whenever the boss tried to transmit, everyone else close by would back-feed and noone could hear his message.
Our “unwritten” policy is that unless you’re a boss your volume is just loud enough to hear. It seems to have rectified the problem, for the most part.
Be safe Brothers.
Chris
I wear my radio/strap over my pants, under my coat. The mic I clip on the little loop above my left chest pocket.
Allows access to the mic along with the ability to reach my radio just under my coat on my left side. keeps everything tucked away so I have less tangles/snags.
I see just about every combination though here in Tampa. But I just can’t break some of the habit of NO shoulder mic at all. Oh well.
P.S. Look out for my buddy Jeff P. at Firehouse 10, guys.
Joe
Tampa Fire Rescue
Engine 6 “C”
I wear mine under my coat. The radio it self is accessable simply by lifting up my coat to change the channel. We also have an emergency button on our lappel mics.
Like just about everything in our great job of ours this debate comes down to personal perfence. When making this choice take these factors into consideration.
1. design of your scba in aspect to your low pressure hose.
2. Engine Guy? Do you wear a belt or hose belt?
3. Truckie? Wear a axe belt? If you go to the roof you better be.
4. When do you get your tac channel. Are you going to have change channels once you arrive on sence? What are the chances of having to change channels while on a fire sence?
Personally for me after trying many differnt ways I like wearing my starp under my coat, radio on the right side, mic sticking out hooked to the left of my jacket. I have it set low enough on the strap to wear I still can get to the channel changing thingy. We dont share our channnel with any other agencey, so just a turn of the knob and I can change channels. If Im ever not sure what channnel I’m on a simple turn to all the way left puts me at Channel 1, then count the clicks to the right channel. When FORCED to be on the truck I wear my axe on the left. I do not carry a lot of tools in my pockets, but what I do I carry in my bunkers, our jacket design doesnt allow real easy access to our jacket pockets.
So that is what works for me. But the best part of this disscussion is that it seems that at least the fire service has reached a point that everyone on the fire ground is assigned a radio….thats cools…I’m sure the old timers remember having to fight over carrying the radio. We have come a long ways, but still have a long way to go.
KTF-RFB-EGH
I hate I missed this from the beginning.Since the first day a was given the privelage of wearing a radio,when i was a rookie we only had 2 w.t.’s on the rig,i have used a strap. I have always placed it on the inside of the jacket with the mic either hanging out on a coat tab or still on the starp itself. My father,who started in upstate NY, showed me this the day i got turnout gear in the vollies. As for the switching of channels we are assigned a combat channel on dispatch. I’ve been on the Charlotte FD since 1998 and can think of 2 times we’ve been asked to change to a different channel. As for the mayday button, we have them but if you hit it it sends you to a different channel. Me personally if i have to call a mayday I want everybody one the fireground to here it!!
I’m one of 3 Operations In-service Training Captains for Miami-Dade Fire Department. I myself have tried multiple ways of carrying my radio onto my structural firefighting gear. I went to the N.Y. radio strap about 3 years ago, because I saw a real benefit to the strap. Whether it be fire or medical. As far as where to wear it, inside or outside? I recommend 100%, that it be worn on the inside of your bunker coat. We’re in the process of conducting “Calling the Mayday” training to our department, over 2,000 personnel. This is the same training done at FDIC & Firehouse Expos by Dr. Burton Clark. While monitoring these exercises, personnel who carried the radio strap on the outside of the bunker coat, got entangled >60% of the time in the entanglement prop, with downed wires. Those who chose to wear the strap on the inside were entangled 5% of the time and this was due to carry the radio to low and exposed below their coats. That stats are very strong in favor of inside the coat. Also, the problem with wearing the radio in the front chest pocket close to your lapel mic on your collar, is that if you get pinned due to a collapse of some sort, and you can’t reach the front of your chest &/or collar with either hand to key the mic, you’re SOL. I don’t like putting all my eggs in the same basket! By wearing the strap on the INSIDE if you’re pinned in a similar situation, you’ll be able to get to either the mic on your collar or key the radio itself down by your right side. This gives me 2 options vs. 1 option and location. Great website fellas, keep up the great work that you’re doing for the benefit of all of us.
Captain Elvin Gonzalez
Miami-Dade Fire Dept.
My guys here in the Thirteenth Battalion on the Bravo shift have different ways of wearing their straps during fire suppression activites. Most of them like to wear them under their bunker gear as do I. There really is no right or wrong way here just the way that works best for you. The key here is training, training, and more training. You must be familar with how your radios operate in zero visibility and when the s#%@ hits the fan…period! Keep up the good works fellows.”LET NO MAN’S GHOST COME BACK TO SAY, MY TRAINING LET ME DOWN.”
I’ve been using a radio strap for about 6yrs. and I definitely prefer under the coat. I am right handed and wear the radio on the right side for easy channel selection. We wear Morning Pride gear and wearing it low still protects the radio beneath the tail of the coat yet makes it pretty easy to access beneath an SCBA. Wearing it beneath your gear also eliminates it from swaying forward. And yes, I have an anti-sway strap for when I’m not wearing a bunker coat.
Lt. John Waligora
City of North Port Fire Rescue
Truck Co. 84
Under the Coat…You already have enough of an entanglement hazard,your SCBA will get you into enough trouble..you don’t need another one
No strap at all here. I put the radio in the coat pocket and wrap the mic cord around the back of my neck. I use the chest strap for the SCBA to secure the mic so it doesn’t flop around. No problems hearing or talking on the radio.
