[Ares-races] Transcript of Interoperability with Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Forum

[BillLennox@aol.com]

Source:  http://www.emforum.org/vforum/lc040121.htm .

 =20
EIIP Virtual Forum Presentation =E2=80=93 January 21, 2004=20
Interoperability with=20
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications=20
Lloyd Colston
Emergency Management Director=20
Mayes County, Oklahoma=20
Steve Ewald
Supervisor, Field Organization/Public Service Team=20
American Radio Relay League=20
Avagene Moore, CEM
Moderator, EIIP Coordinator=20
The following version of the transcript has been edited for easier reading=20
and comprehension. A raw, unedited transcript is available from our archives=
.=20
See our home page at http://www.emforum.org



[Welcome / Introduction]=20
Avagene Moore: On behalf of the EIIP Virtual Forum, welcome! Amy Sebring, my=
=20
partner/associate, and I are delighted to see you in our audience today.=20
Today's topic is "Interoperability with Amateur Radio Emergency=20
Communications," a very timely subject. I believe you will find this a most=20=
informative=20
discussion.=20
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce our speakers for this session:
Lloyd Colston is the emergency manager in Mayes County Oklahoma. Lloyd came=20
up from the ranks of the amateur radio community, trained as a storm spotter=
,=20
Emergency Medical Technician, EMT instructor, emergency management volunteer=
,=20
and EMA director. Lloyd knows today's subject - he is a licensed operator=20
(KC5FM) and a member of a local radio club, the American Radio Relay League=20=
(ARRL),=20
the Quarter Century Wireless Association, the Christian Amateur Radio=20
Fellowship, a member of Navy-Marine Corp Military Affiliate Radio System whe=
re he=20
serves as the South Area Public Affairs Officer, and a member of the board o=
f=20
advisors for the area SKYWARN group.=20
Steve Ewald is the Supervisor of the ARRL Field Organization/Public Service=20
Team at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. He has worked at the AR=
RL=20
since 1982. His ham radio call sign is WV1X. Steve helps provide=20
administrative support and guidance to the ARRL Field Organization and the v=
olunteer ARRL=20
"Section Leaders" across the country. He works and corresponds with=20
participants in the ARRL-sponsored Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) an=
d the=20
National Traffic System (NTS) and other radio amateurs that are involved in=20=
many=20
facets of public service communications.=20
Welcome, Lloyd and Steve! We appreciate you being here and look forward to=20
your presentation.=20
[Presentation]=20
Lloyd Colston: First, I=E2=80=99d like to thank Avagene and Amy for inviting=
 us to=20
the Forum to discuss amateur radio. As we get started, perhaps we should giv=
e=20
some definitions.=20
Let=E2=80=99s define "Interoperability." Webster describes interoperable as=20=
ability=20
of a system (as a weapons system) to use the parts or equipment of another=20
system. Today, we hope to show you how to use parts of amateur radio=E2=80=
=99s system to=20
benefit and augment your own communications system(s).=20
Perhaps an even better definition is from the Department of Defense=20
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms: The ability of systems, units,=20=
or forces=20
to provide services to and accept services from other systems, units or forc=
es=20
and to use the services so exchanged to enable them to operate effectively=20
together.=20
Sometimes interoperability comes in strange ways. For some folks, it means=20
having a responder=E2=80=99s list of cell phone and pager numbers. The FBI,=20=
ATF,=20
Departments of Commerce, Transportation, and Defense are all on this sheet,=20=
along=20
with the County sheriff, County Commissioner, ambulance, fire, and EMA. When=
 you=20
want to communicate with that resource, you look on your list for the resour=
ce=20
you desire and call the number.=20
Others try to accomplish interoperability by tying all the radios that need=20
to talk to one another together. If one channel is busy, imagine the confusi=
on=20
when three busy channels are tied together.=20
Using amateur radio, local emergency managers can achieve interoperability i=
n=20
a number of ways. Hams serving as =E2=80=98shadows=E2=80=99 to key personnel=
 is one way.=20
Having a ham radio in the Emergency Operations Center is another. Having a s=
torm=20
spotter group tied to SKYWARN and then to the National Weather Service is ye=
t=20
another.=20
In short, using hams for interoperable communication can result in a benefit=
=20
to the local responder and to operate effectively together. The overhead on=20
their normal communications channels can be reduced while getting the messag=
e=20
through to the right folks. This helps insure the safety of the responder wh=
ile=20
moving the mission of recovery.=20
Steve, would you tell us what the American Radio Relay League is, please?=20
Steve Ewald: I=E2=80=99d like to first echo thanks for those who have made t=
