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/
MAIN CA OES ACS WEBSITE: http://acs.oes.ca.gov/index.html
(Go there...click on links...and surf around. Good stuff ! )
THE “5-1-2 BULLETIN” - 06 MAR 01 - No. 44
“OLD MEN MUST NEVER STOP EXPLORING”
* THIS WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS .....
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| REGIONAL NET REMINDER |
*** FEATURES ***
1 - MORE SPIN ON SEMS
2 - TRAINING - WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
3 - NWS WX SPOTTER CLASSES SCHEDULED
4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...
5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS
6 - ***UPDATE*** NET ROSTER - 02/27/01
* THE
SACRAMENTO VALLEY SECTION - MUTUAL AID GUIDE
has been updated and now includes the entire SV section. Copies will be
available at EMCOMM 2001 and a printable copy is available at: www.qsl.net/k6soj
* DWI’S VIA
“SALLY”
The Salvation Army (affectionately called “Sally” by some) has a long track
record of locating missing persons. The smoke has cleared, and the
dust has settled in Seattle; but it will be a long road to full recovery.
And, who knows where the next major disaster will strike? During major
disasters landlines OUTSIDE the affected area will usually remain in service.
DWI’s (Disaster Welfare Inquiries) are appropriate via landline (e-mail).
In the disaster area, information on displaced persons is compiled by the
RED CROSS, evacuation center or other shelter personnel, and may relayed back to
“Sally” be ARES operators. DWI’s from outside the affected area may
be sent to a central “clearing house”. The missing persons
location and condition is ascertained and “Sally” replies via e-mail.
Here is the URL for DWI’s via SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio
Network): (worth saving) http://www.qso.com/satern411/emailfrm.htm
Thanks to Walt Jones, KC7HEX, AEC for Klamath County, OR for the information
about SATERN. (NOTE: The ARRL and The Salvation Army have a formal “Statement
of Understanding”.)
!WANTED!
VIETNAM VET needs operator’s manual for a YAESU 747 Transceiver. Photo
copy
OK. Will pay costs. Contact: Dave at k6soj@arrl.net
*** EMCOMM 2001
UPDATE ***
ONLY *** 24 *** DAYS UNTIL EMCOMM 2001 !
Saturday, March 31, 2001
Bishop Quinn High School
Palo Cedro, California (just east of Redding)
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*** MAP TO EMCOMM 2001 ***
http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/images/emcomm_map.jpg
(Thanks to: Fergy, N6SSQ, Modoc County EC and ACSO)
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*** REGISTRATION ONLINE ***
www.qsl.net/k6soj (“bookmark”
it)
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.
Registrations are beginning to flow in...from as far south as
San Diego County! 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 is in it final planning stages. Here are
some of the EMCOMM 2001 program topics and highlights:
Opening Comments and Welcome
ARES / RACES / ACS Update
Incident Command System and SEMS
Psychological Reactions of Victims
and Workers in Disasters and other Emergencies
Amateur Radio Communications and
other EMCOMM options in Search and Rescue
EMCOMM and the American Red Cross
Public Information / Public
Relations, and “Working with the Media”.
Emergency Communications Antennas
for VHF and HF
PARKING LOT DISPLAYS AND FLY
IN BY CHP “HELO-14”
BECOME AN REGISTERED NWS WEATHER
SPOTTER!
(NWS Weather Spotter Class and SKYWARN (2 HOURS)
(FOR THOSE NOT ATTENDING THE NWS WX SPOTTER CLASS):
Formal Traffic, RADIOGRAMS, and
standard operating procedures
“Mutual Aid”, “Mutual
Assistance”, or...“We Got it Covered!”
Working with clubs, associations,
and repeater owners
Emergency Power: Sources and
Resources
Drawing for DOOR PRIZES (must be
present to win)
---------------------------------------------
We now have commitments from several agencies to bring mobile or airborne
EMCOMM units for display. (Redding PD, Shasta-Trinity CDF, Siskiyou County
SAR, American Red Cross, California OES “COMM 25 and OASIS Trailer”,
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
>
REGIONAL ARES NETS
WEDNESDAYS:
1900 to 1930L - The OR-NorCAL-NV Regional ARES is on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB
alternate)
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
1- MY “SPIN” ON SEMS
by D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ
SV Section (north) EC
California OES / ACS MAR III AASCO
In last week’s 5-1-2 Bulletin, Bill Pennington, WA6SLA, (Assistant Chief,
Telecommunications, Inland Region OES and ARRL SV Section (south) EC, outlined
some new problems that have been encountered as a result of the California
“SEMS” law. Bill also offered some suggestions as to how we as EMCOMM
operators can work with the new law.
