Post on 26-Mar-2015
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Communications Specialist Course
Module 3 Unit 2:
Nets, Frequency Issues and Interoperability
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Unit Objective
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to develop Nets, use Communications Plans, and determine methods of overcoming interoperability issues
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Enabling Objectives
Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan
Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for
Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Did everyone get the message?!
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Comm Unit’s Goals
Intra Squad Communications
Intra Task Force Communications
Command Net Access
Support Net Access
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Radio “Nick Names”
UHF Radio (“Uniform”)
VHF Radio (“Victor”)
Satellite Radio (“SatComm” & “SatRadio”)
Satellite Phone (“SatPhone”)
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Color Coding of Radios US&R Standard
Black US&R - UHF or “Uniform”
White – UHF “Smart Zone”
Orange - VHF
Blue - 800 MHz
Red - Special
Yellow - SatComm
White - Aviation VHF (also a Victor)
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Why Color Code?
Quick User Identification
Match Radios to Antennas
What to Color Code?
Antennas, Feedlines and Bases
All Radios
Use 1/2” Band of Shrink Tube on Antenna
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
What Channel When?
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
DHS US&R Zones and Channels
UHF Portable Radios
19 Zones (Alpha – Zulu / No Hotel – Lima)
16 Channels per Zone
Zone/Channel Written as B/7
Spoken as “Bravo Seven”
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
US&R UHF Radio Zones Zones A - L are FEMA DHS Zones
Zones M – N are Med Zones
Zone O is UCall/Tac
Zone P is IR
Zone Q is Law Enforcement
Zones R – V
Zones Y – Z are Field Programable
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
US&R Zones
Generally US&R is assigned to Zones Bravo and Charlie
B/1 and C/1 are Reserved for FEMA USE, NOT US&R
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Channel Groups
Duplex Channels
The Output and Input of Repeater Pairs are both now programmed into the UHF radios
In Bravo and Charlie Zones the repeater channels are 2, 5, 8, 11 & 14
Bravo 2 Repeater
Bravo 3 Output Frequency
Bravo 4 Input Frequency
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
This gives you Flexibility
You will only get one Repeater Pair
You have to decide how to best use it
Always think Simplex 1st, this gives you 2 channels
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Only FEMA can APPROVE the Use of Federal Radios; Regardless of the Band,
Channel or Frequency.
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Networks “Nets”
Channels should not change during the event!
Tactical Net’s
Command Net
Support Net
Air/Ground Net
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Tactical Net’s (2 Channels, 1 Net) Established and Maintained by the Task Force Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the TFL and Task Force Operations
Covers entire Area of Operation (Work) Area
BoO may also Use Simplex as Work Channel, if not Interfering with Tactical Operations.
Use Simplex to Cover Area of Operation if Able
Each Task Force has a Tactical Net Channel Name “Texas Tactical”
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 AO
• Each Tactical Net Covers a Task Force’s Area of Operation
• Each Task Force Manages their Own Tactical Net
Tactical Net Coverage
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 AO
• Each Task Force also Maintains a “Support” Channel in their BoO
• Unless the Incident Area of Operation and BoO are in Very Close Proximity the Support Channel is a non-repeated “Tactical” Channel
Tactical Net Coverage
HI 1 BoO
Support Channel
Coverage
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 AO
WY 2 AO
DE 3 AO
Tactical Net Coverage
• Each Task Force has their own Tactical Net
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 AO
WY 2 AO
DE 3 AO
Tactical Net Coverage
IST AO
• The IST has a “IST Support” Channel; similar to a Tactical Net
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Command Net (Only 1)
Established and Maintained by the IST Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the IST and Task Force Operations
SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” is the Command Net Channel unless Changed by the IST Comm Unit Leader
For IST Ops and Task Force Leadership
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 LDR
WY 2 LDR
DE 3 LDR
IST LDR
• The IST Manages the Command Net
• The Command Net Links the Field Unit Leaders to the IST
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Support Net Established and Maintained by the
IST Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path for all “non-Tactical” operations… Logistics, Comm etc…
Has the largest Coverage Area and may be SatRadio, Simplex Radio or Repeater
Initially SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” also is used for these activities
Intended for ALL Task Forces to Use
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
HI 1 LDR
WY 2 LDR
DE 3 LDR
IST LDR
TF BoO’s
Wall Mart
EOC
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Air/Ground Net
Established and Maintained by the IST and Task Force Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the IST and Aircraft and TF and Aircraft
No Planned Channel
Each Task Force is a Participant in the Air/Ground Net
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
IST
Task Force AO’s
• IST Coordinates Aircraft Requests
• Task Forces Communicates with Aircraft in AO
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Standard ICS 205 Considerations Is there an IST Comm Unit assigned?
IF NO IST Assigned… Request Channels from MERS & Develop a Comm Plan (not likely to happen) Predetermined Basic Band Plan
Are you the only TF responding?
How many more are involved?
Who within my TF needs their own channel?
– Logistics?
– Medical?
– Multiple Tactical – can Ops assign?
Remember FEMA may have extra frequencies, but don’t over-request!
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Standard Frequency Action Format (SFAF) See Handout
Current version changes often without notice
Enter as “TEXT” only in an email
Do not attach document
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
National Interoperability FOG (IFOG) Source for InterOp Frequencies
IST Comm will Coordinate InterOp
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
ICS 205
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Changes to the Plan
Changes should only occur with a new Operational Period and Briefing
All radio programming is done no later than 2 hours before the next operational period starts
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Satellite Communications
Most Dependable US&R Comm
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Role of SatComm
Telephone other than Cellular or Landline
Inter Task Force Comm
Intra Task Force Comm
IST Task Force Comm
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
US&R Net ID#
Sensitive Information!
US&R 1
US&R 2
US&R 3
US&R 4
US&R99 (USMART)
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Unit Summary
Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan
Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for
Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training
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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System
Communications Specialist Course
Unit Evaluation
Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit