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CX2SA > ARES 19.03.09 04:08l 378 Lines 20579 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: ARES E-Letter March 18, 2009
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The ARRL ARES E-Letter March 18, 2009
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
The View from Flagler County
----------------------------
Spring training is in full swing, and here's what operators should be pursuing
as training at a minimum:
ARRL ARECC Level 1
Red Cross Adult CPR/First Aid Basics
Red Cross Introduction to Disaster Services
FEMA IS-100A (Introduction to Incident Command System)
FEMA IS-200A (ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents)
FEMA IS-700 (National Incident Management System)
Except for the first two, courses are free of charge, and CPR/First Aid may be
free to members of the Red Cross. CPR/First Aid is the only course that
requires periodic refreshers; and skills must be demonstrated in person rather
than on the Internet.
The American Heart Association also has excellent courses available for CPR.
(The AHA certifies me as a Registered Nurse in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life
Support -- ACLS -- protocols).
These recommendations are pursuant to the ARRL National Emergency Response
Planning Committee report to the Board of Directors Annual Meeting, 2007. Get
with your Spring training!
* The View from Flagler County
* Virginia's Operation Deep Freeze
* ARRL's K2DCD Addresses EMCOMM University
* Amateurs Provide Emcomm in Australian Bushfires
* Tip: Download Critical Info Regularly
* Meetings and Conferences
* Letters: WXSpots
* Letters: More on ARES Notification Modalities
* K1CE For a Final
Virginia's Operation Deep Freeze
--------------------------------
Based on an actual event that occurred ten years ago, Operation Deep Freeze
simulated 28 miles of highway I-77 in Virginia being closed as a result of a
massive winter storm. A simulated rescue effort to remove stranded motorists
to a triage area, then to hospitals or shelters as per the need, was also
involved. Amateur Radio was used to coordinate these efforts. Amateurs also
passed traffic for chainsaw units, feeding units, medical supplies, cots,
blankets, snowmobiles, snow shoes, cross country skies, backup relief workers,
SAR, inquiries of road conditions, and constant SITREPs.
A separate SKYWARN network secured ground truths from the field to make up-to-
date reports. This network consisted of three broad coverage repeaters.
WXSpots and Winlink were also used in addition to voice to pass weather
information to and from the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg,
Virginia. Other repeaters and simplex channels were used to handle both
priority and simulated emergency traffic.
The Old Dominion Emergency Net operated on 3.947 MHz, with the Amateur Radio
Communications Auxiliary (ARCA) operating from the Virginia Department of
Emergency Management providing net control stations. Communications between
the State EOC in Richmond and the impact area 200 miles to the west was
handled on the 147.33 MHz repeater.
As the area west of the Blue Ridge struggled with heavy snowfall, whiteout
conditions and blocked highways, those in the area east of the Blue Ridge
faced their own set of winter related problems. The eastern area's
precipitation came in the form of heavy icing with simulated reports of
between one and two inches of ice. This resulted in the simulation of highways
being closed, people stranded, downed utility poles and the loss of power and
other utilities. Franklin and Pittlsylvania County operators were actively
involved in keeping radio communications going between shelters, the office of
Public Safety, and the American Red Cross both locally and throughout the
region. They were also in contact with the Virginia State EOC via HF radio and
Winlink. This group supported the SKYWARN effort by giving and receiving
constant updates between their area and the Blacksburg NWS office.
The Virginia Defense Force and their Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
Winlink system were also involved: The Virginia Defense Force simulated
providing communications from their armories that served as simulated staging
areas located between Roanoke and Norfolk. The MARS Winlink system performed
seamlessly with the regular Amateur Radio Winlink system.
With the Virginia Defense Force and the Virginia Department of Emergency
Management both using the form ICS-213 as their standard message form and the
hams in this exercise using the same form, efficiency was achieved for all
services. (A number of years ago when MARS and ARES/RACES exchanged messages,
the MARS operators used MARSGRAMS and the ARES/RACES used Radiograms,
resulting in messages having to be rewritten to be passed). Non-message
traffic such as SITREPs and NWS watches and warnings were issued as bulletins
with no requirement to be placed in the ICS-213 format.
Winlink allowed for more than 60% of the traffic being sent without the need
of bogging down a net. Shifting local traffic to simplex from broad coverage
repeaters after initial contact on the net frequency also saved net
efficiency. Some local nets operated their nets totally on simplex.
