Lamorinda
Community Emergency Response
Team
Unit 9: Communications
Released: 1 January 2017
Lamorinda CERT
Community Emergency Response
Team




Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority
Work as a team
Wear personal protective equipment…gloves, helmet,
goggles, N95 mask and boots
The CERT goal is to do the
Greatest Good for the Greatest Number

Hope for the best but plan for the worst
Visual 9.1
Lamorinda CERT
Landlines, Cell Phones and Internet

We use these every day but we can’t count on them
after a disaster

All of these technologies depend on wires or fiber
optics and electricity

After a disaster these may be out for days, weeks or
even months!
Visual 9.2
Lamorinda CERT
Neighborhood Communications

If landline phones work, use them but expect them to
be very busy

Cell phones may work but will be very busy also

Text messages use less bandwidth and may work better

Walk around and talk to each other

Keep an AM/FM radio handy

Use something that does not depend on wires, fiber
cables or electricity
Visual 9.3
Lamorinda CERT
CERT Data

What is expected to be communicated by CERT
members?

Immediate – Big picture: life safety, fire, collapse, etc.

Soon after –






Damage assessments
Medical requirements
Staffing requirements
Emergency announcements
Water, power and communications utility status
How long are you going to do this without technology?
Visual 9.4
Lamorinda CERT
Disaster Communications
Communications for CERTs

Face-To-Face: verbal

Within Sight: signs and signals

Beyond Sight: runners and two-way radio
Visual 9.5
Lamorinda CERT
Basic CERT Disaster Radio
Communications
CERT
Team
CERT
Team
CERT
Incident Command
EOC
Visual 9.6
Lamorinda CERT
Sample Disaster Communications Plan
Neighborhood Homes
Neighborhood Homes
Captains /
CERT Teams
Captains /
CERT Teams
GMRS
repeater
Hams
GMRS
repeater
Citizens
Professionals
EOC
County Dispatch
Law
Enforcement
Visual 9.7
Fire &
Rescue
Lamorinda CERT
Medical
& Relief
What is FRS?

Family Radio Service (FRS) is an FM walkie-talkie
radio service designed for short distance (<5 miles)
personal communications.

Uses channelized frequencies around 462 and 467
MHz in the UHF band

There are 14 simplex channels available

Sub-channels, also known as CTCSS or PL tones, are
available on all models

Can only operate with 0.5 watt of power

Antenna must be permanently attached
Visual 9.8
Lamorinda CERT
About FRS Radios

Very low power, ½ watt ERP (Effective Radiated Power)

Very low cost

No license required

Personal and business use OK

Channels 1-7 are shared FRS / GMRS

Channels 8-14 are FRS only

Channels 15-22 are GMRS only (OK to listen)

No external antennas allowed

Typically 0.5 to 1 mile communication range
Visual 9.9
Lamorinda CERT
What is GMRS?

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile
FM UHF radio service designed for short distance
two-way communications.

GMRS radios are typically handheld portable devices
much like FRS radios. They share the FRS
frequencies.

There are 22 simplex channels available on all radios
and 8 repeater channels on some radios

CTCSS sub-channels are available on all models

Mobile and base stations are permitted to 50 watts of
power
Visual 9.10
Lamorinda CERT
About FRS/GMRS Radios

Handi-talkie radios that have both FRS and GMRS
channels

Most common radios available

Manufacturer range claims not to be believed

Use low power channels without a license

Household GMRS licenses at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls,
$70 for 5 years, effective Aug 26, 2016

GMRS repeaters are in Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda
Visual 9.11
Lamorinda CERT
Selecting FRS/GMRS Radios
Repeater capable FRS/GMRS Radios
with Amazon prices as of December 2016

Motorola makes 3 models:



MR355R – Not waterproofhard to find
MS350R – Waterproof
$64.99 / pair
MS355R – Waterproof, Camo
$84.99 / pair

Olympia has 1 model: R500

Radios have rechargeable batteries and charger; may
also use AA alkaline cells

Ignore “mileage” claims. Battery life is more important
than transmit power.
Visual 9.12
$74.99 / pair
Lamorinda CERT
FRS/GMRS Radio Features & Functions
Antenna
Off-On / Volume
Ear Phone Jack
Channel
Push To Talk Switch
Subchannel
Ring Tone
Monitor/Scan Key
Function Up Key
Function Down Key
Speaker/Microphone
Menu Key
Motorola MR355R
Visual 9.13
Lamorinda CERT
FRS/GMRS Radio Features & Functions
Antenna
Off-On
Ear Phone Jack
Channel
Push To Talk Switch
Subchannel
Ring Tone
Function / Volume Up Key
Monitor/Scan Key
Function / Volume Down Key
Speaker/Microphone
Menu Key
Motorola MS350R / MS355R
Visual 9.14
Lamorinda CERT
FRS/GMRS Radio Features & Functions
Antenna
Off-On
Ear Phone Jack
Channel
Push To Talk Switch
Subchannel
Ring Tone
Function / Volume Up Key
Monitor/Scan Key
Function / Volume Down Key
Speaker/Microphone
Menu Key
Olympia R500
Visual 9.15
Lamorinda CERT
FRS/GMRS Radio Batteries
“AA” alkaline cells
Rechargeable
Visual 9.16
Rear cover
Lamorinda CERT
FRS Channels
Channel


