Minnesota Metro Region Communications Response Task Force

Minnesota Telecommunicator
Emergency Response Taskforce (MN-TERT)

Bringing the power of the Dispatcher where it’s needed
Support for the Field, Command Post, EOC, COML or the PSAP

The Metropolitan Emergency Services Board supports the Metro Region All-Hazards Incident Dispatch Team. The IDT is an all-hazards personnel resource that can be used by a COML, IC or agency to assist in the field, the command post, the EOC or the PSAP. The IDT also serves as Minnesota’s Telecommunications Emergency Response Taskforce (MN-TERT) under the National Joint TERT Initiative (NJTI). TERT is a state to state PSAP mutual aid personnel resource that operates under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

Training, certifying, and qualifying dispatchers to deploy in support of communications and documentation functions at an incident, a command post or at the PSAP has gained acceptance and validation throughout our nation’s public safety system. Having these communications professionals bring their expertise to bear not only frees field personnel from being tied to the radio and notepad, but allows the unique skills of the dispatcher to augment the communications, logistics and documentation portions of incident management at critical emergencies.

Role of the Incident Dispatcher

Traditionally, an Incident Communications Unit has been staffed with line personnel (who may or may not have been trained in communications). The IDT deploys professional dispatchers, who have received specialized training in incident dispatching, to focus on communications and resource management at an incident scene, Command Post, EOC or PSAP. The IDT is a resource available through Minnesota HSEM’s State Duty Officer to function as a mutual aid resource. This may be in support of a COML or an agency that simply needs human resources to support incident communications, the 9-1-1 PSAP, documentation or logistics.

Incident Dispatchers have been utilized on incidents and events such as the World Trade Center attack, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the Stillwater Marathon and the Red River Flood response. Having a field communicator at the command post frees the Incident Command and General Staff from the umbilical cord of the radio, allowing them to concentrate on managing the incident, the objectives and tactics. The IDT handles communications in and out of the scene and maintains status accountability of all resources assigned to the incident. The IDT can be utilized for any all-hazard resource-intensive incident or event, including fires, hazmat, floods, tornados, and multi-casualty incidents - any situation involving a several-hours long incident management.

What to expect from the Incident Dispatch Team or TERT

IDT responds after a request based on SOP. An agency can expect an advance team that may include a COML and Incident Dispatchers. The IDT/TERT Team Leader will establish the objectives and needs of the requesting agency or incident management team and evaluate personnel and equipment needs. The end result will be to establish a communications unit working within the ICS structure if it exists or support the requesting agency.

The IDT may simply be a personnel resource, or may assist with logistics if communications or other equipment is necessary. The IDT will assume radio duties for the incident or event and can be a resource to support troubleshooting and managing equipment, documentation and field resources. IDT personnel assist in incident management support for the Command Post by completing ICS paperwork, maintaining status and accountability of units on the scene, and relaying pertinent information back to the Communications Center. The IDT may also deploy directly to an EOC or Communication Center to assist.

Requesting the Metro Region IDT or Minnesota TERT

Minnesota State Duty Officer: 800-422-0798 or (651) 649-5451

For more information on the Metro Region IDT & MN-TERT:

Chris Kummer, ENP, NREMT-P, COML
Metro Region CRTF Steering Workgroup
Minnesota State TERT Coordinator
Manager – Communications
Hennepin Emergency Medical Services
Phone: 612-873-5673
Email: christopher.kummer@hcmed.org

Jill Rohret
Metro Region CRTF Steering Workgroup
Metro Emergency Services Board
Regional Radio Services Coordinator
Phone: 651-643-8394
email: jrohret@mn-mesb.org