Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHurricane-Disaster Communications Operation Plan 1972HURRICANE- DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS PLAN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA WINGS CIVIL AIR PATROL I. PURPOSE A. To provide a command oommunioations network to assist the following during times of natural disaster: 1. State Office of Defense and Disaster Relief 2. Red Cross 3. Department of Public Safety (State Police) 4. Local Governments 5. Other requesting agencies B. To provide a Gulf Coast -wide disaster network between Civil Air Patrol radio stations in Southwest and South- east Regions. C. To provide a training network for improving competence in the handling of Civil Emergency /Civil Defense traffic. II. CONTROL A. Actual Missions 1. Under direct control of the Wing Net Control Station (WNCS) of the state or states involved. 2. Under duty control of the assigned Hurricane Net Control Station (HNCS) of the state or states involved. a. An alternate to be assigned by the HNCS and on frequency until relieved. b. Should HNCS go off the air, control of the net to pass to the alternate automatically until HNCS is back in service. 3. State that is not directly involved in the mission is to standby to assist by logging available personnel and equipment for possible use in the disaster area, and with traffic relays where necessary. a. In the event both Texas and Louisiana Wings are involved, such as a disaster covering Beaumont and Lake Charles, control of the net will be alternated in shifts between HNCS stations of the states involved. b. Other states within the Region are also available to assist during the mission. 4. a. Cantaot will be maintained between Southwest Region wings and Southeast Region wings on 4583.5 (4582 CXR) kHz upper sideband, at the dir- ection of the HNCS, until the strike area is finally determined and control passed to the area involved. HURRICANE - DISASTER NET - - -2 b. HNCS may appoint an alternate to monitor 4582 kHz. This alternate is to report at regular . predeter- mined intervals to HNCS on the primary frequency. 5. (Texas Only) .Red Cross support communications between Red Cross Region Headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri, and the Texas district offices and coastal sv.agrit areas will be handled on 4582 kHz. with the use of phone patch where required, at the direction of the HNCS. All Red Cross traffic will be formal Priority except for Hurricane or Disaster Conference traffic between region, district and local Red Cross directors. 6. a, This Operations Plan may be activated and the Hurricane - Disaster Net opened as formal &.nd dir- eoted at any time deemed necessary before or during an emergency to control the flow of traffic. Activating authorities will be the wing commanders, wing net control stations or tho Hurricane net control stations of either wing. All stations are required to recognize this directed net when it is activated. b. The plan and disaster net may be terminated by the same authority when the emergency no longer exists and the need for directed traffic has passed. o. The plan and net may be temporarily suspended by any of the activating authorities, subject to immediate reactivation when the need resumes. d. This operations plan may be activated prior to issuance of a mission number and may be held on an around- the -clock basis during the emergency period. B. Scheduled Nets 1. The net to meet each week on Tuesday (or daily as required) at 2030 Looal, 0230 -0300 Zulu (Standard), 0130 -0200 Zulu (Daylight), on 4628.5 (4627 CXR) kHz upper sideband. a. Cheokins of Hurricane Net stations b. All Hurricane Net tratfio to be passed o. Other stations to oheokin following traffic 2. Control of the scheduled net to rotate each week between Louisiana and Texas HNCS. 3. The net to be conducted on auxiliary power onoe each month. 4. A training sohedule will be held once monthly on the National Emergency Frequenoy, 4582 kHz., between Gulf Coast stations in Southwest and Southeast Regions, at the direction of the HNCS. C. Training Nets 1. To be planned and controlled by the HNCS stations. 2. All training exercises to be conducted through both WNCS stations with approval of the wing commanders. HURRICANE - DISASTER NET - - -3 3. To be held as often as the HNCS sees need. 4. Training to involve CD, RACES, MARS, Hams, CB, Coast Guard Auxiliary and other communications services, where possible. Each to operate on its assigned frenquencies. 