[NvHam] Nevada ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

[Dick Flanagan K7VC]

title: ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

1. Section: Nevada (NV)

2. Month: February

3. Year: 2008

4. Total ARES members: 365 Reported

5. Changes since last month: +8

6. Number of active nets: 12

7. Total Sessions: 35

8A. Number of ECs/DECs reporting this month: 3 Dec's/10 EC's

9A. Number of nets, drills, tests & training sessions: 64

9B. Number of volunteer hours: 577

10A. Number of public service events this month: 0

10B. Number of volunteer hours: 0

11A. Number of emergency operations this month: 2

11B. Number of volunteer hours: 15

12A. Total number of ARES/RACES events this month: 30

12B. Total volunteer hours: 415

Northwest District I DEC: Reported

Carson City: Reported

Churchill County: Reported

Douglas County: Reported

Humboldt County: Reported

Lyon County: Not Reported

Mineral County: No EC

Pershing County: No EC

Storey County: Not Reported

Washoe County: Reported

Northeast District II DEC: Reported

Elko County: Reported

Eureka County: No EC

Lander County: No EC

White Pine County: No EC

Southern District III DEC: Reported

Clark County: Reported

Esmeralda County: Not Reported

Lincoln County: Reported

North Nye County: Reported

South Nye County: Reported

SEC's GENERAL REPORT (February 2008) After so much going on in
January, it seems things have been very quite in February. Lots of
planning going on though for upcoming events later in the year. Many
are already doing planning for Field Day in June, and there are
several major exercises hosted by served agencies planned for both
June and October (at least those are the ones I know of thus far).
Stay in touch with your DECs and ECs for details coming soon.

Online registration and link for booking rooms at Circus Circus are
now live on the EMCOMMWEST web site at www.emcommwest.org. Updates are
coming to the site often as things come together for this year's
event.

As I now work with the national PR committee for the ARRL, and have
just had the honor of being tasked with producing a new 30 second
humorous style national radio PSA. It is now available for download in
the PR section from the League web site. This was a load of fun to say
the least. Also, stay tuned for some other exciting promotional plans
coming out soon to help promote amateur radio in general, and of
course the emergency comms side of things as well. This will be a
topic I personally will present at EMCOMMWEST in May. 73 Don Carlson,
KQ6FM SEC.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern: - Southern
NV District EC Report - February 2008: February was a month of
re-organization of leadership. Dave KE7LC, EC for Northern Nye County
was recommended for the position of Southern NV Assistant DEC,
replacing Bruce KY7B. Dave will oversee the ARES programs of Nye and
Esmeralda Counties and provide any needed coordination support within
the region. Randy KB7TRI was recommended as Northern Nye County EC to
replace Dave's former position. The League acknowledged the
appointment requests sent in by NV SM, Dick K7VC.

I'll be attending EMCOMMWEST again this year.

South Nye Co. EC Report by Jerry KC6ILH - Slow month, only thing
happening is the cold and wind. Did not get much rain out of any of
the storms. Mountains got some snow, valley only light rain and not
much. 40 MPH winds on three occasions with gusting higher. Spring
around the corner and time to think about summer fires.

Clark County EC Report by Charlie AA5QJ - Charlie AA5QJ, EC/RO and Dan
AA7I, AEC RACES attended the Local Emergency Planning Committee
meeting on Feb 20. Charlie briefed on current ARES/RACES activities.

ARES/RACES members participated in communications support for the Seed
9 Rally near Jean and Goodsprings on Feb 23. ARES/RACES members helped
man the Las Vegas Motor Speedway concession stand on Feb 29 - Mar 2.
This stand is the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club's primary fund raiser,
and LVRAC is ARES/RACES' primary source of funds.

There were 52 checkins to the GMRS Emergency Net in February.

North Nye Co. EC Report by AEC Randy KB7TRI - Acting EC organized
paperwork for ARES, filled out form. Acting EC made inquiries on local
emergency resources. Acting EC created "nevadaemergency.org" as
clearinghouse for emergency resources for Nevada and neighboring
areas. Participated in ARES Statewide nets. Acting EC was Net Control
for 1 Statewide Net.

NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: This month's activities were focused on
the earthquake activity in Wells this month. On February 21, at
approximately 6:15 AM, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit near Wells
Nevada. Initial emergency response was swift from Elko and Wendover.
Several Elko Amateur Radio Club members, Kent LeBarts, K6IN, Bill
Hance, NV7X, and Gene D'Asto, WA7BWF responded as part of their jobs
with State of Nevada agencies. Dave Hough, W7GK, EC for Elko County
took charge of the ARES response if it was requested. Red Cross
Disaster resources were immediately dispatched from Elko, and later
were supplemented by resources from Winnemucca, Salt Lake City, Boise
and Reno. The Salt lake City shelter team included amateur radio
operators who set up a makeshift HF station so they could maintain
contact with Salt lake City. There was no interruption of
communications in the area, so ARES response was not requested or
sent.

Greg Barker, K7CWL, was returning from Wendover and assisted the Salt
Lake City amateurs for approximately six hours. Red Cross Shelter and
family Services were provided for Wells residences for several days.
On Saturday, February 23, Steve Guitar, KC7YNS, patched the Elko
Amateur Radio Club's linked 2-meter repeater system to their
IRLP-capable repeater on Lamoille Summit. This node was connected to
the Western Reflector channel 7, (9257), which is routinely used for
American Red Cross Nets and relief operations. This test allowed the
amateurs in Wells to speak directly to Salt Lake City if needed. This
type of patching was done in 2006 in support of the Winnemucca
wildland fires and shows the value that Amateur Radio brings to public
safety communications working "When All Else Fails".

