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2005
MINICS MOBILIZATION PLAN
Contents
CHAPTER SUBJECT PAGE NUMBER
10 Policy and Objectives 2
20 Administrative Procedures 6
30 Organization 46
40 Cooperation 49
50 Directories 54
60 Personnel, Suppression 70
70 Supplies 87
80 Aircraft Information 101
90 Equipment 110
A Appendix 112
G Glossary 122
1
CHAPTER 10 � POLICY AND OBJECTIVES
Contents
SECTION SUBJECT PAGE NUMBER
11 Policy 3
12 Objectives 3
13 Dispatching 3
13.1 Dispatching Duties & Responsibilities 3
13.2 Dispatching Guidelines & Procedures 3
14 Agency Designators 4
15 Other Policies 5
2
Chapter 10 � POLICY AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 11 POLICY
The Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Mobilization Plan will
be maintained as a handbook of procedures, practices and information
designed to facilitate, coordinate and support the actions on
incidents in Minnesota. Agency dispatchers will deal with the
Minnesota Interagency Fire Center (MIFC), co-located with the
Northeast Interagency Fire Cache in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
SECTION 12 OBJECTIVES
Dispatching levels will function within the guidelines of this plan to
provide prompt adequate action on all incidents. These objectives will
include those of any of the agencies participating in the Minnesota
Incident Command System and in accordance with existing policy,
direction and cooperative agreements among the participating agencies.
SECTION 13 DISPATCHING
13.1 AGENCY DISPATCHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
1. Provide a clearinghouse for information concerning the overall
wildfire situation including, but not limited to, wildfire potential,
numbers of wildfires and their status, and the status of suppression
resources of the agency.
2. Keep a current list of the amounts and location of hand crews,
overhead, equipment, supplies, and aircraft in the state.
3. Coordinate the ordering and movement of agency resources within the state.
4. Order resources not available within the agency from other
agencies, local cooperators, or the Eastern Area Coordination Center
within established policy and procedure.
5. Assist cooperating agencies when requested, in accordance with the
provisions of existing Cooperative Agreements.
6. Coordinate with the Incident Commander or Logistics Section Chief
(if one is assigned) and keep him or her informed of the status of
resources ordered for the incident.
13.2 DISPATCHING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES:
1. All orders will be documented on Resource Order Forms or through
ROSS (Resource
Ordering & Status System (See instructions in Chapter 20, beginning on page 30).
2. Resource order numbers will be assigned at the agency level and
will follow an order through all dispatching levels. (Except for
Interagency shared Resources)
3. Dispatchers will promptly report all wildfires on other lands to
the responsible agency or dispatcher. The report will include
information on locations, fire behavior, values threatened and
estimated action required.
3
SECTION 14 AGENCY DESIGNATORS
Minnesota Division of Forestry MNS
United States Forest Service USFS
Chippewa National Forest CPF
Superior National Forest SUF
Region 9 USFS R09
NE Area State and Private (New Town Square, PA) NAS
Bureau of Indian Affairs BIA
Great Lakes Agency GLA
Midwest Regional Office MRA
Menominee Field Office MEA
Michigan Agency MIA
Minnesota Agency MNA
Red Lake Agency RLA
Sac & Fox Agency SFA
National Park Service NPS
Grand Portage Monument GPP
Isle Royale National Park IRP
Pipestone National Monument PSP
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway SCP
Voyageurs National Park VOP
US Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS
Region 3, West Zone
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge AGR
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge BGR
Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge CMR
Detroit Lakes Wildlife Management District DLR
Fergus Falls Wildlife Management District FFR
Hamden Slough Natl. Wildlife Management District HSR
Litchfield Wildlife Management District LFR
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge MVR
Morris Wildlife Management District BNR
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge RLR
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge RYR
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge SBR
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge TMR
Windom Wildlife Management District WWR
Great Lakes Big Rivers, Region 3 R3R
Homeland Security and Emergency Management HSEM
Northeast Interagency Fire Cache NEK
State of Michigan MIS
State of Wisconsin WIS
4
SECTION 15 OTHER POLICIES
1. Seven-day limit: As a general rule, details within MNICS will not
exceed seven days except for dispatchers and helitack.
2. 2200 Hour Rule: As of March 1992, all MNICS Agencies have agreed to
a common 2200 Hour Rule. MNICS resources will not be released from the
Duluth Staging/Mobilization Center or a MNICS fire camp if that
resource would be unable to arrive at her/his final destination by
2200 hours.
In all cases, MNICS resources are required to turn in equipment;
complete appropriate time records and interagency incident waybill
forms, prior to release.
MNICS agencies should try to discourage employees from making their
own travel arrangements when returning to the Staging/Mobilization
Center. If this cannot be avoided please notify MIFC dispatch so that
other travel arrangements will not be made.
In the case of crews, every effort should be made to retain the
integrity of crews and not release individual members of crews at
different times.
MNICS does not have the authority to apply the above policy to state
resources from outside of Minnesota; however, MIFC dispatch will make
every effort to communicate with other states to ensure that they
follow these policies.
5
CHAPTER 20 � ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Contents
SECTION SUBJECT PAGE NUMBER
21 MNICS Communications Plan 7
22 Reports 29
22.1 Interagency Situation Report 29
22.2 Wildfire Situation Update 29
22.3 Aircraft Status Report 29
22.4 Potential Assessment Report 30
22.5 Incident Status Summary 30
23 Administrative Procedures 31
23.1 Requests for Resources 31
23.2 Resource Order Completion Procedures 31
23.3 Pre-suppression Orders 36
23.4 Release & Return of Resources 36
23.5 Contact Priorities for Ordering Resources 36
23.6 Finance Information 36
24 Supplies 40
25 Fire Weather 41
25.1 National Weather Service 41
25.2 WIMS Stations 42
Exhibit 1 ~ MN Daily SIT Report 43
Exhibit 2 ~ Potential Assessment 44
Exhibit 3 ~ Rx Fire Report 45
6
SECTION 21 MNICS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
I. Purpose
II. Frequency Management
III. Capabilities
IV. Ground Operations
V. Air Operations
VI. Dispatching
VII. Recommendations
Wideband / Narrowband / Digital Transition
We are entering the transition period when All Federal Government
agencies will be going from analog wideband to analog narrowband or
digital narrowband frequencies. The cutoff date for all agencies to be
narrowband is January 1, 2005.
The Chippewa National Forest has been narrowband since November 2003
and the Superior National Forest was set up narrowband in October
2004. All forest radios are narrowband/wideband capable on a per
channel basis. All radios purchased by Department of the Interior
agencies are narrow/wideband analog or digital capable on a per
channel basis. The State of Minnesota / DNR has purchased radios that
are only narrow/wideband analog capable on a per channel basis.
This means that we will be able to communicate with each other if our
radios are programmed correctly, and the people are trained in their
proper use.
The only drawback is with agencies that have radios that were
purchased prior to 1995. These radios are not narrowband capable. We
will only be able to talk to them on their frequencies, which would be
in the wideband mode.
Any questions call MIFC radio shop.
Charlie Johnson 218-327-4172
or
Pat Coughlin 218-327-4567
Quick Reference
A. Partner Agency Frequency Listing (pages 13 through 27)
B. Member Agency System Descriptions (page 25 through 27)
C. Utilization of the �MNICS� frequency (page 28)
7
I. Purpose
This Communications Plan is designed to give the participating members
of MNICS the information necessary for communications on incidents
within the State of Minnesota. It is the intent of this plan to
identify what equipment is available, what frequencies are involved,
and recommendations on how to communicate between various agencies.
