TO: OR-NorCAL-NV Regional VHF and HF ARES Stations
SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs in OR District 5 and CA Districts 1, 2;
ARRL Officials and other HF EMCOMM stations
Selected EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials
Editor: D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, SEC, SV Section (North)
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
ACS Officer MAR III California OES
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj
E-MAIL: k6soj@arrl.net
THE “5-1-2 BULLETIN” - 09 JAN 01 - No. 36
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"Not to know is bad.
Not to want to know is worse.
Not to hope is unthinkable.
Not to care is unforgivable." --- Anonymous, (Africa)
REGIONAL ARES NETS
WEDNESDAYS:
1900 to 1930L - The OR-NorCAL-NV Regional ARES " early net" is on 3987 LSB (1982
LSB alternate) ALL ARES and other EMCOMM STATIONS are WELCOME and are encouraged to
check-in.
1930 to 2000L - OR/NorCal/NV A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate)
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L -Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB
NATIONAL CALLING FREQUENCY:
146.52 mHz FM simplex
REGIONAL MONITORING / CALLING FREQUENCY(S):
7232 LSB (daytime) - 3987 LSB (nighttime)
THIS WEEK:
1 - WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
2 - NWS RADAR SITE INFO
3 - NWS SKYWARN NEWS - *UPDATE*
4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...
5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS
6 - NET ROSTER - 12/29 UPDATE
Editors note: I realize the following article is lengthy. But I believe it is
worthwhile. As I read this (as a person active in emergency and disaster work, both
as a professional and as a volunteer for over 35 years), Lt. Blackston’s summary
elicited a lot of “uh - huhs” or “how true”! I
recommend that everyone (non-hams included) involved in emergency service read every line
carefully and reflect upon what he is saying.
I also suggest that this article be printed out and referred to periodically. Although it seems to be oriented toward an earthquake scenario, these TRUISMS...apply to most other disaster situations.
It is also interesting that this was first published just eight months before the Loma
Prieta Earthquake (October 17, 1989).
Initially, I thought about “flagging” those line items that would be of
particular interest or special value to EMCOMM operators. Instead, I will “lift”
those that are of particular
importance to amateur radio operators, and expand upon them, one-by-one, in the weeks
ahead.
Thanks to: Jim Kornegay, KE6MUT former Desert Division Manager, of the San
Bernardino County ECS/RACES, for submitting this item.
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1 - DISASTER / MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
by Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department
Feb. 20, 1989
The following list of seventy (70) "things to expect" is not offered as a
prediction of doom. Although most of the items are negative, this is a realistic list of
problem areas that we can expect to face in a disaster. Recognizing that problems will
appear and giving some thought to them prior to a disaster are steps towards overcoming
them. Some of the areas require specific actions; some will diminish with time; some are
inherent in disaster operations and must simply be accepted. Although not every one of the
70 listed items will occur in every emergency, the majority of them will appear in most
situations. You are encouraged to scan the list, determine which items are or may become
your responsibility, and determine how those items could best be handled or the problem
reduced.
1. In an earthquake, there may be violent ground shaking; it will seem to last much longer
than it actually does.
2. Fires will occur, caused by electrical shorts, natural gas, fireplaces, stoves, etc.
3. Fires in collapsed buildings will be very difficult to control.
4. The extent of the disaster will be difficult to assess, though this will be necessary
to assure proper commitment of resources.
5. Emergency equipment and field units will commit without being dispatched. There will be
an air of urgency and more requests for aid than units available to send.
6. Communications will be inadequate; "holes" will appear in the system and air
traffic will be incredibly heavy.
7. Trained personnel will become supervisors because they will be too valuable to perform
hands-on tasks.
8. Responding mutual aid units will become lost; they will require maps and guides.
9. Water will be contaminated and unsafe for drinking. Tankers will be needed for
firefighting and for carrying drinking water.
10. Citizens will volunteer but their commitment will usually be short-term.
11. There may be a multitude of hazardous materials incidents.
12. Aircraft will flood the area; law enforcement, fire, media, civilian, commercial and
military aircraft will be a major concern.
