5-1-2 Bulletin No. 46

TO: OR-NorCAL-NV  VHF and HF ARES Stations; SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs in Oregon District 5 and, California SV Section (north) Districts 1, 2. ARRL Officials, other HF EMCOMM stations; and EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials elsewhere.

Editor: D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, ARES SEC, SV Section (North)
Assistant ACS Officer MAR III California OES

INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj

CA OES ACS INLAND REGION WEBSITE:
www.acs.oes.ca.gov/Inland/

THE “5-1-2  BULLETIN” - 20 MAR 01 - No. 46

"In God We Trust...All Others We Monitor"

*** FEATURES ***

1- WHAT IS A TEAM?

2 - TRAINING - WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

3 - !IMPORTANT! - MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET IS MOVING TO
 WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

    PLUS: MORE NWS WX SPOTTER CLASSES SCHEDULED

4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...

5 - COMING  ATTRACTIONS

6 - EMCOMM NET LIST *** UPDATED *** 03/19/01

*** EMCOMM 2001 UPDATE ***
ONLY *** 10 *** DAYS UNTIL EMCOMM 2001 !
Saturday,  March 31, 2001
Bishop Quinn High School
Palo Cedro, California (just east of Redding)



*** MAP TO EMCOMM 2001 ***
http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/images/emcomm_map.jpg



*** REGISTRATION ONLINE ***
www.qsl.net/k6soj

Registrations are still flowing in...from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Seattle!  Pre-registration is requested but not required.  But we would like to know who, and how many, are coming.  Pre-register by going to the above website and registering online.  The $3.00 registration fee is ONLY payable at the door on March 31.  

NOTE:  There are no doubt many EMCOMM operators or public officials that do not receive this bulletin. IF YOU KNOW of  anyone who you think would be interested in EMCOMM
2001...please feel free to pass on the information and assist them in getting pre-registered.  Thank you.



The curriculum and class schedule (subject to change) is as follows:

Up to seven (7!) agencies will be bringing  mobile or airborne EMCOMM units for display.  (Redding PD, Shasta-Trinity CDF, Siskiyou County SAR, American Red Cross, California OES, Trinity County Amateur Radio Club, and CHP H-14.)



UPDATES?  Check www.qsl.net/k6soj often



VE TESTING AT EMCOMM 2001
VEC: W5YI
COST: $10.00
VE’s: from SCARS and ARCA
TIME: 0700L
“WALK-INS”:  OK
TALK -IN: 146.64- or 146.55 simplex
MORE INFO: Mac, W7MAC < mac@snowcrest.net >
or Dick, WO6P < DIANDDE@snowcrest.net >

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REGIONAL ARES AND NWS NETS
WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L - WX SPOTTER NETS (see section # 3 below)
1930 to 2000L - A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate)
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L -Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB

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1- WHAT IS A TEAM?
by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ

team n - 3) A group organized to work together.
teamwork n - Cooperative effort.
(ref. The American Heritage Dictionary)

If the ARES and other EMCOMM units are to accomplish our mission we must function as a TEAM.  This holds true at all levels.  Local, district, section, division, and national.  A team is a group of individuals, working together (even if they are wide-spread geographically) to achieve a desired objective.  Each member is an individual, who brings his or her particular
skill or talent to the team.

A symphony orchestra is a team.  Each member is a specialist. One plays a horn, another plays a violin or cello. Another is a percussionist, and yet another plays a clarinet or saxophone.  And there is a maestro or conductor,  who serves to lead or coordinate the entire effort.

A football team has a quarterback, who answers to the coach, who answers to the manager.  On a boat there is a crew, some specialists, and of course the captain or “skipper”.  Lack of teamwork is spelled...CHAOS.

The leader of any team must be familiar with the roles and jobs of the members. A quarterback is not expected to double as a defensive guard. Orchestra conductors often play two or more instruments, but I have yet to hear of a maestro that can play them all.