5. All training messages to begin and end with: -- -This is a Hurricane Net test message - -- III. FREQUENCY USE A. Actual Missions 1. CAP to use 4628.5 (4627 CXR) kHz upper sideband as primary frequency. Mission net will shift to 4631.5 (4630 CXR) kHz upper sideband during regular scheduled wing and region nets. 2. During the mission, stations may be shifted to 4630 or 4582 kHz to pass traffic if the load on the primary frequency so warrants. 3. Inter - Region and Texas Wing -Red Cross traffic will be conducted on 4582 kHz. 4. Local traffic will utilize to the best of capability 26.620 MHz, 123.1 MHz, 143.90 MHz and 148.15 MHz. 5. RATT (radioteletype) on 23 72.5 kHz (center frequency) will be used on transmit and receive when possible. Stations with HATT receive only capability can monitor and Roger traffic on the primary voice frequency. 6. Stations may also monitor and receive traffic on 7920 kHz upper sideband, and Roger on the primary voice frequency. Transmissions on this frequency will be by authorized LO and LO Alternate stations only. B. Training Missions 1. Do not use 123.1 MHz for air to ground traffic. 2. Frequency 4582 kHz (National Emergency Frequency) may be used with prior approval only. 3. Primary frequency will be 4627 kHz upper sideband. Secondary frequency will be 4630 kHz upper sideband. 4. Local exercises will be conducted as much as possible on 26.620 MHz, 122.9 MHz, 143.90 MHz and 148.15 MHz. 5. RATT on 2372.5 kHz may be used. 6. Inter - Region exercises between Southwest, Southeast and North Central Regions will be conducted on 4582 kHz. All stations may participate. IV. HURRICANE NET CONTROL STATION (HNCS) A. Responsibilities 1. Control of the net 2. Appoint an alternate 3. secure and train extra personnel to assist at Hurricane Net Station, sufficient for round- the -clock operation. HURRICANE - DISASTER NET - - -4 4. Maintain a file of all land stations on Hurricane - Disaster Net roll (CAP): a. Tactical call b. Location, unit, telephone number c. CAP frequency capability d. Direct capabilities with other radio services e. Auxiliary power capability and size f. Other communications capabilities (receive, phone patch, RATT receive, portable operation, etc.) g. Location during civil emergency by prior commitment h. Specialty qualifications 5. Maintain a file of all mobile units (CAP) within Hurricane Net area: a. Tactical Call b. Location c. Type of vehicle - private or corporation d. CAP frequency capability e. Rescue qualifications f. Operating radius g. Lead time for full mobilization n. Unit J.. Other communications capabilities 6. Maintain a file of all Communications Vans and Buses (CAP) within range of the Hurricane area: a. Full communications capabilities b. Location c. Auxiliary power size d. Operating radius e. Lead time for full mobilization f. Personnel required for 100% of operating capability 7. Organize an alerting system 8. Monitor weather and maintain a Hurricane weather chart. Inform net of possible dangerous systems and progress. 9. Assign mobile equipment as needed by requesting agencies 10. Maintain liason with other cooperating services: a. Red Cross b. Civil Defense (RACES) e. MARS d, Radio Amateur Operators e. Citizens Band Operators and Clubs 11. Maintain status chart showing location of all units operating during mission 12. During actual mission, submit daily report to Wing Headquarters and Mission Coordinator as listed on CAP -HN Form 3, Hurricane Net Status Report (attached) 13. Appoint monitor stations for 4582 kHz, and other frequencies and services deemed necessary, such stations to report back on the primary frequency at regular intervals as requested by HNCS B. Capabilities 1. Full transmit and receive capabilities on all authorized CAP frequencies: HURRICANE- DISASTER NET. - -5 a. HATT 2372.5 kHz (center frequency) b. SSB 4582, 4627 and 4630 kHz upper sideband c. Wing and /or SWRLO SSB 7920 and 11,975 kHz upper sideband d. CAP National Headquarters SSB 14,903.5 (14,905 CXR) lower sideband e. AM 26.620 MHz f. FM 143.90 and 148.15 MHz 2. Monitor capabilities for local and state law enforce- ment, Civil Defense (local), RACES, MARS, weather 3. Possess auxiliary power V. NET CONTROL AND ALTERNATE CONTROL STATIONS A. Texas Wing 1. Wing Net Control Station (WNCS) KKI -724, Tyler, Texas Phone 214 -592 -2426 (Wing Headquarters) 2. Hurricane Net Control Station (HNCS) Eagle Nest 66, Silsbee, Texas