Response from BLM CO radio manager:
Narrative:
The BLM Colorado After Hours/Duty tech, received a call from the Northern Colorado Interagency Communication Center at 2043 on the night of Aug. 25th and notified him that they could not communicate on BLM infrastructure. The tech quickly went back to the former Dispatch office and found that all BLM equipment (7 base stations, and 14 repeaters) were operational. Also, a local Fire crew member was using the BLM equipment to communicate with field crews and relaying information to the Dispatch Center. NCC controls the BLM equipment via ROIP over their data network. The outage for NCC was caused by issues with the USFS data network. The next morning, we determined that the dispatchers on duty were not very familiar with the BLM "Go-Kit" cellular COOP console and instructed them over the phone on how to use the kit, which they utilized until the end of the outage.
Corrective Actions:
I have discussed the USFS data network issues with USFS Radio personnel. It is my understanding that they, like BLM, are working on providing redundant data network backhaul paths (Mesh) to prevent future outages. Dispatch personnel should be given more frequent and thorough training on COOP procedures and equipment available to them. Technical staff have been instructed to better inform Dispatch personnel of all aspects of an outage.
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