[K3CAL] FW: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Jim Tetlow
jimtetlow at chesapeake.net
Mon Jul 18 16:19:08 EDT 2011
Ron here is the email from Peter
Regards,
Jim Tetlow, k3uga
jimtetlow at chesapeake.net
_____
From: peter [mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:12 PM
To: David Weaver; Anna Hall; jefferyhall at comcast.net; Bill Quinn; Charles
Lumadue; Raymond Wright; Joe Frost; Richard Hackett; Jay Zegowitz;
Kilpatrick; john McCall; Vince Barrazone; Moody, Chris; Max Munger;
jwivancik at comcast.net; john VanDyke; 'John Gray'; gary heal; Duane
Heidemann; dppoa; aubrey mumford; Dan Redgate; DbakerSolutions at aol.com; Paul
Douglass; Powell; Roark Shallow; vicky sandvig; Peggy Duffy; 'Len Addiss';
Gary and Dawn Jackson; gottkr at co.cal.md.us; Wayne Rogers; John Mumper
Cc: 'Wright, Raymond'; wjlapre at netscape.net; William Hackett; Wayne Rogers;
'Shawn - N3AE'; Sandy Simmons; Sam Bergeson-Willis; Richard Hackett;
redgatedj; n3yr at yahoo.com; 'Larsen, Curt & Judy: Decoy'; Jim Tetlow; 'Jan
Jackson'; Gary and Dawn Jackson; Frank Leland; fandsborsh at comcast.net;
dppoa; Don Kirby; Dennis - N3QHC; Cyndie Spindler; Chris McNelis; amy rispin
Subject: Fw: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Hi CERT Volunteers,
We are real pleased that for the annual Radio Amateur Field Day on the
DPPOA grounds (this Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June) several VIP visitors
have planned to drop in for a visit including Tony O'Donnel, State Senate
Minority Leader and Kelly McGuire Southern Maryland Regional Administrator
of Maryland Emergency Management Agency. We also expect some press as well
as several of our Commissioners and County Emergency Management
representatives to drop in. As noted earlier, our CERT will also be
co-sponsoring this Field Day in full appreciation that Radio Amateurs
provide a vital backup emergency communications capability for our
community. In Calvert County it is the Calvert Amateur Radio Association
that provides this service to the County's Emergency Operations Center. We
support them through our Drum Point Radio Club (KB3TGF). All our CERT
members are asked to come by and promote our CERT activities to visitors and
encourage them to join in emergency preparedness training and volunteering.
We will start at 1000hrs on Saturday morning at the DPPOA office. Bring
your equipment and radios. We will have a CERT display table outdoors with
information booklets and brochures. We invite all residents to visit our
Community Emergency Service Center in the DPPOA Office. The amateur radio
stations (set up outside) will be working all the regular amateur bands. We
expect to have several stations running at once.
CERT members, please give me reply if are planning to come. Grilled
Hamburgers and Hot dogs and drinks will be served on the premises.
Peter Holt, DPPOA CERT Coordinator,
KB3SXB, 410-326-2253
----- Original Message -----
From: Spindler, <mailto:cspindler at mema.state.md.us> Cynthia
To: McGuire, <mailto:kmcguire at mema.state.md.us> Kelly ; peter
<mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net>
Cc: Durman, <mailto:ndurman at mema.state.md.us> Nathan
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 7:02 PM
Subject: RE: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Excellent . . . thank you for your interest and support, Kel!
Yours in Community Service,
Cynthia A. Spindler
Disaster Individual Assistance Officer
MITIGATION & RECOVERY
MARYLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Camp Fretterd Military Reservation
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
W: (410) 517-3607
F: (410) 517-3610
Toll-Free: 877-MEMA-USA
24/7: (410) 517-3600 - Maryland Joint Operations Center
<mailto:cspindler at mema.state.md.us> cspindler at mema.state.md.us
<http://www.mema.state.md.us> www.mema.state.md.us
_____
From: McGuire, Kelly
Sent: Tue 6/21/2011 6:53 PM
To: Spindler, Cynthia; peter
Cc: Durman, Nathan
Subject: RE: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
I will be happy to attend this weekend at Drum Point.
