Tactical Communications

Communication is important every day, but maintaining good communications during emergencies is just as important - and can be more difficult. These tools help programs mix and match technology to develop robust communications programs that can handle typical disruptions.

• Cell Phones for Emergencies
  Cell phones provide unparalleled convenience for everyday operations and small emergencies, but will likely be unavailable during large emergencies.
  
  
• Satellite Phones for Emergencies
  Satellite phones are very specialized radios that act as phones. They work even when cell towers go down, since they can get service directly from satellites rather than cell towers.
  
  
• ARMER Radio System
  Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) is Minnesota’s primary two-way 900MHz trunked public safety radio system for all state agencies as well as all Police, Fire, EMS, city, county, federal and tribal governments.
  
  
• SHARES Radio
  High Frequency (HF) radio program administered by Homeland Security to provide additional communication when landline and cellular communications are unavailable.
  
  
• Getting Started with Amateur Radio
  A noncommercial, two-way transmission of signals over short-wave and other radio frequencies used as a backup communication system by Minnesota's local public health, tribal health and hospitals.