NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS INTERAGENCY DISPATCH CENTER

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE #2

[TITLE]{.underline}: Radio Communications procedures

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 27, 2003

[INTENT]{.underline}

To describe the basic radio communications procedures for Operations
personnel, and the Northern Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center
(GPC). The goal of the procedure is to assure consistent, clear radio
communication and effective standardized emergency incident
communications.

[PROCEDURE]{.underline}

All GPC and the cooperating agencies shall use radios in a manner that
assures effective communication and that maximizes the availability of
air time for incident use.

[Radio Protocol]{.underline}

1\. Radio communications should be limited to those exchanges that
cannot be better handled by telephone or in person. All radio
communication should be brief and to the point. No use of ten codes
shall be permitted, clear text only.

2.  Radio messages will be made and received in the following manner:

    Great Plains Dispatch Forest Engine 664

    Forest Engine 664 Great Plains Dispatch go ahead

    Forest Engine 664 en-route to Lookout RX

    Copy en-route to Lookout RX at 0946

    Forest Engine 664 clear

    All radio exchanges should be conducted in this manner except that
    when several exchanges will be made following the initial message,
    the agency identifier may be dropped if no confusion of units will
    occur.

    [Incident Communications]{.underline}

    1\. All responding units will monitor the command frequencies for
    additional information and the initial report on conditions. Command
    frequencies are listed below.

    2\. The initial report on conditions is addressed to GPC, but is
    made to all responding units. If the report transmission is not
    heard or unclear, GPC shall request the report be repeated.

3.  GPC will briefly acknowledge the report by repeating the arrival,
    basic report on conditions, who will be IC, mode of operation,
    command and tactical frequencies, and resource requests.

4.  An initial size up shall be reported to GPC via the command
    frequency.

[Frequencies]{.underline}

To ensure that all the responding units can communicate with GPC and
with each other command and tactical frequencies are listed below. These
frequencies are divided between each of the zones choose the frequency
within that zone that works the best. Keep in mind that geographical
barriers and other concerns may be cause for frequency changes. If a
change does occur, GPC will notify all units that are monitoring the
command Frequency of that change. If at anytime frequencies become
overloaded priorities will be established. GPC will request that an
incident change frequencies or incident priority for radio traffic will
be established to ensure safety of all units.

**Northern Hills**

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Command**             **Tactical**            **Other**

  North Zone Terry        Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  North Zone Warren       Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  North Zone Custer Peak  Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

**Central Hills**

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Command**             **Tactical**            **Other**

  Central Zone Seth       Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  Central Zone Custer     Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
  Peak                    Aid 2                   

  Central Zone Rushmore   Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  Central Zone Bear       Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

**Southern Hills**

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Command**             **Tactical**            **Other**

  South Zone Elk          Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  South Zone Cicero       Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  South Zone Bear         Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   

  South Zone Ball         Mutual Aid 1 or Mutual  Air to ground
                          Aid 2                   
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

**Forest net can also be used in all three of the areas.**