Kelly McGuire
Southern Maryland Regional Administrator
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
State Emergency Operations Center
Camp Fretterd Military Reservation
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
443-865-9511
kmcguire at mema.state.md.us
MJOC 410-517-3600
<http://www.mema.state.md.us/> www.mema.state.md.us
From: peter [mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 12:05 PM
To: Spindler, Cynthia
Subject: Re: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Hi Cyndie,
I did not know you were also tied in to MEMA. Would you please also
join our Drum Point CERT Roster. It consists of about 20 plus local
residents who have passed the CERT course given by FEMA and Calvert County,
or who have volunteered to join and participate in our small, but growing,
Drum Point CERT Group. We have given the FEMA CERT course here at Drum
Point four years in a row. I will attach the last roster list for your
review. Any activity is obviously voluntary and provides our EOC here at
the Drum Point Office a roster of disaster trained and first aid capable
volunteers in the event county 911 resources need support. We have an
operations plan which we provide the County Emergency Management Staff every
year and we keep them in the loop of what we are doing. We have quarterly
meetings (no dues - no elections, etc.) CARA has been very supportive as
have Sandy Simmons and Kim Gott. I will add your email and name to the
roster if you agree.
Thank you,
Peter
----- Original Message -----
From: Spindler, <mailto:cspindler at mema.state.md.us> Cynthia
To: peter <mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 7:33 AM
Subject: RE: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Good Morning, Peter . . . may I share this information with our Regional
Administrator and our Exercise and Training Branch for field distribution?
Yours in Community Service!!
Cyndie
Cynthia A. Spindler
Disaster Individual Assistance Officer
MITIGATION & RECOVERY
MARYLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Camp Fretterd Military Reservation
5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
W: (410) 517-3607
F: (410) 517-3610
Toll-Free: 877-MEMA-USA
24/7: (410) 517-3600 - Maryland Joint Operations Center
<mailto:cspindler at mema.state.md.us> cspindler at mema.state.md.us
<http://www.mema.state.md.us/> www.mema.state.md.us
From: peter [mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 10:27 PM
To: David Weaver; Wayne Rogers
Cc: Chris McNelis; Spindler, Cynthia; Dennis - N3QHC; Donald Kirby; Fenwick,
John R.; Jim Tetlow; n3yr at yahoo.com; 'Rupp, Walt & Janet: Brigadoon'; Sandy
Simmons
Subject: Fw: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
----- Original Message -----
From: peter <mailto:mistralholt at comcast.net>
To: Max Munger <mailto:maxmunger at verizon.net>
Cc: Anna <mailto:nusia72 at yahoo.com> Hall ; jefferyhall at comcast.net ; Bill
Quinn <mailto:qpcr at verizon.net> ; Charles
<mailto:fishkeeper1109 at comcast.net> Lumadue ; Raymond
<mailto:n1lul at comcast.net> Wright ; Joe Frost
<mailto:cjfrostsail at comcast.net> ; Richard
<mailto:kilissa38 at vzw.blackberry.net> Hackett ; Jay
<mailto:mdzee at verizon.net> Zegowitz ; Kilpatrick
<mailto:kildon at peoplepc.com> ; john <mailto:jmccall0001 at comcast.net>
McCall ; Vince <mailto:imin2stangs at aol.com> Barrazone ; Moody,
<mailto:cmoody at mitre.org> Chris ; Max <mailto:maxmunger at verizon.net>
Munger ; jwivancik at comcast.net ; john VanDyke <mailto:vndykbox at aol.com> ;
'John Gray' <mailto:jgray8 at comcast.net> ; gary heal
<mailto:gheal at comcast.net> ; Duane Heidemann <mailto:duanedh at yahoo.com> ;
dppoa <mailto:office at dppoa.org> ; aubrey <mailto:reelgoodone at yahoo.com>
mumford ; Dan <mailto:dredgate at wbbinc.com> Redgate ;
DbakerSolutions at aol.com ; Paul Douglass <mailto:douglass4 at comcast.net> ;
Powell <mailto:triciapowell422 at comcast.net> ; Roark Shallow
<mailto:pilotblue at comcast.net> ; vicky <mailto:victoria.sandvig at wyle.com>
sandvig ; Peggy <mailto:pegduffy at comcast.net> Duffy ; 'Len
<mailto:janlen46 at comcast.net> Addiss' ; Gary and Dawn Jackson
<mailto:dawnstaley11 at yahoo.com> ; gottkr at co.cal.md.us ; Wayne Rogers
<mailto:n1wr at chesapeake.net> ; John Mumper <mailto:mumper at hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 10:14 PM
Subject: Emergency Radio Amateur "Field Day" at Drum Point and The ARES
E-Letter for June 15, 2011
Max,
Per our conversation at the Board Meeting about notifying our local
business association.