I agree with Bill’s comments, and wish to offer my own “spin”. But
before anyone gets all excited, allow me to remind you that I also wear two
“hats”: ARES and ACS. “Non-government” and “government”.
Many of us in California are working VERY hard to bring the amateur radio EMCOMM
community together. Old divisions and rivalries are gradually being
dissolved. Providing a quality product in a cooperative and coordinated manner
is our goal.
Background: The “SEMS” legislation became effective on December 1,
1996 as
a direct result of historic disasters California experienced in the late
1980’s and early 1990’s. The California Emergency Services Act
(Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code as amended through
the 1998-99 Regular Session) further defined and expanded the concepts.
What these acts mandate was long overdue. (E.g - codification of
“mutual aid” protocols, right on down to such very common sense items
such as standardization of fire apparatus connections.) I do not claim to
be an
authority on much of this. Much valuable and in depth information is
readily available at:
http://www.oes.ca.gov/
Regarding emergency response and disaster relief, the role of “government”
has historically been: “the protection of life and property”.
Meeting human needs caused by disasters (food, shelter, clothing, etc.) was the
exclusive domain of private, non-profit organizations such as the American Red
Cross, which in 1905 was mandated by the U.S. Congress to relieve
and mitigate suffering caused by disasters. In addition, the
Salvation Army, Adventist Disaster Services, the Mennonites, Catholic Social
Services, and other non-profit organizations have made significant contributions
in many disaster settings.
The American Radio Relay League, Inc. is another private, non-profit,
organization that has had it’s own public service arm for over 65 years.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Corps (AREC), and the current Amateur Radio
Emergency Service and National Traffic System (ARES/NTS); has existed to train
and provide skilled amateur radio operators, as a “service to the public”
(ref. FCC part 97.1). Primarily through “served agencies” such
as those mentioned above. One of the primary early achievements of “the
league”
(and still a continuing goal) is the STANDARDIZATION of radio operating
procedures. Radio “waves” do not stop at city, county, state, or
national boundaries. If radio amateurs are not speaking the same “radio
language” everywhere...the result is a modern “Tower of Babel”.
Over the past fifty years or so, and whether we like it our not, we have seen a
gradual shift towards more government involvement in disaster relief.
Beyond the traditional “protection of life and property”. In the
1940’s and ‘50’s, at the federal and local level, it was simply:
Civil Defense. “CD” was mainly concerned with preparation and response
during wartime emergencies or enemy attack. In the 1960’s, the Civil Defense
program was expanded in many jurisdictions to include natural disaster
preparation. At the federal level, the name was changed to: The Office of
Emergency Preparedness (OEP). In the 1970’s, the OEP became the Federal
Disaster Assistance Administration (FDAA); and in the late 1980’s the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) came into being.
It is interesting to note that the trend for government involvement, has been
from “defense” to “preparedness” to “assistance” to
“management”. This is not specific to
emergency management or disaster relief. And, like it or not, this trend
towards more “government”, runs throughout the American political culture.
The California “SEMS” legislation is simply another extension of this trend.
Most amateurs that are involved in emergency and auxiliary communications are
motivated by altruism. They just want to help...and give something back to their
community and country. Many of these well-intended hams often join two or
more amateur radio service organizations. (E.g. - the ARES, RACES, ACS,
CDF-VIP, SATERN, SKYWARN, and others.) This creates a whole new set of
problems.
As long as only ONE agency, needs auxiliary communications at any given time,
this system may work. But, what if TWO agencies need or want the same radio
amateurs at the same time? And ...”what if”... a large scale disaster
or other emergency event occurs requiring response from multiple agencies?
Which agency will the amateur respond to? The agency who “gets” him or
her first?
The agency the ham likes better than others or where there is the most
“excitement”? And , who will decide the best utilization of the
licensed radio amateur and coordinate the response?
This puts the volunteer EMCOMM operator in a very awkward situation and it is
unfair to ask the volunteer, who may feel he or she is being pulled in several
different directions, to choose one organization over another.
In jurisdictions where there is a limited number of skilled EMCOMM operators
(which is just about everywhere), it is CRITICAL that the amateur resource be
coordinated... i.e.
“managed” if you please. Individual served agencies are not necessarily
concerned with the needs of other agencies. They will be focused on their own
mission, and the communications necessary to support their mission.
Various agencies may be called in early, or later in an event. Who will
decide the best utilization of the amateur radio resource? (Skilled
operators + equipment = resource.)
On the “supply side”, there is another problem. Sadly, factions of
hams exist in some localities. For any number of reasons; individuals,
clubs or other amateur organizations want to help, but may not always want to
operate in a coordinated manner.
These groups may go to a served agency and “sell” themselves. Often
ARES members also belong to one or more of these groups. This also places
the volunteer in a difficult position. Something they do not need or
deserve.
