At Heli-Expo 2016, Technisonic Industries Ltd., an industry leader in the development, manufacture and support of special-mission airborne communications systems, announces the availability of a new common NIFOG code plug for the nations airborne first responders.

Recognizing a disconnect in the communications of our country’s first responders,  Technisonic, working with its partners has developed a new standardized zone / channel code plug based upon the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide or “NIFOG”.    “While the NIFGO guidance has been available for years, the programming, Zone and Channel plan has always been up to the operator, this unfortunately has left a serious disconnect in its implementation” said Jim Huddock, Business Development Manager.

Developed to provide programming and channel naming guidance,  the NIFOG is the nation’s radio interoperability guide and is enacted in times of Natural Disaster or National Emergency.  Spanning all three FM bands,  VHF, UHF, and 7-800MHz, the NIFOG gives our nation’s first responders a “common: channel framework with which to communicate.   Unfortunately, the document is complicated and it is time consuming,  making it difficult to develop a workable code plug.

Technisonic, valuing our partnership with both federal and civil first responders,  recognized  that while the radios are capable of supporting the NIFOG, these channels were going un-programmed resulting in ineffective communications. With this interoperability initiative,  we are hoping to help move our operators into a common implementation of NIFOG zones and channels,  so that when these aircraft arrive on scene, a common plan and capability is already in place, saving time and possibly lives.

Communication is one of the critical challenges facing our nations airborne first responders,  and we have learned some bitter lessons.  Katrina, Sandy, Moore, and  Joplin  all have driven home the need to be proactive in developing and implementing our communication plans,  that is what the NIFOG is all about.

Technisonic as the leader in Airborne Civil Support Radio  sees this new code plug offering as one of the most useful tools we can provide our operators.