In summary, 65 Amateur Radio operators operated in the exercise and passed
1025 pieces of traffic. More information and photos: Operation Deep Freeze.
ARRL First VP Kay Craigie, N3KN, and Carter Craigie, N3AO, were among the 65
ops participating in this exercise. N3KN commented: "I operated Carter's
portable emcomm station, which can do voice, Winlink, and even CW. We used HF
Winlink rather than VHF Winlink from the NWS office so we would not interfere
with the voice operators who were on 2m. The messages really flew out of there
on Pactor. Then we had the real winter storm on Sunday, which gave this area
more snow than people have seen in years. Carter checked into what he thought
was going to be the hot-wash net for the drill, but it turned into a real
SKYWARN net that he helped to run for several hours. Road conditions did not
allow him to go over to the NWS office SKYWARN desk so he did the job from
home." - report and photos used with permission of Operation Deep Freeze
Leader Glen Sage, W4GHS; and ARRL First Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN,
chairman of the ARRL National Emergency Response Planning Committee (NERPC)
(2006)
ARRL's K2DCD Addresses EMCOMM University
----------------------------------------
The League's point man for emergency preparedness and response, Dennis Dura,
K2DCD, addressed EMCOMM U attendees by video-link at its event on March 14 in
Stockton, California. He was a keynote speaker, along with OutpostPM developer
Jim Oberhofer, KN6PE.
Dura spoke about a number issues for about 30 minutes followed by another 30
minutes of Q&A. Some of the subjects covered were emergency communications
training, the need for information during emergency responses, coordination
with nationally based organizations and how members can add their ideas on
emcomm needs of the ARRL by contributing to the the Strategic Plan.
All of this was possible through the efforts of David Coursey, N5FDL who
organized this first EMCOMM U effort. "David was very flexible in re-arranging
the entire event around my Saturday schedule. He even provided the video
camera to make this happen", Dura said. "It was the first time I ever
particiapted in this kind of exchange. It's a bit disconcerting at first, but
then you don't notice the hardware at all and it becomes just like another
QSO, albeit using VoIP and video".
Forty-eight area Hams participated and ranged from locations from Lassen
Country to the north and Fresno to the south. N5FDL said, "we had 8 speakers,
good reviews and it has already improved local agency cooperation based on
things people learned".
Amateurs Provide Emcomm in Australian Bushfires
-----------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio operators provided communications links into towns that have had
their normal communications destroyed by the bushfires that have decimated
Victoria. Members of the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network in
Victoria (WICEN (Vic)) -- Australia's version of ARES -- were activated on
February 8, with members being deployed to areas with loss of power and other
facilities.
The WICEN HF Net operated on 3.6 MHz daily. A spokesman said "As well as
keeping a check on the welfare of operators in the field, the Net was used to
pass updated activation information, and also for amateurs in remote areas of
the state to check their communications." "It is reassuring to hear stations
from all over the state and interstate on the Net, demonstrating that we can,
if necessary, establish communications independent of hilltop infrastructure.
It has been very handy to have other amateurs monitoring 3.6 MHz when they can
to relay when fading occurs. Many thanks to those operators who have relayed
traffic."
Dennis Dura, K2DCD, ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager said:
"The work the Australian hams have been doing and the issues WICEN have been
facing are not unlike what ARES personnel encounter here. The long hours and
duration of the disaster response and the dwindling availability of amateur
volunteers take a toll. Yet Amateur Radio still is able to complete the
mission. The flexibility we bring is key to meeting the emergency
communications needs of those the amateur community serves. Our hearts go out
to all those that have lost loved ones and whose lives have been forever
changed by these fires. Our colleagues in WICEN make the Amateur Radio
community proud in the work they are performing in these very difficult
conditions." - excerpts from the ARRL Letter
Tip: Download Critical Info Regularly
-------------------------------------
If your ARES team keeps configuration or setup information, radio frequency
lists, rosters, maps, etc on an Internet server, encourage all members to
regularly download the latest versions to their home PCs and laptops. In the
case of a power or Internet outage, files will be unavailable from the host.
