Lesson 2: Interoperability

Lesson Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, students will:

Explain the concept of communications interoperability
Identify the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Navigate to and locate the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Identify the different types of interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Differentiate between repeater and simplex channels
Apply the steps necessary to establish radio communications during planned or unplanned events

Operability/Interoperability

Operability - The ability to establish and sustain communications in support of day-to-day mission operations.
Interoperability - The ability to communicate among jurisdictions, disciplines, and levels of government, using a variety of frequency bands, as needed and as authorized.

Interoperability is not the ability for everyone to talk to everyone else

National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)

DHS pocket guide used by federal, state, and local public safety agencies to support communications interoperability for planned and unplanned events
Specifics on proper use of federal and non-federal interoperability channels, for example:
- Federal IR (Optional Zone IO-3 & IO-4)
- Federal LE (Optional Zone IO-5 & IO-6)
- Non-Federal VTAC (Optional Zone IO-7)
- Non-Federal UTAC (Optional Zone IO-8)
- Non-Federal 700 MHz National Interoperability
- Non-Federal 800 MHz National Interoperability
- DOJ 25 Cities Project
Visit the NIFOG website to download the NIFOG pdf.
Visit the NIFOG website for more information.

Obstacles to Interoperability

Lack of awareness or familiarity with interoperability channels programmed in radios
Only certain people are familiar with the appropriate process to establish interoperability
Communications personnel not involved in planning process
Failure to select the most effective interoperability solution to support the operational requirements of an event or incident
Lack of on-going radio training, followed by limited opportunity to practice using interoperability channels on a regular basis

Communications Support

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS) structure includes a Communications Unit as part of the incident management organization.

The Communications Unit provides communications support during planned or unplanned events

Often utilized by state/local public safety agencies
Supervised by a Communications Unit Leader (COML)

Interoperability Channels

Using common interoperability channels is one of the most effective means of communicating among agencies.

In accordance with DHS Communications Interoperability Directive 034-02, radios across all DHS components will be programmed with a common standard interoperability template.

Interoperability channels will be programmed into specific “Interoperability Zones” in radios, separate from other agency-specific channels.

Interoperability Zone for VHF Radios

The following DHS agencies use radios in the VHF frequency band:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
United States Secret Service (USSS)

If you have a VHF radio, you should know how to find the DHS common interoperability channels: DHSNET and DHSTAC

Once your radio is reprogrammed with the new DHS common template, the 16 interoperability channels in Zone IO1 will appear as shown in the table in the following screen.

If the radio has not yet been reprogrammed with the new DHS template, then the common channels may be in other existing zones within your radio.

Zone IO1

DHS Common repeater and simplex channels (DHSNET & DHSTAC) are used for interoperability among DHS components
IR (Incident Response) Channels: Interoperability among all federal agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local agencies
LE (Law Enforcement) Channels: Interoperability among all federal law enforcement agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local law enforcement

Zone: IO1 (Mandatory VHF)

Ch#	Name	Type	Mode	Secure (Selectable = The ability to choose either encryption or clear)	Notes
1	DHSNET	Repeater	Digital	Selectable	DHS Repeater (CKR 88)
2	DHSTAC	Simplex	Digital	Selectable	DHS Simplex (CKR 88)
3	NC 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Calling Channel
4	IR 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Command
5	IR 2	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Medical
6	IR 3	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Logistics
7	IR 4	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Convoy
8	IR 5	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of NC 1
9	IR 6	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 1
10	IR 7	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 2
11	IR 8	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 3
12	IR 9	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 4
13	LE A	Simplex	Analog	Clear	LE Calling Channel
14	LE 1	Repeater	Analog	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
15	LE 2	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
16	LE 3	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations

The DHSTAC and IR5 channels are highlighted because they are the most important to remember.

Interoperability Zone for UHF Radios

The following DHS agencies use radios in the UHF frequency band:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Protective Service (FPS)

If you have a UHF radio, you should know how to find the DHS common interoperability channels: DHS-RPT and DHS-SIM

Once your radio is reprogrammed with the new DHS common template, the 16 interoperability channels in Zone IO2 will appear as shown in the table on the following slide

If the radio has not yet been reprogrammed with the new DHS template, then the common channels may be in other existing zones within your radio.

