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Subj: ARES E-Letter August 17, 2011
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The ARES E-Letter August 17, 2011
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
____________
In This Issue:
ECAC Studying ARES/NTS Issues
EC-001 Updates
ARRL Partners' Roundup
Letters
Basic Training: ICS
Hurricane Season Heats Up: Review ARES Disaster Principles
EmComm East: September 25, Rochester, New York
K1CE For a Final
_____________
ARES© Briefs
July 26 -- New Mexico Hams Provide Communications Support During Wildfires
The Hope for the Warriors Foundation Run for the Warriors is a 10k, 5k and 1
mile run taking place in Lindenhurst, New York, November 13. John Melfi,
W2HCB, EC/RO of Babylon, New York and President of the Great South Bay ARC
is seeking communicators to work the event. "We have had operators from
Staten Island, Manhattan and as far east as the twin forks on eastern Long
Island," said Melfi. "For the past two years we have had 65 operators and
would like to see an increase this year. This organization helps Veterans
and their families with medical and housing needs." To volunteer, please see
the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club Web site.
Follow ARRL EMCOMM on Twitter here.
The 2012 edition of EMCOMMWEST will be held the first weekend in May, 2012.
Starting on Friday, May 4, and running through Sunday, May 6, EMCOMMWEST
will again be hosted in Reno, Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort.
The ARRL Minnesota Section has an excellent ARES Web site. Check it out here.
ECAC Studying ARES/NTS Issues
-----------------------------
A committee of the ARRL Board of Directors has tasked the League's Emergency
Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC) with studying and making
recommendations for possible changes in the structural and functional
relationships between the venerable National Traffic System and ARES.
Specifically, the charge to the committee states: "The Amateur Radio
Emergency Service and the National Traffic System exist as the ARRL's
implementation of the basic principle stated in 97.1(a), 'Recognition and
enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary
non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing
emergency communications.' The Emergency Communications Advisory Committee
is hereby tasked by the Programs and Services Committee to recommend
improvements to ARES and NTS so that the amateur service can better serve
the public in providing emergency communications. Specific topics should
include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) ARES and NTS objectives
and organizational structures; (2) integration between ARES and NTS; (3)
Training, certification, and credentialing; and (4) relationships with
served agencies. Progress reports should be submitted to the PSC every 90
days and the final report should be submitted by June 1, 2012."
In discussions with ECAC Chairman Dale Williams, WA8EFK, his feeling is that
the study is an opportunity to take a fresh look at the overall
organizational structure and look for improvements in several areas,
including how we are perceived by served agencies: local EMA versus FEMA at
the national level, and the programs' roles in multi-jurisdictional
incidents. Williams says the committee should study questions such as how
well we fit our goals with their needs; how they view our ability to fill
their needs; and how promptly we are able to respond.
On the messaging side of the equation, questions the committee will consider
are how well we handle messages including tactical versus strategic
messaging, and speed versus accuracy. What is our error rate? Is the
standard NTS message format sufficient for contemporary needs?
Williams said that there is a feeling that the "last mile relationship
between traffic handlers and ARES members seems to be broken. Neither feels
an affinity towards the other. NTSers in general don't join ARES and
vice-versa, yet both groups have claims on abilities to handle traffic in an
emergency. Fixing this may also be a goal of the committee."
The committee met in teleconference on August 3 to consider and edit drafts
of surveys planned for release to gain field input on these questions of
ARES and NTS, and possible integration. The surveys should be sent to the
field soon. The committee meets again on September 7.
Readers are invited to contact their ECAC representatives to provide their
own input on these questions: Chairman Dale Williams, WA8EFK (Great Lakes);
Jim Cross, WI3N (Atlantic); Bill Niemuth, KB9ENO (Central); Jim Zahradnicek,
KD0S (Dakota); Jim Coleman, AI5B (Delta); Jim Mezey, W2KFV (Hudson);
Reynolds Davis, K0GND (Midwest); Dave Colter, WA1ZCN (New England); Gordon
Grove, WA7LNC (Northwestern); James Latham, AF6AQ (Pacific); Charlie Miller,
AE4UX (Roanoke); Jeff Ryan, K0RM (Rocky Mountain); Rick Palm, K1CE
(Southeastern); Grant Hays, WB6OTS (Southwestern); Glen Reid, K5FX (West
Gulf), and Doug Mercer, VO1DTM (Radio Amateurs of Canada). The Board liaison
is Mickey Cox, K5MC, and the ARRL HQ liaison is Emergency Preparedness
Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC.
EC-001 Updates
--------------
Field Classes and Exams for Introduction to Emergency Communication Ready to
Launch
The infrastructure to re-launch field instruction in ARRL's Emergency
Communications training program is now in place.