II. Frequency Management
The control of partner agency frequencies remains with the individual
agency that holds the license for that frequency. The license holder
will determine the use of the frequency and all users must adhere to
the limitations of the license as per the �Memorandum of
Understanding.� The MOU or Co-op Agreement must be in place to share
frequencies. Check with a local frequency manager before reprogramming
radios.
In the case of �Extended Attack� or �Project� incidents, the �Incident
Action Plan� will be used to coordinate all radio frequencies used on
that incident.
III. Capabilities
System Capabilities vary with each agency, but as a whole there is
only limited equipment capable of operating on multi-agency
frequencies in operation now. The equipment now available that is
capable of functioning in a multi-agency environment is as follows:
MINNESOTA DNR
All mobile and handheld radios are 128, 210, or 240 channel
wide/narrowband analog only synthesized radios. MNICS frequencies and
other interagency frequencies have been programmed to facilitate
interagency communication.
The Department of Public Safety � State Patrol Van has the capability
of being programmed to operate on all of the MNICS Agencies�
frequencies.
SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST
All Superior National Forest vehicles have synthesized radios with 114
channels. The frequencies of all cooperators have been installed. All
radios are wide/narrowband analog capable.
All mobile & hand held radios are authorized to have MN DNR
frequencies installed. The forest has one Communication Van.
CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST
All Chippewa National Forest vehicles have synthesized radios with 114
channels. The MNICS Cooperators� frequencies have been installed. All
hand held radios are now programmable. All radios are narrow/wideband
analog capable.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Mobile radios have MNICS Cooperators� frequencies installed. All hand
held radios are programmable. All radios are narrow/wideband analog
capable.
8
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The Fish and Wildlife Service has completed its transition to high
band radios. All Fish and Wildlife stations have radios (portable and
mobile) that are interagency compatible. (See pages 14-18 forradio
frequencies)
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
Agency radios are capable of operating on their own frequencies, as
well as MNICS, DNR and other frequencies. At Red Lake, all initial
attack units and king radios have MNICS and DNR �blue & red�
frequencies. The base station at Red Lake has the two statewide BIA
frequencies (171.725 & 172.425) and a local Agency frequency
(166.275). To access all frequencies, tones may need to be used (see
page 25)
R9 FOREST SERVICE RADIO CACHE
All small radio cache consisting of kits with 16 handheld radios in
each kit is located in the Northeast Interagency Fire Cache in Grand
Rapids, MN. They are available by contacting MIFC Dispatch. During
fire season, one or two NIFC ICS starter systems may be stored in the
fire cache.
MINNESOTA DNR RADIO CACHE
The DNR has a radio cache consisting of 278 king programmable handheld
radios and 85 king mobile radios with 14-channel scanning capability,
2 airborne repeaters, 2 land mobile repeaters with national fire
frequencies, a communications trailer and 2 portable crank-up towers.
These radio kits are available by contacting MIFC Dispatch. If
communications are not set up or operational on an incident, resources
should not be deployed.
IV. Ground Operation Communications
The Ground operations communication needs can be broken into different
levels; Initial Attack, Extended Attack, and Project Incidents.
Regardless of the level of operations, there are still several steps
that will remain common:
1. All resources reporting to an incident will �report in� with the
Incident Commander. If radio communications are available, they may be
used; otherwise �face to face� communications should be used.
(Remember: LCES)
2. Resources with different communication capabilities must be
coordinated with the Incident Commander.
3. Use the MNICS frequency as a contact frequency and command net
until a radio cache system arrives.
9
INITIAL ATTACK
Initial Attack is the responsibility of the local agency. If several
steps are taken on incidents that may involve other agencies, the
limited radio capabilities that we now have can be optimized.
1. If the Minnesota DNR places their mobile radios into the scan mode
and scans their tactical frequency.
2. If the Minnesota DNR puts their mobile and portable radios in the
monitor mode (disable CTCSS).
3. If possible, bring spare handheld radios to an incident to give to
other agencies.
EXTENDED ATTACK
Extended Attack is the gray area between an Initial Attack Incident
and a Project Incident. It will usually require more organization than
Initial Attack and last for a longer period of time. The following
steps should be taken in an extended attack situation:
1. Request additional communication equipment, through normal dispatch
channels, early in the incident.
2. Establish an Incident Command Post with capability of communicating
with those agencies on the incident. Maintain a radio from each
participating agency at the Command Post for relaying information.
3. Consider using the MNICS frequency of 170.475 for a command and
check-in frequency until incident communications are established.
There is also national call up frequency, 168.550, that may be used
until incident communications are established.
4. Switch to a tactical frequency as soon as possible to relieve
pressure off the agency frequencies.
PROJECT INCIDENTS
The Project Incident will require more people and more communications.
This increased load will often put a great strain on an agency�s
normal communications system and therefore, a radio cache system from
NIFC, R9, or the State should be ordered. The following steps should
be taken for a Project Incident.
1. Utilize a radio cache system (NIFC, R9, and State) as soon as possible.
2. Utilize a Communications Unit Leader to organize and coordinate the
Incident Communications System.
3. Prepare a written Communications Plan (Form ICS 205).
10
V. Air Operations
Air Operations will vary with the agency involved but several points
will remain constant.
1. Aircraft call designators will be the last 3 digits of their �N� or
tail number.
2. All Forest Service and State of Minnesota aircraft, contact or
service owned, will always monitor 168.625 MHZ (Emergency air
frequency).
3. On project incidents the Incident Communication Plan will determine
the air-to-ground, air-to-air, and flight following frequencies to be
used. The ATGS and COML will coordinate these frequency assignments.
For aircraft dispatched by MIFC or that reach MIFC aviation dispatch,
MIFC flight following frequency 172.375 will be used. (see page 22 for
repeater frequencies).
The Minnesota DNR and the Superior Forest Service have aircraft radios
that they install in owned and leased equipment. The radio inventory
is as follows:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
RADIO CONTROL HEADS
(15) Technisonic RT 138B N/A
(2) Technisonic RT 138 N/A
(2) RT138 Tac Packs
(4) Technisonic TFM 30 N/A
Superior National Forest
(3) Technisonic TR 138B Tac Packs N/A
MINNESOTA DNR
All air-to-ground communications on an incident will be initially
conducted on the DNR area simplex frequency, or the DNR air-to-ground
frequency 151.340 or as designated by the incident commander.
Air-to-air communications will initially be conducted on 122.925 by
all MNICS agencies.
SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST
All air-to-ground communications on an incident will be conducted on
166.675 (Air/Ground), Forest Simplex (169.925) or NIFC tactical
frequencies.
11
ALL OTHER AGENCIES
Since the other agencies, for the most part, only have radios capable
of communicating on their own frequencies, air operations should be
conducted on the agency�s simplex frequency unless directed otherwise
by the dispatcher.
CANADA
Initial communications with aircraft from the Provinces of Ontario and
Manitoba will be via a VHF-AM radio on frequency 122.925. This is the
established air-to-air frequency. Once communications have been
established, this frequency may change as needed to provide a safe
working environment.
VI. Dispatching � Refer to page 55.
VII. Recommendations
1. Agencies with common borders should consider having extra radios or
scanners available when dispatched to incidents where several agencies
may work together.
2. Establish an Incident Command Post and try to have all agencies on
the incident represented at the location with a radio.
3. Do preplanning with border agencies to clarify what capabilities
are available for communications.
4. If purchasing radio equipment, consider purchasing dual mode
synthesized radios with scanning capabilities that are capable of
working on all partner agency frequencies. A minimum of 32 channels is
recommended.
5. Scanners are a good second choice to synthesized radios. The only
drawback to scanners is that if both mobiles do not have one, you can
only monitor one side of the conversation.
6. The assigned frequency of 170.475 has been approved for MNICS use.
This frequency should be added to all radios having that capability.
