On May 20, 2016, more than 100 members of the LAFD and City family came out to honor retired A/C Wilfred “Bill” Bisson. Special thanks to Chief Terrazas, the command staff, and the many members who took time out of their day, and day off to attend.
Chief Bisson has been part of the fire service and involved in radio communications since the 1970’s. From the days of our original low-band radio system, to the addition of high band systems and “Digicoms,” to the modern 800 Mhz. radio and mobile data system, he has had a hand in this evolution. His love of radio and technology was a big part of his career and also made our members and citizens safer.
After 9-11, we heard a lot about the need for radio interoperability. But due to Chief Bisson’s work, we were way ahead of other agencies in this area. In the 1990’s, we had interoperability with state and federal resources as well as our local agencies. Next we achieved interoperability with LAPD, then in the early 2000’s we reached our goal of one VHF, UHF and 800 Mhz. mobile radio per apparatus and became a leader in the region developing the first Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP). Since then we have been able to provide portable mutual aid radios to our members as well. Chief Bisson was supportive and at the fore-front of all of these initiatives.
Chief Bisson developed the LAFD Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), the first organization to support the Emergency Management Department, then known as the Emergency Operations Organization in the 1990’s. More than 20 members of the ACS came to the ceremony to honor him. ACS supports CERT as well as the LAFD at times when additional communications services are needed.
Chief Bisson’s vision grew the ACS program from just a handful to well over 100 active volunteers today. They have facilities here downtown at the EOC & DOC, at Fire Station 5, at Fire Station 88 and Old Fire Station 77. Hundreds of hours are volunteered each month due to his vision over 25 years ago.
Chief Bisson’s wife Marcy is also an amateur radio operator holding an “Advanced Class” license with a call sign of KG6FY. Marcy’s claim to fame is that she tested at the Long Beach FCC office on the last day the FCC tested Morse code at 13 words per minute. That exam was much more difficult than the exams given today.
Due to Chief Bisson’s radio communications vision and dedication, the Los Angeles City Council approved Motion # 08-1487. It is a tribute to Chief Bisson’s exemplary career and dedication to improving emergency radio communication, and it indicates that the radio tower at 700 E. Temple Street be named in his honor – the “Fire Assistant Chief Wilfred W. Bisson Radio Tower.”
In retirement, Bill Bisson continues to enjoy his hobby of amateur radio, monitoring fire calls, and keeps in contact with his friends at the LAFD and the ACS program he championed more than 25 years ago.
by Kevin R. Nida, B/C, MFC