Fire Chief’s Association of Broward County Uniform CERT Radio Communication Policy And Operations

Purpose To Improve overall communications and provide interoperability between CERT teams throughout Broward County, Florida.

Overview  The rapid growth of CERT in Broward County dictates the need for common communications.  Teams continue to work together during large events and regional training.

Governance The Fire Chief’s Association shall maintain licensure of UHF frequencies for CERT. The CERT Committee Chair shall coordinate use of CERT frequencies. CERT frequencies are not meant for permanent daily operations.

Governance Each CERT is responsible for purchasing, programming, and maintaining their own radio equipment. All CERT channels are for county-wide use and not the sole use of any individual CERT.

Governance All radio communications shall consist of common English language. Slang or “handles” similar to Citizen’s Band jargon shall not be used.

Structure The CERT Radio System Consists of 10 Channels: Channels 1-6 Direct Channels 7-10 Repeated

Direct Communications (Channels 1-6) Also Referred to as “Car to Car” or “Simplex”. Requires only one frequency. Range is limited. Used for tactical communications.

Direct Communications

Repeated Communications (Channels 7-10) Requires two frequencies. Requires the use of a piece of equipment called a “repeater”. Allows for greater range.

Repeated Communications

Types of Radio Equipment Portable Radios – Handheld. Mobile Radios – fixed vehicle mount, usually in a vehicle. Base Radios – Typically used in a building and plugged into an outlet. Repeater – Used to extend the range of communications.

Typical Portable Radio

Typical Mobile Radio

Typical Base Station

Radio Use and Etiquette Channel 1 shall be the common call channel for CERT communications. When initiating communications on Channel 1, preface the transmission with the city of affiliation. Example: “Margate CERT 18.”

Radio Use and Etiquette Radio designations should coincide with each city’s fire station designations. Typically, Zone Captains assume the station number and subsequent designations start with 2, 3, 4, etc. Example CERT 18, CERT 218.

Radio Use and Etiquette If a tactical channel is needed, start with channel 2. Before using, check for availability. Example, “Margate CERT on channel 2 checking for availability.”

Radio Use and Etiquette There should be several attempts to make contact before using the channel. If there is someone using the channel, switch to channel 3 and repeat procedure up to channel 6 until a clear channel is located.

Radio Use and Etiquette If a repeated channel is needed for an event, start previous procedure on channel 7. If all channels are busy, a CERT member should monitor channel 1 until a clear channel becomes available.

Radio Use and Etiquette When a channel is no longer needed, a CERT member shall announce on channel 1 that the channel they were using is now available in case someone is waiting for an available channel.

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