Zone IO2

DHS Common Repeater and simplex channels (DHS-RPT & DHS-SIM) are used for interoperability among DHS components
IR (Incident Response) Channels: Interoperability among all federal agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local agencies
LE (Law Enforcement) Channels: Interoperability among all federal law enforcement agencies, and may also be accessed by state and local law enforcement

Zone: IO2 (Mandatory UHF)

Ch#	Name	Type	Mode	Secure (Selectable = The ability to choose either encryption or clear)	Notes
1	DHS-RPT	Repeater	Digital	Selectable	DHS Repeater (CKR 88)
2	DHS-SIM	Simplex	Digital	Selectable	DHS Simplex (CKR 88)
3	NC 2	Repeater	Analog	Clear	Calling Channel
4	IR 10	Repeater	Analog	Clear
5	IR 11	Repeater	Analog	Clear
6	IR 12	Repeater	Analog	Clear
7	IR 13	Repeater	Analog	Clear
8	IR 14	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Convoy
9	IR 15	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of NC 2
10	IR 16	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 10
11	IR 17	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 11
12	IR 18	Simplex	Analog	Clear	Simplex version of IR 12
13	LE B	Simplex	Analog	Clear	LE Calling Channel
14	LE 10	Repeater	Analog	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
15	LE 11	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations
16	LE 12	Repeater	Digital	Clear	LE Tactical Operations

The DHS-SIM and IR15 channels are highlighted because they are the most important to remember.

Alternate Forms of Communications

When radios are not available, or cannot be used reliably to establish interoperability, agencies should consider alternative methods of communications, such as:

Assigning a representative to an incident facility (e.g., Command Post, Coordination Center, etc.)
Combining or grouping personnel from different agencies with a designated means of communications

Selecting the Correct Channels

There are several things to consider when selecting the appropriate interoperability channel:

Know which interoperability channels are programmed into the radio and how to locate them;
Use of interoperability channels should be part of a pre-established or coordinated plan;
An operator should be given instructions regarding which zone and channel to use;
When using “repeater” channels, an operator must be in range of an active repeater, otherwise NO ONE will hear you;
Simplex channels may be used for short distance, off-network communications, as long as you are in range of other users on the same channel.

Radio Communications Flow

During planned or unplanned events, radio communication should be attempted in the following order:

Step 1: Use the channel designated for the incident or event; Step 2: Use the channel you last had reliable communications; Step 3: (use encryption first, then try without) If VHF, make contact on the DHSTAC channel; if UHF, make contact on the DHS-SIM channel; Step 4: If VHF, make contact on the IR 5 calling channel; if UHF, make contact on the IR 15 calling channel; Step 5: Try communication via any other means necessary (e.g., cell phone); Step 6:If radio communications are unsuccessful, report to the nearest command post location or equivalent

Sample of a Quick Reference Guide

Quick-reference cards or “job aids” provide simple instructions on how to use common radio functions and display the radio’s zone and channel programming

Image of a sample quick reference card with instructions on using a portable radio (Motorola XTS model). The image contains photographs of the radio from different angles and sides, along with text showing what functions are associated with each button, switch, knob, or item on the radio display screen.

Course Summary

There are many ways to improve awareness of radio communications and interoperability.

Seek opportunities to maintain skill level and proficiency with radio equipment by:
- Encouraging personnel to regularly practice switching to the appropriate DHS common channel on their radios
- Including interoperability and radio training as part of regularly scheduled testing and training exercises
Participate in exercises with other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and non-governmental entities
Include designated communications technical personnel as early as possible in the planning process for planned events, day-to-day operations, unplanned events, and training exercises

Lesson 2: Interoperability

Lesson Objectives

Participants should now be able to:

Explain the concept of communications interoperability
Identify the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Navigate to and locate the DHS common interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Identify the different types of interoperability channels programmed into mobile or portable radio equipment
Differentiate between repeater and simplex channels
Apply the steps necessary to establish radio communications during planned or unplanned events