National Interoperability Field Operations Guide U.S. Department of Homeland Security Offi ce of Emergency Communications Version 1.4 January 2011 – i – Second printing - May 2011 First printing - March 2011 – ii – INTRODUCTION The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is a technical reference for emergency communications planning and for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response. The NIFOG includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, tables of frequencies and standard channel names, and other reference material, formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them. If you are not familiar with interoperability and mutual aid communications, start with the “How to Use the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide” section. We encourage you to program as many of these interoperability channels in your radios as possible, as permitted by the applicable regulations. Even if geographic restrictions on some channels preclude their use in your home area, you may have the opportunity to help in a distant location where the restrictions do not apply. Maximize your f exibility. To download or request copies of the NIFOG, please visit http://www.safecomprogram.gov/SAFECOM/nifog Your comments are welcome at
[email protected] Thank you. Chris Essid, Director Ross Merlin, NIFOG Author DHS Off ce of Emergency Communications TABLE OF CONTENTS USING THE NATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY FIELD OPERATIONS GUIDE ..1 Recommendations for