NET Communications Protocols

a.    Team support communications: If feasible, PBEM recommends that teams use a personal mobile radio system as their primary means to communicate between team Members and team leaders.That radio system may be Family Radio Service (FRS), or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).

1. As a backup, or if Members do not have access to personal radios, Members should use cell phones to communicate between Members. If cell phones are the primary means for team Members to communicate, the team should develop protocols that consider cell phone service may not be available immediately following a disaster.
2. Teams can use amateur radio for team support communications if they wish. However, teams using amateur radios for team-support communications should not interfere with city and county-level amateur radio communications. As the 2-meter VHF band will be very crowded during a major disaster, use of the 70-cm UHF band is recommended. See UHF Frequency Table for UHF frequencies that should be available to NET teams based on the channel number they have chosen for FRS/GMRS communication.

b.    Communications with the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC):

1. Mobile phone communication available:
   • Team Leaders should check in with the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) via mobile phone as detailed in the deployment authorization message. To keep lines of communication open, teams and Team Leaders should avoid contacting the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) unless specifically requested in the deployment authorization message
   • Any team that encounters a threat to life safety or property should immediately call 911. Only after speaking with a 911 operator should you contact the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) via mobile phone to notify them of the circumstances of the 911 call.
2. Mobile phone system disruption
   • In the event of a mobile phone disruption, teams should rely on information provided in the deployment authorization message (See Activation Protocols: PBEM Initiated Deployments) and proceed with operations as indicated in their Team Operations Plan.
   • If no deployment authorization message is available, and all conditions for self deployment have been met (see Activation Protocols: Self-Deployment), teams may self deploy and then attempt to contact the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) via VHF Amateur Radio following the procedure described in YYYY.
   • Any team that encounters a threat to life, safety or property should immediately call 9-1-1 or route a message to PBEM ECC via the team's Amateur Radio Operator. Flag a public safety responder as soon as possible.