THIS ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO THE FOUR VALIANT FIREFIGHTERS WHO RECENTLY LOST THEIR LIVES IN WASHINGTON.
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The 5-1-2 BULLETIN - 14 August 01 - No. 67
SPECIAL
EDITION
Or,
“Hellzapoppin”,
(Opened at New York’s 46th Street Theater on September 22, 1938.
http://www.classicimages.com/1998/october98/olsenandjohnson.html)
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TO: OR-NorCAL-NV ARES and other EMCOMM Stations, ARRL Officials, other EMCOMM
and Public Safety Officials; in Oregon District 5, California SV Section
Districts 1, 2...and BEYOND.
FROM: D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, ARES SEC, SV Section (North), editor.
Assistant ACS Officer MAR III California OES
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj E-MAIL:
k6soj@arrl.net
CA OES ACS INLAND REGION WEBSITE: www.acs.oes.ca.gov/Inland
+ SHORT CIRCUITS -
Brief (important) announcements:
+ URGENT REQUEST TO ALL ECs (or AECs) in SV Section, Districts One & Two.
I am composing an availability data base of who, when, and with what, is
available for MUTUAL AID response during these fire emergencies. (Do not
list anyone who you should keep in your local area for communications, and do
not dispatch anyone outside your local jurisdiction unless instructed to do so.)
Please poll your team and e-mail a reply to this station.
USE THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:
1. NAME, CALLSIGN, LICENSE CLASS
2. FULL ADDRESS
3. TELEPHONE NUMBER
4. E-mail address (if any)
5. ALL AGENCIES WITH WHICH PERSON IS REGISTERED (e.g. ACS, RACES, CDF/VIP)
6. OPERATING SKILL LEVEL (e.g. - do they know good operating practices
including knowing ITU phonetics, and whether or not they can handle formal
traffic/RADIOGRAMS
7. OTHER SKILLS (e.g. - computers)
8. MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION POV (personally owned vehicle), and if a truck,
van, 4WD, RV, self-contained, etc.
9. WHETHER OR NOT they have the own issue of NOMEX gear, and/or other
personal safety gear.
(NOTE: If they DO NOT have NOMEX gear, please list their shirt and pant sizes.)
10. WHEN AVAILABLE...and for how long.
11. RANGE of how far they are will to travel. (Mileage may be reimbursed)
+ FIRE UPDATES -
FLASH - The Quartz Fire (5,000 acres) in Jackson County, (southern
Oregon) moved into northern California during the night. Strike teams from
California have been dispatched. ALSO: The Lakeview Complex Fire in Lake
County, is now over 24,000 acres and is 30% contained.
FLASH - We just received some “really hot” (sorry) pictures
taken last night at the Blue Fire. As soon as we can get them posted they
will be at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
+ AMERICAN RED CROSS ALERTED
- The Shasta Area and Klamath-Lake Chapters are on alert for the FIRE
EMERGENCIES in Lassen and Modoc Counties.
+ FIRE WEBSITES -
(Understandably, these tend to be slow to be updated)
http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf
(National Information Fire Center Situation Report. Up-to-date.)
http://www.nifc.gov/information.html
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/modoc/incident/blue/index.htm
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/modoc/incident/modoc-complex/index.htm
http://www.sierrafront.net/
+ CURRENT FIRE STATUS -
(as of 13 AUG 01 @ 1800l)
From Jerry Boyd, K6BZ, SV Section Manager and California OES MAR III ACSO
FYI: “At this moment we have five major fires going in MAR III with total
acres in excess of 100,000. There are 2 in Modoc which, in theory, could merge.
Total right now they are about 40K acres. The most significant fire at the
present is the Emigrant fire along I-80 between Sacramento and the Nevada line.
Rapid spread with threats to people and structures. They are having a tough time
evacuating all of the camps (including youth camps) and campers. The east-west
rail line and Interstate 80 is closed.”
