A communication accessory device is provided for use with a portable communication device like a radio. The accessory device, which couples to the standard communication device, includes a network system that automatically assembles a wireless network among other similarly equipped portable communication devices and control devices in an incident area and automatically assigns a unique identification to each portable communication device. The accessory device also includes a communication system that receives and transmits voice and data communications over the wireless network using at least one of High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF), Super High Frequency (SHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/microwave, public safety band, cellular, satellite, and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) communications. The accessory device further includes a positioning system that automatically and periodically determines a position of the device and automatically transfers the position to control devices via the wireless network.