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WAUKESHA COUNTYWISCONSIN EMEWISCONSINUNITED STATESEMERGENCY MANAGEMENTRGENCY MANAGEMENTNATIONAL GUARDNORTHERN COMMANDSIMCOM-VITALCONNECTION 2019MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISEAGENDAMAY 1-3, 2019Waukesha, WI - Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), in conjunction with the WisconsinNational Guard, United States Northern Command and the Waukesha County EmergencyManagement Office welcomes Mobile Communications equipment from around the nation to the cityof Waukesha in Waukesha County, WI.Venue – Waukesha County Exposition Center1000 Northview Rd.Waukesha, WI 53188Contact – Day of Exercise:Brian Jansen – 414.339.4970 (cell)Kevin Wernet – 608.219.4014 (cell)Capt Allen Nielsen – 608.225.1287 (cell)Registration – Participants must register at the SIMCOM-VC 2019 registration website no laterthan April 5, 2019. EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST BE REGISTERED! In addition, please use thesame agency name if you have multiple participants from the same organization/agency (i.e.,WING-JOC vs WI-JOC or WEM vs Wisconsin Emergency Management). Follow the instructions onthe website and fill in all required fields during the registration process. Special dietary needs havebeen included in this process. The link to the registration site is provided below:https://www.regonline.com/simcomvc2019

EVENT COMMUNICATIONS:** Subject to change, this patch will be up and monitored Wednesday through the end of the eventand might be patched into a trunked radio system as well which will require you to press PTT, thenwait, wait, wait before talking or your transmission will be cut off. EMERGENCY traffic has priority.Exercise Objectives:Communications- Geographic Divisions- Data Sharing- Radio Bridging/Patching -(DarkSkies)- Network Failures- Contingency Communications- Detailed and Challenging MSEL- Establish IncidentCommunications Center in eachgeographic area- Establish repeater within eachgeographic area- Radio communications(VHF/UHF/HF)-Interoperable Communicationsbetween all participants andzonesCOMC/Branch Director/COMLled exerciseSimulation Cell (SIMCELL)Encrypted CommunicationsIncident Command- WebEOC- Staging and ReceptionOperations- Geographic Division Deployment- Incident Action Plan- Command Post OperationsWebEOC Access – WebEOC will be employed during SIMCOM-VC 2019. Users will utilize theirown WebEOC login information to access the page. For those planning an active role, pleasefollow the link below to gain access to the SIMCOM-VC 2019 page prior to the event.https://wi.webeocasp.com/wi/The WebEOC path is:Position: SIMCOM; Incident: 2019-05-01 SIMCOM

Lodging - There are multiple hotel options in Waukesha and surrounding area. The primary lodginglocation is The Wildwood Lodge. Please see below for a list of lodging options. Rooms are on a firstcome first serve basis and funding for them are the responsibility of the participant/agency.Please book soon as they will fill up.

Check-In – All participants and communication platforms will check-in/out utilizing WI-CAMSfor all three (3) days of the exercise; located in the NW corner of the Arena Building parking lot.Bathrooms – Will be available on site at the Waukesha Expo Center as well as other Branchlocations. Portable restrooms will also be available near platforms in their Branch locations.Lunch – Will be provided on the days of the exercise only, not on the training day. Any participantwith special dietary requests not covered on the registration portal should come prepared toprovide their own lunch.Medical – An ambulance will be on site in the event of a medical emergency.Parking – Parking will be provided at no charge at or near the event site. You will be instructedwhere to park upon your arrival and check-in.Uniform – Civilians, please wear organizational attire whenever able. Military participants wearduty uniform.Weather – SIMCOM-VC 2019 will be held rain, sleet, snow or shine so please plan accordingly.In Case of Inclement Weather - Event Staff will monitor weather and suspend exercise iflightning and or strong winds are detected. There are facilities on site in the event that we willneed to shelter in place; instructions for these facilities will be provided upon arrival and checkin.Safety – All participants will be aware of the identified safety concerns below: Trip and Fall Hazards: cables, extension cords, guide wires on radio towers, wires in aisles or lowhanging from overhead locationsLifting: proper posture, obtain help as needed, proper footing, proper lifting techniqueTower Climbing: only properly trained personnel can climbElectricity: damp locations, cables rated for outdoor use, outdoor rated extension cables,lightning protection on equipment, hot sticks available for immediate use, only trainedelectricians utilized for panel workUnderground Utility Locates: ground rods only placed where approved, location services show allutilities, proper grounding rules followedRadio Frequency (RF) Exposure: proper distance for frequency range designated, proper markingof RF hot zone (flagging, cones), FCC safety compliance ensuredWeather Exposure: cold, climate awarenessFatigue: monitor each person’s on watch period, relief time for watch personnel, drive timebefore/after watch periodLacerations/Splinters/General First Aid: ensure adequate self-training, first aid kits available,emergency numbers posted and briefed to all personnelReflective Vests/PPE: adequate marking for dark periods, helmets for falling object protection,bicycle helmets as needed, safety glasses for use around antenna elements and as necessaryVehicle Safety: properly licensed drivers, following base rules, spotters during backingmaneuvers, seat belts, headlights on as needed/required, no riders in openbeds/pickups/flatbeds/trailersDrone Flights: ALL Drone/Unmanned Aircraft flights will adhere to FAA Guidelines andcoordinate flights through SIMCOM Exercise Control/Air Coordination Group Air Boss