In the ARES, at the local level,  there is the leader...the EC.  ECs, DECs, and SECs must understand that their primary role is: administrative. Can you imagine how ridiculous it would look to see a orchestra conductor running around all over a stage and attempting to play all of the different instruments and parts?  An EC who is not comfortable “leading” should start
looking for a replacement.

Individual members of the team may be specialists in only one or more skills. Each must play his or her part, and work cooperatively, or their will be discord. Discord is not music. It is cacophony.  Which do you like best, cacophony or symphony?

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2 - TRAINING  -
(NOTE: The article:  “DISASTER / MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? by
Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department” appeared in its entirety in BULLETIN # 36 (January 9) and is archived at www.qsl.net/k6soj.

Continued now, are excerpts from that excellent article with comment.


FIRST some FEEDBACK on last week’s comment in this segment:

# 20. “Fuel will not be available because there will be no electricity to run the pumps.”

COMMENT:  EMCOMM operators should always keep this in mind. Whether you live in a city,  a rural area...or way back in the “sticks”.  Keep your vehicle’s fuel tanks at least one-half full at all times. And keeping a few 5 gallon gerry cans 90% filled (leave room for expansion) with FRESH FUEL and SAFELY STORED is a good idea. (Use the fuel and refill the cans about once every six months - Spring and Fall are good times).

FEEDBACK: Bill Pennington, WA6SLA, suggests that (especially in rural areas), it may be worthwhile to consider making arrangements with local GRANGE groups, or other local farmers or ranchers, to provide fuel “at cost” on an emergency basis.  (Good idea Bill. And there may be other commercial services, such as truck terminal operators, that may be willing to help provide emergency fuel supplies.  The key is to establish rapport, and make pre-arrangements PRIOR to an emergency - editor.)



THIS WEEKS TRAINING:

# 21. “There will be an epidemic of flat tires; police, fire, and emergency medical vehicles will sustain a multitude of flat tires that will require repair in the field.”

COMMENT:  In addition to your radio gear; make sure that your spare tire and jack are operable.  Carry a 12v. (or other) portable air compressor unit, a tool kit, gloves, a tow strap (know how to use it), and tire chains (if indicated) in your vehicle.  A couple of warning devices such as reflectors, signs or brightly colored cones may save a life.  Fussee flares should only be used with EXTREME CAUTION.  Further (if you have space) consider carrying a shovel, an axe, a crowbar, a saw, and some blocks of wood.  And an old pair of “coveralls” may come in handy!



TRAINING BULLETINS that appear in this bulletin are also archived at:
 www.qsl.net/k6soj
(PLUS A “PLETHORA” OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIAL)

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3 - SKYWARN NEWS:
Jim Reynolds, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Pederson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator



CURRENT NWS WEATHER BULLETINS AND WARNINGS ARE AVAILABLE VIA A LINK AT: www.qsl.net/k6soj



SKYWARN is the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer spotters reporting severe weather The ARRL/ARES has a national “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) with the NOAA/NWS.



!IMPORTANT!

MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET IS MOVING TO WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.

Starting tomorrow, March 21, the Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET WILL BE ON WEDNESDAYS at 1915L on 147.26+ the Mt. Ashland repeater (WX7MFR/R);AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ON: 146.55 SIMPLEX (Siskiyou and Klamath Counties); and also on 146.97- the Likely repeater (Modoc County). FROM 1920 to 1929L: on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate), relays and other check-ins will be accepted and forwarded. ALSO, a packet WX SPOTTER NET is being developed to run concurrently SKYWARN will be activated on these frequencies during severe weather events. The last SUNDAY NET WX net will be on March 25 at 1930L.



The NWS PACKET NODE ON MT. ASHLAND IS NOW OPERATIONAL on 145.030 MHz, ID is: skywrn. NWS is asking for SKYWARN and ARES packet stations to connect and let them know your location, the type of antenna and power you use to access the Mt. Ashland node. The “connect” to NWS packet bbs (direct) is 145.090 and the ID is NWSMFR.  Then connect to NWSBBS, e.g., c nwsmfr.  Then, c nwsbbs. The NWSMFR at nws mfr is a node.

