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Multi Agency Airwave Interoperability Standing Operating Procedure
MA Airwave Interopability SO Procedures d0.1 (30.01.11) Page 1 of 5
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Multi Agency Airwave Interoperability Standing Operating Procedure
All items in this document are classed as open under the Freedom of Information Act unless otherwise stated. All closed items include the relevant Freedom of Information Act exemption.
Multi Agency Airwave Interoperability - Standard Operating Procedure
Simon Wilkins (Devon & Cornwall Police)
Blue Light Services Subgroup
Review Date:
16th March 2014
Revision History
Distribution
MA Airwave Interopability SO Procedures v1.0 (16.03.11) Page 1 of 36
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Multi Agency Airwave Interoperability Standing Operating Procedure
This talkgroup is permanently enabled and monitored in the Police Control Room and provides approved non-police users with an initial contact when operating within the Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly boundary.
This talkgroup is permanently enabled and generally, but not exclusively, used for silver (tactical) command level communications between police and other Blue Light agencies.
These talkgroups are permanently enabled and can be used for incidents or planned events and would generally be allocated to bronze commanders but could be used in the early stages of an incident as the default interoperability talkgroup/s.
This talkgroup is permanently enabled and is accessible to all responder agencies and can be used for incidents but is perhaps best used for planned local events where multiple agencies are participating. Information of a sensitive nature should not be passed on this talkgroup owing to the wide range of users that could be monitoring it. Contact must be made with Police Control to obtain approval before the talkgroup is used.
All XMAMA talkgroups are available to all Airwave users but only XMAMA01 is permanently enabled the remaining nine require activation by Airwave. This is a national set of talkgroups so it is essential to contact Airwave before use to confirm availability. Information of a sensitive nature should not be passed on this talkgroup owing to the wide range of users that could be monitoring it.
These talkgroups are live on the network but need to be requested from Airwave and are used for planned events and incidents that are coordinated by the Police. The talkgroups may be used to provide additional command level talkgroups or in conjunction with national response or national exercises. Note – PMA 131-150 may be in some terminals but are not currently available.
Whenever possible DVCO ES1 will be the initial default talkgroup for operational incidents and DVCO ES3 the default for exercises and planned events.
Passive monitoring is the (undesirable) practice of monitoring, or listening to, a talkgroup to obtain information about an incident or event by a person who is not actively involved in that incident. Passive monitoring of any talkgroup must be discouraged at all times as it can contribute to overloading of the Airwave system and will increase costs. It therefore follows that passive monitoring of IVC talkgroups could create communications problems at a critical incident.
All emergency services will have access to a number of interoperability DMO talkgroups at some time in the future. Guidance will be issued when these talkgroups are available.
Telephony mode using Airwave terminals should not be used at incidents where IVC is initiated.
Point to point calls using Airwave terminals should not be used at incidents where IVC is initiated.
The selection of talkgroups and/or other Airwave facilities is key to the success of the communication plan implemented. In some cases call queuing, or failure to complete calls, could result if interoperability talkgroup allocation is not carefully considered or if, for example, point to point or telephony calls using the Airwave are not restricted.
4.1.1 The size of the responder agency Airwave team can range from one person to a dedicated group but, irrespective of numbers, the local expertise should be used for pre-planning of events and for dynamic incidents.
4.1.2 Most Police Forces have a number of specially trained advisors known as Force Operational Airwave Tactical Advisors (FOATAs). Devon & Cornwall Police FOATAs should be utilised for advice when pre-planning for events and may be available for arrangements at dynamic incidents.
4.2.1 Airwave provide a 24/7 service desk that can be contacted for advice or to arrange activation of some talkgroups. Only pre-registered persons are authorised to contact the service desk and will be required to authenticate themselves using personal passwords.
4.2.2 Airwave continuously monitor the system and have the capability to allow for early identification of network issues resulting from higher than average use at any given radio site.
4.2.3 On every occasion that IVC is implemented for operational reasons Devon & Cornwall Police will advise the Airwave service desk providing basic details of the incident, including a grid reference, in order that Airwave can assess network availability and capacity. It is anticipated that the duty Force Operations Room Inspector (FORI) or a Force Operations Room Supervisor (FORS) will make this notification.
