CERT E C MERGENCY OMMUNICATIONS In this module you will learn about:  The role of CERT in emergency communications  How to use a communications plan  Communications modes and technologies, including different phone and radio types  An overview of basic two-way radios and how to use them  How a CERT member participates in Net Operations  Radio discipline techniques to encourage effective communication  How to use tactical call signs  How to make a call on a radio  Proper radio use techniques [This page intentionally left blank] COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of this module, the participants will be able to:  Describe the importance of communications in emergency response.  Describe the role of CERT in communications during an activation.  Describe how to use an emergency communications plan.  Describe the local jurisdiction communications plan.  Describe the local CERT Communications Plan.  Identify communications modes used in emergency response.  Identify the advantages and limitations of different communications modes.  Identify general regulations regarding various radio services.  Describe how to properly communicate using communications devices.  Describe the function of Net Operations in communications.  Identify techniques for effective radio discipline.  Describe tactical call signs and their purpose.  Use tactical call signs and pro-words to make and acknowledge a call. SCOPE The topics that will be discussed in this unit are:  Introduction  The role of CERT communications during an activation  Communications plans  Communications modes  Basic radio anatomy  Communications operations ESTIMATED 4 hours COMPLETION TIME CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MAY 2012 1 INSTRUCTOR GUIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING METHODS The instructor should begin by explaining to participants the essential role of communications during an emergency. The instructor should include examples of how communications played a part during an emergency that the participants may have firsthand experience with. Take an opportunity to ask the participants about how they may have seen communications play a role in emergency response. The instructor should keep this discussion brief and follow it with an overview of the module. The instructor should next discuss the role of CERT emergency communications during an activation. This is a broad topic and should be customized to reflect the sorts of activities the CERTs are likely to be involved in. The instructor should highlight the fact that communication is a safety issue. Next, the instructor should discuss the communications plan. The instructor should begin by describing the local jurisdiction’s communications plan, and then go on to describe the communications plan for CERTs. This information should be kept to a level of “what a volunteer needs to know to do his/her job.” Participants will then do group activities to reconstruct how a communications plan works. The instructor will then move into a discussion of communications modes. The instructor should cover each mode briefly and then focus on those methods likely to be used by the CERTs. It is critical that this lecture remain non-technical to help assure that the information will be conveyed effectively to all participants. The instructor should hand out radios to the class (if available) so that the participants can learn basic radio anatomy. The instructor should review the basic components on the radio (those components that will appear on any radio) and discuss battery use. The participants should take some time to familiarize themselves with the radios. The next topic is communications operations. The instructor should begin by describing Net Operations and the role of the Net Control Operator. Next, the participants will break into groups and complete a Net Operations scenario. The instructor should then discuss good radio discipline and explain how to use tactical call signs. The instructor should cover how to make and acknowledge a call. Participants can practice making and acknowledging calls using tactical call signs. 2 MAY 2012 CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR GUIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING METHODS The instructor should then cover basic tips for effective radio use, (CONTINUED) including pro-words and the phonetic alphabet. The instructor should customize this section based upon common pro-words used and the type of phonetic alphabet used (this may vary if the CERT’s sponsor is a law enforcement organization). Finally, the participants will engage in practical exercises where they take on different roles in a communications operation and must communicate messages using protocols, tactical call signs, phonetic alphabet, pro-words, and Net Operations. The instructor will close with a Q&A review session, along with a discussion of where participants can go to learn more. INSTRUCTOR  CERT Program Managers may add material to this course, but GUIDANCE should not remove any of the topics.  Instructors must spend time customizing this course for use with their local CERTs. In particular, they must customize the sections on:  Jurisdiction Communications Plan (Note: Slide 11 must be completed with details from the local jurisdiction’s plan.)  CERT Communications Plan  Recommended Communications Modes  Be familiar with the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course Level 1 or the ARRL Public Safety Communications Manual.  Keep the material non-technical.  Be cautious not to let licensed ham operators divert discussions or run the practical exercises.  