[MarinTeams] Text Version: Dec 19 exercise participants & appropriate locations

Wed Dec 16 19:48:07 EST 2009

Here is a single page copy of the Exel file.
John Buffum, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, UCSF
Vice President, Marin County Pharmaceutical Association
________________________________________
From: marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net [marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Buffum, John [buffumj at pharmacy.ucsf.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 3:42 PM
To: sunitadutt at yahoo.com; Gary Scharlach
Cc: CERT&MMRC Members
Subject: Re: [MarinTeams] Text Version: Dec 19 exercise participants    &       appropriate locations

Sunita,
Much better!  This is all the information I've been missing in the attachments.  Much appreciated.
John
John Buffum, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, UCSF
Vice President, Marin County Pharmaceutical Association
________________________________________
From: marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net [marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sunita Dutt [sunitadutt at yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 3:01 PM
To: Gary Scharlach
Cc: CERT&MMRC Members
Subject: [MarinTeams] Text Version: Dec 19 exercise participants &      appropriate locations

ORGANIZATIONS: Marin Medical Reserve Corps. and CERT Radio
1. SITUATION
a. General
(1) This OPPLAN provides specific emergency operations guidance to be utilized by CERT Radio and MMRC members during the 19 December 2009 Marin countywide exercise in preparation of a disaster.
(2) The primary mission of this exercise is to establish a reliable and effective means of voice two-way radio communications using simplex radio techniques. Additionally, communications will use the CERT radio system, between CERT Radio members in the field with MMRC members and their HHS DOC at 899 Northgate Drive in San Rafael, as well as the Army M.A.R.S. station at the Hamilton Wireless Association. The function of CERT Radio communications is to handle disaster traffic in support of local neighborhood level disaster relief response, including emergency communications and traffic in support of and with members of the Marin Medial Reserve Corps, and the Army Military Affiliate Radio System. Volunteers of Southern Marin Fire Protection District CERT, Marin County RACES/ACS and West Marin Disaster Council are invited to participate.
(3) The CERT Radio disaster communications exercise will be initiated as part of a regular communications practice. This exercise is conducted with coordination through the Marin Medical Reserve Corps Department of Operations (DOC) from the County of Marin Health and Human Services Department on 19 December 2009 @ ≈ 1000 hours and/or the Army M.A.R.S. station at Building 549, Hamilton Field, Novato.
a. Associations and/or information sources:
(1) Marin Medical Reserve Corps Members, amateur radio licensees
(2) Army M.A.R.S.
(3) CERT Radio Members
The following organizations may also participate
(4) Marin County RACES volunteers
(5) Southern Marin Fire Protection District CERT volunteers
(6) West Marin Disaster Council volunteers
b. Assumptions:
(1) Disaster officials within the boundaries of a community will manage most emergency situations. The County Office of Emergency Services will manage situations involving more than one community or unincorporated areas. The County Department of Health and Human Services will manage medical response in conjunction with the Army M.A.R.S. depending on whether a Mas-Cal (mass casualty) situation exists.
(2) The disaster could disable or cause local communications to be overloaded, exceeding the local agencies resources, thus necessitating local disaster communications support. This exercise will back-up communications resources, specifically voice communications using amateur radio and the Army (or Navy) M.A.R.S.
(3) Elements of this exercise will illustrate the need for trained CERT volunteers to provide limited first responder support within their neighborhoods; response is specified according to local CERT programs sponsored by fire departments and local Offices of Emergency Services.
(4) Local community residents may be tasked as trained MMRC volunteers to provide communications and medical response in support of community medical assistance. The Department of Health and Human Services Disaster Operations Center (DOC) specify response.
 (5) CERT Radio’s initial involvement will be in preparing and submitting EEI (Essential Elements of Information) reports to the DOC and providing local information to residents in the absence of other communications resources. Normal CERT Radio traffic networks, especially those within the disaster exercise area, will immediately transition into emergency net operations and remain such during the exercise; they will revert to normal operations when customary com¬munications are restored or they are otherwise directed.
