2012 VHF Radio Template Changes

1. 2012 VHF Radio Template Changes Narrow Banding

2. Maximizing this Class Narrow banding is more than just some changes to the radio frequencies. It WILL fundamentally change how we use our radios. Please take the time to work through the slides and practice using the radios during the 4 specified exercises. The exercises will give you a chance to practice using various radio configurations in different situations, both emergent and non-emergent. There is also a quiz at the conclusion of the class, intended to ensure everyone has gained the most important information. As we all know, nothing can be more frustrating on a call than a radio communication that cannot be understood. Taking some time today, could reduce a lot of frustration later.

3. Class Overview • RED Net Reminder • Mayday Refresher • Narrow Banding Basics • Radio exercises • Quiz

4. Goals • Create a framework suitable for future configuration and expansion between multi-county emergency service areas • Create uniformity between agency radios, so that any member of any agency can pick up a radio and find the frequency needed. • Narrow banded VHF in accordance with FCC Regulations.

5. The Framework

6. RED NET • Red net is the primary SAFETY channel for Benton,Franklin, and now Walla Walla County users. • Most agencies have designated positions to monitor this frequency. • It remains the LAST in the channel order of all zones for ease of location for the firefighter in a Mayday Situation. (See Mayday Refresher in 2slides)

7. RED NET RED NET SHOULD ALWAYS BE RESERVED FOR EMERGENCY TRAFFIC ONLY. IT SHALL NEVER BE USED FOR DAY TO DAY TRAFFIC. IT ALSO SHALL NOT BE USED BY MEDSTAR OR AGENCIES ASSISTING WITH LANDING AIRCRAFT.

8. “Mayday” Refresher • When you or another firefighter with you is: • LOST • TRAPPED or • In TROUBLE • Call a “MAYDAY” • Use the LUNAR (Location, Unit, Name, Assignment, Resources) acronym to identify your current situation. Call the Mayday on your current frequency. If no response… Turn the channel selector all the way to the right. Call the Mayday again. If no response…. Turn the channel selector all the way to the left. Call the Mayday again.

9. NARROW-BANDING 101 What is it? Why are we changing to it? How does it impact my use of the radio?

10. Narrow-banding • What is it? • Narrow-banding is an effort to ensure more efficient use of the VHF and UHF spectrum by requiring all VHF and UHF Public Safety and Industrial/Business land mobile radio (LMR) systems to migrate to at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology by January 1, 2013. The FCC is enforcing this requirement.

11. Narrow-banding • What is the purpose of Narrowbanding? • Currently, the majority of UHF and VHF LMR licensees operate using 25 kHz efficiency technology. However, the UHF and VHF frequency bands are congested with limited spectrum available for system expansion or implementation of new systems. The migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technology will require licensees to operate more efficiently, either on narrower channel bandwidths or increased voice paths on existing channels. This will allow creation of additional channels within the same spectrum, thereby supporting more users.

12. Narrow-banding • What happens if we don’t narrow-band our frequencies? • The FCC is monitoring all licensed users and will initiate fines up to $16,000 per Frequency per Day after January 1, 2013 if required frequencies are not narrow-banded accordingly.

13. Narrow-banding • Will I lose coverage area when I Narrowband? • It has been estimated that Narrowband compliance can result in a 3 dB loss in signal strength. However, this rule of thumb is based upon a "plain vanilla" Narrow-banding scenario where a 25 kHz analog system converts to a 12.5 kHz analog system. • The full impact of narrow-banding in Walla Walla County will not be known until later this spring.

14. Impact of Narrow-Banding on Radio Functionality There is a clear and definite impact of using narrow banded frequencies. It will be vital that all users follow specific radio etiquette in order to maintain good communication.

15. Narrow-Banding Impacts on… Overall Communications • Generally speaking you should not notice a big difference. However, people who tend to talk quietly or do not project their voice will be more difficult to understand. • Everyone is encouraged to project, not yell, into the radio.

