“I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!”
...Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith (George Peppard) of the
A-TEAM)
----------------------------------------
The 5-1-2 BULLETIN - 7 August 01 - No. 66
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:
7 AUG 01 @ 2100L - Your editor has just returned from “Day Four” on the
Indian Springs Fire, near Bonanza, OR, working in the Communications Unit
(Logistics) for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and will be back on
duty early tomorrow. I will not be on the NWS, or ARES nets Wednesday
evening. Bill Leiken, KC7IXX, AEC Josephine County is the NCS at 1930L.
Please give him your support by checking in and participating.
Until further notice, I would appreciate it if everyone would minimize
non-essential e-mail traffic to this station until things return to normal.
Thank you.
Indian Springs Fire status (unofficial): 1700+ acres, all wildland, no
structures involved. A few minor, and one serious (firefighter) injury
reported. 4 air tankers, 4 helos, supported by 1200 personnel
(3X the population of Bonanza!). Containment is expected soon if WX holds.
Fire is now plumbed with over 21 miles of hose. No estimate on date of
control. WX: Winds variable, hot and dry, possible thunder storms are forecast
for Wednesday (8/8). No ARES involvement except for Terry Bell, N2RSI,
(also assigned to the fire) and myself, for personal/tactical communications
(low power 2M simplex); and, to keep in touch with home. - de K6SOJ
+ TO ALL EMERGENCY COORDINATORS
- Monthly reports are due.
(Pssst - Modoc, Lassen and Siskiyou Counties’ are already in!)
+ MARTIS FIRE
FINAL SUMMARY -
An synopsis of this incident by Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD,
ARES DEC - Nevada Area 1 is included at the end of this newsletter.
+ ”TALK UP AMATEUR RADIO!” -
ARES brochures (FSD-25) are available to Field Organization Leadership
Officials. (Free, but quantities are limited.) The April 2000 revision is
nicely done. Contact ARRL HQ.
“HAM RADIO! Your Key to Excitement” is an excellent youth oriented pamphlet
and is available for $4.00 per 100. Contact ARRL HQ.
+ EMCOMM ANTENNAS -
An intriguing NVIS antenna project by Dr. Carl O. Jelinek is at: www.qsl.net/vcars/CARL/NVIS.html#sld006
(NOTE: Ed Ewell, K7DXV , Klamath Falls, currently has one of these antennas
under construction. He will be testing it soon and would like some signal
reports. Listen for him on the nets.)
For pictures and description of the military/commercial version of this
antenna go to:
http://columbiaelectronics.com/as_2259_gr__portable__hf_antenna.htm
+ FEEDBACK -
(More about traffic handling)
FROM: Ed Ewell, K7DXV (Klamath Falls, OR)
“The subject of traffic handling could be a ongoing, interesting topic. The
under prepared, undisciplined, and interlopers topics could launch a very
interesting discussion. However it is very true, and I have seen it
happen.
The concept of a ARES team of specialists in traffic handling that could be sent to an operation fully equipped to send traffic and receive traffic complete with forms, files, with proficiency in traffic in voice and CW (5 to 10 wpm) is adequate to pass traffic. I have not ever seen the volume of traffic that we handled in the Navy show up in ham radio.
A Ten-Tec Scout 555, or some other equally unsophisticated radio, portable antenna, key, earphones, log and message files with forms a person could go any where.
A shift supervisor, (sets schedules of operators and routes traffic, proof reads messages as to format and content. All traffic has to be released for transmission by proper authority. A signature is nice to have on the original piece of paper) A message clerk/filer (logs outgoing/incoming traffic and files messages). A messenger to deliver messages and pick up outgoing message is nice if doing a big operation.
Are we ready to handle emergency traffic? I don't think so yet. But with three giant steps we could be ready.
A special team formed to demonstrate and set an example that it could be done would be a real teaching tool and one ready for action if needed.”
COMMENT: I agree Ed, that this is one of our “weakest links” - HI.
You present some interesting suggestions that are not in conflict with the
ARESMAT or NTS concept. Most hams like to talk, but few are content to
handle messages/traffic on behalf of others. We are planning an in-depth
and thorough course on the NTS and RADIOGRAMS at EMCOMM 2002. de K6SOJ
+ NET REMINDER - 5-1-2 REGIONAL
ARES AND NWS NETS
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: www.qsl.net/k6soj/archives/index.htm
.Below are excerpts from that article with comments.
53. “Security will have to be posted at hospitals, clinics, and first-aid
stations to control hysterical citizens demanding immediate attention.”
COMMENT: This also is true at evacuation centers, shelters, etc. In my
experience, “hysterical” behavior occasionally occurs, but is relatively
rare. Demanding, aggressive, unrealistic and even hostile behavior is more
common. Either way...security is a prime concern.
Having your proper identification with you is important. Except for
personnel responding from outside a stricken area (mutual aid), it is always
much better to have maintained an ongoing, working relationship with local
officials. Also, how you conduct yourself, (i.e. - professionally) will carry
you a long way towards establishing rapport with others.
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 on 147.26+ (123.0) Mt. Ashland.
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: 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!