EXERCISE TIMELINE Wednesday, May 1, 2019 – Early Arrival/Set-up/TrainingParticipants may arrive to set-up/COMM check their platforms/systems. Security will beprovided throughout the evening. Please do not arrive at Check-In earlier than 0630.Training available: SIMCOM-Vital Connection (VC) 2019 General Session, MilitaryRetransmission Techniques, Audio Gateways, HF Propagation (Amateur Radio), HFCommunications Theory for Military, FirstNet Overview, Practical WinLink & NVIS Antennas(Amateur Radio), SHARES HF Program, HF Antenna Hands-On for Military, and WI-CAMSsupport1. SIMCOM-VC 2019 General Session: This session features multiple speakers from SIMCOMplanning team with information for all participants. Representatives from WI OEC, federalpartners and the COML training team will present updates for their respective areas. Sessionwill include new information on the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) and

COML/COMT renewal and recognition program. Speakers will also present case studies andlessons learned from 2018 flooding and Sun Prairie gas explosion.2. Military Retransmission Techniques: Demonstrates how a VHF military retransmission site isdeployed, the equipment required, and the best way to ensure success of the system.3. Audio Gateways: Overview of audio gateway products and considerations during deployment.What should be done with your gateway BEFORE an incident. Training will be hosted by factoryrepresentatives. Brief time will be allotted for Q/A related to SIMCOM-VC 2019.4. HF Propagation (Amateur Radio): Overview for all attendees about how amateur radiovolunteers can help your agency during an incident. Course will also introduce Near VerticalIncident Skywave (NVIS) antennas and propagation for HF nearby communications. Attendeeswill be introduced to the power of WinLink radio messaging.5. HF Communications Theory for Military: Track will discuss HF Communications based on theHarris AN/PRC-150 HF Radio. Will include instruction on HF Propagation, HF Antennas, ALEMode, and Interoperability.6. FirstNet Overview: FirstNet continues to be deployed around the country. Come to thissession to learn about the status of FirstNet and what you should consider if you’re looking toparticipate in FirstNet. Representatives from AT&T will be presenting the latest information.7. Practical WinLink & NVIS Antennas (Amateur Radio): Apply the techniques from the firstsession and observe the power of WinLink in use and observe NVIS antenna construction. Bringyour ideas and questions about using WinLink and NVIS antennas to have answered byexperienced amateurs.8. SHARES HF Program: Learn about the DHS sponsored program known as SHARES. This HFprogram is a voluntary program that allows National Security and Emergency Preparednesspersonnel to communicate via voice and digital modes. This system promotes interoperabilityacross the country between more than 1400 stations.9. HF Antenna Hands-On for Military: This will be a hands on training which will demonstratehow to put a Harris AN/PRC-150 HF Radio and all of its components into service. Will coveractual deployment of the radio and erecting an antenna.10. WI-CAMS: WI-CAMS (Wisconsin Credentialing & Asset Management System) continues to bea critical and growing tool for responders. Learn about the latest updates, talk about bestpractices and have your questions answered by WEM’s Mission Support Team.

Wednesday May 1, 2019 – Exercise – Day 1 0700 – Participant and communication platform arrival at Staging Area (WaukeshaExpo Center/Arena Building) Participants are encouraged to conduct communication checks and earlyset-up with other arriving platforms/agencies0715 – IAP/Branch Directors/COML Meeting (Event/Exercise Staff at Waukesha ExpoCenter)0800-1100 – SIMCOM-VC 2019 General Session Begins at Arena Bldg, Main Floor –Waukesha, WI1000-1200 – Military Retransmission Techniques Class at Forum Bldg, South Hall 1100-1200 – Lunch (on the Economy) 1200-1400 – HF Propagation (Amateur Radio) Class at Arena Bldg, Bark River Room 1300 – IAP Development (Branch Directors/COML/Others as required at WaukeshaExpo Center) 1300-1500 – HF Communications Theory for Military Class at Forum Bldg, SouthHall and Audio Gateways Overview Class at Arena Bldg, Fox River Room1315-1400 – FirstNet Overview Class at Arena Bldg, Oconomowoc River Room1415-1500 – WI-CAMS Overview Class at Arena Bldg, Oconomowoc River Room1415-1515 – SHARES HF Program Overview Class at Arena Bldg, Main Floor1415-1615 – Practical WinLink & NVIS Antennas Class at Arena Bldg, Bark RiverRoom and Audio Gateways Overview Class (Repeat) at Arena Bldg, Fox River Room1500-1700 – HF Antenna Hands-On for Military Class at Forum, South Hall1515-1600 – FirstNet Overview Class (Repeat) at Arena Bldg, Oconomowoc RiverRoom 1700 – Daily AAR (Staff only) at Waukesha Expo Center1800 – No-Host Social:Delafield Brewhaus3832 Hillside Dr., Delafield, WI 53018Cash bar 1830 – COMU Meeting (COMC/COML/COMT/INTD & Trainees) at No-Host Social