7. A list of the programmed frequencies should be kept with each
radio. The list should be in the vehicle for mobile radios and
attached to the radio for portable radios.
12
ADDENDUM A
Radio Frequency Function
Minnesota DNR 151.265+ Area Net
151.325+ Area Net
151.385+ Area Net
151.175+ Area Net
151.400+ Area Net
151.475 Tac 1
151.340 Air-to-Ground
172.375 Flight Following
Superior National Forest 169.925 Forest Net
170.525+ Forest Repeat*
168.625 Air-Guard (Emergency use only)
168.650 Flight Following
166.675 Air-to-Ground
168.200 Tactical 2
169.125 Tactical 1
Chippewa National Forest 164.825 Forest Net
164.125+ Forest Repeat*
169.150 Air-to-Ground
168.200 Tactical 2
171.550 Tactical 1
Voyageur�s National Park 166.900 Park Net
166.300 Park Repeat
Isle Royale National Park 169.675 Park Net
170.350 Park Repeat
St. Croix National Scenic River 164.750 TX Direct
164.750 RX Direct
164.250/141.3 TX/PL South Repeat
164.250/173.8 TX/PL Middle Repeat
164.750 RX
Grand Portage Nat. Monument 166.325 Park Net South Tower@William O�Brien SP
166.925 Park Repeat Middle Tower@Fredrick, WI
Bureau of Indian Affairs 172.425 Statewide
171.725 Repeater
166.275+ Red Lake
Fire Mutual Aid 154.295 Local Fie Department � Mutual Aid
MNICS 170.475 Interagency Incident Use
+ Tones must accompany the frequencies when communicating with base
stations and repeaters. Tones are needed to access the Superior
National Forest repeaters. Refer to Minnesota Division of Forestry
Radio Communications System Description, Addendum B. The BIA at Red
Lake frequency uses a tone of 114.8 to transmit and receive. Grand
Portage uses tone (156.7).
13
ADDENDUM B
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
The radio frequency assignments for refuges in Minnesota are as follows:
AGASSIZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL
FUNCTION
RECEIVE
TONE
TRANSMIT
TONE
1
Agassiz RPTR ANALOG
171.750
127.3
172.450
127.3
2
AGA TACT ANALOG
171.750
127.3
171.750
127.3
3
Agassiz RPTR DIGITAL
171.750
100
172.450
NAC
100
4
AGA TACT DIGITAL
171.750
100
171.750
NAC
100
5
MN DNR TACTICAL
ANALOG
151.475
-------
151.175
-------
6
MN DNR AIR TO GRD
ANALOG
151.340
-------
151.340
-------
7
DNR Wannaska
ANALOG
151.385
127.3
151.385
127.3
8
DNR Wannaska RPTR
ANALOG
151.385
127.3
159.435
118.8
9
NOAA � WEATHER
ANALOG
162.550
-------
-------
-------
10
DNR Bagley RPTR
ANALOG
151.265
136.5
151.270
136.5
11
DNR TAC 2 ANALOG
170.475
-------
170.475
-------
12
DNR TAC 1 ANALOG
151.475
-------
151.475
-------
13
USFWS National
ANALOG
171.750
-------
171.750
-------
14
FIRE MUTUAL AID
ANALOG
154.295
-------
154.295
-------
14
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (continued)
The radio frequency assignments for refuges in Minnesota are as follows:
BIG STONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING -3/17/2005
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 Big Stone NWR Direct
analog, narrow band
164.625 127.3 164.625 127.3
2 Big Stone NWR RPT analog,
narrow band
172.500 127.3 164.625 127.3
3 FWS Fire Tac dig narrow bd 162.237500 -- 162.237500 --
4 MNICS analog (AN) 170.475 -- 170.475 --
5 Big Stone Co. Fire AN 154.4450 179.9 154.4450 179.9
6 Lac Qui Parle Co. Fire AN 155.745 173.8 155.745 173.8
7 Ortonville Fire AN 154.055 110.9 154.055 110.9
8 Lincoln Co. North Fire AN 155.025 110.9 153.905 110.9
9 Lincoln Co. South Fire AN 155.025 110.9 153.905 203.5
10 Lyon Co. Fire AN 154.430 -- 154.430 110.9
11 Fire Mutual Aid AN 154.295 -- 154.295 --
12 Morris WMD Repeater
analog, narrow band
171.750 127.3 172.450 -------
13 Morris WMD car to car
analog, narrow band
171.750 127.3 171.750 127.3
14 Air to Ground AN 151.340 -- 151.340 --
15 Big Stone Co. Dispatch AN 154.815 110.9 154.815 110.9
16 Lincoln Co. Dispatch AN 154.875 -- 154.875 110.9
DETROIT LAKES WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 DL WMD ANALOG 164.625 127.3 164.625 127.3
2 DL WMD RPTR 164.625 127.3 163.150 127.3
3 Tamarac NWR 171.725 103.5 171.725 103.5
4 DNR Detroit Lakes 151.385 136.5 151.385 136.5
5 DNR TAC 1 151.475 ------- 151.475 -------
6 DNR TAC 2 170.475 ------- 170.475 -------
7 DNR AIR/GROUND 151.340 ------- 151.340 -------
8 FIRE MUTUAL AID 154.295 ------- 154.295 -------
9 BIA STATEWIDE 172.4250 ------- 172.4250 -------
10 DNR Wolf Lake RPTR 151.385 136.5 151.385 136.5
11 DNR Jugg Lake RPTR 151.265 136.5 151.265 103.5
12 DNR Bagley RPTR 151.265 136.5 151.265 136.5
13 FWS National Fire 162.2375 ------- 162.2375 -------
14 DL NOAA Weather 162.400 ------- Receive Only -------
15
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (continued)
The radio frequency assignments for refuges in Minnesota are as follows:
FERGUS FALLS WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 Fire FF C-C AN 164.625 103.5 164.625 103.5
2 Fire FF RPTR DI 164.625 ------- 163.150 -------
3 Fire FF C-C DI 164.625 ------- 164.625 -------
4 Fire DNR Forestry Tac 1 AN 151.475 ------- 151.475 -------
5 Fire MNICS AN 170.475 ------- 170.475 -------
6 Fire Mutual Aid AN 154.290 ------- 154.295 -------
7 Fire Otter Tail AN 154.445 123.0 154.445 123.0
8 Fire Douglas AN 154.175 ------- 154.175 -------
9 Fire Grant AN 154.250 110.9 154.250 110.9
10 Fire Wilkin AN 154.515 ------- 154.515 -------
11 Fire MR C-C DI 171.750 127.3 171.750 127.3
12 Fire DL C-C DI 164.625 127.3 164.625 127.3
13 Fire DNR Air to Ground AN 151.340 ------- 151.340 -------
14 Fire DNR Local AN 151.385 136.5 151.385 136.5
15 Fire Wolf Lake Repeater AN 151.385 136.5 159.435 136.5
16 Fire SVC General 171.750 ------- 171.750 -------
MINNESOTA VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 Scott County Emergency 155.250 136.5 156.150 136.5
2 Scott County Dispatch 155.745 136.5 153.935 136.5
3 Scott County Car � Car 155.910 ------- 155.910 -------
4 MINSEF 155.475 ------- 155.475 -------
5 DNR � Parks 151.190 ------- 151.190 -------
6 DNR � Enforcement 159.300 103.5 159.300 103.5
7 MVR Repeater 171.750 127.3 171.450 127.3
8 MVR Car � Car 171.750 127.3 171.750 127.3
9 DNR Fire � Statewide 151.415 ------- 151.415 -------
10 National Weather Service 162.550 ------- ------- -------
11 Scott / Carver Fire 154.145 ------- 156.145 -------
12 DNR Forestry 151.325 ------- 151.325 -------
13 DNR Tactical 151.475 ------- 151.475 -------
14 Fire Mutual Aid 154.295 ------- 154.295 -------
Note: All are analog frequencies
16
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (continued)
The radio frequency assignments for refuges in Minnesota are as follows:
MORRIS (BNR) WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL
FUNCTION
RECEIVE
TONE
TANSMIT
TONE
1
BNR Command AN
171.7500
127.3
171.7500
