Overview

Effective communication is vital to operational success and the safety of North Carolinians during any incident. North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) is dedicated to supporting entities across the state that prioritize public emergency alerts and seamless interoperability between first responders and partner agencies.

While NCEM coordinates and authorizes these critical activities, the department’s core communications leadership includes the Communications Branch Manager and the 24-Hour Watch Manager. Beyond this central oversight, North Carolina maintains a robust network of specialized teams and personnel equipped to address a diverse range of complex communication challenges.

Tactical Communications

The North Carolina Strategic Technology Reserve (STR) program consists of radio caches and mobile tower assets. North Carolina currently utilizes nine radio caches as a part of the State’s STR program.  Eight (8) of the caches are contained in trailers and one is vehicle based.  The radio caches are strategically place in each Domestic Preparedness Region (DPR) and are housed and maintained by local public safety agencies.

The eight radio cache trailers are equipped with the following resources:

• 44 700/800 MHz portable radios
• 20 UHF portable radios
• 20 VHF portable radios
• 20 FRS portable radios
• ACU-T mobile gateway
• Generator
• Battery charging capability

There are five (5) mobile tower assets available for deployment:

• Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force
• AUXCOMM
• All Hazard Communications Unit
• Local Communications Teams
• Air to Ground Communications
• Private Sector Communications Resources
• Communications Partners