FEMA REGION X March 2017 COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISE PLAN

FEMA REGION X March 2017 COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISE PLAN

PREFACE FEMA Region X sponsors mul5ple communica5ons exercises each month as fully describe further in this document. The purpose of these exercises is to coordinate radio communica5on exercise opportuni5es throughout the Region s area of opera5ons including within the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The communica5ons exercises listed are those with a regional emphasis. This does not preclude or prevent states, tribes and local jurisdic5ons conduc5ng their own exercises. All exercise participants should use appropriate guidelines to ensure the proper control of information within their areas of expertise and to protect this material in accordance with current jurisdictional directives. Public release of exercise materials to third parties is at the discretion of FEMA Region X Emergency Communica5ons Branch. HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS 1. The 5tle of this document is FEMA Region X March 2017 Communica5ons Exercise Plan (ExPlan). 2. The information gathered in this ExPlan is to be used by participants in conjunction with the exercise. 3. For more informa5on, please consult the following points of contacts (POC): For exercise or radio coordina5on: Laura Goudreau Regional Emergency Communica5ons Coordinator Region X Federal Emergency Management Agency 425-487-4706 Laura.Goudreau@fema.dhs.gov For digital radio messaging coordina5on: Josh Keller Emergency Communica5ons Branch Region X Federal Emergency Management Agency 425-487-4589 Joshua.Keller@fema.dhs.gov For media coordina5on: Savannah Brehmer Digital Media Manager Region X Federal Emergency Management Agency 425-219-1206 Savannah.Brehmer@fema.dhs.gov 1

Contents PREFACE... 1 HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS... 1 CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION... 4 Introduction... 4 Exercise Objectives... 4 Assumptions... 4 Constraints... 4 Overview of Systems and Tests... 4 FEMA Na5onal Radio System (FNARS)... 5 SHAred RESources (SHARES)... 6 5MHz HF Interop (60 Meter Band)... 6 FLDIGI... 7 Media Outreach Tes5ng for Public Messages... 7 CHAPTER 2: Concept of the Operation... 8 General... 8 Exercise Implementation... 8 Exercise Rules... 8 Net Control Sta5on (NCS)... 8 COMMEX Dates... 8 FNARS Na5onal Radio Net (NRN)... 9 DRAFT FNARS Western Regional Radio Net (RRN)... 9 SHARES... 10 HF Interoperability Exercise... 10 Winlink... 11 Media Outreach Test... 11 Exercise Results... 12 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ii

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CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Introduction A major incident has occurred that has disrupted communica5ons within the Region. It could be an earthquake, a flood, or any number of natural or man-made causes. How will your agency communicate with other responders, state emergency management offices, Federal agencies, and media? The FEMA Region X monthly COMMEX is developed by the FEMA Region X s Disaster Emergency Communica5ons Branch to assist Federal, state, tribal, and local jurisdic5ons/agencies with tes5ng their radio communica5ons plahorms. This is always a no-fault environment. These COMMEXes provide agencies and organiza5ons the ability to test radios, antennas and procedures in a mul5-user environment. Exercise Objectives There are three training objectives for the Region X CR16 COMMEX: Bolster Proficiency with radio communications to: Practice how we would operate during an emergency Prac5ce the coordina5on for use of the mul5ple radio systems Develop and practice standard radio frequency plans Develop and practice standard radio operations protocol (call signs, etc) Practice formal net procedures Practice Net Control protocols Establish and operate radio networks u5lizing: FNARS SHARES 60 M Interoperability Channels Winlink Practice transmilng / receiving data over radio system Increase familiarity and knowledge of the (5 MHz) band for interoperability between amateur radio operators and authorized federal radio operators including cross border communica5ons with Bri5sh Columbia, Canada Test the ability to pass emergency no5ces for the public. Assumptions Assump5ons cons5tute the implied factual founda5on for the exercise and, hence, are assumed to be present before the start of the exercise. The exercise will be conducted in a no-fault learning environment wherein systems and processes, not individuals, will be evaluated. Agencies/Organizations will take the opportunity for training and experience with the units. Constraints The par5cipa5ng agencies may need to balance exercise play with real-world emergencies. Real-world emergencies take priority. Overview of Systems and Tests 4

FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) The FEMA Na5onal Radio System (FNARS) is a na5onwide High Frequency (HF) Automa5c Link Establishment (ALE) network that provides backup communica5ons during con5nuity events that may impact the government s ability to execute its essen5al func5ons. FNARS provides real-5me situa5onal awareness directly from disaster areas for improved decision-making. Its capabili5es include voice, chat, phone patch, and email for select sites. The system serves as the primary unclassified con5nuity communica5ons solu5ons in an5cipa5on of or in response to Na5onal Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) events for Federal, State, and territory levels of government. FNARS facilitates command and control (C2) capability in support of the Na5onal Security Presiden5al Direc5ve (NSPD)-51/ Homeland Security Presiden5al Direc5ve (HSPD)-20, Execu5ve Order (EO) 12472, and the Na5onal Response Framework. FNARS has been in existence since the 1960s, succeeding previous HF radio systems that supported allhazard responses. FNARS operates at over 80 sites, to include FEMA Regions, the Mount Weather Emergency Opera5ons Center (MWEOC), and State and territorial EOCs. FNARS is comprised of three networks, each with a unique mission and purpose within the system: Na>onal Radio Network (NRN), Regional Radio Network (RRN), and Na>onal Emergency Coordina>on Network (NECN). The Na5onal Radio Network (NRN) is designed to provide real-5me situa5onal awareness and C2 for remote FEMA en55es, leadership at FEMA Headquarters, and various Con5nuity of Opera5ons (COOP) loca5ons. FEMA Senior leadership may ac5vate the NRN in prepara5on for or in response to large-scale, na5onwide con5nuity events where communica5on is required across several regions, and normal means of communica5on have been lost. The NRN is reserved for the Mount Weather Emergency Opera5ons Center (MWEOC), the five Federal Regional Centers (FRC), and 10 FEMA Regional Offices. Na5onal Radio Network The Regional Radio Network (RRN) is designed to facilitate enhanced coordina5on across disparate FEMA Regions, States, and territories. The RRN is ac5vated when normal means of communica5ons are lost during incidents that are rela5vely centralized, such as during a regional earthquake or hurricane. FEMA Senior Leadership may ac5vate one or more of the RRNs in response to incidents that are isolated to a specific region of the country and when normal means of communica5ons are no longer available. A State or territory EOC may make a request to its respec5ve FRC to ac5vate the assigned RRN as well. 5

There are 5 FNARS RRNs, comprised of the 5 FRCs, 10 ROs, and State and territory EOCs. The RRNs do not correspond with the 10 FEMA Regions; therefore, many State and territory EOCs from different FEMA regions may belong to a single RRN. Each FRC acts as the NC for its respec5ve RRN, referred to as a Regional NC. The RRN is ac5vated during incidents that are isolated to a specific region of the country. When a RRN is ac5ve, all EOCs must facilitate communica5ons through their Regional NC. If the Regional NC is unavailable, the sta5on must call the Alternate Regional NC. If the Alternate Regional NC is unavailable, the sta5on may aoempt to call another State or territory EOC directly using ALE. State and territory EOCs cannot communicate directly with Na5onal NC and transmissions must be relayed through their FRC. Regional Radio Networks The Na5onal Emergency Coordina5on Network (NECN) facilitates communica5ons between Federal, State, and territorial government en55es, as well as authorized NGOs. NECN is ac5vated in emergencies that require communica5on across several departments and agencies, not limited to FRCs, ROs, and EOCs, such as during Hurricane Katrina and the Hai5 Earthquake. NECN is a directed network with frequencies determined at the 5me of ac5va5on. When ac5vated, the standard opera5ng procedure is for all par5cipants to receive permission from the Na5onal NC prior to ini5a5ng contact with a desired sta5on. SHAred RESources (SHARES) The SHAred RESources (SHARES) High Frequency (HF) Radio program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security s (DHS) Na5onal Coordina5ng Center for Communica5ons (NCC), provides an addi5onal means for users with a na5onal security and emergency preparedness mission to communicate when landline and cellular communica5ons are unavailable. SHARES members use exis5ng HF radio resources to coordinate and transmit messages needed to perform cri5cal func5ons, including those areas related to leadership, safety, maintenance of law and order, finance, and public health. FEMA Region X is only a par5cipant in SHARES. For more informa5on about shares, please contact the DHS SHARES Program Manager, Ross Merlin, at ross.merlin@hq.dhs.gov. 5MHz HF Interop (60 Meter Band) In accordance with the Na5onal Telecommunica5ons and Informa5on Administra5on (NTIA) and the Manual of Regula5ons and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (Redbook), the 5 6