16. General Radio Communications • The biggest impact of narrow banding on the radio user, is the need to speak directly into the microphone. • The sensitivity of the radios, and the resulting transmission will require microphones to be much closer to the user. • Talk into, not at the radio.

17. EXERCISE #1 • The impact of narrow banding on daily radio use. • Materials Needed: • 2 VHF Radios with narrow banded frequencies • 2 or more participants • Standing outside (not inside), have a radio positioned on each side of a building. Use Common. • Perform 10 counts, (1, 2, 3, 4, … ) starting with the radio at arms length. Slowly bring the radio in towards your mouth, until the radio or mic is approximately 2 inches from your mouth. • Have each participant practice talking on the radio. Notice the difference in volume and communication clarity. • Find the distance that provides the best communication.

18. Narrow-Banding Impacts on… Use of Directional Microphones • Lanyard mics, boom mics, table-top mics, and even portables will require the user to speak directly into the microphone for best signal transmission.

19. Using Directional Microphones • Even with SCBA Voice Boxes, the sensitivity of the radio & the transmission, will be more likely to pick up background noise, rather than intended voice transmissions unless you speak directly into the mic.

20. EXERCISE #2 • The impact of narrow banding on emergency radio use. • Materials Needed: • 2 VHF Radios with narrow banded frequencies • SCBA Mask &/or Voice Amplifier • 2 or more participants • Standing outside (not inside), have a radio positioned on each side of a building. Use Common. • Perform 10 counts, (1, 2, 3, 4, … ) starting with the radio or boom mic with it positioned where you normally would. • Find the position that provides the best signal to the receiving radio. • Have each participant practice talking on the radio. Notice the difference in volume and communication clarity. • Find the distance and direction that provides the best communication. • Try using a radio in the radio pouch, without a lanyard mic.

21. Narrow-Banding Impacts on… Signal Penetration into Buildings • Some frequencies (specifically repeated freq.) may NOT penetrate into buildings consistently. • Dense construction materials such as wood, steel, concrete, etc. will reduce signal strength. • Consider the cumulative effect of the number of floors and depth into a building working against the strength of the frequency.

22. Narrow Banded Frequency Penetration 101 PIKES & COPPEI May have penetration issues. FIRE PRIMARY & COMMON. Frequencies should be ok. TAC Frequencies will be best on scene.

23. Building Penetration • Narrow-banded signals DO NOT penetrate into buildings or canyons as consistently as before. • Because of this, personnel inside the building should either be on FIRE PRIMARY or COMMON or be on a TAC ??Frequency. • If you believe you will be out of radio frequency range… • Post someone outside who can make contact with you via a TAC frequency, or • Notify the Communication Center, and request they notify you via phone if unable to contact via normal radio communications. (Obviously – not during emergency ops.)

24. EXERCISE #3 • The impact of narrow banding on building penetration. • Materials Needed: • 2 VHF Radios with narrow banded frequencies • 2 or more participants • Position a radio on the inside & another on the outside. (Ideally – use a concrete or metal constructed building.) • Using Common • Perform a 10 count from the inside radio to the radio outside, and then visa versa. • Using a WTAC Frequency • Perform a 10 count from the inside radio to the radio outside, and then visa versa. • Note ANY differences in signal strength and clarity.

25. With 12 agency users and counting… It is critical that all members of all agencies practice radio discipline in order to free up radio air time for other necessary traffic. Radio discipline starts by ensuring you are transmitting on the correct frequency for the task at hand. Go en route on your assigned channel.

26. Walla Walla Fire Primary • The primary function of this frequency is for: • Dispatching units • Communicating with units on single resource responses or typical EMS type responses. • The dispatcher or duty officer shall advise units when to move to a COMMON or TAC Frequency. • Incident Command communication with Walla Walla Dispatch (until further notice)

27. COMMON • This frequency is designated and assigned for Command level incidents and may soon be used by all units to: • Advise dispatch “Enroute” to a scene • Advise dispatch of “Arrived” status • Advise dispatch of “Available” status • Units may be directed by Command Staff to move to a TAC frequency for on-scene radio traffic.