his=20
program possible.=20
By 1914, there were thousands of Amateur Radio operators--hams--in the Unite=
d=20
States. Hiram Percy Maxim, a leading Hartford, Connecticut, inventor and=20
industrialist saw the need for an organization to band together this fledgli=
ng=20
group of radio experimenters. In May 1914 he founded the American Radio Rela=
y=20
League (ARRL) to meet that need.=20
The American Radio Relay League, the League for short, is a not-for-profit=20
organization that:=20
- promotes interest in Amateur Radio communications and experimentation;=20
- represents US radio amateurs in legislative matters; and=20
- maintains fraternalism and a high standard of conduct among Amateur Radio=20
operators.=20
The ham radio community and our membership come from all walks of life. Some=
=20
are professional businessmen, doctors, lawyers, teachers, while others are=20
mechanics, construction workers, and truck drivers.=20
With the advent of the technology itself, hams have been involved in the=20
forefront of its use and improvement. RADAR, Single-Sideband telephony, Radi=
o=20
Teletype, moon bounce and amateur satellite communications have been develop=
ed or=20
improved by amateur radio hobbyists.=20
At ARRL headquarters in the Hartford suburb of Newington, a staff of 120=20
helps serve the needs of members. ARRL is also International Secretariat for=
 the=20
International Amateur Radio Union, which is made up of similar societies in=20=
150=20
countries around the world. ARRL publishes the monthly journal QST, as well=20
as newsletters and many publications covering all aspects of Amateur Radio.=20=
Its=20
headquarters station, W1AW, transmits bulletins of interest to radio amateur=
s=20
and Morse code practice sessions.=20
The ARRL also coordinates an extensive field organization, which includes=20
volunteers who provide technical information for radio amateurs and=20
public-service activities such as we are discussing today. In addition, ARRL=
 represents US=20
amateurs with the Federal Communications Commission and other government=20
agencies in the US and abroad.=20
The ARRL is a member of the National Volunteer Organizations Assisting=20
Disasters http://www.nvoad.org/ and an affiliate with Citizen Corps=20
http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/affiliate.shtm .=20
Lloyd, could you tell the audience what amateur radio is?=20
Lloyd Colston: First, I'd like to mention that some of this information is=20
replicated in the file on the EM Forum web site=20
(ftp://www.emforum.org/pub/eiip/AROfinal.pdf). The file is a document from t=
he National Memorial Institute for=20
the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) Web page. I was privileged to be a part o=
f=20
the peer-review team for this document. The document has not been finalized=20
for publication, however. We are able to use it today.=20
Amateur Radio is a service licensed by the Federal Communications Commission=
.=20
The license is granted to candidates who successfully pass an exam on radio=20
theory and, for some licensees, the International Morse Code. The FCC define=
s=20
the Amateur Radio Service as a voluntary noncommercial communication service=
,=20
used by qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique w=
ith=20
a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.=20
This =E2=80=98without pecuniary interest=E2=80=99 clause causes some conster=
nation with some=20
hams. For example, as an emergency manager, I can not use amateur radio as m=
y=20
primary communication means because I am paid to provide emergency managemen=
t=20
services. This will explain why I carry a cell phone. When one of the hams=20
wants to talk EM, I have been known to call him on the phone.=20
Some National Weather Service employees have come under scrutiny for using=20
amateur radio services to talk to storm spotters. The work-around for exampl=
e,=20
is to get unpaid volunteers in the EOC to do your communication for you, or=20
consider using the radio resources of the Military Affiliate Radio System or=
 some=20
other means outside the amateur radio bands.=20
Also, from the FCC database, as of Friday, there are 681,466 licensed radio=20
amateurs. The League lists 157,000 members and 40,000 Amateur Radio Emergenc=
y=20
Service members.=20
Following that, there are over 6,000 members of MARS. Then there is the Radi=
o=20
Amateur Civil Emergency Service and SKYWARN. For the purpose of our=20
discussion, the absence of figures is not important.=20
RACES is a program that, in some jurisdictions, is not supported. In some=20
places, the ARES and RACES groups are the same. In some places, ARES is all=20=
there=20
is. A RACES member is under local control. In other words, a RACES Radio=20
Officer would be subordinate to the emergency manager and the coordinator of=
 the=20
radio program.=20
SKYWARN is comprised mostly of hams. However, each area may, like RACES, hav=
e=20
an active program or not. Where the rubber meets the road though, like RACES=
