Preventing Freewheeling of Public Safety Portable Radio Volume-Power Knob (2021-117)

The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program recommends fire departments ensure all firefighter portable radio volume-power knobs cannot be accidentally turned down or off while responding to or on the scene of an incident. To ensure the proper working conditions and use of portable radios, departments should make sure that firefighters:

Recognize that the volume-power knob may be unintentionally turned down or off on some portable radios by movement from the firefighter’s turnout coat and/or tools contacting and turning the power-volume knob.

Consider upgrading to portable radios with function knobs located on top of the radios, knobs of different size with detents at each position with hard stops, and knobs that are resistant to accidental turning.

Preventing Freewheeling of Public Safety Portable Radio Volume-Power Knob [PDF – 3 MB]

Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2021]. Preventing Freewheeling of Public Safety Portable Radio Volume-Power Knob. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2021-117, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2021117