1MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Mission Radio OperatorSkills and Requirements

Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

What’s the role of the Mission Radio Operator

• Mission Base Communications

• Communications support in the Field– Relay sites– Staging Areas– Equipment installation support

3MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Basic Procedures

• Mission Radio Operators need to be familiar with the CAP‘s basic communications policies and practices– Basic Radio Operations

• PTT

• RTL

– Prowords and Callsigns– The basics of the Radiotelephone Procedures Guide

4MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Advanced Procedures

• Mission Related Skills that allow our personnel to send new instructions, report mission information and track personnel adding a higher level of safety– Updating a Status Board

– Knowledge of the local equipment available

– Handling urgency signals and emergency traffic

– And other procedures to support the mission

5MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

What frequencies to use?

• Simplex Operations

• Duplex Operations

• HF Operations

• Other agencies frequencies

• Check your local operating procedures and emergency plans before the incident

6MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Message Handling

• Formal vs. Informal Traffic

• Message Precedences

• Message Forms & Distribution

• Communications Unit Log

7MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Choosing a Good Communications Site

• High Ground

• Line of Sight

• Accessibility

• Sources of Radio Interference

8MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Regaining Communications

• Check the Radio• Move to Higher Ground

• Have you tried Duplex?

• Have you tried Relays?

• If necessary or mobile - Move?

• Don’t forget about the telephone

9MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Scheduled Radio Checks

• When?– As briefed– When completing sortie actions– Departure and returning to Incident Base– Entering and Leaving Assigned Search or

Disaster Areas– Any extended stop - like meal or fuel breaks– As prudent Judgement Suggests

10MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Scheduled Radio Checks Continued

• Before Calling In at the time required, determine at minimum:– Your location– Your Status– Anything you will need from the

station you are calling

11MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Scheduled Radio Checks Continued

• When making your radio check give:– The time of the radio check if being relayed or

it was delayed– The team’s location– The team’s status

• Don’t be afraid to ask for a confirmation and read-back of critical messages

12MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Send a Position Report

• When assigned to support a team in the field, aircrew or ground team, it will probably be necessary for you to report your location.– Know where you are, not only coordinates but

also land marks– Transmit your location clearly and calmly– Confirm the location received your

transmission properly by requesting a read back

13MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Reporting a Clue or a Find

• When supporting a team in the field it may be necessary for you to transmit the location or descriptions of a clue or find

– Know the location of the clue or find– Know the conditions of survivors or victims– Be sure to have a clear picture of what is happening

on scene– Establish good communications - move if necessary

14MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Reporting a Clue or Find Continued

– Follow the report format found in the task guide

– Avoid speculation - no guessing– Avoid inflammatory or unclear descriptions– Don’t be afraid to use other forms of communications

like cell phones - radio isn’t the only way

15MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Safety Procedures

• Do your best to provide a safe environment for you and the personnel around you– Lightning protection– Routing, Securing and Marking Cables and

Wires as necessary– Placing antennas so as to avoid RF exposure

and EMI– Ground your communications systems

16MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

ICS Form 213

General Message

17MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

ICS Form 214

Unit Log

18MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Mission Radio Operator Tasks

• L-0001: Basic Communications Procedures for ES Operations

• L-0002: Perform Radio Operating Procedures

• L-0003: Employ Appropriate Radio Frequencies and Repeaters

• L-0004: Message Handling Procedures

• L-0005: Choose a Good Communications Site

19MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

Mission Radio Operator Tasks Continued

• L-0006: Take Steps to Regain Communications

• L-0007: Conduct Scheduled Radio Checks

• L-0008: Send a Position Report

• L-0009: Report a Clue or Find

• L-0010: Communications Safety Procedures

20MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003

QUESTIONS?

THINK SAFETY