Phone 713 - 385 -3988 3. Hurricane Net Alternate Eagle Nest 18, Beaumont, Texas Phone 713 -752 -5279 B. Louisiana Wing 1. Wing Net Control Station (WNCS) KKI-720, Magnolia 0, New Orleans, Louisiana Phone 504 -527 -8168 (Wing Headquarters) 2. Hurricane Net Control Station (HNCS) Magnolia 231, New Orleans, Louisiana Phone 504 - 288 -7480 3. Hurricane Net Alternate Magnolia 79, Lake Charles, Louisiana Phone 318 -436 -0233 HURRICANE - DISASTER NET - - -6 VI. ATTACHMENTS A. Suggested Capabilities for Command Post Stations B. Suggested Capabilities for Communications Vans and Buses C. Procedures for Communications Centers (Vans) after moving into a disaster area D. (Texas Only) Support for Red Cross Disaster Mission E. Suggested Radio Log Sheet (CAP -HN Form 1) F. Suggested SWR Message Form (CAP -HN Form 2) G. Hurricane- Disaster Mission Status Report (CAP -HN Form 3) H. Master Message Log (CAP -HN Form 4) I. Frequency Data as used in the Hurricane- Disaster Net ATTACHMENT A SUGGESTED CAPABILITIES FOR COMMAND POST STATIONS (Stations near a disaster area which will possibly be used as Hurricane- Disaster Command Post Stations during and immediately following a strike.) 1. RATT receive and transmit 2372.5 kHz.(oenter) receive 4631.5 kHz (oenter) 2. SSB receive and transmit 4582, 4627 and 4630 kHz upper sideband receive only 7920 and 11,975 kHz upper sideband phone patch 3. Looal contact with CAP units on 26.620 MHz and /or VHF 4. Direct contact with nearest Civil Defense Emergency Operating Center (EOC) and Red Cross, either by radio or phone 5. Auxiliary power suffioient to maintain station through the emergency 6. Should be capable of simultaneous receive on two SSB frequencies 7. Maintain liason with local Operating AF -MARS and /or RACES stations 8. Capable of around- the -clock operation ATTACHMENT B SUGGESTED CAPABILITIES FOR COMMUNICATIONS VANS AND BUSES 1. RATT receive 2372.5 and 4631.5 kHz transmit 2372.5 kHz, if possible 2. SSB receive only ?920 and 11,975 kHz upper sideband transmit 4582, 4627 and 4630 kHz upper sideband 3. Phone patch for use on SSB transmit through field phones or local commercial service if available 4. 26.620 MHz AM for local traffic 5. SAR 122.9 and 123.1 MHz Air to Ground 6. VHF 143.90 and 148.15 MHz AM /FM (FM preferred) local traffic 7. Auxiliary power 8. Field Phones 9. Walkie- Talkies on 26.620 MHz or VHF frequencies 10. Both mobile and fixed antennas for SSB transmit 11. Heavy extension cord for connecting to commercial power where available 12. Tape recorder for recording phone patch and conference traffic 13. Food, water, gasoline, etc. to be self- sustaining for a minimum of 48 -hours 14. Sufficient quantities of the following to sustain the communications center for the term of the mission: a. Radio Log Sheets (CAP -HN Form 1) b. New Southwest Region Message Forms (CAP-RN Form 2) c. Hurricane - Disaster Net Status Report (CAP -HN Form 3) d. Master Message Logs (CAP -HN Form 4) e. Mission Personnel Register (CAP Form 103) 1. All communications personnel to be registered separately 2. Copy of the register to Mission Coordinator or local commander f. Carbons for all messages g. File for messages h. Pencils, scratch paper, etc. 15. Backup transmitters where possible 16. Portable /extension lighting ATTACHMENT B -2 17. Dry chemical or foam type fire extinguisher 18. Charts of operating area (current highway map, county maps, etc. 19. First -Aid Kit complete with Snake Bite Kit 20. Copies of current CAPM 100 -1, CAPM 50 -15 and Hurricane - Disaster Communications Operations Plan 21. Common sense and a well- trained crew. A disaster net is not the place to train new operators and auxiliary personnel ATTACHMENT C PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNICATIONS VANS - CENTERS AFTER MOVING INTO A DISASTER AREA 1. Establish contact with the Hurricane NCS 2. Establish contact with local requesting agencies and local CAP units. Brief them on your communications capabilities. 3. Register all CAP mobile units operating in the area 4. Register all communications personnel. Provide a copy for the on -scene commander or Mission Coordinator. 5. File opening report, including full communications capabilities, on CAP -HN Form 3. 6. Set up field phone or secure local telephone service for CAP -Red Cross use in phone patch. 7. As soon as practical, install fixed antennas. Do not, however, subject personnel or equipment to possible storm damage. 