Emergency Communication - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Emergency Communication

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Training Opportunities Self Study Program your radio and make a cheat sheet to carry ... American Radio Relay League ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service RACES ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Emergency Communication


1
  • Emergency Communication
  • For
  • Saratoga
  • Don Steinbach
  • AE6PM
  • Saratoga Amateur Radio Association

2
Topics
  • ARES RACES
  • MOU with City of Saratoga
  • SARA CERT
  • EOC Comm Capability
  • Activation
  • Go Kit
  • Frequencies
  • Operating Tips
  • Training Opportunities
  • MAC Program
  • NIMS ICS
  • Issues Concerns
  • Links

3
ARES
  • ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
  • The emergency communications arm of the ARRL
    (American Radio Relay League).
  • Not directly connected with any government
    entity.
  • Organized on a section-by-section basis within
    the ARRL field organization and responds on a
    local or regional level.
  • We are the Santa Clara Valley Section in the
    Pacific Division
  • Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and
    Santa Cruz counties.
  • ARES operators provide their own insurance.
  • You become an ARES amateur radio operator by
    joining ARRL, but you do not need to be a member
    of ARRL to participate in ARES.

4
RACES
  • RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)
  • A civilian entity established by the federal
    government after World War II
  • A radio service using amateur radio stations for
    civil defense communications during periods of
    local, regional or national civil emergencies.
  • Now the communications branch of FEMA.
  • When a governmental entity (City, County, State
    or Federal) requests amateur radio assistance,
    the response is through RACES.
  • Defined under Part 97 of the FCC Rules (47 C.F.R.
    97.407)
  • RACES operators are covered by government
    insurance.
  • You become a RACES amateur radio operator by
    signing up for DSW and registering with your
    local ARES/RACES organization.

5
ARES vs. RACES
  • Think of ARES as civilian and RACES as
    government ARES as no insurance and RACES as
    insured.
  • During a non-declared emergency, ARES can
    operate under ARES, but when the emergency or
    disaster is officially declared by a governmental
    authority, the operation can become RACES with no
    change in personnel or frequencies.
  • Each city in Santa Clara County has an ARES
    Emergency Coordinator position, and the person in
    that position is also that city's RACES Radio
    Officer.
  • At the county level is the ARES District
    Emergency Coordinator who is also the RACES Chief
    Radio Operator.
  • An exception is Gilroy, which has as of 1996 put
    a new aspect of radio communication, the
    Auxiliary Communications System (ACS), in place.

6
Saratoga ARES/RACES
  • A current amateur radio license is required.
  • Saratoga residency is not required.
  • No formal training is required.
  • Members should participate in the weekly net and
    the quarterly drills to maintain operating
    proficiency.
  • Should be able to program/reprogram radio, or
    follow instructions to do so.
  • Net Control experience is a plus.
  • CERT training is a plus.
  • Familiarity with ICS is desireable.
  • Registration as a DSW for Saratoga is required
    for RACES participation.
  • See Jim Yoke to register.

7
MOU with the City of Saratoga
  • SARA agrees to
  • Establish and maintain fixed, mobile and portable
    station emergency communication capabilities for
    local amateur radio coverage and point-to-point
    contact between City officials and remote
    locations.
  • Assist in operating, maintaining, and programming
    the Travelers Information System (TIS) AM
    broadcast station.
  • Conduct the monthly EOC radio test with County
    Communications.

8
MOU with the City of Saratoga
  • The City of Saratoga agrees to
  • Make space available for a ARES/RACES two-way
    radio system and placement of an antenna on the
    Citys antenna tower.
  • Make reasonable accommodation to store a 8 x 24
    tower-trailer in the City Yard.

