[DCART] Nevada ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

[Dick Flanagan K7VC]

title: ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

1. Section: Nevada (NV)

2. Month: October

3. Year: 2007

4. Total ARES members: 390 Reported

5. Changes since last month: +1

6. Number of active nets: 13

7. Total Sessions: 80

8A. Number of ECs/DECs reporting this month: 3 DEC's/8EC's

9A. Number of nets, drills, tests & training sessions: 93

9B. Number of volunteer hours: 1012.8

10A. Number of public service events this month: 9

10B. Number of volunteer hours: 147

11A. Number of emergency operations this month: 0

11B. Number of volunteer hours: 0

12A. Total number of ARES/RACES events this month: 83

12B. Total volunteer hours: 1145.8

Northwest District I DEC: Reported

Carson City: Reported

Churchill County: Reported

Douglas County: Reported

Humboldt County: Reported

Lyon County: Reported

Mineral County: No EC

Pershing County: No EC

Storey County: Not Reported

Washoe County: Reported

Northeast District II DEC: Reported

Elko County: Reported

Eureka County: No EC

Lander County: No EC

White Pine County: No EC

Southern District III DEC: Reported

Clark County: Not Reported

Esmeralda County: Not Reported

Lincoln County: Reported

North Nye County: Reported

South Nye County: Reported

Comments: SEC's GENERAL REPORT (October 2007) Where do I begin for
such a busy month! First, on Saturday, October 13, in conjunction with
the Washoe County and Carson City County's POD exercise, we used the
opportunity to hold a statewide SET. The event was coordinated by Bob
Miller, WA6MTY, Washoe County EC who was working with the Health
Department. Once word got out, several other hospitals around the
state wanted to join in. During the SET, contacts were made all around
the state between Las Vegas, Reno/Sparks, Carson City, Pahrump,
Incline Village at Lake Tahoe and Tonopah. Traffic was passed between
stations using a variety of modes including IRLP/Echolink, HF and
Winlink. We learned a great deal, and many thanks to Bob and all of
the operators who participated. Many of the hospitals were delighted
with our performance, and the Health Department now knows it can count
on amateur radio for emergency communications if needed.

Next up was our Pacific Division convention Pacificon October 19-21 at
the Marriott Hotel in San Ramon. A Pacific Division HF and IRLP net
schedule was set up between the SMs and SECs of the division in order
to stay in close touch during emergencies. Acting SM Joe Giraudo,
N7JEH and I attended meetings held at Pacificon.

I was able to attend the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting on October 27
in Las Vegas. Great meeting, and even a portable Winlink demo, which
we hope to bring to EMCOMMWEST 2008 in Reno which by the way has been
announced for May 2-4 at Circus Circus in Reno.

Also had dinner Friday night 10/26 with Kent, W7AOR and the NARRI
group working with IRLP and Echolink. Great progress in those areas
thanks to Kent and group. Remember that fall leads to winter, so
please take time to make preparations soon and start gearing up.

We have a new PIO for South Nye County. She is Carol Bird, KE7KHD.
Welcome Carol, I know you will do a great job!

Last but not least, it is a pleasure to announce that Dick Flanagan,
K7VC has once again taken the helm as SM, after weeks of recovery from
back surgery. He is doing well, and continues to recover. Many thanks
also to ASM/Northeast DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH for stepping in as
interim SM in K7VC, Dick Flanagan's absence.

Finally, I would like to thank Glenn Thomas, WB6W who will be leaving
us as DEC for Northwest in November. Glenn has a superb background,
and his expertise and knowledge has been an enormous resource to us.
Thank you Glenn for a job well done. You are very much appreciated. I
will assume the DEC duties on an interim basis at that time.

That's it for this month. Thanks to everyone for your hard work and
dedication. Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Comments: Southern NV District EC Report -
October 2007 - The 2007 SET was held this past month with several
local hospitals participating in Clark County. Thanks to all operators
who assisted with the exercise.

The major lessons learned dealt with preparation, planning and
improved communication with the lead organization. One major benefit
of the exercise was introducing ARES/RACES in the District to a group
of hospitals who weren't previously aware of amateur radio. Planning
was well underway for the next exercise in Southern NV in support of
an upcoming Red Cross exercise.

South Nye Co. EC Report by Jerry KC6ILH - This month started out with
our annual fall parade, for which we provide safety communications and
parade line up assistance. Then we went on Tiger patrol. Someone
spotted a tiger and the school district had us patrol one morning
while the buses picked up the students. (What we would have done if we
had seen it was another story unto it's self).

Then the state SET, of which we just monitored and checked into the HF
and IRLP/VOIP nets. Still dry conditions so fire watch is still on
around our area.

Clark County EC Report by Charlie AA5QJ - No report this month.

North Nye Co. EC Report by AEC Randy KB7TRI Participated in SET. 1st
time Nye Regional Medical Center has participated. Ran local ARES Net
prior and during the test on local repeater. All Amateur participants
monitored and checked in on multiple frequencies. All participants had
the capability to operate without commercial power.

NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Comments: This year's SET was a resounding
success. The Elko team ran a scenario that included the National
Weather Service and the Northeast Nevada Regional Medical Center. It
revolved around a chlorine gas leak at the rail yard east of town. An
on-air HAZMAT briefing was held by one of the members who is certified
in HAZMAT operations. Safe zones were established for all
communicators. Evacuation shelters were simulated and resource
requests were made to Reno on behalf of the Red Cross even though they
chose not to participate.

Communications between Elko and Reno and Las Vegas were maintained via
the IRLP system through the Nevada Gate on the Western Reflector. This
was a first for the Nevada Section. Additionally, a mobile HF
Pactor-based Winlink 2K station was deployed in Elko at the hospital.
It made successful e-mail contact with both EOCs in Reno and Las Vegas
via 20 meters through a PMBO in Texas, yet another first for the
Nevada Section.

The Elko Amateur Radio Club has been assisting a local Boy Scout Troop
gain their Radio Merit Badges. Several members have attended weekly
meetings, demonstrating the various Amateur systems including
repeaters, IRLP, HF and simplex VHF operations. One night the Scouts
built, erected and operated their own HF inverted vee antenna, making
several successful contacts. They are now studying electronic theory
and have built several circuits under the watchful eye of Jack
Larason, KE7HTY.

The Saturday Nevada Section HF Net operates weekly. Propagation has
been status quo. Participation has been good statewide. There have
been several instances of QRM during the net, but that's Amateur
Radio. It is yet to be seen how the time change will affect
propagation. See you all next month! - Joe Giraudo - N7JEH NE. DEC

NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Comments: Northwestern District - DEC Glenn
Thomas WB6W - October was a busy month. In addition to the statewide
SET and the Nevada Day parade, we saw several personnel changes. Long
time EC for Pershing and Humboldt counties, Jim Shepherd N7WVZ,
stepped down. Also stepping down is Douglas county & Carson City EC
Dick Young KD7JMR. Many thanks to these gentlemen for their service as
EC. We will miss them.

Stepping up to the plate as EC for Humboldt county is "Ski" Stephan
Woytowicz, AF7NB. Ski has hit the ground running, already being
selected to be the Humboldt county RACES RO.

This will be my last report as DEC. Effective November 13 I am
resigning as DEC. I've enjoyed working with ARES/RACES as DEC and as
EC before that. I expect to be available for special assignments as an
AEC and to advise other ARES officials as requested. However I need
more time to devote to family issues.

Churchill County - EC Paul Willcoxon KE7CRZ - It's been another quiet
month in Churchill County. The Sheriff s Department had a repeater
failure earlier this month but was able to continue communications on
an alternate frequency. I have been attending meetings for Vigilant
Guard 2008 and the group is preparing to work the exercise with
Churchill County, City of Fallon as well as NAS Fallon. All three will
have communications failure scenarios in their plan, so we should be
busy for a few days.

We are continuing on air training for ICS courses and will be starting
message traffic handling on a regular basis.

Carson City/Douglas County - EC Dick Young KD7JMR - Douglas County
ARES members were privileged to visit the State of Nevada Division of
Emergency Management, receiving a very comprehensive tour from Otto
(KV7J), the DEM Communications Specialist. This after-hours tour
included a thorough briefing of the amateur radios and other
equipments available to ARES/RACES members.

Five ARES members participated in the communications requirements
necessary for the successful health, safety and welfare of
participants in the Nevada Day Parade.

Lyon County - EC Patti Polish KE7JIV - This month was perhaps one of
the slowest months for members of LCARES. Three members, John Abrott,
KD7NHC, Al Penaluna, N7RAA, and Leonard Mitchell, KE7PET, assisted
with the Nevada Day Parade by providing much needed communications
along the parade route. I understand from John that the Board of
Direcotrs for the parade was pleased with the work of all those that
helped this day, and they should be proud of the community service
that they provided.

Washoe County - EC Bob Miller WA6MTY - On Saturday October 13th was
the Washoe County Health Department POD exercise at Reed High school.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) participated in the event
practicing emergency communications between the POD, WC Heath
Department Operations Center (DOC) the Regional Emergency Operations
Center (REOC).

At the same time the Nevada Section ARES held a Section Emergency
Test, which was part of a nation wide ARES test where we participate
with various agencies in a training exercise within Nevada. We were in
communications with Clark County Nye County and Elko County.
Participants statewide included: Barton Memorial Hospital, Carson
Tahoe Hospital, Clark County Emergency Communications Center (ECC),
Desert Springs, Elko Emergency Operations Center (EOC), National
Weather Service (NWS), Reno, Nevada Department of Emergency Management
(DEM), Northeastern Nevada Medical Center, Elko, Northern Nevada
Medical Center, Nye Regional Medical Center, Reed High School (POD),
Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC), Saint Mary's Medical
Center, Spring Valley Hospital, Tahoe Forrest Hospital, UNR Emergency
Operations Center (EOC), VA Medical Center, WC Health Department
Operations Center (DOC).

Approximately 45 Amateur Radio Operators State participated wide,
handling approximately 40 messages. There were 5 planning sessions in
September and October plus the exercise for a total of 236 volunteer
hours in Washoe County alone.

14. Signature: Don Carlson, KQ6FM - SEC

15. E-mail: kq6fm at charter.net
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc at arrl.org