Mobile radio units are a valuable resource to the Coast Guard in carrying out its SAR functions. Vessels, of course, have the advantage of being on the water and can offer assistance to those in distress, but land mobile units have the advantage of faster response times, and being able to easily communicate with shoreside informants. Most districts have far more mobile radio facilities than the active duty groups and stations, and if properly utilized, can provide a great asset to these units. Often local Auxiliarists are more familiar with the local area and can provide local knowledge to Coast Guard units thereby facilitating quicker response to a situation.

Land Mobile radio facilities may be issued orders in the same manner as vessel and aircraft facilities, mileage and other expenses maybe reimbursed. A land mobile program will define the owner operator requirements, as well as vehicle and onboard equipment requirements for patrol status. The Coast Guard has adapted the Incident Command System (ICS) doctrine in it's response to emergency situations. What this means to the owner operator of a land mobile facility is that someone locally is in charge of an incident. Often it is the first one on scene because of his familiarity with the situation. It is important to find out who this person is and put yourself in his service for the duration of the event. Land mobile operators are encouraged to take and pass the introductory lessons of ICS 100 to become familiar with the concepts.

Genearly, district requirements specify the owner/operator pass the AUXCOM specialty course, and any other training required by the district Commander. They must have a currently inspected facility. Districts should mandate what equipment should be carried in a land mobile facility: a VHF FM marine radio is a must, as should be a pair of binoculars, and hand bearing compass, along with maps and charts. A 25 watt marine radio mounted in the vehicle provides solid communication with the unit's controlling station, while a magnetic mount antenna (available from ham radio suppliers and recut to the marine frequencies), completes the package without cutting holes in the car. A handheld marine radio often works well when away from the vehicle when checking on situations. Magnetic patrol signs are available, and the vehicle should display a current facility inspection decal. Signs usually insure easy access past roadblocks to incident scenes, and serve as rapid introduction to on scene response personnel. Secondary equipment often includes signaling devices, such as lights and flares, extra clothing or jackets, and water and perhaps food. GPS and a cell phone should be considered as well as life jackets, and a length of line. If the unit is working in an area served by a CG Auxiliary repeater, certainly a radio for the repeater would be useful. A scanner might be useful for monitoring other agencies frequencies, but one should not get caught up in listening to so many frequencies they miss important traffic on their primary working frequency.

In some cases the mobile unit is expected to coordinate with local fire and law enforcement in the prosecution of a case. Often this "other agency" does not have marine radios to talk directly with Coast Guard responders. The mobile unit can provide this function. When working with other agencies, it is best to run all traffic on government frequencies, Now, in those instances, the Auxiliary is operating on a frequency under authorization of the FCC not the NTIA. They are, for the duration of the case, just another mobile unit of the station licensee with respect to the governing agency for the frequency utilization. It is not the preferred way to do it but maybe the only way. Sometimes this is not practical, especially in those cases where a non Coast Guard agency works with the Auxiliary on their frequency, that agency should supply radios to the Auxiliarists, and issue a call sign as well. In these cases the Auxiliarists will be operating under the license of that agency, not the Coast Guard. He may be expected to use 10 codes or what ever that agency prefers. Auxiliarists should NOT transmit on another agency's frequency without specific authorization from that agency or the Coast Guard.

In performing mobile patrol duties, you are more than just a communications link, your function is to provide creative support to the Coast Guard and any other agencies involved with an incident. Communications should be brief and to the point, giving the necessary information without tying up the channel with unneeded chatter. It is not the function of the mobile unit to participate in the direct prosecution of the case. Land mobile operators are not expected to become involved in the actual clean up of oil spills for example, or unnecessarily risk harm by jumping into the surf to rescue people or equipment. These tasks are best left to the properly trained CG or other rescue personnel.

Communications may be addressed to:

April 2000