Scanning 101
All About Police Scanners via Scanner Master
What are scanners?
A scanner is a radio receiver that checks ("scans") many channels quickly to allow you to listen to two-way radio calls. Two-way radios, used by police, fire and others, use short transmissions that occur on thousands of radio channels.
There are many different types of scanners and it can get kind of confusing to decide the right one for you. Fortunately the experts at Scanner Master can help! Just call us at 1-800-SCANNER or email us and we can help you decide.
Another thing to remember is that once you buy a scanner you can learn more about how to use it as you go. Get the basics down now and learn about the more advanced features later if you wish. Whether the police scanner is for yourself, a relative or friend, the great thing about scanners is that you can use them at a basic level just to listen to your local agencies or one can immerse him or herself in the details of the scanner features and in the hobby and exploration of radio itself. A police scanner can be simply interesting and informative, entertaining or even provide you with a lifetime hobby if you so desire.
There are several factors to consider when picking the right scanner. We have boiled it down to 3 questions to simplify your choice:
Form Factor:
Do you want a desktop, portable or a scanner for your vehicle?
Type:
Do the communications you want to listen to use digital, analog, trunked or conventional radios? If you don't know call or email and we can look it up for you. This helps determine whether you need an advanced or basic scanner. (See the FAQ link below for more details on the types of scanners available.)
Features:
We have scanners that program by location, just enter your ZIP Code and the radio will self-program from an internal database. We also have scanners that program the old fashioned way, with a keyboard. Some even allow both methods, start with the ZIP Code and then learn how to program it yourself later (or not!). Most scanners will allow the use of computers to program them. Whether you are a scanner expert or just want to listen to your local action we can help.
Why do I want or need a scanner?
Most people who buy a scanner do so to hear what is happening around them. They want to hear their local police or fire departments and know what is happening in their neighborhoods. Other scanner users have a professional need, police and firefighters want to hear their own agency when off duty and neighboring agencies when they are on the job. Tow trucks want to know when there are wrecks in which they are needed. Security guards need to listen for activity in their areas, and so on.
What can I listen to?
Most people who buy scanners want to listen to their local police and fire calls. While they are often called "Police Scanners", there is a lot more to listen to if you want. Here is a selection of other users you could listen to on a scanner (depending on your proximity to the agency and the power and type of radio system they are using):
- Police (Local Police, County Sheriff, State Police and Highway Patrol)
- Fire Departments
- EMS/Rescue Squads/Hospital
- Road and Street Departments
- Railroads
- Air Traffic Control
- Military
- Schools and Universities
- Utilities (Water, Gas, Electric etc.)
- Malls and stores
- Stadiums
How do I get started?
That's where Scanner Master comes in. We not only sell scanners and accessories, but we also help you get going.
First we make sure you get the right scanner. We pride ourselves in helping our customers choose and use the right scanners for nearly 40 years. We have scanner experts on staff to assist. None of the huge online retailers can do that.
Second we help you setup your scanner. Scanners need to be properly programmed for the area in which they'll be used and "ZIP Code" scanners need to have the database updated from time to time. We can help you with these or you can do it yourself.
Finally, we are there to help when you need us. Once you buy from us we don't abandon you. We can help answer questions or at least point you to resources that you can use. Need a new antenna or software or just have a question? Call or email us!