127.3
2
BNR Repeater AN
171.7500
127.3
172.4500
127.3
3
Stevens Co. Fire AN
154.3700
127.3
154.3700
127.3
4
Big Stone Co. Fire
154.4450
179.9
154.4450
179.9
5
Pope Co. Fire AN
154.3100
123.0
154.3100
123.0
6
Swift Co. Fire
154.1900
179.9
154.1900
179.9
7
Lac Qui Parle Co. Fire AN
155.7450
173.8
154.7450
173.8
8
Browns Valley FD AN
155.0850
-------
158.8650
-------
9
MN DNR Tac 1 AN
151.4750
-------
151.4750
-------
10
MN DNR Air to Ground AN
151.3400
-------
151.3400
-------
11
Fire Mutual Aid AN
154.2950
-------
154.2950
-------
12
Big Stone NWR AN
163.1500
127.7
163.1500
127.3
13
Fergus Falls WMD AN
164.6250
103.5
164.6250
103.5
14
NOAA WX Appleton, MN
162.5500
-------
-------
-------
RICE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL
FUNCTION
RECEIVE
TONE
TANSMIT
TONE
1
Refuge Repeater
171.750
127.3
172.450
127.3
2
Refuge Car to Car
171.750
127.3
171.750
127.3
3
DNR Forestry Repeater
151.265
110.9
159.270
110.9
4
DNR Forestry � Aitkin
151.265
110.9
151.265
110.9
5
DNR Tac 1
151.475
-------
151.475
-------
6
DNR Tac 2
170.475
-------
170.475
-------
7
Fire Mutual Aid
154.295
-------
154.295
-------
8
National Weather Service
162.475
-------
-------
-------
9
FWS Digital
171.750
-------
171.750
-------
17
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (continued)
The radio frequency assignments for refuges in Minnesota are as follows:
SHERBURNE/CRANE MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 Sherburne RPTER Analog 171.750 141.3 172.450 141.3
2 Crane Meadows Analog 171.750 127.3 171.750 127.3
3 Sherburne Co. Sheriff 155.250 146.2 155.655 146.2
4 DNR Cambridge 151.325 146.2 151.325 146.2
5 DNR Tactical 1 151.475 ------- 151.475 -------
6 DNR Air to Ground 151.340 ------- 151.340 -------
7 DNR Little Falls 151.400 156.7 151.400 156.7
8 DNR CO law enforcement 159.300 103.5 159.300 103.5
9 Sherburne Co. Fire 154.175 146.2 154.175 146.2
10 Morrison Co. Sheriff 155.520 123.0 158.955 123.0
11 Mutual Aid 154.295 ------- 154.295 -------
12 MNICS 170.475 ------- 170.475 -------
13 NIFC Tactical 1 168.050 ------- 168.050 -------
14 Air Guard 168.625 ------- 168.625 -------
15 Sherburne NWR RPTER
Digital
171.750 ------- 172.450 -------
16 Crane Meadows Digital 171.750 ------- 171.750 -------
WINDOM WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
U.S.D.O.I. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
Programmed in all mobile and hand held refuge radios except channel 13
& 14. These two channels are only
programmed into the appropriate hand held field programmable radios.
CHANNEL FUNCTION RECEIVE TONE TANSMIT TONE
1 Windom Repeater - Digital 164.625 200 163.150 200
2 Windom Repeater - Analog 164.625 127.3 163.150 127.3
3 Windom Car to Car - Digital 164.625 200 164.625 200
4 Windom Car to Car - Analog 164.625 127.3 164.625 127.3
5 Fire Mutual Aid 154.295 ------- 154.295 -------
6 MNICS 170.475 ------- 170.475 -------
7 MN Statewide Emergency 155.475 ------- 155.475 -------
8 NOAA Wx � Mankato, MN 162.400 ------- ------- -------
9 NOAA Wx � Jeffers, MN 162.450 ------- ------- -------
10 NOAA Wx � Russel, MN 162.500 ------- ------- -------
11 NOAA Wx � New Ulm, MN 162.525 ------- ------- -------
12 NOAA Wx � Milford, IA 162.550 ------- ------- -------
13 National Fire - Digital 162.2375 293 162.2375 293
14 National Fire � Analog 12.5khz 162.2375(n) - 162.2375(n) -
18
ADDENDUM C
U.S.D.A. FOREST SERVICE
SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
This system has been switched to NARROWBAND
The current radio system on the Superior National Forest is a tone
operational system (CTCSS � sub-audible
tones used to access repeaters only). There are base stations located
at each District Ranger�s Office that
operate on the Forest Net only. Central Dispatching, located at the
Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in
Grand Rapids, uses base stations located in Ely, Minnesota for
transmitting on Forest Net, Air Net.
There are three basic frequencies located in Forest Dispatch and they
are the following:
Channel Function Transmit Receive Tone
1 Forest Net 169.925 169.925 None
2 Forest Repeater 170.525 169.925 **
3 Flight Following 168.650 168.650 None
4 Air Guard 168.625 168.625 None
5 Air-to-Ground 166.675 166.675 None
The first two are used for normal forest traffic (Ch. 1 and Ch. 2).
Channel 3 is used for flight following of
U.S. Forest Service aircraft. Air guard (Ch.4) is for emergency use
only. Channel four is installed at the Ely
station and all forest service handhelds and mobile radios.
There are 110 mobiles and 3 aircraft in the Forest Fire System capable
of communicating on other agency�s
frequencies.
Under Cooperative Law Enforcement agreements, local Sheriff�s
Departments are interfaced into the Forest
radio system at Ely, Virginia, and Grand Marais. This allows the
Sheriff�s Department to transmit and
receive on Forest Net.
** Refer to Minnesota Division of Forestry Radio Repeater Coverage Map, Page 20.
19
20
U.S.D.A. FOREST SERVICE
CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
This system has been switched to NARROWBAND
The current radios system on the Chippewa National Forest is a
standard squelch system (No CTCSS � subaudible
tones used). There are only four frequencies used on the Forest and they are:
Channel Function Transmit Receive Tone
1 Forest Net 164.825 164.825
2 Forest Repeater 164.125 164.825 North* 110.9
164.125 164.825 South* 103.5
3 Flight Following 168.650 168.650
4 Air Guard 168.625 168.625
5 Air-to-Ground 169.150 169.150
The first two channels are used for all Forest radio traffic with
emergency communications taking
precedence over all other traffic. Flight following and Air Guard
capabilities are located in Ely, Minnesota.
The coverage will improve with installation of a flight following and
Air Guard base station in Grand
Rapids, Minnesota.
All handheld radios and 40 mobiles are capable of communicating on
other agency frequencies. A
replacement of the radio system is planned for 2004, at which time the
system will be analog/narrow band
with all mobile and handheld radios being capable of dual mode (analog
narrow/wide band).
Through agreements, the local Sheriff�s Departments are interfaced
into the Forest Radio System. This
allows the Sheriff to transmit and receive on Forest net.
21
MINNESOTA DIVISION OF FORESTRY
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
The Minnesota Division of Forestry radio system is a multi-frequency
system utilizing continuous tone coded squelch system (CTCSS) to
achieve separation. The following describes the system and its
operation from a semi-technical view.
