EPAP RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING
RADIO BASICS
- Please read “District Radio System” handout carefully, and insist that all radio users in your District read and understand this document. It has been recently updated and contains new information. Fill in the blanks for your District.
- Also please see the handout “FRS Radio Controls.” It tells you how to operate your radio. Every radio user should have a copy of this document.
- See the EPAP website for a video on how to use your radio.
Go to SunLakesCC.com, find EPAP on left-hand menu, and go to District Training. Click on the video, “Using Your Radio.” - Make sure your radio has fresh batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries.
(Old or weak batteries are a common problem.) Indicator on radio screen shows condition. - Many radios forget the channel settings when batteries are removed, so you have to set them up again. Be sure you have the correct channel and code. Test it with another radio to be sure it can receive and transmit properly. Remember, you have one radio set for channel 4, code 0, and one set for your Companion tactical channel. The MRT radio is also set to the Companion tactical channel.
- Radios are one-way communication devices. Only one person speaks at a time.
You cannot speak when the other party is speaking. But everyone can hear all calls. - When using your radio, remember that it is an emergency and you must be brief and to-the-point. Only say want needs to be said.
- Hold your radio near the side of your mouth, about two inches in front.
- Before you transmit, listen to be sure no one else is using the channel.
- Press the PTT button, wait one second before speaking, then make your call.
- Don’t shout. Speak clearly in a firm tone.
- Other radios next to you on same channel can cause “feedback” (howling). Turn down the volume, or move radio away from the other radio.
- When two radios transmit at the same time, the listener will hear a “buzzing” sound. Ask the caller to repeat his call to you.
- You always give the call sign of the station you are calling first, then follow with your call sign. You do this to establish the connection with the party you are calling. Wait until the party you have called responds, then go ahead with your message. (see below)
- Consider having a District “radio helper” to setup radios, test, and help with radio calls.
RADIO CALL SIGNS
Radio operators use unique call signs. This is a pre-assigned name identifies you to other radio operators on the same channel.
In EPAP we use the following call signs:
“EOC” EPAP OPERATIONS CENTER
“DISTRICT 23” (for example) EPAP COORDINATOR for District 23
“MRT 23” MEDICAL RESCUE TEAM in District 23.
“MRT 23 – A” First MRT if more than one in District 23.
(Notice that you always speak digits as “two three”, not “twentythree”)
Sample radio call:
- EOC, THIS IS DISTRICT TWO-THREE. OVER.
- DISTRICT TWO-THREE, THIS IS EOC. GO AHEAD.
Remember – everyone using the Companion tactical channel is sharing the same radio channel. Identify using your call sign. Everyone must be courteous, polite, and patient. You must always listen before you speak. Wait until other calls have ended, then make your call.
USING RADIOS IN A DRILL
When you are using your radio during a drill, you may hear the EOC say “THIS IS A DRILL”. This is necessary to notify other listeners that this is not a real event. You do not need to give this message since your radio is lower power and will not be heard at a distance.
Please keep your radios active until the EOC announces the end of the drill. Do not shut down your Command Post until you hear from EOC. You can contact the EOC at any time if you have questions about procedures.
WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED BY INCIDENT COMMANDER?
At the beginning of any emergency situation, the Incident Commander at the EOC needs to know the status of each District so he can make critical decisions during the drill. This is urgent information, and must be reported to the EOC as soon as possible.
The Incident Commander must know which Districts have set up their command posts and are ready for action, and also must know the status of each MRT in case there is a need to share that resource.
When an event occurs, all three District EPAP Coordinators should verify their radio contact with each other and their MRTs. When their Command Post is set up, they should report this to the Lead Coordinator. (The report of a “command post set up” also implies that communications have been established.)
Then, the Lead District EPAP Coordinator reports the Group status to the EOC on channel 4-0. This is recorded on a status board for the Commander to view.