The Uniden Bearcat Trunktracker V BCD996P2
Allegany County Fire
Allegany County Fire Personnel:
AL-51: County Fire Coordinator
AL-52: Deputy County Fire Coordinator
DC-1: District 1 Fire Coordinator
DC-2: District 2 Fire Coordinator
DC-3: District 3 Fire Coordinator
DC-4: District 4 Fire Coordinator
DC-5: District 5 Fire Coordinator
DC-6: District 6 Fire Coordinator
HM-1: HazMat Coordinator
HM-2: HazMat Coordinator
HM-3: HazMat Coordinator
FI-2: Senior Fire Investigator
FI-3: Fire Investigator
FI-4: Fire Investigator
FI-5: Fire Investigator
FI-6: Fire Investigator
FI-7: Senior Fire Investigator
FI-8: Fire Investigator
FI-9: Senior Fire Investigator
FI-10: Fire Investigator
FI-11: Senior Fire Investigator
FI-12: Fire Investigator
Allegany County Fire Districts:
District 1: Angelica, Belfast, Centerville, Fillmore, Houghton, Oramel, Rushford, Short Tract, & Wiscoy-Rossburg
District 2: Cuba, Clarksville, Friendship, & New Hudson
District 3: Belmont, Scio/Petrolia, Wellsville, Whitesville, & Willing
District 4: Alfred, Alfred Station, Almond, & Andover
District 5: Birdsall & Canaseraga
District 6: Allentown, Alma, Bolivar, & Richburg
Allegany County Radio Identifiers:
1-Engine
2-Engine
3-Engine
4-Mini Pumper (Except for Wellsville, 4 is an Engine)
5-Chief Officers (5-0/5-01/5-02/5-03)
6-Miscellaneous (Rescue/Brush Trucks/ATVs, etc.)
7-Tankers (7/7-01/7-02)
8-Ambulance (8/8-01/8-02)
9-Aerial
10-ALS Personal
Allegany County Fire Cause & Origin Codes:
Code 1: Accidental
Code 2: Natural
Code 3: Incendiary
Code 4: Undetermined
Code +9: Fatality
Code +99: Fire Fighter Fatality
Cattaraugus County Fire
Cattaraugus County Unit Designations:
C-100: Fire Coordinator
C-200: Deputy Fire Coordinator
Deputy#: District Coordinators
FI#: Fire Investigators (CATTFIT)
395: Fire Dispatch
Cattaraugus County Apparatus Designations:
1: Pumper 6: Aerial
2: Pumper 7: Utility
3: Pumper 8: Ambulance
4: Mini Pumper 9: Unassigned
5: Tanker 10: ALS Intercept
Cattaraugus County Fire Districts:
DISTRICT 1:
Conewango
Dayton
Gowanda
Gowanda Ambulance
Leon
Perrysburg
South Dayton
Versailles
DISTRICT 2:
Delevan
Farmersville
Franklinville
Ischua
Killbuck
Lydon
Maschias
Yorkshire
DISTRICT 3:
Allegany Indian Reservation
Cattaraugus
Cattaraugus Ambulance
Coldspring
East Randolph
Kill Buck
Little Valley
Randolph
Randolph Regional EMS
City of Salamanca
DISTRICT 4:
Allegany Engine Company
Allegany Rescue & EMS
Hinsdale
Knapp Creek
Limestone
City of Olean
Town of Olean
Tran Am Ambulance (Olean)
Portville
Weston Mills
DISTRICT 5:
East Otto
Ellicottville
Ellicottville-Great Valley Ambulance
Great Valley
Humphrey
Mansfield
Otto
West Valley
Chautauqua County Fire
Chautauqua County Fire Personnel:
Car-7: Fire Coordinator
Car-71: 1stBattalion Coordinator
Car-72: 2ndBattalion Coordinator
Car 73: 3rdBattalion Coordinator
Car 74: 4thBattalion Coordinator
Car-75: Deputy Coordinator/Battalions 1 & 2
Car-76: Deputy Coordinator/Battalions 3 & 4
Car 77: Deputy Coordinator/Battalion 4
Car-78: Deputy Coordinator/EMS
Car-79: Deputy Coordinator/Training
Car-80: Deputy Coordinator/CCWET (Water Emergency Team)
Car-81: Deputy Coordinator/HazMat
Car-82: Deputy Coordinator/Technical Rescue Team
F-70: Fire Investigator
F-71: Fire Investigator
F-72: Fire Investigator
F-73: Fire Investigator
F-74: Fire Investigator
F-75: Fire Investigator
F-76: Fire Investigator
F-77: Fire Investigator
F-78: Fire Investigator
F-79: Fire Investigator
F-80: Fire Investigator
R-7: Heavy Rescue
R-71: Heavy Rescue
M-75: Forest Ranger
A-77: Airport CFR
M-80: Starflight Helicopter
HazMat 7: HazMat Team