The ARRL/ARES is primarily a training body and “resource pool” to provide
skilled, able, ready, and properly equipped amateur radio EMCOMM operators to
both government, and non-government, agencies. Except for “traffic handling”
on behalf of the general public, and weather and road nets, there is
little else that the ARES provides as a direct “service to the public”.
The ARES has no particular proclivity towards one agency or
another. Our objective is (or should be) to provide skilled EMCOMM operators to
whom, and to wherever, they are most needed.
In addition, the ARRL/ARES is the only national organization that records,
reports, and documents amateur radio public service activities. A
necessary function if we are to preserve our amateur radio privileges.
In my shack, I have a 1956 ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook. (Cover price $3.00
- HI ). On page 549 under “Emergency Communications” is a cartoon
entitled “Which Way?” It depicts an EC at a crossroads with signs on a
post. In one direction the arrows point to: “T’other Way”,
“Haphazard Way”, and “Every Which Way”.
In the other direction the arrow points to the “AREC Way”. A sign by the
side of the road proclaims: “ONE STRONG FACILITY FOR HAM SERVICE TO ALL
AGENCIES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST”
.
(“AREC” = Amateur Radio Emergency Corps. The precursor of the ARES)
As far as I am concerned...there is only one organization that, logically
speaking, should provide the overall coordination of the amateur radio resource
for EMCOMM: the ARRL/ARES.
Another possible solution to this “shortage of EMCOMM operators” problem, is
for agencies that have programs that permit non-hams to provide auxiliary
communications on public service, FRS, GMRS, or other frequencies; to actively
recruit non-hams for volunteer service.
I recognize that it is often easier to “recruit the hams” since...they are
often more willing and readily available than the general public, but this would
“free up” more licensed amateurs for other radio duty where more
sophisticated communications assistance may be needed. And, who
knows...some of these non-ham EMCOMM operators may get interested in amateur
radio!
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“The predominant characteristic of the amatuer is his altruism. Those
not familiar with amateur practices find it hard to realize that alruism of such
a high order exists anywhere in this world.” - “Based upon this
extraordinary spirit of fellowship and altruism, bolstered by the aid of high
intelligence, supported without financial gain to themselves or their
associates, amateur radio has traced a story that cannot be compared with any
other in existance.” - Clinton B. DeSoto, in his 1936 classic:
“200 METERS & DOWN” (Still available from the ARRL).
PREVIOUS TRAINING BULLETINS are archived at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
(PLUS A “PLETHORA” OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIAL)
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
# 18. Phone service will be erratic or non-existent. Pay phones will be
the most reliable.
COMMENT: “Radio oriented” people may forget that a telephone may well
be the most appropriate way to deliver a message. I recall an incident
where a ham was using a two meter repeater system to read off a long “laundry
list” of supplies that were needed in an emergency shelter while a
working telephone was sitting right next to him! Sometimes in emergency
situations (which this really wasn’t) COMMON SENSE goes
flying out the back door. - de k6soj
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.
-----------------------------------------------
*** UPDATE *** WEEKLY Medford NWS SKYWARN NETS: Sundays at 1930L on
the
Mt. Ashland 147.26+ repeater (WX7MFR/R).
It is also relayed via 146.55 SIMPLEX (Siskiyou and Klamath Counties); on the
Likely 146.97- repeater (Modoc County)and on the REGIONAL ARES frequency of 3987
LSB. (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN will be activated on these frequencies during severe weather events.
------------------------------------------------
*** FLASH - The 145.030 PACKET NODE
ON MT. ASHLAND IS NON-OPERATIONAL *** (Until repairs can be made)
145.030 MHz, ID is: skywrn. NWS Medford 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.
Questions? contact Gary, N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org
>
The connect to NWS packet bbs 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.
-------------------------------------------------
NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:
March 31 - at EMCOMM 2001.
Palo Cedro, California
April 30 - Curry County 7-9 PM in
the Blue Room in the County Annex Building, Gold Beach., OR.
May 1 - Coos County 6-8 PM
Coquille Fire Hall, Coquille, OR
May 2 - Douglas County 7-9 PM Ford
Room of the Douglas County Library, Roseburg., OR
-------------------------------------------
NOTE: Medford NWS will be offering additional classes soon. Watch this
spot
and/or check in to the SKYWARN and/or ARES nets for updates and announcements.
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.
-----------------------------------
***NEW*** CURRENT NWS WEATHER BULLETINS AND WARNINGS ARE NOW ON A LINK ON
THE HOME PAGE AT: www.qsl.net/k6soj
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
5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS...
*** “BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH”
*** WHAT IS A TEAM?
*** 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
6 - NET ROSTER - UPDATED - FEBRUARY 27, 2001
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 UPON "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!
*** PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY ***