Each administrative area is assigned a frequency (color) and tone
(letter) for simplex operations. Also, each area has one (or more)
repeaters. These repeaters are activated by a base, mobile, or
portable transmitting a signal on a higher frequency and same or
different tone. The repeater then retransmits this signal on the area
net.
Most base stations also transmit on the Statewide point to point net.
Two frequencies, 151.475 and 170.475 have been designated for tactical
use. No tones are required on these frequencies. Frequency 151.340 is
dedicated as initial attack Air-to-Ground.
The Division is also allowed to communicate with fire departments on
Fire Mutual Aid (154.295). No tone is allowed on this frequency.
Most mobiles are capable of transmitting on any of the area simplex,
area repeater, tactical, or Fire Mutual Aid frequencies. They are
capable of receiving and scanning the simplex, tactical, and FM
frequencies, if the operator elects to do so. Most portable radios are
programmable King radios with at least 14 channels and scan
capability.
Operator understanding of these capabilities and functions varies widely.
To communicate with a base station (simplex):
Identify the frequency and tone of the net from the chart and map.
You must transmit on the lower frequency (151.xxxMHz) and correct tone
to establish communications.
To communicate with a base station on the DNR Statewide point-to-point
frequency, you must transmit on 151.415 MHz with a tone of 103.5 cps.
You should say �point-to-point� during a call-up so the other person
knows which frequency to answer on.
To communicate with a mobile, transmit the appropriate frequency and tone.
The 800 Mhz Systems
At MIFC, we have four Motorola STX-2500 portable radios for use in the
new 800 Mhz radio systems being implemented in the Metro area. These
will be used in conjunction with Anoka County and in the Carlos-Avery
area whenever the need arises. The portables will be based out of MIFC
and used in the initial attack helicopters when in the Metro areas.
The people in the Carlos-Avery station will also have 10 of these STX
�2500 portables for use on the new system.
We have two of the Technisonic dual mode radios for our fixed wing
units to access the 800 Mhz systems. These aircraft radios work both
in the 150 mhz & 800 mhz bands that will be in place in the Metro
area.
22
DNR FORESTRY RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING
MOBILES & PORTABLES SHOULD BE PROGRAMMED PER THIS LISTING
Use/Locations Receive Tone Transmit Tone
Tactical 1 151.475 151.475
Tac 2/MNICS 170.475 170.475
Air-to-Ground 151.340 151.340
Fire Mutual Aid 154.295 154.295
Statewide 151.415 103.5 151.415 103.5
Bemidji/Bagley Simplex 151.265 136.5 151.265 136.5
Bagley RPTR 151.265 136.5 159.270 136.5
Jugglar Lake RPTR 151.265 136.5 159.270 103.5
Leech Lake RPTR 151.265 136.5 159.270 192.8
Warroad Simplex 151.385 127.3 151.385 127.3
Lake Bronson RPTR 151.385 127.3 159.435 146.2
Roosevelt RPTR (Warroad) 151.385 127.3 159.435 103.5
Grygla RPTR 151.385 127.3 159.435 156.7
Wannaska RPTR 151.385 127.3 159.435 118.8
Baudette/Blackduck Simplex 151.325 127.3 151.325 127.3
Kelliher RPTR 151.325 127.3 159.315 127.3
Roosevelt RPTR (Baudette) 151.325 127.3 159.315 146.2
Border RPTR (Baudette) 151.325 127.3 159.315 82.5
Blackduck RPTR 151.325 127.3 159.315 71.9
Park Rapids/Detroit Lakes Simplex 151.385 136.5 151.385 136.5
Wolf Lake RPTR 151.385 136.5 159.435 136.5
Leech Lake RPTR (Park Rapids0 151.385 136.5 159.435 210.7
Eagle Lake RPTR 151.385 136.5 159.435 107.2
Cloquet/Two Harbors Simplex 151.175 103.5 151.175 103.5
Bogus Lake RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 94.8
Lost Lake RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 103.5
Isabella RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 136.5
Arrowhead RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 167.9
Meadowlands RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 110.9
Mahtowa RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 82.5
Poplar RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 156.7
Devil Fish RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 123.0
Wales RPTR 151.175 103.5 159.465 141.3
Little Fork Simplex 151.175 127.3 151.175 127.3
Little Fork RPTR 151.175 127.3 159.465 127.3
Orr/Tower Simplex 151.265 103.5 151.265 103.5
Gheen RPTR 151.265 103.5 159.270 210.7
Sullivan Bay RPTR 151.265 103.5 159.270 127.3
Ely RPTR 151.265 103.5 159.270 156.7
Soudan 151.265 103.5 159.270 118.8
Hibbing/Eveleth Simplex 151.325 103.5 151.325 103.5
Side Lake RPTR 151.325 103.5 159.315 103.5
Virginia RPTR 151.325 103.5 159.315 94.8
Nashwauk RPTR 151.325 103.5 159.315 136.5
Shaw RPTR 151.325 103.5 159.315 167.9
23
DNR FORESTRY RADIO FREQUENCY LISTING � continued
Use/Locations Receive Tone Transmit Tone
Grand Rapids/Effie Simplex 151.385 110.9 151.385 110.9
Effie RPTR 151.385 110.9 159.435 167.9
Blueberry Hill RPTR 151.385 110.9 159.435 110.9
Northhome RPTR 151.385 110.9 159.435 127.3
Nashwauk RPTR 151.385 110.9 159.435 100.0
Brainerd (Backus) Simplex 151.175 146.2 151.175 146.2
Leader RPTR 151.175 146.2 159.465 146.2
Emily RPTR 151.175 146.2 159.465 156.7
Borden Lake RPTR 151.175 146.2 159.465 192.8
Longville RPTR 151.175 146.2 159.465 100.0
Nimrod RPTR 151.175 146.2 159.465 162.2
Hill City/Aitkin Simplex 151.265 110.9 151.265 110.9
Quadna RPTR 151.265 110.9 159.270 110.9
Seavey 151.265 110.9 159.270 167.9
Backus Simplex 151.325 110.9 151.325 110.9
Longville RPTR 151.325 110.9 159.315 192.8
Nimrod RPTR 151.325 110.9 159.315 110.9
Cambridge Simplex 151.325 146.2 151.325 146.2
Kimbal RPTR 151.325 146.2 159.315 114.8
Shafer RPTR 151.325 146.2 159.315 100.0
Woodland RPTR 151.325 146.2 159.315 156.7
Sandstone Simplex 151.385 146.2 151.385 146.2
Askov RPTR 151.385 146.2 159.435 94.8
Mahtowa RPTR 151.385 146.2 159.435 82.5
Rochester Region Simplex 151.265 127.3 151.265 127.3
Lake City RPTR 151.265 127.3 159.270 117.8
Preston RPTR 151.265 127.3 159.270 141.3
Dresbach RPTR 151.265 127.3 159.270 162.2
Alma RPTR 151.265 127.3 159.270 100.0
Little Falls Simplex 151.400 156.7 151.400 156.7
Milaca RPTR 151.400 156.7 159.375 131.8
Onamia RPTR 151.400 156.7 159.375 192.8
Lincoln RPTR 151.400 156.7 159.375 146.2
Pierz RPTR 151.400 156.7 159.375 94.8
Gilman RPTR 151.400 156.7 159.375 162.2
Metro Simplex 151.265 103.5 151.265 103.5
Arden Hills RPTR 151.265 103.5 159.270 127.3
MIFC Fire Air Net 172.375 N/A 172.375 N/A
Quadna RPTR 172.375 N/A 170.425 110.9
Eveleth RPTR 172.375 N/A 170.425 103.5
Northhome RPTR 172.375 N/A 170.425 127.3
24
U.S. BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CARRIER
SQUELCH REPEATER OR SIMPLEX SYSTEM
Repeater input frequency is 171.725
Repeater output frequency is 172.425
Repeater locations include, Fond du Lac to service the Fond du Lac
Reservation, Red Lake to service the
Red Lake Reservation, Nett Lake to service the Nett Lake Reservation,
Grand Portage to serve the Grand
Portage Reservation.
