In the 1950’s The Fire Division began to use two-way radios for communications.

The first dispatch console was a homemade device fabricated from sheet metal and contained the control relays and audio amplifiers for remote operation of the base stations.

In 1967, a voice communication “page” system was installed with new custom-built radio consoles in the Fire Dispatch Office at Eden Park.  This allowed a new system of voice dispatch with an acknowledgement from the fire companies on an electric light board.   The “page” system was a type of intercom transmitted on landline between the tower and the fire companies.  A newer version of this “page” system is still in operation at today’s dispatch facility.

In May of 1991 Cincinnati Fire Dispatch broke new ground in the region by implementing an extensive Emergency Medical Dispatch System.  This system provides life saving instructions to citizens in the time it takes for an engine company to arrive on the scene.  Thus, fire dispatchers have become true  “first responders” on emergency medical calls.  Over the years many lives have been saved by the implementation of this system.

The Cincinnati Fire Department dispatchers currently maintain an Emergency Medical Technician certification as well as an Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.

The Fire Dispatch team processes over 72,555 Fire and EMS incidents per year.