HazMat 71: HazMat Team
HazMat 72: HazMat Team
HazMat 73: HazMat Team
HazMat 74: HazMat Team
Chautauqua 1: Emergency Management Director (Car-700)
Chautauqua 4: Van (Car-704)
Chautauqua 5: Van (Car-705)
Chautauqua 8: Health Department
Chautauqua 9: Health Department
Chautauqua10: County Executive
Chautauqua16: Emergency Management Director
Chautauqua County Fire Battalions:
First Battalion:
00-Dunkirk FD
01-Fredonia FD (Chautauqua County Rescue 71)
10-Cassadaga
11-East Dunkirk (HazMat Trailer)
12-West Dunkirk (Light Trailer & Special Ops Trailer)
13-Forestville
14-Irving
15-Lillydale
16-Sheridan
17-Silver Creek/Emergency Squad (Special Ops Trailer & Disaster Response Unit)
18-Stockton
19-Sunset Bay
51-HanoverCenter
60-South Dayton (Cattaraugus County)
Second Battalion:
20-Brocton
21-Chautauqua
22-Dewittville
23-Findley Lake
24-Hartfield
25-Mayville
26-Portland
27-Ripley
28-Sherman
29-Westfield
Third Battalion:
30-Ashville
31-Busti
32-Celeron
33-Clymer
34-Frewsburg (Cattaraugus County)
35-Jamestown
36-Kiatone (Rehab Unit)
37-Lakewood
38-Panama
39-Sugar Grove
Fourth Battalion:
40-Falconer
41-Cherry Creek
42-Ellery Center
43-Ellington
44-Bemus Point
45-Fluvanna (Chautauqua County Rescue 7)
46-Gerry
47-Kennedy
48-Maple Springs
49-Sinclairville
Unit Designations are the fire department number followed by the Apparatus number 1. (Example: Cassadaga FD Chief is Car 101, Cassadaga Engine’s 101 & 102, etc.)
Erie County Fire
Erie County Emergency Service Personnel:
EC-1: Erie County Executive
ES-1: Commissioner of Emergency Services
FC-1: Deputy Commissioner of Fire Safety
FC-3: Deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety
MC-8: Deputy Commissioner of EMS
MC-10: Deputy Coordinator of ALS
MC-11: EMS Coordinator for ALS Systems
EM-1: Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management
EM-2: Emergency Services Coordinator
ES-11: Emergency Services Chaplain
ES-12: Emergency Services Chaplain
ES-13: Emergency Services Chaplain
ES-14: Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Medical Services
F-71: Radio Technician
F-76: Radio Technician
City/Town Emergency Managers:
CD-122: Lancaster Emergency Manager
CD-132: Cheektowaga Emergency Manager
CD-132A: Cheektowaga ES Coordinator
CD-134: West Seneca Emergency Manager
CD-136: Lancaster Village OEM Coordinator
CD-137 Depew Deputy Emergency Manager
CD-137A: Depew Deputy Emergency Manager
CD-137B: Depew Deputy Emergency Manager
CD-138: Amherst Emergency Manager
CD-138A: Assistant Amherst Emergency Manager
CD-143: Boston Emergency Manager
CD- Town of Tonawanda Emergency Manager
CD- Clarence Emergency Manager
CD Clarence Area Director of Civil Defense
CD Hamburg Emergency Manager
CD Hamburg Deputy Emergency Manager
CD Depew Deputy Emergency Manager
CD Orchard Park Emergency Manager
CD Elma Emergency Manager
CD Elma Assistant Emergency Manager
CD Evans Disaster Coordinator
CD Evans Deputy Disaster Coordinator
CD Newstead Emergency Services Coordinator
CD Newstead Deputy ES Coordinator
CD Newstead Deputy ES Coordinator
CD Alden OEM Coordinator
SMART (Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team):
SMART-1: Emergency Response Vehicle
SMART-2: Emergency Response Vehicle
SMART-3: Emergency Response Vehicle
MD-301: SMART Team Physician
MD-305: SMART Team Physician
MD-306: SMART Team Physician
Emergency Vehicle Designations:
1: Engine
2: Engine
3: Engine
4: Engine
5: Heavy Rescue/Utility Vehicles
6: Aerial Trucks
7: Heavy Rescue
7-1: Light Rescue
7-2: Light Rescue
7-3: EMS Captain
9: Chief
9-1: Assistant Chief
9-2: Assistant Chief
9-3: Assistant Chief