There are two Bureau-wide frequencies on nearly all BIA mobiles,
portables and base stations, a truck-totruck
frequency transmitting on 172.425 and one frequency transmitting
through the repeater stations on
171.725. Both channels can receive on 172.425.
Red Lake BIA Police is on 154.860, tone 123.0, and Nett Lake BIA
Police utilizes this frequency. Nett Lake
BIA Police (Law Enforcement Services) also plan to acquire a new
4-channel base station and 8-channel
Motorola Syntor X mobile radios that will utilize the two BIA
frequencies, the Statewide Mutual Aid
frequency, the St. Louis County Sheriff�s Office frequencies and the
White Earth Conservation frequencies
of Rx 166.275, Tone 114.8, Tx 166.275, Tone 114.8.
A tactical frequency of 166.275, tone 114.8 (TAC #1), has been added
at Red Lake. The frequency is
designated for fire suppression use, to eliminate congestion on the
other frequencies.
Grand Portage Simplex frequency is 172.425. The repeater frequency is
171.725, tone 156.7.
25
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR / NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
As of January 1, 2005 this system will also be WIDEBAND.
They are in the process of changing to narrowband digital in 2005-2006.
The major components of the radio communications system on the St.
Croix National Scenic Riverway
consists of the following:
1. Three main repeater sites with two related satellite receiver
sites. The three main sites are located at
Lampson (north of Trego, WI), Frederic, WI, and William O�Brien State
Park near Marine, MN.
Two additional satellite receiver sites are linked into the Lampson
repeater. These sites are located at
Hayward, WI, and Danbury, WI.
2. Three fixed base stations are operated from each of the Visitor
Information Stations located in St.
Croix Falls, Grantsberg, and Trego. There is no dispatching operation
at this time but the main
control point for the system is at the Headquarter Building in St.
Croix Falls, WI.
3. There are approximately 40, five-watt portables and 20 mobiles of
various types within the system.
Each of the three district areas has the capability to operate on the
MNICS call-in frequency.
The simplex frequency operates at 164.750 MHz and the repeater sites
are accessed using 164.250 MHz and
either one of the three PL tones. The Fredrick site uses PL tone 6A,
the Lampson site uses PL tone 3A, and
the William O�Brien site uses PL tone 4A. The receive frequency from
the repeater sites is the same as the
simplex frequency so that the complete system is using only two VHF
sites and is the same as the simplex
frequency so that the complete system is using only two VHF frequencies.
The mobile, base, and portable units in the system are generally
multi-frequency, wideband PL models. A
small cache of King, 210-channels, Flex-mode, portable radios are
dedicated for fire operations.
USE TRANSMIT RECEIVE LOCATION
Park Net 164.750 164.750
South 164.250 / 4A 164.750 William O�Brien SP
Middle 164.250 / 6A 164.750 Frederick, WI
North 164.250 / 3A 164.750 Trego / Lampson, WI
26
VOYAGEUR�S NATIONAL PARK
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Beginning in late fall 2005, this system will be NARROWBAND.
The current radio system at Voyageur�s National Park operates on one
repeat frequency as well as one local
frequency. The repeaters do not use PL tones since all three are
activated any time the F2 channel is used
(166.300 MHz). This system is a carrier squelch, simuli-cast repeater
operation. Repeater received signals
are sent to the Sullivan Bay site via the UHF backbone. The signals
are then voted on for best audio and are
sent back to the other two repeater sites. All three repeaters then
transmit the signal on 166.900 MHz. The
three repeaters are located at Black Bay (West end), Sullivan Bay
(Central), and Muchete (East end).
The base station at International Falls and all mobiles and portable
units operate on a frequency of 166.900
MHz on both transmit and receive (simplex).
Use/Location Transmit Receive
Park Net 166.900 166.900
Central RPTR 166.300 166.900
West End RPTR 166.300 166.800
GRAND PORTAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The current radio system operates on one repeater frequency and one
local frequency.
A base station is located at monument headquarters in Grand Marais
with another base station located at the
monument itself.
The repeater is located on Mount Maude.
Use/Location Transmit Receive
Park Net 166.325 166.325
Repeater 166.925 166.325
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
The current radio system operates on two repeater frequencies and one
local frequency.
Two repeaters are located on the island. The East end repeater (freq
F2) is located on OJIBWAY Tower.
The West-end repeater (freq. F3) is located at Windigo.
Use/Location Transmit Receive
F1 169.675 169.675
F2 170.350 169.675
F3 170.025 169.675
27
ADDENDUM C
MNICS FREQUENCY UTILIZATION
The State of Minnesota has been granted a frequency of 170.475 MHz to
be used by MNICS agencies for the detection, prevention and
suppression of forest fires during joint I.C.S. operations. The
frequency should be used as the command net during initial attack
whenever possible. This frequency is used in the wideband mode.
Frequency Limitations
1. For use in mobile and portable radios only
2. Maximum output power of 120 watts
3. Cannot be used within 50 miles of Thunder Bay, Ontario
4. Limited use in aircraft would be allowed with a maximum output
power to ten watts and elevations not exceeding 5,000 feet above the
earth�s surface.
Any new radio equipment purchased, or existing equipment which has the
capability, should have the 170.475 MHz frequency installed for
initial attack communications.
28
SECTION 22. WILDFIRE REPORTS
22.1 Interagency Situation Report
The Interagency Situation Report is a report generated by MIFC that
shows fire occurrence, resource
availability, prescribed fires, year-to-date fire activity and large
fire activity for all MNICS agencies. The
situation report is submitted directly to the Eastern Area
Coordination Center for inclusion into the
Geographic Area report. This report needs to be submitted daily.
22.11 Inputting Data
Agencies may provide input data to the Interagency Situation Report by
submitting a Minnesota Daily
Interagency Situation Report (see Exhibit 1) to MIFC by 9:00 a.m. each
morning. Reports may be submitted
via fax, 218-327-4528, electronically or via email to MIFC Dispatch.
22.2 Wildfire Situation Update
The Wildfire Situation Update is a Minnesota DNR report that shows
current DNR fire activity and
preparedness levels across the State. Fire statistics for MNICS
cooperators are also included.
22.21 Inputting Data
DNR Area offices and MIFC agencies must provide input to the Wildfire
Situation Update via e-mail, faxes,
etc., by 9:00 a.m. daily when the Planning Level is 2 or higher. At
Planning Level 1, the Wildfire Situation
Update is completed on Monday only. In order to be included in the
Daily Aircraft Report, agencies must
provide the information no later than 7:45 a.m. daily. If at all
possible, please provide the information the
night before as this will help expedite getting the report entered.
22.22 Retrieving Reports
The Wildfire Situation Update is automatically posted on the DNR Fire
website at this web address:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/index.html. Additional
information is at the MNICS website:
22.3 Aircraft Status Report
The Aircraft Status Report is a Minnesota DNR report which shows the
availability of DNR and MNICS
cooperators� helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Also included on
this report is a listing of railroad patrols
statewide and a schedule of military air operations area usage. This
report is posted on the DNR Intranet.
The air desk will fax this report to those unable to access the DNR Intranet.
22.31 Inputting Data
An Initial Aircraft Status Report is produced by 8:00 a.m. daily when
aircraft are available for dispatch.
