Communications

COMMUNICATIONS

ALEXANDER COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2011

I.	PURPOSE
	This annex describes the communications systems within the County’s communications systems and presents available communications sources, policies and procedures to be used by County governmental agencies during emergency situations.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	Communications play a critical role in emergency operations. Communications networks and facilities exist and operate throughout the County. Properly coordinated, these facilities provide for effective and efficient response activities.
		2.	The Emergency Communications Center is located in the Alexander County Courthouse in Taylorsville.
	B.	Assumption
			It is assumed that the communications system will survive and/or withstand the effects of a disaster. This annex will provide coordination of all communications systems during an emergency situation facilitating timely response activities.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	General
		1.	Emergency communications systems and services used by the County are controlled by Alexander County Emergency Management / Communications .
		2.	The Emergency Communications Center is operated 24 hours a day and serves as the County Warning Point.
		3.	The Emergency Communications Center will be expanded as required during emergency operations.
		4.	Emergency communications procedures will be implemented and backup capabilities activated as necessary.
		5.	Appropriate communications personnel will be notified.
	B.	Specific
		1.	Telephone Service
			a.	Telephone service in the County is provided by Bell South and Centel.
			b.	The telephone companies will be provided with a list of essential users of telephone service.
		2.	Two‑Way Radio Systems
			a.	The County two‑way radio system is designated as a principal system to be used for direction and control activities. It provides voice communications between mobile units operated by emergency service agencies and the County Emergency Communications Center. The principal users are:
				(1)	Sheriff's Department
				(2)	Emergency Management Coordinator
				(3)	Fire Chiefs
				(4)	Fire Service Coordinator
				(5)	Rescue Captain
				(6)	EMS Director
			b.	The following County departments, agencies and organizations operate two‑way radio systems capable of contact with the Communications Center:
				(1)	Sheriff's Department
				(2)	County Volunteer Fire Department(s)
				(3)	Taylorsville Police Department
				(4)	Rescue Squad
				(5)	Hospital
				(6)	Emergency Medical Service
			c.	The following County volunteer organizations operate two‑way radio systems:
				(1)	Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)

			d.	Other two‑way communications systems, which may be used to communicate with the State EOC during emergencies, include:
				(1)	Division of Criminal Information and Identification Section (DCI)
				(2)	North Carolina Inter-City Police Network
				(3)	Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
				(4)	State Emergency Management FM Voice Radio Network and Satellite Telephone
				(5)	Commercial Telephone
			e.	The following communications systems have terminals or can be accessed from the Communications Center:
				(1)	Sheriff's Department Radio System
				(2)	County Fire Protection Network
				(3)	Hospital System
				(4)	Rescue Squad Radio System
				(5)	Local Area Police Network
		3.	Other Communications Systems
			The following communications systems are available but generally not operated from the Communication Center:
			a.	ARES network
IV.	ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT
	A.	Organization
		1.	The Communication Director is the principal coordinator for planning and developing emergency communications systems and operating procedures. Reference Appendix 1, Communications Organizational Structure.
		2.	The County Warning Point is the central control point for coordinating communications.
	B.	Responsibilities
		1.	Communications Director
			a.	Develop Communications Annex and SOP.
			b.	Ensure that communications procedures are established for the use of logs, message forms and message control.
			c.	Develop procedures for obtaining and restoring telephone services during emergencies.
			d.	Develop mutual aid agreements.
			e.	Prepare authentication charts and devices for use during an emergency.
			f.	Maintain current internal notification/recall rosters.
			g.	Identify potential sources of additional equipment and supplies.
			h.	Provide for radio repair capabilities and maintenance operations under emergency conditions.
			i.	Ensure program training for all County communications personnel including volunteers and maintenance personnel.
			j.	Test and maintain communications equipment on a regularly scheduled basis.
			k.	Provide for regular testing of the emergency generators.
			l.	Provide for radio system compatibility and networking.
			m.	Provide for the delivery of primary and backup radio communications (fixed and mobile).
			n.	Report to the EOC upon activation and provide direction and control for communications operations.
			o.	Staff, equip, and operate emergency communications facilities and systems.
			p.	Coordinate radio, telephone and other communications resources in the County.
			q.	Coordinate communications net with surrounding counties, the State and the County during disasters.
		2.	Telecommunicators
			a.	Provide radio communications in an emergency as directed.
			b.	Establish and maintain a message log.
			c.	Route messages as instructed by the Communications Director.
		3.	Amateur Radio Emergency Service: Provide communications between EOC and shelters and otherwise as directed.
V.	DIRECTION AND CONTROL
	A.	The Local Emergency Management Coordinator will be notified when a major emergency situation has occurred or is imminent. The LEMC will then inform County officials in accordance with the County procedures.
	B.	Authority to direct and control the use of communications systems and services available to County departments and agencies is delegated to the Communication Director.
VI.	CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
	The line of succession is:
	A.	Director of Communications
	B.	Communications Supervisor
	C.	Designated Telecommunicator
VII.	ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
	A.	Facilities and Equipment
		1.	The County Emergency Communications Center is equipped with communications equipment (radio, telephone, etc.) allowing contact within the County, contiguous counties and the State EOC. Reference Appendix 2, Emergency Communications Network.
		2.	The organizations involved in emergency communications will follow the administrative and logistical procedures established by their individual agencies.
	B.	Training and Exercises – Radio operators of emergency response organizations are trained by their respective agencies.
	C.	Security
		1.	Communications equipment is vulnerable during time of emergency particularly during periods of national emergency.
		2.	Communications personnel must possess appropriate security clearances to send or receive classified information.
VIII.	PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
	A.	This Annex will be reviewed on an annual basis.
	B.	All departments/organizations within the County providing emergency communications will develop and maintain communications SOP’s, mutual aid agreements, personnel rosters, including 24-hour telephone numbers and communications equipment inventories.
IX.	AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
	A.	Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations.
	B.	N.C. General Statutes, 166A.
	C.	Alexander County Emergency Management Ordinances.

Appendix 1