Chicago Suburban Fire Departments, MABAS and IFERN

The Chicago Suburban Fire Departments operate under the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), a framework used across Illinois and neighboring states for coordinating fire, EMS, and specialized rescue responses. MABAS utilizes the Interagency Fire Emergency Radio Network (IFERN), a dedicated radio frequency (154.265 MHz) to facilitate communication among participating agencies during emergencies. IFERN ensures rapid coordination and deployment of resources for large-scale incidents, making it a critical tool for mutual aid operations. MABAS divisions are organized geographically, and the system is widely regarded as a model for mutual aid interoperability.