frequencies, as listed below, are designated to DHS/FEMA as the primary with joint authoriza5on given to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard. In 2003, amateur radio operators were granted use of these 5 channels on a secondary basis. One advantage to this joint use is the ability to u5lize these channels for interoperability between federal sta5ons and amateur radio operators suppor5ng emergency and disaster opera5ons. Use of these 5 channels is limited to voice and data with the bandwidth centered on the designated channel as seen in the chart below. Channel Center Frequency Tuning Frequency () Primary Use 1 5332.0 khz 5330.5 khz Calling Channel 2 5348.0 khz 5346.5 khz Data 3 5358.5 khz 5357.0 khz 4 5373.0 khz 5371.5 khz 5 5405.0 khz 5403.5 khz Alt. Calling Channel FLDIGI FLDIGI (Fast Light Digital modem) is an open source sorware program that runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and FreeBSD that uses a computer s soundcard as a data modem when connected to a single side band (SSB) transceiver for digital two way radio communica5ons. Modes available for use include PSK31, RTTY, MFSK, and CW. FLDIGI allows for radio operators to send digital messages between two or more radios. FEMA Region X u5lizes FLDIGI for broadcast data communica5ons over the 5 MHz Channel 2. Media Outreach Testing for Public Messages Media outlets influence the public with their ability to deliver informa5on and are a key asset if they can con5nue to deliver informa5on to the public when disaster strikes. To help augment infrastructure that may be affected by a disaster, FEMA Region X has developed a capability for media outlets to receive real- 5me messages from Federal and state emergency managers when tradi5onal methods are not func5oning. States (opera5ng as a Federal sta5on) and FEMA have the authority to broadcast informa5on on specific 5MHz frequencies. To test this capability, FEMA Region X will conduct monthly tests in both voice and data (using FLDIGI). Media outlets in Idaho, Oregon and Washington are welcome to prac5ce receiving these messages at 1900z every third Wednesday of the month. For more informa5on, please contact the FEMA Region X External Affairs office at FEMA-R10-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov. 7

CHAPTER 2: Concept of the Operation General The Region X monthly COMMEXs are designed to achieve the mission of tes5ng fixed and mobile communications and interoperability capabili5es of various agencies and organizations to prepare for emergency crisis response locally, regionally, and nationally. The focus for these exercises is to create a training/learning environment in order to further stress and test interoperability capabili5es. This functional test will be accomplished using organic agency resources to provide operational equipment tes5ng and personnel training opportuni5es. Exercise Implementation Exercise Rules The following are the general rules that govern exercise play: Real-world emergency ac5ons take priority over exercise actions. Exercise participants will comply with real-world response procedures, unless otherwise directed by control staff. All par5es should use their appropriate NTIA (Federal) or FCC (non-federal) call signs. When transmilng your call sign at the beginning and end of your transmission, sta5ons must include loca5on. (example: WGY910, Bothell, WA ) Work with all participating agencies in a coopera5ve and posi5ve manner. Follow the regulations that apply to your radio license(s) Net Control Station (NCS) The role of the NCS is to ensure that communications on the net is handled as efficiently as possible. The following are guidelines that should be followed to ensure efficient communications: ALL traffic on the net will be directed by the NCS. Stations with traffic for the NCS or other stations on the net will first make contact with the NCS and then wait until directed to complete the desired contact. NCS may direct stations to an off-net frequency to pass traffic. NCS may direct stations to an off-net frequency to standup a tac5cal HF net too offload traffic from the primary net. NCS may provide or call upon any station checked into the net to provide relay. NCS will keep a log of all stations checked into and out of the net. NCS will keep a log of all net activities. COMMEX Dates Region X conducts or par5cipates in communica5ons exercises on different days throughout the month. Please check the 5me table for the exercise you wish to (and are authorized to) par5cipate in. Tuesday Wednesday 8

WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 March 7th FNARS NRN (0900 PST) FNARS Western RRN (1630z-1900z) March 14th FNARS NRN (0900 PDT) FNARS Western RRN (1630z-1900z) March 21st FNARS NRN (0900 PDT) FNARS Western RRN (1630z-1900z) March 28th FNARS NRN (0900 PDT) FNARS Western RRN (1630z-1900z) March 8th SHARES Na5onal Net (1500z-1600z) SHARES NW Net (1700z-1800z) March 15th SHARES Na5onal Net (1500z-1600z) SHARES NW Net (1600z-1700z) HF Interoperability Net (1730z-1845z) Media Outreach Exercise (1900z-1930z) March 22nd SHARES Na5onal Net (1500z-1600z) SHARES NW Net (1600z-1700z) March 29th SHARES Na5onal Net (1500z-1600z) SHARES NW Net (1600z-1700z) FNARS National Radio Net (NRN) Weekly FNARS NRN guidance is publish by the FNARS Program Office to authorized FNARS sta5ons. FNARS Western Regional Radio Net (RRN) The objec5ves of the FEMA Na5onal Radio System (FNARS) Regional Test and Exercise Program are to: (1) maintain the highest level of network operator proficiency; and (2) ensure equipment func5onality via periodic tests. The Regional Radio Net Test is a weekly test conducted by FEMA Region X Disaster Emergency Communica5ons (DEC). It should be noted that this test plan is a working document, which will be refined regularly based on par5cipant feedback and test results. During the scheduled tes5ng window (see below), each state/territorial FNARS sta5on will establish a HF ALE link with the Net Control Sta5on (NCS) as iden5fied in the weekly test schedule above to conduct their system test. The NCS will log the 5me of the voice contact and will ini5ate an HF Chat. On the third week of the month, operators will also conduct a phone patch calling 425-487-4724. If a sta5on is unable to connect, the sta5on operator is to email laura.goudreau@fema.dhs.gov with the date, 5me, and number of aoempted links. Addi5onally, if sta5ons are unable to par5cipate for any of the weekly tests or have further ques5ons, please contact the Western Regional Radio Net Test Coordinator at laura.goudreau@fema.dhs.gov. Net Control Sta5on (NCS) contact number during these tests is 425-487-4724. TEST WINDOWS: 9

NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE *note: all 5mes listed are Zulu (UTC). A tool available to assist you in conver5ng the 5me to your local 5me zone is hop://www.5meanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html. SHARES SHARES guidance is publish by the DHS SHARES Program Office to authorized SHARES sta5ons. For more informa5on, please contact the SHARES Program Manager, Ross Merlin, at ross.merlin@hq.dhs.gov. HF Interoperability Exercise On the third Wednesday of each month, FEMA Region X conducts a COMMEX consis5ng of radio check in s from authorized state, tribal, federal and amateur sta5ons to test HF interoperability in case of an emergency or disaster response. Ci5es, coun5es, tribes, authorized Federal agencies and amateur operators that support jurisdic5onal emergency management organiza5ons are welcome to par5cipate. The coordina5on and authoriza5on of this net between Federal sta5ons and amateur licensees has been coordinated and authorized by the NTIA and the FCC. This 3 rd Wednesday net will include a digital component intended as a 1-way broadcast message to test the ability for FEMA to send messages, and remote sta5ons to receive. In order to ensure compa5bility with amateur sta5ons digital transmissions will follow the ARRL recommenda5ons for amateur digital use on 60m from hop://www.arrl.org/60m-channel-alloca5on. The voice net will open on 60m Channel 1 5330.5kHz at 1730z with net control announcing the digital net. Check-ins will be postponed un5l arer the first round of digital transmissions. Following the ini5al set of digital transmissions net control will call for voice check-ins on CH1. ALL sta5ons will be expected to check-in with their callsign, city and state of opera5on, and a report on the ability to receive the digital messages, along with which mode is preferred. The alternate frequency for the voice net is 5403.5 KHz in case the primary frequency does not propagate well. If you do not hear traffic on 5330.5 KHz, please check 5403.5 KHz. Messages will all be sent using FLMSG 4.0 using the Blank form template. This method will allow users of FLMSG to validate 100% decoding of the message, but will also allow sta5ons who do not have FLMSG to s5ll read the text. The digital por5on of the net will consist of two different messages, each repeated using different digital modes. The first message is a short intro message intended to validate that sta5ons are correctly setup to receive the digital messages. The second message is much longer and reports will help determine recommenda5ons for modes to use in future exercise or real-world events. The digital por5on of the net will occur on Channel 2 5346.6kHz with the digital sorware centered at 1500hz. Third Wednesday Region X HF Interoperability Tes5ng Schedule: Start Time (z) 1730 Ac>on System Frequency Par>cipants Open net, delay check-ins CH 1 5330.5kHz 10

Start Time (z) 1735 1740 1745 1815 1825 1827 1850 *note: all 3mes listed are Zulu (UTC). A tool available to assist you in conver3ng the 3me to your local 3me zone is hcp://www.3meanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html. Winlink Net Control sends first digital message Net Control repeats first digital message using alternate mode SHARES and Amateur Sta5ons with winlink email are encouraged to send a test message from your winlink account to laura.goudreau@fema.dhs.gov during the exercise period. Media Outreach Test Ac>on System Frequency Par>cipants Net control calls for check-ins and reports Net control transmits 2 nd digital message Net control retransmits 2 nd digital message using alternate mode Net control calls for reports Net control closes the net BPSK31 MT63-2KL BPSK31 MT63-2KL CH 2 5346.5kHz CH 2 5346.5kHz CH 1 5330.5kHz CH 2 5346.5kHz CH 2 5346.5kHz CH 1 5330.5kHz CH 1 5330.5kHz Region X authorized sta5ons Federal Sta5ons included in the GMF (DHS, USCG, FEMA, Army (including MARS), Air Force (including MARS and CAP), DOC) and General Class or higher Amateurs only At 1900z on the third Wednesday of each month, FEMA Region X will send out a voice broadcast to listening media outlets to test sending out emergency public messages. Media outlets influence the public with their ability to deliver informa5on and are a key asset if they can con5nue to deliver informa5on to the public when disaster strikes. The media can develop the knowledge, skills and ability on how they can receive emergency public messaging from state and federal emergency managers when tradi5onal communica5on methods are down. At 1900z, FEMA Region X will send out a voice message to media outlets in Idaho, Oregon and Washington on 5330.5 KHz Upper Side Band (). This will be a short message used to confirm media outlets can receive the message. Addi5onally, at 1915z, FEMA Region X will send a digital message using FLDIGI in PSK31B on 5346.5. Upon receipt of or more of the messages by media outlets, we request a confirma5on email be sent to laura.goudreau@fema.dhs.gov and FEMA-R10-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov by each media outlet that receives the informa5on with a summary of what the public message contained. Media outlets are reminded to NOT transmit on either of the two frequencies without proper licensing. 11

Exercise Results At the conclusion of each exercise, results of contacts made will be published at hop:// fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/view/index.html?appid=0335a7bcad04462ebd632decb4427261. This is a public facing site and no special permissions are needed to view the informa5on. 12