Questions? contact Gary, N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org >


*** UPDATED ***

NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:
! ATTENTION ! - EMERGENCY COORDINATORS
Please announce the classes in your area on your local nets, in your local newsletters, etc.

  EMCOMM 2001: March 31,  Palo Cedro, California

KLAMATH COUNTY: April 23 - 6:30-8:30 PM in the Banquet Room of the 
     Klamath Falls Sizzler. (Optional dinner at 5:30 PM.)

KLAMATH COUNTY: April 24,  7-9 PM at the Walker Range Fire Patrol building 
     in Crescent.

LAKE COUNTY (OR): April 25, 7-9 PM at the Community Center in Christmas Valley.

LAKE COUNTY (OR): April 26, 7-9 PM at the Senior Center in Lakeview 

CURRY COUNTY: April 30, 7-9 PM in the Blue Room in the County Annex Building 
    Gold Beach., OR.

COOS COUNTY: May 1,  6-8 PM , Emergency Operations Center, 
     360 E. 2nd St., Coquille, OR.

DOUGLAS COUNTY:  May  2, 7-9 PM Ford Room of the Douglas County Library ,
     Roseburg., OR.

JACKSON COUNTY:  May 10,  7-9 pm, Jackson County Public Works Auditorium,
200 Antelope Dr., White City, OR  (Just north of Medford.)
-

The NWS/Medford “service area” consists of nine counties: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, Josephine, Lake, (OR); Modoc and Siskiyou (CA). If you have any questions about the SKYWARN program, contact: Gary/N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org > via e-mail or on 147.26+ (Mt. Ashland).



REGIONAL ARES WEATHER AND ROAD NETS (ARESWARNS) for SV Districts 1 and 2
are on the MUTUAL AID FREQUENCIES of 7232 LSB (daytime) and 3987 LSB (nighttime). 1982LSB (nighttime alternate).  Up/down QRM.  OREGON District 5, and all ARES stations elsewhere, are CORDIALLY INVITED to participate.

During a SEVERE WEATHER EVENT, the HF WARN meets hourly AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUR, until all information and traffic is passed,  (more often as needed). LOCAL ARES WARNS are activated by a local EC or AEC per your local plan. Check with your EC for more information about your area.  It is recommended that they meet at the TOP OF EACH HOUR, and include a local HF - VHF station for relay / interface duty with the regional net.



Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 // 3987 LSB for announcements regarding anticipated severe WX.

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4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR SOMETHING OF INTEREST TO REPORT about your ARES team or other EMCOMM unit...and would like it posted in the 5-1-2
BULLETIN...send it to: k6soj@arrl.net

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5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS...

*** WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?  THE SERIES CONTINUES

*** HOW PREPARED ARE YOU?  -  A FUN QUIZ

*** CW.  QRP.  HAS IT ANY PLACE IN EMCOMM?

*** EMCOMM 2001 - MARCH 31, 2001 - PALO CEDRO, CALIFORNIA ***

*** FIELD DAY 2001 - JUNE 23-24

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6 - NET LIST - UPDATED - MARCH 19, 2001
For a list of many ARES and other EMCOMM Nets: http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm

ECs and AECs: WE NEED YOUR HELP - BE A NET CONTROL OPERATOR!
(NOTE: ALL ARES Leadership personnel (ECs, AECs, DECs, and SECs), and ARRL
OES and ORS, from any District and/or Section are welcome to check in as visitors. If you wish to be on the discussion list (second round), just indicate that when you check in.)

IF YOU ARE A PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY, OR JUST A "MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC"; AND YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR DISASTER RELATED
COMMUNICATIONS...JUST CALL UPON "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!

*** PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY ***

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