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Unit bridges communication gap during emergencies

By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News

Monday, December 29, 2008 10:25 PM CST

ON DUTY: The mobile communications center, or TOAD, is used by the county's emergency management communications unit and allows first responders to communicate with each other during a disaster. Contributed

KINGMAN - A staff of a dozen specially trained experts, equipment, radios and a strange looking van will allow first responders to communicate with each other during an emergency.

There are about 12 trained volunteers that make up the Mohave County Emergency Management Communications Unit, which is part of the Community Emergency Response Team, Mohave County emergency management coordinator Byron Steward said.

The unit is based in Kingman and volunteers assist in search and rescues in the county, state and even nationwide. The state bought five communication vans in 2004, which are crammed with electronic communication equipment such as satellite dishes. One of the mobile communication vehicles, costing about $250,000, is assigned to Mohave, La Paz and Yavapai counties.

When terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, the biggest problem was communication between firefighters, police officers and other first responders. That problem was partially solved with the 24-foot long van called TOAD. The communications vehicle enhances county communication capabilities in case of a large-scale emergency using radios, telephones and cell phones, Steward said.

The communications unit, which partners with the Arizona Department of Public Safety's helicopter, provided assistance to rescuers of the flooding caused by a dam bursting that devastated Supai in August. The unit is on alert to provide voice and data communication support during emergencies.

Just after the county took possession of the van, it was also used in the Beaver Dam area in early 2005 after devastating flooding struck that area. Different agencies such as fire and police departments, the sheriff's office and county and state agencies use different radio frequencies.

The van allows multi-agencies to communicate with each other and even with ham radio operators during an emergency event, such as flooding, wildfires, or truck or rail derailments that cause hazardous material spills. #