Information on changes in a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft status
or railroad patrols should be called into
the Aircraft Dispatchers the night before or by 7:45 a.m. at 218-327-4582.
22.32 Retrieving Reports
The Aircraft Status Report is automatically posted on the DNR Intranet
website by 8:45 a.m. every morning
during the snow free months. Any updates to this report are included
with the Wildfire Situation Update at
10:00 a.m.
29
SECTION 22. WILDFIRE REPORTS continued
22.4 Potential Assessment Report
The Potential Assessment Report is to be completed by each MNICS
agency by the 25th day of every month. The report should be faxed to
MIFC using the format shown in Exhibit 2, shown on page 44. The
information will be used to develop a Potential Assessment Report for
all agencies in Minnesota. This report is forwarded to the Eastern
Area Coordination Center. Copies of the completed report will be faxed
to MNICS agencies.
22.5 Incident Status Summary
When on an interagency incident, the Incident Commander will transmit
an ICS Form 209 for 100+ acres timber or 300+ acres grass fires or
non-fire incidents as follows:
Agency Time To
Minnesota Division of Forestry 0830 Area Forester
Superior National Forest 2100 Forest Dispatch
Chippewa National Forest 2100 Forest Dispatch
Bureau of Indian Affairs 2100 Sean Hart / Greg Peterson
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway 2100 Chief Ranger
Isle Royale National Park 2100 Park Dispatcher
Voyageur�s National Park 2100 Park Dispatcher
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2100 Dan Dearborn
MN Division of Homeland Security 0930 Roy Holmes or State Duty Officer
and Emergency Management
Agencies will forward copies to MIFC. This is very important because
it �tells the story� and lets others get prepared to help if needed.
86
Chapter 70 - NORTHEAST INTERAGENCY FIRE CACHE
Contents
SECTION SUBJECT PAGE NUMBER
71 General 88
71.1 Location 88
71.2 Procedures 88
72 Radios 88
72.1 Region 9 Radio Module 88
72.2 NIFC Radio Cache 88
72.3 MNS Radio Cache 89
72.4 MIFC Communications Trailer 89
73 Specialized Supplies 90
74 Base Unit and Mobile Cache Kits 93
75 Returning Fire Cache Items 98
76 Incident Replacement 99
Incident Replacement Requisition Form 100
87
SECTION 71 GENERAL
This section of the MNICS Mobilization Plan is designed to provide a
unified source of supplies for the suppression of wildfires when the
items are not available locally.
Please bear in mind that since the Northeast Interagency Fire Cache
(NEK) is a part of the National Cache System, anything listed in the
NFES catalog may be ordered through NEK and items not usually stocked
in Grand Rapids will be obtained from other locations if needed.
Refer to the National Fire Equipment System Catalog for a listing of
items stocked in the cache. Those items listed in the National Fire
Equipment System Catalog with the designator NEK are stocked at the
Grand Rapids cache. Supplies in the catalog may be ordered directly
from the cache. Radios and the cache van orders must be placed thru
MIFC.
71.1 LOCATION OF CACHE
The Northeast Interagency Fire Cache is located at MIFC in Grand
Rapids, Minnesota.
Northeast Interagency Fire Cache
402 11th Street S.E.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744
218-327-4578 Bob Behrner, Cache Manager
218-327-4579 Tom Staydohar, Cache Manager
218-327-4581 FAX
71.2 PROCEDURES
Each agency has its own procedures as outlined elsewhere, but all
orders start with a "Resource Order" (see Section 23, page 31) being
called to the agency dispatcher (see Section 51, page 56).
SECTION 72. RADIOS
72.1 R9 RADIO MODULE KIT, NFES NO. 7824
The R9 radio cache consists of 2 modules or kits. Each module/kit
consists of 16 King handheld radios each. These portables consist of
14 programmable channels (NFES#7824).
The R9 cache also has four (4) radio repeaters (NFES# 7079) and five
(5) antenna kits (NFES# 7825) for the repeaters. These items must be
ordered separately from the radio kits. The radios and repeater are
packaged in fiberglass transit cases.
72.2 NIFC RADIO CACHE, NFES 4390
The NIFC Radio Starter system is larger than the R9 system but has
similar channel assignments. There is also a Logistics Radio system
available for use in Fire Camp and an RF backbone system for
communications from Fire Camp to a fixed site command center. Complete
system descriptions and ordering information can be found in the
Communications section of the catalog. 88
SECTION 72. RADIOS (continued)
72.3 MNS RADIO CACHE
MNS Fire Cache radios are comprised of 170 14- channel King portable
programmable radios,
and 50 14-channel King mobile programmable radios.
Portable radios can be ordered by the kit. Each kit comes with radio,
leather case and external
speaker microphone. All equipment is packaged in a heavy-duty transit case.
Mobile radio kits are installed in a fiberglass transit case and
include a magnetic antenna and
male cigarette lighter plug for power.
When ordering King radio kits, include frequency needed.
72.4 MIFC COMMUNICATION TRAILER
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has two Communications
Trailers available.
These trailers are housed at MIFC in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and can
be ordered through
MIFC Dispatch.
The trailers are 30� travel trailers. A regular class C driver license
is required to tow them. The
office compartment contains a counter with workspaces, built-in
storage cabinets, file cabinets,
cork boards, white boards, a coat closet, and a padded bench.
The trailers come with a 6.5 kw generator, but also have the
capability to plug directly into a
standard 110 volt outlet. There are both 110 volt and 12 volt lights,
and a generous amount of
receptacles.
The trailers are equipped with a cellular phone, 3-landline phones,
2-120 channel GE mobile
radios, a mobile aircraft radio, a scanner, a P.A. system, 5 handheld
King radios w/acc, a
12-volt cellular fax machine, 2 hand-held aircraft radios, and a CB radio.
The miscellaneous equipment and supplies included with each trailer
are: basic office supplies,
basic ICS and communications forms, a coffee pot, portable lights, a
fan, and a heater.
The trailer will automatically come with a set-up person and/or a
Comm. Tech, if a Dispatcher is
needed please order separately. Any questions or comments can be
directed to: Tom Kaase at
the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, 218-327-4577. The address is:
402 SE 11TH ST. S.E.,
Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
LEAD PLANES
MN DNR utilize single engine and twin-engine fixed wing aircraft as
air attack platforms. The pilot may perform the role of the Air
Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) if qualified.
A Lead plane, ref. FSH 5709.16, Chapter 26, must be on order for an
incident involving non-initial attack rated air tanker pilots and/or
Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), or over congested air
space. During complex aviation operations, use an Air Tactical Group
Supervisor (ATGS) to manage overall operations and order a lead plane
to supervise air tankers. Examples of complex operations:
(1) Presence of four or more air tankers assigned to an incident.
(3) Presence of smokejumper/Para cargo aircraft with two or more air
tankers on an incident.
(4) During periods of marginal weather, poor visibility, or turbulence.
(5) Two or more branches associated with an incident.
(6) At the request of an air tanker pilot.
(7) Urban interface fires.
103
COMMUNICATIONS
All aircraft operating within MNICS will have at a minimum, a VHF-AM
(Victor) communications
system with a minimum of 720 frequencies and a VHF-FM communications
system operating in the 150
to 174 MHz frequency range.
