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 comms if they wish. However, teams using amateur radios for team support comms should not interfere with city and county-level amateur
radio communications. See Section 900.35 for the band plan with city and county designated frequencies.
b. Communications with the PBEM NET Coordinator or Emergency Coordination Center (ECC):
1. Mobile phone communication available:
I. 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.
II. 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
I. In the event of a mobile phone disruption, teams should rely on information provided in the deployment authorization message (800.20) and proceed with operations as indicated in
their Team Operations Plan.
II. If no deployment authorization message is available, and all conditions for self deployment have been met (see section 800.25 - 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 900.40.
III. Any team that encounters a threat to life, safety or property should immediately call 9-1-1 or the life safety frequency via Amateur Radio (See section 900.35 for the life safety frequency). Flag a public safety responder as quickly as possible.