EMERGENCY

COMMUNICATION

MANAGEMENT

Human Communicationis difficult enough

Don’t add to it withoperational and planning issues

Design the Comm Plan to accommodate the ICS Structure

IC

Plans Logistics

Comm

Medical

Operations

Strike Team Alpha

T1

T2

T3

Strike Team Bravo

T4

T5

T6

T7

Strike Team

Charlie

T8

T9

T10

Safety PIO

Dispatch

EOC Structure

ICS StructureIC

Plans Logistics

Comm

Medical

Operations

Strike Team Alpha

T1

T2

T3

Strike Team Bravo

T4

T5

T6

T7

Strike Team

Charlie

T8

T9

T10

Safety PIO

Dispatch

Optimum Span of Control is:

3 to 7

Supervisor

1 2 3 4 5

All decisions made by one person

Poor span of control

IC

PlansOperationsCommLogs Dispatch RP PIO MedSafety

T 3T 2 T 5T 1 T 4

Span of Control

Ineffective andpossibly dangerous

Effective spanof control

Some Language

Single ResourcesIncludes personnel and equipment

Strike TeamCombination of same kind and type

Task ForcesCombination of

single resources

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)

Chain of CommandHave a clear line of supervision

Chain of Command - Orderly ranking of management positions in line of authority

ICS Organization Flexibility

Functions will determine the required organization.

The Use of Task Forces, GroupsDivisions and Strike Teams:

Maximizes effective use of resources.

Reduces span of control.

Reduces communications traffic.

Networks That May be

Required

Command TacticalOperationsLogistics Air

Command Net Ways to Communicate

Family Radio

2 Meter

70 Centimeter

Command Net Who? This is generally for Incident Base

Incident Commander

General Staff (Operations, Planning & Logistics Chiefs)

Command Staff (PIO, Safety, Liaison)

Communications

Operations Net Generally where Span of Control Breaks

Down

Use Multiple Frequencies where needed

Commercial 2 meter

Amateur Radio (direct and repeaters)

Operations / Tactical Net

Who – Resources in the field

Teams

Strike Teams

Task Forces

Operations / Tactical Net Do you know what capabilities the team

has? Primary and secondary frequencies Phone Numbers Amateur Radio

Calls signs Frequencies Repeaters

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

Logistics Net

Who

Logistics Chief

Incoming Teams

Comm Unit

Off-Site Dispatch

Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club (CD-1)

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

www.nmsarc.org/resources/repeaters.html

Suggested Frequencies map

Thanks Ralph

Communication PaperworkNo 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 )

Communication PaperworkNo 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 )

Communication PaperworkNo 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 )

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

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

Communication PaperworkNo 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 )

Forms Web site

www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/JobAids.shtm

Design the Comm Plan to accommodate the ICS Structure

IC

Plans Logistics

Comm

Medical

Operations

Strike Team Alpha

T1

T2

T3

Strike Team Bravo

T4

T5

T6

T7

Strike Team

Charlie

T8

T9

T10

Safety PIO

Dispatch

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.

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

Recourses on site ready to go Two Dog teams Two Ground teams Two Snowmobile teams Communications Group 3 Section Chiefs Other InformationGuard Helicopter grounded

at the scene due to weather

Media has announced that help is needed and people are arriving

3 Ground teams Just arrived3 Dog Teams just arrived

Family Just Arrived to help

3 horses & riders

With radios(Unknown frequency)

5 on foot with poor equipmentno comm.

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.

10 Minutes to

complete

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