EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Western Placer Amateur Radio Club Dennis Kelleher KI6HHA
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
Western Placer Amateur
Radio Club
Dennis Kelleher KI6HHA
HAM Radio’s Role in Em Comm
RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Established by FCC Part 97.407
Serve Governmental Agencies upon request E.G. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), US
Forest Service, State EOC (Emergency Operations Center)
RACES volunteer operators are: Licensed Radio Amateurs
Certified by a civil defense agency
Able to communicate on Amateur Radio frequencies during drills, exercises and emergencies
Activated by local, county and state jurisdictions and are the only Amateur Radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the President of the United States specifically invokes the War Powers Act.
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HAM Radio’s Role in Em Comm
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Established by the ARRL
Serve Primarily Non-Governmental Agencies upon request E.G. Salvation Army & Red Cross
ARES groups are volunteer amateur radio operators who come together for the common purpose of providing emergency and/or auxiliary communications service for public safety and public service organizations. Most individual ARES units are autonomous and operate locally. organized by city or county and are composed of volunteers from the local area. The only requirements to join ARES are a willingness to serve and a valid amateur radio license.
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NIMS (NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
The National Incident Management System is a system created by the Federal Government that identifies concepts and principles that answer how to manage emergencies from preparedness to recovery regardless of their cause, size, location or complexity.
NIMS provides a consistent, nationwide approach and vocabulary for multiple agencies or jurisdictions to work together to build, sustain and deliver the core capabilities needed to achieve a secure and resilient nation.
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TYPE 5 – Under one operational period, minimum resources, the
only ICS position staffed is the Incident Commander (i.e., single
vehicle crash) ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700 apply
TYPE 4 – Limited to one operational period, command and
general staff positions activated as needed (i.e., house fire,
protest rally) ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700 apply, ICS-300 will
apply when any command and general staff positions are
activated.
TYPE 3 – May extend into multiple operational periods, some/all
command and general staff positions activated (i.e., large
industrial fire, tornado, hostage stand-off). ICS-100, ICS-200,
ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-800 and IS-700 apply
Operational Period is: The period of time scheduled for execution of a given
set of tactical actions as specified in the Incident Action Plan. Operational periods can be of various lengths, although usually not more than 24 hours.
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TYPE 2 – Multiple operational periods, many command and
general staff positions filled, regional and/or national resources
brought in (i.e., devastating flood or earthquake). ICS-100, ICS-
200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-800 and IS-700 apply
Type 1 – Expected to go into multiple operational periods, event
of national significance (i.e., major terrorist attack like 9/11 or
Hurricane Sandy or Katrina level disaster). ICS-100, ICS-200,
ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-800 and IS-700 apply
Operational Period is: The period of time scheduled for execution of a given
set of tactical actions as specified in the Incident Action Plan. Operational periods can be of various lengths, although usually not more than 24 hours.
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LEVEL TITLE SUPPORT POSITION
Incident Commander Incident Commander Deputy
Section Chief Deputy
Branch Director Deputy
Division/Group Supervisor Not Applicable
Unit Leader Manager
Strike Team/Task Force
Leader Single Resource Boss
CHAIN OF COMMAND TABLE
Incident Commander, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer and
Information Officer
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OPERATION SECTION
Staging area, Task Forces, Strike Teams, Investigations Group Rescue Group,. First to be organized. Expands from bottom up. Has most incident resources because it carries out the action plan. PLANNING SECTION
UNITS: Resource, Situation, Documentation, Demobilization, Technical, Specialists: Develops Action Plan based on Data Collected ADMINISTRATION-FINANCE SECTION
UNITS: Time, Procurement, Compensation, Claims and Costs LOGISTICS SECTION
UNITS: Medical, Food, Supply, Facilities, Group Support and Communications (amateur radio operators assigned this unit)
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•Preparing ICS Communication Plan (form 205)
•Distribute and Maintain Communication
Equipment
•Supervise Incident Communications Center
•Ensure Adequate Communications over Incident
including: •Establish Nets as Appropriate •Ensure adequate staffing •Set up Radio Communication Center & check out equipment •Request Service on any inoperable equipment •Set up Message Center as required •Receive and transmit messages inside & outside incident •Provide briefing to relief personnel •Maintain & Turn in appropriate documentation such as log sheets •Demobilize the Communications Center per IC Plan
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ICS 205 Radio Communications Plan ICS 210 Status Change Card ICS 211 Incident Check in List ICS 213 General Message Form ICS 214 Unit Log ICS 216 Radio requirements Worksheet ICS 217 Radio Frequency Assignment Worksheet ICS FORMS CENTER
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource/ICSResCntr_Form
s.htm
The Net Control Station
The Net Control Station (NCS)
coordinates all net activity and
shapes the net operation
One of the most essential parts of
an any net is the competence and
skill of the Net Control Station
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The Basic Duties of the NCS CONTROL THE NET: Responsible for controlling who uses the frequency
while the net is in session; Delegate tasks like sending stations to other
frequencies to handle an issue and then report back on main channel
HAVE A COMMANDING SIGNAL clear, full quieting into the repeater so
everyone can understand the NCS
IDENTIFY A BACK UP NCS find an alternate NCS in case it is needed
BE BREIF clear, concise instructions in as few words as possible
MAINTAIN AN EVEN PACE provide time to write down messages and give
time for those with emergency or priority traffic to break in
KEEP A LOG maintain a written record of incident and a list of traffic
KNOW YOUR NET MEMBERS learn voices and call signs so they can be
recognized despite static to save time
LISTEN CAREFULLY to ensure accuracy in acquiring information and ask
for confirmation or relays if you don’t understand
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT keep track of who is on the net and who has
departed and know types of nets that are operating during incident
USE TACTICAL CALL SIGNS and plain English to avoid use of jargon and
codes to facilitate understanding and save time
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Becoming an Effective NCS
To become an effective Net Control involves practice, practice, practice. That is why it is important to participate in weekly nets with your club.