4.2.4 In the unlikely event of a failure of the Airwave radio service each responder agency will have a Disaster Recovery Plan in place with Airwave.
5.1.1 Incident Commanders are encouraged to consider initiating the use of one or more of the interoperability talkgroups at an early stage of an incident so that the capability is in place before the need becomes critical.
5.1.2 Devon & Cornwall Police Control must be contacted, or the Sharers Hailing talkgroup (DVCOSHG1), before any interoperability talkgroups are used. Police Control will then confirm with all responder agencies involved in the incident that the talkgroup is active and will provide them with:-
The full talkgroup alpha tag e.g. DVCO ES1
The role, and call signs of the responders authorised to use the talkgroup
Confirmation that the talkgroup is being recorded by Devon & Cornwall Police.
Details of any other Control Centres monitoring the talkgroup
5.1.3 Agencies should ensure that when they are travelling to an incident outside of their normal operating area, airwave users should be on an appropriate talkgroup. This will prevent dragging talkgroups which will affect the capacity and capability of the airwave system.
5.1.1 In complex incidents consideration should be given to setting up a Multi Agency Airwave Cell to advise on the best use of the airwave system.
5.2.1 Authority to invoke IVC will be given by an incident commander/supervisor in agreement with one or more of the other responder agencies involved at the incident. Alternatively, a person with a supervisory role in a responder agency, for example a silver commander, anticipating the need for an inter-agency command structure may invoke IVC procedures or a Police FOATA may prompt for such action.
5.2.2 In all cases where IVC is used it does not take away the need for face to face meetings between commanders nor does it replace any service specific communication procedures used at incidents, For example, the use of UHF radios by the Fire & Rescue Service.
5.2.3 Flow Chart 1 provides a schematic view of the invocation process.
6.1.1 Four examples of tactical options employing IVC are given in Table 2 below together with schematic diagrams. The first three examples involve silver and/or bronze commanders whilst the fourth details an 'all informed' network irrespective of their role.
6.1.2 Implementation should always be flexible to allow for a combination of the options described that would best suit the specific circumstances of the incident of planed even.
Table 2 - Tactical Options
6.1.3 The options in Table 2 above assume that the implementation procedure has already taken place and approval gained to commence IVC. Additionally it is assumed that the PMA and XMAMA 02-10 talkgroups are not required as these have to be booked with Airwave.
6.2.1 The following schematic diagrams illustrate each of the four options.
6.2.2 Diagram 1 - two or more silver incident commanders using IVC. In this scenario it would be appropriate to use the Police silver incident command talkgroup (DVCO IC1) to share tactical decisions by, in effect, using the talkgroup as a group conference call facility.
6.2.3 Diagram 2 - All silver incident commanders and some bronze commanders using IVC. The Police silver incident command talkgroup (DVCO IC1) would be the appropriate talkgroup for this option that provides a communication channel to share mission critical or safety information and to share tactical decisions.
6.2.4 Diagram 3 - Silver commanders select bronze commanders to use an interoperability talkgroup to coordinate a task involving multiple responder agencies. An Emergency Services talkgroup (DVCO ES1, ES2 or ES3) would be appropriate for this function.
6.2.5 Diagram 4 - All responders at an incident use a single interoperability talkgroup. This option enables all responders to operate on a single all informed talkgroup. The Inter Agency talkgroup (DVCO IAT) could be used or a Multi Agency talkgroup (XMAMA 01) or even an Emergency Services (DVCO ES1, ES2 or ES3). Police Mutual Aid talkgroups or XMAMA 02-10 could also be used but will need to be booked with Airwave and that could introduce a delay in interoperability communications.
6.2.6 If the option described in Diagram 4 is implemented the Police may need to deploy IBIS radios to assisting agencies that are not users of the Airwave radio service. If this is the case, adequate instructions for use must be issued to ensure the person/s operate the terminals correctly and do not inadvertently operate an incorrect function, for example, the emergency button. IBIS radios will only be deployed at the discretion of the Police Silver Commander.
IBIS radios are not to replace current communication methods with partner agencies. IBIS radios should be used at bronze locations associated with an incident.
If the IBIS are deployed Police will brief and sign the radios to Multi Agency partners.
