MODOC OPERATIONAL AREA
EMERGENCY RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
implementation of disaster communications
Communications are the weak link most often cited in post-exercise or event critiques. This plan addresses the radio frequencies available for use in Modoc County and assigns frequencies to particular uses. Six Incident Radio Communications Plans forms are attached:
q Incident Command (for incident to Communications Center or within the incident command structure)
q Incident Tactical
q Law Enforcement Tactical
q Medical Command (for medical direction)
q Medical Tactical
q EOC Nets
When an incident occurs, the appropriate forms can be pulled out, any changes unique to the incident made in pen and the Incident Communications Plan will be ready. That can be done by the Communications Unit Leader, if the position is filled, or the Logistics Section Chief or Incident Commander.
LEVEL 1 (Minimal) Emergency Operations Center Activation
Communications needs in the field will dictate radio systems activations. Specific Incident operations will be assigned GOLD TAC by the Communications Center for on scene incident operations. A second incident will be assigned YELLOW TAC. Three alternatives exist for command net depending on the incident’s needs for dispatch support. Local Government (LG) can be used until radio traffic interferes with other county agency dispatching. At this point either the Communications Center coordinator or the incident commander can ask to move command for the incident to GREEN COMMAND. If the needs of the incident overwhelm the primary dispatcher, a second dispatcher will be activated to handle the radio traffic of the specific incident or incidents. BROWN COMMAND is available as simplex command with no repeaters. If these three nets become congested, consider Auxiliary Communication Service or setting up Rose Net to serve the incident(s). (Rose Net is a portable 400 MHz system with a portable repeater that can be set to be accessed from VHF frequencies. Rose Net frequencies cannot be programmed into the VHF radios used for most purposes within the County.)
LEVEL 2 (Partial) Emergency Operations Center Activation
Specific positions within the EOC are filled with Level 2 activation. Because communication becomes critical at the EOC level, activation of Grey Net for the EOC will occur at this level of activation. Local placement of the Grey Net repeater at Tank Hill, Barnes Grade, or other suitable location will facilitate communication for EOC members. If an Incident Command Post (ICP) is established near a single incident, placement of the Grey Net repeater allowing communication back to the IPC may be of value to a limited staffing of the EOC at Level 2. (Grey Net is another portable 400 MHz system like Rose Net.) Rose Net would still be available for other uses in the OA.
LEVEL 3 (Full) Emergency Operations Center Activation
With Level 3 activation of the EOC, management of the limited communications resources is a must. Priorities must be established which allow for the best use of the command, tactical, and Rose and Grey Nets within the county. Activation of the Communications Unit Leader in the ICP(s) and the Communications Officer position in the EOC is a must. Grey Net will be reserved for communications between the EOC staff. The EOC Communications Officer will establish the priority for Rose Net and the Communications Unit Leader(s) assigned in the MOA.
EOC COMMUNICATIONS CHECK LIST
LEVEL 1 EOC ACTIVATION
q Ensure LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LG) is available for new incidents
q Ensure incident command traffic is moved to GREEN COMMAND
q Use BROWN COMMAND for incident command traffic when a repeater system is not needed.
q Ensure GOLD TAC is assigned to first incident occurring in county
q Assign YELLOW TAC if multiple incidents are occurring in one area of the county (Use geography to duplicate use of TACS)
q Consider activating ROSE NET equipment cache if needed as a Command or Tac.
LEVEL 2 EOC ACTIVATION
q Ensure LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LG) is available for new incidents
q Ensure incident(s) command traffic is moved to GREEN COMMAND
q Assign BROWN COMMAND as a command frequency if no repeater is needed to communicate to COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.
q Ensure GOLD TAC is assigned to first incident occurring in county
q Assign YELLOW TAC if multiple incidents are occurring in one area of the county (Use geography to duplicate use of TACS)
q Consider assigning ROSE NET, if needed, as a Command frequency as needed either for incident communications, or as trans-county repeater access.
q Activate GREY NET equipment cache and assign to EOC staff. Consider use of Grey Net repeater to facilitate EOC Intra-staff communications
LEVEL 3 EOC ACTIVATION
q Ensure Local Government Frequency is available for new Incidents
q Move Incident Command radio communications to GREEN COMMAND. Consider use of Rose Net for an Alternate Command Freq.
q Assign GOLD TAC to incident(s)
q Assign Yellow Net on adjoining incidents to avoid interference on GOLD TAC
q Activate GREY NET equipment cache and assign to EOC staff. Consider use of GREY NET repeater to facilitate EOC Intra-staff communications
q Activate ROSE NET equipment cache as needed either as trans-county repeater access or as a command net.
CLEAR-TEXT WORD AND PHARSES
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