Nothing against the strap, but think of this. For those departments that run EMS calls, if you have a violent patient, how easy it it for that patient to grab ahold of one, two, or three of your straps and sling you around. During a little demonstration/training, it was pretty easy for me to grab three of my crew members straps and control them with ease. Just a thought.
P.S. – Jimm, you’re a shadow of your old self.
It depends on the situation and the call. ANYTIME YOU GO INTO OR ON A BURNING STRUCTURE HAVE YOUR RADIO. This is your most valuable piece of equipment and your number one communication link to the outside.
If I’m on a hoseline, search or RIT I don’t use the Strap. I place my radio in my radio pocket on my turnout coat. Our radio’s have the man down feature installed in them. If I am motionless for 1 minute it automatically goes off notifying command. It also has a man down button I can activate. I can activate this feature better with my radio in my coat pocket than in the strap.
If I’m in a situation where I would have to remove my SCBA the strap is in the way. In my coat pocket it isn’t.
When I’m conducting a search and I’m low and crawling it drags and I have a chance it catching on something. I my coat pocket I don’t. Venting on the roof it will want to swing around and get in the way. In my coat pocket not a problem.
I will run the lapel mic cord around the back of my neck. To keep it from rolling up on me my coat has a loop where you can hang your coat up on a hook. I clip a .99 cent carabiner in it and run the cord through it. The mic I clip to the mic clip tag that comes sewn on my coat. Be careful clipping it to your SCBA shoulder straps. If you have to take your SCBA off for some reason, you’ll forget it’s there and can tangle yourself.
Under your coat is good for protecting your radio but if you have to get to it with SCBA on your screwed. And if your in there to save my life and I see you having to take time to doff your SCBA and open your coat to get to your radio to turn the volume up or change channels the put all that back on before you drag me out, the chief will be buying me a new pair of boots because I will have lost one in your you know what.
The strap is good for nonstructure fire calls.
The radio pocket is good for structure fires.
Whatever the situation ALWAYS HAVE YOUR RADIO.
Keep you and yours safe.
God Bless!
Ive tried so many different ways I couldn’t find any more ways. Before I went career my volunteer department didn’t have enough radios for ff’s to have on the fireground so it was never an issue for me. Once my job was supplying one for me I had to really get used to it. I first tried the chest pocket but didnt like the fact that I had to open the pocket and pull up the radio to change the freq or volume.
Then I tried the strap method with radio on my right side. (flashlight was not an issue, we use survivors) Then I realized someday we’ll be receiving bail out components that will be affixed to our harness and it too will be on the right side (**something for you guys to consider**) So I decided to get used to it on my left side. NOPE… still not good for me. While doing a reduced profile drill the antenna, even though place properly below the hem line of the coat, still managed to get caught up and actually became perpendicular to my body preventing me from being able to slip through the obstacle. Needless to say I didnt see that as safe at all! Another annoying aspect to the strap is that it keeps sliding foward. After a working structural fire I noticed during overhaul that my radio shifted all the way across the front of my body. And yes… yet another annoying aspect is when the scba or the coat itself rides down on the radio all the pressure is tranferred up to your shoulder where the strap goes around….not comfortable for me.
So I went back to the chest pocket method which seems fine enough because there is no entanglement issue. I have my speaker mike affixed to the lower portion of my collar which is within an inch of the top of the pocket. The radio is a newer, lighter, and smaller motorola model.
Can someone better explain the around the neck theory. It doesn’t sound safe at all. And can be just as much of a problem at EMS calls with EDP’s. Also Im not a fan of the strap outside the coat either under or over the scba because of the interference with reduced profile maneuvers.
IM GONNA STOP BABBLING NOW…. SORRY!
BE SAFE ALL, GET IN AND GET OUT.
I have found that after 4 years of using a strap that under the coat works best. While running EMS calls I use a clip that clips to a belt loop and keeps it in place. I keep it to the bottom hem of my coat so that I can reach all of the knobs to change the channel and volume.
Also for those who are thinking about using the Emergency button, there is a mic out on the market called Juno or a Sword and is made by Stone Mountain. This mic has a remote Emergency button that is on the top of the mic. You can also change the volume on the mic as well. These two mics are different sizes and one is considerably bigger than the other. The mic is also shock resistant and water resistant so if you get wet, not that it happens in the fire service, it is pretty well protected. So if the Emergency button is a concern of your, this mic is the answer to that.
I have also found that no matter where you hang your radio, it can be an entangelment problem. I think what it comes down to is training and knowing how to make your equipment work the way that it works best for you and your body size and shape.
Prefer the radio pocket with the mic clipped on my collar. A radio strap is just one less item I need hanging around my neck while crawling around on the fire floor!
Under the coat and under the suspenders. It keeps it from sliding around too much under your coat and protects the radio from water.
I’ve tried the FDNY type strap, but I too find that the radio pocket on my coat is the best place. The speaker/mic lives on a “GearKeeper” retractable cable that I keep on the coat collar. While I don’t need to pull it out very far, it does hold the mic better than simply clipping it to the collar.
As for changing channels and activating the emergency button with gloves on, you guys must have some very firefighter friendly radios. (And before you suggest we look into other radios, we have one choice… the proprietary handheld offered by the manufacturer of our trunked system).
