Final answer:
All fire department radio operations must comply with the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is responsible for regulating interstate communications, including assigning frequencies, ensuring operability and reliability during emergencies, and overseeing content regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
All fire department radio operations must follow rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This agency is in charge of issuing licenses and overseeing and regulating the airwaves. As mandated by the Communications Act of 1934, the FCC is responsible for regulating interstate communications, which includes assigning frequency, power, and call signs for radios, and ensuring all communications during emergencies and crises are available for public safety, health, defense, and emergency personnel. The FCC's rules and regulations are in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which are published and maintained by the Government Printing Office and available on the web in a searchable format.
The FCC has several specific functions relevant to radio operations, including allocating spectrum space, designating operating power for stations, and regulating content that is deemed indecent or illegal. Importantly, the FCC's authority extends to ensuring that communications infrastructure is reliable, interoperable, and rapidly restorable, particularly in the context of public safety and homeland security.