What is the recommended distance from a firefighter's mouth to the mic/radio when transmitting?

When transmitting with a radio, the recommended distance from a firefighter's mouth to the microphone is 1-2 inches. This distance allows for clear audio transmission while minimizing background noise and distortion that can occur if the microphone is too far away. Being too close may cause distortion from plosive sounds (such as hard "P" and "B" sounds), while being too far can result in the transmission picking up unwanted ambient noise or sounding muffled. Using the 1-2 inch distance strikes a balance that ensures voice clarity and effective communication, which is essential for safety and coordination in emergency situations.