The printed course transcript is now available in the ARRL store:
www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Introduction-to-Emergency-Communication-Course/
Field exams for the new course have been developed and are available from
the ARRL Continuing Education Program office. You can review requirements
for registering as a Field Examiner and find the information you'll need to
perform those responsibilities, including instructions for ordering exams,
at: www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-field-examiners
You can find authorized ARRL Field Instructors and Field Examiners by
conducting a search of our database at: www.arrl.org/find-a-fi and
www.arrl.org/find-a-fe.
We've also just launched a new searchable database for Field Instructors and
Field Examiners to register their classes and/or exam sessions on our
website www.arrl.org/find-an-emcomm-class-exam.
EC-001 Field Instructors Needed
Field Instructors are volunteers who commit their time and expertise to
offer classroom instruction of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Course. Volunteer instructors may now conduct classroom
instruction covering the material in the new Introduction to Emergency
Communication course.
Field Instructors must be registered with the ARRL Continuing Education
Program and must meet certain requirements:
Completion of EC-001 (old or new version)
Completion of FEMA IS-100, 200, 700 and 800
Must be 18 years of age with Technician or higher license
ARRL member
Recommendation of Section Manager
If you are interested in serving as an ARRL Field Instructor for EC-001 you
may submit an application here.
ARRL Partners' Roundup
----------------------
American Red Cross - Here is an excellent heat wave safety check list.
Summer heat is at record highs in many parts of the country. Be safe out
there.
Federal Emergency Management Agency - September is a time to remember, and a
time to prepare. Here is information on the National Preparedness Month, of
which ARRL is a coalition member. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager,
Allen Pitts, W1AGP, offers the following advice on National Preparedness
Month.
There are only 3 weeks left before September, (yikes!) so time to sign up is
short. In the past years, clubs and ARES groups have been among the very top
activities for National Preparedness Month and listed on their national
government website - and it got noticed! It doesn't require you to do much
more than what your groups is probably doing already, so there's no reason
not to sign in. Besides that, you can get good materials for newsletters and
promotional media for free from them.
Once you sign up, look around their website - there are places you can post
pictures and stories on their national website too.
It's a no-brainer for PIOs and national exposure.
APCO International's 77th Conference and Expo ARRL Staff members Mike Corey,
W5MPC, and Ken Bailey, K1FUG, attended the Association of Public Safety
communications Officials International (APCO) Conference held in
Philadelphia August 7 - 10, 2011.
During this four day event attendees could sit in on numerous presentations
on topics such as interoperability, the FCC's narrowbandings mandate that
impacts Public Service Communications, P25 modes of operations, ICS
structures, and a host of other public safety communications concerns.
Opportunities abounded to learn new skills, explore new products and
services and connect with public safety officials and hams alike.
The Salvation Army - published photos from the recent, worst local flood in
history (Minot, North Dakota) here. They show the extreme devastation and
caseworkers preparing for long-term assistance.
REACT International has its Board meeting on August 14. The REACTer is the
official publication of the organization, which has the following
objectives: (1) To assist in any emergency by supplying volunteer radio
communications in cooperation with authorities and other volunteer
organizations; (2) To practice and encourage operating excellence through
professional communication techniques; (3) To maintain equipment at peak
efficiency and operate in accordance with all government regulations; and
(4) To advise the public of correct effective use of the emergency
frequencies, such as Citizens Band (CB) channel 9, General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS) frequency 462.675 MHz, and Cellular 9-1-1.
National Weather Service SKYWARN© -- Complete information on this critical
volunteer spotter program in which radio amateurs play a major part can be
found here. The ARRL recently updated its memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with the NWS. See the new document here.
National Public Safety Telecommuncations Council -- NPSTC's quarterly
newsletter is online and available for viewing .
Letters
-------
Force Multiplier, Not Last-Ditch Fall Back
In re last month's Op-Ed piece, one of the first questions I was asked a
number of years ago in Tempe, Arizona, is why [public safety communications
systems are] going to fail. My answer was I didn't know they would fail, but
I was pretty sure that in a major disaster, they would become channel
limited and their trunked systems would be operating at capacity. Amateur
Radio adds capacity when needed. As the author noted, it's not free, but
it's close.
Walt Schucknecht, N7IZM has another way to illustrate it: he puts us in the
role of the "color commentator." Sure, you could listen to the ball game
without Mark Grace telling you what the players are going through, but Mark
adds a richness to the presentation because he's been in the batter's box.
Presenting Amateur Radio in the same way sets achievable expectations and if
your served agencies have issues, your team is positioned to quickly and
quietly step in. Later boasting about how you saved the day, however, is
probably not a smart way to win relationships and be invited back at a later
date. Keeping a low profile, and being able to deliver a meaningful response
when requested will keep you in demand.
In my opinion, which is likely not shared by everyone, thDiego. The system was strained, but it
didn't collapse.
Where these systems frankly don't play well is with the more local issues,
like coordinating the evacuation of a nursing home or smaller neighborhoods.
This is being a force multiplier as the author points out. What I mean is,
do you want to tie up a bunch of firemen or sworn officers, or does it make
sense to use volunteers to go house to house thus multiplying the effect of
those few professionals? Having a wide area communications system in place
that we can bring to the party makes us only that much more valuable.
