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CX2SA > ARES 31.01.20 05:03l 389 Lines 21449 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Subj: ARES E-Letter January 15, 2020
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : ARES@ARRL
The ARES E-Letter January 15, 2020
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
- Puerto Rican Earthquake, Aftershocks Continue with More Predicted --
ARES Supports Red Cross
- Australian Bushfires Causing Major Telecommunication Outages, Amateur
Radio Emergency Communication Groups Asked to Remain Alert
- Winlink Development Team Members Awarded Tennessee Military Department
Patriot Medals
- FEMA Updates Community Emergency Response Team Training
- Spotlight: Digital Modes Focus of Connecticut's Simulated Emergency Test
2019
- New State Driving Laws Take Effect
- Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the FCC Files Recommendation,
Reports on Amateur Radio Disaster Communications Capability
- K1CE for a Final
- ARES Resources
- ARRL Resources
Puerto Rican Earthquake, Aftershocks Continue with More Predicted -- ARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supports Red Cross
------------------
ARRL Puerto Rico Section Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF, reported on January 12
that as of early Sunday morning he was serving at the American Red Cross
(ARC) HQ in San Juan, maintaining communications with the Red Cross
warehouse in the town of Yauco in southwestern Puerto Rico, the center for
the ARC relief operation for those affected in earthquake-impacted zones.
Resto reported that radio communications on VHF and UHF were stable as were
the commercial telecommunications services.
Resto reported that antennas were needed. ARRL Southeastern Division
Director Mickey Baker, N4MB, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, arranged to
have ARRL HQ staff ship the antennas for the VHF and UHF operations to Resto.
Resto reported that aftershocks were continuing in the wake of the 6.4
magnitude earthquake that struck the southwestern part of the island on
Tuesday, January 7. Resto reported at the time that the commercial
telecommunications network was largely operational, stating "We have
cellphones all over the island working," and adding that ARRL section
officials were drafting a list of amateur radio licensee-volunteers who
would be able to muster to assist the American Red Cross, with which Puerto
Rico ARES has a memorandum of understanding.
Ultimately, stations at Red Cross HQ in San Juan and the Yauco center
operated as a backbone in the event of more aftershocks, or new and possibly
stronger earthquakes hitting the region. The USGS forecast indicated a 68%
probability of a Magnitude 5 earthquake in the next seven days. "These
strong aftershocks are expected and are a natural process after a strong
earthquake," FEMA said.
Heriberto Perez, WP4ZZ, the ARES District Emergency Coordinator for Yauco,
was active there. ARES was involved with health and welfare message
handling, with calls received and handled by ARES ZONE 5 operators on backup
frequency 146.770 MHz from their home stations. Perez reported that the
internet was working, albeit with slow throughput.
At the Yauco Red Cross distribution center, Perez and operators signed in
and set up radios, and attended a short safety meeting conducted by the Red
Cross Chief Operating Officer (COO) Miriam Ojeda. Meeting topics included
"survival safety and where to meet in case evacuation is imminent."
Operators were required at all times to wear safety vests and hard hats, all
personal protection equipment (PPE) provided by the Red Cross on site.
Meals, snacks, water and drinks were provided for the radio operators. No
one was allowed to leave the facility.
Perez reported that "it was a bit of a rough day," with many aftershocks
occurring. "It felt like you were in a simulator," he said. "We had three
ARES personnel at the station, with our primary frequency for direct contact
with San Juan assigned: 447.800 MHz, and our backup support frequency in
Mayaguez -- 146.770 MHz." Solid, reliable communication was established and
maintained. Health and welfare traffic from nearby victims was handled, and
messages were promptly given to ARC COO Ojeda.
Perez reported: "By the end of the day, Ojeda asked us if we could help fill
out official forms from the victims that were contacted via radio -- she
gave us blank forms and conveyed instructions on standard operating
procedure." Perez said "we are now reaching out to the affected communities
and victims who are asking for tents, diapers, and medicine, and handling
many other requests."
FEMA reported on January 12 that there had been significant progress in
power restoration with 100 percent power generation expected if all assets
are online, although there will be little to no reserve capacity, and the
grid will be fragile. FEMA continues to assist impacted municipalities in
addressing emergency needs. FEMA personnel are embedded with local officials
in impacted areas to facilitate requests for assistance. On January 11,
Governor Vazquez had submitted her request for a Major Disaster Declaration.
More here.
Australian Bushfires Causing Major Telecommunication Outages, Amateur Radio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emergency Communication Groups Asked to Remain Alert
----------------------------------------------------
Wireless Institute of Australia President Greg Kelly, VK2GPK, reports the
bushfires in Australia have caused or are expected to cause significant
disruption of telecommunication services in the states of Victoria and New
South Wales (NSW). "The scope and range of these impacts is unknown at this
stage but are predicted to cover all internet and phone (fixed and mobile)
and other commercial radio services," he said. Kelly asked radio amateurs in
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 to monitor the emergency
communications frequencies set forth in the IARU Region 3 band plan whenever
possible, as well as repeaters.
