This annex describes the County's communications systems and presents available communications sources, policies and procedures to be used by County government agencies during emergency situations.
 

1. Communications play a critical role in emergency operations. Communications networks and facilities exist and operate throughout the County. Properly coordinated, these facilities provide for effective and efficient response activities.
    

2. Bertie County operates a Central Communication Center located in the Law Enforcement Center at 222 County Farm Rd. in Windsor.
    

3. Day to day operations require a single dispatch position; however the volume of traffic during times of disaster will require additional staff.
    

4. The Communication Center is designed as a secure facility.
    

5. Notification of an emergency to the dispatcher can come from a variety of sources.
    

6. The County Communication Center is often the first point of contact for the general public.
    

7. County emergency communications are heavily dependent on the commercial telephone network.
    

8. Remote radio units from each of the emergency services can be located in the primary EOC. 
    

9. Amateur radio capabilities are limited or nonexistent.
    

10. Special needs groups, persons in group quarters, or schools may require special warning and/or notification.
     

11. Emergency Management has the capability to use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to deliver warnings to the public; Bertie County is in the WRSF-FM operational area.
     

12. Scanner radios are utilized extensively by residents of the County, providing another means of alerting or warning the public.
     

13. Current laws require a facility coordinator to report the release of an extremely hazardous substance.

1. It is assumed that the communications system will survive and/or withstand the effects of a disaster. This annex will provide coordination of all communications systems during an emergency situation facilitating timely response activities.
    

2. Use of all available forms of warning and notification will not provide sufficient warning to the general public and special needs population.
    

3. Emergency/disaster occurrences could have a detrimental effect on the County's communication system.
    

4. The commercial telephone system serving Bertie County is vulnerable to the effects of emergencies/disasters and to possible system overload due to increase usage.
    

5. Commercial electric power may be shut off or lost during significant emergencies, necessitating the use of auxiliary power.
    

6. The National Weather Service may issue weather watches and/or warnings directly to the public and the Communication Center.
    

7. It is possible for communities within the County to lose normal communications for extended periods of time.
    

8. Loss or damage to a communication tower or the EMS repeater system could hamper communication or the ability to page emergency personnel throughout the County.
    

9. The ability to repair damage to the County communication system is contingent upon the availability of private commercial repair technicians.
    

10. State assistance may be needed to procure supplemental communication equipment or to locate available repair technicians following a major disaster.
     

11. The release of a hazardous substance at a facility will be promptly reported.

• The Director of Emergency Communications controls emergency communications systems and services used by the County.
   
• The Emergency Communications Center is operated 24 hours a day and serves as the 911 Center and County Warning Point.
   
• Emergency calls are generally received through the E-911 telephone system and are dispatched according to Emergency Communications Center standard operating guides (SOG).
   
• As the emergency escalates the Emergency Communication Center will be expanded as required.
   
• Emergency communications procedures will be implemented and backup capabilities activated as necessary.
   
• Appropriate backup communications personnel will be notified when needed for the expansion of communications capability.
   

• The County Warning Point will initiate notification and warning of appropriate personnel.
   

• The telephone, radio communications or pagers may be utilized to notify public officials, EOC staff, emergency personnel and others as required. Notifications will follow established procedures.
   

• Emergency service vehicles equipped with public address systems can be used to warn the general public.
   

• Emergency warning may originate at the national, state or local level of government. Timely warning requires dissemination to the public by all available means:

  • Local Radio Stations
  • NOAA Weather Radio (National Weather Service)
  • Sirens, Horns, Mobile PA Systems
  • Telephone
  • General Broadcast over the Emergency Alert System
  • Newspapers
     

• Field emergency service personnel utilize the County emergency communications networks to communicate with the EOC.
   

• Amateur Radio volunteers will augment primary communications.
   

• The Eastern Branch Office will assist the National Weather Service (NWS) with dissemination of severe weather advisories and forwarding of related information, situation reports, etc, as needed by the County.
   

• Within the National Response Framework, all communications functions are considered an emergency support function (ESF 2).
   

1. Telephone Service
    
   • Commercial telephone service is provided by Sprint.
   • Mobile phone capability exists within the County.
   • The telephone companies will be provided with a list of essential users of telephone service.
   • Essential users will receive priority telephone service and restoration during emergencies.
   • During emergencies personnel will staff information telephones in the EOC to respond to questions from the general public.
      

2. Two‑Way Radio Systems
    

   1. The County two‑way radio system is designated as a principal system to be used for direction and control activities. It provides voice communications between mobile units operated by department units and / or chiefs of emergency services and the County Emergency Communications Center. The principal users are:

      • Sheriff's Department
      • Police
      • Emergency Management
      • Fire Departments
      • Rescue Squads
      • Emergency Medical Services 
      • Public Works

      • Medical facilities
         

   2. The following City/County departments, agencies and organizations operate (local department control) two‑way radio systems:

      • Emergency Communications (Sheriff, EMS, Rescue, Fire Services, Emergency Management, Police, Local Government and dispatch services for Windsor Fire Department)
      • Board of Education (School bus)
      • Windsor City Police Departments
      • Windsor City Fire Department (* Dispatched by Emergency Communications Center)
      • City Public Works Departments
      • Hospitals (** Dependent upon County for transmitters on UHF)
         
   3. The following County volunteer organizations operate two‑way radio systems:
      • ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
      • Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
         
   4. Other two‑way communications systems which may be used to communicate with the State EOC during emergencies include:
      • Division of Criminal Information (DCI)
      • RACES (ARES)
      • State Emergency Management FM Voice Radio Network and satellite telephone
      • Commercial Telephone
      • Cell phone
      • Computer
         
   5. The following communications systems can be accessed from the Communications Center:
      • Sheriff's Department Radio System
      • County Fire Radio Network
      • Hospital System
      • EMS/Rescue Squad Radio System
      • City Fire Services (Windsor)
      • County Maintenance, Animal Control, Solid Waste (local government)
      • System paging (alpha and numeric)
         
3. Other Communications Systems:
   
   The following communications systems are available but generally not operated from the communication center:
    
   1. Civil Air Patrol
       
   2. ARES
       
4. Emergency Alert System
   
   The County Manager or County Emergency Management Coordinator must authorize use of the EAS system. Bertie County will utilize radio station WRSF-FM as the Local Primary station (LP1).

The line of succession is:
 

1. Director of Communications
    
2. Assistant Director Communications
    
3. Duty Communications Supervisor

Attachment 1
Communications Preparedness/Response Checklist