[KYHAM] KEN Training for Jan. 28: The KERR and ARES Actrivation Issues

[Ron Dodson]

The new 2002 revision of the Ky Emergency Response
Reference was released one week ago and can be found in
.pdf format at http://www.qsl.net/kd4pwl/library.html

This document details our operations within Kentucky
and should be studied in its entirety.  The next couple
of weeks, I want to brief you on a few important
aspects of this document.
---------------------------------------

I am often asked at meetings and programs, "HOW IS ARES
ACTIVATED IN AN EMERGENCY?"

Regionally or Locally, ARES can activate from a number
of means...

A KyEM Area Manager may activate his Area ARES 
during events such as floods, etc. at his/her
discretion by contacting the DEC or EC's of the
counties involved.

A National Weather Service Office may request ARES
activate to perform SkyWarn operations is a changing
weather situation.

A county EM Director or County Judge Executive or Mayor
may ask
his local amateurs to activate by calling either the EC
for the county/community or an AEC.

Local ARC or other VOAD groups may request that you
activate in support of their operations.

Local ARES may self activate in a STAND BY type mode on
their own initiative.

KERR Page 22, Section 4.4 states...
Should there be a request from the Division of
Emergency Management or the State Telecommunications
Officer to activate the ARES on a State-Wide basis, the
following plan will be used. From 2100Z to 1400Z on
3888kHz or from 1400Z to 2100Z on 7228kHz (+ or- ) a
call will be put out on 3960kHz to all ARES and
Kentucky Section members to stand by on frequency for
[EMERGENCY] or [PRIORITY] information from the [State
EOC] or [REQUESTING AGENCY]. The net control station
will proceed to call the Kentucky Emergency Net into
formal session with an explanation for the activation. 
(Should a slight shift in frequency need to be
performed, NCS's are asked to be mindful of the fact
that the General class subband ENDS at 7.225 MHz.!!! 
Try not to exclude our General class op's by going
downward in frequency.)

***Also, Lest anyone think that KyEM is the ONLY agency
who can use KEN, I remind everyone that KyEM is our
PRIMARY served agency.  HOWEVER, should the net not be
currently activated and a request from NWS, Ky American
Red Cross officials or and other recognized VOAD state
level authority be received, KEN can activate and help
serve those agencies needs as well.***

KERR Page 36, APPENDIX H has the KENTUCKY EMERGENCY NET
"ACTIVATION" PREAMBLE 
	
CQ CQ the Kentucky Emergency Net. CQ CQ the Kentucky
Emergency Net.  This net is activated at the request of
______ (KyEM, ARC, NWS, etc) due to ________ (Explain
quickly the situation)  This is _______ your Net
Control Station (location is optional depending on the
situation). 
 
Do we have any stations at Emergency Management offices
or EOC's across Kentucky??? Call now.  (Any amateurs
operating from City/County or the state EOC should call
in at this time.)

We will now call the role of the Kentucky Section by
Districts for all other stations. (Roll call will be
from District 1 thru 14.  Amateurs at their home
stations or operating mobile, should
check in here.)

Are there any "out of state" stations on frequency?
Call now. (Liaisons from other states are always
welcome)

The Net Control Station will immediately appoint an
Alternate Net Control station who, depending on the
situation, may remain on frequency in that capacity or
may be directed to establish a Resource net on an
alternate frequency.

At this time, general or specific instructions will
then be given to those stations on frequency. The Net
Control Station will then turn the net over to the
Alternate Net Control and will report back to the
activating official or authority the number of amateurs
responding and their locations. At this time the Net
Control Station will gather specific instructions from
the activating official or authority for the amateurs
available.

It is impossible to predict when, where or how the ARES
may be utilized on a State-Wide basis. However, there
must be some conventional method available to activate
the Section should the need arise. That being the case
and the fact there is no way to write all inclusive
instructions, some basic form for activation must be
established. Regardless of the situation you should be
able to work with the above information and expand or
compress it as needed.

It is mandatory that an Alternate Net Control be
appointed when there is a State-Wide activation. By the
time the Net Control Station has called Districts 1
through 14 and turned the net over to the Alternate,
there should be enough people on frequency to assist
the with relays and establishment of an alternate net
frequency if necessary. 

The Net Control Station will be the first individual
who is contacted by the requesting official or agency. 
While not specifically spelled out here, It is good
practice that ANY AMATEUR (General Class or above) may
activate the Ky Emergency Net IN A STAND BY MODE if the
need arises and should advise the SEC as soon as
possible that this has occurred.  

Plans are wonderful, but, there is no substitute for
GOOD JUDGMENT!