6.3.1 When commanders are using their own single service incident communications in combination with IVC, consideration must be given to the practicalities of actually monitoring the channels/talkgroups. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to appoint a staff officer to assist with the task of monitoring a talkgroup/s.
6.3.2 When mission critical information is broadcast on an IVC talkgroup it must not be assumed that all the intended recipients have heard it and it may be necessary for the message originator to seek confirmation from key recipients.
6.3.3 The role of the Control Centre/s monitoring the IVC talkgroup/s is to monitor and record communications and to disseminate that information as widely as necessary to maintain current and consistent situational awareness.
6.3.4 When mission critical or safety information is broadcast the message should be prefixed with the word 'Priority' to indicate the importance of the message that follows.
6.3.5 During the course of an incident/event it is essential that a review of the communication plan is carried out regular intervals or when any of the following occur:-
When Incident command is activated
After one hour of the event or incident going “live”
When the incident/event is escalated
When additional agencies arrive on scene
If there is a communication failure
When communications become complex
When the incident/event is de-escalated
6.4.1 The senior incident commander of the responder agency coordinating the incident (normally the Police) will decide, with the agreement of colleagues in the other responder agencies, when to discontinue IVC.
6.4.2 The instruction to discontinue IVC must be made using plain speech to all responder agencies on the talkgroup and must indicate the name of the originator and an instruction to revert to their respective standard communication procedures.
6.4.3 The coordinating Control Room must record this message for audit purposes and must inform all agencies using the IVC talkgroup/s. Incident logs and recordings created by the coordinating Control Room will be available to each responder agency if required. Monitoring of the IVC talkgroup will only cease when all users have reverted to normal procedures.
6.4.4 When the incident or event debrief is held an evaluation of the effectiveness of IVC should be included and views sought from all responder agencies involved. All feedback relating to IVC obtained from a debrief must be copied to the Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum (Training & Exercising Subgroup).
7.1 Management of talkgroups is essential and requires the coordinating Control Room to monitor demand and be prepared to take corrective action. This can best be achieved by involving subject matter experts such as Police FOATAs, responder agency Airwave teams or the Airwave service centre.
7.2 The capacity of the Airwave radio service in rural areas is much less than that provided in urban areas. Care must be taken to avoid congestion on Airwave sites as this could lead to call queuing or call termination.
7.3 Airwave have Emergency Response Vehicles and Mobile Base Stations that can be deployed to provide additional Airwave coverage but this would only be considered for protracted incidents owing to the possible delay involved with the units travelling to the location. Airwave will also make a charge for the use of these additional resources.
7.4 Consideration must also be given to the impact on the Airwave radio service that may be in use for ‘business as usual communications’ for a number of responder agencies as well as for the incident or event. An example of this is the Police deploying a number of specialist teams at an incident where each team requires its own talkgroup.
7.5 The use of a talkgroups is the most efficient method of communication both in terms of cost and more importantly network usage. The least effective are point to point and telephony calls using the Airwave radio service and as such their use at incidents should be prohibited or limited to essential business calls.
7.6 At protracted incidents there may be benefit in forming an 'Airwave Cell' made up of operational and tactical Airwave experts from all participating responder agencies who can liaise with Airwave to determine the best use of the radio service.
7.7 Airwave radio service coverage is only guaranteed for installations fixed into vehicles with a specified aerial configuration and although coverage using handheld terminals is generally good there could be problems if the incident location is in a rural area away from roads or in a tunnel or other enclosed structure.
7.8 Control Room staff monitoring IVC messages are to be encouraged to share the information with all responder agencies. Care must be taken to filter the information to eliminate 'information overload' that could inhibit rather than assist commanders in the decision making process.
7.9 The Airwave radio service is encrypted which means that it can be used to exchange information up to and including the Government Protective Marking Scheme RESTRICTED level.
8.1 Each responder agency will have its own call sign plan for use in its core business but there is no commonality between the call sign plans so its use in IVC would be confusing and meaningless to other agencies.
8.2 Where IVC is used a callsign convention will be adopted that identifies the user’s service and their current role at the incident. For example Police Silver Commander, Fire Sector Commander or Ambulance Bronze Commander. This enables individuals to be relieved at the incident and the replacement person uses the same call sign making the transition seamless to other users on the talkgroup. See Appendix C for sample call sign plan.