When it comes to EMS, the strap always wanted to swing out of position and smack the patient or simply be a nuisance. I keep it clipped to my belt in the small of my back with the mic over my shoulder and clipped to my shirt.
The radio strap belongs under the coat with the mic out over the top of the coat closure, but under the collar. No wires, no tangle, ALWAYS stays put (no need for a sissy keeper strap!). I’d hate to get into an entanglement and accidentally use my cable cutters to cut through the mic cable in the heat and hurry of it all. Chief might get mad at me. ..While I’m at it… Radio pockets are useless.. the mic cable is just too long. Too many dangling mics! Keep your cable cutters or safety glasses there.
1-Have a radio (at all times)
2-Know how to use said radio (in all conditions)
3-Wear radio however it most easily allows you to perform 1 and 2.
Just one question , Who’s the 2 goof balls in the photo ?? They both kinda resemble Laurel & Hardy.lol Just bustin chops guys, keep up the good work.
nice site but I have one quick question, is that helment your wearing NFPA compliant?
Those fellas appear to have radio pockets on their coats. I think that those are designed for putting a radio in securely. When not wearing a coat, most portables have a clip to put on a belt. These radio holsters remind me of the some of the vollies on our area that you see in the supermarket wearing FD shirts, badges, pouches and tools and a radio, the more stuff you have on the cooler you look. Same with these radio backpack things. If they want more stuff on their coats that would be functional, a flashlight would be a good start and a pair of wire cutters in that wasted radio pocket may help someday.
Saty safe brothers.
Update to my prior post. I wear in strap, under coat. Had a fire yesterday, did not have strap as mic had wrong clip. Had radio in radio pocket. Must have keyed mic at least 20 times while opening walls and ceilings. I think I’ll buy a spare clip!
Wearing your radio in a hoslter gaurantees a few things, Number one you know where it is and Number 2 you probably wont lose it (so you wont have the price deducted from your next few pays) Wearing the holster under your coat but the radio low enough on your hips to be able to to do a few things as previously stated, turn it on or off, change a channel or key the radio if your hands can for some reason not reach your lapel or microphone that should be hooked high enough up so you can easily talk but more importantly LISTEN to what is going on on the fireground.
Ive had a leather radio strap for more than 4 years and have never had a problem with it getting caught on anything. Before that I tried the radio pocket and coat pocket and disliked both. My main reason was that the cord still runs outside the coat and has the possibility of getting snagged on something. In addition if the radio is inside my coat, I will have to break my PPE barrier in order to change radio channels or hit the EB button. Also I found that having the cord running from one side of my coat to the other presented a hazard when working with a tool or when bent over crawling around. The reason I prefer the strap is that I know where the parts of my radio are for changing channels or adjusting volume, I have two places to put the lapel mic if I need to transmit or need to hear something of importance. I do not wear mine over the SCBA for the fact that it can slide off or down and become a hazard. Like others, I wear mine low wnough so it is under the SCBA waist strap but snug enough so there is no sliding. With the waist strap on and the “mini” stabalizer on, I have never had any problems on any jobs Ive been on…. Good topic, always a heated debate in RIT training and on fire ground ops….
Great thread. There are a lot of pros and cons to all of the ideas. I personally use one of two methods, i wear the strap under my coat with the mic coming out around my neck, or i use my special radio pocket. I had a radio pocket attatched to my left arm sleeve around the shoulder area. I think it works great. Out of the way, easy to get too, etc.
Thanks
Ben
Southside
Rescue Squad 2
Most of the time I wear the radio on the strap under the coat with the radio sticking out from the bottom of the coat for easy access to the volume and channel selector. If I don’t have the radio strap I wear the radio in the radio pocket with the mic cord around the back of my neck so if the radio happens to slip out it is not going to far so i can grab it in time.
I wear the entire strap and radio outside the coat, but under the SCBA. I like being able to have access to the radio in case we have to switch to a different channel. In addition to that, my turnout coat has a full front zipper, so there is no place where I can run the mic cord from the inside of the coat, to the outside. For those who have turnout coats with buckles, as in the picture above, you have the ability to run the mic outside the coat.
Here are a few things to consider whether you wear the radio inside or outside:
For outside the coat application – do you put the radio strap on before or after your SCBA straps? When do you put your seatbelt on? Do you sling a flashlight around your shoulder? That’s four or five straps around your chest before you roll out the door (depending on the flashlight) – OUTSIDE of your gear. How coordinated is your exit from the cab of your rig? What if you have to remove your air pack or loosen the straps in an emergency? Just consider how much you have to remove before even getting to your airpack straps.
For inside the coat application – It took some time, but I feel the best way for me is when donning my gear, bunker pants, radio strap, then coat. Regardless of zipper or hook and D on your coat, you should be able to pull the mic up through the top of your coat. One thing we have done with our new gear is had a mic loop sewn on the RIGHT INSIDE collar. The mic stays secure with collar up or down, and because we use Scott AirPaks, the voice amp is right next to the mic – easy to hear, easy to be heard. I also wear the radio just low enough to change channels or activate the emergency button without difficulty.
Great topic!
Under the coat below the coat line mic out the top.No matter how you carry it all of us should know how to switch channels blindly.Most guys on my job that carry radios in a harness train to switch back and then count the turns back up to desired channel. Anyway just thought I would jump in. Take care and stay low.