13. The Command Post and/or EOC will be overrun with non-essential personnel; media,
geologists, architects, engineers, representatives from other jurisdictions, etc.
14. Staging will be essential; the flow of personnel, equipment and supplies will be
overwhelming.
15. Although it is an EOC function, the Field Command Post will become the temporary seat
of government.
16. Electric power will be interrupted or will fail completely.
17. It will be difficult to shut of the gas; valves that are seldom, if ever, used will be
difficult to find, and may not work when they are found.
18. Phone service will be erratic or non-existent. Pay phones will be the most reliable.
19. The media will have the best communications available; be prepared to share or impound
their resources.
20. Fuel will not be available because there will be no electricity to run the pumps.
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.
22. Fires will need to be investigated; mutual aid should include arson investigators.
23. The primary police department concern will be law enforcement; there will not be
sufficient time or manpower to provide miscellaneous services.
24. It will be dark; there will not be enough generators or lights available.
25. Portable toilets will be in demand; there will be no place to go, and if a place is
found there will be six photographers there to cover the event.
26. The perimeter will be difficult to control; citizens and media alike will offer good
reasons why they should be allowed to enter the restricted area.
27. Search dogs will be needed early in the operation.
28. Documentation will be very important; there will be a multitude of requests for
information later.
29. Riveted steel (oil and water storage) tanks may fail.
30. Streets will be impassable in some areas; it will be necessary to clear streets of
rubble in order to conduct emergency operations.
31. The same buildings will be searched more than once unless they are clearly marked.
32. In earthquakes, there will be aftershocks; they will hamper emergency operations,
create new fears among the citizenry and may cause more destruction than the original
shock.
33. Many injured people will have to find their own way to medical treatment facilities.
34. Volunteer and reserve personnel may be slow to respond; they will put their own
families' safety first.
35. On-duty public safety personnel will be concerned about their own families, and some
may leave their posts to check on them.
36. Law enforcement and the media will clash; all media representatives should be referred
to the Public Information Officer.
37. Very few citizens will utilize evacuation/mass care centers; they will prefer to stay
with friends and relatives, or to camp out in their own yards.
38. Structural engineers will be needed to evaluate standing buildings for use as
evacuation centers, command posts, information centers, first aid stations, etc.
39. The identification of workers and volunteers will be a problem; it will be difficult
to determine who is working where and on what.
40. There will be rumors; people will be listening to their radios and must be given
accurate information.
41. There will not be enough handie-talkies; batteries will soon go dead.
42. Many fire hydrants will be inaccessible (covered or destroyed by rubble) or
inoperable.
43. Generators will run out of fuel; jerry cans of fuel must be obtained early to maintain
generator powered lighting and communications.
44. Critical facilities will have to be self-sufficient; gas, lights, water and sewage may
be out for days.
45. Emergency responders will require rest and must be relieved. Local personnel may be of
value as guides for mutual aid responders, or as supervisors for volunteer crews.
46. Equipment will be lost, damaged or stolen, and may never be accounted for.
47. Someone will get the bill; record-keeping and accounting procedures will be important.
48. Traditional non-emergency personnel will want to go home at 5 o'clock; all public
employees must be made to realize that they are a part of the emergency response team.
49. People will die and there is nothing that can be done about it. Non-public safety
personnel will not understand why everyone cannot be saved. Priorities must be set to save
the most lives possible.
50. Dead bodies should not be an initial concern. Rescuing the living should be the first
priority.
51. If phones are working, the number of requests for service will be overwhelming. People
will have to fend for themselves; it will be difficult for dispatchers to ignore these
pleas for help.
52. Some field units will "disappear"; you will not be able to reach them and
will not know where they are or what they are doing.
53. Security will have to be posted at hospitals, clinics, and first-aid stations to
control hysterical citizens demanding immediate attention.
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.
55. Department heads (EOC) staff may not have a working knowledge of their assigned areas
of responsibility, and will "play it by ear."
56. Some citizens and media representatives will question your decisions because they will
not recognize that the safety of field responders is paramount.
