LACDCS/TSB/METRO Emergency Communications Exercise
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LACDCS/TSB/METRO Emergency Communications Exercise June 11, 2011 Prepared by: Chris Storey, Staff 66, LACDCS Approved by: Debby Miles, Staff 10, LACDCS Daniel S. Cruz, Captain, LASD Transit Services Bureau Ruth Nelson, Captain, LASD Emergency Operations Bureau Table of Contents MISSION ........................................................................................................................................ 3 EXECUTION .................................................................................................................................. 3 UNIFORM ...................................................................................................................................... 4 TRAVEL TO/FROM UNION STATION ...................................................................................... 4 BRIEFING/DEBRIEFING ............................................................................................................. 4 Command Post/Net Control Staff (EOB) ................................................................................... 4 Field Command Post & All Field Personnel............................................................................... 5 SAFETY ......................................................................................................................................... 5 RULES ............................................................................................................................................ 6 COMMUNICATIONS PLAN ........................................................................................................ 7 Net A ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Net B ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Net C ........................................................................................................................................... 7 RADIO CHECKS ........................................................................................................................... 7 Circuit Merit Signal Report Guidelines ...................................................................................... 8 APPENDIX A - REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 9 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LIST .......................................................................................... 9 LOCATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 9 Command Post ........................................................................................................................ 9 Field Command Post/Check-In ............................................................................................... 9 Revised 8 Jun 2011 Page 2 of 9 MISSION The primary mission of this exercise is to evaluate radio coverage of the existing LA County Disaster Communications Service (LACDCS) Amateur Radio 2-meter and 1.25-meter (222 Mhz.) repeater network between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Emergency Operations Bureau (EOB) located in the East Los Angeles area, and multiple field locations throughout the LA County basin by using the 93 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) Light Rail passenger stations (PAX’s) as known geographic reference points. This exercise will utilize and test four separate Amateur Radio repeater systems operated and maintained by LASD for use by LACDCS, as well as two simplex (direct) radio channels. This exercise will identify primary and secondary emergency communications radio channels and their expected radio coverage areas that can be used to augment the communications resources of the LASD, the LASD Transit Services Bureau (TSB), or the METRO in the event normal communications systems become overloaded or fail during a natural or man-made disaster. Radio coverage information for the LACDCS repeater systems has never been collected to this level of detail in the past, making this exercise an important test of the communications abilities of LACDCS. This exercise will also evaluate the use of a computer mapping software package (Depiction Mapping) as a situational awareness aid for planning and management of future LACDCS events. An additional purpose of this exercise is to provide opportunities for LACDCS members to practice real-world emergency communications skills in a field environment simulating the type and volume of emergency radio traffic encountered during real-world disaster relief operations in an urban environment. The volume of radio traffic that will be handled during this drill effectively simulates widespread reporting of evacuation routes (roads) or critical infrastructure/facility reports that the members of LACDCS may be tasked to handle after a widespread disaster in the Los Angeles County basin area and requiring multiple field teams operating on multiple radio nets. EXECUTION This exercise will occur on Saturday, June 11, 2011, from 0800-1300 hours. Exercise participants will form into teams of two to four LACDCS members with a senior LACDCS member, or Rapid Response Team member, designated as Team leader. Teams will be assigned to each of the five METRO light rail lines (Red, Gold, Orange, Blue, and Green) and will ride the METRO light rail trains for the duration of the exercise. Teams will conduct radio checks on multiple frequencies at each PAX after exiting the train at each stop. During this exercise, teams may also diverted to other METRO light rail lines for additional radio checks if needed or to simulate real-world operational mission tasking reassignments. The Command Post and Net Control for this exercise will be located at EOB. The Command Post will identify with the tactical call sign COMMAND POST during this exercise. Three separate radio nets will be operational to check radio coverage and track member status before, during, and after the exercise. Revised 8 Jun 2011 Page 3 of 9 During the field deployment portion of this exercise (while on the trains), all members of each team will use the same assigned team tactical call sign for all radio traffic. Team call signs will consist of the COLOR of the specific rail line followed by the words NORTH, SOUTH, WEST, EAST, or CENTRAL to designate which section of the specific rail line a team is assigned (i.e., GREEN WEST, BLUE NORTH, or BLUE CENTRAL). The LACDCS Incident Commander will assign team tactical call signs at morning briefing. Exercise participants shall identify with their assigned FCC Amateur Radio call sign once during each round of radio checks with net control. All LACDCS members shall use their assigned LACDCS tactical call sign and FCC Amateur Radio call signs for all other radio traffic before and after the field deployment portion of this exercise (i.e., when checking in/out with the Command Post upon their return home). LACDCS members have authorization from METRO and LASD TSB to ride the METRO light rail trains free during this exercise. A METRO train ticket is not required. TSB field and desk operations personnel know about this exercise and that LACDCS members are riding free. Only LACDCS members on the in-service for this exercise will be allowed to participate or ride the METRO light rail trains free on June 11, 2011. UNIFORM All LACDCS personnel shall be in the standard authorized LACDCS uniform, consisting of a green polo shirt with “DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS” printed on the back, and green pants. The lightweight green LACDCS uniform windbreaker jacket and green LACDCS ball cap with LACDCS logo are authorized for wear during this exercise. Anyone not in proper uniform will not be permitted to participate in the exercise. TRAVEL TO/FROM UNION STATION Exercise participants driving to Union Station may park in Underground Parking Level P-4, Section F, or G, at Union Station Gateway Building, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Exercise participants must park in these sections only to avoid paying parking fees. Exercise participants may take METRO light rail trains to/from Union Station from their residences if desired. Participants riding the train to/from Union Station before/after the exercise must comply with current LACDCS uniform policy in order to ride free. METRO buses and the Metrolink trains are not part of this exercise and cannot be ridden free. Members should ensure they plan their morning departure time to arrive at Union Station Gateway Building no later than 0745 hours. Anyone who misses the morning safety briefing will not be permitted to participate in this exercise. Members will receive METRO timetable information to assist with route planning between home and Union Station. BRIEFING/DEBRIEFING Command Post/Net Control Staff (EOB) The Command Post for this exercise is located at the LASD EOB, at 1275 N. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles, in the LACDCS Radio Room. Revised 8 Jun 2011 Page 4 of 9 The Command Post at EOB will be staffed with the LACDCS Command Post Team Leader/LACDCS Safety Officer no later than 0700 hours to monitor and track movement of all LACDCS personnel responding to this exercise following standard LACDCS protocols and policy. All remaining LACDCS Command Post staff shall arrive at EOB no later than 0745 for briefing in the LACDCS Radio Room. A debriefing for all Command Post/Net Control staff will be conducted