[ARRL-OK] Fw: The ARES E-Letter for December 18, 2013

Wed Dec 18 07:40:47 EST 2013

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Subject: The ARES E-Letter for December 18, 2013

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December 18,
2013Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
ARES E-Letter Archive
ARES Home
ARRL Home
Page 
In This Issue:

	* New Year's Resolution: Become a CERT Leader
	* Philippines Response Winds Down
	* Emergency Management and ARES Ink Agreement in Palm
Beach County
	* ARRL Partner Roundup 
	* Make Plans Now to Attend GAREC in Alabama in
August
	* Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide
(AUXFOG) Features Amateur Radio
	* Texas Amateurs Support Hotter 'n Hell
Hundred Bike Ride 
	* Letters: Radio 101
	* Essay: Working A Breakpoint
	* Resource: Disaster Training Video Library
	* K1CE For a Final
New Year's Resolution:
Become a CERT Leader
The Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) concept is a major, growing concern in the quickly
evolving arena of emergency management on a micro versus macro scale and
deserves the full attention of ARES and indeed any radio amateur as a top
priority for the coming year.
CERT is the wave of the
future -- the immediate future -- as limited resources for disaster response
at all levels of government (local, state and federal) are bumping up
against ever-increasing need of the populace in the face of elevating incidence
and ferocity of natural and man-made disaster. The CERT concept is part of
the answer to the horns of this dilemma: residents on a street or apartment
complex in their neighborhood will network and be trained to take care of
themselves in the first critical post-disaster hours and possibly days when
no outside help is available. Think of the CERT program as a kind of block
party, only instead of socializing over hot dogs and hamburgers, neighbors
get together to train and plan to look after each other when under
siege of disaster effects. When you really think about this concept, it has
implications that are of a serious, life and death nature.
The CERT program is a FEMA program, part of its Citizen Corps and Ready
campaigns, but had its origins in forward-thinking fire and EMS units in
southern California decades ago. Neighbors are trained in conducting an initial
assessment of their own homes and survival kits. They learn to reduce the
immediate dangers presented by a disaster by turning off utilities,
suppressing small fires, evacuating the area, and helping others. They learn to
treat people in the immediate area. They learn to implement their own
Incident Command System - they establish a command post, staging area, and medical
triage and treatment areas. They learn to collect damage information and
develop a plan of operation based on life-saving priorities and available
resources. And they learn to establish and maintain communications with
responders and the outside world.
The radio amateur,
especially an ARES-registered operator, is the ideal candidate for forming and
leading a neighborhood Community Emergency Response Team. A critical part of
the CERT's planning and operations is radio communications, and we as radio
amateurs have the experience and credibility for this emergency support
function out of the gate. Become a CERT leader! Every journey of recruiting a
dozen homes on a street for a CERT begins with the first, perhaps your next
door neighbor. Talk to him or her "over the fence" and start planning and
drafting your team. Read and use the FEMA publication Starting and Maintaining a CERT.
There are many
resources to help you! You can start with FEMA's Independent Study Course on CERT.
A reader recently called my attention to a new library of disaster-related
training with numerous videos, including several on Neighborhood
Preparedness and Response. I haven't had a chance to review it yet, but I
will. The library can be accessed at the Just In Time Disaster Training web
site.
FEMA has a number of resources available to the
CERT members and leader. You can get the CERT
National Newsletter. You can Search CERT programs by ZIP
code. You can get a Directory of Existing CERTs by
State.
You can register a new CERT program with FEMA on-line. This page is to register CERT programs only, however, not
to register individuals or individual teams sponsored by a local CERT
Program. To be an official CERT Program, the program must be operated by a local
emergency response organization such as your local Fire Department or
Office of Emergency Management and endorsed by the local Citizen Corps Council
if your community has one. The program coordinators must conduct the CERT
Basic Training Course and hold a CERT exercise at least once a year. There
must be a point of contact to be posted with other program information on the
national CERT website.
Search to find a CERT program
in your locale to help you set up and establish your neighborhood CERT. The
CERT concept can also be extended to workplaces - the same ideals apply!