I have been running the FDNY harness for 4 years, and I still have not decided over/under.
Over= Not messing with the mic, just throw it over the coat, and lock it in with the scba.
Under= Passing the mic through, eliminating most of the tangle hazard, but sometimes the mic dangles free.
I do carry it low, so I can switch to tac channels no matter if it is over/under.
See me in another 4 years and I may have decided.
Michael Fazio
Engine 7
Grants Pass Oregon
**We found the submitted post we mentioned earlier. It’s a write up from Firefighter Shawn Roark from Bristol (VA) Fire. It’s a basic demonstration of how to wear the radio strap under the coat. Judging by the comments we have already received, this is the way a majority of you wear it. Thanks goes out to Shawn for sending it in, and taking the time to resubmit it. We wanted to make sure we recognized him for his efforts**
Click here
My department just went to 800mhz radios and back to the “gestapo” straps. They are annoying, the strap that keeps it from swinging always breaks or comes unclipped then swings and hits the patient in the face.I really think inside the jacket would probably be best to protect it, bit has anyone thought of taking the radio sheath/holder and putting the belt clip part on scba belt? A small carabiner”not for climbing” could be clipped to lapel mic and clipped to one of the high pressure hoses on scba straps?It would be one way to have it on outside with less entanglement hazard and still easily accessible…just a thought.
I have worn a atrap for about six years now. Even with our upper admin saying no, (rescue comapny) and I have found that this is a safe and actually a beneficial tool to have. With this I even bought my own microphone. Now our admin has bought straps and mic’s for the operator and officer. As an officer this makes the communication process even more safer for us. If you are engaged in operations the mic is there near your ear and being able to have two hands for tool or other operations is invaluable. Not to mention if you were to fall or even need both hands for any other task that warrants 10 fingers. On the issue of is it safe or not, personal decision. If you are not used to the strap and the diffrent weight and where it tugs then the aggravation factor plugs in. With all of the hoses, straps and other acrutruments that we have hanging on us why another headache, example, radio pocket used for radio storage when operating, fell through floor and could not get to the radio due to compression on the pocket. The sling enabled the mic to sit under the left chin, leaned over and pressed mic for assitance. go figure. On the right or wrong way under or over the coat, come on guys this is redundant. If you wear the radio underneath find the best way and also the safest way to cover up even with the hood, chin strap and etc. We all know the indiffrence of having more equipment hanging off of us, yet this will prove more positive than negative.
Radio straps are the biggest joke on the fireground.
Under the coat works for me. I make sure that I have the strap long enough so I can change the channels by lifting my coat up. I did have to memorize the radio channels though. Not a big deal. Be safe out there my brothers.
I’ve always worn mine in the radio pocket on my left chest, cord around the back of my collar and mic clipped to my jacket on my right chest. It never gets in my way, stays secure, I always know where it is and if I need a mayday I know the button is on top of my radio just under the flap. The only drawback I see is when I take my coat off, but that doesn’t happen till the works done anyhow. I’ve never been a fan of the radio straps. I think it also makes a difference that we use digitally trunked radios, so if I need to change from channel A3 to C1, I have to press buttons both on the front of the radio and a dial on the top. It’s easy enough to slide it out of the pocket, change, slide it back in.
Firefighter Roark is right on. His way is the only way. Unless you do not fight fires.
I wear mine under my coat with the mike outside. We have a new feature on our radios that gives a voice recording whenever you change channels and lets you know what channel you are on. It eliminates a lot of confusion and is making the radio strap much more popular.
WTF? Stupid either way, first these are meant for station wear and incidents that do not require the use of an SCBA ie. engineers and operators. Second, they put the walkie pocket on the coat for a reason. Third, if you must…tuck your lapel mic cord in your coat and bring it back out to keep it from getting tangled. Or as Jimmy above said around the collar and back on your coat. Fourth, you can’t change channels if needed for a mayday or anything else important if it’s in your coat. Fifth, how abbut not strapping something to your body under your SCBA that can itself get caught on an object, entangle you and kill you!!!!!It’s leather people and gloves hands don’t exactly provide the best dexterity. We already have too many things hanging off of our bodies in fires. Like said before. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid.
IT IS A GREAT TOOL FOR PUMPING OPERATIONS OR AN EMS CALL BUT ITS NOT APPLICABLE IN ACTUAL FIREFIGHTING. YOUR COAT POCKET IS ALWAYS MORE PRACTICAL.
Coat pocket. Won’t get tangled, swung around or choke you when you make a grab. Remember…Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)
I wear mine outside but I see it makes alot more sence to wear it inside thanks for the photos
I started wearing mine because I had a coat with no radio pocket. I am the only guy on my job that wears it and catch some shit for wearing my “utility belt”.
I wear mine over my coat under my SCBA. I am a short guy (5’7″) and stocky so its hard to wear it under my coat as if I put it under my coat hem its to long.
It is a pain for taking off my coat, during rehab or what ever.
I’m gonna give under the coat another try, but its pretty uncomfortable.
Adam
SFD Res1cue
Here is the deal…..If you like it wear it (correctly under the coat) To the nay sayers yes I can change channels with gloves on while the radio is under my coat!
If you don’t like it I reccomend that you place the radio in the “radio pocket” and run the mic cod around your neck and secure it to your coat! Also another tip is if the mic clip is small replace it with a battery clip….this gives you a little more to secure the mic to in the event it comes loose from your coat!
