Considerations for Secondary (besides chapels) Command Centers in a Disaster


First choice of a communications command station is your home. 

Your home should have all you need to sustain operations "indefinitely" starting with 72 hours within the context of 12333 plan. 

Another consideration is the chapel. Consequently, we need practice setting up at the chapels and communicating from chapel to chapel. 

Remember our stake, at worst, may be separated in (at least) two because of the rivers running through the area (Malheur, Payette, Snake, Burnt). 

I-84 in the northern part of the stake runs through canyons along the Burnt River and could be closed due to landslides, wildfire, railway accidents, industrial accidents, flooding, collapsed bridges, to name a few. 

We should also have backup locations (if possible) in each ward and we need to ultimately begin identifyingareas in each ward (where possible) that we can at up a command communications center where possible. 

Below is a list of considerations for choosing alternate command sites, put in a list format for use as we progress - each Ward specialist should identify at least one if not more sites in their area that can serve at minimum their Ward, and best case, as much of the stake as possible:

Site 1 - name/location: 

Site 2  - name/location:

Site 3  - name/location:

Site 4  - name/location:

📋 Emergency Comms Command Center – Location Checklist

1. Hazard Safety

  •  Outside flood zones or dam failure inundation areas

  •  Outside wildfire risk corridors (fuel-heavy, wind-driven zones)

  •  Away from hazardous materials routes (rail lines, highways, pipelines)

  •  No immediate threat from falling trees, power lines, or unstable structures

2. Elevation & Terrain

  •  Provides good line-of-sight for VHF/UHF coverage

  •  Not blocked by ridges, buildings, or heavy tree cover

  •  Avoids valleys or terrain shadowing zones

3. Accessibility

  •  Reachable by at least two independent routes

  •  Roads usable in all weather (rain, snow, ice, mud)

  •  Close enough for resupply and personnel movement

4. Proximity to Population/Agencies

  •  Near enough to serve the impacted community effectively

  •  Proximity to emergency services (fire, EMS, Red Cross, CERT)?

  •  Far enough from hazard/impact zones to remain operational

5. Security & Control

  •  Site can be physically secured (locked access, barriers, controlled entry)

  •  Safe from theft, vandalism, or interference

  •  Good visibility of approaches (not isolated/blind)

  •  Likely to be used by rest of community to where you may be asked to move or you'll disrupt other operations, or may be in proximity to likely/possible civil unrest?

6. Antenna & Infrastructure Suitability

  •  Adequate space for antennas, guy lines, or portable towers

  •  Clear horizon or line-of-sight for antennas

  •  Low RF interference environment

7. Environmental Shelter

  •  Indoor or hardened shelter available (if possible)

  •  Weather-resistant space for operators and equipment (if possible)

  •  Basic insulation/heating/cooling to protect electronics (if possible)


ARES/ARRL Location Guidance for Emergency Comms Sites

  1. Proximity to Served Agency

    • Operate as close as possible to the agency you support (EOC, Red Cross shelter, hospital).

    • Being co-located ensures rapid message handling and reduces relay delays.

  2. Safety First

    • Do not establish in a danger zone (floodplains, hazmat areas, fire lines).

    • Site must be survivable and allow continuous operation.

  3. Accessibility & Reliability

    • Must be reachable 24/7, even with damaged infrastructure.

    • Multiple access routes recommended.

  4. Communications Effectiveness

    • Adequate antenna space and minimal RF interference.

    • Good line-of-sight for VHF/UHF; ability to set up HF if long-haul needed.

    • Backup power available or portable energy sources deployable.

  5. Physical Security & Shelter

    • Protect equipment and personnel from weather and unauthorized access.

    • Ability to lock down the site if necessary.

  6. Operator Support

    • Space for multiple operators to rotate shifts.

    • Adequate lighting, restrooms, and minimal food/water storage.

    • Noise and distraction control to maintain net discipline.

  7. Redundancy & Flexibility

    • Identify primary and alternate sites ahead of time.

    • Be able to move quickly if a location becomes compromised.

    • Keep go-kits and portable ops ready to shift locations.


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