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CX2SA > ARES 21.02.16 15:26l 389 Lines 20861 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: ARES E-Letter February 17, 2016
Path: IW8PGT<F1OYP<F4DUR<CX2SA
Sent: 160221/1324Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:39546 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:39546-CX2SA
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : ARES@WW
The ARES E-Letter February 17, 2016
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
In This Issue:
-New ARRL/Red Cross MoU Signed
-ARES Report Forms Training Webinar
-Colorado Exercise DEEP FREEZE
-Ohio ARESİ Helps in Water Problem
-Tips: Public Safety Tools -- Excellent Resources for ARES
-Essay: I Don't Get No Respect
-Letters: More Tips for Net Controllers
-Model Emergency Communication Plan for a Retirement Community
-Wind Storm Damages San Diego/Baja Amateur High Speed Data Facilities
ARESİ Briefs, Links
IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency Communication
(2/8/2016); Ohio SEC Hoping to Expand "NVIS Antenna Day" Activity this Year
(1/29/2016); FEMA Issues Call for Youth Council Members (1/29/2016); ARESİ
Volunteers Help to Distribute Water in Ohio Community with Lead-Tainted
Water (1/28/2016); ARESİ Volunteers Support Major Flood Responses
(1/27/2016); Hams Turn Out to Help as Massive Snowfall Stuns Several States
(1/25/2016)
RES/Media Hits
ARESİ in Emergency Management Magazine
Ken Reid, KG4USN, wrote an excellent article, published in Emergency
Management magazine online on the subject of how emergency management
agencies can work with ARESİ groups. Read the article here.
ARESİ and High Def TV News
Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G, reported an article in TV
Technology News on radio amateurs involvement in High Definition TV
experimentation used in ARES. Read the article here.
New ARRL/Red Cross MoU Signed
-----------------------------
The ARRL and the American Red Cross have signed a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU). The document, signed in January, succeeds one agreed to
in 2010; it will remain in place for the next 5 years. The MoU spells out
how League Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers will interface
with the Red Cross in the event that ARES teams are asked by the Red Cross
to assist in a disaster or emergency response.
"Whenever there is a disaster requiring the use of Amateur Radio
communications resources and/or facilities, the local Red Cross region or
chapter may request the assistance of the local ARES organization
responsible for the jurisdiction of the scene of the disaster," the MoU
provides. Such assistance would include mobilization of ARES personnel in
accordance with a prearranged plan, and the establishment of communication
as necessary during a disaster or emergency. "Both ARRL volunteers and
American Red Cross workers will work cooperatively at the scene of a
disaster and in the disaster recovery, within the scope of their respective
roles and duties" within the scope of the MoU, the agreement says.
Generally, the MoU sets the parameters of the partnership between the ARRL
and the Red Cross to provide assistance to communities affected by
disasters. It calls upon both organizations to encourage and maintain open
lines of communication at the state and local levels, sharing current data
regarding disasters, situational and operational reports, changes in policy
or personnel, and any information pertaining to disaster preparedness,
response, and recovery.
For its part, the League will encourage ARES units to engage in discussions
with local Red Cross entities to develop plans for local response or
disaster relief operations. The Red Cross will encourage its field units to
engage in discussions with the ARRL Field Organization to develop plans for
local response or disaster relief.
Facilitating this is a Statement of Cooperation to provide methods of
cooperation between the two organizations on the local level in providing
services to communities during or after a disaster event, "as well as other
services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial." The ARRL
signatory is either the appropriate ARRL Section Manager or Section
Emergency Coordinator.
The new MoU also clarifies that ARES volunteers assisting the Red Cross but
not registered as Red Cross volunteers do not have to undergo a prior
background check. Radio amateurs who register as Red Cross volunteers,
though, must abide by the Red Cross's background check requirement.
Then-ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed the MoU on behalf of the
League on January 7, while ARC Senior Vice President-Disaster Cycle Services
Richard Reed, signed for the American Red Cross on January 22. -- ARRL
ARES Report Forms Training Webinar
----------------------------------
ARRL Headquarters will be offering a training session for ARES Emergency
Coordinators, District Emergency Coordinators and Section Emergency
Coordinators on how ARES report forms are filled out, submitted and how the
information is used. The training webinar will be Tuesday March 1, 2016 at
8pm Eastern Time. You may register for the webinar here. The webinar will be
recorded and made available online. All EC's, DEC's and SEC's are encouraged
to participate. -- Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager.