Just an idea
Stay safe!
Roark
The radio needs to be worn under the coat. In addition to the entanglement hazards already mentioned there are too many ways for the knobs and switches to be moved. Many modern radios have a number of switches and knobs now on the outside that can easily be knocked around. And strictly from a financial point of view how can any fire chief condone such an expensive piece of equipment being exposed to the scrapes and scuffles and exposures of emergency runs.
While I take no position on which side the radio should be worn on it should be always be worn on the same side. This way you should be able to always remember the location of the switches and which direction to turn when the chips are down. The radio keepers are a very valuable tool that should be used. They both secure the radio and are a big help in protecting the head of patients from being bopped by the radio when you bend down to ask them if they’ve been drinking tonight.
John A. Cannon, Captain
Portland Fire Department, Engine Co. 11
Some additional thoughts on wearing the radio; as opposed to carrying it. The radio in a case and harness and worn under the coat is the proper way to wear and use the radio. The need for it to be underneath is obvious. The need to wear it may not be as obvious. With radios carried in external pockets, there is a great chance that it will be left in the rig especially when responding on EMS runs where you are not wearing your coat. Slipping it in the pockets of your station uniforms is fraught with peril…it get’s dropped, lost or broken way too easily.
Also during rehab, your coat can be left behind then you are scrambling for your radio. As I recall, a radio left on the dash of the rig was a factor in a LODD in Pittsburgh in 1995.
Carrying the radio is your fire pants is not effective either. The cord to the microphone is a another entangelment hazard and it stresses the cord. Ergonomically it is not a desirable method either unless you are under 5 feet tall…in which case you probably would not be working the fire ground unless you’re on the ambulance or the canteen.
John A. Cannon, Captain
Portland Fire Department, Engine Co. 11
I love a radio strap and all the benefits that come along with it. I dont need to repeat everything listed already. DUH… But, here is a simple thought that I havent seen listed for the reasons for radio straps to be issued/worn… Cost benefit…A department that is strained on its budget needs to find ways to get the most bang for their buck. Why should a department pay 30-40 dollars for a pocket on a coat for each member? You could simply purchase a 45 dollar radio strap combo for each radio.
My paid department has 27 shift personnel, 9 per shift, 10 portable radios for use each shift. 9 radio straps, cost appx. 405 dollars. 27 pockets on coats appx. 1,080 dollars. Each shift thats 18 pockets at 40 dollars each that are not being used.
In the end I sound like a radio strap salesman. Wear radio straps and dont put those 40 dollar waste of money on your gear. Spend 40 dollars on another feature.
I was just a lil’ bit off base with my above comments. So, here I will post what the real debate is about!!! Wear it under the coat…no need to explain
(Read above comments).
And for FightinChicken September 23rd, 2007 10:25 pm
Radio straps are the biggest joke on the fireground.
I had a old timer call my strap a pocket book one day, and then a few months later the old timer wanted a strap of his own. I was more than glad to hook him up with one!
For the brothers and sisters that know the benefit of straps “I hear ya”. For the ones that dont know (yet) try one if you dont like it sale it or give it to someone who is always looking for their radio because it isnt strapped to their body!!!
J. Richardson
Captain/Training Officer
Cameron Fire Department
Cameron, NC
radio in chest pocket, mic over the shoulder, through the flap that houses the DRD and over the other shoulder and cliped to the mic tab or collar depending on task i am doing at the time.
J. Womack
Captain
Putnam Co. Fire Dept.
Cookeville, TN
Under, for the above obvious reasons.
Funny little story; I was the ONLY one at first to start wearing one of these “purses” or “Yankee straps” as they were called in the R.F.D. Now, every radio in the city is issued a case w/ strap for protection of the radio. I can remember my old man in NJ wearing one of these in the early 80’s when the radios were 3 times the size, and they served well just like they do now.
J. Silver
Ladder Company #20
Raleigh Fire Dept.
I like the radio strap under the coat with the mic extending out and hooking onto the mic tab of the coat. I then reinforce it with a mini “not used for climbing” carabiner. This prevents the mic from falling and swinging freely. I don’t believe it should be clipped to the SCBA high pressure hose as stated above. For the simple reason of having to perform a low or reduced profile manuver in the event of an emergency.
Wearing your radio strap on the inside of your coat is the safe way to go when wearing this device. The reason why is we crawl thru all of these beat up abandon and mis treated buildings, thats why they are on fire. There is junk everywhere which causes a problem to us when our gear gets hung up on doors, furniture, drop ceiling, junk, and anything you and i can think of. We need to keep our gear from being a hang up on things inside of these buildings so we don’t get caught so the next time you put on your gear look at your self in the mirror and see how many things hang off your gear that could get you hung up on things like ( RIT belts with harness and rope bags, carabiners, flash lights, SCBA harness with hooks for hanging flash lights, Glove keepers, Mic Keepers, Truck belts with hooks for hanging everything on the truck, SCBA face piece mask bags). And i would know because i had to cut myself and my rookie out of a building on fire with wire cutters because the drop ceiling and wires in the ceiling fell down on top off us while we were fighting the fire in GARY IN. So I belive you should wear it on the inside of your coat which i even did at that fire and i did for the 4 yrs i spent with that department.
Eng 4 & Trk 4
Gary IN.