In a post on New Year's Day, the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network
in New South Wales (WICEN NSW) stated it continues with its response to the
NSW bushfire emergency. WICEN NSW maintains an ongoing commitment of
Incident Management Team communications operators to Fire Control Centers,
and of operators to the Bush Fire Information Line at Rural Fire Service
(RFS) HQ. WICEN NSW operates as a part of the NSW Volunteer Rescue
Association commitment to the emergency and operates under the direction of
the NSW RFS.
Winlink Development Team Members Awarded Tennessee Military Department
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Patriot Medals
--------------
In a recent ceremony, two Winlink development team members were awarded the
Military Department of Tennessee Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot
Medal. Steve Waterman, K4CJX, was awarded the Medal "for his distinguished
patriotic service as the Winlink Network Administrator," citing his "vision,
hard work, and dedication to emergency communication contributed
significantly to the disaster readiness and communications interoperability
of the emergency responders across the United States and the world." The
citation concluded with "His efforts reflect great credit upon himself, the
Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, and the State of Tennessee."
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS, was awarded the Medal "for his distinguished patriotic
service as the lead developer for Winlink," with "technical skill, hard
work, and dedication to emergency communication contributed significantly to
the disaster readiness and communications interoperability of the emergency
responders across the United States and the world."
FEMA Updates Community Emergency Response Team Training
-------------------------------------------------------
FEMA conducted a webinar on January 8 on the release of the updated
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic training curriculum.
Presenters shared the reasons for the changes, highlighted best practices,
and shared impacts of the updated training. Participants learned how
trainers can deliver the updated training and how to order materials. This
was the second of two webinars about the updated CERT Basic training
curriculum, though the webinars presented similar information. Recordings of
the webinars can be found here.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers
about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and
trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light
search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT
offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and
organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster
situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.
The updated CERT Basic Training can be found here. It features a revised
Disaster Medical Operations section, updated Terrorism and CERT section, and
new hazard-specific annexes. Find the new curriculum materials online and
order free copies from the FEMA publications warehouse beginning January 8,
2020. The CERT Basic Training includes research-validated guidance for CERT
programs to teach members what to do before, during, and after the hazards
their communities may face. The materials in the training include instructor
guides, participant manuals, and hazard annex slide decks. The FEMA
Independent Study IS-317: Introduction to CERT can be taken online before or
during training.
[ARRL is an affiliate under the Department of Homeland Security's Citizen
Corps programs--Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Community
Emergency Response Teams and Medical Reserve Corps. The mission is public
preparedness and safety. In other words, neighborhood and community
volunteers serve as the "help until the help arrives." Radio amateurs are
ideal candidates for the CERT program owing to their unique ability to
communicate within their neighborhoods and communities for local emergency
communications, but also when the need exists for communications with the
outside world. Find your local CERT group and get connected. - ed. ]
Spotlight: Digital Modes Focus of Connecticut's Simulated Emergency Test 2019
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ARRL Connecticut Section's Simulated Emergency Test (SET 2019) featured
the employment and development of the section's digital mode and network
capabilities with efforts made in planning and execution of the use of VHF
and HF digital modes for reporting. ARRL Connecticut Section Emergency
Coordinator Mike Walters, W8ZY, coordinated the hourly injects. [Injects are
introduced into the exercise to elicit a response on the part of the
players, causing them to make decisions or take actions that meet the
exercise objectives on the fly. Injects are planned, pre-written, scheduled
and allocated to a specific facilitator to deliver to one or more
participants.]
Connecticut ARES is divided into five regions with each region having a
District Emergency Coordinator (DEC). The injects were transmitted on an FM
linked repeater network and the ARES statewide DMR talkgroup, allowing for
distribution to most players quickly.
Reporting this year incorporated the MARS town/county status report format.
[The town/county status report is a new, standardized type of message form
designed to simply and efficiently describe conditions within a county to
the appropriate authorities. The report covers the status of critical
infrastructure -- power, water, sanitation, medical care, transportation and
communications -- in the referenced county. Data used in the report can come
from personal observation or from observations collected by other reliable
sources. -- ed.] For the SET, the players were requested to use the form.
[Click here to view the form]. Local operators were asked to report
conditions in their community to regional EOC stations by voice or by
Winlink if possible. Reports were then forwarded to the state level by
Connecticut Section Manager Chuck Motes, K1DFS, sent using the MT63-1KL HF
digital mode. Frequencies and formats were published ahead of time, and
allowed SET players to submit many reports to the state MARS coordinator in
the same format.
For post-SET Net Manager and EC reports, the forms needed were located
online, which allowed net managers and ECs to submit them electronically.
Also after the SET, an online survey at Survey Monkey allowed operators to
comment and make suggestions. Most wanted to have more information and
training on the digital modes employed.
