The Communications Unit Leader - is responsible for developing plans for the effective use of incident communications equipment and facilities; installing and testing of communications equipment; supervision of the Incident Communications Center; distribution of communications equipment to incident personnel; and the maintenance and repair of communications equipment.

The major responsibilities of the Communications Unit Leader are:

• Review Unit Leader Responsibilities.
  
  
• Determine Unit personnel needs.
  
  
• Prepare and implement the Incident Radio Communications Plan (ICS Form 205, 2 KB PDF^*).
  
  
• Ensure the Incident Communications Center and the Message Center is established.
  
  
• Establish appropriate communications distribution/maintenance locations within the Base/Camp(s).
  
  
• Ensure communications systems are installed and tested.
  
  
• Ensure an equipment accountability system is established.
  
  
• Ensure personal portable radio equipment from cache is distributed per Incident Radio Communications Plan.
  
  
• Provide technical information as required on:
  
  
  •  Adequacy of communications systems currently in operation.
    
    
  • Geographic limitation on communications systems.
    
    
  • Equipment capabilities/limitations.
    
    
  • Amount and types of equipment available.
    
    
  • Anticipated problems in the use of communications equipment.
    
    
• Supervise Communications Unit activities.
  
  
• Maintain records on all communications equipment as appropriate.
  
  
• Ensure equipment is tested and repaired.
  
  
• Recover equipment from Units being demobilized.
  
  
• Maintain Unit/Activity Log (ICS Form 214, 5 KB PDF^*)