1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Communications Specialist Course Communications...

1

National Urban Search & Rescue Response System

Communications Specialist Course


Module 3 Unit 2:

Nets, Frequency Issues and Interoperability

2



Unit Objective

Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to develop Nets, use Communications Plans, and determine methods of overcoming interoperability issues

3



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

4



Did everyone get the message?!

5



Comm Unit’s Goals

Intra Squad Communications

Intra Task Force Communications

Command Net Access

Support Net Access

6



Radio “Nick Names”

UHF Radio (“Uniform”)

VHF Radio (“Victor”)

Satellite Radio (“SatComm” & “SatRadio”)

Satellite Phone (“SatPhone”)

7



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)

8



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

9



What Channel When?

10



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”

11



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

12



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

13



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

14



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

15



Only FEMA can APPROVE the Use of Federal Radios; Regardless of the Band,

Channel or Frequency.

16



Networks “Nets”

Channels should not change during the event!

Tactical Net’s

Command Net

Support Net

Air/Ground Net

17



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”

18



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

19



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


HI 1 BoO

Support Channel

Coverage

20



HI 1 AO

WY 2 AO

DE 3 AO


• Each Task Force has their own Tactical Net

21



HI 1 AO

WY 2 AO

DE 3 AO


IST AO

• The IST has a “IST Support” Channel; similar to a Tactical Net

22



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

23



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

24



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

25



HI 1 LDR

WY 2 LDR

DE 3 LDR

IST LDR

TF BoO’s

Wall Mart

EOC

26



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

27



IST

Task Force AO’s

• IST Coordinates Aircraft Requests

• Task Forces Communicates with Aircraft in AO

28



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!

29



Standard Frequency Action Format (SFAF) See Handout

Current version changes often without notice

Enter as “TEXT” only in an email

Do not attach document

30



National Interoperability FOG (IFOG) Source for InterOp Frequencies

IST Comm will Coordinate InterOp

31



ICS 205

32



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

33



Satellite Communications

Most Dependable US&R Comm

34



Role of SatComm

Telephone other than Cellular or Landline

Inter Task Force Comm

Intra Task Force Comm

IST Task Force Comm

35



US&R Net ID#

Sensitive Information!

US&R 1

US&R 2

US&R 3

US&R 4

US&R99 (USMART)

36



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

37



Unit Evaluation

Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit

1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Communications Specialist Course Communications...

Documents

Transcript of 1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Communications Specialist Course Communications...