COMMUNICATIONS DRILL
On December x, 1999, a communications drill will be held to test communications systems currently in use for the exchange of emergency information between local governments, Operational Areas (OA's), Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOC's), the State Operations Center (SOC), OES Field Representatives, and Fire & Law Regional Coordinators as well as other state and federal agencies.
The goal of this communications drill is to test each system at the location where emergency management personnel would normally be working from during an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation. The Warning Center, SOC, REOC's, Operational Areas, State Agencies, OES Field Representatives, and Fire & Law Regional Coordinators will be asked to complete all communications tests with those levels immediately above and below their level.
DRILL OBJECTIVES
- Test communications systems by sending and receiving at least one message on each system.
- Identify location/user communications capabilities through analysis of returned surveys.
- Identify system/user/equipment shortcomings or training issues through analysis of returned surveys.
- Identify needed system upgrades, if possible.
- Provide an after-drill summary of the status and efficacy of emergency communications.
BASIS FOR COMMUNICATIONS
Reliable communication is critical to providing and coordinating emergency management response. Information on the cause of incidents or events, damages sustained, resources needed to mitigate the effects, and the ability to quickly initiate recovery measures are priorities and must be processed rapidly and accurately. California emergency management and mutual aid communications systems link the Standardized Emergency Management System levels together from local to Operational Area to Region to State and requires ongoing maintenance and testing."
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