Know your radio well so you can quickly change frequencies or from duplex to simplex if necessary.
Have back up power i.e. extra batteries, radios, a scanner, lists of emergency frequencies, phone numbers, printed call lists and other resources readily available in case they are needed.
Have paper & pencil handy. Having another person to record traffic for you while you operate the radio is very helpful..
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2 TYPES OF NETS OPEN or UNSTRUCTURED NETS are
used when there is little traffic volume or there is little need to direct individual stations with a Net Control
DIRECTED or CONTROLLED NETS are used when traffic is directed through the NCS to discourage doubling between stations on the repeater and preserve open air time for emergency & priority messages. Most emergency nets (RACES or ARES) use one of the 3 forms of a directed net.
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3 FORMS OF CONTROLLED NETS
COMMAND NET used in large incidents when it becomes necessary for the leadership to solve jurisdiction issues.
TACTICAL OR TRAFFIC NET is the “front line” net during an incident that may include interagency communications traffic handling
RESOURCE NET used to recruit & organize equipment & operators to support the incident operations
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Incident Communication Log Used by NCS to Document Contacts
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NATIONAL TRAFFIC HANDLING SYSTEM BASICS
What is NTS? The NTS is a relay messaging system developed for content accuracy. Whatever message is sent by way of the NTS, is received exactly as it was originated. There is no margin for error. The National Traffic System consists of ARRL affiliated and independent amateur radio networks ('nets') which pass non-commercial messages on behalf of third parties as a public service. Licensed Amateur Radio Operators perform this service at no charge. NTS has been in operation since 1949. It was established by the ARRL in response to membership demand. It carries on a tradition of message relaying, established by Hiram Percy Maxim when he founded the ARRL for the purpose of handling message traffic in 1914. What is Traffic? Traffic is NTS formalized messages utilizing the ARRL "RADIOGRAM“ standardized format. NTS messages may be sent to, or by, anyone. You do not have to be a ham to initiate or receive a message. A licensed ham must, of course, handle the transmission , relay and delivery of the traffic.
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ARRL RADIO GRAM FORMAT continued
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QUICK DEPLOYMENT LIST Dennis Kelleher Ki6HHA
1. HT Radio : Dual Band HT VHF-UHF radio & Extra Battery Packs for Radio
2. Mobile Radio: Mobile 50 watt 2 meter radio with Anderson Pole Power Cords
3. Portable Power Supply Deep Cycle Marine Battery or Portable Battery Booster
4. Power Cords & Adapters: Cigarette Lighter Anderson Power Pole Cords & Adapters
5. Operating Manuals HT Radio & Mobile Radio summary programming sheet
6. Antennas & Coax: Magnetic mount Dual Band Antenna & Portable HT Antenna & Coax
7. Scanner& GPS: Portable Hand Held Scanner with extra batteries & GPS & paper maps
8. AM/FM Portable Radio with crank or extra batteries & LED Flashlights or Light Sticks
9. Cell Phone with resident HAM operator contact information
10. Emergency Forms & Supplies: ARRL Radiograms, Clip Board, Pens, Pencils, Paper, Marking Pens
11. Furniture: Folding Table & Chair, Tent/Canopy, Sleeping Bag, Survival Blanket
12. Tools Nylon Rope, Duct tape, Matches, Chain Saw, Ax, shovel, Road Flares, Swiss Army Knife
13. Clothing:: Safety Vest, Rain Gear, Boots, Work Gloves, Coat, Hat, Dust Mask & Whistle, Binoculars
14. Toiletries TP, Hand Sanitizer , Soap, Chlorine Bleach, Large Plastic Trash Bags, Paper Towels
15. Food, Water & Utensils :Water, Food, MRE’s, Nutrition Bars, Plates, Utensils, Medication, $50 cash
16. First Aid Kit & Supplies:: NIMS Field Guides & Reading Eyeglasses, NIMS & NTS Summary Docs
17. License : Copy of FCC HAM License and Club or RACES, ARES ID Badges
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Emergency Communications Website (comprehensive information here) www.emcomm.org ARRL Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook http://www.arrl.org/shop/Amateur-Radio-Public-Service-Handbook ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) http://www.arrl.org/ares RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) http://www.usraces.org/ FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) http://www.fema.gov/ SACRAMENTO VALLEY SECTION ARES WEB SITE http://www.emcomm.org/svares/default.asp NATIONAL INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM INFO FOR AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS http://www.abarc.net/files/NIMS_INFO.PDF NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM BASICS FOR RADIO MESSAGES http://www.abarc.net/files/Traffic_Handling_Info.pdf COMMONLY USED EMERGENCY FORMS http://www.abarc.net/forms.html ANDERSON POWER POLE INSTALLATION http://www.abarc.net/files/POWERPOLE_Installation.pdf INFO GUIDES http://www.informedguides.com/
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES AND LINKS