How to use your hand-held radio effectively in an emergency

Tactical Use Of Radios Part 1

Advancement Module 01

After completing both parts of this After completing both parts of this module you will be able to:module you will be able to:

After completing both parts of this After completing both parts of this module you will be able to:module you will be able to:

Understand the types of radios and licenses

Identify typical radio features and controls

Use correct radio operating procedures

Know standard procedural words, and phonetics

Use your portable radio more effectively during

an emergency!

Objectives:

KEY ISSUE: SAFETY!KEY ISSUE: SAFETY!

Radios enhance situation awareness by:Allowing feedback from search teamsHelping communicate observations to

first responders and command postsCoordinating re-deployment of

resourcesBroadcasting weather, environment and

other warnings to action teams

Do we need radios?Do we need radios?

● What are some scenarios where radios would be useful?

● What are some circumstances when we should not be using radios?

Why don’t we use cell phones, landlines, CB radios, or business radios, responder radios?

Why don’t we use cell phones, landlines, CB radios, or business radios, responder radios?

Using cell phones and landlines is perfectly OK for some functions:•To connect the CERT team to the Emergency Operations Center

• (214) 670-4275•To activate CERT team members

In an emergency for field operations:•Cell towers may be down or without power•Landlines are not mobile•CB radios do not penetrate structures well•Business radios are restricted by licensing•Responder radios are restricted by law; in some jurisdictions responder radios may be available to CERT for liaison use

TYPES OF RADIO - What is FRS?TYPES OF RADIO - What is FRS?

The Family Radio SServiceNo license is requiredRadios designed and “Type

Accepted” for use in the FRSMax. transmit power 500mw

Short range – “line of sight”

TYPES OF RADIO - What is GMRS?TYPES OF RADIO - What is GMRS?

● General Mobile Radio Service● An FCC Part 95 Licensed Service for personal

and business use by immediate family members● FCC license, 5 years w/Fee, no test is required● More powerful than FRS for longer range.● FRS channels 1 through 7 are shared with GMRS ● FRS and GMRS may legally talk to each other on

the shared simplex channels.

TYPES OF RADIOSWhat is a NEXTEL i355 / Direct Talk Radio?

The NEXTEL/Direct Talk radios are former cell phone units that have been decommissioned, but they have a walkie-talkie feature which can still be used. Range is only a mile or two. Dallas has about 60 of them to use during deployments.

TYPES OF RADIO - What is Ham Radio?TYPES OF RADIO - What is Ham Radio?

Ham radio is granted for access to a wide range of radio frequencies available to amateur operators

FCC licensing is required and is obtained through training, passing exams and paying fees

Licenses are good for 10 yearsLicensed operators may use substantially more

powerful radios that can reach long distancesCommunications can use repeaters, digital modes

and a variety of special applications including videoUnique call signs are assigned to each licensee

FCC Part 95FCC Part 95

If you operate a radio that has been approved exclusively under the rules that apply to FRS, you are not required to have a license.

If you operate a radio under the rules that apply to GMRS, you must have a GMRS license.

GMRS radios generally transmit at higher power levels (1 to 5 watts is typical) and may have detachable antennas.

What are the parts of a radio?What are the parts of a radio? Typical controls include:

On/Off switch, possibly combined with a volume control Channel or frequency selector Push-to-talk (PTT) button Squelch

Other important parts include: Microphone and speaker (sometimes combined) Antenna Battery

Portable Radio “Anatomy”Portable Radio “Anatomy”

Power On-Off, Switch• Is combined with volume

control on some models

• Or “push-button” on others

First of all, make sure the radio is “turned on”

Channel Selector

Up-Down arrows

or a rotating knob

About “privacy codes” – they are a feature on FRS/GMRS radios, but they don’t really insure privacy. If they are “digital” units, they may offer some privacy.

The ex-Nextel radios used by Dallas CERT for deployment are digital and they use a variety of special encoding and transmission methods that DO insure some level of privacy. We’ll get back to this a bit more when we talk about Communication Security.

More Portable Radio “Anatomy”More Portable Radio “Anatomy”

Example of Channel Assignments for Large Incidents

Example of Channel Assignments for Large Incidents

● CH1 Neighborhood Watch liaison to CERT● CH2 CERT Sizeup Team● CH3 CERT Search Teams● CH4 CERT Rescue Teams● CH5 CERT Fire Teams● CH6 CERT Triage and Scribe● CH7 CERT Liaison to Public Safety Responders

Next – tactical radio protocol or, what to say and when to say it

Starting up the radio

• First things first – turn on the power• Adjust the speaker volume • Next, adjust the squelch

• When you are using the radio, it’s best to hold the antenna in a straight up vertical position

A 2-way radio is not “Like a telephone...”A 2-way radio is not “Like a telephone...”