Colorado Exercise DEEP FREEZE
-----------------------------
Colorado is no stranger to snow. In October 1997 a devastating blizzard hit
the state resulting in several deaths, many stranded motorists, and more
people in need of help. On Saturday, January 9, 2016, the El Paso County
Office of Emergency Management (OEM) held exercise DEEP FREEZE '16 in
conjunction with the Colorado National Guard, American Red Cross, Salvation
Army, and other agencies to practice a response to an October '97 type of
event.
At the invitation of the Red Cross, operators from Region 2, District 2
(Pikes Peak ARESİ) of the Colorado Section Amateur Radio Emergency Serviceİ
set up alternate communications between the Red Cross shelter and the county
Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Two Pikes Peak ARESİ members were dual
hatted as county Special Communication Unit personnel and manned the radios
in the EOC while another ARESİ member worked at the shelter.
Using VHF/FM radios these operators established simplex voice and data
communication and demonstrated to the shelter manager, Red Cross EOC
liaison, and the OEM the ability to digitally pass Incident Command System
forms such as the ICS-213.
"The digital messaging capability is a tremendous tool and using it in the
exercise helped me learn how best to work it in with our liaison training",
said Jimmy Jenkins, the Red Cross EOC liaison for the exercise.
Participating in the exercise were Fred Kendall, KD0TKR; Bob Nuttleman,
K0FYI; and John Bloodgood, KD0SFY. More photos can be found here. See also
Twitter hashtag #deepfreeze16 -- John Bloodgood, KD0SFY, EC and PIO --
Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARESİ (Pikes Peak ARESİ)
www.facebook.com/PikesPeakARES Twitter: @PikesPeakARES
Ohio ARESİ Helps in Water Problem
---------------------------------
Flint, Michigan, isn't the only area with water problems due to high lead
content. Starting the week of January 18, approximately 8,100 customers of
Sebring, Ohio, water were notified that they too had problems with high lead
content in their drinking water. On January 22, both Ohio and Mahoning
County Emergency Management Agencies began passing out bottled water in
Sebring. Mahoning County ARESİ Emergency Coordinator Wes Boyd, W8IZC,
activated ARESİ to assist. Response on the workday was low, but a handful of
ARESİ volunteers was able to respond. According to Boyd, "EMA and Red Cross
were overjoyed that radio operators came to work not needing a radio." ARESİ
volunteers joined others in moving and distributing water supplies. Another
call was out for the weekend, where more water was to be distributed.
This is a perfect example of being ready to serve in whatever capacity we
can, in order to help our communities. Sometimes it doesn't involve only
operating a radio. - Stan Broadway, N8BHL, Section Emergency Coordinator, Ohio
Tips: Public Safety Tools -- Excellent Resources for ARES
---------------------------------------------------------
The US Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications'
Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program publishes a
repository of numerous resources for auxiliary emergency communicators. Most
are of direct interest to ARES/RACES and other amateur emergency
communication groups, including the new Auxiliary Communications Field
Operations Guide (AuxFOG). The pub is a reference for auxiliary
communicators who directly support backup emergency communications for
State/local public safety entities or for an amateur radio organization
supporting public safety. This reference guide contains information about
AuxComm best practices, frequently used radio frequencies, Mutual Aid
channels as well as tips and suggestions about auxiliary emergency
communicators integrating into a NIMS ICS environment to support
communications for planned events or incidents. It can serve as a reference
both for auxiliary emergency communicators and public safety communications
professionals. -- K1CE
Essay: I Don't Get No Respect
-----------------------------
"Last Christmas I got no respect. In my stocking, I got an odor-eater." -
Rodney Dangerfield
Arriving at a certain public service event for the first time and on time, I
dismally found our team "organizer" absent. We had been instructed to arrive
at 0630. He arrived at 0730, unprepared and scrambling, offering no apology,
explanation, or guidance. I then realized our fate as volunteers was tied to
an unfolding human disaster. Those of us who gave up a Saturday and arrived
on time (everyone else), had been standing around shivering, checking our
calendar (maybe the event was actually tomorrow), and checking our watches.