Frequency (MHz)
Notes
1
462.5625
FRS/GMRS Shared
2
462.5875
FRS/GMRS Shared
3
462.612
FRS/GMRS Shared
4
462.6375
FRS/GMRS Shared
5
462.6625
FRS/GMRS Shared
6
462.6875
FRS/GMRS Shared
7
462.7125
FRS/GMRS Shared
8
467.5625
FRS Only
9
467.5875
FRS Only
10
467.6125
FRS Only
11
467.6375
FRS Only
12
467.6625
FRS Only
13
467.6875
FRS Only
14
467.7125
FRS Only
All channels are “simplex”.
Radios transmit and receive on the same frequency.
1-7 FRS shared with GMRS, no license if low power
8-14 FRS Only ½ Watt Low Power - NO LICENSE REQUIRED
Visual 9.17
Lamorinda CERT
GMRS only Channels
Channel
Frequency (MHz)
Notes
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
15R
16R
17R
18R
19R
462.550
462.575
462.600
462.625
462.650
462.675
462.700
462.725
462.550
462.575
462.600
462.625
462.650
input 467.550
input 467.575
input 467.600
input 467.625
input 467.650
20R
21R
22R
462.675 (Moraga)
462.700 (Orinda)
462.725 (Lafayette)
Visual 9.18
simplex
repeater
input 467.675; tone = 77Hz
input 467.700; tone = 77Hz
input 467.725; tone = 77Hz
Lamorinda CERT
Selecting a Channel

To select a channel:

Turn on radio

Note channel number in window

Press “Menu” once – BRIEFLY

Use + and – keys to move up or down to desired channel. Wait
for blinking to stop or tap “Push to Talk” button.
Visual 9.19
Lamorinda CERT
Selecting a Sub-Channel

To select a sub-channel:

Note sub-channel number under channel in window

Lamorinda CERT normally uses sub-channel 0

To change sub-channel, press “Menu” twice, quickly. The subchannel number will blink.

Use + and – keys to move up or down to desired sub-channel.
Wait for blinking to stop or tap “Push to Talk” button.

Your radio is now ready for communications.
Visual 9.20
Lamorinda CERT
FRS / GMRS Range
GMRS Repeater
“line of sight”
Visual 9.21
Lamorinda CERT
Using the radio

Select a channel – your team leader will tell which to
use

Test the radio before you venture out

Make sure you can communicate with your team

It is not a cell phone

To talk: hold radio 2”-3” from mouth, press “PTT”
button

To listen: let go of “PTT” button
Visual 9.22
Lamorinda CERT
Communicating

Listen !

Think what you are going to say before you press the
“PTT” button

Speak clearly, calmly, carefully

Get the message across without a lot of words
Visual 9.23
Lamorinda CERT
Radio Protocols
Talking

Calling another station

Use agreed-upon identifiers



“Team 3 this is Team Leader. Over”
Wait for response which should be:

“Team Leader this is Team 3. Over”

Or just

“Team 3. Over”
Speak in a normal tone of voice and speak clearly!
Visual 9.24
Lamorinda CERT
Radio Protocols


You have made contact. Exchange questions and
answers in brief, clear language understandable to all
who may be listening

NO police “10” codes or “11” codes !

NO CB jargon !

NO slang or ethnic / gender slurs !
You are conveying important information to people you
may neither know nor have worked with in the past
Visual 9.25
Lamorinda CERT
Radio Protocols - Exchange
Sample exchange

“Team A this is Team Leader - Over”
 “Team A - Over”

“What is your location? - Over”
 “Corner of Moraga Way and Moraga Road - Over”

“Check Safeway for damage and injuries. Over”
 “Will check Safeway for damage and injuries.”
 “Team A out”
Visual 9.26
Lamorinda CERT
Examples of FRS Channel Allocations

Ch. 8, 10-14
Neighborhood channels

Ch. 9
Emergency messages for relay

Message passing between CERT and EOC/Hams



Visual 9.27
Is it a life-threatening emergency?
Is it a major calamity emergency?
Is it a Rapid Needs Assessment report?
Lamorinda CERT
CERT FRS Communications
Non-Disaster FRS Communications

Channel allocations: 8 - 14

Sub-channel (PL Tone, Privacy Code) as directed by the
team leader

Remember that all team radios need to be set to the
same channel and sub-channel. Test them !
Visual 9.28
Lamorinda CERT
CERT Radio Communications



GMRS Repeater Communications

Moraga GMRS Repeater Ch 20R Sub 4

Orinda GMRS Repeater Ch 21R Sub 4

Lafayette GMRS Repeater
Ch 22R Sub 4
Use these repeaters for out-of-neighborhood
communications. Use FRS channels for
neighborhood communications.
in-
When you get your new repeater-capable radio, we’ll
help you program it!
Visual 9.29
Lamorinda CERT
Unit Summary

Standard forms of communication may not be available
but radio is always available

FRS requires no license

FRS has short range

GMRS requires license, has longer range potential

Listen first, then speak clearly, calmly, carefully without
using a lot of words

Use plain English, no codes

All team members must use the same channel
Visual 9.30
Lamorinda CERT
Questions ?
Visual 9.31
Lamorinda CERT