Tactical Communication

Communication Systems

Utah’s statewide health/public health system utilizes a number of different voice and data communication modes. By design, these use different technologies so that a failure in one area should not prevent the continued function of alternate modes. The Utah Communications Authority (UCA) is responsible for the infrastructure.

Tactical communications

Interagency communication lies at the heart of the DHHS Tactical Interoperable Emergency Communications Plan (TIECP). Interagency communication facilitates resource and disaster response coordination by optimizing the ability to communicate with other agencies when necessary while avoiding interference with other agencies when a response is specific to only one agency. TIECP should provide a means of communication to enable medical and logistical coordination between health, EMS field personnel, hospital emergency department personnel, and other agencies.

All healthcare partners should consider their involvement in large-scale multi-jurisdictional emergencies and anticipate the need for interagency communications. Pre-event planning with local public safety and emergency management agencies is an important aspect of interoperability between different communication systems. The need for interagency communications can be illustrated by the following matrix of likely communication needs:

NOTE: Cellular service may be adequate as a primary voice communications mode for some day-to-day operations; however, short message service (SMS or texting) on cellular devices may still be available. Remember, cellular phones, as well as radios, must have a power source to be kept recharged, especially during restricted signal availability due to widespread emergencies.

Utah Communications Authority
5360 South Ridge Village Drive (5885 West)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84118
Website: http://uca911.org/
Main Office: 801-840-4200 (8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri)
For programming:  [email protected]

Resources

DHHS maintains a supply of radio equipment that can be used to support an event. They include:

  • 2 case (10 per case)  of 800 MHz handheld radios
  • Bank Chargers
  • Satellite Phones
  • Cradlepoint antenna systems

Please submit a logistics request for this equipment

Contact:  Bryan Larsen at [email protected] or 385-239-2967