Emergency Communication Management

1. Emergency Communication Management

2. Human Communication is difficult enough Don’t add to it with operational and planning issues

3. Design the Comm Plan to accommodate the ICS Structure

4. EOC Structure

5. ICS Structure

6. Optimum Span of Control is: 3 to 7 Supervisor 1 2 3 4 5

7. Poor span of control IC Logs Comm Operations Plans Safety Dispatch RP PIO Med T 1 T 2 T 3 T 4 T 5 All decisions made by one person

8. Span of Control Ineffective and possibly dangerous Effective span of control

9. Some Language Single Resources Includes personnel and equipment Strike Team Task Forces Combination of same kind and type Combination of single resources

10. Some More Language • Sections – Responsible for major functional areas of the incident (Chief) • Divisions – Responsible for certain geographic areas of the incident (Supervisor) • Group – Responsible for functional areas of operations (Supervisor)

11. Chain of Command Have a clear line of supervision Chain of Command - Orderly ranking of management positions in line of authority

12. ICS Organization Flexibility Functions will determine the required organization.

13. The Use of Task Forces, Groups Divisions and Strike Teams: • Maximizes effective use of resources. • Reduces span of control. • Reduces communications traffic.

14. Networks That May be Required Command Tactical Operations Logistics Air

15. Command Net • Ways to Communicate • Family Radio • 2 Meter • 70 Centimeter

16. Command Net • Who? This is generally for Incident Base • Incident Commander • General Staff (Operations, Planning & Logistics Chiefs) • Command Staff (PIO, Safety, Liaison) • Communications

17. Operations Net • Generally where Span of Control Breaks Down • Use Multiple Frequencies where needed • Commercial 2 meter • Amateur Radio (direct and repeaters)

18. Operations / Tactical Net • Who – Resources in the field • Teams • Strike Teams • Task Forces

19. Operations / Tactical Net • Do you know what capabilities the team has? • Primary and secondary frequencies • Phone Numbers • Amateur Radio • Calls signs • Frequencies • Repeaters

20. Logistics Net • Ways to Communicate • Cell Phone • Satellite Phone • Commercial VHF (2 meter) • Amateur VHF (2 meter) • (direct and repeaters) • DO NOT USE TAC FREQUENCIES

21. Logistics Net • Who • Logistics Chief • Incoming Teams • Comm Unit • Off-Site Dispatch • Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club (CD-1)

22. Air NetAir Operations Branch Director (AOBD) • Ways to Communicate • 123.45 AM • 155.160 – Be careful, don’t interfere with other resources • Other AM or FM frequencies as may be needed • Air to Air • Air to Ground

23. Suggested Frequencies map www.nmsarc.org/resources/repeaters.html Thanks Ralph

24. Communication Paperwork No Yellow Pads! (ICS200) Activity Log (ICS 214) Start it at home Understand the Incident Org Chart (ICS207) Communications Plan (ICS 205) communications List (ICS 205A) is optional Comm Log ( 309 )

26. Communication Paperwork No Yellow Pads! (ICS200) Activity Log (ICS 214) Start it at home Understand the Incident Org Chart (ICS207) Communications Plan (ICS 205) communications List (ICS 205A) is optional Comm Log ( 309 )

28. Communication Paperwork No Yellow Pads! (ICS200) Activity Log (ICS 214) Start it at home Understand the Incident Org Chart (ICS207) Communications Plan (ICS 205) communications List (ICS 205A) is optional Comm Log ( 309 )

30. Santa Fe County EOC Request • Large Grass Fire on Hwy 285, 4 miles SW of Eldorado – Winds from the southwest • All areas south of Avenida Eldorado are being evacuated • Communications assistance requested at: • First Entrance to Eldorado • Second Entrance to Eldorado (LaTienda Shopping Center) • County EOC • Write a Communications Plan

32. SAR Assignment * Lost Subject in Remote Mountains * Rugged Terrain, many steep valleys • 9 teams divided into two strike teams, a couple teams reporting directly to communications • CAP Hybrid available • Land Line Dispatch available on Angel Fire Repeater • PREPARE A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN • ICS 205

34. Communication Paperwork No Yellow Pads! (ICS200) Activity Log (ICS 214) Start it at home Understand the Incident Org Chart (ICS207) Communications Plan (ICS 205) communications List (ICS 205A) is optional Comm Log ( 309 )

36. Forms Web site • www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/JobAids.shtm

37. Design the Comm Plan to accommodate the ICS Structure

39. Mission # 05-XX-03 • 0800, December, 10,000 ‘ elevation • Start of Second Operational Period • Mission was started at 1900 the evening before and a limited search has been run through the night • It has been snowing through the night and conditions are deteriorating making travel to the search area treacherous. • The last couple of miles of road is on a 4 wheel drive Forest Service “Road”. Chains required.

40. Subject - • male • 8 year old • missing overnight • lost returning from Christmas tree cutting • Terrain – steep • high • snow • Weather –snow through the night, getting severe as the morning progresses

41. Recourses on site ready to go • Two Dog teams • Two Ground teams • Two Snowmobile teams • Communications Group • 3 Section Chiefs Other Information Guard Helicopter grounded at the scene due to weather Media has announced that help is needed and people are arriving 3 Ground teams Just arrived 3 Dog Teams just arrived

42. Family Just Arrived to help 3 horses & riders With radios (Unknown frequency) 5 on foot with poor equipment no comm.

43. Since the highway was plowed, all three networks have arrived. Their Satellite Trucks are set up at the highway turnoff as well as 3 additional print reporters. They need something now for deadline! The National Guard is calling about their Bird. It is grounded at the search area due to blizzard conditions.

44. 10 Minutes to complete

47. Lessons?? • What did you learn? • What would you do different? • Missions can grow in a hurry • Be prepared to change • Span of control includes communication