EMS TRANSMISSION 02/03/2006

Instruction Memorandum No. 2006-079

Expires:  09/30/2007

 

To:                   All SDs and CDs

 

From:               Assistant Director, Information Resources Management

 

Subject:            Reporting Radio Interference

 

 

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) is published to provide policy on the process for reporting radio interference on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) frequencies and supersedes IM 2003-016.     

 

Policy/Action: States and Centers are directed to report all radio interference which poses a threat to the health and safety of personnel using the following process:

 

- Radio Users – Should become familiar with the interference reporting requirements to assist in providing the necessary information.   Interference should be reported to the supporting State or Center Information Resources Management (IRM) Office.

 

- State or Center IRM Offices - Report the interference by completing the attached Initial Report of Radio Interference form. If possible, make an audio recording of the interference or retain a copy of the recording from the dispatching center recorder as this will assist the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation, if that becomes necessary.

 

For BLM permanently assigned frequencies, submit the completed form to the National Telecommunications Policy Group
(WO-560D).

 

For NIFC assigned temporary frequencies, submit the completed form to the National Incident Radio Support Cache (NIRSC), Communications Duty Officer (CDO) at NIFC. 

         - National Telecommunications Policy Group (WO-560D)

Analyze the interference report and take appropriate action to resolve the interference.

 

If the interference cannot be addressed at the Bureau level, forward it to the Department of Interior, Office of the CIO, Telecommunications Systems Division and the responsible FCC Enforcement Bureau office for review and action.

 

Time Frame: This policy is effective immediately.

 

Background: The Bureau has several hundred permanent and temporary radio sites throughout the western United States which are subject to radio interference from U.S. sources as well as from Mexico or Canada. This interference can jeopardize the safety of employees and the public by rendering these sites and frequencies unusable by the Bureau. The National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) established federal procedures for reporting such interference in their Manual of Regulations & Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management.

 

Budget Impact: The budget impact is minimal. Potential costs and workload to improve radio site frequency filtering, to change frequencies, and redesigning site control schemes to eliminate the interference may be avoided by resolving the radio frequency interference through proper reporting.

 

Coordination: This policy was coordinated with the FCC Enforcement Bureau and the DOI.

 

Policies and Manuals Effected: NTIA Manual of Regulations & Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Departmental Manual DM377 and BLM Manual Section 1292.

 

Contact: Please address any questions or concerns regarding this policy to Ron Pernicka, 303-236-2850, or Russell Sveda,
303-236-2315.

 

 

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