-----------------------
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
Nevada Area 1
After-Incident Action Report
Incident Name: Martis Fire
Incident Date: June 17 through
June 24, 2001
Coordinating Agency: Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services (NNARS)
Management Personnel: Paul Cavnar, ARRL Nevada SEC
Matt Parker, ARES DEC, Nevada Area 1
Russ Shively, Washoe County RACES Officer
Details of Incident
At approximately 1300 hours on Sunday, June 17, 2001, a forest fire ignited
in an area approximately 20 miles west of Reno near Martis Creek Reservoir
in California. Strong westerly winds caused extremely rapid eastward
spread of the fire. The town of Floriston, California was in imminent
danger from the fire by late afternoon and had to be evacuated for several
hours. Interstate 80 west of the Nevada State Line was closed throughout
the afternoon and evening hours due to intense burning on both sides of the
freeway in areas. Potential threat to communities west and south of the city of
Reno was considered should the rapid spread of the fire continue.
Response to Incident
At approximately 1545 hours on Sunday, amateur radio communications support was
requested by the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC). NNARS
members were summoned for this duty with four personnel responding to the
Chapter House in Reno. Amateur personnel were held there while the
incident and the ARC’s needs were assessed.
At approximately 2045 hours that evening, it was determined that communications support would not be needed and NNARS personnel were released. It was determined that support would be needed at the beginning of the ARC’s operational period on Monday morning at 0600.
As amateur communications activities began on Monday morning, it quickly became apparent that NNARS resources available to cover an extended incident would not be sufficient. Mutual aid was requested from the Douglas County Amateur Radio Team as well as from Placer County, California ARES. Sufficient resources were secured from these two agencies to back up NNARS personnel for continued response to the ARC’s needs during this incident.
From Monday, June 18, through Sunday, June 24, amateur radio operators provided communications support to the ARC daily from the beginning of their operational period at approximately 0600 until all Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV’s) had returned to the Chapter House in Reno, typically between 1800 and 1900 hours. Personnel operated both amateur equipment and the ARC’s commercial radio base station.
At the outset, communications between the Chapter House and the ERV’s relied heavily upon amateur facilities and equipment. As the week drew on with significant progress made on the fire, the Hirschdale staging area in California was shut down. The location of this area in the canyon west of the state line created a significant logistical problem regarding communications. Once this staging area was deactivated, locations to which the ARC responded on a daily basis were in close proximity to Reno, requiring less use of amateur facilities and shifting operations primarily to the ARC’s radio system. An inoperative radio in one of the Reno-based ERV’s called for an amateur radio ride-along until the end of the week when it was determined that cellular telephone communications were sufficient to handle the needs of this unit.
Amateur personnel remained active through 1750 hours on Sunday, June 24,
providing base station operators for the ARC radio at the Chapter House.
Operational Problems
At the outset of the incident, communications were being conducted on two
separate repeater systems and it was therefore deemed that the packet radio
at the Red Cross communications station was needed for voice operation. Upon
locating the microphone for this radio, it was discovered that the connector had
been removed from it and used for connection to the packet TNC. A NNARS
member loaned a compatible mike for use on this radio until a
connector was obtained and installed on the Red Cross’ s microphone.
Additionally regarding this radio, the signal it was outputting was very weak
and not capable of tripping any repeaters in the area. This situation was
corrected temporarily by use of an antenna and feed line loaned by a NNARS
member. Upon checking further, it was found that the coax line this radio
had been connected to terminated at a balun located on the roof. This situation
was corrected by installation of a ¼ wave ground plane antenna constructed by a
NNARS member.
After Incident Action
On Saturday, July 28, 2001, a post-incident debriefing was held involving
most of the participants in this incident. All present agreed that
response to this incident was outstanding and the performance of amateurs who
participated was commendable.
The following suggestions were offered for improved performance in future
incidents:
In order to facilitate more seamless transition between amateurs from different
commands, job descriptions for operating positions and instructions for use of
various equipment should be prepared. In addition to radio equipment,
instructions need to be included for telephones, status boards, and any other
facilities for which the use and maintenance thereof is the responsibility of
communications personnel.
More lead time needs to be provided for staging officers recruiting and scheduling personnel. Specifically regarding this incident, the daily briefing time of 1730 hours caused some difficulty in scheduling personnel for the following day.
Amateur personnel need to be reminded of the protocol allowing the use of tactical call signs and be instructed to use them on all incidents. Use of personal call signs rather than tactical calls during initial operations on this incident caused confusion for personnel who were not familiar with where each responder was assigned. Discussed was that it should be the responsibility of the net control or base station operator to assign tactical calls and, in the event this is not done, the individual operators should assign themselves tactical calls based on their location and assignment. Use of procedural words should be discouraged. ICS protocol dictates that plain English be used in all communications and personnel need to be so advised.
Communications personnel should remember that they are communicators and
not decision-makers.
The issue of logs maintained by communications personnel was discussed.
In reviewing logs kept on this incident, it is acknowledged that this is an area
in which improvement is needed. In future incidents, all personnel involved will
be reminded that logs of all communications must be maintained. Specifically
regarding NNARS, we need a larger personnel base that is more responsive to
these incidents. This response provided actual demonstration of a point of
conversation for some time, that being that not enough volunteers are involved
in this service in the Reno area.
Although this incident provided a good test of our interface with mutual aid resources, we should be more self-sufficient in responding to local incidents.
We were privileged to have as attendees to this debriefing our ARRL Nevada
Section Manager Jan Welsh as well as Red Cross Emergency Services Director Jim
Utterback, both of whom were highly complimentary of the response and support of
amateur radio operators in this incident.
Certificates of Merit were obtained from the ARRL and issued to all operators
who assisted in this incident. These certificates were signed by Washoe
County Emergency Management Program Director Press Clewe as well as by Mr.
Utterback, both of whom were eager to take this step in showing appreciation on
behalf of both of their respective organizations for the excellent efforts
provided by amateur radio volunteers during this incident.
Submitted August 2, 2001;
Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Nevada Area 1