[LeArc] Fw: 2009 Chicago Marathon - AR Comm Operators Needed

[Jesse Risley]

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: ARRL CL Division <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
Subject: 2009 Chicago Marathon - AR Comm Operators Needed

23 SEP 2009

For the first time in its history, the Chicago Marathon
organizers are asking for Amateur Radio Communications
assistance.  This marathon usually has 25,000+ runners
and this requires a large volunteer support organization.

It has been suggested that small groups might want to 
adopt one of the 21 medical aid stations.  Area radio
clubs might want to organize a larger group effort.  

For more information, please contact the members of the Chicago
Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Team listed at the bottom of this
message.

Thanks & 73 - George R. Isely, W9GIG
              ARRL Central Division Director
              w9gig at arrl.org

======================================================
Experienced Hams Needed for Bank of America ­Chicago 
Marathon on October 11, 2009

Numerous amateur radio operators are needed to participate in an
important health and safety role. We are actively recruiting amateur
radio operators who have experience 
with public service events and emergency communications.
You must work well under pressure, and be able to multi- task in a very
public setting. Familiarity with the FEMA incident command system
(ics-100,200, 700 & 800), and Red Cross or FEMA disaster assessment
would be a plus (but not a requirement). 

We plan to operate completely self contained. You must supply your own
dual band mobile radios (35 ­ 50 watts), antenna, and electric power to
operate for 8+ hours.

The Bank of America ­ Chicago Marathon is a 26.2 mile event to be held
on October 11, 2009. The course location will 
be in downtown Chicago, with the route passing through 
some of the most exciting and vibrant neighborhoods in
the city. The start and finish lines are collocated in Grant Park. A
link to the course map can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/pw9afd 

Positions to be staffed include:

o Voice operators to staff the 21 aid & medical stations
  (3 each location, total 63),

o Net control operators to work in the secure unified
  command area(6),

o Four geographic "quads" will be designated

o Medical traffic on one net

o Runner Dropout, and Logistics traffic on another net

o Message loggers and runners will be used.

o  Liaison with WX Op's, Red Cross, served agencies and 
  all city services.

o  Weather Center Operations providing updates to Race
  Management (as needed)

o  Auxiliary voice radio operators able to "fill in" 
  where needed throughout the course (6),

o  Volunteers to staff the Amateur Radio Comm Team booth 
  at the Health & Fitness Expo at McCormick Place (12),

o  Friday, October 9th open from 9 AM to 8 PM 
  --  1st shift from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, (3)
  --  2nd shift from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM (3)

o  Saturday, October 10th open from 9 AM to 6 PM
  --  1st shift from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM (3)
  --  2nd Shift from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (3)

For more information and to sign up, please go to:
www.chicagomarathon.com/HamRadioVolunteers  and follow 
the links.

This success of this large scale public service event 
will be determined by the hard work and preparation we 
put in prior to the event. Check our gear for proper operation,
batteries charged, cables tested, and 
frequencies programmed into the radios and verified. 

We may consider this the same as a real EmComm deployment, since the
importance and scope are similar to what we have seen in a medium-scale
incident.  The race organizers are giving us a chance, setting high
expectations, and will be watching.  

And then consider this, if the City of Chicago is awarded the 2016
Olympic bid on October 2nd, all eyes worldwide
will be on the Chicago Marathon as a preview of things to come.  If
amateur radio wants a seat at the table-we have it.  Let's deliver in
the tradition of which we are so proud.

This is a chance for all local hams to put on a really 
good show to a very broad local, national and international audience. 

73's

Jerry Martin, KC9BDA  <kc9bda at earthlink.net>
Catherine Saccany, KC9IQF  <cdsaccany at aol.com>
Rob Orr, K9RST  <rob.orr at comcast.net>
Craig Dieckman, KC9HWK <craig.dieckman at dieckmangroup.com>

Bank of America - Chicago Marathon Ham Radio Comm Team

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ARRL Central Division
Director: George Isely, W9GIG
w9gig at arrl.org
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