8.3 In order to reduce misunderstandings between responder agencies to a minimum, plain language should be used in all transmissions. Jargon words and phrases or coded information must not be used.
8.4 Messages intended for only one role on the IVC talkgroup need to identify that role by a specific IVC call sign. For example 'Fire Incident Commander to Ambulance Bronze Commander' followed by the message text. Messages intended for all roles on the talkgroup should include the words ‘all talkgroup members' for example 'Police Silver Commander to all talkgroup members’.
8.5 Recipients should confirm they have received the messages by stating their call sign and the word 'Received'. For example 'Ambulance Bronze Commander, received'. If the message is not received or is not understood then the phrase 'Repeat' or Say Again' should be used.
8.6 At the end of you message say 'Over' if you require a response or 'Out' to indicate that the talkgroup is now free.
8.7 Devon & Cornwall Police will record the relevant interoperability talkgroups being used. However it is the responsibility of each agency to action any requests made of them via that talkgroup.
8.8 Personnel must be briefed to use concise, clear and accurate language during an incident. Verbiage, waffling or imprecise language could lead to serious consequences and must be challenged.
9.1 All Airwave terminals, fixed installations and handheld, including the IBIS terminals have an Emergency Button that is enabled for use and responder agencies use this facility differently.
9.2 The use of the emergency button when using any IVC talkgroup is restricted to life threatening or critical safety messages when access to the talkgroup is denied (i.e. talkgroup busy, network congested).
9.3 Accidental use of the Emergency Button can cause disruption to the operation of the talkgroup and care must be taken to avoid this. Responders issued with IBIS terminals must be made aware of the Emergency Button and the potential adverse effect if it is accidently activated.
9.4 In the event of an Emergency Button activation the monitoring Control Room will initiate the agreed service procedure and will inform other service Control Rooms as appropriate.
10.1 These radios and the airwave network are important to the resilience arrangements for the UK and when not in use must be held securely in a locked cabinet within a secure environment. Radios should not be left on open display in unattended vehicles. Devon & Cornwall Police will institute an issue and return procedures for IBIS radios. Lost radios must be reported immediately.
National Policing Improvement Agency - Standard Operating Procedure Guide on Multi-Agency Interoperability
Airwave Cell
An informal group of technical and operational experts familiar with Airwave from each responder agency coming together to problem solve and then negotiate with Airwave Solutions Limited (ASL). The objective is to establish the most appropriate operational environment that meets the agreed tactical priorities for the same service and inter agency communications over Airwave amongst all responder agencies operating jointly at an incident or event.
Airwave Team
An individual, or group of persons, from each responder agency who manage Airwave communications and the relationship between their organisation and ASL.
Bronze
The level of command and control within a single agency below gold (strategic) and silver (tactical) at which the management of hands-on work is undertaken at the incident ground and associated areas. Also known as the operational level.
Bronze Commander
The bronze commander is responsible for the command of a group of resources and carrying out functional or geographical responsibilities related to the tactical plan.
Control Centre
The operations centre responsible for the management and coordination of communications for their agency and its response and resource deployment to incidents and events.
Coordinating Control Centre
For the purposes of this SOP the coordinating control centre takes on the administration of the interoperability talkgroup selected. This control centre does not command resources from other responder agencies but does take a lead in collating information, recording talkgroup activity and sharing information with partners.
ES Talkgroup
The ES or Emergency Services talkgroups are held by the Police for multi agency Interoperable Voice Communications. These talkgroups are Police Force specific with each force having three available. (The Metropolitan Police Force holds 5 in total)
Fixed Mobile
A mobile voice communication terminal fitted in a control room but with an external fixed antenna.
FOATA (Force Operational Airwave Tactical Adviser)
Police personnel trained by the National Policing Improvement Agency to perform the role of Airwave tactical advisers.
Gold
The strategic level of command and control above silver (tactical) and bronze (operational) at which policy, strategy and the overall response framework are established and managed for individual responder agencies.
Gold Commander
The Strategic Commander (Gold) is in overall charge of their respective service, and is responsible for formulating the strategy for the incident. Each Strategic Commander has overall command of the resources of their own organisation but will delegate tactical decisions to their respective Silver Commanders.
Handheld Terminal
Portable voice communications equipment carried by an individual and not restricted for use only in a vehicle.