(a) Local amateur radio repeaters provide 24-hour access to CERT Radio members; they also provide a means to coordinate support for CERT Radio disaster operations.
(b) CERT Radio members as licensed amateur radio operators will have equipped themselves with the necessary communications equipment to establish and sustain intra- and inter-neighborhood communications.
(c) EEI reporting during this exercise will primarily be directed to the Department of Health and Human Services Disaster Operations Center (DOC).
(d) EEI reporting of major traffic disruption or other information of national interest will be directed to the Army (or Navy) M.A.R.S.
2. MISSION: CERT Radio members will operate and maintain disaster communications systems in support of disaster relief officials.
3. EXECUTION
a.  Objectives:
(1) Exercise local alert and self-activation procedures.
(2) Implement a radio network and EEI reporting capacity between specified locations, the DOC, and the Army (or Navy) M.A.R.S.
(3) Simulate contact with local disaster relief officials, including simulating delivering messages to specified locations as required.
(4) Conduct frequency and propagation checks on local frequencies.
(5) Provide relay support to stations using simplex links and temporary cross band repeater installations as needed to support handheld transceiver operation, independent of established repeater support.
(6) Demonstrate the ability to provide a reliable message center environment within a neigh¬borhood.
(7) Exercise traffic passing with emergency responders using conventional VHF voice modes and established procedures.
(8) Simulate the establishment of a back-up, localized multi-agency voice network if requested at the local level.
(9) Provide VHF network technical assistance to the CERT Radio network and MMRC amateur radio licensees as necessary.
(10) Exercise inter-agency communications.
b. Locations:
(1) Health & Human Services
Disaster Operations Center (DOC)
899 Northgate Drive, Suite 104
San Rafael, CA  94903
Brian Waterbury
Telephone: 415 473-6756
Cellular: 720-3466
(2) Hamilton Wireless Association (Army & Navy M.A.R.S. stations)
Building 549, Hamilton Field
Novato, CA 94947
William B. Smith
Phone: 883-8135
(3) Field Locations as needed to establish simplex radio links to demonstrate communications relay over varying geographical terrain.
c. Operation Concept:
(1) General. In the event of an emergency or disaster, CERT Radio members will formulate EEI reports and information reports based upon observation of local conditions, identifying effects from various event-driven weather, geological and other events. Formulation of these reports by local CERT Radio members will cause the initiation of alert notifications and activation of nets. The drill will commence at 10:00AM October 15, 2009, the beginning of the drill.
(2) CERT Radio or other staff will also notify supervision staff of CERT Radio of the overall situation and invite them to activate their nets. CERT Radio stations in the region where the emergency situation is pending or occurring will transition from normal into emergency communications net activity. CERT Radio will employ all communication resources available in the conduct of operations including radio, wire based communication assets, and assets belonging to other services than CERT Radio. CERT Radio members may utilize the assets of federal, state, local and other disaster support agencies based upon prior arrangements with the agency.
(3) The end state of an emergency response occurs according to the operational plan formulated for each identified incident. Emergency net operations will terminate ≈ 1100 hours or completion of this exercise.
(4) Implementation:
(a) Volunteers will periodically announce the activities are part of an exercise and not an actual event; they will also periodically identify themselves with their individual callsigns in FCC compliance, as well as location tactical callsigns.
d. Operation Phases:
CERT Radio disaster operations remain essentially the same during each phase in this exercise, with the possible exception of staffing requirements. Additional or multiple CERT Radio emergency operations may occur during any of the following disaster response phases:
(1) Preparation Phase. This exercise is limited to preparing communications links and demon¬strating communications between specified locations—communicators will be stationed at locations before the onset of the exercise.
(a) Exercise Support Agency Liaison. Coordination efforts with local support agencies and groups will be initiated at the local level to satisfy requirements not specifically addressed in the exercise.
(b) Frequency and Propagation Checks. Support station coordination begins at the local level, with propagation and frequency checks. Stations not able to make contact can request assistance using pre-established relay frequencies and communication techniques familiar to CERT Radio trained communicators. Cross-band repeater resources may be deployed to enhance communications in areas not normally served by established repeaters.