8. Maintain 24 -hour duty until authorized to stand down or go on shorter duty. 9. Secure and maintain adequate personnel to operate communications center at 100% of capability. 10. Suggest establishing contact with local operating AF -MARS station for backup support. 11. Provide liason with CD /RACES. 12. Secure communications center from possible damage by weather, vandals and unskilled help. Keep guards posted at all times. 13. Provide Hurricane NCS with opening and closing status reports daily at 0800 local and 1800 local on CAP -HN Form 3. Report any major changes in status immediately on the same form. 14. All times in messages and logs will be Zulu. This may require you to convert times in formal messages. 15. Station will monitor and operate on the SSB frequency as directed by the Hurricane NCS, 16. Stations will not change from the primary frequency or close without notifying the Hurricane NCS. 17. Copies of all logs and messages will be sent to the Hurricane NCS within five (5) days after close of mission. 18. The following items pertain to traffic during an actual mission: a. PRIORITY messages will be delivered within 30 minutes after receipt. Service messages may be sent to confirm delivery. b. ROUTINE messages should be delivered as soon as possible after reoe p , but in no case later than six hours. If it cannot be delivered for any reason, notify the sending station. ATTACHMENT C -2 e. CONFERENCE traffic may be given a priority between officials of requesting agencies and /or CAP commanders. It should be tape recorded where possible. d. No "Third Party" or personal -type traffic will be acoepted for transmission on CAP frequencies. Requesting agencies are not considered Third Parties. Traffic listing statistics or numbers are not considered "Health and Welfare ", as long as it does not deal with a named individual. e. Traffic from requesting agencies must contain a signature, either in the FROM line of the message or at the end as a part of the text. f. All SSB traffic will be through the Hurricane- Disaster NCS. Local traffic may be handled as directed by the on -scene communications officer. g. Informal traffic will be kept to a minimum on the SSB frequencies. 19. Explanations for keeping the Master Message Log (CAP -HN Form 4): a. Message Number -- -Each CAP station will assign a serial number to each formal message originated or received for relay. Message numbers will be in consecutive numerical order. A new series of numbers will begin at 0001 Zulu on the first day of each month. On messages to be relayed, the serial number assigned by the sending station will be deleted and replaced by a serial number of the relaying station. All other elements of the message will stay the same. The number placed in the log will be the sending station's number when you receive the message, and /or the number placed on a piece of formal traffic to be transmitted by your station. Therefore, the same message could be entered on the Master Log twice with two different numbers---once when received and again when retransmitted. Place the n *umber in the correct column (8-sent, R- received). Numbers placed on traffic by requesting agencies will be left unchanged and will be the first word of the text. They have nothing to do with your sequence of numbers and traffic. Use of this log gives a eomplete reference to all traffic handled through the communications center on ALL frequenoies. b. Date -time group in Zulu Time when you receive or transmit a message on the radio. e. FROM -name of person or agency initiating the message d. TO -name of person or agency to receive the traffic ATTACHMENT C -3 e. Precedence of Message in order of priority 1. Redcap (Hurricane) Priority (RP or HP) 2. Priority (P) 3. Redcap ( HUrricane) Routine (RR or HR) 4. Routine (R) 5. Conference (C) Conference traffic may be given a higher priority if deemed nedessary by HNCS. f. Date -time group written on the message g. Frequency on which the traffic was received or transmitted H. Name of initiating agency providing traffic for your trans- mission or radio station call sign from whom you received the message. This master message log will take a little practice for familiarity, however once in use, it will assist in determining which traffic was handled on which frequency and when it was handled. It also gives you a quick reference on your message numbers. ATTACHMENT D TEXAS ONLY SUPPORT FOR RED CROSS DISASTER MISSION I. PURPOSE To provide a reliable, long -range communications network before, during and after a civil disaster in which normal means of communications have been curtailed. II. PROBLEM A. To give a direct link between Red Cross officials on regional, district and local levels. H. Maintain reliable communications between disaster scenes and Red Cross staging areas. C. Provide short range backup for Red Cross communications in the disaster area. III. DISASTER OPERATIONS A. CAP Communications Units (portable base stations and mobile units) will need oto be at their proposed oper- ating locations before the Hurricane strike. B. Establish communications between local Red Cross units and higher levels before the strike. All precautions will be taken to protect CAP personnel and equipment during the strike. C. Strike area stations will maintain contact with the Hurricane NCS on the primary frequency. 1. Primary frequency will be 4628.5 (4627 CXR) kHz upper sideband, unless otherwise direoted by the HNCS. 2. Red Cross direct communications will be on 4583.5 (4582 CXR) kHz upper sideband, when directed by the Hurricane Net Control Station. 3. Phone patch via field phones or local limited tele- phone service may be required at the disaster scene until regular phone service is restored. 4. Possible use of 7920 kHz upper sideband between Southwest, Southeast and North Central Regions may be used between wing /region LO and LO Alternate stations. Portable base stations in the strike area should have at least monitor capabilities on this frequency. ATTACHMENT D -2 5. All Red Cross traffic should be Priority written where possible. Priority Conference traffic may be authorized where direct conversation is required between Red Cross officials. All Conference traffic should be tape recorded and noted on the Master Message Log. 6. No personal or individual (health and welfare) traffio can be accepted for third parties. The Red Cross have other services to transmit this type of traffic. Welfare statistics are acceptable. 7. Local assistance should be on 26.620 MHz and VHF. D. Red Cross will request CAP assistance before a strike, authorizing a Mission Number with insuranoe coverage and fuel reimbursement. CAP communications vehicles will be prepared to be operational as soon as the Mission Number is issued, and the CAP Mission Coordinator issues orders for movement of the vehicles to a speoified location. E. CAP personnel in the field will receive meals and shelter at their assigned location through the Red Cross. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES It will be the responsibility of the CAP commander and /or oommunioations officer at each level to brief his Red Cross counterpart as to the operating capabilities of CAP communi- cations. Close liason between the two agencies prior to a disaster will help assure efficient and reliable communi- cations usage during the emergency. RADIO LOG Mission Page Radio Station Beginning Date Frequencies A B C D E 1 g Station Called Traffic Date -Time Called By Freq. Remarks S R ■ MESSAGEFORM This is Message follows number (Routine)(Priorit/) (Redcap)(Redcap Priority) Time Zulu From: To: Info: Groups Break * 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 Break Operator's Notes; Station Time & Month Year Frequency Operator *This space may be used for originator's office symbol and his official mess. no. ATTACHMENT G CAP -HN Form 3 HURRICANE- DISASTER MISSION STATUS REPORT (Follow wording of heading exactly during transmission. Use only item numbers in text.) This is Message follows number Disaster Mission Status Report. Time Zulu From To Info To BREAK 1. Mission Number 2. Seniors participating, total 3. Cadets participating, total Ground Rescue Personnel 5. Communications Personnel 6. Command and Administrative Personnel 7. Mission Pilots 8. Mission Observers 9. CAP Vehicles participating 10. Communications Vans or Buses 11. Base Stations 12. CAP Rescue Vehicles, radio equipped 13. Member owned vehicles, radio equipped 14. Mileage Driven, total 15. Corporate Aircraft 16. Member owned Aircraft 17. Sorties flown, corporate a rcra t 18. Sorties flown, member owned aircraft 19. Total hours flown (in tenths) 20. Auxiliary power units available 21. Other equipment available 22. Cooperating Agencies 23. Name of Communications Officer 24, Operating Location 25, Name of Mission Coordinator or On -Scene Commander (CAP) 26. Name of Cooperating Agency Local Director or Administrator BREAK TIME Zulu OVER MASTER MESSAGE LOG Station Beginning Date ATTACHMENT I FREQUENCY DATA FOR HURRICANE - DISASTER NET 2372.5 kHz (center) RATT receive and transmit all units 4583.5 (4582 CXR) kHz upper sideband. National Calling and Emergency frequency. Inter - region and Red Cross traffic. 