IAT Talkgroup
An inter agency talkgroup held by the Police for multi agency Interoperable Voice Communication. These are owned by Airwave and allocated one per Police Force.
Interoperability
The capability of organisations, or discrete parts of the same organisation, to exchange operational information and use it to inform their decision making
Interoperability Talkgroup
Any one of the Airwave talkgroups available for inter agency communication, and configured in terminals for that use.
Interoperable Voice Communication
Use of an Airwave talkgroup for voice communication between responders from more than one agency.
Local Resilience Forum (LRF)
The Local Resilience Forum provides a collaborative partnership of responder agencies in England and Wales that work together to plan for emergency preparedness and response. Each LRF is aligned to a single Police Force area.
MAMA Talkgroup
Multi Agency Mutual Aid talkgroups are available to all Airwave Sharers on their handheld terminals. There are ten MAMA talkgroups with only one being permanently enabled. The remainder require activation by Airwave.
Mobile Terminal
Vehicle mounted voice communications equipment hard wired for use in the vehicle.
Point to Point
A call made on the Airwave radio service that allows two users to communicate directly with each other instead of using a talkgroup to broadcast to a wider audience.
Silver
The tactical tier of command and control within a single agency (below gold level and above bronze level) at which the response to an emergency or event is managed.
Silver Commander
The Silver Commander commands and coordinates the overall tactical response in compliance with the strategy.
Silver Control (also known as Tactical Control)
This is the location where the functions can be based to direct and control the tactical operations within the span of command of the silver commander. A silver control is normally located away from the scene of a major event, an emergency or major incident. A silver control may be located at a suitable police station. A police silver commander may be located at the silver control, with silver liaison officers deployed there from the Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Service. The silver control is normally where meetings are held for the Silver (Tactical) Coordinating Group.
Stun and Kill
Airwave provides the capability to temporarily disable a missing terminal using the stun facility. Similarly, if recovery of a lost terminal is highly unlikely then Airwave can permanently disable a terminal to protect the integrity of the network.
User
Anyone using a handheld or vehicle mounted Airwave terminal to communicate.
Tactical Coordinating Group
A multi agency group of silver commanders that meets to determine, coordinate, plan and deliver the tactical response to an incident or emergency.
Talkgroup
A talkgroup can be described as a radio channel that permits all users monitoring it to exchange voice communications.
ASL Airwave Solutions Limited
ES Emergency Services (talkgroup)
FOATA Force Operational Airwave Tactical Adviser (Police)
IAT Inter Agency Talkgroup
IBIS Interim Bronze Interoperability Solution
IC Incident Command (talkgroup)
IVC Interoperable Voice Communication
LRF Local Resilience Forum
MAMA Multi Agency Mutual Aid (talkgroup)
PMA Police Mutual Aid (talkgroup)
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
For simplicity, call signs used in IVC are made up of the service name and the role being carried out. The list below contains frequently used roles but one off callsigns for specialist roles can be used as required using this standard callsign format.
If there are two or more persons performing the same role in a service then identify by adding a number to the end of the IVC callsign. E.g. Police Bronze Commander 1, Police Bronze Commander 2 etc.
This Plan is owned by the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LRF, maintained, and updated by the LRF Blue Light Services Subgroup. All users are asked to advise the Secretariat of any changes in circumstances that may materially affect the plan in any way.
Details of changes should be sent to:
Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum Secretariat
Email lrf@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Contents
2. Airwave Interoperability Options
2.1 Interoperability Talkgroups
2.2 Police Sharers Hailing Talkgroup (DVCO SHG1)
2.3 Multi Agency Incident Command Talkgroup (DVCO IC1)
2.4 Emergency Services Talkgroups (DVCO ES1, ES2 and ES3)
2.5 Inter Agency Talkgroup (DVCO IAT1)
2.6 Multi Agency Mutual Aid Talkgroups (XMAMA 01 – 10)
2.7 Police Mutual Aid Talkgroups (PMA 81-90 and 131-150)
2.8 Default Interoperability Talkgroups
2.9 Passive Monitoring of Talkgroups
3. Alternative Airwave Interoperability Options
3.1 Direct Mode Operation (DMO)
4. Technical and Tactical advice
5. Initiating Interoperability Talkgroups at Incidents
5.2 Invoking Interoperable Voice Communication
6.1 Overview of Tactical Options
6.2 Detail of Tactical Options
6.3 Practical Considerations when using IVC
7. Constraints on Interoperability
8. Common Standards for use with Interoperable Voice Communication
9. Use of the Emergency Button
Appendix A – Glossary of Terms
Appendix B - Abbreviations and Acronyms
Appendix E – Airwave Interoperability - Standard Operating Procedure – S.O.P.