What we should have been checking for was a plan.
What was our mission and role? Who do we report to? Not even cursory answers
were provided by our leader. "He's always like this," one frequent volunteer
told me. He added this advice: "Just work around him and make lemonade from
the lemon." Still, I couldn't get the phrase "I get no respect" out of my
head.
Cables lacking proper connectors and no mains power hampered his setup of
"net control" (another term used loosely in this grim context). I'd have
thrown a life ring, but he was totally unapproachable. Amidst all the
foundering he exhibited a strutting self-importance, guffawing with a small
minded group of enablers, and ignoring the rest of us.
The rest of us decided to stick it out to offer what we could to the event
officials, staff and volunteers. I befriended volunteers at a water stop who
didn't expect me nor had any idea what my role was, but I enjoyed the day
cheering everyone on, while resolved to dial 911 should we need help. (The
"net control station" was useless).
Fast Forward to the present: Considerable experience as a volunteer and now
as a leader have cemented in me the importance of approaching each and every
volunteer with the greatest of respect and appreciation. It means not just
showing up on time, but paving the way for success long before the event
morning briefing. I tell my teams that a successful Amateur Radio effort on
event day is a reflection of many months of pre-event communications.
Our mission and role should be no mystery to the organization we are
serving. We need to abandon the often-seen and never loved "know-it-all"
attitude, and approach event officials and other volunteers as our teachers.
We are there for them, not us.
When volunteers report for duty, they have a plan in hand. They know what to
expect. They are trained, follow a communications standard, recognize and
support an ICS structure, know the boundaries, and therefore feel confident
and - most importantly - respected for the communications
quasi-professionals they truly are. "Anyone can push a button," I tell our
teams. "We're communicators first, not operators. It is this distinction in
which you should take great pride."
Ultimate success is a safe event, where those we serve - participants, staff
and officials - have benefited from our presence. As this happens more and
more, and as I encouragingly see it in the work of others, I lighten up and
have some fun. As a team leader, express your respect and appreciation for
volunteers through organization, planning, keeping your commitments,
communication, delegation, trust, and by expanding your own knowledge and
technique. As a volunteer, work with your leaders to bring these and other
concepts into practice.
With every event served, up your game. If you're in a position of authority,
remember that you represent not only yourself, but all of us. Don't blow it.
Aim high and our unique and valuable Amateur Radio service will greatly
benefit, and so will you. - Mark Richards, K1MGY, Littleton, Massachusetts
[Richards serves as a member of the Boston Athletic Association
Communications Committee, which supports the Boston Marathon.]
Letters: More Tips for Net Controllers
--------------------------------------
I would like to add a few net control tips to those posted in last month's
issue: Remember the 10 minute ID rule. It is NOT enough to ID with your call
at the beginning and end of the net, especially when nets often run over 20
minutes. Announce the name of the net several times during the net - an easy
way is announce it when you are calling the next list of check-ins.
Remember, operators who are tuning around or who arrive after the beginning
of the net will have no idea what net they are listening to and whether it
is an "open" net if the name and type of check-in is not frequently
announced. - Sherri Brower, W4STB, ARRL Southern Florida Public Information
Officer
Model Emergency Communication Plan for a Retirement Community
-------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Harbor is a gated retirement community of 750 homes located in the
town of Tavares, Florida in Lake County, 40 miles north of Orlando. This
area features 2000 lakes of which 1400 have names. It's also Florida's hill
country, with gently rolling hills, uncharacteristic of the flat land areas
of most of Florida.
Hurricanes and tornados are not unusual to Lake County. In 2007 a tornado
killed several people and caused much damage. In 2004 the county was visited
by four hurricanes.
Five years ago the Royal Harbor Amateur Radio Club adopted an emergency ham
radio program called Neighborhood Ham Watch. The idea behind the program was
to provide emergency communications to the outside world through Amateur
Radio operators who lived in Royal Harbor. The operators decided to prepare
an emergency disaster communications plan for the retirement community.