,=20
is at the local level.=20
Later in the program we will try to explain how the local emergency manager=20
can support a ham radio program. In the mean time, Steve, what is the Amateu=
r=20
Radio Emergency Service, please? How is it different from RACES?=20
Steve Ewald: The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed=
=20
amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment=20
for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Every=20
licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or nat=
ional=20
organization is eligible for membership in the ARES.=20
The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, i=
s=20
a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs=
=20
are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment i=
s=20
desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.=20
There are four levels of ARES organization--national, section, district and=20
local. National emergency coordination at ARRL Headquarters is under the=20
supervision of the ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager, who is respo=
nsible=20
for advising all ARES officials regarding their problems, maintaining contac=
t=20
with federal government and other national officials concerned with amateur=20
emergency communications potential, and in general with carrying out the Lea=
gue's=20
policies regarding emergency communications.=20
At the section level, the Section Emergency Coordinator is appointed by the=20
Section Manager (who is elected by the ARRL members in his or her section) a=
nd=20
works under his/her supervision. In most sections, the SM delegates to the S=
EC=20
the administration of the section emergency plan and the authority to appoin=
t=20
District and local ECs.=20
Some of the ARRL sections with capable SECs are well organized. A few have=20
scarcely any organization at all. It depends almost entirely on whom the sec=
tion=20
members have put into office as SM and whom he/she has appointed as SEC.=20
It is at the local level where most of the real emergency organizing gets=20
accomplished, because this is the level at which most emergencies occur and=20=
the=20
level at which ARES leaders make direct contact with the ARES member-volunte=
ers=20
and with officials of the agencies to be served. The local EC is therefore=20
the key contact in the ARES. The EC is appointed by the SEC, usually on the=20
recommendation of the DEC. Depending on how the SEC has set up the section f=
or=20
administrative purposes, the EC may have jurisdiction over a small community=
 or a=20
large city, an entire county or even a group of counties. Whatever=20
jurisdiction is assigned, the EC is in charge of all ARES activities in his=20=
area, not=20
just one interest group, one agency, one club or one band. Please see=20
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec1-ch1.html for a more complete expl=
anation of=20
the program.=20
RACES and ARES often function in the same jurisdiction. As you have already=20
mentioned, RACES operates under the local control of the emergency managemen=
t=20
program. ARES operates in support of EMA and other served agencies, through=20=
the=20
League=E2=80=99s partnership in the Voluntary Organizations Serving in Disas=
ters.=20
Contrasting RACES to ARES, RACES is allowed one hour per week of drill time.=
=20
ARES is not restricted to time. RACES is restricted to certain amateur radio=
=20
frequencies within the amateur radio bands. ARES is not restricted to a=20
specific frequency.=20
RACES, because local governments may have their rules related to the use of=20
minors, generally limit participation by those under the age of 18. This is=20
also true of MARS. ARES may allow participation by younger hams. Those are t=
he=20
big differences. Lloyd, what is MARS and how is it different from ARES?=20
Lloyd Colston: MARS is the Military Affiliate Radio System. Unlike ARES, MAR=
S=20
operates on radio frequencies located outside the ham bands. These are=20
government frequencies assigned to military support.=20
http://www.asc.army.mil/mars/news/terrorists.htm tells a little about how MA=
RS responded to WTC II and the=20
Pentagon events. The National Weather Service, in one area, was able to obta=
in a=20
MARS station for their facility. There=E2=80=99s another example of interope=
rability.=20
MARS members are trained in Emergency Communication. ARES, though the=20
training is available, has not achieved 100% training. The only untrained me=
mbers in=20
MARS are the =E2=80=98new recruits.=E2=80=99=20
For the local director, one benefit of MARS is they are reporting to Homelan=
d=20
Security through the Director of Military Support in the Department of=20
Defense chain of command. FEMA has radio link to Homeland Security called SH=
ARES,=20
SHAred RESources, a HF radio network described at http://www.ncs.gov.=20
Thus the emergency manager with MARS on the table has two means of=20
communicating with FEMA, either directly through SHARES or indirectly throug=
h DOMS/DOD.=20