An after action report was filed by W7GK to the SEC, Don, KQ6FM.
Participation on the weekly ARES NV Section HF Net continues.
Propagation between Las Vegas end the northern portion of the State is
deceasing. Hopefully the daylight savings time shift will improve
conditions for a while.

NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC - Due to some
link problems, we have moved the Tuesday night 8pm Northwest District
ARES/RACES Net to the 147.180+ Virginia Peak repeater. This box has
great coverage to most of the district, and great audio to boot!
However attendance has been dropping off, so please promote the net
and let s see if we can get more people to check in. If there are
coverage problems, please don t hesitate to make that known. We may
return to the WADG linked system down the road, but not until after
the repeater link problems have been worked out and corrected.

ASEC, Dick Creley, KJ7UK and I will be visiting our newest EC, Ski,
AB6FD in Humbolt County the first weekend in April (while on our way
to visit Elko and the Northeast District). He is forming a group there
and things are progressing at a tremendous pace. Thanks Ski for the
hard work!

Churchill County: Paul Wilcoxen, KE7CRZ - Churchill County was quiet
once again in February. The Wells earthquake had Churchill County ARES
on standby for any communications assistance that may have been
necessary. As it turned out, the communications in that area
functioned well under the intense conditions caused by the event.

We had our monthly meeting at the Churchill County EOC and it was a
complete success. The Emergency Manager was in attendance and we were
able to get a lot of information out to the membership. Again I would
like to thank Otto, KV7J and Cynthia, KB7BZE for their continued
support of our group.

We are continuing training in anticipation of Vigilant Guard 2008,
scheduled for June 2008.

Carson City/Douglas County Acting EC, Dick Creley, KJ7UK - We are
working hard to train members in packet(Outpost)and have a packet
station set up at our Dispatch Center.

Easter the Jacks Valley VFD will hold their annual Egg Roll and this
time Amateurs will act as shadows and will help with landing and
launch of a Careflite helo, time of the event is Easter Sunday @1200
to 1430. Everyone is invited. 73 de KJ7UK.

Washoe County: Bob Miller, WA6MTY EC - On 02-02-08 ARES TRAINING
SESSION- Had 25 members in attendance. Andy KD7ZEV (Technical AEC)
began issuing the first 14 ARES packet computers and DVD's. I
presented preliminary information regarding planned exercises for
2008. First two exercises Broken Wing the Reno-Tahoe Airport exercise
and the plans for Vigilant Guard a community exercise with the
National Guard and 6 North West Counties.

02-04-08 Frank KE7AJO (Washoe County AEC) met with our Regional EOC
Manager Aaron Kenneston to allow ARES and the Sierra Nevada Amateur
Radio Society Field Day to be held at the REOC. This will give SNARS
additional points for operating at the EOC.

02-08-08 Bill AA7WB (Hospital AEC) and I attended the Inner Hospital
Coordinating Council Meeting where the council voted on the Goals that
they wanted to accomplish this year. ARES is included in at least
three hospital exercises and they want a presentation on digital data
communications (packet/Paclink).

02-13-08 Attended the Broken Wing planning meeting where I met with
Cheryl Curtis leading the communications at Reno Tahoe Airport during
the exercise. She is very interested in our communications support
during Broken Wing. I will be meeting with her and touring the Airport
EOC in the next week or so. Eventually I will meet with Cheryl and
Beverly Buchanan Emergency Coordinator for Reno Dispatch to develop
the ARES communications plan for the exercise.

02-21-08 Met with Cheryl Curtis, toured the Airport EOC and did a
presentation on ARES. Next reviewed Broken Propeller 2005.

02-26-08 Attended Nevada Hospital Association s Interoperability
Communications workshop here in Reno where Angela Krutzinger explained
to those that attended that she was applying for grants to purchase
equipment for hospitals to communicate with one another. In the mean
time Angela advised hospital personnel to meet with ARES leaders.

02-26-08 Bill AA7WB Hospital AEC and I met with Kevin Brun of VA
Medical Center to tour the hospital EOC and alternate hospital EOC.

02-27-08 Attended the Vigilant Guard Exercise Planning meeting for
Washoe County. I now have more details on what will transpire in
Washoe County.

Humbolt County: Ski Woytowicz, AB6FD EC - 2 meetings conducted in
coordination of LEPC efforts with ARES. IRLP repeater MOU initiated
with Nevada National Guard.

Winnemucca Members in new ARES group for Humboldt County are: Stephan
"Ski" Woytowicz - AF7NB (EC) ; Tom Bunch - WO7I; Kim Kleider - KH6QAI;
Karen Young - KH6QAJ; Linda Woytowicz - KG6JOF; Alan Clayson - KC6MCL;
Josef Woytowicz - N6COA; Ed Maynard - KE7QHM (Pershing County)

ARES mixer scheduled for 15 March 2008 at American Red Cross Office on
Traders Way in Winnemucca NV @ 1100 hours. Tom graciously offered use
of his repeater on 442.825 (PL141.3) for weekly nets. Net schedule to
be discussed at mixer.

Will be planning for field day event at WalMart (from parking lot).
AF7NB completed FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, & IS-800.B.
Future training sessions will be discussed at mixer for traffic
handling during emergencies.

14. Signature: Don Carlson, KQ6FM - SEC

15. E-mail: kq6fm at charter.net
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc at arrl.org