New State Driving Laws Take Effect
----------------------------------
Massachusetts has settled on a one-hand-on-the-wheel rule for mobiles. The
state's two ARRL Section Managers report they have received confirmation
that the state's distracted driving law does not apply to two-way mobile
radio operation. The new law "permits use of a federally licensed two-way
radio, provided that one hand remains on the steering wheel at all times,"
except as provided in sections 8M, 12A, and 13B of the law. -- Thanks to
Western Massachusetts SM Ray Lajoie, KB1LRL, and ARRL Eastern Massachusetts
SM Tom Walsh, K1TW
In Florida, the Wireless Communications While Driving Law took full effect
on January 1st. The law consists of Florida Statutes (FS) Sections 316.305
and 316.306. The two parts of the new law limit texting while driving and
use of handheld communications equipment. Law enforcement may stop motor
vehicles and issue citations to motorists that are texting and driving. A
person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering
multiple letters, numbers or symbols into a wireless communications device
to text, email and instant message.
A person may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless
communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing,
school zone or active work zone area. Wireless communications device means
any handheld device capable of being used in a handheld manner, that is
designed or intended to receive or transmit text or character-based
messages, access or store data, or connect to the Internet or any
communication service and that allows text communications. This includes a
cell phone, tablet, laptop, two-way messaging device, or an electronic game
that can be used in a handheld manner. This definition could exclude analog
voice radios. Whether holding the microphone of a mounted mobile unit is
exempt from limitation is open to interpretation too. There are some
explicit exceptions also. As the dust settles, court cases and
interpretations will clarify the law. More here. - ARRL Northern Florida
Section Newsletter, January 2020 issue
Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the FCC Files Recommendation,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Reports on Amateur Radio Disaster Communications Capability
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the FCC filed Advisory
Recommendation No: 2019-3 in the Matter of Intergovernmental Disaster
Response Coordination, which included a discussion of the Amateur Radio
service. [See below for excerpts]. The mission of the Intergovernmental
Advisory Committee is to provide aid to the Commission on the many
telecommunications issues affecting local, state and Tribal governments that
are within the jurisdiction of the FCC. The IAC is composed of elected
officials of municipal, county, state, and Tribal governments.
From the filing: "One of the mainstays for many decades in disaster
communications in a recovery has been the use of amateur radio operators,
often referred to as ham operators. Ham radio's ability to operate when
other telecommunications systems cannot is critical to understand in this
discussion . . . Generally, amateur radio operators assist when other means
of communications are down or overloaded. Ham radio resources are available
for emergency communications support to any public service agency and can
bridge interoperability gaps between agencies on a local, Tribal, and/or
state level. Potential ham deployment locations include, but are not limited
to, auxiliary command posts, emergency operations centers, emergency
shelters, evacuation sites, fire stations, medical facilities, mobile
disaster vehicles, police stations, public works sites, and volunteer intake
centers. They can also be deployed to provide links to: Create
communications links between similar agencies across political boundaries,
especially where there are misalignments in frequency bands and modes;
Establish communications in locations outside the existing coverage areas of
public service and commercial communications systems; "Shadow" critical
public officials and emergency management personnel to facilitate constant
and rapid contact; Monitor critical infrastructure (such as highways and
bridges) and provide periodic situation reports; Staff operation posts
(river levels, flooding, damaged areas) and provide periodic situation
reports; Every hospital has a ham radio station on premises and there are
volunteer hams ready to operate (they are generally not hospital employees).
These systems are tested on a very regular basis. A typical emergency
activity might be identifying which hospitals have the available capacity to
accept the injured after an event.
"Another overlooked ham application is continuing communications support
after an event. An example of this would be after a hurricane has blown
through and fires are out etc. There is still no power or phone service.
Hams have provided on-going coordination to families outside the disaster
area.
"As a communications provider, ham radio falls under the Emergency Support
Function #2 umbrella. Planning for a 'when all else fails' communications
scenario is essential for all jurisdictions."
[View the entire report at
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360696A4.pdf. It's worth your
time. - ed.]
K1CE for a Final
----------------
University of Mississippi Professor of Emergency Management Mike Corey,
KI1U, has consistently recommended that as a collateral part of any amateur
emergency communicator's training regimen they should simply get-on-the-air.
He is right. Arguably the most critically important asset an ARES or other
emergency communications organization member can bring to the table is
operating skill. This was brought home to me personally on Christmas Day as
I participated in the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (Long Island, New
York) Christmas Birthday Special Event (K2B). Calling CQ and trying to
manage small pileups made me realize that my operating was, well, rusty. At
the end of the day, I had gained some of my proficiency back, but I have a
ways to go. My New Year's Resolution is to simply operate more. - K1CE
ARES Resources
--------------
ú Download the ARES Manual [PDF]
ú ARES Field Resources Manual [PDF]
ú ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Fillable PDF]
ú ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Word]
ú ARES Plan
ú ARES Group Registration
ú Emergency Communications Training
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service© (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs
who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with
their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service
when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in
ARRL or any other local or national organization is eligible to apply for
membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully
in ARES. Please inquire at the local level for specific information. Because
ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible
for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable,
but is not a requirement for membership.
How to Get Involved in ARES: Fill out the ARES Registration form and submit
it to your local Emergency Coordinator.
ARRL Resources
--------------
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