The Madhouse on Madison
You all need a hobby. Who gives a crap where your radio is? As long as you can hear it, whats the big deal? I can’t believe you are all having such a serious discussion about radio straps.
well, i have chicago fd spec gear (the new bunker gear) and on both sides of the coat, behind the bellow pockets, there is a pocket for radios (complete with area for the antenna to come out). so what a lot of CFD guys do (just from the little ive seen, im not on the CFD) is wear the strap over, but have the radio in that pocket and the mic still on the strap…i wouldnt do that, i just keep the strap inside and the mic outside.
I only wear mine on medical calls. On fire calls, wearing it “over” hinders movement and is a catch point with SCBA, axe belts and the like. “Under” inhibits your ability to change the channel (such as command vs. tac, or for RIC operations); to change the battery (in a RIC scenario), or to reach the radio in case of a collapse or entrapment. The straps serve a good purpose for routine calls; however, your turnout coat was designed and built with a radio pocket for a reason.
I know this topic has been dead for a while but I thought when in Rome….
I wear the radio under my coat for a number of reasons.
1) my radio is set to the channel I need so Im not worried about needing to change the volme or channel. I turn it alll the way up, if it’s too loud, too bad. If we are not at wa working fire, then I can adjust it at my leisure.
2) studies have shown that heat degrades the radio disrupting the transmitt and recieve capabilities. Wearing your radio under the coat helps tp protect the radio. I therefore, don’t let the radio hang below the coat eliminating a snag hazzard, which is another reason I wear it under my coat. Also, there is no chance the radio will hit something and have the channnel changed inadvertantly
When I first got my radio strap, like all of you, I tried different methods. The best thing that worked for me was under the coat. Instead of hanging my mic, I clip it to the velcro flap over my zipper. The one thing I didnt like about the radio strap was that it sometimes swayed around. Mine didnt come with the little clip to keep it from swaying, so what did I do? I adapted. I attached a thin piece of line to the belt loop on the case itself and on the other end, attached a small non-locking carabiner to clip to the waist adjusters on my pants. It takes an extra second to do but it keeps my radio where it needs to be- accessable. It has worked out excellently for me. As some one else posted, the radio pockets can get a little bulky with a pack on.
I haven’t read the entire thread so I don’t know if this has been addressed,but if you have a radio that has a volume control knob that turns to easy,you can get e piece of tubing that fits snuggly around the knob and is about 2 inches long,by pushing the tubing down firmly it adds enough friction to keep it from moving plus the extrs hieght makes it easy to find the volume control without having to look at the radio every time.
I wear my radio over my pants and under my coat,making it easy to reach if needed plus I wear it on my left shoulder high enough that I can key it up by tilting my head to the left if needed,you never know when you might need it and your hands are “unavailable”.
I usually attach the sway strap to my pants adjustment strap so that when wearing my gear at none fire events it stays in place.When I first got my strap and was trying different ways of wearing it I forgot to attach the sway strap I leaned over and clocked a paramedic in the back of the head she was not to happy with me but admitted it was a better way to pack a radio than putting it on your belt. Our radio pockets are right under the air-pack strap if you use it you feel like the strap is falling off the entire time,plus they are so high on the jacket it is tough to reach the radio.
Captain Baton Rouge,LA
Where I work I see two different methods of carrying the handi-talkie. Radio strap under the coat w/ mic clipped on either the collar or underneath the collar. The other method of carrying the radio is the members remove it from the strap, and put it on the interior pocket of their coats. In theory it’s nice, you can protect your radio from water and being banged around. I don’t like it, because if it’s a large scale incident, you might have to change channels or if, god forbid, “sh*t hits the fan,” and you have to activate your emergency “mayday” button. Inside your coat, it’s just not going to happen.
I prefer myself to use the radio strap, underneath the jacket. It is one less thing that can get tangled up.
Also on a side note, when do your put your flashlight on? Before or after your put your SCBA on? I see people put their mask on, then throw the flashlight over their shoulder…..just something to thing about, you have to do an emergency procedure where you have to take your mask off, ie, reduced profile, low profile, etc., you’re flashlight is going to get caught up in it. Put your flashlight on, then your mask….
Kevin, FDNY
I also use a radio strap (although my current VFD does not have radio straps or mics on radios) and a personal mic. I also where the radio under the coat and hanging on my right side. I then take the mic and clip it to my left hand collar. Kevin from FDNY makes a great point about the Hand Light. I even go as far as putting the light on before the SCBA. This way, it keeps the light strap from coming too far away from my body and becoming a hazard. Anyone else have anything different?
Charles
New Castle Co., DE
Ill stick with a radio pocket on my coat.
I’ve worn it both over and under and I agree that it is overall better to wear it underneath your coat.
I’ve almost been strangled by the strap by getting caught up in a group of bicycles in a hallway, and also by a mental patient on an EMS run.
Used to wear it over the coat but got tangled a few times. Switched to under the coat and had no problems. Plus if the strap is long enough you can still reach the emergency button as well as change channels.