This Standard Operating Procedure is endorsed by the Chief Officers/Executives of the South Western Ambulance Service, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service and Devon & Cornwall Police and has been developed by a task and finish group of the Blue Light Services Sub Group of the Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum (LRF).
The document gives guidance on multi agency communications interoperability within the geographical boundaries of Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly using the Airwave radio service. It provides options to implement a flexible and scalable communications network for incidents and planned events that can be used singly or in combination to cater for a single task group, multiple groups or for an all informed network. Incidents or events occurring outside of the LRF area will use the interoperability procedures for that LRF area as prescribed by the lead service (usually the Police).
Arising from this document will be a requirement for each service to develop a specific Interoperable Voice Communications SOP and to deliver appropriate training to enable these procedures to fully exercised and implemented into everyday practice.
Readers are recommended to study the appended Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations before reading this document in detail.
1.1.1 The Airwave Radio Service (Airwave) is used by all Ambulance, Fire & Rescue and Police services in Great Britain and a wide range of responder agencies such as Local Authorities, Military, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the RSPCA. User agencies are referred to generically as ‘responder agencies’ in this document.
1.1.2 Airwave provides a secure radio network enabling interoperability between responder agencies by using predefined communication talkgroups.
1.1.3 Airwave provides the tools to allow effective, timely and informed decisions to be made by incident commanders and managers based on up to date information being shared on a common communication platform accessible to those who need to know.
1.1.4 When using the Airwave service all users must make every effort to maintain the integrity and availability of the service for the wider user community within Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly and beyond.
1.1.5 Devon & Cornwall Police has 45 handheld Airwave terminals intended to be loaned to an organisation assisting at an incident/event that is not a responder agency. The terminals are primarily for use at bronze command level and are referred to as Interim Bronze Interoperability Solution terminals (IBIS). The terminals are stored at the Police Headquarters at Middlemoor.
1.2.1 Each responder agency has its own procedures for using Airwave to meet its individual operational requirements. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides the guidelines for implementing Interoperable Voice Communications (IVC) when a number of responder agencies are working together at a single incident or event in the Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LRF area.
1.2.2 For IVC procedures to be implemented effectively it is essential that training is delivered to ensure proficiency in the practical use of the Airwave terminals, particularly with regard to talk group selection, as well as operation of the SOP procedures.
1.2.3 This SOP sets out the rules that enable IVC to be implemented and are necessary to:
Control the use of Airwave between authorised responders without exceeding the capacity of the network
Discourage use of improvised procedures
Provide security of message information
Maintain the integrity of the command structures within each responder agency involved in the incident
1.2.4 IVC procedures should be invoked to support the exchange of real time information to provide a range of benefits including:
Increasing safety
Minimising risk or harm to the public or responders by providing timely notification of an immediate hazard
Supporting decision making at individual or group level
Providing a common awareness and understanding of the incident or event
Improving communication between all or some responders attending the incident or event
Improving coordination
1.2.5 This SOP recommends that IVC procedures are used at Bronze Command level and above and are appropriate for all incidents or planned events ranging from local emergencies to regional or national response.
The Airwave radio service has the capability to support a range of communication methods. The paragraphs following outline the facilities available and some of the advantages/disadvantages of their use.
2.1.1 Ambulance, Fire & Rescue and Police responders have a range of talkgroups available in the Airwave radio terminals deployed in their respective services. Some of the talkgroups will be specific to the individual service but others will be available to all terminals, including those used by other responder agencies, and can be used to support interoperability.
2.1.2 Notes
The use of a common talkgroup for Incident Command such as IC1 will enable all silver commanders, irrespective of their service, to exchange command information effectively.
Similarly, bronze commanders can have the same facility by using one of the ES talkgroups.
Talkgroups such as IAT1, XMAMA or PMA enable users from multiple agencies to have a single talkgroup for coordination purposes.