9-4: Assistant Chief
10: District Chief
County Resources:
Air 1: Erie County Sheriff’s Helicopter
Marine 1: Erie County Sheriff’s Marine Unit
MOC-1: ESU Mobile Command Post
MOC-2: CPS Mobile Command Post
MOC-3: ESU Mobile Command Post
HazMat1: EC/HMRT Primary Response Vehicle
Genesee County Fire
Genesee County Fire Personnel:
GM-1: Fire Coordinator
GM-2: Deputy Fire Coordinator
GM-3: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Central Battalion
GM-4: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Eastern Battalion
GM-5: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Western Battalion
ESU-1: Emergency Support Unit
ESU-2: Emergency Command & Communications Vehicle
Genesee County Fire Battalions:
Central Battalion:
10-Alexander:
20-City of Batavia:
25-Town of Batavia:
35-Bethany:
55-Elba:
75-Oakfield:
Eastern Battalion:
30-Bergen
40-Byron
70-Leroy
80-Pavilion
90-South Byron
95-Stafford
Western Battalion:
45-Corfu
50-Darien
51-Alabama
56-East Pembroke
85-Indian Falls
Chief Designations are the fire department number followed by the number 1. Assistant Chiefs are the fire department number followed by a 2 or 3 (Example: Alexander FD Chief is Car 101, Assistant Chief Car 102, Assistant Chief Car 103
Livingston County Fire
Livingston County Fire Units:
C-1: Fire Coordinator (Fire Investigator)
C-2: Deputy Fire Coordinator
C-3: Deputy Fire Coordinator
C-4: Deputy Fire Coordinator (Fire Investigator)
C-5: Deputy Fire Coordinator
C-6: Deputy Fire Coordinator
C-7: Deputy Fire Coordinator
C-8: Deputy Fire Coordinator (Fire Investigator)
C-9: Deputy Fire Coordinator
EMS-1: EMS Coordinator
EMS-2: Medical Director
HazMat 1: Primary HazMat Response Vehicle (Heavy Rescue)
HazMat 2: Secondary HazMat Vehicle
HazMat 5: HazMat Support Vehicle (Pick Up with Trailer)
98 (0-9): Coroner
Apparatus Designations:
3 Digit System: 4 Digit Systems:
1stDigit-Battalion 1stDigit-Battalion
2nd Digit-Department 2ndDigit-Department
3rdDigit-Apparatus Type 3rdDigit-Apparatus Type
4thDigit-Specific Resource
3 Digit System: 4 Digit System:
0: Boat 0: Fire Officer
1: Squad 6: EMS Officer
2: Grass Truck 7: EMS First Responder
3: Mini-Pumper 8: Ambulance
4: Engine 9: Support Vehicle
5: Engine/Mini Pumper
6: Engine
7: Tanker
8: Aerial
9: Rescue
Advanced Life Support Designations:
Medic 70: Avon
Medic 71:
Medic 72: Livingston County
Medic 73:
Medic 74: Livonia
Medic 75: Livonia
Medic 76:
Medic 77: Caledonia (Genesee Valley EMS)
Medic 78: Livingston County
Medic 79: Livingston County
*Additional techs may use 01/02/03/etc. (Example: Medic 7401/7401/7403)
Livingston County Fire Battalions:
First Battalion:
11: Caledonia
12: Caledonia EMS (Genesee Valley EMS)
13: Leicester
15: York EMS
16: Cuylerville FD/Cuylerville EMS
17: York
Second Battalion:
21: Lakeville
22: Avon
23: Lima
24: Avon EMS
25: Livonia
26: Hemlock
27: East Avon
28: Lima EMS
29: Livonia EMS
Third Battalion:
31: Geneseo FD/Geneseo EMS
32: Groveland
33: SUNY Geneseo First Responders
34: Conesus
Fourth Battalion:
41: Mount Morris
42: Nunda FD/Nunda EMS
43: Mount Morris EMS
Fifth Battalion:
51: Dansville FD/Dansville EMS
54: Springwater FD/Springwater EMS
55: Sparta
58: West Sparta
Sixth Battalion:
62: Livingston County EMS/Emergency Management
Car 1: Fire Coordinator
Monroe County Fire
Monroe County Unit Designations:
3 Digit System: 4 Digit Systems:
1stDigit-Battalion 1stDigit-Battalion
2nd Digit-Department 2ndDigit-Department
3rdDigit-Apparatus Type 3rdDigit-Apparatus Type
4thDigit-Specific Resource
3 Digit System:
C: Chief
0: Truck
2: Engine
3: Engine
4: Engine
5: Engine
6: Misc.
