**Chapter 15**

**Communications**

**Radio Communications**

Radio communications provide for the flow of tactical information needed
for the command/control of personnel and resources.

**Policy**

Agency specific policies for radio communications may be found in:

-   *Department of Interior, Department Manual, Radio Communications
    Handbook (377 DM).*

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-   *USDA Forest Service Handbook (FSH 6609.14 chapters 10-40 and Forest
    Service Manual (FSM) 6600 Systems Management Chapter 6640 -
    Telecommunications.*

**Radio Contracts**

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-   For information on contracts, software, and hardware requirements
    and approved radios, contact the National Radio Communications
    Division (NRCD) at (208) 387-5830.

**Dispatch Recording Devices**

-   ***BLM -** Recording devices will be used by BLM dispatch offices or
    any interagency office dispatching BLM resources.*

**Radio Frequency Management**

-   FM frequency assignments for normal operations or initial attack
    ground operations are made on a permanent basis and are requested
    through the state office ISO frequency manager to the Washington
    Office frequency manager.

-   The NIFC Communications Duty Officer (CDO) coordinates and assigns
    incident frequencies at the national level. They will also assign
    Communications Coordinators (COMC) when necessary to support
    specific Geographic Areas. See the National Mobilization Guide for
    additional information.

-   Mutual-aid agreements for frequency sharing can be made at the local
    level.

-   A mutual-aid frequency sharing agreement is valid only in the
    specific locale it originates in. These agreements do not authorize
    the use of a shared frequency in any other area. NIFC national fire
    frequencies are not to be used for these agreements.

-   Do not use a frequency unless authorized to do so by communications
    personnel at the local, state, regional or national level.

-   Initial attack AM air operations frequencies will be assigned by the
    NIFC CDO and FM air operations frequencies will be
    facilitated/assigned by the NIFC CDO. These assignments will be on
    an interagency basis and coordinated with the GACCs.

-   On Type 1 or 2 incidents, the Communications Unit Leader (COML) will
    request, assign, and report all frequencies used on the incident to
    the NIFC CDO/COMC. This would include the request and assignment of
    aircraft frequencies. The ICS-205 and ICS-220 are always a part of
    the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and distributed at every operational
    period briefing.

-   The COML will contact the NIFC CDO, or the COMC if assigned, for
    additional FM and AM frequencies. Requests for aviation frequencies
    will be placed through established ordering channels through NICC
    and will be filled by the NIFC CDO or COMC. COML's will ensure that
    the host agency Aviation Dispatcher and the NIFC CDO or COMC has the
    current ICS-220 for their incident.

-   Frequencies for Type 1 and Type 2 incidents are assigned through the
    National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD)
    located at NIFC. The CDO is responsible for this function.

-   During severe situations and/or when there are significant numbers
    of large incidents additional frequencies can be assigned. These are
    temporary assignments, and are requested by the NIFC CDO from the
    Washington Office (Spectrum) managers and given by the CDO to the
    incident. This applies to frequencies for command, ground tactical,
    and aviation operations.

-   Additional frequencies are provided in the following circumstances:

    -   The NIICD national frequencies are all committed within a
        specific geographic area.

    -   The requests continue for frequencies to support new incidents
        within a specific complex.

    -   The fire danger rating is extreme and the potential for
        additional new incidents is high.

**Pre-assigned National Frequencies**

National Air Guard - 168.625 MHz - A National Interagency Air Guard
frequency for government aircraft will be used for emergency aviation
communications. Continuous monitoring of this frequency in narrowband
mode is mandatory by agency dispatch centers. Transmitters on this
frequency must be equipped with an encoder on 110.9 Hz. 168.625 is
restricted to the following use:

-   Air-to-air emergency contact and coordination.

-   Ground-to-air emergency contact.

-   Initial call, recall, and re-direction of aircraft when no other
    contact frequency is available.

**National Flight Following - 168.650 MHz**

The National Interagency Air Net frequency is used for flight following
of official aircraft. The intent is not to use this frequency for
incident operations. All dispatch centers/offices will monitor the
national fight following frequency at all times. Transmitters on this
frequency must be equipped with an encoder on 110.9. Hz.168.650 is
restricted to the following use:

-   Flight following, dispatch, and/or re-direction of aircraft.

-   Air-to-ground and ground-to-air administrative traffic.

-   Not authorized for ground-to-ground traffic.

**National Interagency Air Tactics - 166.675 MHz, 167.950 MHz, 169.150
MHz, 169.200 MHz, 170.000 MHz**

-   Frequencies used to support air-to-air or ground-to-air
    communications on incidents west of the 95th meridian. These
    frequencies shall be used for air-to-air and ground-to-air
    communications only.

    -   Exception: Pacific Southwest Geographic Area: 166.675 MHz,
        169.150 MHz, and 169.200 MHz will be used for air-to-air only;
        170.000 MHz will be used for ground-to-air only.

-   Interagency geographic area coordination centers assign these
    frequencies. Assignment must be coordinated through the NIFC CDO.

-   Transmitter power output of radios installed in aircraft operating
    on these frequencies shall be limited to 10 watts.

Base stations and repeaters are prohibited on these frequencies.

**National Interagency Airtanker Initial Call - 123.975 MHz**

The national interagency frequency assigned to all airtanker bases for
their exclusive use. No other use outside of airtanker bases is
authorized.

**National Government All-Call Frequencies - 163.100 MHz and 168.350
MHz**

For use anywhere, anytime. They are good choices as travel frequencies
for strike teams moving between assignments. They are available for
ground tactical frequencies during initial attack or incident
operations. They are not to be used for air-to-ground operations.

-   **NOTE:** When you are traveling between incidents, be sure to
    monitor for incident radio traffic in the area before using these
    frequencies.

**Incident Radio Support**

All NIRS cache communications equipment shall be returned to NIICD at
NIFC immediately after the incident is turned over to the jurisdictional
agency.

No cache communication equipment shall be moved from one incident to
another without being first returned to NIFC for refurbishment. However,
equipment unused and red-sealed may be moved, if approval is given by
the NIFC CDO or COMC.

**Military Communications on an Incident**

Military units assigned to an incident already have radios. Each
battalion is assigned 80 handheld radios. Sixteen of these radios are
used by military crew liaisons. Intercrew communications within a
military unit is provided by the military on their radios using their
frequencies. All frequency assignments at the incident will be made by
the COML in accordance with the ICS-205.

Some active military and guard units have aviation VHF-FM radios
compatible with civilian systems. Other units are adapting their
aircraft for the civilian radios and can be easily outfitted prior to
dispatch to an incident. A limited number of wiring harnesses are
available at NIFC for those military aircraft that do not have civilian
VHF-FM capability. The wiring harnesses and radios will be resource
ordered by the incident. The resource order will include a request for
trained personnel from NIICD to perform the installation of the
equipment. Equipment will not be sent without trained and qualified
personnel to install it.

**Cellular Communications/Satellite Phone Communication**

Cellular/satellite telephones will not be used to communicate tactical
operations unless they are the only means possible. Cellular/satellite
telephones are not to be used for flight following in lieu of normal
flight-following protocols.

Phone communication can be used for logistical purposes.