Event organizers look to Amateur Radio to provide a well co

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Maine ARES

• Public Service Events
• The Chance to Hone Our Emergency Communications
  Skills and Serve the Community
• Developed by
• Bryce Rumery, K1GAX
• Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

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Public Service Events

• What is a Public Service Event?
• A Public Service or Special Event is a term
  coined by radio amateurs that refers to
  activities where the public is in attendance as
  observers and/or participants. They include
  sporting events such as marathons, bikeathons
  and boat races fundraisers such as walkathons,
  bike rides and fun runs celebrations such as
  parades and exhibits at fairs, malls and
  museums. These are all affairs of a preplanned,
  non-emergency nature.

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Public Service Events

• How is a Public Service Event similar to
  emergency communications?
• Makes use of the same communications skills used
  in emergency communications
• Makes use of the same equipment and frequencies
  used in emergency communications
• Utilizes the same people that are involved in
  emergency communications

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Public Service Events

• How does a Public Service Event differ from
  emergency communications?
• Is preplanned in nature
• Has a fixed duration
• Is generally lower in stress

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Public Service Events

• Special events dont just happen. They are well
  planned in advance. Event organizers look to
  Amateur Radio to provide a well coordinated and
  planned communications system to make their event
  a success.

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Public Service Events

• Special events are preplanned and non-emergency
  in nature. The important word here is preplanned.
  As the event is preplanned so must our
  communications effort. Just showing up at a
  special event with a group of radio amateurs and
  equipment just wont cut it.

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Public Service Events

• Planning on the fly is not the way to give a
  good impression of Amateur Radio. It is up to you
  as an Amateur Radio operator to be a part of the
  effort to make the event a success.

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Public Service Events

• Before The Event

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Public Service Events

• The first step is to volunteer
• Event communications coordinators do not have
  mind reader in their job description
• If they dont know you are coming, they cannot
  effectively plan the communications event
• Listen for public service event announcements on
  the air, on nets, in club newsletters and on
  internet web sites, e-mail, etc..
• Once you plan to help out with an event, contact
  the event communications coordinator

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Public Service Events

• After volunteering
• The communications coordinator will let you know
  the particulars of the event
• Take notes when you are talking with them
• Be sure and understand when and where to show up
  and with what equipment
• Be sure to let the them know if you are not able
  to stay for the whole event
• Try to let the them know if you are not going to
  be able to make it for any reason as soon as
  possible prior to the event

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Public Service Events

• Prior To The Event

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Public Service Events

• Try to know as much about the event in advance as
  you can
• Treat every public service event as emergency
  communications training
• Have the equipment with you that you might use in
  an emergency
• Bring any equipment recommended by the event
  communications coordinator
• Dont be afraid to let the event communications
  coordinator know what equipment you are lacking

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Public Service Events

• Make sure your equipment is in good working order
• Check your equipment out before the event
• Do not assume its working properly
• Be certain you know how your equipment operates
• Review the equipment manuals if youre unsure
• Have a copy of your equipment manual(s) with you
• Preprogram event frequencies into your equipment

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Public Service Events

• Before you leave for the event
• Have a checklist
• The checklist should have on it everything you
  plan to take
• Be sure you have all the equipment you need with
  you
• Most events depend on you to provide your own
  equipment
• Extra equipment is not usually available at the
  event
• Arrive with what you need and be ready to operate

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Public Service Events

• Watch the weather forecast in the days just prior
  to the event
• Most public service events go off rain or shine
• Be sure to have the appropriate clothing for the
  event
• No need to be uncomfortable when you can plan in
  advance

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Public Service Events

• The Day Of The Event

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Public Service Events

• Arrive on time (or before)
• Arrive in a presentable condition
• You dont have to arrive in white tie and tails
  but give a good impression of Amateur Radio
• First impressions are important
• A sloppy appearance can give the event
  organizers, officials and staff the impression of
  a sloppy job (no matter how good the
  communications)

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Public Service Events

• Upon arrival, report to the event communications
  coordinator
• They should provide you maps or directions for
  the event
• They will provide you with information about the
  event (repeaters/simplex frequencies) and give
  you an assignment

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Public Service Events

• The Event Briefing
• Listen to what is said
• Important information is given out about the
  event and our part in it
• Chatting and horsing around during the briefing
  only slows things down and requires repeats
• Understand your part in the event
• Dont be afraid to ask questions if you dont
  understand something

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Public Service Events

• Operating In the Event

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Public Service Events

• Know who the net control station is and what
  their tactical call sign is
• Find out where other stations are located and
  what their tactical call signs are
• If any special identification is provided, wear
  it
• Event officials and staff have usually been told
  how to identify event communications personnel.
  They will be looking for the distinctive clothing
  or badges provided

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Public Service Events

• When you arrive at your assigned location,
  introduce yourself to the on site event staff and
  let them know your function
• After your arrival, report into the net control
  station that you are in place
• Your primary job is communications
• Its alright to help out with other event tasks
  at your assigned location as long as it does not
  interfere with your primary job

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Public Service Events

• The event net is usually directed
• Go through the net control station with your
  communications
• Listen more than you transmit
• There are others that need to use the frequency
• Others may have more pressing business than you do

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Public Service Events

• Keep your transmissions short and to the point
• Dont add anything that does not apply to what
  you need to say
• Dont editorialize
• Dont engage in chit-chat
• Dont report things that are not event oriented
• Stay focused on the event

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Public Service Events

• Make your transmissions clear
• Use plain language
• Avoid codes and jargon
• Plan your transmissions in advance
• Dont think on the air
• Say what you mean
• Dont add things that detract from what you are
  saying

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Public Service Events

• If you have an emergency
• Call the NCS with your tactical call sign and the
  word Emergency
• All other stations, excepting the NCS, should
  remain silent
• Report the nature of the emergency, your exact
  location and what is needed at your location
• Report the emergency in a calm manner

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Public Service Events

• Use Tactical Call Signs
• Identifies your location no matter who is
  operating
• Lets the event staff know where you are located

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Public Service Events

• Identify properly
• Tactical call signs do not identify your station
• The FCC requires you identify your station at the
  end of your transmission or series of
  transmissions or every 10 minutes
• Do not over identify. It only wastes time.
• It is suggested at the end of your transmission
  or series of transmissions you identify with your
  tactical call sign and your FCC call sign
  (example Start/Finish, K1GAX) which satisfies
  FCC requirements

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Public Service Events

• Keep the NCS informed
• Report to the NCS when you arrive at your
  assigned location
• Report to the NCS when you are fully operational
• Report those items that the NCS requires
• Listen to what the NCS is asking for
• Do not leave your post without advising the NCS

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Public Service Events

• Keep the NCS informed
• Report to the NCS if you will be away from your
  radio for any period of time
• Report to the NCS when you return
• Request permission to close your station before
  you close your station
• Report to the NCS when you are closing your
  station

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Public Service Events

• After The Event

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Public Service Events

• Return all materials (badges, vests, etc.) to the
  event communications coordinator or the NCS
• Let the communications coordinator know of any
  problems that were encountered at your location
• Make any suggestions for improvements you might
  have
• The information is essential to improving the
  event and event communications in the future

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Public Service Events

• Conclusion
• No two public service event operations are going
  to be the same.
• Amateur Radio is a hobby activity, but if we
  exercise professionalism we show the public that
  Amateur Radio is something special, which is what
  its all about.

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Public Service Events

• Enjoy honing your emergency communications skills
  in a non stressful environment!
• Presented by Maine ARES