This can be made easier by packaging all of the files into compressed archives
(such as ZIP files) that can be downloaded in one operation. Enlist a
volunteer to maintain the sets of files and announce when new versions are
created. The filename of the archive should include both the date and a
version number (eg,"ARES documents - Version 2A - 1 Jan 2009") so that it's
easy to tell what version of information a person has.-- Ward Silver, N0AX,
AEC Vashon-Maury Island ARES, Western Washington
Meetings and Conferences
------------------------
Texas Homeland Security Conference: San Antonio, March 23-26
The Texas State Hurricane Conference on March 23-26 is combined this year with
the Texas Homeland Security Conference in San Antonio. This will be an
opportunity for State, County, City, and other Emergency Management
organizations to meet, attend classes, and discuss possible partnerships. I
will be there representing Michael Baker Jr. Inc. with a booth; if any reader
is attending, stop by and say hello.-- Eric M. Gildersleeve, KD7CAO, Denton,
Texas
EMCOMMWEST, Reno, Nevada, May 1-3, 2009
EMCOMMWEST 2009 -- an ARRL specialty convention devoted entirely to emergency
communications -- will host this year's Pacific Division Convention
(Pacificon) at the Circus Circus Hotel Resort in Reno, Nevada May 1-3.
Supervisor of the ARRL's Field and Public Service Team Steve Ewald, WV1X, will
host an emergency communications forum and deliver the keynote address. Riley
Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, former Special Counsel of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau,
will be the speaker at the Saturday evening banquet; Hollingsworth will also
present a forum on the legal aspects of emergency communications. Other forums
in the works include an introduction to the work of Public Information
Officers (PIO) and the PR-101 Course; how to create an effective ARES team;
how to work with ARES from an Emergency Manager's view; packet software and
operations for emergency communications; practical emergency communication
functions for ATV; how to creating a Section-wide intercom using EchoLink and
VoIP, and more. SKYWARN and storm spotter training will also be offered. ARRL
Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and Vice Director Andy Oppel,
N6AJO, will lead the ARRL Forum. Registration is now available online at the
EMCOMMWEST Web site.
TEMA Interoperability Conference, Chatanooga, Tennessee, March 30-31
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is hosting its first
"Interoperability Conference" on March 30-31, 2009, in Chattanooga. Attending
will be the Regional Director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Office of Emergency Communications and other notables, representatives from
many of the 96 county EOC/EMAs, including State MARS and Amateur Radio
officials. Attendees from the Kentucky State EOC are also expected.
Winlink developer Steve Waterman, K4CJX, is a panelist. He reports, "after
attending the DHS/ FEMA COML course last month, I can tell you that TEMA is
serious about training its volunteer force to be effective participants and
partners." Waterman cited an article on the TEMA Web site as an example of its
commitment to Amateur Radio.
Conference details: "More than Technology -- Tennessee Interoperability
Conference and Workshop," March 30 - 31, 2009; Chattanooga Marriott Convention
Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Opening Luncheon Keynote Speaker Homeland
Security Office of Emergency Communications Director Chris Essid. Programs:
Interoperability Grant Initiatives and Exercises across Tennessee; National
Interoperability Information Exchange (NIIX); Lessons Learned from the 2009
Ice Storm; Frequency Use Sharing Agreements; Panel Discussion Cross Band
Devices - Best Practices; HF Radio Amateur Radio (ARES), Military Affiliate
Radio System (MARS), WinLink2000 (WL2K) Panel Discussion; Communications
Disaster Preparedness and Interoperability.
GAREC-2009, Tokyo, Japan, August 24-25
The Fifth Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference (GAREC) --
hosted by the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) -- will be held in conjunction
with the JARL Ham Fair at
Tokyo Big Sight on August 24-25, 2009. Registration for GAREC-2009 will begin
in early May.
According to GAREC 2009 Organizing Committee Member Seppo Sisatto, OH1VR, this
year's theme is "Emergency Communications across Borders." The program will
include presentations about operations during disasters that have occurred
since GAREC-2008 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, as well as discussions about new
developments in technology and their application in emergency communications.
The detailed program will be published in late April.
All Amateur Radio operators interested in Emergency Communications are invited
to participate in GAREC. The fifth GAREC continues the work of its four
forerunners: After the first and the second GAREC in Tampere,
Finland, the third GAREC in Huntsville, Alabama, USA, and the fourth
GAREC in 2008, this year's event will be the first GAREC conference in
IARU Region 3. The proceedings and the statements of the 2005, 2006,
2007 and 2008 conferences can be found at the GAREC Web site.