What this can mean is that the local Emergency Operations Center may spend=20
$7000 or more for a SHARES radio or use the $2000 or less amateur radio stat=
ion=20
on MARS channels. Thus, interoperability is obtained by the MARS station eit=
her=20
at the Emergency Operations Center being able to communicate to the military=
=20
units after they arrive and even hours before they arrive.=20
Imagine being able to talk to the expert, to get valuable guidance about wha=
t=20
to do to keep your local responders safe, while the resource is hours away.=20
As a caveat, radios to be used on SHARES must be NTIA-complaint.=20
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_summary.cfm lists those that are co=
mpliant. As you=20
price some of them, you will see some cost several thousand dollars and a=20
number are under two thousand.=20
While you are at the NCS web site seeking information about SHARES, also loo=
k=20
at the Government Telecommunications System and the Wireless Priority=20
Service.=20
Steve, can you tell us about SKYWARN and how amateur radio supports it?=20
Steve Ewald: As Lloyd has mentioned before, SKYWARN is not an all-amateur=20
radio program but the majority of SKYWARN members are hams. Interoperability=
 with=20
SKYWARN is accomplished when your Federal government partner is the National=
=20
Weather Service. SKYWARN=E2=80=99s Web page is http://www.skywarn.org.=20
Lloyd, how does ham radio play for the emergency manager? Can it benefit=20
Citizens?=20
Lloyd Colston: Before Y2K, emergency managers stressed to Citizens that they=
=20
should have a personal disaster plan and a personal disaster kit. In the pla=
n,=20
we tell them to get an out-of-state contact. This contact is to be called so=
=20
they can convey the news of the loved one to the relatives and friends who=20
care about their welfare. We do good telling Citizens about this. We forget=20=
to=20
tell them HOW to do it when the phones, both cell and landline, fail to work=
.=20
Using the National Traffic System, amateur radio operators can send a messag=
e=20
from Newington, CT to Pryor, OK by relaying it from ham to ham until the=20
message is delivered. It=E2=80=99s the RELAY in the ARRL. Messages may be re=
layed by radio=20
using several different modes including digital communications, voice, and=20
Morse code. Hams do it every day.=20
Thus interoperability is accomplished here; not so much with the served=20
agencies, but to the Citizens we are challenged to serve. Every day, the Lea=
gue=20
receives word of hams that help a Citizen who had a heart attack on a busy=20
freeway, a ship=E2=80=99s captain who had his vessel attacked by pirates, or=
 a pilot whose=20
aircraft radio is broken but has a passenger who is a ham. Most hams lack=20
training in everything but how to work their radio.=20
These are just a few of the Public Service Honor Roll announcements made ove=
r=20
the years within the pages of QST. There are many instances of=20
interoperability both from agencies to Department but also from Citizen to D=
epartment.=20
Another use of amateur radio operators would be in the Emergency Operations=20
Center. Remember SHARES? Oklahoma has an HF radio system like SHARES. They t=
est=20
it every week. It=E2=80=99s not on the amateur radio bands. It cures the pec=
uniary=20
interest problem for the director/ham but there is also a place for the=20
volunteer who is willing to be trained. During a disaster, the ham could als=
o serve as=20
a call taker in a busy dispatch center or even as a radio operator for the=20
fire department because the normal dispatcher is either incapacitated by inj=
ury=20
or required to serve at the disaster because of his skills.=20
Additionally, nationwide the focus from Citizen Corps has been on the=20
Community Emergency Response Teams. CERT members, most are not hams, don't h=
ave=20
robust communications. Some are relying on Family Radio System devices for t=
heir=20
communications. Hams can volunteer with CERT groups and assist them with=20
communications. They are also valuable in helping train CERT members in how=20=
to use=20
the radios they obtain. Here in my own back yard, Pat Murphy, NJ5M, the=20
Assistant Section Manager for the ARRL, has taken the CERT Train-the-Trainer=
 class so=20
he can help train both hams and non-hams in this important activity.=20
Also, some jurisdictions use hams as =E2=80=98shadows=E2=80=99 for governmen=
t officials such=20
as Mayors and Councilmen who don_t want to sit in a musty old EOC. This is=20
interoperability. They are used as communications to hospitals and between=20
hospitals and health departments. Hams can serve as interoperable agents bet=
ween=20
the hospitals and clinics without radios. They can even be the interoperable=
=20
agents between medical clinics, mental health clinics, and a host of other=20
medical facilities.=20
Finally, the hams can support emergency management by participation in=20
SKYWARN. Locally, we host a NWS spotter class each year. This is mandatory t=
raining=20