I really believe that Al hit the nail right on the head.-- Rick Aldom,
W7STS, Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, Arizona
Just wanted to comment that I am in 100% agreement with the op-ed piece in
the last issue: It's time we started touting our capabilities as a "force
multiplier," but to be able to do that, we need truly trained operators, and
that means training in radio basics. Those of us on the sharp end of the
rope serving our cert teams, etc. and people in our neighborhoods and
workplaces need competent people to man net control and to actually handle
our traffic. That's the part NTS is supposed to play: training, as well as
long haul messaging capability. We're rapidly losing this capability.
Operators aren't used to thinking beyond infrastructure, such as repeaters,
etc. That's where we fall down -- our operators don't have the access to the
training they need to acquire the skills they must have. -- Richard Webb,
NF5B, Chairman, NTS Central Area Staff
Re: The Dan Woll/Barneveld Tornado Story
Wow! You are quite right. Woll's story is gripping, compelling. It should be
compulsory reading for every Amateur Radio operator who thinks that he/she
is ready to handle emcomm duties. No amount of net affiliation, parades,
bicycle rallies or general drill duty can train a volunteer for what to
expect in the way of the charged atmosphere of a real disaster.
Unfortunately, just getting people to read Woll's account doesn't mean that
it will be understood or taken to heart.
I'm certainly not advocating that we all become licensed amateur
psychiatrists, in addition to radio operators. But I think, in addition to
an equipment check and a basic personal appearance scrutiny, there should
also be some compulsory, basic sensitivity training provided for anyone
volunteering for duty in a disaster area. - Dick Montgomery, N3DV,
Bedminster, New Jersey
Basic Training: ICS
-------------------
The government's Incident Command System (ICS) was developed in the 1970s
following a series of fires in California's urban interface. Property damage
ran into the millions, and many people died or were injured. The personnel
assigned to determine the causes of these outcomes studied the case
histories and discovered that response problems could rahe ICS represents "best practices" and has become the standard
for emergency management across the country. It may be used for planned
events, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. It is a key feature of the
National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The ICS is a management system designed to enable effective and efficient
domestic incident management by integrating a combination of facilities,
equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a
common organizational structure. ICS is used by all levels of
government--Federal, State, local, and tribal--as well as by many
private-sector and nongovernmental organizations. ICS is also applicable
across disciplines. It is normally structured to facilitate activities in
five major functional areas: command, operations, planning, logistics, and
finance and administration. More in the next issue. - FEMA
Hurricane Season Heats Up: Review ARES Disaster Principles
----------------------------------------------------------
1. Keep the QRM level down. In a disaster, many of the most crucial stations
will be weak in signal strength. It is essential that all other stations
remain silent unless they are called upon. If you're not sure you should
transmit -- don't. Our amateur bands are very congested. If you want to
help, study the situation by listening. Don't transmit unless you are sure
you can help by doing so. Don't ever break into a disaster net just to
inform the control station you are there if needed.
2. Monitor established disaster frequencies. Many localities and some
geographical areas have established disaster frequencies where someone is
always (or nearly always) monitoring for possible calls. When you are not
otherwise engaged, it is helpful simply to sit and listen on such
frequencies, some of which are used for general rag-chewing as well as
disaster preparedness drilling.
3. Avoid spreading rumors. During and after a disaster situation, especially
on the phone bands, you may hear almost anything. Unfortunately, much
misinformation is transmitted. Rumors are started by expansion, deletion,
amplification or modification of words, exaggeration or interpretation. All
addressed transmissions should be officially authenticated as to their
source. These transmissions should be repeated word for word, if at all, and
only when specifically authorized. In a disaster emergency situation, with
everyone's nerves on edge, it is little short of criminal to make a
statement on the air without foundation in authenticated fact.
4. Authenticate all messages. Every message which purports to be of an
official nature should be written and signed. Whenever possible, amateurs
should avoid initiating disaster or emergency traffic themselves. We do the
communicating; the agency officials we serve supply the content of the
communications.
5. Strived implementation of an
organizational disaster response plan complete with supporting procedures
and training.Register on-line at: EmComm East. The $30 registration fee
includes continental breakfast and lunch. See you in September! -- EmComm
East, September 25, 2011, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, St. John Fisher College,
Rochester, New York
K1CE For a Final
----------------
This is my last chance to communicate with readers before the upcoming tenth
anniversary of 9/11 next month. I know I mentioned this in another issue
earlier this year, but if you missed it, here is another chance to read a
first-person report by 9/11 first responder and radio amateur Bob Hejl,
W2IK, that I found to be raw and powerful. Hejl was among the first to be on
the scene on 9/11. The author is suffering from PTSD as a result of his
experience. For me, it is a good way to remember and memorialize those
courageous responders who helped others in one of world history's most
horrific events. -- Rick, K1CE, Flagler County, Florida
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