2025-09-20 Annual Countywide Exercise

Assignment Overview

You will be simulating a deployment either as a rover or at a typical fixed field location such as a shelter, school, fire station, neighborhood command post, or other location. Your assignment will be to set up a communications station and send/receive several messages. You will receive a detailed assignment briefing at the start of your shift when you check-in at the Field Operations area.

Station Equipment Configuration
(non-Eval)

If you are not participating in a Credential Evaluation, then you can determine how simple or complex you want to make your station. Some examples:

• Simple / Rover:
  • The simplest configuration is just an HT with a “rubber duck” antenna
  • If all you have is an HT, then bring it and have some fun.
  • You should have some (mostly) hands-free way to use the HT so you can hold a clipboard and write or perform other activities while roving.
  • For example, clip the HT to your belt or vest or chest pack and use an earbud/microphone combo or headset or remote speaker mic.
• Typical Fixed Station:
  • A roll-up J-pole antenna with a self-supporting mast tall enough to raise the base of the antenna at least 10 feet
  • Enough coax to reach your radio
  • HT or mobile radio
  • Sufficient battery power (see Go Kit recommendations)
  • Headset with hand or foot switch to control the PTT
  • Card table and folding chair
  • Sign indicating radio communications
  • Safety equipment (something to keep people from tripping over your cables, antenna tripod, or other gear)
• Complex Fixed Station:
  • Roll-up J-pole antenna with 30 foot mast and sufficient coax to reach 25 to 50’
  • Mobile radio set up for cross-band repeating
  • HT to allow portable operations within the area through the cross-band repeater
  • Sufficient battery power for the full operational period
  • Pop-up shelter, table, chairs
  • Sign indicating radio communications
  • Safety equipment (something to keep people from tripping over your cables, antenna tripod, or other gear)
  • Some type of rolling cart to help you move your equipment from your car to the field location
  • Other items from the Go-Kit list

In all cases, you’ll need at least the minimum equipment required for the drill, which includes the standard forms.

Some things to keep in mind:

• You can make your setup as complicated as you want
• You will have two hours to set-up, send/receive message traffic, and pack up your station.

Station Equipment Configuration
for Credential Evaluations

If you are requesting a Credential evaluation for either the F3 or F2 credential during your assignment, make sure you meet the prerequisites found in the Credentialing Program Handbook. If you are only missing something that is realted to scheduling (a mising class) or event that is hard to obtain, the Credential Program mamanger may apporve your participation if you can demonstrate your plan to meet the prerequisites at the next avaiable opportunity. You will need to make a request, this is not automatic.

• For F3 Evalaution
  • You may act as a rover or set up a fixed location station.
  • You will need to set up a station which includes at least the equipment required for an F3 credential as defined in the Credentialing Program Handbook.
  • The setup must meet the requirements defined in the Performance Standards and Best Practices.
• For F2 Evalautions
  • You will set up a fixed location station.
  • You will need to set up a station which includes at least the equipment required for an F2 credential as defined in the Credentialing Program Handbook.
  • The operation must meet the requirements defined in the Performance Standards and Best Practices.

Everyone being evaluated must use the Resource Net for travel to and from the drill, others are encouraged to do so.