Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) (CA)

Statewide Mutual Aid Radio Plans and Systems

Cal OES owns and operates three interconnected mobile relay radio networks for mutual aid coordination and oversees a number of communications channels for field-level coordination purposes. The Statewide Mutual Aid Radio System (SMARS) is the overarching program encompassing the interconnected networks: the California Emergency Services Radio System (CESRS), California Law Enforcement Radio System (CLERS), and Cal OES Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Coordination Network (FIRE Net).

CALCORD

Users: All California local government public safety agencies.

The California On-Scene Emergency Coordination System (CALCORD) provides a common radio frequency to be used by State and local public safety and special emergency agencies during emergencies where interagency coordination is required. The CALCORD channel is only to be used in mobile and portable units at the scene of any emergency incident requiring coordinate action by more than one agency. These agencies must be eligible to operate in the Public Safety or Special Emergency Radio Services. Base stations are not authorized on CALCORD. Use of this system is limited to emergency operations, with the exception of tests and drills

CESRS

Users: Cal OES and county-level emergency services

CESRS is the network Cal OES uses for direction and control/mutual aid coordination. It connects Cal OES Regions, field staff, and many Operational Area Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) via two-way radios.

CLERS

Users: Law enforcement agencies

CLERS is the law enforcement community’s mutual aid coordination radio network. It supports dispatcher-to-dispatcher communications at any level (City to Operational Area to Region to State) and is not intended to be used by field units.