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5.4.12 Radio

1. Achieve Emergency Radio Interoperability – “Develop and implement a provincial strategy for emergency communications technology focused on moving over time to total interoperability across agencies throughout the province.”
   Firestorm 2003: Provincial Review
   
   “A provincial strategy for emergency communications technology is required to achieve total radio interoperability between all agencies. It should include a provincial inventory for all fire, police, ambulance, and forestry radio frequencies.”
   Firestorm 2003: Provincial Review

2. If Using Ham Radio Operators, Have Enough Ham Radio Operators to Provide Communication – “Remember, two operators is a minimum. You will likely be running 24 hour operations—for every location you will need six to ten operators per day! If you don’t have an operator at the site, everyone will be in the dark. But getting operators through police lines is now a major issue.
   
   Hospitals continue to be a major oversight of amateur radio operators. Hundreds of relatives will go there if there are widespread injuries. Hospital communications is one of the first areas to break down, yet one of the last to be manned. If you have a disaster, every major hospital must be staffed—even if it is just on speculation.”
   Hot Bananas: Oakville, Canada Amateur Radio Club Monthly Newsletter, “Canada’s Largest Evacuation”

3. Include Amateur Radio Operators in Emergency Response – “All Emergency Operation Centers should include a provision for amateur radio operators, including power and antenna space, in case they are needed.”
   Firestorm 2003: Provincial Review

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February 7, 2006
Publication #FHWA–HOP-08-015