122.925
Air to Air, & Air to Ground Designated DNR Frequency
123.975
Air to Ground - Air tanker base operations within 10 miles of base
122.700 CTAF: Brainerd, Forest Lake
122.800
CTAF: Bemidji, Cloquet, Ely, Grand Rapids
123.000
CTAF: Hibbing, Princeton 122.900 CTAF: Hill City, Sandstone -
uncontrolled airstrips
122.925
Air to Air - Canadian Border area, (2) miles either side and North of Border
126.200
Air to Ground - Camp Ripley Tower
Air to Air & Air to Ground - State of Wisconsin Operations
122.925 or 122.850
Purple
118.775
Plan - Air to Air - Initial Attack
Gold
119.625 Plan - Air to Air - Initial Attack
126.500 Air to Ground - Minneapolis Approach
MNICS - Air to Air - All Risk Frequency
(Non-fire)
122.750
121.500
Emergency Locator Transmitter - (ELT)
1255
Transponder Code for Initial Attack Fire Missions
104
SECTION 82. AIR TANKER BASE DATA
There are four tanker bases as listed below. All four bases are in
operation during most of April
and May depending on fire weather conditions.
All four bases have radio communications and telephone services.
Base communications should monitor VHF-AM Freq. 122.925 and VHF-AM 123.975.
The MIFC Aircraft Dispatcher serves as a Central Dispatch for all MN
DNR aircraft being
dispatched to insure that aircraft are sent to the highest priority
incident. MIFC will provide a
daily update of MNICS aircraft available to MNICS Agencies for
suppression use. During the
time frames that there are airtankers in the state, the MIFC aircraft
dispatcher will monitor VHFFM
172.375.
The Superior and Chippewa National Forests� Dispatch Office is the
Central Dispatch for all
aircraft operating on the Superior and Chippewa National Forests.
Aircraft requests are prioritized according to the following criteria:
Life threatening fires
Property threatening fires
Timber threatening fires
Brush & grass threatening fires
Wilderness fires
AIR TANKER BASES LOCATED WITHIN MINNESOTA
BASE RUNWAY STORAGE CAPACITY F.B.O. TANKER BASE FUEL TYPE ADMIN.
NAME LENGTH RETARDANT, WATER PH. # PH. # AVAILABLE BY
HIBBING 6758' 20,000 20,000 218-263-4353 218-262-7334 100 LL MNDNR
TANKER 3075' GALS GALS FAX-262-7327 JET A MIFC
BASE
ELY 5600' 10,000 10,000 218-365-5600 218-365-4831 100 LL USFS
TANKER GALS GALS JET A SUF
BASE
BRAINERD 6500' 15,000 10,000 218-829-3398 218-828-2575 100 LL MNDNR
TANKER 2800' GALS GALS FAX-828-2707 JET A MIFC
BASE 4080'
BEMIDJI 6598' 13,500 10,000 218-751-1880 218-755-4380 100 LL MNDNR
TANKER 5699' GALS GALS FAX-755-4379 JET A MNA
BASE MIFC
PRINCTON 3900 3000 10,000 NONE 320-630-0729 NONE MNDNR
WARROAD 5400 3000 10,000 218-386-9431 218-386-3492 100 LL MNDNR
TANKER FAX-386-1141 JET A MIFC
SEAT 1500 GALS FAX-389-2172 MIFC
BASE (TEMP) GALS
BASE (TEMP)
106
SECTION 83. CANADIAN / MINNESOTA AVIATION OPERATIONS
Minnesota borders the Canadian provinces of Manitoba (roughly west of
Lake of the Woods)
and Ontario (Lake of the Woods east to Lake Superior).
There may be instances, because of cooperative agreements and
operating plans, where initial attack operations will be conducted by
the Canadians/Minnesotans, prior to, or during implementation of
control operations by a MNICS agency.
The Canadians rely heavily on aerial water bombing in initial attack
and extended attack, with the majority of this work being performed by
the CL215/CL415* tanker and a �Bird Dog� aircraft.
The following information is provided as a guide if this situation occurs.
The CL215 has the following characteristics:
Water dropping capacity approximately 1400 US gallons.*
Foaming capabilities most CL215's can inject first 20 loads with foam.
Drop heights 100-200 feet depending on terrain.
Load release two compartments (each with a door) can be released
singly, in a sequence, or in salvo.
Minimum runway length 5000 feet
Water scooping distance 2000 feet from touchdown to lift off.
Total pickup distance approximately 1 mile to clear 50 foot obstacles
on approach to and on climb from the water source.
Depth of water source lake should be a minimum 8 feet deep.
Wind limitation�s headwind up to approximately 35 MPH.
Flight time w/o refueling four hours from take off to landing.
Operations Usually CL215's work in pairs and have a light twin- engine
aircraft as Bird Dog.
*The CL-415 holds 1,620 U.S. gallons of water and has an advanced
computer controlled water delivery system. It is equipped with
advanced turbine engines.
SAFETY: CL215 tanker operations are potentially dangerous. The entire
1400-gallon load can be released in only 7.5 seconds. From a drop
height of 100-200 feet, this much force can have a devastating effect
on tree crowns (especially budworm killed Balsam Fir) and shallow
rooted tree species. It is essential that all line personnel stay
clear of drop zones. Have personnel move off the line a minimum of 200
feet, if possible, to an opening so that the pilot can see them.
107
CANADIAN / MINNESOTA AVIATION OPERATIONS
(continued)
MANITOBA
The State of Minnesota DNR Forestry has a written forest fire
protection agreement with Manitoba for the use of the CL-215 and Bird
Dog aircraft.
1. Radio Frequency - monitored by both tankers and Bird Dog 122.925/air-to-air.
2. If you cannot make contact with the airtanker or Bird Dog on an
incident, contact MIFC to verify common working frequency with the
Manitoba dispatcher.
3. A MNICS incident requesting CL215 tanker support from Manitoba
should contact MIFC, and supply the information contained on the
Canadian Air Tanker Request Form.
ONTARIO
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the bordering US
management agencies (SUF, MN DNR, GRAND PORTAGE RESERVATION, and VOP)
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a common zone
of fire protection approximately 5 miles (8 km) on either side of the
International Boundary.
The agency discovering the fire will take immediate steps to notify
the agency in whose area it is, and if necessary, take immediate steps
to suppress the fire, organize crews, etc., until the agency affected
has its forces on the ground to take charge.
1. Radio Frequency - monitored by both tankers and Bird Dog 122.925 -
U.S. Air to Air.
2. If you cannot make contact with the tanker or bird dog on an
incident, contact Superior NF or MIFC dispatch to verify a common
working frequency with Fire Management Centers located in Thunder Bay
or Fort Francis.
3. A MNICS incident requesting CL415 tanker support from Ontario
should contact MIFC or Superior NF dispatch and supply the information
contained on the Canadian Air Tanker Request Form.
The state of Minnesota DNR Forestry has written operations plans with
Ontario and Manitoba for sharing each other�s CL-215's and CL-415's
for Initial Attack or pre-positioning aircraft.
MINNESOTA
108
PHONE:
TACTICAL AIRCRAFT REQUEST
DATE:
TIME:
REQUESTING PERSON / LOCATION:
AGENCY:
AIRCRAFT REQUESTED:
# Air Tankers ____________ # Helicopters ______________ Other _______________
GENERAL LOCATION :
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: County _______________________________________________
FORTY: ______________ SEC: _____________ TWN: ______________ RGN: ______________
LAT (DM): LONG (DM):
AIR CONTACT: A/A FREQUENCY:
TONE:
GROUND CONTACT:
A/G FREQUENCY:
TONE:
OTHER AIRCRAFT & HAZARDS:
FIRE SIZE: ___________________ FUEL TYPE:
_______________________________________
VALUES THREATENED: ____________________________________________________________
BEARING: (AZIMUTH / DEGREES) ________________________________________________
FROM: ______________________________________ DISTANCE:
_____________________ (NM)
MTR/SUA: ( ) Yes ( ) No TFR: ( ) Yes ( ) No
COMMENTS:
RELOAD BASE:
TRANSPONDER CODE 1255
LANDING LIGHTS ON
109