57. There are no critically injured in a disaster; only those who are dead or alive.
58. Handicapped and disabled persons will probably die unless personal family and friends
can care for them and maintain their life-support systems.
59. Management will not be familiar with field response procedures, and may attempt to
change standard operating procedures.
60. Emergency responders (public safety and medical alike) will not be adequately trained
to respond efficiently.
61. There will be initial chaos; supplies, materials and equipment needed will not be
readily available.
62. There will be a general lack of necessary information; coordinators will want to wait
for damage/casualty assessment information to establish priorities.
63. Emergency equipment will not be able to reach some locations because of traffic jams.
Tow trucks will be at a premium. Parked or abandoned vehicles will block streets, and
emergency responders will be the worst offenders.
64. Even though there will not be enough people to initially deal with emergencies, many
available personnel will never be identified and never used. After the initial shock,
there will be too many volunteers.
65. General information will be offered in response to specific questions because field
units cannot verify the requested information.
66. Individual public safety officers will be asked to do the work of squads or companies;
they will have to recruit volunteers on the spot to provide assistance to their efforts.
67. The message flow to, from, and within the EOC and Field Command Post will break down
and become inefficient and unmanageable.
68. There will be an overcritical desire to "verify" all incoming information.
If it is received from a field unit, it should be considered as verified.
69. Some EOC and Command Post personnel will become overloaded; some will not be able to
cope with the volume of activity and information they have to deal with, and some will not
be able to cope with the noise and distractions.
70. Things will get better -- some time after they have become considerably worse.
2 - NWS RADAR SITE INFO:
FROM: Bill Pennington, WA6SLA
Asst. Chief of Telecommunications, Communications Coordinator, Inland Region
and ARES Emergency Coordinator for SV Section (south).
Please disseminate to all (ACS/RACES/ARES etc...) in your MARs, especially those you know
associated with NWS...Bill
http://www.nws.mbay.net/radar.html
------------------------------------
Thanks Bill, An interesting and useful website. CONGRATULATIONS on your recent
PROMOTION! - ed
3 - SKYWARN NEWS
Jim Reynolds, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Randy Miltier, K7RPM, Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
Gary Pederson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
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
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*UPDATE* PACKET NEWS:
Gary Pederson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator reports that, “Local
connect to NWS packet bbs is 145.090 and the ID is NWSMFR. After connect to this
then connect to NWSBBS, e.g., c nwsmfr and after that then, c nwsbbs. The NWSMFR at nws
mfr is a node. There may some changes in the future after we get it going and start
using it, eg., may connect direct to NWSBBS without having to go through NWSMFR node.
I am talking to Albert about this. NWSMFR is also linked to SOPRA, so should be able
to get to it through any SOPRA node. Mt Ashland will be on 145.030. I don't
have the name yet. Above is subject to change, but that's the skinny now, thanks for
your help.”
73, Gary.
Thank you Gary, for the update. Questions? Gary’s e-mail is: gpederso@orednet.org
----------------------------------------------------
NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:
NOTE: The Medford NWS office reports that classes will resume around April or May. Watch
this spot and/or check in to the ARES nets for updates and announcements.
WEEKLY SKYWARN NET:
Sundays at 1930L on the Mt. Ashland 147.26+ repeater (WX7MFR/R) ALSO activated during
severe weather events.
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 concerning the ham radio part of the program, contact Randy/K7RPM < k7rpm@arrl.net > or,
Gary/N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org > via e-mail or on 147.26+
(Mt. Ashland).
REGIONAL ARES WEATHER AND ROAD NETS (WARNS) for SV Districts 1 and 2 are on
7232 LSB (daytime) and 3987 LSB (nighttime). 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.
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...just send it to: k6soj@arrl.net
5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS...
*** WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? COMMENTS
*** EMCOMM 2001 - MARCH 31, 2001 - PALO CEDRO, CALIFORNIA ***
*** FIELD DAY 2001 - JUNE 23-24
6 - NEW ROSTER - UPDATED - December 29, 2000
A current 5-1-2 ARES Regional Net Roster is at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/net.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 "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!
