INSARAG

International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

SAR Team Communications Guidelines

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Preparedness Phase
Activation Phase
In-Transit Phaser
Operations Phase
Reassignment/Stand Down Phase
Phonetic Alphabet

Effective communication is vital to the safe and successful operations of a SAR Team assigned to a mission. It is extremely important that clear, concise communications are available between emergency response and command personnel, the UN OSOCC, the home base and the various SAR Teams deployed to the disaster.

Preparedness Phase

Each SAR Team and OSOCC facility has a unique call sign. The call sign must be used for radio communications between different SAR Teams, the UN OSOCC or the LEMA. All SAR Teams must be trained and equipped to: Communicate effectively in the disaster environment. Communicate internally, externally and between SAR Teams. Conform to frequency management protocols. Use international (English) voice procedures. Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.: The call sign must be used for radio communications between different SAR Teams, the UN OSOCC or the LEMA.

All SAR Teams must be trained and equipped to:
Communicate effectively in the disaster environment.
Communicate internally, externally and between SAR Teams.
Conform to frequency management protocols.
Use international (English) voice procedures.
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.
All SAR Teams must be trained and equipped to: Communicate effectively in the disaster environment. Communicate internally, externally and between SAR Teams. Conform to frequency management protocols. Use international (English) voice procedures. Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.: Communicate effectively in the disaster environment.
Communicate internally, externally and between SAR Teams.
Conform to frequency management protocols.
Use international (English) voice procedures.
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.; Communicate internally, externally and between SAR Teams.
Conform to frequency management protocols.
Use international (English) voice procedures.
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.; Conform to frequency management protocols.
Use international (English) voice procedures.
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.; Use international (English) voice procedures.
Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.; Use the International Phonetic Alphabet for radio communications.

Activation Phase

Each SAR Team should use their own operating frequencies until they receive assigned frequencies from the LEMA or the UN OSOCC. In Transit Phase

Upon arrival, meet directly with the UN OSOCC or the LEMA, coordination will be required for: Information on SAR Team operational frequencies, call sign, local disaster operational frequencies, and to ensure that the SAR Team communication system requirements are included in the local communications plan. An exchange of radios between affected and assisting countries and OSOCC may be necessary, if the frequencies used in managing the disaster are not compatible with the SAR Team system. An assessment of the availability of local amateur radio (short wave) capabilities to support the mission.: Information on SAR Team operational frequencies, call sign, local disaster operational frequencies, and to ensure that the SAR Team communication system requirements are included in the local communications plan.
An exchange of radios between affected and assisting countries and OSOCC may be necessary, if the frequencies used in managing the disaster are not compatible with the SAR Team system.
An assessment of the availability of local amateur radio (short wave) capabilities to support the mission.; An exchange of radios between affected and assisting countries and OSOCC may be necessary, if the frequencies used in managing the disaster are not compatible with the SAR Team system.
An assessment of the availability of local amateur radio (short wave) capabilities to support the mission.; An assessment of the availability of local amateur radio (short wave) capabilities to support the mission.

Operations Phase

The communications plan should address the following communications needs: Command and control. Tactical. Air to ground. Logistics. External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base. Communications configurations need to accommodate the following: Local or wide geographical coverage. Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels. Building/rubble penetration. Priority or emergency signaling and messaging. Low impact administrative traffic. Functional specialty channel assignment. Radio procedures should include that: Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage. In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded. Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation. Radio communications will be in clear text format.: Command and control.
Tactical.
Air to ground.
Logistics.
External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.

Communications configurations need to accommodate the following:
Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Tactical.
Air to ground.
Logistics.
External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.

Communications configurations need to accommodate the following:
Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Air to ground.
Logistics.
External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.

Communications configurations need to accommodate the following:
Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Logistics.
External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.

Communications configurations need to accommodate the following:
Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; External to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.

Communications configurations need to accommodate the following:
Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.
Communications configurations need to accommodate the following: Local or wide geographical coverage. Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels. Building/rubble penetration. Priority or emergency signaling and messaging. Low impact administrative traffic. Functional specialty channel assignment. Radio procedures should include that: Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage. In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded. Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation. Radio communications will be in clear text format.: Local or wide geographical coverage.
Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Multiple repeat and non-repeater channels.
Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Building/rubble penetration.
Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Priority or emergency signaling and messaging.
Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Low impact administrative traffic.
Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Functional specialty channel assignment.

Radio procedures should include that:
Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.
Radio procedures should include that: Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage. In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded. Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation. Radio communications will be in clear text format.: Emergency radio traffic will always have priority over general radio usage.
In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; In the event that a person signifies that they have an emergency, all other users will maintain radio silence until such time as the emergency traffic has concluded.
Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Sensitive information should not be transmitted over radio frequencies but instead handled over the telephone system or by a face-to-face conversation.
Radio communications will be in clear text format.; Radio communications will be in clear text format.

Reassignment/Stand Down Phase

The Communications personnel are responsible for maintaining communications for the SAR Team while packing equipment at the same time. Phonetic Alphabet

A - alpha (AL fah)
B - bravo (BRAH voh)
C - charlie (CHAR lee)
D - delta (DELL tah)
E - echo (ECK oh)
F - foxtrot (FOKS trot)
G - golf (GOLF)
H - hotel (HOH tell)
I - india (IN dee ah)
J - juliet (JEW lee ett)
K - kilo (KEY low)
L - lima (LEE mah)
M - mike (MIKE)
N - november (no VEM ber)
O - oscar (OSS car)
P - papa (pah PAH)
Q - quebec (keh BECK)
R - romeo (ROW me oh)
S - sierra (SEE air rah)
T - tango (TANG go)
U - uniform (YOU nee form)
V - victor (VIK tah)
W - whiskey (WISS key)
X - x-ray (ECKS ray)
Y - yankee (YANG key)
Z - zulu (ZOO loo)