28. TAC Frequencies • TAC Frequencies are specifically for task oriented functions on any incident. • They should be relied upon solely for operations inside of a building. • Additionally TAC frequencies are for communicating with other resources in/and around the structure. • Division supervisors or Command (on smaller incidents) should be using TAC frequencies to communicate with units on the operational level.

29. Frequency by Incident Tasking & Size of Operation Incident Commander Walla Walla Fire Primary No one position should have more than 2 radios or communicating on more than 2 frequencies. As the size and complexity of the incident increases, so shall the number & types of frequencies. Common

30. Frequency by Incident Tasking & Size of Operation Monitors the Geo (if used) & RED NET. Walla Walla Fire Primary SAFETY OFFICER Incident Commander Common Common No one position should have more than 2 radios or communicating on more than 2 frequencies. Division B Division A TAC TAC

31. Walla Walla Fire Primary Common Staging Officer Incident Commander Common No one position should have more than 2 radios or communicating on more than 2 frequencies. Division A Division D TAC TAC

32. EXERCISE #4 (Slide 1 of 3) • Putting all frequencies into practice. • Materials Needed: • 4 + VHF Radios with narrow banded frequencies • 4 + participants • Identify the positions to be role-played: • Dispatcher (Will be on Common if available) • Incident Commander (Common & W TAC) • Division Supervisor (Can have 2 or more in this role) – (Will be on W TAC & D4 TAC) • Tactical Groups (Can have 2 or more in this role) • Position the participants around the building. • You will be role playing a scenario from the point of going enroute.

33. EXERCISE #4 (Slide 2 of 3) Have the “Dispatcher” dispatch the appropriate units to a Residential Structure fire on Common. (Advise your Comm Center that you are running a drill & the frequencies you will be using.) All units will go “enroute” on Common. As the scenario increases in size and complexity, add TAC frequencies.

34. EXERCISE #4 (Slide 3 of 3) • Have interior crews, and division supervisors conduct numerous exchanges of information on assigned frequencies. • Consider using this radio traffic as an opportunity to practice the various benchmarks & other important transmissions for a structure fire:

35. Take this quiz with the other people in your group. Once you have decided on the correct answer, click the mouse ONCE to show the correct answer. Quiz Time

36. Which frequency will NOT have the best signal penetration into a concrete or steel building? • W TAC • X TAC • PIKES • Common

37. Which frequency will NOT have the best signal penetration into a concrete or steel building, and may not penetrate at all? • W TAC • X TAC • PIKES • Common

38. Narrow banding of VHF Frequencies is required by the _______________. • MPD • FCC. • CIA. • local fire chiefs. • WADOH. • FBI.

39. Narrow banding of VHF Frequencies is required by the _______________. • MPD • FCC. • CIA. • local fire chiefs. • WADOH. • FBI.

40. RED NET should be used for ___________________________. • communicating with MedSTAR. • asking the crew what’s for dinner. • telling interior crews to evacuate. • a safety channel on the fire scene. • the Safety Officer on the scene.

41. RED NET should be used for ___________________________. • communicating with MedSTAR. • asking the crew what’s for dinner. • telling interior crews to evacuate. • a safety channel on the fire scene. • the Safety Officer on the scene.

42. What happens if an agency does not transition to narrow banded frequencies by January 1, 2013? • Nothing, this is a waist of time. • The radios will stop working. • A fine of $16,000 per day per frequency could be imposed. • The agencies license to use the frequencies could be revoked.

43. What happens if an agency does not transition to narrow banded frequencies by January 1, 2013? • Nothing, this is a waist of time. • The radios will stop working. • A fine of $16,000 per day per frequency could be imposed. • The agencies license to use the frequencies could be revoked.

44. Which frequency is designated as the last frequency in each and every Zone? • COMMON • PIKES • W TAC • X TAC • RED NET

45. Which frequency is designated as the last frequency in each and every Zone of the Green & Yellow Template? • COMMON • PIKES • W TAC • X TAC • RED NET

46. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GO OVER THIS IMPORTANT TRAINING. DON’T FORGET TO LOG YOUR TRAINING . THE END