The first Royal Harbor Communications Disaster Plan was presented to the
Royal Harbor Home Owners Association board of directors in October 2012.
After board approval, it became part of Royal Harbor's overall disaster
plan. The plan was recently updated.
The plan makes clear from the very beginning that the members are to first
ensure that their own families are safe and secure, before the rest of the
plan is executed. In the event of a hurricane, tornado or severe
thunderstorm warnings, members will already be on the area ARES frequency
147.255 MHz as part of a SKYWARN net, with the operation being easily
converted to the activation of the disaster plan. An equipped operator will
be dispatched to HOA office to provide a link to the net and/or the Lake
County Emergency Operating Center (EOC) in Tavares, Florida.
Under a plan A, an operator will be assigned as the net control station from
his/her home, and will maintain contact with the EOC on 147.255 MHz. The
operator may be using generator or battery backup power. The NCS operator
will conduct the net of other Royal Harbor amateurs using the simplex
frequency of 146.580 MHz or other simplex frequency designated.
The operator at the Royal Harbor office will remain in contact with the net
via the simplex link. One operator will be on a D-STAR link, while another
is on HF, lending mode and frequency range diversity.
All Royal Harbor emergency operators will have VHF/UHF (V/U) capabilities in
their personal vehicles if needed for mobile assignments. When it is safe to
do so, the net control station may be moved to the lighthouse for better
height above average terrain (HAAT). The repeater located in the lighthouse
can be powered by a club generator.
Staffing critical locations will be conducted on a rotating basis;
recruitment of additional operators from outside Royal Harbor may be
necessary if the incident continues for more than 72 hours. There is an
agreement for mutual aid with the Lake County Amateur Radio Association.
A plan B calls for NCS to be located in the Royal Harbor HOA office, among
other changes. Operators should be available for deployment within Royal
Harbor with mobile or portable radios for damage assessments. A plan C
allows for more modifications to the plan/operation as conditions dictate.
ARES will also maintain the ability to contact contiguous county EOCs under
other plans.
These plans work well for this Florida retirement community and may be used
as a model for other communities, expanded or contracted based on size and
the ARES population of operators. Develop your own communications plan
before it's too late. -- Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ, Lake County (Florida) ARESİ
Public Information Officer
Wind Storm Damages San Diego/Baja Amateur High Speed Data Facilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A serious wind storm with gusts of 100 mph in the San Diego/Baja Mexico area
at the end of January caused major damage to the facilities of the Radio
Club of Baja California (CREBC, Tijuana, Mexico) just south of the US-Mexico
border. Many San Diego ARES members use the facilities for repeater and
packet communications as do mariners heading down the coast of Baja. The
microwave communications backbone emergency group High Data Rate Emergency
Network of San Diego (HDRENS) connects over a 50 to 100 Mbit/sec 12 mile
path to the CREBC Cardenas tower, which was felled by the storm. Mike
Burton, XE2/N6KZB, and CREBC officer Juan Tellez, XE2SI, started repairs as
soon as the storm passed, getting systems back up over the course of three
to four days.
The Cardenas 80-foot tower was exposed on a high ridge line above Playas de
Tijuana, and was a Canadian-made free standing type with broad base,
installed 27 years ago. It supported antennas for two Ubiquiti 5 GHz links,
CREBC UHF repeater, an area police repeater, 3 area commercial customer
systems, UHF and VHF links, 145.09 MHz repeater, and area Fire Department
repeaters.
Sometime in the early morning when the gusts were strongest, two of the
tower's three legs gave way and the tower collapsed. Corrosion was a
contributing factor. On its way down, it missed a neighbor's house by a
foot, tore the top security fence railing, damaging many other antennas.
Electrical shorts caused site computer damage and damage to AC power lines
inside.
Club members, Fire and Police personnel teamed up to get all systems back in
service, place antennas on lower structure and remove the tower. Despite the
lower elevation all systems functioned well and a new tower may not be needed.
Other sites suffered damage and were also repaired. Damages could have been
greater and the fast response just shows that amateurs and public safety
professionals can work together when needed in the public interest. -- Mike
Burton, XE2/N6KZB (CREBC); and Ed Sack, W3NRG, San Diego ARES
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