Most participants will be familiar with one another; extensive introductions are probably unnecessary.  Be fully aware of and prepared to describe the jurisdictional and CERT Communications Plans.  Provide a completed ICS 205 form in the Participant Manual.  Instructors may want to mention that none of the communications modes are particularly secure.  Avoid recommending CBs for CERT use.  Module invitations CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MAY 2012 3 INSTRUCTOR GUIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR  Request that participants: GUIDANCE  Bring their radios and manuals (if they already own them) (CONTINUED)  Bring their communications plan (if they have one) Notify participants that if they do not have a radio, the class will help them determine which one is appropriate. RESOURCES REQUIRED  CERT Emergency Communications PowerPoint slides  CERT Emergency Communications Instructor Guide  CERT Emergency Communications Participant Manuals  Copies of local CERT Communications Plan (if one has been adopted) to hand out NOTES A suggested time plan for this module is as follows: Introduction ........................................................................ 10 minutes Role of CERT in Emergency Communications .................. 15 minutes Communications Plans ...................................................... 45 minutes Communications Modes .................................................... 30 minutes Basic Radio Anatomy ......................................................... 15 minutes Communications Operations ............................................ 125 minutes Total Time: 4 hours PARTICIPANT Participants must have completed the CERT Basic Training course. PREREQUISITES INSTRUCTOR Instructors for Emergency Communications should have the QUALIFICATIONS following qualifications:  Completion of CERT Basic Training Course  Licensed amateur or professional radio operator  Some instructional experience know how to not get buried in technicalities  Familiarity with ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course Level 1 (or book) or familiarity with ARRL Public Safety Communications Manual (free download) 4 MAY 2012 CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR GUIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The national CERT Program would like to thank the following people who participated in a focus group to develop this training module: Robert Beckmann, Jr. CERT Program Director Nassau County, NY Ken Greenhouse CERT Liaison Prince George’s County (MD) ARES Sharon Kennedy Emergency Manager City of Hillsboro, OR Paul Lufkin CERT Coordinator Office of Emergency Services Palo Alto (CA) Fire Department Bill Morris Captain, Portland Fire & Rescue (ret.) Section Emergency Coordinator, Oregon Section ARRL State RACES Officer, Oregon Phil Yocum CERT Program Director Wentzville (MO) Police Department CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MAY 2012 5 INSTRUCTOR GUIDE [This page intentionally left blank] COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT Welcome and Introduction Welcome the participants and introduce yourself. Briefly explain classroom logistics (breaks, class rules, etc.). Emergency Communications Tell participants that emergency communications is a system of coordinating people and transmitting information to first responders during an emergency. When we talk about emergency communications, we reference several topics:  The communication method or mode  How the communicators organize themselves Display Slide 0  Techniques for effective communication in an emergency Learning Objectives Review the learning objectives with the participants.  Describe the importance of communications in emergency response.  Describe the role of CERT in communications during an activation.  Describe how to use a communications plan. Display Slide 1  Describe the jurisdiction’s Communications Plan.  Describe the CERT Communications Plan.  Identify communications modes used in emergency response.  Identify the advantages and limitations of different communications modes.  Identify general regulations regarding various radio services.  Describe how to properly communicate using communications devices. CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MAY 2012 7 INSTRUCTOR GUIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE CONTENT  Describe the function of Net Operations in communications.  Identify techniques for effective radio discipline.  Describe tactical call signs and their purpose.  Use tactical call signs and pro-words to make and acknowledge a call. Display Slide 2 Introduction Tell participants that during an emergency, effective communications is one of the greatest logistical problems. Without effective communications, first responders, including CERTs, will not know where to respond or what to expect. Without well-coordinated communications, an emergency response organization will be unable to effectively coordinate its resources. Without clear communications, responders may Display Slide 3 misunderstand a situation, responding to the wrong location or responding unprepared for the actual situation. Worse, if communications fails, first responders may find themselves in danger for which they are unprepared. Tell participants that successful communications is essential to successful emergency response, while problematic communications may actually make the situation worse. Effective, clear, organized communications is essential in an emergency response. 8 MAY 2012 CERT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR GUIDE