On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June the Calvert Amateur Radio Association
(CARA) will host an "Annual "Field Day" exercise on the grounds of the Drum
Point Property Owner's Association (DPPOA) office at the corner of Barreda
Blvd and Lake Drive in Lusby (Drum Point). These radio "amateurs" are the
backbone of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) which serves
throughout the country to provide vital communications during disasters such
as Hurricane Katrina, the Twin Towers bombing in New York City, and most
recently in Joplin, Missouri to mention just a few. The "Annual Field Day"
requires that the "amateurs" set up mobil communications links which can
reach local emergency services, or nationwide radio nets, under adverse
conditions. We invite all residents to stop by on Saturday (beginnning at
10 a.m.) and Sunday to visit the live "Field Day" activity in Drum Point,
learn how to become a radio amateur, and support these ARES volunteers.
Peter Holt, Coordinator, DPPOA Community Emergency Response Team
KB3SXB
----- Original Message -----
From: ARRL Web <mailto:memberlist at www.arrl.org> site
To: mistralholt at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 6:26 AM
Subject: The ARES E-Letter for June 15, 2011
If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2011-06-15
The ARES
E-Letter <http://www3.arrl.org/nl/ae/nlaehead.gif>
June 15, 2011
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE <mailto:k1ce at arrl.net>
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/> ARES E-Letter Archive
ARES Home <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec1-ch1.html>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=ae&i=2011-06-15&t=t> Ad
"What an Unbelievable Response"
Missouri SEC Ken Baremore, W0KRB <http://www.qrz.com/db/w0krb> , sent the
following open letter to volunteers involved in the Joplin, Missouri tornado
disaster:
"I want to thank all who volunteered and came to Joplin to help with
communications as well as those who are still contacting me to see if
additional help is needed. Due to the ending of the search and recovery mode
and going to the debris and potential body part removal functions, the
decision was made that effective at the end of shift today (Monday, May 30,
2011) all ham communications from the EOCs to the field operations are being
stood down. We do have some ARES® operators that are scheduled and will
continue to work with SATERN <http://www.satern.org/> through the rest of
this week.
"Ham communications between Springfield and Joplin started Sunday night
between Freeman Hospital in Joplin and some of the hospitals in Springfield
as that was the only means of communication. The links were shut down Monday
morning when their needs were met. Likewise, the radio station at the
Springfield Red Cross was started Sunday evening to allow communications
between the Springfield and Joplin offices and to the shelter that was set
up in Joplin. That communication link stayed open until Tuesday as it was
the only reliable method of communications.
"I asked Cecil Higgins, AC0HA, Assistant DEC for District D, to respond to
Joplin on Tuesday morning and act as "Ham in Charge" during the disaster and
help to set up additional communication links as required. Thomas Zeller,
KB0ORZ, EC for Jasper County, and LaVerne Wilson, NQ0B, EC for Newton
County, were already in place, with members of their respective ARES® groups
trying to support the EOCs and Red Cross, but relief was needed.