Conclusion: You are On Your Own! "Winging It is Not an
Emergency Plan"
The government's promotional language
often reads like this: "When a disaster or overwhelming event occurs and
responders are not immediately available, CERTs can assist . . ." Let's examine
what they're really saying in plain terms: When your house and family are
in immediate danger in the first minutes and hours after a disaster, you are
on your own. There will likely be no EMS, fire, police nor any other
agency responders to save you and your family and neighbors. Your survival is up
to you alone, based on your preparations and the help from your immediate
neighbors on your street. Your chances will be greatly enhanced with an
organized neighborhood response, the kind of response that is at the heart of
the CERT concept. Make it your New Year's resolution to form your own
neighborhood CERT! -- Rick Palm, K1CE
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Philippines Response Winds Down
The Philippines
Amateur Radio Association HERO (Ham Emergency Radio Operations) Network stood
down November 27, although some activity continues during the disaster
cleanup. Much remains to be done in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan
(Yolanda), which injured more than 26,000 people, displaced some four
million residents, destroyed 1.2 million houses, and wreaked extensive damage
and destruction to agriculture and to the Philippine infrastructure.
There is extensive coverage of the Amateur Radio response on
the ARRL website, the IARU Region 3 website, and there is more
to come in QST. Check here for
more current information.
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Emergency Management and ARES Ink Agreement in Palm Beach County
Officials of the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) of Palm
Beach County, Florida, and the county's ARES® officials entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 11, 2013. The MOU outlines the
commitment of the two entities to work together to prepare for and respond
to emergencies. ARES provides a critical link in emergency communications
to shelters, emergency operating areas, the EOC, and CERT teams to name a
few. "We are thrilled to formalize our relationship with ARES through this
MOU, which will contribute to a
From left,
David Fowler, K4DLF, SFL SM and Bill Johnson, Director, Palm Beach County, FL
Division of Emergency Management 
heightened state of disaster readiness for the County," said
Bill Johnson, Director of the Division of Emergency Management for the
county. Signing for Palm Beach County ARES was ARRL Southern Florida Section
Manager David L. Fowler, K4DLF. -- Jeff Beals, WA4AW, ARRL Southern
Florida Section Assistant Manager; Gold Coast District Emergency
Coordinator;wa4aw at arrl.org, http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/southern-florida
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ARRL Partner
Roundup 
American Red Cross Apps Available
The Red Cross is promoting several disaster-related Apps for
smartphones. Check them out at the Red Cross website:
Earthquake App -- Be ready for an earthquake with Earthquake by American Red Cross. Get
notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home, find help
and let others know you are safe even if the power is out - a must have for
anyone who lives in an earthquake-prone area or has loved ones who do.
Shelter Finder App -- The Red Cross Shelter Finder
is available in the iTunes store and works on iOS devices. The Shelter
Finder displays open Red Cross shelters and their current population on an easy
to use map interface.
Hurricane App -- Monitor
conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family
and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is
out - a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may
strike or has loved ones who do.
The officialAmerican
Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in
your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the official American
Red Cross First Aid app offers videos, interactive quizzes and simple
step-by-step advice -- it's never been easier to know first aid.
Tornado App -- Get your family and home ready for a tornado with
the official Tornado App from the American Red Cross. The Tornado app puts
everything you need to know to prepare for a tornado - and all that comes
with it - in the palm of your hand. With interactive quizzes and simple
step-by-step advice it's never been easier to be ready.
Wildfire App -- Be ready for wildfires with the Wildfire App by the
American Red Cross. Get the latest state-by-state wildfire news and updates,
prepare your family, home and pets, let loved ones know that you are safe
even if the power is out - a must have for anyone who lives in an area that
is susceptible to wildfires or has loved ones that do.
Team Red Cross:
Volunteer App -- Team Red Cross wants you! Join Team Red Cross to help
provide the care and comfort needed to communities when the unthinkable
occurs. Team Red Cross wants people with various backgrounds, talents, and
skill levels. Everyone has something special to offer...including you. Make a
difference and join Team Red Cross. -- American Red Cross
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Make Plans Now to Attend GAREC in Alabama in
August
Here is your chance to attend a Global Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Conference, which is held each year in
different parts of the world. The 2014 GAREC will be held in the US next
year, in Huntsville, Alabama, in August. It will be held at the time of the
popular Huntsville Hamfest, which will be an ARRL Centennial Regional Event
for the year, the one hundredth year of the ARRL. Don't miss it.
GAREC-2013 took place in Zurich, Switzerland, attended by 45
delegates from 14 countries. The theme of the conference was "Do we need
emergency communications in the 'first world'''.
Presentations
were received on the effects of a loss of the electrical grid; the role of
the ITU in promoting emergency communications; groups in India and Italy;
digital modes for email and file transfer.
Finding and
sharing problems and allowing individual countries to recognize that they
were not alone provide valuable support for Amateur Radio emergency
communications world-wide. These are some of the goals of the GAREC.