for our volunteers. The Tulsa office of NWS trains spotters all across the=20
region. That way, if one of my spotters misses our training, he can still ge=
t=20
training at a location that is more convenient to him. Again, SKYWARN is you=
r=20
interoperable link to the National Weather Service.=20
Steve, can you tell us a little about how amateur radio was used during the=20
Shuttle recovery mission last year?=20
Steve Ewald: First in Texas and later in other states farther west, Amateur=20
Radio Emergency Service volunteers were among those assisting federal, state=
=20
and local officials in a search for shuttle debris. Radio amateurs provided=20=
the=20
communication link for many responders from around the Nation who came to=20
assist in the search. During two weeks of searching in Nacogdoches and San=20
Augustine Counties in Texas, nearly 350 Amateur Radio operators signed in. E=
ighty per=20
cent of the participating amateurs were from outside those two counties.=20
At the shuttle recovery, hams shadowing important officials achieved=20
interoperability. Hams in cars and with walkie-talkies went with search team=
s. One was=20
assigned to the Incident Command Post.=20
Lloyd, don=E2=80=99t you have a friend who was there?=20
Lloyd Colston: Yes, I have a friend who served there as the Safety officer=20
for the mission. He explained to me how teams deployed with a radio operator=
. He=20
has frequently said the hams were valuable, especially one day in the snow=20
and cold. The searchers were suffering from hypothermia. My friend had his r=
adio=20
operator to call the Incident Command for the search to be called for the=20
day. He brags on ham radio a lot. Now, if I can only get him to get his lice=
nse.=20
Tim Lewallen, KD5ING, was the local Public Information Officer during that=20
event. This was his =E2=80=98baptism by fire,=E2=80=99 on the job training i=
n the extreme. He=20
reports that volunteer amateur radio operators logged over 5,100 man hours a=
nd=20
60,000 miles on their personal vehicles. At minimum wage, 5100 hours is=20
$26,265 and the 60K miles equates to $21,600. There=E2=80=99s close to $50K=20=
in value at zero=20
cost to the local, State, or Federal governments. To the taxpayer, the resul=
t=20
is tax dollar savings.=20
Steve, can you tell our audiences about how APRS and PSK31 might benefit an=20
emergency manager in need of =E2=80=98almost=E2=80=99 secure communication?=20
Steve Ewald: APRS is Automatic Position Reporting System. It is a real-time=20
tactical communications and display system for emergencies and public servic=
e=20
applications. With APRS, radio amateurs are:=20
1. Able to send text messages to the mobile/handheld unit;=20
2. Able to track a resource as it moves around the field;=20
3. Able to send email to cell phones, pagers, and email addresses from the=20
field using internet gateways; and=20
4. Able to receive NWS weather warnings and watches directly to monitors in=20
the area.=20
Interoperability allows for APRS units to be stationed at strategic sites.=20
For example, an APRS unit might be located at the staging areas for fire,=20
police, and EMS. As units are checked into the area, the chief of logistics=20=
logs=20
them. As they are deployed, APRS could move the information to the FINANCE c=
hief=20
so they could start tracking the cost.=20
If you had enough APRS units, you could track the individual unit around the=
=20
field. It would add a whole new level to accountability. If the unit is=20
damaged the signal goes away. If the unit moves, you can see where it went.=20=
You may=20
not know why but you will know it moved. In the case of having a number of t=
he=20
resources identified on the field, should you need one at Point X, you can=20
visually see which one is closer.=20
The ability to send a text message to an APRS radio helps reduce your voice=20
net overhead. The message is received. It displays on the screen. There is v=
ery=20
little need for follow-up such as those little annoying "what did you say?"=20
events that tie up the channel.=20
PSK31 is an acronym for "Phase Shift Keying, 31 Baud". PSK31 is a form of=20
modulation (or "mode") that offers a new and higher level of performance in=20
conversational communications (keyboard-to-keyboard) that we "hams" (amateur=
 radio=20
operators) can enjoy.=20
PSK 31 requires sophisticated decoding equipment that would allow for=20
messages, that, though they can be intercepted, can be sent over a more secu=
re=20
channel than voice. PSK31 allows for interoperability on a grander scale. Fo=
r=20
example, if the phone lines are down, Internet is down, you have nothing, PS=
K31=20
could be used to send a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from a site that=20=
has=20
internet directly to the Incident Commander. He could print the sheet at the=
=20
command van and have it ready for his team leaders. It really is like the ol=
d=20
radio teletype except it is faster and less prone to errors.=20
Lloyd, are there benefits for the emergency manager who chooses to support a=
