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Communications Operations
DNRC radio communications personnel work directly for the Fire and Aviation Management Bureau in Missoula however, we repair and maintain a statewide radio system used by the Field Operations Division for the detection and suppression of wildland fires.
The radio system consists of 29 mountain top repeaters and 20 office base station sites, from Libby to Dillon east to Billings and Ekalaka north to Zortman and west to Lewistown, Helena, Missoula and Kalispell.
Included in this radio system are more than 1000 handheld, mobile and base station radios which are used by wildland firefighters, foresters and administrative personnel.
All FCC licensing for the Field Operations Division is performed and maintained in Missoula along with the repair and maintenance of the radio equipment. New equipment is ordered and processed here as well.
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| During the fire season "commo" personnel establish radio communications for wildland fire incidents using a variety of specialized equipment. This includes tactical radio caches, portable solar and battery powered fireline repeaters, temporary base stations, aircraft radios, satellite telephones and a mobile command trailer. | ||
This 24 foot trailer has been modified by DNRC to serve as both a communications center and command post. Power can be supplied by an outside AC line or from the onboard generator. The communications equipment can also operate on DC power supplied by the self-contained battery.
Radio Equipment Included
All radios are pre-connected to external mobile mount antennas. 1- UHF, 2- VHF
Bendix King EMH mobile - main VHF radio.
Bendix King 40 watt booster for secondary (BK) VHF portable radio.
Bendix King standard charger base for (BK) UHF logistics portable radio.
PA system.Dispatcher's Station
Additional Equipment
CS forms along with various office supplies,
Work stations for COML, COMT or computer/printer etc.
Phone capacity for 4 lines (requires external dropped line)
Refrigerator (operates on ac or propane)
Air conditioned (requires ac power)
Propane heater (has onboard propane tanks)
Generator(4-KW)
Absolyte, gell cell 12 Volt, 100 ah battery
Operator/technician available (COML, COMT and RADO certified)The Communications Trailer is available for interagency incidents within the state and can be ordered through local/zone dispatch centers (MADC, NRCC) or directly through the Fire and Aviation Management Bureau's Communications personnel (542- 4250)
