Comm engine

[QUEENS1985]

What is the duties of the comm engine company? Are there only certain companies that are designated?  I noticed engines 7, 263, 53

 

[FDNY Response Videos]

What is the duties of the comm engine company? Are there only certain companies that are designated?  I noticed engines 7, 263, 53

Engine 35* not 53. These engines carry a special radio called a Kutta radio. They are assigned to fires in high-rise commercial buildings (10-76) or subways where comms can be affected by the amount of stuff in the way (steel, concrete, etc.) Here?s a link to the companies description of everything they do: https://www.kuttaradios.com/KLR100.html

Here?s a shot of E-7 carrying the radio into 10-77 3rd Alarm Box 909 back in April:

 

[HCO]

There are eight Communications Units ? Engines 7, 35, 46, 246, 279, 332, 263, 303. One unit is assigned on 10-60, 10-66 signals, 10-75 below-grade incidents other than buildings, 10-76, 10-77 second alarms, third alarms, and when special called. Equipment includes 400 and 800 MHz handheld radios,  and an ?enhanced? post radio (Motorola CDM 1550, 40 watt).
Two, E-7 and E-263, each carry two Kutta KLR-200 portable repeater systems. One of those units is assigned in Manhattan for 10-75 below grade subway and rail incidents, 10-60, 10-66, 10-76, 10-77 second alarms, third alarms, 7-5 signals in the Brooklyn Battery, Queens Mid-Town, Holland, and Lincoln tunnels. The Kutta system is also carried by the Field Comm.