=20
radio program?=20
Lloyd Colston: Yes, and a pretty important one at that. Remember the shuttle=
=20
disaster? As it turns out, in my discussion with Steve Vaughn with the Texas=
=20
Department of Emergency Management, the exact total of the number of hours=20
donated by amateur radio operators at the recovery effort is forever lost. W=
hy?=20
Because there appears to be no documentation of how many were there, for how=
=20
long, etc. As I mentioned earlier, Tim gave us some figures that are =E2=80=
=98guestimates=E2=80=99
 at best that came from the best available sources.=20
What this means is that the important part of the Incident Command System an=
d=20
the system that divides the command into four parts, i.e. planning,=20
operations, logistics, and finance =E2=80=93 that important part called Fina=
nce never learned=20
about some of the resources expended. In the medical arena, the rule is "If=20=
it=20
is not documented, then it did not happen." It applies to emergency manageme=
nt=20
as well.=20
As a side note, for some of our hams here, you should learn at least the=20
rudimentary principles of ICS. Communications is in the Logistics section. F=
EMA=20
has free ICS training. It is I-195 Basic Incident Command System. It=E2=80=
=99s free and=20
available at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.=20
One of the lessons learned from this is the Finance Section may need to trac=
k=20
all volunteers, even if they are not =E2=80=98paid.=E2=80=99 Why? Because gr=
ants are often=20
tied to the recovery cost. The higher the cost, the more money to come to th=
e=20
local jurisdiction. Those grants often have a match. Occasionally, the match=
=20
may be soft. In other words, if the local jurisdiction has a RACES program=20
contributing 1 hour per week for 10 members, that=E2=80=99s 520 hours. If th=
e price of a=20
radio operator was $10 per hour, then that is $5,200 of soft match money. Fo=
r an=20
80/20 grant, that=E2=80=99s $26,000 or over $20K after the match. I cannot s=
ay it=20
will work all the time. If it works once, that=E2=80=99s more than you had.=20
If you=E2=80=99d like to see if there are any hams in your local area, there=
 are two=20
ways to do this. Steve, would you tell us how, please?=20
Steve Ewald: Check with the ARRL. Ask me at wv1x@arrl.org . Tell me where yo=
u=20
are so I can direct you to your local Emergency Coordinator or District=20
Emergency Coordinator. Another way is to do a search of the database at QRZ.=
 Go to=20
http://www.qrz.com/i/names.html and search your local zip code(s). This will=
=20
give you the names and address of the local hams.=20
In Mayes County Oklahoma, there are over 100 hams in the various zip codes.=20
About ten of them are involved in the local EM (as in RACES) program. They a=
re=20
a valuable asset to EM, especially during storm season. Maybe you could=20
partner with the EC to send a letter inviting them to participate in your ne=
w=20
ARES/RACES program.=20
Lloyd Colston: By the way, Mr. Vaughn is very appreciative of the hard work=20
that hams did in the Shuttle recovery. He told me, "for the first 72 hours,=20=
all=20
the communicating being done was by amateur radio." He told me that the Stat=
e=20
of Texas is working to revamp the RACES program.=20
What does all this interoperable communication cost? Absolutely nothing.=20
Because of the =E2=80=98without pecuniary interest=E2=80=99 clause, a ham ca=
n not bill you for=20
his service as long as he is using amateur radio resources. The sign "will w=
ork=20
for food" may apply though.=20
Avagene, would this be a good time to take questions from the audience?=20
[Audience Question & Answers]=20
Comment:=20
Ed Kostiuk: I want to thank both Steve and Lloyd. During STS-107 recovery we=
=20
would have been lost had it not been for the HAMS folks. This past weekend=20
after graduating a class of SAR personnel, Lloyd and I were en route to a re=
al=20
situation and again it would have been impossible to communicate without his=
=20
HAMS system. During STS-107 I asked our HAMS folks to call off the search du=
e to=20
bad weather; it was taken care of in a matter of minutes. We owe them so muc=
h.=20
Lloyd Colston: First, it's good to see my friend, Ed, here. Thanks for=20
reinforcing the use of amateur radio. Ed tried using a cell phone but with n=
o cell=20
service, I was using my ham radio in the car as we caravanned to the search=20
area.=20
Question:=20
Al FitzSimons: Steve, you mentioned RACES is limited to certain frequencies.=
=20
Isn't this only when amateur radio use is restricted?=20
Steve Ewald: RACES frequencies are limited but they may be used at the same=20
time as ARES.=20
Question:=20
Scott Duckworth: How do you propose to get governments to see the need for=20
hams? Many have chosen to ignore a valuable resource.=20
Lloyd Colston: Thanks, Scott, for that question. Part of the problem has bee=
n=20
two-fold, in my opinion. First, the local government has not gotten the word=
=20