(c) Reports. The Disaster Operations Center (DOC) will initiate net activation reports within one hour of net activation. Spot reports from CERT Radio membership will be initiated and forwarded outlining any changes to disaster conditions or potential problems that require resolution.
(2) Response Phase. Disaster operations will scale according to the procedures detailed in the script outline.
(a) EEI Reporting. EEI reporting will continue uninterrupted throughout disaster operations. During this operation phase, EEI reporting will focus on damage assessment and responses to requests for information or support from supported agencies.
(b) Emergency Nets. Emergency net operations will be established as required, utilizing frequency allocations based on CERT Radio procedures and using standard procedures for identifying and selecting vacant frequencies in accordance with established Amateur Radio practices of non-interference
(c) Traffic. Message formatting will follow CERT Radio procedures. Messages received for relay with incomplete or incorrect header formatting will be corrected or encapsulated in a correctly formatted header and relayed. Messages with inadequate addresses will be reviewed to avoid the impression on the part of the originator that a message with an inadequate address can be delivered.
(d) Reports. The NCS (Net Control Station) and CERT Radio members will document events and prepare reports. Radio message traffic will be cataloged by the header date-time stamp and originator's callsign.
(5) Recovery Phase. Restoration of basic services and support infrastructure:
(a) EEI Reporting. During this operation phase, EEI reporting will focus on recovery actions that are being taken to resume normal activities within a local area.
(b) Emergency Nets. During this phase, emergency nets will be deactivated as part of the completion of the exercise.
(c) Reports. Local deactivation reports and event summaries will be prepared for after-incident review as requested by MMRC. At the conclusion of emergency operations, each NCS will submit the final deactivation and initial after action reports. All CERT Radio participants will prepare and submit an after action report to the local MRC coordinator detailing events, their participation, and observations as outlined in CERT Radio.
Responsibilities:
(1) Office of Chief, CERT Radio will:
(a) Assist in the adjustment of disaster communications operations as requested to provide the required emergency communications support.
(b) Coordinate with other service CERT Radio managers in defining emergency communica¬tions operations support requirements, and adjusting net frequency assignments.
(c) Prepare and submit a consolidated Daily Summary report based upon information received from the CERT Radio membership that reflects experience in the drill. The summary report covers a 24-hour period ending at 2400 Zulu.
(d) Prepare and submit an After Action Report to the appropriate operations activity detailing area emergency operations at the end of those operations.
(2) Station operators or their designated representatives will:
(a) Activate and/or participate in the emergency net.
(b) Issue Alert Notification messages as needed, detailing immediate or imminent emergency communication support requirements by using a prescribed script.
(c) Ensure required reports outlined in CERT Radio training procedures are prepared and submitted.
(d) Be prepared to liaison with local disaster support agency officials.
(e) Request additional support required from the Area Coordinator. This support can include an area-wide alert notification or other specific assistance.
(3) CERT Radio shall:
(a) Forward information provided by CERT RADIO stations to the appropriate participants.
(b) Prepare and deliver required briefings and reports.
(c) Provide technical assistance to other participants as required.
(4) Coordination Instructions.
(b) Member stations as members of the directed net, will report status in accordance with reporting requirements directed by the script.
(c) Communications assessment should be an on-going coordinated effort within the exercise area. This assessment will determine when alternate communications links may be needed and/or the requirement for emergency communication support no longer exists.
4. SERVICE SUPPORT
a. Material and Services. Deployment of CERT RADIO members and their equipment is not authorized, except as specifically provided for and authorized by an approved MOU.  Participation in the drill is on a voluntary basis.
b. Personnel:
(1) Safety of CERT RADIO members is a primary consideration and requirement in all CERT RADIO operations at home stations or during any voluntary deployment.
(2) CERT RADIO members operate as volunteers and will attend to their own support requirements during CERT RADIO operations. CERT volunteers prepare themselves to carry sufficient safety equipment (hardhats, gloves, and safety glasses) to insure personnel safety.  Any support provided by a local agency will be as approved in the MOU between local jurisdictions and the supported agency.
