Annex B: Communications - Texas A&M University

ANNEX BCOMMUNICATIONS

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSPROMULGATION STATEMENTAnnex B: Communications is a guide to how the University maintains communicationsamongst emergency responders. The Annex is written in support of the Texas A&MUniversity (TAMU) Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and shall be considered aninteractive support document to the EOP.APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATIONThe University’s Associate Vice President for Safety and Security shall be responsiblefor annex oversight and coordination with applicable stakeholders. The annex is flexiblein that part of the plan, or the entire plan, may be activated based on the specificemergency and decision by University executive management.This Annex and its supporting contents, are hereby approved, supersedes all previouseditions, and effective immediately upon the signing of all signature authorities notedbelow.Approved: Date:Christopher M. Meyer, Associate Vice PresidentOffice of Safety and SecurityTexas A&M UniversityOctober 2018v.3.0Page B-1

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSTABLE OF CONTENTSPromulgation Statement . 1Approval and Implementation . 1Table of Contents . 2General . 3Concept of Operations . 3Organization and Assignment of Responsibilities . 5Record of Change. 6October 2018v.3.0Page B-2

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSThis annex outlines additional operational concepts and procedures specific to TexasA&M University as otherwise not stated in Annex B: Communications of the BrazosCounty Interjurisdictional Emergency Management Plan.GENERALReliable and interoperable communications systems are essential to obtain the mostcomplete information during emergency situations and to direct and control theresources responding to those situations.Any one or more communication systems can become disabled. This annex identifiesthe equipment and methods employed to ensure that all necessary communications arereliably made amongst responders.CONCEPT OF OPERATIONSDuring emergency operations, the incident command post (ICP) or the CommunityEmergency Operations Center (CEOC), if activated, will serve as the communicationscenter for emergency responders, as well as, the communication hubs as described inAnnex A: Warning.All departments will maintain their existing equipment and procedures forcommunicating with their field units.All responding agencies will communicate using common language per the NationalIncident Management System (NIMS).Communications Equipment Telephones, cellular or landline, are the primary means of communications forcontacting key emergency responders or departments. The 7/800 MHz P25 radios with common digital channels are the primary meansof communications for emergency responder communications. As members ofthe Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System (BVWACS), TAMUPublic Safety departments on campus have access to a radio with thesecommon digital channels. Local emergency responders from the Cities of Bryanand College Station and Brazos County also have access to radios with commondigital channels. TAMU departments that have primary channels on theBVWACS 7/800 MHz P25 radio system are:o University Police Departmento Emergency Medical Serviceso Environmental Health and Safety The TAMU 800 MHz MotoTrbo radio system is the primary radio system for mostNon-Public Safety university departments. Below are TAMU Non-Public SafetyOctober 2018v.3.0Page B-3

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSdepartments that have access to BVWACS 7/800 MHz P25 radios should anevent or incident warrant the need for increased interoperable communications.However, their primary channels are on the TAMU 800 MHz MotoTrbo system.o Environmental Health and Safetyo SSC Service Solutions / Facilities Serviceso Easterwood Airporto College of Veterinary Medicineo Transportation Serviceso TAMU ITo Reed Arenao TEEX Fire School Medicso Athleticso Critical Incident Response Teamo TAMU A&M – Galveston All university radios have a set of common channels for interoperability amongdepartments. These channels are:o SSC Com Centero Event 1o Event 2o Event 3o DISPATCH The BVWACS7/800 MHz P25 system and the TAMU 800 MHz MotoTrbo systemare patched together at UPD Dispatch allowing radio users to talk between thetwo systems. The patched channels are:o TAMU COOP - 7/800 MHz P25 Systemo DISPATCH - 800 MHz MotoTrbo System Other communications means are:o Campus wireless network – TAMULinko Public Safety LTE Network (FirstNet)o Digital wireless devices – text message devices (smart phones)October 2018v.3.0Page B-4

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSo Satellite phoneso Interneto Government Emergency Telecommunications Service / Wireless PriorityService (GETS / WPS) – A federal program that allows for priority callingfor registered individuals during emergencies.ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIESTAMU IT Manages and maintains radio systems for the campus to include the TAMU 800MHz MotoTurbo System and the BVWACS 7/800 MHz P25 system. Coordinates the programing of university radios with appropriate radiocommunications channels. Oversees the installation and maintenance of cellular nodes and distributedantenna systems (DAS) on campus. Serves as the point of contact and coordinates enrollment for the GETS / WPSSystem. Assists in warning the campus community, as needed, via Code Maroon or othernotification methods.All Departments All departments should maintain up-to-date list of contact information foremergency response personnel who may be activated during emergencies toinclude phone numbers and radio ID numbers, as applicable. All departments should provide adequate training on radio communications andthe radio systems.October 2018v.3.0Page B-5

ANNEX B - COMMUNICATIONSRECORD OF CHANGECHANGE NUMBERDATE OFCHANGEDESCRIPTION OF CHANGECHANGEMADE BY:Throughout1/20/2016Minor grammatical changes andterminology changed throughout.Addition of responsibilities for TAMUIT.SASEThroughout10/2/2018Minor grammatical changes andupdates to lists.SASENote: SASE stands for the Office of Safety & Security.October 2018v.3.0Page B-6

Annex B: Communications is a guide to how the University maintains communications amongst emergency responders. The Annex is written in support of the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and shall be considered an interactive support document to the EOP.