COMMUNICATIONS AND AUTOMATION
INTRODUCTION: Because of the magnitude of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki, FEMA and the JTFs were required to work together to accomplish the mission. This alliance identified several command, control and communications interoperability issues.
Hurricane Andrew devastated the communications infrastructure throughout the affected area. The priority for restoring communications went to providing telephone lines to the disaster assistance centers, life support centers, and mobile kitchen units. Integration of the tactical networks occurred with tactical satellite (TACSAT) links and message center switching. Joint services could interface down the chain, but integrated trunking did not occur.
Frequency management issues occurred with the Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) network because of the frequency limitations in the affected area. Cellular telephones and walkie-talkies are essential during the response phase of a disaster assistance mission. Cellular telephones are not a panacea for communications support in disaster areas. Hurricanes or other high wind situations can destroy or damage cellular telephone towers. Cellular networks can also become saturated with traffic. A 90-percent blockage of the cellular telephone network was experienced following Hurricane Andrew.
Each unit deploying requires reliable communications assets, to include independent power sources. There is in effect a communications plan that establishes telecommunications responsibilities and procedures. It is the National Plan for Telecommunications Support in Non-Wartime Emergencies. It is part of the Federal Response Plan (FRP).
All efforts to coordinate telecommunications support to relief agencies are the responsibility of ESF No. 2 (communications). Second U.S. Army provided a military liaison officer to ESF No. 2. Having the LO in place early proved invaluable and contributed to the success of the disaster assistance mission.
TOPIC: Communications Equipment for Deployment.
DISCUSSION:
When
the JTF Andrew HQ arrived, it discovered that communications equipment was
not adequate to support office communications needs. Although Second U.S. Army
did deploy its contingency package of equipment to support its emergency response
efforts, this package was tailored only to support the Defense Coordination
Element (DCE). It was not robust enough to support a headquarters four to five
times as large as the DCE. The JTF J6 tasked XVIII Airborne Corps to provide
a TACSAT capability. The JTF also contracted to procure or lease computers,
facsimiles, copiers and telephones from commercial vendors. The following is
a suggested mix of equipment:
1 TACSAT terminal for the CG, JTF
8 STU III telephones for the CG, DCG,
J3 (2), J1, J4, J6
WWMCCS
100
Commercial telephones:
Command Group - 10
J1 - 10
J3 - 10
J4 - 10
J5 - 10
J6 - 10
J8 - 10
Special Staff - 18
AMC - 20
20
Desktop computer systems with modems and software: PROCOM,
Harvard graphics, Dbase and common word processing software.
30
Laptop computer systems with modems and software: same as
desktops.
10
Personal-size laser printers
9 Copiers
9 Facsimiles
25
Cellular phones
50
Handheld radios with repeater and base station (VHF)
4 International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) terminals
1 HF radio
1 White Board
LESSON(S):
TOPIC: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s role in Communications Interoperability-Iniki.
DISCUSSION: FEMA's communications cell is the ESF No. 2. When ESF No. 2 was alerted, the cell deployed with two people and a communications package consisting of VHF radios, cellular telephones and walkie-talkies. A communications council met three days after the hurricane struck and played a critical role in restoration efforts. The council provided ESF No. 2 the manpower (initially) needed to identify and track requirements and pooled all key communicators in one location.
An immediate assessment was made of the situation and the Mobile Emergency Radio System (MERS) and Mobile Air Transportable Telecommunications System (MATTS) Vans were deployed. An Alaska Communications (ALASCOM) satellite terminal and International Maritime Satellite Terminals (INMARSAT) were deployed to the island and provided communications for command and control.
ESF No. 2 was able to direct all other ESF cells and the Hawaiian Telephone Company in the restoration of communications on Kauai. FEMA's ESF cells worked out of the same office. This facilitated coordination and operation.
Joint Task Force Andrew did not need to form a communications council. Joint Task Force Iniki used a communications council to guide restoration efforts. JTF Andrew conducted a meeting with all the chief communicators from the Joint Forces to include the Florida National Guard. For approximately a two-week period, beginning 16 September, ESF No. 2 met with the 35th Signal Brigade daily. ESF No. 2 and JTF Andrew, J6 met daily to discuss telecommunications issues. It is the JTF, J6's mission to provide telecommunication support to the JTF Headquarters and to the Joint Forces.
LESSON(S):
A
communications council is required to address and solve communication problems.
The council also conducts joint training between military, FEMA, state,and
local authorities on a regular basis.
Table
of Contents
Aviation
Support, Part 2
Engineer
Operations
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