5. COMMAND & SIGNAL
a. Command:
(1) Local jurisdictions and Department of Health and Human Services
(2) Chain of Command:
(a) Chief, CERT Radio
(b) Area Coordinators
(d) Designated staff
b. Signal
(1) References used will be the September 12, 2009 West Marin Script, CERT Radio Operations Guide, and relevant Area Emergency OPLANs.
(2) Frequencies
(a) Primary Simplex frequency: (Channel 3: 145.64) Additional frequencies may be established at the time of the drill.
(b) Alternate Simplex frequencies: (Channel 1: 145.280, Channel 2: 145.360, Channel 3: 145.640)
The channel numbers used by CERT Radio refer to memory presets in the radios used by CERT Radio members. Frequencies will be will be referred to by all units with their CERT Radio channel designator.  Additional frequencies within the Amateur Radio band may be identified for use during the course of the drill.  CERT Radio members are trained to adjust their equipment to access additional frequencies as needed.
(3) Nominal Equipment
(a) Hand Held Transceiver (Yaesu FT-60R or equivalent)
(b) Mobile Amateur VHF Radio (Yaesu Model FT-8800R or equivalent) with suitable power connector to connect to the cigarette lighter of an automobile and magnetic mount car-top antenna (Comet Model M-24M or equivalent)
(c) Cross Band Repeater
(1) The CERT Radio Operations Cross-Band repeater is a self contained Emergency Communications Unit consisting of:
(a) VHF/UHF transceiver equipped for cross-band operation (Yaesu Model 8800 or equivalent) with suitable power connector to connect to the cigarette lighter of an automobile.
(b) External antenna (Comet Model GP-3 or equivalent)
(c) Antenna tripod (Buddipole Tripod or equivalent)
(d) 12-volt storage battery (Automoble deep-cycle battery 100AH, sealed)
(4) Proposed Signal Paths:
(a) All locations are within Marin County, California and are selected to demonstrate simplex relay capability between areas at geographic extremes of the county and which are otherwise unreachable using VHF simplex communications methods.
(1) Station in Tiburon and/or Sausalito as one end point.
(2) Relay station or cross-band repeater in Mill Valley to receive Tiburon and relay to Corte Madera, San Rafael and/or Novato. The Mill Valley mobile station could be located on Highway 1 or Panoramic Highway, as long as they can receive Tiburon and transmit to stations north.
(3) Optional relay stations as available in Corte Madera, San Rafael. These are way-points that are not critical, but may wish to participate in the relay.
(4) Relay station in Novato, perhaps at the Hamilton Wireless Association site. The station would receive signals from Mill Valley, Corte Madera, or San Rafael and relay to Bolinas.
(5) Relay station in Bolinas. The station would receive signals from Novato and relay to either Point Reyes Station, or a mobile station on the Tomales-Petaluma road.
(6) Optionally, RACES or West Marin may be interested in manning the Point Reyes Station firehouse.
(7) Relay station on the Tomales-Petaluma road. The mobile station would receive signals from Bolinas or Point Reyes Station and relay them to Walker Creek Ranch.
(8) Walker Creek Ranch as one end point.
SunitaKI6YNZ)))  ~ ~ ~

--- On Wed, 12/16/09, Gary Scharlach <gscharlach at apdw.com> wrote:

> From: Gary Scharlach <gscharlach at apdw.com>
> Subject: RE: [MarinTeams] Dec 19 exercise participants & appropriatelocations
> To: sunitadutt at yahoo.com
> Cc: "Bill Smith" <hbco2 at sbcglobal.net>
> Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 12:05 PM
> Sunita,
>
> Thank you for all you work on this. I am looking forward to
> Saturday. I
> just wanted to inform you that I have not been receiving
> any attachments
> from your server. Can you please send it directly to me?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary Scharlach
> KI6UKB
>
> gscharlach at apdw.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:marinteams-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Sunita Dutt
> Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 7:12 PM
> To: CERT&MMRC Members
> Subject: Re: [MarinTeams] Dec 19 exercise participants
> &
> appropriatelocations
>
> Resending in word format. Apologies for the previous one
> not working.
> Sunita
> KI6YNZ
> )))  ~ ~ ~
>
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