A directed exercise was also held where delegates were asked to work
together as one team, providing emergency communications for a fictional
country and event. This encouraged the delegates to consider what their ideal
network and license conditions would look like as well as enhance the
inter-personal relationships between the delegates helping them to work
together more efficiently in the future.
All groups and
organizations involved in amateur disaster response communications are invited to
attend the Huntsville conference to share their knowledge and learn from
others. See Huntsville
Hamfest website for more information. ARRL and IARU reps will be
present. See you in Huntsville next August!
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Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) Features Amateur
Radio
The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations
Guide (AUXFOG) is a new 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. You can download the
AUXFOG by clicking here and then clicking on the link
and save it to your own storage device. It will only download as a PDF.-- Thanks to Jim Duram, K8COP, Whitehall, Michigan [editor's note: This
book looks like an exceptionally well done technical reference that is a
must-have for every ARES operator. I'll have a more comprehensive review of
this Department of Homeland Security pub in the next issue -- K1CE]
top_of_page
Texas Amateurs Support Hotter
'n Hell Hundred Bike Ride 
Wichita Falls,
Texas -- Last summer, on August 14, theHotter 'n Hell Hundred (HHH) bicycle ride/race took
place in Wichita and Clay Counties deep in the heart of Texas. The HHH has
ride routes of 10 kilometers, 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 kilometers, and 100
miles and is believed to be the largest certified Century Bike Ride in the
United States. Over 4,200 volunteers support the event, including 55
Amateur Radio operators. In addition to the ride, a road race with routes of 40
kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 164 kilometers is held. The HHH also
features off road activities.
For this year's event, there
were a total of 12,438 entrants: 11,275 were tour riders, 636 participated in
the trail events and 527 were racers. Also, for the thirty-second year,
Amateur Radio was a critical part of the Ride. A total of 55 hams provided
communications at 18 Rest Stops, the Main Medical Tent, and the Mobile Command
Posts of the City of Wichita Falls and the Wichita County Sheriff's
Department. Radio amateurs rode in five rest stop resupply and control vehicles,
provided a station at the local ice plant, and operated a Net Control
Station (NCS).
The HHH ride is controlled with three
directed Amateur Radio nets, using three local repeaters for the "B route,"
"Medical" and "Supply." In addition, two commercial nets -- one controlling the
SAG wagons and the other controlling the mobile first aid teams -- are
co-located with the Amateur NCS. As a side note, the Wichita County ARES has
several locations in the county that are equipped with radios and computers
and can be used as an NCS in an emergency situation, in a very short amount
of time.
To support the HHH's 0700 start, some hams
began arriving at their assigned locations around 0530 on Ride Day and the nets
officially opened at 0600. The Amateur support was terminated, and the
nets were secured when the last rider crossed the finish line at 1818 Saturday
evening. With the exception of the NCS, the City's MCP, and the Ice Plant,
which all ran on commercial power, all other locations operated on
generators, batteries or solar power.
Charles Byars, W5GPO,
the ARES District Emergency Coordinator for District 1 of the ARRL North
Texas Section said "this is a better test of our Amateur communications skills
and capability to work with the community than any canned exercise could
ever be. We have a well thought out operations plan, but when the cannons go
boom, the planes fly over, and the Ride begins, the ability of our
operators to think and react becomes paramount. Also, we interface with, and get to
know, all segments of the community that we would work with in the event
of a local disaster and they get to know us and see how we operate." Hams
have been a critical part of the HHH's support since its inception in 1982.
-- David H. Gaines, N5DHG, HHH Steering Committee, Wichita Falls,
Texas
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Letters: Radio 101
The Government Printing Office Bookstore has a subscription blog service on
topics of interest to readers. I just received a post entitled Radio
101: Operating Two-Way Radios Every Day and in Emergencies. Readers can
view it here.The
majority of the post is about Amateur Radio and features ARES and information
provided by ARRL.
Key publications from the
government's Radio Communications Collection including the US Frequency
Allocations Radio Spectrum Chart are reviewed. It appears to be done quite well. A
training publication on the above topic is available here. -- Robert Bauer, KC4HM, Louisville, Kentucky, Robert.Bauer at ky.gov
top_of_page
Essay: Working A Breakpoint
[I found the following essay to take me right to breakpoint 6 as if
I were actually there alongside the author. His first person account is
inspirational and imparts some good tips. I hope it takes you there, too! I
really enjoyed it. - K1CE]
Serving as a ham radio operator at a bike
ride breakpoint is a very gratifying experience, and by sharing that
experience with you, I hope to entice you into doing it, too. So come along for
a day of serving as the ham radio link at a breakpoint for the Tour de Pink Bike Ride, a breast cancer fund-raiser, held in Rose
Hill, Texas. The event is run by the Tour de Pink organization, and ham radio
operators furnish a communications net to link its component breakpoints and
vehicles.