from the local ham about what they can do. In other words, groups of hams ne=
ed=20
to do a better job getting the word out. Second, most of the local groups I=20
have had complain, criticize hams for not being able to provide what they=20
promise. In other words, they over promise and underachieve. As a consequenc=
e, I=20
answer that criticism with "How clearly were your expectations delivered?" I=
n=20
many cases, the expectations were not delivered at all. The mission was go t=
alk=20
and we did.=20
Question:=20
Helen Norris: I am an Emergency Management Director in Ohio with a wonderful=
,=20
active team (established as RACES). My question is in regard to the cost of=20
PSK31 and how many units do you need to make it work on a basic level? In pa=
st=20
years we were poor and couldn't purchase much equipment to support our team.=
=20
Now we have a modest budget, but I am always looking to improve their value=20=
to=20
our responders (and me in the EOC).=20
Lloyd Colston: Helen, I am revamping the EOC radio system here. The radio I=20
have chosen is the Kenwood 2000. Cost is less than $2K and around $2K if you=
=20
throw in an antenna. By the way, the radios I mentioned are three total =E2=
=80=93 one=20
for the EOC, one for my car, and one for another site - funded by grants I w=
as=20
able to obtain.=20
Question:=20
Davis Perryman: I volunteer with a local Red Cross chapter. The local ham=20
community has donated old business band radios that they have reprogrammed f=
or=20
ham use to be used in shelters. They have been working on this project for o=
ver=20
a year now and still have not completed the project. How can we nudge them t=
o=20
complete the project? We have built a very good relationship with the Ham=20
community over the last year or two locally.=20
Steve Ewald: David, are you in touch with the local EC?=20
David Perryman: Yes. He is the one that is heading up the project. Actually,=
=20
he just got promoted to the district coordinator of ARES Capital District.=20
Steve Ewald: I see. Let me contact you after the forum. I am at=20
sewald@arrl.org=20
Question:=20
Chris Joyal: How does the use of Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) affect=20
direction and control for amateur radio operators? Sometimes EOC configurati=
on=20
and operations is not exactly parallel to the ICS used in the field. Does th=
is=20
affect interoperability, in your opinion?=20
Lloyd Colston: Good question, Chris. ESF is an important part of what we do.=
=20
As you know there are a number of them. Communications is just one. Our EOC=20=
is=20
configured such that communications gets its own room. Not because we think=20
it is the most important. We hams tend to be noisy therefore we sequester th=
em=20
aside and use another room for the remaining ESFs.=20
Question:=20
Donovan Hoggan: Are there any brief, easy to read outlines of the different=20
capacities of Ham radio? The biggest obstacle I'm running into to is that th=
e=20
Managers don't understand that Ham is more than just HF=20
Lloyd Colston: Thank you, Donovan. If it were me, I'd ask the local managers=
=20
what they want to accomplish. There is a resource to do it.=20
Steve Ewald: Yes, there are some good resources. The ARRL Web site at=20
http://www.arrl.org/pio/ is a good start for information.=20
Question:=20
David Grizzle: I am the Emergency Management Coordinator for my City. I=20
noticed the comment on grants. I would like for it to go back up the food ch=
ain=20
that many of the grants for Emergency Management do not include the authorit=
y to=20
buy radios and other equipment. They are deemed as first responder items and=
 I=20
have to compete with the Police and Fire Departments for the grant money. I=20
lose. I would ask that more voices raise this issue. City budget money is ve=
ry=20
limited and restrictive. david.grizzle@ci.norman.ok.us=20
Lloyd Colston: David, look at Homeland Security funding for your needs. In=20
Oklahoma, we are able to buy interoperable communication equipment.=20
Comment:=20
Bruce Powell: Regarding how to get the local EM interested in AR. Virginia=20
RACES made a video tape after Hurricane Floyd. It has testimonials from seve=
ral=20
EMs and law enforcement types and the director of EM for Virginia. Contact m=
e=20
at ke4gfm@arrl.org to arrange for a copy.=20
Lloyd Colston: I'd like to add that Virginia RACES has a very active=20
organization. Their net tonight on 60 meters is just one example of what Vir=
ginia is=20
getting done.=20
Question:=20
Norman Dorn: As a late joiner, your reference to ESFs comes from what=20
context? Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP)?=20
Lloyd Colston: Essential Support Functions. It's defined on the FEMA Web=20
site, Norman. http://www.fema.gov=20
Question:=20
Chris Joyal: Follow on: ICS and ESFs have to do more with coordination, I=20
guess. For example, a previous question asked about HAM operators and Red Cr=
oss=20
shelters. This is Mass Care ESF and Communications ESF as well as perhaps=20
Volunteers and Donations Management. Does it present a difficulty having to=20=