Beef R1
Trenton
Hey everyone,
I am a volunteer in Prince William County, which is just outside of D.C. in Northern Virginia and is a combination career/volunteer county. Prince William Fire and Rescue (career) experienced its first LODD in their 41 year history in April of 2007. One of the investigations that took place as a result was proper use of our 800mhz radios. One of the findings was that when placed under heavy clothing/coats radio signal will diminish. Just some food for thought. The report can be found at: http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040026000110004566
I like the radio slings. Infact I make me for most of the guys in my area. I tell em all the same thing, you want it long enough that about half of the radio hangs below the coat line. This allows you to wear it under the coat and still have easy access to change channels without and accidental channel change, and it allows easy access to the emergency button. As for it swinging and getting in the way, I make a strap for my slings that attaches it to the rear of the bunker pants, similar to a belt loop on your duty pants. This eliminates the swing and keeps it oout of the way on EMS calls when no bunker coat is required.
Craig
Murphy FD E2
Murphy, Tx
I wear my radio strap under my coat. I have a non locking carabiner attached to my suspenders in the back to prevent the strap from swinging. I also have a non-locking carabiner on my microphone tab. By running the microphone wire through the carabiner, you eliminate the possiblilty of your mic popping off and falling down through your coat.
Dave
Lincoln, RI
Rescue 4
Definately looks cooler wearing the strap outside of your coat, but it usually slides off. so for practicality wear inside coat. And definaely dont put it into your right breast pocket it adds alot of extra wieght on the one side if you have a flashlight and/or PASS Device so go with under the coat
I wear my radio strap under my coat with the mic hanging out between my 1st and 2nd D hook. The radio itself is still accessible under the coat by slding a glove hand down the antena and BINGO there is the emergency panic button. By wearing it under the coat the radio is protected, strap does not become an entanglement issue. The “radio pocket” works nicely as a tool pocket. Cutters and a shove knife fit well.
stay safe!
Made a fire today and while wearing the strap under my coat managed to burn both the lapel mic and the radio’s screen. However, my airpack, mask, helmet, and coat also burned. The radio hangs out just below my coat where I can change the radio frequencies.
We have this debate all of the time at the training center I work at. The guys swear by keeping it under their coats while leading a class to keep it from getting burned (we are a class a facility) or becoming soaking wet. I must agree with them that from a damage perspective, keeping it under the coat works very well, enough that I find myself doing it now too. But, we don’t need to change channels either such as the way you might need to on a fireground. And what happens during a fire when you need to use your radio in a may-day event? I know I want to be able to use any channel available until someone answers me, so I want it to be accessible quickly! When not at the T.C. I use one of those small straps, about 3 in. long with 2 non-locking clips. It’s meant to keep your radio from swinging around when bending over or crawling. Radio strap goes over everything, coat, S.C.B.A., all of it. Then I hook the retention strap to the verticle support tubing on the S.C.B.A. frame work. We wear Scott so I can’t speak for the other manufacturers but it works great.
I tries the strap\holster combo several years ago and found I prefer the coat pocket with the lapel mic clipped to my chin strap near my ear.
I wish I could find a straight cord lapel mic for my portable though.
My department currently requires that the portable radio is carried in the radio pocket on the left breast of the turn out coat. With that I carry my radio in my radio pocket with the cord stuffed in behind it, with my cutters for entanglement problems. I find that the radio gets in the way and is not accessible, for changing channels or emergency activations. The mic falls from the lapel loop and then gets in the way or is not there when you need it. I have seen that during roof functions the radio fall from the pocket altogether or the mic comes off and is dangling in the way.
Further more in situations of emergency bail out onto ladders the radio can hamper your decent. I found that during disentanglement drills that the antenna gets hung up a lot. In my situation I was required to cut to free myself in a low visibility and had the cord to the mic in my hand that I was going to cut, I couldn’t tell the difference between the wire to be cut to myself free and the mic cord with gloved hands.
In a recent incident the cord to the mic melted and in turn caused the extenda mic useless, once that cord is damaged the radio might not transmit and if it does you might not hear it as it did in the in the incident. When the mic is attached to the portable the portable no longer will transmit or receive through the radio its self unless the mic is removed. Based on that my department requires that the very small screw that secures the mic to the radio is loose or removed, so in the event of an extena mic failure you can un-clip the mic from the portable and talk/listen through the radio itself.
No matter where the radio in carried this action is not easy with a gloved hands. I did find it easier to perform this task with the radio in the case on a strap under the coat vs the breast pocket. The other situation that was encountered with the radio in the breast pocket was the FF was pinned to the floor due to very high heat conditions and couldn’t get to his mic/radio to call a mayday. If the radio is on the strap under the coat you have 2 points to transmit from, practice this it works.
If the radio is worn under the coat, the cord is protected by the coat. Just the mic is coming through the top of the coat and does not interfere with your level of protection. In situations where water is an issue you can lift the tail of the coat over the radio to protect it from water. This action will not interfere with the transmission of the radio. As long as the antenna does not touch your body you radio will still transmit granted there is nothing else to interfere with the transmission building, sunspots or phase of the moon
Be safe and when you’re at the fire house always be ready to go to work never assume that you’re not going to a fire. You never know.
For those that keep the radio in your chest pocket and still use the lapel. Try looping your mic around the back of your neck (collar)to the opposite side of your radio. Find an attachment point and your on your way. This helps keep the lapel cord from tangling in your regulator hoses in the front, and is close enough to your coat in the back it doesn’t seem to get tangled.
So far over the coat and under the SCBA seem to work well for me. During a recent training exercise, I was able to perform a head first ladder slide without a hang up. Maybe I was just lucky… The mic sits a little higher, close to the shoulder as opposed to the chest.
