The fire department may be notified of a fire emergency by which of the following methods?

The notification of a fire emergency to the fire department is most effectively accomplished through established communication methods that ensure a prompt and reliable response. Using a telephone, radio, or exterior alarm box has been standardized as reliable methods for alerting emergency services.

A telephone allows for direct communication with emergency dispatch, providing details about the situation quickly. Radio systems can be used for immediate transmission of information in a coordinated response, especially in emergency situations. Exterior alarm boxes, typically located in public areas, allow individuals to signal an emergency quickly and efficiently, ensuring help can be dispatched immediately.

Other methods, such as SMS alerts and walkie-talkies, while useful in certain contexts, may not guarantee the same level of immediate attention and response from the fire department as those traditional methods. SMS could suffer from delays in transmission or reception issues, and walkie-talkies depend on the users being within range and having access, which might not always be feasible in an emergency. Hence, the selection of telephone, radio, and exterior alarm box reflects the most effective and reliable approach for notifying the fire department in case of a fire emergency.