Sisatto pointed out that the theme of GAREC-2009 mirrors the theme
chosen by the IARU for World Amateur Radio Day on April 18, "Amateur Radio:
Your Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication." -- ARRL Letter
More Conference Leads
As written previously in the ARES E-letter, State Conferences, meetings and
training opportunities are must attend events for ARES leadership and serious
emergency communications radio operators.
Attending these events helps to build a good relationship with our served
agencies and help you to be a better emcomm provider. The relationships with
served agencies are just one major key to sucess, and must be formed before
the disaster strikes.
Get yourself invited to a conference in your area, present or have a booth
showing the capabilities of ARES. Relationships built and knowledge gained at
these events will make you a better, more informed ARES member and aid the
sucess of the amatuer radio service.
Here are just a few conferences I found:
South Carolina Hurricane Conference, March 23-26th
National Hurricane Conference, April 6-10th
Mississippi Hurricane Conference, April 27-29th
Florida Hurricane Conference, May 10-15th
--Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Southeastern Division Director
Letters: WXSpots
----------------
Local hams have been using a free software program from N3FJP called WXSpots
to post information to those using the software during severe weather
conditions such as thunderstorm and tornado watches/warnings. It will also
enable Internet chats with hams in the county and surrounding counties as well
as non-hams such as those citizens who are SKYWARN trained. We are trying to
encourage the use of the software to disseminate information to and from our
nets. It obviously has some drawbacks such as electricity and Internet access
and cannot always be used by mobile stations. We think of it as one additional
tool on our belt. -- Dave Edenfield, W8RIT, Cottrellville Twp, Michigan
Letters: More on ARES Notification Modalities
---------------------------------------------
In re the item in the last issue on ARES operator alerting methods, I have
successfully used a phone notification system for group notices, meeting
reminders, et cetera: The service is PhoneVite, and has no monthly fee and the
paid service is .05/call. Average time to call 20 people and deliver a message
is about 60 seconds. It uses recorded voice so there are no SMS/e-mail delays.
I can call home/work/cell and also leave messages. I've been using the service
successfully for over one year and my club members love the meeting reminders.
I have no interest in the company, just a satisfied user. -- Andy Skattebo,
KA0SNL, Quincy, Illinois
K1CE For a Final
----------------
In last month's closing column, Dennis Dura, K2DCD, provided commentary on the
increase in ARES activity in support of medical facilities, and correctly
identified some of the legal pitfalls. In the same issue was a report on the
fascinating work of the venerable Hospital Disaster Support Communications
System (HDSCS) of Orange County, California. It struck me that here is an
opportunity to hold out HDSCS as a good example of what is not only legal, but
what is desirable in terms of ARES protocol in this emerging arena.
In the case of HDSCS, Amateur Radio is not the "first line of defense" against
hospital phone system failures. Its stated mission is backing up
communications that are critical to patient care when normal systems fail.
Hospital administrators are certainly on board with that: No competent
hospital planner would choose Amateur Radio as the "first line of defense" for
his facility's regular back-up communications. If a planner did that, he or
she would be choosing an incomplete solution, and which would be impermissible
from a Part 97 standpoint.
Hospitals have several first options for alternate communications. Such
provisions are mandated by rules of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation
of Hospital Organizations, although the systems are not specified by the
Commission. In addition to in-house VHF/UHF two-way radio systems, hospitals
have installed terminals for the HEAR/ReddiNet voice/digital system, a project
of the Hospital Association of Southern California, and base stations for a
talk group on the county's 800 MHz trunked radio system, a project of Orange
County Emergency Medical Services Agency.
These systems are correctly the first lines of defense because they are
intended to be available 24/7/365 and hospital personnel have been trained to
use them. HDSCS is an important additional resource that the hospitals are
glad to have, and not always as a last resort: HDSCS operators have to
participate in the mix of other back-up systems in lower-level emergencies
such as telephone outages and drills (eg, when a backhoe cuts all the
telephone trunk lines or a train collision sends victims to hospitals), so
they are familiar with hospital procedure and infrastructure for when the "big
one" hits. When there is no training, pre-planning and pre-familiarization,
when all else fails, Amateur Radio will also fail, and patients are put at
risk. HDSCS is a good model to emulate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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