1CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

The Role of theCommunications Unit Leader

Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

What is the Communications Unit

Leader’s Job• The Communications Unit Leader is a

resource manager for assets that support the entire mission team.

– Mission Radio Operators and other technicians to get the equipment running and keep it running

– Radios, Computers, Phones, and other communications tools

– Mobile communications platforms like portable repeaters for the aircraft or ground vehicles or even deployable ground vehicles that can be setup to talk to multiple resources

3CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

What is required?

• To adequately do this job successfully the individual assigned to this duty position must at least be able to:– Setup Comm. Equipment at the Mission Base– Conduct Communications Planning– Prepare an Emergency Communications Plan– Handle an Overdue Radio Check-In

4CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Setup Communications Equipment at Mission Base

• Choose an area conducive to good operations• Assemble and install equipment

• Check all equipment to be sure it is functioning properly

• Check for adequate standby power

• Adequately ground all equipment

5CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Setting up equipment may be as simple as a mobile radio with a magnetic mount antenna to multiple radios with portable antennas, repeaters, computers, etc.

6CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Communications Planning

• The Communications Unit Leader is responsible for making inputs into the overall Incident Action Plan– ICS 205– Personnel Requirements– Equipment other than radios

7CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

8CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Prepare an Emergency Communications Plan

• Incorporates existing plans for the appropriate locality

• Select appropriate frequencies

• Contingency planning

• Contact lists

9CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Handle an Overdue Radio Check-In

To adequately maintain control of operational resources the operations section often requires communications support to track resources in the field. When a resource is overdue, the Communications Unit Leader will need to take actions to re-establish communications or notify the command structure of a potential problem.

10CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

Handle an Overdue Radio Check-In

Continued•Communications Unit Leaders must be able to successfully:

– Determine that a resource (ground or air) has missed a radio check-in

– Use established procedures and plans to attempt to re-establish communications

– Be familiar with and prepared to implement notification procedures should communications not be re-established

11CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

SAFETY

• Safety is a primary concern in planning and set up.– Mark and secure guy wires, cables, power

cords, etc.– Electric shock prevention– Protect against RF “burn” from antennas– Plan for any predicted poor weather

12CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

13CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

14CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

CUL Tasks

• L-0001 Basic Communications Procedures for ES Operations

• L-0010 Demonstrate communications safety procedures

• L-0011 Demonstrate the ability to run an emergency communications network

• L-0012 Demonstrate the ability to handle an overdue radio check-in

15CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

CUL Tasks Continued

• L-0013 Demonstrate the ability to prepare an emergency communications plan

• L-0014 Demonstrate the ability to setup communications equipment at mission base

• L-0015 Demonstrate communications planning• L-0016 Demonstrate ability to manage radio

operations for a ground net• P-0101 Demonstrate the ability to keep a log

16CUL.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2005

QUESTIONS?

THINK SAFETY