+ EMCOMM 2002 WEBSITE RECEIVES AWARD
-
Our EMCOMM 2002 has been designated as a “COOL SITE” by the DMOZ Open
Directory Project. Kudos to our webmaster: Bill Frazier, KC7REK for his
great work! The “award” is posted at the bottom of the home page at: http://www.emcomm2002.net/
More details at:
http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Amateur_Radio/Organizations/ARES/Emergency_Radio
_Seminars/
(I hope we can handle the “business”! - HI)
+ AN
EDITORIAL - “EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND LAUREL AND HARDY” is at the end of this bulletin.
+ EMCOMM NVIS ‘SCATTERING
ANTENNA” PROJECT COMPLETED -
Ed Ewell, K7DXV , Klamath Falls, has completed his new NVIS “scattering”
antenna. (See last issue.) He reports: “They say the NVIS antenna I have been
playing around with is vertical and horizontal polarized. I can work mobiles and
hear them real well. It does seem to work. A picture of the completed antenna
kit (broken down) is at: http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/images/Mvc-011s.jpg
.
(Complete info: http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/projects/nvis1.html)
+ NET REMINDER - 5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES
AND NWS NETS
SPECIAL EMCOMM NETS MAY BE
ACTIVATED AT ANY TIME ON THESE FREQUENCIES
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L: Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB (3987 LSB alternate)
NOTE: ALL STATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR AND/OR CALL ON 146.52 MHZ DURING
THE NOON NET TO RELAY CHECK-INS OR TRAFFIC.
WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L: NWS WX SPOTTER NETS (see NWS-SKYWARN section below)
1930 to 2000L: A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate)
ALL ARES and other EMCOMM leaders are welcome. A net roster is available
at: www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/net.htm
+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS - list at: www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
+ THIS WEEK’S TRAINING:
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 . Below are excerpts from that
article with comments.
54. Representatives from public agencies throughout the United States and many
foreign countries will want to come and observe the operations or offer
assistance. They will be a significant problem.
COMMENT: If this occurs we must ensure that they are
warmly welcomed. Typically they will be met, briefed, and escorted by the Public
Information Staff. They may tour the operation and may be particularly
interested in communications. This is one of the reasons that EMCOMM operators,
whether amateur or professional, must strive to perform in a professional
manner. Foreign countries often rely more heavily on amateur radio than we do in
the United States.
TRAINING BULLETINS that appear in this bulletin are archived at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
+ NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
!FREE! - ARES / SKYWARN software is available at: http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/projects/index.htm
MEDFORD NWS SKYWARN PAGE HAS CHANGED TO: www.qsl.net/mfrskywarn
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.
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET is on Wednesdays at: 1915L on 147.26+ (CTCSS:
123.0) Mt. Ashland / WX7MFR/R); SIMULTANEOUSLY ON: 146.55 SIMPLEX (Siskiyou and
Klamath Counties); AND 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 NWS PACKET NODE ON MT. ASHLAND is 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 < gpederson@orednet.org >
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 < gpederson@orednet.org
> via e-mail
or
147.26+ (123.0) Mt. Ashland repeater.
Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 // 3987 LSB for
announcements regarding anticipated severe WX.
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
+ COMING ATTRACTIONS ...
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? THE SERIES CONTINUES
HOW PREPARED ARE YOU? - A FUN QUIZ
+ EMCOMM 2002
(April 20-21 2002 - Bishop Quinn High School, Palo Cedro, CA.)
www.emcomm2002.net
+ EMCOMM MOBILE UNIT EXPO -
To all ARES teams, clubs, and private individuals:
In order to promote preparedness, (and have some fun) we are planning a “Car
Show”! Urrr, make that a: “Mobile Unit Show and Competition” for
EMCOMM 2002! A competition, complete with awards, for privately owned and
sponsored (i.e. non-agency) mobile EMCOMM units. There will be two categories:
CLASS ONE - Best ARES or CLUB owned mobile EMCOMM station.
(Includes “non-publicly-funded” RACES/ACS or CDF/VIP mobile units.)
CLASS TWO - Best INDIVIDUALLY owned mobile EMCOMM station.
AWARDS will based upon: design, function, appearance, innovation,
multi-agency capability, and use of re-cycled and/or surplus gear.