9
SARA and CERT
  • SARA supports Saratoga CERT with radio
    communication resources.
  • SARA ARES/RACES operates the EOC to communicate
    with CERT divisions and the County.
  • Each CERT division has one or more hams to
    communicate with the EOC and between divisions.
  • CERT uses FRS within the divisions.
  • SARA conducts classes for Technician Class
    license exams.
  • SARA provides orientation and training classes
    for new licensees.
  • HT Orientation
  • Two-Way Radio Basics
  • HT Selection Seminar
  • Radio cheat sheets

10
EOC Comm Capability
  • The EOC is equipped to communicate with
  • Local amateurs on 2-meter and 70 cm fm voice
  • The County EOC on 2-meter fm voice
  • The County EOC on 220 MHz packet
  • The County EOC via the EOC radio net on 39 MHz
  • Amateur radio stations and the OES on HF
  • Requires installation of a temporary antenna.

11
Activation
  • ARES/RACES activation will probably be coincident
    with CERT activation if the incident involves
    Saratoga.
  • Monitor the SARA 2-meter repeater (K6SA) output
    frequency on 146.655 MHz if you suspect something
    is going on.
  • This is your best source of local information.
  • Has backup power system.
  • Others with high-power base or mobile stations
    will fill in if the repeater is down.
  • Instructions will be given on this frequency.
  • Alert SCC might provide telephone notification.
  • Performance to date has been iffy.
  • Telephones may be out of service.

12
Activation Issues
  • Spontaneous Untrained Volunteers
  • There are about 300 licensed amateurs with a
    Saratoga zip code in the FCC database.
  • Many of them will want to help this is good.
  • May show up on the repeater.
  • May show up at EOC.
  • Ok to use for status reports from home, but must
    be DSW to be deployed in any RACES activation.
  • Will be referred to volunteer registration area,
    same as any other volunteer.
  • We need (and dont have) a handout for all
    communicators.
  • Telephone notification tree with City and within
    ARES/RACES is TBD.

13
Go Kit (12-Hour)
  • Amateur Radio license.
  • Drivers license.
  • DSW badge for requesting agency.
  • Personal supplies/snacks/water.
  • CERT graduates already have this.
  • Remember prescription medication.
  • Radio programmed with local frequencies
  • Spare battery pack for radio
  • Cheat sheet for radio
  • Pad and pencil or pen
  • Flashlight
  • Safety vest hard hat

14
Go Kit (12-Hour)
  • Nice to have
  • Lapel speaker-mic or earpiece
  • Improved HT antenna/rat tail
  • Thomas Guide or local map
  • See the SCC ARES/RACES website for more
    comprehensive go-kit recommendations.

15
Primary SARA Frequencies
  • Normal operation (duplex)
  • 146.655 MHz, negative offset, 114.8 Hz PL tone
  • Repeater failure stay on repeater output
  • 146.655 MHz, simplex, 114.8 Hz PL tone
  • Contingency (simplex)
  • 146.505 MHz, simplex, no PL tone
  • 145.595 MHz, simplex, no PL tone

16
Alternate SARA Frequencies
  • Normal operation (duplex)
  • 443.150 MHz, positive offset, 100 Hz PL tone
  • Repeater failure stay on repeater output
  • 443.150 MHz, simplex, 100 Hz PL tone
  • HF
  • 28.400 MHz (Upper Sideband).

17
Other Frequencies
  • County Message Net (W6TI)
  • 147.360() MHz, PL 110.9 Hz
  • County Command Net (WB6ZVW)
  • 442.500() MHz, PL 100.0 Hz
  • County Resource Net (AA6BT)
  • 146.115() MHz, PL 100.0 Hz
  • Santa Clara County ARA (W6UU)
  • 146.985() MHz, PL 114.8 Hz
  • West Valley ARA (W6PIY)
  • 147.39() MHz, PL 151.4 Hz
  • These assignments can change!
  • See the SCC ARES/RACES website for complete
    County frequency list.

18
Operating Tips
  • Keep the keypad locked when not in use.
  • Prevents unintentional configuration changes.
  • Disable everything except the memory channel
    selection knob (maybe that, too!).
  • Know how to program/reprogram your radio.
  • Make, buy or steal a cheat sheet.
  • YAESU users - be sure WIRES is turned off.
  • Keep your batteries charged.
  • Keep the HT antenna vertical when communicating.