Also, to reduce any potential snag hazard (or a violent patient grabbing me by the stap) I cut the strap in half about 2 1/2-3″ from the top of the mic loop and installed 2 button snaps on the now free ends. This way (as far as simulations have gone) if I’m hung up or grabbed, one end of the strap will stay free at the shoulder and the end with the remaining strap and mic will (hopefully) fall free. If I can’t clear the entanglement at that point I’ll just have to cut it free. I like using 2 button snaps because they won’t really give without a good tug.
I find it easier for me to keep everything outside of my coat because (for reasons I cannot begin to imagine!) our department is still in the practice of swithching from main fire channel to a tac channel DURING OPERATIONS!!!!! You know, because you’ve got nothing better to do with your time at that point than to count nob clicks and hope you got it right! WTF!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE trying to decipher radio traffic from the call I’m working and the crews on the other side of town trying to land a helo at a wreck! I guess that’s what happens you only have 3 dispatchers (including a call taker) and 15 stations. Sorry about the rant… thanks for allowing me to vent.
I have a question for anyone to answer.
Is there any documentation anywhere that supports the use of a radio strap? Not just a bunch of guys who use them and love them. I need some documents that support it’s use. We’re trying to get them approved in my department for those of us who wish to use them. Just saying that we want to use them and people use them and like them all over the country every day is not a good enough excuse.
Please help!
Thanks,
*Mark
Mark,
There have been a number of well documented tests and actual incidents related to Mayday calls and the ability of the firefighters to get to and operate their radios in an emergency. Most of the outcomes all indicated that the radios being kept on the straps were the easiest to get to and use under pressure and easiest to hear because the speakers wern’t covered up. We started using them years ago because the officers ( the only ones to carry radios at that time) were tired of them being stuck in their pockets under the SCBA shoulder straps when they needed them to change channels. Now every member has one and they all carry them on straps. Look up the articles, there was plenty of other info in them supporting the use of the straps.
These straps originated with the FDNY, I believe. And I am certain they wear them under the coat with mic out the top. This is how I wear mine at work. It protects the radio, and I typically wear the radio all the time, so when we catch a fire, it’s too time consuming to remove it before donning pants/coat. This way, I ALWAYS have the radio with me, which is an important safety and accountability, not to mention, I can’t afford the replacement cost of the radio if it walks.
My radio strap is worn on the outside of my coat and under the SCBA. So far it’s worked out pretty good for me this way. I’ve read well thought out arguments for both sides (under the coat/over the coat) and both have excellent points. We recently did a R.I.T. training in which we were required to fit through circular holes that were no more than 2 ft in diameter, while that might not sound too small remember that this is in full turnout gear and SCBA (we use 2216 low pressure Scott Paks). The bottom of the circle was raised about 4 inches from the floor, and I was never caught up or tangled in it. My feelings are that if I do encounter an entanglement issue I can disconnect or cut the strap if needed. I have had radio’s fall out of my radio pocket despite the pocket’s velcro closure. I have also heard arguments about damage to the radio from heat, as Jim said on May 10, 2008 if the extenda mic is damaged the whole radio is useless, if the fire is that hot down low (remeber we stay low in a fire, and our radio is under us not on our backs)we may have other things to worry about than how are radio is holding up, things like getting out FAST! Many memebers have mentioned Mic placement, mine is close enough that I am able to hear very clearly and I always know where it is if I need to transmit. Some members have said that they loop it behind their necks so that it is close to their voice amplifiers, I would like to recommend that people try transmitting with the mic pressed against their throat, much like a bone mic. Even through a turnout coat and hood it is supprisingly clear, much clearer than through a voice amp. (seems to cause too much distortion). Remember that the mics pick up vibrations and this is why this method works so well. Try it out I think you’ll be presently surprised. My way may not be the right way but from what I can tell there is no established right way yet. Hope someone was able to take something from this!
Mine is set up to wear under the coat. I have a clip instead of the leather loop on the strap and attach the mic cord at the first couple spiral winds. This leaves about 6 inches of free hanging cord/mic. The free end hangs out of my coat above the flap, but below the collar. When there is a lot of noise it allows me to raise the mic up to my ear to better hear and allows me to position it closer for better transmissions. It really comes down to trying out several different methods and finding what works best for you.
What is FDNY or Bostons policy if any? I was told and will look into it that FDNY is very specific on where to wear your radio and how. Anyone know POLICY from some of the departments that introduced the radio strap?
My recollecion is donning order policy is:
Bunker Pants
Radio in the strap
Hood
Coat
Helmet
Gloves
However, having recently moved onto the retired status my memory may be off. Hopefully someone can confirm. I always used the strap as the radio can and will come out of the inside pocket. Have worn it on the outside as a boss and it got in the way. My feeling is that “under” is better.
Stay Safe brother.
I wore the strap over the coat and under the scba for a couple years and what i found was 75 percent of the time my radio was getting soaked and it left me going to the truck for a spare radio after it quit working. Switched to under the coat and no issues so far.
I wear mine under the coat to protect but leave the mic under the coat as well if my hands are busy I can activate it with my chin and shoulder
i like using the under the coat method . In my mind it protects my radio better, Also our whole county uses the APX 6000 XE with mics that have a channel selector, volume control and an emergency button so there is no need to access our radios during a call to switch channels