Although EMCOMM 2002 is still eight months away...we are announcing this NOW, in
order to allow plenty of time for you, your ARES team, or your EMCOMM oriented
club, to get your entry ready!
Watch the 5-1-2 Bulletin, or check: http://www.emcomm2002.net
for updates and more information as the time approaches.
+ The “5-1-2 BULLETIN”
- Copyright (c) 2001 - D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ Permission is hereby granted to
reproduce and re-circulate items from this bulletin providing appropriate credit
is given to the “5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES BULLETIN” and/or the author or
originator of the material. Send corrections, updates, etc. to: k6soj@arrl.net
+ PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY!
-----------------------
EDITORIAL by D.
W. Thorne, K6SOJ
* EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND LAUREL AND
HARDY *
In the 1938 Laurel and Hardy classic BLOCKHEADS, the movie begins with Stan, who
was instructed to guard his post until relieved, during World War I, still at
his post some twenty years later.
It seems that no one had let him know that the “Great War” was over when the Armistice was signed in 1918. As Stan sits down to another meal of canned beans, the camera pans around to a literal mountain of empty cans.
About then a fighter plane flies
over. Stan fires upon it, but the pilot lands safely, and informs Stan that the
“great war” has been over...for twenty years!
There is a lesson to be learned here in this comedic portrayal of a loyal
and devoted soldier.
Last week I spent six days working in the Communications Unit at the fire camp
for the Indian Springs Fire (near Bonanza, OR) for the Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODF). For one who is used to serving in a leadership capacity, I
must confess that it was difficult at times to work in a more subservient role.
I was impressed by the overhead team, the logistics and planning people, and all
the others on our team of over 1200 personnel. But I was the most
impressed by the ground crews. I watched as they as they filed in to camp,
after working 12 hours or more on the fire lines. Their yellow NOMEX
protective gear was smoked and burned. Some were hard to tell from a chunk
of charcoal.
And these warriors are not all young. While some are in the late teens, I
saw many that had to be in the fifties and sixties. And, I never heard a
single one of them complain about their job, or the conditions in which they
worked. These men and women are the best that America has to offer.
I was not available to be on the weekly Regional ARES Net last Wednesday; but, I
later heard that the topic for discussion was “how to get more interest and
participation in the ARES, the nets, and EMCOMM in general”.
One of the problems we have in the ARES and most other volunteer groups is
attrition. I often hear comments such as, “We never get called to do
anything.” Of course, that is not entirely true. But it is true
that in many jurisdictions, there is less utilization of the volunteer amateur
resource than there was, say, twenty years ago.
ARES and other EMCOMM operators come and go. Some leave because it was not
what they expected. Or, they find it difficult to work in a team setting
in a structured organization. Others, frankly, just find it boring.
But, the diehards among us realize, (just like Stan), the importance of
maintaining a state of readiness...boring or not. They check into their
local and regional nets on a regular basis. They keep their gear organized
and ready to go. They keep up to date on their unit’s plan, and have a copy of
it handy for ready reference. They support their EC, DEC, and SEC; or their
radio officer or other leader, by attending (and participating in) meetings,
trainings, drills. They self educate themselves by reading books, and utilizing
the internet (be careful...there are a lot of bogus EMCOMM “authorities”
with websites).
Those who really care...remain involved and prepared. Day after day, month
after month, year after year. Whether or not they are ever called to
action. It doesn’t take an excessive amount of time or effort to remain
PREPARED for emergency incidents that usually happen when we least expect.
We are now in the 21st Century. Sadly, qualities like dedication, loyalty,
perseverance, and striving for excellence, have become passé for many people.
Are you doing all that you can to support your ARES/ARRL, ACS/RACES, SKYWARN, or
other EMCOMM group? Is your “Grab ‘n Go” kit ready? Have you marked
your calendar for EMCOMM 2002? (April 20-21). THINK ABOUT IT.
NOTE: This is already one of the worst FIRE seasons in the northern California
and southern Oregon area on record. I have mutual aid requests pending for
SKILLED EMCOMM operators that I have not been able to fill. My observation
is that we have ZERO depth in our EMCOMM capability. WE NEED MORE “STANS”!
THINK ABOUT IT.
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