"Our ham operators expended almost 2000 hours during this week. What an
unbelievable response. I know that many of you were scrambling to find the
necessary equipment to allow you to come help this week. It is a great
feeling for me to know that I am part of an organization with people willing
to give up vacation or personal time to help out in a time of need. I hope
we don't have another need anytime soon but it is nice to know that we have
hams and ARES® members ready to serve. Again, I can't thank you all enough."
-- 73, Kenneth Baremore, WØKRB, Missouri Section Emergency Coordinator [See
also Missouri ARES® <http://www.ares-mo.org/> .]
_________
In This Issue:
*
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc01> "What an Unbelievable
Response"
* ARES®
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc02> Digest
* ARES®
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc03> a Hit at ARRL National
Convention in Texas
* WD4R:
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc04> National Hurricane Center's
Annual Station Test a Success
* ECAC
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc05> Drafting MDEC Specs
* Tip:
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc06> The Fixer
* Q
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc07> &A: ARES® Versus RACES
* FEMA
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc08> Administrator: Amateur Radio
"The Last Line of Defense"
* Letters
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc09>
* NVOAD
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc10> Conference Brings Together 30
Disaster Groups
* K1CE
<http://exchangecluster/exchange/crash/Drafts/RE:%20Emergency%20Radio%20Amat
eur%20%22Field%20Day%22%20at%20Drum%20Point%20and%20The%20ARES%20E-Letter%20
for%20June%2015,%202011.EML/1_text.htm#toc11> For a Final
_________
ARES® Digest
June 6, 2011 -- SATERN Thanks Amateurs for Responding to Call for
Assistance,
<http://www.arrl.org/news/satern-thanks-amateurs-for-responding-to-call-for-
assistance-all-slots-filled> All Slots Filled
June 2, 2011 -- Central Massachusetts Experiences Rare Tornado, Area Hams
<http://www.arrl.org/news/central-massachusetts-experiences-rare-tornado-are
a-hams-hasten-to-help> Hasten to Help
May 31, 2011 -- ARES®Stands Down After Joplin Storms, CERT Volunteers Needed
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-stands-down-after-joplin-storms-cert-voluntee
rs-needed>
May 25, 2011 -- Radio Amateurs Assist American Red Cross, Served Agencies
<http://www.arrl.org/news/radio-amateurs-assist-american-red-cross-served-ag
encies-during-joplin-storm> During Joplin Storm
May 23, 2011 -- ARRL to Testify on Interoperable Public Safety Network
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-to-testify-on-interoperable-public-safety-net
work>
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=ae&t=i&i=2011-06-15&p=0> Ad
ARES® a Hit at ARRL National Convention in Texas
The ARES® Forum and ARES® booth were popular areas at the 2011
<http://www.arrl.org/2011-arrl-national-convention> ARRL National
Convention at Ham-Com in Plano, Texas, this past weekend. ARRL Emergency
Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC conducted the standing room only
ARES® forum. Corey gave the same program that he presented in Dayton and
received another enthusiastic, positive response from the audience. Topcis
covered during the ARES® forum included: training, creating a positive
public image, actions we can take to improve ARES®, and dispelling some
emcomm myths. Several good questions and comments came from the Texas crowd.
ARRL Southeastern Division Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, reported enjoying
talking to many emcomm-oriented convention-goers from Texas and the entire
region at the League's National Convention ARES® booth. Many hams were
interested in the ARES® response and incorporation of D-STAR in the April
Alabama tornado outbreak. Sarratt said "the Texas hams have a fine ARES®
program, and I enjoyed their hospitality and greatly appreciate their well
wishes for the Alabama Tornado victims."