7: Squad
8: Rescue
9: Ambulance
Monroe County Special Ops Units:
Boat 8026: Zodiak
HazMat 8: Monroe County HazMat Team
Special Ops 10: Collapse Unit/USAR
Monroe County Fire Battalions:
First Battalion:
10: Webster
11: Point Pleasant
12: West Webster
13: Union Hill
15: St. Paul Boulevard
16: Laurelton
18: Ridge Culver
19: Sea Breeze
Second Battalion:
20: Lake Shore
21: Morton
22: Barnard
23: Holley FD/Ambulance
24: Hamlin FD/Ambulance
25: Greece Ridge
26: Hilton Parma
27: North Greece
28: Walker
29: Spencerport
Third Battalion:
30: Brighton
31: Bushnell’s Basin
32: East Rochester
33: Egypt/Victor Farmington Ambulance (Ontario County)
34: Fairport/Perinton Volunteer Ambulance Corp
35: Fischers (Ontario County)
36: Mendon
37: Penfield/Penfield Volunteer Ambulance
38: Pittsford/Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance
Fourth Battalion:
42: Churchville/Bergen FD/Ambulance
43: Chili/Chili Volunteer Ambulance
44: Clifton
45: Gates Fire District/Gates Volunteer Ambulance
46: Scottsville FD/Rescue Squad
47: Mumford/Caledonia FD & Ambulance
Fifth Battalion:
56: Honeoye Falls/Mendon Ambulance/Lima FD & Ambulance
06: Henrietta
61: Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance
63: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Ambulance
Seventh Battalion:
70: Kodak FD
71: Xerox FD
Niagara County Fire
Niagara County Designations
32: Fire Coordinator
32-A: Assistant Director
32-1: Area 1 Deputy Coordinator
32-2: Area 2 Deputy Coordinator
32-3: Area 3 Deputy Coordinator
32-4: Area 4 Deputy Coordinator
32-5: Communications
32-6: Fire Investigator
32-8: HazMat Coordinator
32M1: Fire Investigation
Apparatus Type:
C: Chief
E: Engine
A: Aerial
T: Tanker
R: Ambulance
M: Miscellaneous
Departments:
01: Adams
02: Barker
03: Bergholtz
04: Cambria (2)
05: Frontier (2)
06: Gasport
07: Lewiston #1 (2)
08: Lewiston #2
09: City of Lockport
Car 9C1: On Duty Chief
Car 9C2: On Duty Chief
C#: On Duty Captain
L#: On Duty Lieutenant
Engine 7
Engine 8
Truck 9
10: Middleport
11: Newfane (Miller Hose)
12: Niagara Active
13: NOT USED
14: City of Niagara Falls
Engine 3
Engine 4/Truck 1
Engine 7/Truck 2
Engine 8
Engine 9
15: North Tonawanda
Truck Company No. 1 (Engine 7)
Columbia Hook & Ladder No. 1
Active Hose Company No. 2 (Water Rescue/Dive Boat)
Hook & Ladder No. 2 (Rescue 1)
Live Hose Company No. 4 (Engine 4)
Rescue Fire Company No. 5
Gratwick Hose Company No. 6 (Engine 6)
Sweeney Hose Company No. 7 (Truck 1/Car 10/Car 14)
16: Olcott
17: Pekin
18: Ransomville
19: Rapids (2)
20: St. Johnsburg
21: Sanborn
22: Shawnee (2)
23: South Lockport (2)
24: South Wilson
25: Terry’s Corners
26: Upper Mountain
27: Wendelville (3)
28: Wilson
29: Wolcottsville
30: Wright’s Corners (3)
31: Youngstown
32: Fire Coordinator/Staff
33 Hartland
37: Niagara Falls Air Base FD