BECAUSE:

● Only one person can talk at a time

● No one else can speak when YOU

have the talk button depressed!

● SO…

When Do You Speak?When Do You Speak?Speak ONLY if you have to

• LISTEN don’t “talk over” others

• WAIT until others have finished

• THINK about what you will say

• USE PLAIN LANGUAGE

• KEEP IT SHORT!

Push-To-Talk…PAUSE…talkPush-To-Talk…PAUSE…talk

Push the “talk” button then wait a couple of seconds before speaking

This avoids chopping off the first couple of words as the radio changes over from its receive state to transmit

Single Station CallSingle Station Call

1. Name the unit you are calling

2. Then say the words “THIS IS”

3. Followed by your Unit name

4. Optionally, then say “OVER”

Tactical Call SignsTactical Call Signs● Tactical call signs are used in emergencies

and during special events such as marathons, parades, or ceremonies

● Tactical call signs pertain to the activity that is being supported, for example:

– Water Stop One– Northeast Triage– Driver Fourteen– Mounted Patrol Six– Rescue Team Three

Single Station Call – Example:Single Station Call – Example:

The call “SEARCH TEN, THIS IS COMMAND, OVER”

The answer “COMMAND, THIS IS SEARCH TEN”

The response

“CONTACT MEDICAL ON CHANNEL ONE FOUR, OVER”

The acknowledgement

“TEN CHANGING TO ONE FOUR FOR CONTACT, SEARCH TEN CLEAR”

Acknowledge Calls To You:Acknowledge Calls To You:

When you hear a call to you, reply in this format:

“THIS IS” followed by “<your ID>”This lets the unit calling know that you are ready

to receive a message. Here’s an example:

“THIS IS P2 GARAGE, GO AHEAD”

When the message is not clear:When the message is not clear:

oCLARIFY:o<REPEAT Critical Information>oCONFIRM: o“correct”

Example:

“You want me to contact Team 7 on channel 3?”

“Correct!”

Basics for a “controlled net” – be thoughtful!

Basics for a “controlled net” – be thoughtful!

WAIT to be recognized before speaking

Don't send information that must be copied until certain that you have the other's attention

ACKNOWLEDGE transmissions to you

‘Control’ then knows you are ready to continue with your assignment, releasing the frequency

This avoids having to repeat the message.

KEEP IT SIMPLEKEEP IT SIMPLE

● Answer questions directly; do not explain

● Add details, but be brief

● Let ‘Control’ or the requestor ask for details

● ASK who a message is for if you don't know

● Let third parties speak directly to each other

Don't speak louder in a noisy environment

Don't speak louder in a noisy environment

If you speak louder than is

needed for normal speech,

the radio will distort your

voice, reducing

intelligibility.

In Noisy EnvironmentsIn Noisy Environments

Preventive Steps:

Use earphone or headset (if you have one)

Turn down volume - don’t add to noise level!

Shield microphone from the wind

Speak ACROSS the microphone Use a normal speaking voice

Use Procedural Words Correctly

Use Procedural Words Correctly

Using proper key words helps expedite radio

messages and reduces copying errors

They are effective ONLY if everyone understands

and uses them correctly

The “Basic Four”Everyone who uses a 2-way radio

should learn and use these:

The “Basic Four”Everyone who uses a 2-way radio

should learn and use these:

● “THIS IS” - Used to identify who is calling

● "OVER" - Means “I have finished speaking and it’s now your turn”

● “GO AHEAD” - Means “I’m ready to copy”

● "OUT" or “CLEAR”- Means - “I am finished and expect no reply’

The station who initiates the call always TERMINATES it.

Procedural Word RecapProcedural Word Recap

• “OVER”• - Leaves no doubt whose turn it is…

• “OUT”

• - Tells everyone the contact has ended.

Using “Over and Out” together is unnecessary,

use either one or the other.

Communications SecurityCommunications Security

Voice radio communication is fairly leaky – anyone with a scanner can intercept transmissions

CERT teams may encounter situations with mass casualties, crimes, or security concerns

Radio protocol in such circumstances must protect the privacy of individuals and the security of operations, so what things should we think about?

• Avoid mentioning names of subjects or victims• Avoid “fat fingering” the Push-To-Talk button so

that there is an “open mike” when confidential conversations are taking place (if you have a voice-activated mike – don’t have confidential discussions near the radio!)

• Avoid mentioning casualty numbers or incident locations

Communications SecurityCommunications Security

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