move=20
from ESF environment to traditional ICS environment on-scene?=20
Lloyd Colston: Chris, if you will allow me =E2=80=93 I look at ICS as what h=
appens in=20
the field while ESF happens in the EOC. Then there's the ICS/EOC interface=20
and a whole course to deal with it.=20
Comment:=20
Hans Zimmermann: Overall, hams are also best when it comes to solving=20
problems in any networtk - not only in the use of their own networks in RACE=
S or=20
ARES.=20
Steve Ewald: Indeed, Amateur Radio operators are very resourceful.=20
Comment:=20
Daniel Sullivan: Good job in presenting the hobby as a viable communications=
=20
tools during an emergency, Steve and Lloyd. I want to toss out the other sid=
e=20
of the coin if I could to build on earlier statements. Hams need to coordina=
te=20
better with their local EMAs in order to develop the relationships needed fo=
r=20
a successful program. Regular meetings with the EM Director, coordinating=20
planning and training schedules with the local EMA Training Officer, and=20
inclusion in long term planning within the jurisdiction's EMA are a few of t=
he ways=20
Hams can work to improve their status.=20
Lloyd Colston: I will encourage all EMs to develop an auxiliary=20
communications team. Using hams, you can augment your communications and loc=
ally, we have=20
some of our hams very active in the workings of the EOC plus you get the=20
benefit of additional support when the times turn bad.=20
Question:=20
David Moseley: There is confusion on the use of Tactical call signs to insur=
e=20
brevity and accuracy of communications. What is ARRL doing to change the=20
FCC's and the average ham's idea of the parameters of that. I'm a retired fi=
re=20
chief who used tactical call signs with great success. It will prevent mista=
kes=20
and speed communication.=20
Steve Ewald: David, the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Courses=20
deal a lot with this topic. The hams must follow FCC rules and at the same t=
ime=20
adapt to the local emergency. It can be confusing, but practice through=20
training is the key.=20
Comment:=20
Helen Norris: In relation to Homeland Security Grants: In Ohio we are=20
required to work with a multi-discipline team, totaling 12 people, to make t=
he=20
decisions about how our funds are spent from those grants. We have extensive=
ly=20
funded communications equipment where it interfaces with response, including=
 at=20
EMA. Ask your EMA Director to bring the request before their Terrorism Advis=
ory=20
Team.=20
Comment:=20
David Moseley: 9-11 has changed how we should operate. The hams who have=20
taken those courses advise the advice is not clear. If the FCC is requiring=20
outdated procedures, it would appear that ARRL is the vehicle to seek modern=
ization=20
of that. I am involved with the local EM guys.=20
Lloyd Colston: David, I'll restate that local hams need to be involved with=20
the local EM - period.=20
Steve Ewald: I understand, David, the topic is worthy of discussion.=20
Question:=20
Rick Hampton: Another point of confusion when using Amateur Radio is=20
employees who are licensed. I can understand the need to preclude a conflict=
 of=20
interest. How can we justify this confusion in cases of emergencies?=20
Lloyd Colston: Rick, good question. The answer lies in the definition of an=20
emergency. If I can't communicate to safe life or property on a cell then I=20=
can=20
use amateur radio, even though I am paid for that service. I have to try the=
=20
cell first.=20
[Closing]=20
Amy Sebring: That's all we have time for today. We greatly appreciate your=20
efforts and time on our behalf today, Lloyd and Steve. Good discussion! Than=
k=20
you!=20
If we did not get to your question, or you need more info, please follow up=20
with our speakers later. Please also refer to our Background Page for links=20=
for=20
further info as well.=20
Please stand by a moment while we make some quick announcements.=20
If you are not currently on our mailing list, and would like to get program=20
announcements and notices of transcript availability, please see the Subscri=
be=20
link on our home page.=20
We are pleased to announce our newest EIIP Partner - New Jersey Business=20
Force (Business Executives for National Security) NJBF (BENS). If your=20
organization is interested in becoming an EIIP Partner, please see the Partn=
ership link=20
on our home page.=20
Thanks to everyone for participating today. We appreciate you, the audience!=
=20
Before you go, please help me show our appreciation to Lloyd and Steve for a=
=20
fine job.=20
The EIIP Virtual Forum is adjourned!=20


////////////////////////////////////////////////// Last Item=20
/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Bill Lennox
US Air Force (Retired)
Full Time College Student (Emergency Management)
KD7EFP
Assistant Emergency Coordinator - Plans (ARES), Washington County, Oregon
Assistant Radio Officer - Plans (RACES), Washington County, Oregon


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