FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — Installation emergency responders recently strengthened their ability to coordinate with Puerto Rico firefighters by establishing a direct radio connection to the islandwide fire communications network, improving interoperability when emergencies require mutual assistance on or off the installation.
The new capability builds on a mutual assistance agreement Fort Buchanan established with Puerto Rico firefighters in 2022-23. The agreement allows both organizations to support each other during emergencies while expanding opportunities for joint training and other assistance.
Hector Rivera-Torres, who led the initiative for Fort Buchanan Emergency Services, said previous responses highlighted the need for a more direct way to communicate with local incident commanders.
“We have a more direct way now of how to communicate and to maintain the incident command system,” Rivera-Torres said, describing the capability as another way to strengthen coordination among federal and local responders.
The need became particularly clear about a year and a half ago when Fort Buchanan firefighters assisted during a pallet factory fire in Vega Alta. Rivera-Torres said communication limitations required him to move around the emergency scene to coordinate directly with commanders and fire captains.
Following the response, Rivera-Torres proposed establishing a radio link that would allow Fort Buchanan responders to announce when they are responding, report their arrival and coordinate their location and responsibilities within an incident command structure.
Puerto Rico firefighters subsequently provided Fort Buchanan with a Kenwood radio connected to their islandwide communications network, which organizes emergency communications by geographic districts.
The capability works both ways.
“Not just that we go out to help them,” Rivera-Torres said. “If I need it, I can use this tool for them to come here and give us support.”
Fort Buchanan firefighters have already used the radio during an emergency response exercise at Total Energies facilities in Puerto Rico’s port area. During the exercise, a Fort Buchanan assistant fire chief used the radio to establish command upon arrival and maintained communications until another qualified incident commander assumed control.
The radio provides responders with another tool to coordinate personnel, equipment and emergency operations while maintaining direct communication with partner agencies.
The initiative also reinforces Fort Buchanan’s role as part of Puerto Rico’s broader emergency response community by improving the ability of military and local responders to operate together when emergencies cross jurisdictional boundaries.
For more information about Fort Buchanan’s emergency response capabilities and interoperability efforts, contact Hector Rivera-Torres at [hector.rivera-torres.civ@army.mil](mailto:hector.rivera-torres.civ@army.mil).
Fort Buchanan supports approximately 15,000 military personnel, including active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve members. The installation’s mission is to enable readiness and facilitate the deployment of forces anytime, anywhere.
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