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This page is a framework
Quick reference: radio for a search
From the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG 2.02). Use only channels your agency is authorized to use, and follow your state plan.
National interoperability channels (mobile receive, CTCSS):
- VCALL10: 155.7525 MHz, 156.7 Hz. VTAC11 to VTAC14: 151.1375, 154.4525, 158.7375, 159.4725 MHz.
- UCALL40: 453.2125 MHz receive, 458.2125 MHz transmit, 156.7 Hz.
- 7CALL50: 769.24375 MHz (700 MHz, digital). 8CALL90 and 8TAC91 to 94 on 800 MHz: see the NIFOG.
- VSAR16: 155.160 MHz, 127.3 Hz, the de facto SAR channel. It is not a national interoperability frequency and must be licensed.
- Aircraft: 123.1 MHz (AM) may be used for coordinated search and rescue operations.
Build the plan early:
- ICS 205: list every channel, its use and who is on it.
- Separate traffic: command, tactical, air-to-ground and logistics on different channels when possible.
- COML: on larger searches, assign a communications unit leader.
Keep teams in contact:
- Radio checks: check every team before it leaves base.
- Relays: place relay operators or portable repeaters on high ground for dead spots.
- Log it: record message traffic on an ICS 309.
Mutual aid workflow
Requesting radio support here
Radio discipline
- Plain language. Use plain English, not codes, on interoperability channels.
- Identify. Use assigned unit or team names.
- Priority traffic. Clear the channel for emergencies and found-subject reports.
Licensing
- Agency channels: transmit only on channels your agency is licensed or authorized to use.
- Amateur radio: volunteers operate on their own amateur licenses and bands.
County resource density
Statewide systems and coordination
State radio networks, interoperability programs and where a request is opened
Local government air units
County and regional public safety radio systems
Amateur radio and volunteers
ARES, RACES and other volunteer communicators
National resources
National channels and programs
Nothing matches that search. Clear the filters or try a county name.
Program statistics
Recent deployments
Live news search
Opens a running news query for search and rescue activity in this state.
Open news searchCapability mix
Share of registered assets by discipline.
Governance and statutory authority
State mutual aid guidelines
The typing documents behind a request
These documents set out how radio support is requested and which channels may be used. Open a card for the summary and a link to the published source.
No state guideline documents are indexed yet for this state.
State statutes
Authority for search and rescue in this state
Federal frameworks
These apply in every state
Becoming a SAR communicator
The path for agency and volunteer radio operators
Capabilities and qualifications
| Capability | What the operator does | Who provides it and the standard | Recurrency |
|---|
Training resources
National communications references
Field toolkit and admin
Radio plans, logs and coordination
Writing the radio plan (ICS 205)
What a search radio plan should include.
- Channels, tones and uses.
- Team assignments and fallback channel.
Logging and volunteer registration
Records that support after-action review, reimbursement and volunteer coverage:
- Radio log recording each message: time, from, to, channel and content (ICS 309).
- Unit activity log for after-action reporting and reimbursement.
National interoperability channels
NIFOG, FCC rules and state plans.
- NIFOG lists the shared channels.
- States set how they are used.