Authored by John W. Desmarais Updated 10-Jun-2005 Modified by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell

1. Authored by John W. Desmarais Updated 10-Jun-2005 Modified by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell TX-129 Fort Worth Senior Squadron For Local Training Rev 5.0 04-Jan-2014

2. This Training Slide Show is a project undertaken by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell of the TX-129 Fort Worth Senior Squadron, Fort Worth, TX for local use to assist those CAP Members interested in advancing their skills. The information contained herein is for CAP Member’s personal use and is not intended to replace or be a substitute for any of the CAP National Training Programs. Users should review the presentation’s Revision Number at the end of each file name to ensure that they have the most current publication.

3. The CommunicationsUnit Leader’s Job • The Communications Unit Leader is a resource manager for assets that support the entire mission team. • Mission Radio Operators and other technicians to get the equipment running and keep it running • Radios, Computers, Phones, and other communications tools • Mobile communications platforms like portable repeaters for the aircraft or ground vehicles or even deployable ground vehicles that can be setup to talk to multiple resources

4. What is Required? • To adequately do this job successfully the individual assigned to this duty position must at least be able to: • Setup Comm. Equipment at the Mission Base • Conduct Communications Planning • Prepare an Emergency Communications Plan • Handle an Overdue Radio Check-In

5. Setting up Communications Equipment at Mission Base • Choose an area conducive to good operations • Assemble and install equipment • Check all equipment to be sure it is functioning properly • Check for adequate standby power • Adequately ground all equipment

6. Setting up equipment may be as simple as a mobile radio with a magnetic mount antenna to multiple radios with portable antennas, repeaters, computers, etc.

7. CommunicationsPlanning • The Communications Unit Leader is responsible for making inputs into the overall Incident Action Plan • ICS 205 • Personnel Requirements • Equipment other than radios

8. Prepare an Emergency Communications Plan • Incorporates existing plans for the appropriate locality • Select appropriate channels • Contingency planning • Contact lists

9. Handling an OverdueRadio Check-In To adequately maintain control of operational resources the operations section often requires communications support to track resources in the field. When a resource is overdue, the Communications Unit Leader will need to take actions to re-establish communications or notify the command structure of a potential problem.

10. Handling an OverdueRadio Check-In(Continued) • Communications Unit Leaders must be able to successfully: • Determine that a resource (ground or air) has missed a radio check-in • Use established procedures and plans to attempt to re-establish communications • Be familiar with and prepared to implement notification procedures should communications not be re-established

11. SAFETY • Safety is a primary concern in planning and set up. • Mark and secure guy wires, cables, power cords, etc. • Electric shock prevention • Protect against RF “burn” from antennas • Plan for any predicted poor weather

12. QUESTIONS? ALWAYS THINK SAFETY!