Communication Instructors Up-skilling

8 October 2019

On the 7th and 8th of September 2019, Civil Defence Communication Instructors were invited to attend refresher training in Roscrea and the Phoenix Training Centre at Ratra House. Communications Instructors received an introduction to the new syllabus of local training, including new assessment and certification criteria, which are due to come into service on the 1st of January 2020. Communications Instructors received information regarding revised voice procedures, updated casualty codes and the new system for prioritising tasking’s. Instructors were also introduced to the new digital SDP 760 radios, portable UHF repeaters and received training in the deployment of Rola Tube integrated mast antenna systems.

During the refresher, Instructors were introduced to the new Civil Defence Communication Strategic Statement and the Concept of Operations for Communications. The new Civil Defence Communications Strategic Statement outlines that Civil Defence communication systems will primarily be used to support Civil Defence operations through the provision of top-down command and control infrastructure and through the bottom up delivery of situation awareness. The Concept of Operations outlines that the Civil Defence Branch will provide resilient communications infrastructure, train communications instructors and provide syllabus of local training for radio operators and radio network controllers in order to guarantee the coordination of Civil Defence resources. The Concept of Operations also outlines how the Civil Defence Branch will maintain UHF and VHF equipment and frequency allocation while also engaging with third party providers in the provision of interagency communications infrastructure.

Future communications Instructor up-skilling will take place in December 2019 in order to ensure that all Civil Defence Instructors are aware of the new local syllabus of training which is coming into operation on 1 January 2020.

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