We start planning several weeks before the
event, with an email from a net organizer asking for hams to volunteer to
serve at breakpoints. I sign up. Nothing further happens until a day or two
before the event, at which time a series of emails provide a map of the
course, frequency information and assignments. My assignment is Breakpoint 6.
Breakpoints are rest stations for the cyclists. They are
positioned at intervals along the event's course, with each headed by a
breakpoint coordinator and staffed by volunteers. Breakpoints provide water,
Gatorade, snacks, and often bicycle repairs.
A ham net
serves to connect the breakpoints and vehicles to the officials controlling
the event and to each other. The net consists of several transceivers and
operators linked together through a dedicated repeater. This enables all
members of the net to hear each other.
The Net Control
Station (NCS) is the central operator who is the link between the ham net and
the officials in charge of the event. All calls go through Net Control
unless he directs otherwise.
Using the information and map
supplied, I determine the exact locations of the pre-event breakfast and
of the breakpoint, and enter them into my GPS. In the sleepy darkness of
early morning, this will be a big help. In addition, I have a plastic panel
that I use as my "cockpit information board." I tape on it any maps and other
information I might need. This board is kept on the floor in front of the
car's passenger seat, handy at all times but out of the way.
The day before the event I install my radio on the front passenger
seat of the car and place the magnetic mount and antenna on the car roof. I
put on my luminescent safety vest with its name badge, and strap on my
homemade Sam Browne belt that will serve to hold my handheld on my chest. I
program my handheld and my mobile unit with all needed frequencies and codes,
using the same channel assignments in both radios to minimize confusion. I
have information tags on each radio that summarize how to program a new
frequency and that list current frequencies and codes. I go to bed early.
At 0430 hours the next morning, I arrive at the pre-event
breakfast and meet the net organizer. He has obtained permission to use the
Rose Hill repeater, K5IHK, and he provides updates about the event. This
meeting is also a good time get help with my radio if I need it. Breakfast is
a short but enjoyable event. Everyone is wide awake and cheerful, looking
forward to the day ahead.
At 0530 hours I go to my
assigned breakpoint. It is still dark and the breakpoint is on a rural road with
little lighting and sparse signage. I drive to the dot on the GPS and then
look around until I spot the breakpoint site, a parking area in front of a
general store and cafe. I am the first person to arrive at the breakpoint.
I am glad to be wearing a reflective vest. It may save me from being run
over in the darkness and it will identify me during the day.
By arriving early, I can choose a location for my mobile
unit/car that is tucked away out of obvious work areas or traffic lanes, but
yet convenient to the breakpoint work area. I parked my car so that its
headlights will help others identify the breakpoint site in the predawn
darkness. 
Next, I consult the map to see if the course has a
turn near my breakpoint, and check to see if there are turn signs to guide
the riders as they approach it. The signs are there. If they had not been
there, or if I had found any other problems, then I would have reported them
to Net Control at check in. 
The net activates at 0630
hours and I check in with Net Control. I will monitor Net Control at all
times for the rest of the day. I can call him at any time but only on
"business." It is the net controller's responsibility to convey information to the
bicycling event officials and, through me, to the coordinator of
Breakpoint 6. Disposition of issues affecting the cyclists and the event is solely
the event officials' responsibility. I have a dual role in that I serve both
as the eyes and ears of Net Control, and as the voice of the breakpoint
coordinator.
The volunteers in charge of the breakpoint
are not there when I arrive, but arrive shortly. If they had not shown up,
then I would have reported that to Net Control.
I confer
with the coordinator as soon as possible. I will use my ham radio to link
her to the Tour d' Pink officials via the ham net. I will remain at the
breakpoint until it closes after the departure of the last rider and the
"turtle," a car or truck that follows after the last rider. I ask her if the
position of my mobile station is acceptable. If not, it is easier to find a
better location early, before other vehicles arrive. She approves my unit's
location.
It is impressive to see how rapidly the
volunteers turn a piece of bare concrete into a complete cyclist refreshment
center. Our breakpoint has a bicycle repairman. He is a commercial vendor who
brings his own tent and equipment. He provides excellent service, repairing
not only the bikes but also the riders' shoes and other special gear. It is
remarkable how much he can do and how efficiently he can do it.
