[FLARES] Sarasota County - Hurricane "Tolbert" Exercise

[Ron Wetjen]

Sarasota County Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), participated in 
Sarasota County's portion of the statewide Hurricane Tolbert drill.

As part of this drill, Sarasota County Emergency Management tested their 
"COOP" (Continuity of Operation) plan.  This plan involves evacuating 
the EOC, taking along vital equipment (laptops, printers, communications 
equipment) and needed materials (manuals, operating procedures, 
paperwork), to set up an EOC at an alternate location.

Working as support for ESF2 (Communications), ACS members loaded up all 
the portable communications equipment at the EOC, transported and set it 
up at the alternate location.  A portable 800 MHz base station was set 
up, which included setting up a tripod and mounting an 800 MHz yagi. 
Using GPS, the yagi was pointed at the nearest 800 MHz tower.  800 MHz 
hand helds were issued to those who needed them.

An amateur radio "jump kit" (dual band radio, power supply, battery and 
charger) was set up, with another tripod and dual band vertical, and a 
television antenna was set up to support PIO operations.

We got the 800 MHz equipment set up in 30 minutes, and had everything 
else up and running in about 1 1/2 hours (with much time spent unpacking 
new equipment and tracking down parts that were stored elsewhere).  This 
was the first time setting up all this equipment, so we expect to be 
able to cut that time down at our next deployment.

A fully functional EOC was set up and operational, including wireless 
and satellite Intranet/Internet access.

During the after drill "briefing", the Sheriff's Deputy who coordinates 
the county "Search & Rescue" teams, asked if ACS would be providing 
communications for the teams.  He was reassured by our EM Director, that 
we would be there ... and then gave a brief update on EM's ham radio 
support, our current activities, and recruitment efforts.

After the drill concluded, everything was packed up and transported back 
to the EOC.

Those ACS members participating in this exercise included:

Bob, KA4BOB
Eddie, K4JP
Ron, WD4AHZ

A total of 25 1/2 man-hours was contributed to this event.

Ron, WD4AHZ

Sarasota County Emergency Coordinator
http://www.saracs.org