Some talkgroups require activation by Airwave. Refer to Table 1.
It is important to refer to the talkgroup name and not the channel number as all the channel numbers will be different in all agency’s radios
Table 1 outlines the potential use of the most widely available interoperability talkgroups.
2.1.3 All organisations using airwave must name their mandated talkgroups in line with the prescribed list produced by the NPIA.
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Table 1 - Multi Agency Interoperability Talkgroups (Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly)
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Search & Rescue Air to Ground Communications
This SOP is to enable a standardised way of dealing with communications between the Emergency Services (Police/Fire/Ambulance/Highways Agency/MRT/RAF SAR).
This SOP is to enable straightforward effective operational communications at incidents between the control rooms, units on the ground and those in the air.
This SOP is based on the national guidance outlined in NPIA document “Search & Rescue Interoperability” V1.0 dated 25/11/2010. Interested parties should also be familiar with this document.
The Airwave talk groups ES1 – ES3 will be the default interoperability solution in any event where there is an immediate need for multiple responder agencies to communicate at the scene of an incident. It has been agreed nationally between all the relevant parties that the ES3 talk group in each Police Force will be the first choice for communication between ground and air resources. It must be understood however, that if the ES3 talk group is already in use for another purpose, an alternative ES (1 or 2) talk group can and should be used instead. It should be noted that the ES1 talk group may also be used by EOD teams when deployed to an incident within the respective Police Force. Before using any ES talk group at an incident; always confirm with the appropriate (owning) Police Control in the first instance to ensure its availability for use.
Examples for use in the context of Search, Rescue, and Recovery include:
On a mountainside search, for communications between Police Control, Search Teams, Ambulance, Air Resources (including RAF SAR/Air Ambulance/Police) and RAF ARCC Kinloss.
At the scene of a motorway collision, for communications between ground resources; Police, Fire, Ambulance, Highways Agency and Air Resources, Air Ambulance, Police helicopter, RAF Helicopter etc.
During major incidents/natural disasters/weather events such as flooding; between All Emergency and Responder Services, the Military and the various Air Resources.
The relevant party; whether this is a responding agency ground resource or airborne resource or their Control Room will request the use of the ES3 talk group with the owning Police Force Control Room. The request will be passed to the Police Control via telephone or by use of the Police Sharers Hailing talk group which is monitored 24/7 by the owning Police Force. Please see exception in relation to urgent air/ground communications at the scene of an incident.
Once all parties have agreed the use of ES3 talk group (or another ES talk group) this talk group will be placed in to “event monitor” on the Police Control Room SICCS system on an appropriate console monitored by a Control Room Operator or Supervisor. If there is a need for the Control Room to be involved in the communications (likely unless it is for co-ordination of a landing site only – see below for details) then the relevant ES talk group will be placed in to “talk group select” mode on the Police Control Room SICCS system and actively monitored by a Control Room Operator or Supervisor. Alternatively the use of a hand held Airwave terminal may be suitable for this purpose in the Control Room.
There is one exception to this procedure for activating the ES3 talk group. This is for urgent operational air to ground or air to air communications between airborne resources and ground units. Where units on the ground or in the air are at or approaching the scene of an incident where they need to urgently speak to each other for co-ordination purposes or to facilitate arrangements for a landing site both parties will call up on the ES3 talk group and establish communications with each other for the short duration this is required. This will be self-instigated by either ground or airborne resource. Standard working practice should be that one of the Police ground units monitors the ES3 talk group when they see an airborne resource approaching the incident. In any other circumstances or for protracted use then the normal arrangements for activating the ES3 talk group outlined above will be used. The use of the Police Sharers Hailing talk group can also be considered to enable the other party to be requested to change to the ES3 talk group (Devon & Cornwall Police - PDVCO SHG1 – monitored 24/7). Police resources (Airborne or ground based) can utilise their normal working talk group to request the other party to go on to the ES3 talk group and would not need to use the Sharers Hailing talk group.