4628.5 (4627 CXR) kHz upper sideband. Primary frequency 4631.5 (4630 CXR) kHz upper sideband. Secondary frequency 4631.5 kHz (center) RATT receive from Southwest Region Head- quarters stations. 7920.0 kHz upper sideband. Receive all stations. Transmit by wing and region LO and LO Alternate stations only. Inter - region traffic between Southwest, Southeast and North Central Regions. Primary SWR LO frequency. 11,975 kHz upper sideband. Receive all stations. Transmit by wing and region LO and LO Alternate stations only. Secondary SWR LO frequency. 14,903.5 (14,905 CXR) lower sideband. Wing and region LO and LO Alternate stations contact with CAP National Headquarters 26.620 MHz AM Local traffic only 122.90 MHz SAR Air to Ground practice and actual missions 123.10 MHz SAR Air to Ground actual missions o_nl 143.90 MHz AM /FM (FM preferred) Local traffic only 148.15 MHz AM /FM (FM preferred) Local traffic only 143.90/148.15 MHz FM Repeater (transmit - 143.90, receive - 148.15) 148.15/148.15 MHz FM direct contact frequency (RATT- radioteletype) (CXR- carrier reference frequency) (used throughout this document in referring to the upper sideband frequency) Commission WILSON E. SPEIR CLIFTON W. CASSIDY, JR. Director LEO E. GOSSETT Chairman Assistant Director MARION T. KEY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILLIAM B. BLAKEMORE, II 5805 N. LAMAR BLVD. BOX 4087 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78773 DIVISION OF DEFENSE March 22, 1972 AND DISASTER RELIEF Colonel Joseph L. Cramer, CAP Commander, Texas Wing P. O. Box 3007 Tyler, Texas 75701 Dear Colonel Cromer: This is to advise you of a coolant received from one of our local Civil Defense Coordinators concerning his inability to cooperate with the local CAP Unit Commander in accordance with CAPN 50-15 and FCDG El.4.2. Mt. Jake Cangloae is both an employee of Texas A and M and the Brazos County Civil Defense Director. In response to suggestions contained in many DOD and States publications, Mr. Canglose has atempted to coordinate his activities with those of Lt. William Kukendall, who is listed as the Talon Squadron Commander, without success. I am sure that the problems are minor and most likely the result of a communications gap. I am equally certain that we can depend on you and .... the other parties concerned to roach a mutually satisfactory arrangement. Sincerely, C. O. Layne State Coordinator Frank T. Cox CD/CAP Liaison Officer PIC:prs co: Lt. Col. James L. Oliver, CAP Conroe BRAZOS COUNTY JAKE CANGELOSE JOHN W. HILL County Director and Chairman Civil Defense & Emergency Planning Texas A &M University Director FRED SANDLIN County Courthouse GEORGE L. HUEBNER Bryan Director Bryan, Texas 77801 College Station Director March 24, 1972 Ivlr. Frank T. Cox, CAP Liason Officer Texas Department of Public Safety Box 4087 Austin, Texas Reference your letter dated March 22, 1972: Dear Lr. . Cox: I believe that an unfortunate misunderstanding exist as to our coordination and participation with our local unit of the Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Kuykendall who is the local commander and myself are working very closely in coordinating our local programs. I have worked with his unit and assisted him with helping to obtain resource personnel in his communications program and we are currently working together on a aerial monitoring program and Lt. Kuykendall has repeatedly offered the services of his command to assist in any local civil defense activities. I would like to state that I rate Lt. William Kuykendall as one of the best local commanders we have had and he .has coordinated his program with me every since he has taken over command as squadron commander. I would like to make it perfectly clear that I have no complaints and problems in coordina ..ing our programs and have the highest of praise for Lt. William Kuyksndall's cooperation and activity in ,our county Civil Defense program. Please see that this unfortunate misunderstanding be corrected as soon as possible. Respectfully yours, Jake Canglose County Director Brazos County Civil Defense cc: Col. Joseph L. Cromer, CAP Tyler Note: Please forward copy to Lt. Col. James L. Oliver, CAP Conroe