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2024 Eclipse Communications Concept of Operations Training
On April 8, 2024, the Path of Totality for the North American Solar Eclipse will shade two-thirds of Arkansas. In the days leading up to this event, which will last only 4-1/2 minutes at its peak, approximately 1.5 to 3 million visitors are expected to be drawn to Arkansas to witness this spectacular show. Public safety communications planning has never been more critical for our state.
On January 24, 2024, John Minard provided Eclipse Communications CONOPS Training in person at ADEM, as well as by Zoom. The class addressed communications goals and assumptions, plus local, regional, state and inter-state operations plans. It is anticipated that cell phone and internet capacity may be overwhelmed. PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency) planning for communications will be critical.
MAC talkgroups cannot be requested as part of routine communications backup during the week of the eclipse, as all MAC talkgroups will either be predesignated by purpose or kept on reserve by ADEM for critical situations, as described in the Arkansas Multi-Agency or Natural Disaster Interoperability Plan (a.k.a. "Arkansas Storm Plan").
A Regional Talkgroup Plan is also in place for the Eclipse, designating a general purpose for the five interoperability talkgroups available in each of the five regions of the state. The Regional Talkgroup Plan and state map of regions can be found in the Total Solar Eclipse 2024 Public Safety Concept of Operations, available on the AWIN website.
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