My handheld radio serves only as a receiver and I have two sets
of spare batteries for it. Through it I can always hear Net Control. When a
call comes in over the handheld, I go to my car and answer on my mobile
unit, which is not only more powerful but also has a better (car roof -
mag-mounted 5/8 wavelength) antenna. Breakpoint 6 has its own DJ with very
powerful speakers providing loud, vibrant music throughout the site and
throughout the day. My car, with quiet inside, provides an ideal working environment
for my radio station. It consists of a 5 watt dual band transceiver
mounted in a small Igloo cooler. The cooler also contains a power supply, a 7.5
amp-hour battery, and the accessories for the radio itself. It sits on a
level plywood platform on the front passenger seat with an incline that faces
the radio upward towards my head. There is also a car battery in a plastic
box on the back deck, with connecting cables to the radio. The radio is not connected to the car's electrical system, and therefore I can leave
it on all day without fear of a dead car battery. The wire from the roof
antenna passes through the rubber door seal without damage to either itself
or to the door.
During the day I help the breakpoint
coordinator. For example, at 1100 hours, Breakpoint 6 was running out of
Gatorade. While monitoring the net I had heard that Breakpoint 2 was closing
down for the day, since all riders had passed that location. I knew that
early breakpoints have lower Gatorade consumption because fresh riders often
skip them. I asked Net Control if Breakpoint 2 had any Gatorade left, and
could it be sent to Breakpoint 6. They did have leftover Gatorade, and soon
Breakpoint 6 had Gatorade, courtesy of Breakpoint 2. Situation resolved.
I also answer questions from the riders. My vest identifies
me as a possible source of information, and most of their questions can be
anticipated and answers determined in advance.
The SAG
request requires an important follow-up question. When a rider requests a
SAG ride, I ask if he is having a medical problem. One such rider answered
that she had been having stomach pain for the last 30 minutes and that
resting at our breakpoint had not relieved it. I called Net Control and asked
that a SAG come directly to pick her up, identifying her over the radio only
by her event number. If I had not asked the follow-up question, then she
would have had to wait until the next SAG, on his regular circular route,
came to our breakpoint. If there is no medical problem, the rider removes her
helmet and waves it at the next passing SAG van.
My
final duty is a pleasant one. Once the last rider and the turtle had left our
breakpoint, I contacted Net Control and told him that the turtle had left
our location. He checked with the event officials and told me that
Breakpoint 6 could close down and that we were released from duty. I relayed this
to the breakpoint coordinator and made everyone happy.
Serving as the ham radio link at a breakpoint is very rewarding and great
fun as well. It is always a day well spent. This was not the first time I
have done this, and I hope it will not be the last. -- Peyton Barnes, M.D.,
KE5ZDZ, Houston, Texas, skaevola at hotmail.com 
top_of_page
Resource:
Disaster Training Video Library
The Just in Time Disaster
Training Library is advertised as a free Internet-based source for
training curriculum for today's emergency responders. A library selection is Neighborhood Preparedness and Response. Featured videos include:
Building a Neighborhood Disaster Plan; How to Help Your Neighborhood Prepare
for an Emergency; Map Your Neighborhood; and Neighborhood Emergency
Communications. The resource boasts of over 627 disaster mitigation, preparedness,
response and recovery training videos. The library is the most
comprehensive, and easy to search, according to the library's promoters: "The purpose of
this on-line video library is to provide a single, easy to search source
in which individuals, agencies and organizations can access Just In Time
Disaster Training videos. The videos found in this library cover disaster
related mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery training for a wide
variety areas." -- Chris Floyd, Disaster Resistant Communities Group,
Tallahassee, Florida
top_of_page
K1CE For a
Final
As I reviewed this issue for release, I re-read the essay of Peyton
Barnes, M.D., KE5ZDZ, and wanted to commend him for so simply but eloquently
putting into words the joy of what we all do: providing a public service
through working side-by-side with our fellow amateurs who share our love of
Amateur Radio, and the fun and practice of using our radios and antennas out of
doors in the field. Many readers will identify with Barnes' experiences:
the early morning rise, the pre-dawn drive and set-up at some remote place,
and the satisfaction of the initial radio check and establishment of
communication with Net Control. Well done, Dr. Barnes.
And finally, as the year
2013 comes to a close, I am reminded of the words that Jerry Herman,
N3BDW, used to say at the close of his conference and convention presentations
on the Hurricane Watch Net when he was its manager: "It's not so much about
the radios and antennas, it's about helping people, is what we do." 
See
you next year! 73, Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach, Florida, the "World's
Most Famous Beach"
____________
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