1. 1MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 Mission Radio Operator Skills and Requirements Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 6MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 Message Handling Formal vs. Informal Traffic Message Precedences Message Forms & Distribution Communications Unit Log

7. 7MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 Choosing a Good Communications Site High Ground Line of Sight Accessibility Sources of Radio Interference

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 16MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 ICS Form 213 General Message

17. 17MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 ICS Form 214 Unit Log

18. 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

19. 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

20. 20MRO.PPT Last Revised: 10 June 2003 QUESTIONS? THINK SAFETY