19
Training Opportunities
  • Self Study
  • Program your radio and make a cheat sheet to
    carry with you.
  • Test signal strength to the repeater from various
    locations.
  • Press PTT, identify yourself, press8, release
    PTT
  • Make a rat tail for your HT.
  • CERT
  • Available through County FD (contact Jim Yoke)
  • Quarterly Drills Communications Exercises
  • SARA Classes
  • HT Orientation, Two-Way Radio Basics
  • Weekly Saratoga Net
  • Sunday 2100 hrs

20
Training Opportunities
  • ARRL On-Line Courses
  • EC-001 Introduction to Emergency Communication
  • ICS NIMS On-Line Classes
  • IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command
    System
  • IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial
    Action Incidents
  • IS-700 National Incident Management System, An
    Introduction
  • These classes may become a requirment for first
    responders.
  • MAC Classes
  • Available through County ARES/RACES

21
Changing Times
  • It used to be that if you had a two-way radio and
    showed up at an incident, you were welcomed.
  • Now youre likely to be viewed as a pest or a
    terrorist.
  • So ..
  • Be professional.
  • Follow instructions/orders/requests.
  • Resist the temptation to voice a better way.
  • Stay alert.
  • Avoid talking to the news media.

22
MAC Program
  • Mutual Aid Communicators (MACs) are amateur radio
    operators who have volunteered their time, their
    expertise and their equipment to provide
    communications services during times of need. 
  • These individuals are trained and prepared to
    provide a variety of communications services and
    are available for deployment throughout the
    county, according to the county mutual aid
    mechanisms.
  •  The MAC Program defines standards of performance
    and includes several types and levels of
    qualifications.
  • These qualifications are the basis for resource
    typing and effective and efficient resource
    assignment.

23
NIMS and ICS
  • NIMS (National Incident Management System) was
    developed so responders from different
    jurisdictions and disciplines can work together
    better to respond to natural disasters and
    emergencies, including acts of terrorism.
  • ICS (Incident Command System) is a part of NIMS.
    It is a widely applicable management system
    designed to enable effective, efficient incident
    management by integrating a combination of
    facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and
    communications operating within a common
    organizational structure.
  • Youll see ICS being used in the EOC during
    exercises and emergencies.
  • Not much different than Field Day.

24
NIMS and ICS
  • The following three ICS courses are web-based and
    take an hour or two each to complete.
  • They are required for all MACs and recommended
    for RACES participants
  • IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command
    System
  • IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial
    Action Incidents
  • IS-700 National Incident Management System, An
    Introduction

25
Issues and Concerns
  • EOC emergency power
  • Unknown if Fire Department emergency generator
    actually powers the building/EOC.
  • County Command Net (WB6ZVW) signal is marginal
  • MAC course availability
  • Almost always on the first Saturday of a month.
  • Saratoga activation procedure
  • Never successfully exercised from top down?

26
Useful Links
  • Santa Clara County ARES/RACES
  • www.scc-ares-races.org
  • Silicon Valley Emergency Communication System
  • www.svecs.org
  • American Radio Relay League
  • www.arrl.org
  • County frequency list
  • www.scc-ares-races.org/freqs/freqs.html

27
Alphabet Soup
  • SARA Saratoga Amateur Radio Association
  • CERT Community Emergency Response Team
  • MOU Memorandum of Understanding
  • ARRL American Radio Relay League
  • ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service
  • RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
  • EOC Emergency Operations Center
  • DSW Disaster Service Worker
  • MAC Mutual Aid Communicator
  • SUV Spontaneous Untrained Volunteer
  • FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • NIMS National Incident Management System
  • ICS Incident Command System
  • ACS Auxiliary Communications Service
  • SEMS Standardized Emergency Management System
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