WD4R: National Hurricane Center's Annual Station Test a Success
The crew at WX4NHC performed its annual National Hurricane Center Hurricane
Season Station Test on June 4. This is our 31st year of volunteer public
service at the center. The station radio equipment and antennas were tested
on multiple frequencies and fine tuned for what may become a busy season by
some predictions.
We made more than one hundred contacts on HF around the USA, Canada, with
several Caribbean countries, and even as far as England. We also tested
several of our local repeaters on VHF/UHF.
The VoIP Hurricane Net conducted a net for two hours on EchoLink/IRLP
<http://www3.arrl.org/nl/ae/image/KJ4YDX-WB4L-WX2L-WD4R_at_WX4NHC%281%29.jpg
> L to r, Julio Ripoll, WD4R; Susan Blank, WX2L; Alan Wolfe, WB4L; and Mike
Kelley, KJ4YDX, at WX4NHC station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami,
Florida (photo courtesy WD4R)
using a similar format used during our hurricane activation as a practice
test, which resulted in several dozen contacts. The WX4NHC operators for
this test were: AF4VJ, K4AG, K4PAA, KJ4YDX, WB4L, WD4R and WX2L.
We welcomed a new WX4NHC operator, Mike Kelley, KJ4YDX, who recently
upgraded to General. Kelley is the Vice Chairman for the University of Miami
School of Medicine and was Chief Operating Officer for the UM/Medishare
Haiti Mission Command Center and Field Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in
the aftermath of the earthquake.
We extend our thanks to all who listened for us and made contacts. Your
contacts helped us confirm our equipment and antennas' performance and
helped us practice our operating skills at NHC. We hope we can count on your
support during the next hurricane on the Hurricane Watch Net 14.325 MHz or
the EchoLink Conference WX_Talk (node 7203) or IRLP (node 9219).For more
information: www.wx4nhc.org <http://www.wx4nhc.org/> -- Julio Ripoll, WD4R,
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Assistant Coordinator (Celebrating 31 years at the
National <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/> Hurricane Center)
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=ae&t=i&i=2011-06-15&p=1> Ad
ECAC Drafting MDEC Specs
In January, 2007, a landmark report with recommendations was tendered with
the ARRL Board of Directors at their Annual Meeting. The document was the
culmination of the hard work and deliberation of the ARRL National Emergency
Response Planning Committee, a special select group chaired by then-Vice
President and current ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. One of the key
concepts proposed by the committee was the Major Disaster Emergency
Coordinator (MDEC) appointment. The idea was to have a manager who would
coordinate Amateur Radio operations, operators and resources supporting
served agencies during a major disaster relief operation when section and
regional ARES® assets are overwhelmed similar to operations performed in the
Hurricane Katrina response. The MDEC's line of authority would be derived
from the ARRL's disaster response emergency manager at HQ and would parallel
the affected area's Section Managers. The MDEC position was envisioned to be
a continuous appointment but would only be active when called upon by the HQ
manager.
The recommendation was to have the MDEC be responsible for the
"establishment of an as needed emergency communications structure - the
Disaster Field Team - designed to fulfill served agency requests and/or
augment the existing Field Services structure established by the Section
Manager." The Disaster Field Team (DFT) would be assembled from the ARRL
national ARES® database. The purpose of the DFT would be to provide support
for the infrastructure of relief organizations that bring resources into the
disaster zone and cannot be served by the local Field Organization. The MDEC
function has been tested in exercises with served agencies and ARES with
success.
The ARRL Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC) is currently
drafting appointment protocols and requirements. As presently conceived by
the committee, there will be several MDECs geographically arranged by ARRL
Division. The geography, and hence the actual MDEC headcount, is being
determined at this time.
The ECAC was established at the January, 2010 Board meeting. Each of the 15
ARRL Divisions has a representative on the ECAC. There is also a
representative from Radio Amateurs Canada, a Board of Directors liaison, and
a HQ staff liaison. Committee members are exceptionally qualified and
recognized members of the emergency communications community. The committee
will report its recommendations and draft appointment guidelines to the
Programs and Services Committee.
