I. PURPOSE - This annex describes the availability and capabilities of the County's emergency communications systems and operations.

II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
A. Situation - The Emergency Operating Center is located at 911 Core Road, Parkersburg, West Virginia. The primary means of emergency communications will be that of:
· the Wood County Centeral Telecommunications Center
· the local Law Enforcement Departments
· the Fire Departments
· The operation of the equipment and the training of the operators will be the responsibility of the respective services.
· Sufficient communications equipment and capabilities are available to promote the communications necessary for most emergencies.
· In severe emergencies, augmentation may be required.

B. Assumptions - In assuming that the communications system will survive and/or withstand the effects of the disaster, this Annex will provide adequate direc- tion for proper coordination of all communications systems during an emergency sit- uation, facilitating timely response activities.



III. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
A. General - Communications play a critical role in emergency operations. Extensive communications networks and facilities exist and operate throughout Wood County. Properly coordinated, these facilities can provide for effective and efficient response activities.

B. Management Concepts 1. Mitigation:
· An adequate communications systems has been developed.
· Plans for improvement or upgrade have been formulated.
2. Preparedness:

· Equipment is maintained under continuous schedule for testing, maintenance, and repair.


· Replacement parts are stored at the EOC.


· Arrangements for additional repair facilities have been made.


· Personnel are trained on appropriate communications, and they are able to repair equipment as required.

3. Response Action:

· When emergency operations are initiated, the Communications Coordinator will determine which communications personnel are required to activate essential systems.


· Staff requirements will vary according to the incident.


· Arrangements will be made to ensure the capability of emergen-cy repair of communications equipment on a 24-hour basis.


· Law enforcement personnel will be used to provide alternate shelter communications.


4. Recovery:

· All activities initiated in the response phase will continue until emergency communications are no longer required.

IV. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY
A. Task Assignments
1. Director 911:
· Responsible for supervising all activities within the Central Tele-communications Center
2. Telecommunicators:
· Responsible for using equipment properly at their assigned posi-tions
· Responsible for handling messages correctly
3. Monitors:
· Check commercial radio and television broadcasts for accuracy of public information
4. Call Takers:
· Screens and routes all incoming calls
5. Law Enforcement:
· Provide alternative communications and warning capability through mobile radios for shelter operations
6. On Scene Commander:
· Set up command post
· Establish communications links between the scene and the site command post and the site command post and the EOC
· Establish a scene communications
· Appoint a command post coordinator
· Appoint a scene communications coordinator
7. Director 911:
· Assign personnel to radio and telephone operating positions
· Dispatch the Mobile Communications Center (MCC) to the disaster scene or other area as directed by the senior EOC Officer
· Assign a MCC radio officer to oversee the operations of the MCC when in operation and to assign MCC radio operators
· Schedule relief radio and telephone operators
· Receive both incoming and outgoing messages through the EOC and direct them to the proper radio operator, telephone operator, or EOC officer
8. Mobile Communications Center Officer:
· Set-up the MCC at the designated location as directed by the communications officer
· Establish radio links with the EOC
· Maintain radio communications with on-scene fire, rescue, police, and other officers
· Utilize the function of the RMS Records Management System and Optical Recording System
· Relocate MCC and/or radios to a more convenient location as conditions permit
· Keep track of all portable hand carried radios at the disaster scene if radios are loaned or borrowed to or from another depart- ment
· Keep the Director of Emergency Services/ 911 informed about MCC operations
9. Telecommunications:
· Transmit and receive messages on radio facilities as assigned by the communications officer
· Maintain a communications link to their designated points of communications
· Help set-up and operate the MCC when assigned to do so
· Fill out EOC message forms as is possible
· Operate their radio in a professional manner
10. Call Takers:
· Receive all telephone calls into the EOC
· Direct calls to the proper EOC department
· Record the message on an EOC message form for distribution by the communications officer
· Transmit and receive telephone messages as directed by the communications officer
· Direct outgoing calls to idle telephone line
11. Civil Air Patrol Radio Operators:
· Transmit and receive messages into and out of EOC over CAP radios
· Maintain radio links to field units and to State EOC when it is in operation
· Transfer messages from EOC message forms to CAP message forms for transmission over CAP radio facilities
· Transfer messages from CAP message forms to EOC message forms for transmission over public safety radios or to appropri- ate EOC officer
· Operate CAP radios in accordance with CAP practices

V. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
A. Emergency Services Director - The Emergency Services Director, under the direction of the County Commission, is designated the authority for emergency operations within Wood County. The Director:
· has the responsibility for and control of the EOC
· directs the emergency management staff
· directs the 911 telecommunications center.

B. Other Personnel - Communications personnel from supporting agencies, operating within the Communications Center, must become acquainted with the pro- cedures otulined in this Annex.

C. Emergency Communications - During emergency operations, brevity code systems will be discontinued for the sake of clarity. Local time will be used.


VI. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

A. Facilities and Equipment

1. 911 Telecommunications Center:

· The Wood County 911 Telecommunications Center will have the capacity of communicating on all public service frequencies as well as mobile data terminals (MDTs) and cellular phones..


· The Public Safety frequencies that the Telecommunications Center will have access to are:

· Wood County, West Virginia Sheriff, Fire, and Emergency Services
· Parkersburg, West Virginia Police, Fire, and Public Works
· Vienna, West Virginia Police, Fire, and Public Works
· Williamstown, West Virginia Police
· Washington County, Ohio Sheriff and Fire
· Belpre, Ohio Police and Fire
· Marietta, Ohio Police and Fire
· Pleasants County, West Virginia Sheriff and Fire
· Ritchie County, West Virginia Sheriff and Fire
· Jackson County, West Virginia Sheriff and Fire
· Wirt County, West Virginia Sheriff and Fire
· Other frequencies available will be district hospitals and emergency broadcast systems
B. Security - Because of the vital role of communications and the vulnera-bility of communications facilities and equipment during emergency operations, par- ticularly during periods of national emergency, the Director has the right to order "background investigations" on any person assigned to work in the EOC or its support elements, including the 911 Telecommunications Center.
C. Training - Each agency, department, or organization assigning personnel to the EOC for communications purposes is responsible for ensuring that those indi- viduals are adequately trained to use the equipment, are familiar with the procedures of the EOC, and understand the unique operating procedures. Additional training required for emergency management procedures or equipment will be provided by the Director, Communications Coordinator, or other staff personnel, as required.

VII. PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
The Director of ES/911 will be responsible for the maintenance and improve-ment of this Annex. The Annex will be reviewed, updated, and modified as necessary, but not less than annually.










AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
1. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Guide for All Hazard Emergency Opera-
tions, SLG 101