[OMIK] [EmComm] The importance of amateur radio for SHAKEOUT and actual incidents

[Carolyn Burleson]

When an earthquake or other major incident occurs, frequently the
infrastructure in the surrounding area is knocked out.  This creates a
so-called “doughnut hole” where people in the most-impacted area cannot
provide reports via internet or cell phones.  Because of this, USGS
partnered with Winlink to provide a way for “Did You Feel It” (DYFI)
reports to be submitted via radio.  When Winlink DYFI messages are received
by USGS, these reports are parsed automatically, and the information is
added to their database giving a near-real-time picture of the extent of
damage.  The SHAKEOUT exercise on October 19 will give USGS a good measure
of how effective the Winlink radio reporting system is.

In addition to providing information to USGS, the SHAKEOUT exercise also is
being used by FEMA and other agencies to gauge the effectiveness of amateur
radio at providing ground truth during incidents.  This is from the
September 26 FEMA bulletin, which went to all FEMA Regions for their
stakeholders:

“
*Our primary aim of participating in the October 19th SHAKEOUT ‘Did You
Feel It’ (DYFI) exercise is to underscore the remarkable proficiency of
Winlink. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) will use this Winlink
‘Did You Feel It’ ground truth data to contribute to the calculations of
their earthquake intensity assessments when modeling the Modified Mercalli
(MMIS) Intensity Scale, a standard index used for earthquake severity (see
Figure 1). This data will contribute to event response products, like
PAGER, a system that provides fatality and economic loss impact estimates
following significant earthquakes, worldwide, and is used by governments,
agencies, NGOs, private companies, and citizens.*

“*A secondary and extremely important purpose for emergency management at
all levels to participate in this exercise is to illustrate the
capabilities of the Winlink system to provide situational awareness ground
truth regardless of the specific information gathered*.”

DYFI Winlink submissions will go to USGS, the Winlink team, and partner
agencies.  They will produce maps showing points of submission, and they
will generate summaries for the AAR which will be sent to FEMA, DHS,
SHARES, and other interested groups.

In addition to U.S. hams, Winlink DYFI reports will be sent by CISA SHARES
members, Air Force MARS members, and hams in Europe, Scandinavia, and other
parts of the world.

You can find detailed instructions about how to fill out a Winlink DYFI
report and send it via radio at this site.  Note to specify QUAKE-23 as a
CC address to your submission.

https://winlink.org/sites/default/files/ShakeOutWinlinkExercise_cm6.pdf


Here are links to two sites that will live-stream the exercise and show
real-time maps of Winlink DYFI reports as they are received.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dnoDMcAaIAo?si=CdEvYFuHBdsOTZhU


https://winlink.org/shakeout--LIVE


If you have Winlink capability, we hope you will submit a DYFI report at
10:19 on 10/19.  *Please remember to add QUAKE-23 as a CC address*;
otherwise, your report won’t show up on the map or be included in the AAR.

*-- 73*

*Carolyn O. Burleson* (K6COB)
LAFD ACS - 11-268
LAARC EmComm
OMIK
WRMK269
k6cob.usa at gmail.com