Members include: Jim Cross, WI3N (Atlantic Division); Bill Niemuth, KB9ENO
(Central Division); Jim Zahradnicek, KDØS (Dakota Division); Jim Coleman,
AI5B (Delta Division); Chairman Dale Williams, WA8EFK (Great Lakes
Division); Jim Mezey, W2KFV (Hudson Division); Reynolds Davis, KØGND
(Midwest Division); Dave Colter, WA1ZCN (New England Division); Gordon
Grove, WA7LNC (Northwestern Division); James R Latham, AF6AQ (Pacific
Division); Charlie Miller, AE4UX (Roanoke Division); Jeff Ryan, KØRM (Rocky
Mountain) ; Rick Palm, K1CE (Southeastern Division); Grant Hays, WB6OTS
(Southwestern Division); Glen Reid, K5FX (West Gulf Division); and Doug
Mercer, VO1DTM (Radio Amateurs of Canada). Board Liaison is Mickey Cox,
K5MC. And Staff Liaison is Mike Corey, W5MPC.
Tip: The Fixer
Something that every ARES® team needs is a "fixer" - a skilled tech equipped
not so much with radios, but with test equipment and supplies of tools,
wire, connectors, and repair materials. The team "fixer" is a person who can
fix or jury-rig just about anything and who can improvise as needed to keep
things running. With a majority of team members focused on communications
and organization, this function needs attention during planning and training
for response and deployment. It's a great path for mentoring hams from
non-technical backgrounds so they are better prepared to maintain
operational status under field conditions. In addition, this function is a
natural for hams from a "do it yourself" (DIY) background - a prime source
of recruitment to Amateur Radio. -- Ward Silver, N0AX
<http://www.qrz.com/db/n0ax> , ARRL QST Contributing Editor
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=ae&t=i&i=2011-06-15&p=2> Ad
Q&A: ARES® Versus RACES
Q: I would enjoy reading an article about the similarities and differences
between the ARES® groups and the RACES groups. I am part of an ARES® group,
but I really don't know why ARRL has two organizations that seem to be doing
the same thing. -- Mike Sallee, KC9FWL, Bloomington, Illinois
A: After World War II, it became evident that the international situation
was destined to be tense and the need for some civil-defense measures became
apparent. Successive government agencies designated to head up such a
program called on amateur representatives to participate.
In the discussions that followed, amateurs were interested in getting two
points across: First, that Amateur Radio had a potential for and capability
of playing a major role in this program; and second, that our participation
should be in our own name, as an Amateur Radio Service, even if and after
war should break out. These principles were included into the planning by
the formulation of regulations creating a new branch of the amateur service,
the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, RACES.
RACES is administered by local, county and state emergency management
agencies, and supported by FEMA. It is a part of the Amateur Radio Service
that provides radio communications for civil-preparedness purposes only,
during periods of local, regional or national civil emergencies. These
emergencies are not limited to war-related activities, but can include
natural disasters such as fires, floods and earthquakes.
RACES operation is authorized by emergency management officials only, and
this operation is strictly limited to official civil-preparedness activity
in the event of an emergency communications situation.
Operating Procedure
Amateurs operating in a local RACES organization must be officially enrolled
in the local civil-preparedness agency having jurisdiction. RACES operation
is conducted by amateurs using their own primary station licenses and by
existing RACES stations.
The FCC no longer issues new RACES (WC prefix) station call signs. Operator
privileges in RACES are dependent upon, and identical to, those for the
class of license held in the Amateur Radio Service. All of the authorized
frequencies and emissions allocated to the Amateur Radio Service are also
available to RACES on a shared basis.
While RACES was originally based on potential use for wartime, it has
evolved over the years, as has the meaning of civil defense (which is also
called civil preparedness), to encompass all types of emergencies.