The alpha tag for the Devon & Cornwall Police talk groups are as follows:
ES1: “PDVCO ES1” ES2: “PDVCO ES2” ES3: “PDVCO ES3” Sharers: “PDVCO SHG1”
It is essential that radio users should use “plain speak” (or “Airwave Speak”) protocols to establish initial contact via the Police Sharers Hailing talk group or ES3 talk group:
Example: “Devon Police Control, Devon Police Control, this is Rescue Helicopter One Six Nine, over” or “Air Ambulance, Air Ambulance, this is Police (Callsign or Air ID etc) directly below you, over”
It is good practice to include your force or organisation name every time you identify yourself, especially if there are a number of participants from different organisations.
It is important to note that the talk group “slot” or “channel number” locally referred to will only be applicable to the radios for that particular organisation. E.G. Talk group 685 is PDVCO ES3 for Devon & Cornwall Police issue radios but not for other organisations.
Activation of ES3 Talk Group for Air/Ground Communications
Spontaneous Air/Ground Communications (at scene of incident – short term basis):
One police officer at scene to switch to ES3 talk group
Airborne resource approaching incident switches to ES3 talk group
Both parties establish communications with each other for purposes of arranging landing site or for passing important information in relation to incident
If Airborne resource gets no reply on ES3 then they should advise Police Control Room via Police Sharers Hailing talk group (PDVCO SHG1) unless they have access to Police Operational Dispatcher Talk Group in which case they would use this.
Missing Person Search and/or Casevac (RAF SAR Helicopter assistance):
Relevant party (Ground/Airborne resource or their Control Room) contacts Police Force Control via telephone or via Police Sharers Hailing talk group (PDVCO SHG1). They request use of the ES3 talk group stating reason (brief incident details).
Police Control Room ensures relevant Radio Supervisors monitor ES3 talk group on SICCS or by using Hand Held Sepura Radio.
Police Control Room ensure that all relevant parties that need to use the ES3 talk group are aware that it is to be used for the incident.
On completion of the incident or when ES3 talk group is no longer required the relevant party informs the Police Control Room. The Police Control Room ensure that all relevant parties are informed that the ES3 talk group is being closed down.
Major Incident/Natural Disaster/Severe Weather Event etc:
Relevant party (Ground/Airborne resource or their Control Room) contacts Police Force Control via telephone or via Police Sharers Hailing talk group (PDVCO SHG1). They request use of the ES3 talk group stating reason (brief incident details).
Police Control Room liaises with Bronze/Silver Commander as required to confirm activation of ES3 talk group for the incident.
Police Control Room ensures relevant Radio Supervisors monitor ES3 talk group on SICCS or by using Hand Held Sepura Radio.
Police Control Room or Bronze/Silver Commander ensure that all relevant parties that need to use the ES3 talk group are aware that it is to be used for the incident.
Bronze/Silver Commander ensures a nominated person monitors the ES3 talk group. This may be a nominated Bronze or another suitable person. In the event of activation of a Search & Rescue Co-ordinating Group the SARCELL Co-ordinator will ensure that this takes place.
On completion of the incident or when ES3 talk group is no longer required the relevant party informs the Police Control Room. The Police Control Room ensure that all relevant parties are informed that the ES3 talk group is being closed down.
NOTES:
PDVCO ES3 is the first choice for communications between air and ground resources.
Although ES3 is the primary choice for air/ground SAR communications circumstances may dictate that ES1 or ES2 be used. ES1 may also be used by EOD.
The use of Point-to-Point PTP calls should be avoided where possible and ES3 used instead. However there may be individual circumstances where PTP calls may be suitable. E.G. For Police Air Ops to speak to a paramedic when Police Aircraft being used as an Air Ambulance. For on-scene communications between one responder agency and RAF SAR Helicopter crew whilst shut down on ground at scene when the conversation is not relevant to all other parties on ES3 talk group. PTP calls will be arranged locally between the individuals as it will be necessary to know the ISSI number of each party’s radio.
Where “MRT” resources are deployed within Devon & Cornwall a Police Search Manager will be deployed to liaise with them and provide the communications link between MRT Control Vehicle and Police/other airwave users involved in incident. Airwave terminals will not be issued routinely to our MRT resources but a communications link via their own radio net using “62A” VHF radio will be possible and the Police Search Manager will have access to these radios if required.
Royal Navy and Coastguard Helicopters are not fitted with Airwave but may have access to “62A”.
MA Airwave Interopability SO Procedures v1.0 (16.03.11) Page 1 of 36
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