Communcations
 Contact Team |
 CERT ICP |
 Emergency Operations Center |
The initial priority of the NCA is to provide an effective means of communication
within and between member CERTs and with the county Emergency Operations Center. This means:
Guidance in achieving this objective is provided in:
the FCC in US Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 47: Telecommunications Part 95-PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES and PART 97-AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
Guidance and training are provided by the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) of Palm Beach County, an organization sponsored by the American Radio Relay Legue (ARRL) in response to an agreement with FEMA and the FCC
Palm Beach County guidance is provided in the STANDARD OPERATING GUIDE for COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATION, Jan 2016
The Palm Beach County Communications SOG
ThePalm Beach County Standard Operations Guide (SOG) for CERT Amateur Radio Communication Policy states,
"Each CERT shall have their own Communication Plan for internal communications with team members. Changes in individual CERT procedures
may be required if the team is dependent on commercial systems (e.g., cellular, landline, internet) at the time of activation due to possible damage to the communications infrastructure.
Information received from reporting teams will help the EOC establish and maintain a common operating picture of the incident. CERT communications will provide up-to-date information to assist in formulating responses from the EOC, EOAs, law enforcement, fire rescue, and other responding agencies."
FCC authorization to use GMRS radios at Indian Spring in an emergencyThe FCC has authorized the NCA licensee (WQXY657) to operate a system of GMRS radios in Indian Spring in an emergency
- Adherence to federal, state and county laws, direction and guidance pertaining to communications
- Implementing an infrastructure that provides 100% emergency communications continuity from the individual CERT Contact Teams to the County Emergency Operations Center
- Providing facilities and resources to provide communications continuity support to member CERTs
- Provide training, drills and exercises to maintain efficiency of radio operators in an emergency environment
Adherence to Laws, Direction and Guidance
Guidance in achieving this objective is provided in:
The Palm Beach County Communications SOG
The
Information received from reporting teams will help the EOC establish and maintain a common operating picture of the incident. CERT communications will provide up-to-date information to assist in formulating responses from the EOC, EOAs, law enforcement, fire rescue, and other responding agencies."
FCC authorization to use GMRS radios at Indian Spring in an emergency