Car 37C1
Car 37C2
Car 37C3
Rescue 37R5
Engine 37E7
Miscellaneous 37M7A
Foam Truck 37FT10
Orleans County Fire
Orleans County Unit Designations:
Orleans 1: Emergency Manager/Fire Coordinator
Orleans 2: Deputy Fire Coordinator/East Battalion
Orleans 3: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Central
Orleans 4: Deputy Fire Coordinator/West
Orleans 5: Fire Investigator/West Battalion
Orleans 6: Fire Investigator/Central Battalion
Orleans 7: Fire Investigator/East Battalion
Orleans 8: Secretary to the Emergency Manager
Orleans County Radio Codes:
10-4: Acknowledge
10-7: Out of Service
10-8: In Service/Responding
10-9: Repeat
10-50: Under Control
10-55: Working Fire
10-97: On Location
Wyoming County Apparatus Designations:
Car 1: Chief
1#: Engine
2#: Engine
3#: Engine (Over 1000 gpm)
4#: Aerial
5#: Tankers
6#: Ambulance/Rescue
7#: Portable Radio
8#: Utility
Wyoming County Fire Departments/Battalions:
East Battalion:
-Clarendon
-Fancher Hulberton Murray (FHM)
-Holley
-Holley Ambulance
-Kendall
-Morton (Monroe County)
Central Battalion:
-Albion
-Barre (2 Stations)
-Carlton (2 Stations)
West Battalion:
-East Shelby
-Lydonville
-Medina FD (Combination Department)
Car M1/Car M2/Car M3/E-10/E-11/Q-40/A-60/A-61/A-62/A-63/Command 85
-Ridgeway (2 Stations)
-Shelby (2 Stations)
Orleans County Ambulance Services:
Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA)
-Ambulance 60
-Ambulance 61
Wyoming County Fire Scanning Guide
Wyoming County Unit Designations:
WY-50#: County Fire Chiefs
WY-51: Fire Coordinator
WY-52: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Operations
WY-53: Deputy Fire Coordinator/Training
WY-54: Deputy Fire Coordinator/HazMat
Wyoming County Radio Codes:
10-4: Acknowledge
10-7: On Location
10-8: Enroute
10-9: Repeat
10-10: Location
Wyoming County Fire/EMS Units:
Arcade:
Engine 3/Tanker 5/Tanker 6/Rescue 7/Engine 10
Attica:
Station 1-Rescue Engine 1/Tanker 2/RIT 6/Tanker 7/Ambulance 8
Station 2-Tanker 5
Bennington:
Engine 1/Engine 2/Tanker 3/Rescue 7/Ambulance 8/ATV 9
Castile:
Tanker 1/Engine 2/Engine 3/Rescue 5
Cowlesville:
Tanker 1/Engine 2/Engine 3/Rescue 7/Ambulance 8
Eagle Hose Company:
Rescue 6
Gainsville:
Tanker 2/Engine 5/Rescue 7
Harris Corners:
Engine 6
North Java:
Station 1-Mini 3/Tanker 4/Engine 5/Ambulance 8
Station 2-Engine 6
Perry:
Rescue Engine 1/Tanker 2/Aerial 3/Tanker 5
Perry Emergency Ambulance:
Perry Center:
Engine 1/Tanker 2/Mini 3/Utility 4
Pike:
Engine 2/Rescue 6
Sheldon:
Engine 1/Engine 2/Tanker 5
Silver Springs:
Engine 1/Tanker 3/Rescue 5
Strykersville:
Main Station-Engine 1/Engine 3/Tanker 5/Rescue 7/Ambulance 8
Sub Station-Engine 4
Varysburg:
Engine 1/Engine 2/Tanker 3/ATV 4/Ambulance 8
Warsaw:
Tanker 1/Tanker 2/Ladder 4/Ambulance 5/Ambulance 6/Transport Bus 8
Rescue 10
