DEVELOPING YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN - # 2 (in a series)
Emergency plans need to specify pre-designated net times and frequencies.
A primary or “command and control” net frequency is essential.
(That’s where your team members check in, state their availability, etc., and
come back to if they get “lost” on some other frequency.) In a small
or short duration event this may be all that is needed.
If the incident expands in magnitude or duration, additional nets may be
necessary. Tactical (on scene) traffic can almost always be handled on VHF
simplex. DESIGNATE a simplex tactical frequency. If simplex won’t
do the job, DESIGNATE a second repeater, or use a portable repeater.
Another net or frequency (VHF or HF) may be needed for logistics, scheduling and
coordination of personnel, and may be “quiet enough” to also handle formal
traffic. Whether HF or VHF, these alternate nets should be designated as
needed.
On HF, it is a simple matter for the NCS to announce that logistics or formal
traffic is “up 5”, or “down 5”, or on “such and such repeater”.
At scheduled times, (e.g. - at the “top of the hour”), the NCS from all nets
should meet on the primary frequency for updates, bulletins, etc. Designated
relay and monitoring stations that are multi-mode and/or band can be extremely
helpful and home stations work very well for this task. Also in extended
operations, direct (or use digipeater) Packet or Pactor nets for incoming and/or
outbound traffic will relieve the other frequencies.
It is important that the EC NOT get overly involved in tactical or traffic
handling. The Emergency Coordinator, or acting EC, (usually an AEC, or it
may be a DEC or even a visiting EC) coordinates, schedules and assigns others to
specific functions. Otherwise, the team, may loose it’s direction, and
the normal confusion in any disaster or emergency will only exacerbate.