While operating in a RACES capacity, RACES stations and amateurs registered
in the local RACES organization may not communicate with amateurs not
operating in a RACES capacity. Such restrictions do not apply when such
stations are operating in a non-RACES--such as ARES®--amateur capacity. Only
civil-preparedness communications can be transmitted.
Test and drills are permitted only for a maximum of one hour per week. All
test and drill messages must be clearly so identified. With the approval of
the chief officer for emergency planning and applicable state, Commonwealth,
district or territory, however, such tests and drills may be conducted for a
period not to exceed 72 hours no more than twice in any calendar year.
ARES® and RACES
Although RACES and ARES® are separate entities, the ARRL advocates dual
membership and cooperative efforts between both groups whenever possible for
an ARES® group whose members are all enrolled in and certified by RACES to
operate in an emergency with great flexibility. Using the same operators and
the same frequencies, an ARES® group also enrolled as RACES can "switch
hats" from ARES® to RACES and RACES to ARES® to meet the requirements of the
situation as it develops. For example, during a "nondeclared emergency,"
ARES® can operate under ARES®, but when an emergency or disaster is
officially declared by a state or federal authority, the operation can
become RACES with no change in personnel or frequencies.
This situation is still not well understood and accepted throughout the
United States; both ARES® and RACES still exist, separately, in many areas.
Where there is currently no RACES, it would be a simple matter for an ARES®
group to enroll in that capacity, after a presentation to the
civil-preparedness authorities. In cases where both ARES® and RACES exist,
it is possible to join both or to be involved in either. As time progresses,
the goal would be the merger into one strong organization, with coordination
between ARES® and RACES officials using the same groups of amateurs. In some
sections of the U.S. today, the ARES® structure has also been accepted as
the RACES structure.
FEMA Administrator: Amateur Radio "The Last Line of Defense"
In an FCC forum <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzx-kvo1i_Y> on earthquake
communications preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA
<http://www.fema.gov/> ) Administrator Craig Fugate described the Amateur
Radio operator as "the ultimate backup, the originators of what we call
social media." The forum-- held May 3 at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC
-- brought together officials from the White House, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS <http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm> ), the United States
Geological Survey (USGS <http://www.usgs.gov/> ), FEMA, the FCC and the
private sector. Fugate and FCC Bureau of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Chief Jamie Barnett gave the opening remarks.
Later in the forum, Fugate spoke more on Amateur Radio. "During the initial
communications out of Haiti, volunteers using assigned frequencies that they
are allocated, their own equipment, their own money, nobody pays them, were
the first ones oftentimes getting word out in the critical first hours and
first days as the rest of the systems came back up," he told the forum. "I
think that there is a tendency because we have done so much to build
infrastructure and resiliency in all our other systems, we have tended to
dismiss that role 'When Everything Else Fails.' Amateur Radio oftentimes is
our last line of defense."
Fugate said that he thinks "we get so sophisticated and we have gotten so
used to the reliability and resilience in our wireless and wired and our
broadcast industry and all of our public safety communications, that we can
never fathom that they'll fail. They do. They have. They will. I think a
strong Amateur Radio community [needs to be] plugged into these plans. Yes,
most of the time they're going to be bored, because a lot of the time,
there's not a lot they're going to be doing that other people aren't doing
with Twitter and Facebook and everything else. But when you need Amateur
Radio, you really need them."
Readers can watch a video of <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzx-kvo1i_Y>
the forum on YouTube. Fugate's remarks begin at 18:55.
Letters
Here are three ideas for future editions of the ARES® E-Letter. First, with
more than 35 years in AREC and ARES® communications, a question was posed at
an ARES®/RACES meeting this past Monday evening which I could not answer.
Basically, has anyone assembled a profile on the quantities of messaging
traffic typically experienced during various types of emergency ARES® and
RACES activations? Those posing this question are not looking for an answer
based on bands and modes of operation, but more along the lines of rough
percentages of tactical voice communications vs. written traffic support by
type of emergency. Uncovering this data from other areas would help improve
resource planning and training in this Section, and I presume other
recipients of the ARES® E-Letter across the country as well.
