The radio system and the licensee
Orange County agencies use the Countywide Coordinated Communication System (CCCS) on the 800 MHz band. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Communications and Technology Division reviews ERRCS designs and assigns each system a BDA ID before plans go to the city.1
Example: Newport Beach Guideline D.05
| Exemptions | One- and two-family dwellings, elevators, one-story buildings under 12,000 sq ft with no below-ground area, or as determined by the fire code official |
|---|---|
| Signal | −95 dBm minimum across 90% of each floor |
| Audio quality | DAQ 3 on each floor |
| Secondary power | 12 hours at full capacity; batteries replaced at least every two years |
| Enclosures | NEMA Type 4 cabinets for equipment and batteries |
| Monitoring | AC power and operational failure alarms reported to the County’s 900 MHz paging system |
| Testing | Third-party, FCC-licensed tester unaffiliated with the installer; annual testing with records filed within 30 days |
Source: Newport Beach Guideline D.05.1 Other OC cities and the Orange County Fire Authority apply their own standards — confirm with your AHJ. The statewide CFC baseline is 95% general / 99% critical coverage.2
How we help in Orange County
We prepare designs for Sheriff’s Communications review and the city submittal, and coordinate the BDA ID. Design-to-install is available through licensed partners.
Frequently asked questions
Who approves an ERRCS in Orange County?
The city fire department (or OCFA) as AHJ, plus the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Communications and Technology Division, which reviews the design and assigns the BDA ID.
What frequency band does Orange County use?
The Countywide Coordinated Communication System operates on the 800 MHz band.
References
- City of Newport Beach Fire Department — Guideline D.05, Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems (rev. 5/13/26). newportbeachca.gov
- 2025 California Fire Code, Section 510. gocodebook.com
General information, not a substitute for your AHJ’s current requirements or a project-specific design. Local standards change; confirm with the fire code official.