1. COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS
Communication Unit Leaders
Breakout Session
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004
National Logistics Workshop 2004

2. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Communication continued training
Yearly refresher (30 Mile)
Crew Boss’s, Division Group Sups. Ops.
Comm. Unit Standards
Standard forms
Medical Evacuation
signed off by MEDL prior to or at the incident.
Weather Form
FOB’s signs off prior to or at the incident
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

3. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Comm. personnel orders
How do we expedite?
COML can’t do it all
Not enough personnel on initial standard order
Create COMR position
COMR would be a trained radio repair technician (this position is now ordered as a COMT w/tools)
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

4. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Accountability/Issuance of radios
Request for positive identification (drivers license, agency credentials)
Each employee will need to have positive identification due to Homeland Security
Badge system will add to this when it becomes available.
Requesting ID, will need to ok’d by IC’s at or prior to the incident
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

5. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Interoperability
Not to integrate 800, 450 MHz. systems into Comm. Plan (205) on first page. May add on additional pages.
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

6. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Contract Crews
Batteries will be available for portable radios
Radios will NOT be available unless ok’d by OPS
Contract clearly states this issue
Frequencies
Only use authorized NIFC frequencies
Your local frequency license can only be used in your area.
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

7. National Logistics Workshop 2004
ISSUES
Tents vs. Trailers
Due to noise reduction for the RADO’s, Comm. or equivalent trailers from either the local forest, CDF or from a contractor are a MUST.
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

8. National Logistics Workshop 2004
SOLUTIONS
MIRPS and ROSS will need to be able to talk with each other to expedite Comm. Orders
Until the badge system is in place, positive identification will need to be added to the T-cards.
Frequency allocation – stay on assigned incident frequencies ONLY. The FRS frequencies or radios are not authorized on a Federal or State incident.
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

9. National Logistics Workshop 2004
SOLUTIONS
Add one additional trailer to the standard initial order to be used for Communications.
Tents are great for storage but not meant for quality Communication exchange.
Add (1) INCM and (1) COMT/COML/COML (t) to the standard initial orders.
We need to think of Communications first and foremost. If you don’t have good communications, firefighter safety is compromised.
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

10. Remember, if you don’t have good Communications, who u gunna call?
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004

11. Thank You “And may COMM be with you…..ALWAYS”
QUESTIONS?
Thank You
“And may COMM be with you…..ALWAYS”
11/20/2018
National Logistics Workshop 2004