The second topic I would like to suggest is sharing of District-level and
Section-level written plans that outline mutual aid agreements for sharing
of re-deployable ARES® resources among counties, districts, and sections.
And thirdly, last month's ARES® E-Letter mentions the subject of
"self-deployment" by amateurs, most of who are untrained in ARES®
methodologies and could be more of a hindrance than a help to emergency
work. It would be interesting to hear how other areas of the country have
planned for and dealt with this highly anticipated situation. In my local
area, for example, the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency has made
plans for establishing gathering points throughout their service area where
spontaneous responders, including medical personnel, can assemble following
a major emergency event. The local ARES®/RACES group has plans in place to
"collect" Amateur Radio volunteers at these same points, do a quick
interview of their experience and capabilities, and deploy them alongside
trained ARES® members as needed. I hope these suggestions are topic ideas
you can use. -- Steve Aberle, WA7PTM, ARRL Official Emergency Station (OES),
Western Washington Section
NVOAD Conference Brings Together 30 Disaster Groups
On May 24 through May 26 all roads led to the heart of the country for the
19th Annual NVOAD Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City,
Missouri. The mission and purpose of NVOAD <http://www.nvoad.org/>
(National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is to provide a forum
where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster
cycle -- preparation, response and recovery -- to help disaster survivors
and their communities. The conference was well attended, with 550 people
checking in. ARRL is a national member of NVOAD.
A number of forums gave participants the opportunity to hear firsthand from
the other organizations about their roles in aiding with disaster recovery.
Over 30 organizations had booths displaying the various services they
provide, ranging from small portable water purification units, clothing
items made from plastic bottles and even shrink-wrapped diaper packets!
The importance of such a forum was punctuated by the devastating tornado in
Joplin just before the conference began. In addition, during the first full
day of the conference several tornadoes were sighted nearby and were
reported to be heading toward the downtown area. Appropriate precautions
were taken and attendees were directed to suitable shelter. Fortunately, no
damage occurred.
The Service Project during the conference was greatly enlarged this year
with the beginning of construction of a house for a local family. Another
hands-on project <http://numanainc.com/index.php/faq/> in which my wife and
I participated during the event included packaging food kits to be sent to
Louisiana in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.
Jim Andera, KØNK, from Gardner, Kansas gave an excellent presentation on
"Amateur Radio in Emergencies and Disaster Relief Efforts." He first
provided background on Amateur Radio and the different modes that amateurs
use. He went on to describe the communication capabilities amateurs can
provide in disaster communications. After the session, a number of people
wanted to know more about Amateur Radio and its public service aspects.
Andera left the convention to lend a hand in Joplin.
The 2012 National VOAD Convention will be held in Virginia. --Chuck Skolaut,
K0BOG, ARRL HQ
K1CE For a Final
One of things missing from many tornado reports is discussion of the
insidious psychological traumas that are inflicted upon survivors that
linger forever after the media trucks and emergency management vehicles have
rolled out of town. A good friend of mine, Dan Woll, wrote of his personal
experience in a gripping account published in the Cap Times, Wisconsin, a
few days ago. It helps us as responders to have a deeper empathy for what
the survivors are going through, and what they will go through for the rest
of their lives, Click here
<http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_fb1f9c80-9140-11e0-84c2-001cc
4c002e0.html> for a must-read.
_______
I'd like to thank Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, for asking me to serve on the
League's Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC) as Southeastern
Division rep. The committee was authorized and constituted by the Board of
Directors last year. There are a number of qualified panelists on the
committee and I am looking forward to working with them. A report on current
ECAC work is included above, in this issue. See you next month! 73, Rick
Palm, K1CE <http://www.qrz.com/db/k1ce>
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_____
The ARES E-Letter is published on the third Wednesday of each month. ARRL
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Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved
<http://www.arrl.org/> www.arrl.org
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