The ARES E-Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

March 21, 2012

Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE 

In This Issue:

IN THIS ISSUE

- Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Hams Work Tornado Outbreak
- 2012 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Activities
- ARRL's EPM Corey on FEMA Think Tank Call
- Message from ARRL's Emergency Preparedness Manager KI1U: Get On The
Air
- Training: ICS Communications Unit
- Letters: Volunteer Management Models
- Training: IS-201 on ICS Forms
- Letters: Maps and GPS Fallibility
- Letters: The Modern EOC
- Formidable Footprint: National Community/Neighborhood Exercise Series
- Changing of the Guard in North Carolina's Orange County
- K1CE For a Final

==> INDIANA, KENTUCKY AND OHIO HAMS WORK TORNADO OUTBREAK

A devastating storm system moved across the United States on March 2,
spawning a slew of tornadoes that contributed to at least 28 fatalities
in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. These tornadoes followed an earlier
outbreak that began on February 28 and left 13 dead across Kansas,
Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee and battered parts of Kentucky. The
Clark County (Indiana) Emergency Management Agency activated the local
RACES team to help provide communications support, hams in Eastern
Kentucky set up SKYWARN nets to assist the local National Weather
Service office and Cincinnati-area hams supported the National Weather
Service and the American Red Cross. The complete report can be found
here
.
- ARRL Letter, ARRL Headquarters

==> 2012 NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE AMATEUR RADIO ACTIVITIES

The National Hurricane Conference 
will be held March 26-29, at the Hilton Orlando

in Orlando Florida. There will be several amateur radio activities
going on during the week. The National Hurricane Conference (NHC)
leadership continues to recognize the valuable contributions of amateur
radio and again invited us to participate with two sessions. What a
great opportunity for amateur radio!

 NHC Session #1: Monday, March 26, 2012 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, the
main amateur radio session titled, "Amateur Radio Training Sessions:
Disaster Communications Before, During and After Hurricanes."   NHC
Session #2: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am, at the
National Hurricane Conference (NHC), there will be an amateur radio
session designed for Emergency Management agencies called "Amateur
Radio Rap Session-The Emergency Manager's Hidden Resource".

 On Monday, March 26, 2012 from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm, the Orange County
Communications Auxiliary, the Orange County EOC and the ARRL
Southeastern Division will host an interactive free "NHC Workshop" for
all ARES interested amateur radio operators at the Orange County
Emergency Operations Center, 6590 Amory Court, Winter Park, FL 32792.
You will be able to meet other like-minded hams, the presenters of the
Hurricane Conference amateur radio sessions and special guest Dr. Rick
Knabb, Tropical Weather Expert at The Weather Channel. The agenda will
be: introductions, conference presenters summarize the NHC amateur
radio presentations, special guest speaker, emergency communications
discussion, questions & answers and door prizes.

The three presentations will be livestreaming on the internet at,
www.nsradio.org/stream.htm  and
www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm


All hams are invited at no cost to attend session 1 and 2 at the
National Hurricane Conference and the NHC Workshop at the Orange County
EOC.

For additional information:

http://www.hurricanemeeting.com 

http://www.southeastern.arrl.org/2012NationalHurricaneConferenceActivities.pdf

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/O/ORLOCHH-HUR-20
20324/index.jht
ml?WT.mc_id=POG

http://www.southeastern.arrl.org 

http://www.voipwx.net 

National Hurricane Conference presenters are:

Special Guest Speaker: Bill Read, KB5FYA - Director National Hurricane
Center

John McHugh, K4AG - Coordinator for Amateur Radio, National Hurricane
Center, WX4NHC

Julio Ripoll WD4R - WX4NHC Amateur Radio Assistant Coordinator,
http://www2.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw

Rob Macedo, KD1CY - Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
  and ARRL SEC, Eastern Massachusetts

Mike Corey, KI1U - ARRL Emergency Preparedness manager

Greg Sarratt, W4OZK - ARRL Southeastern Division Director

We encourage you to visit all the activities you can and learn more
about amateur radio emergency communications. Hope to see you there!

==> ARRL'S EPM COREY ON FEMA THINK TANK CALL

On February 17, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U,
and Henry Katz, KB3NYW, of Baltimore County, Maryland participated as
presenters in FEMA's Think Tank Conference Call. The conference was
hosted by FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino from city hall in
San Francisco, California. In attendance at City Hall were
representatives from FEMA, local and state emergency management, NGO's,
and the private sector. An audience of over 400 from around the country
also participated via teleconference.

The focus of the Think Tank conference call was the use of technology
and social media in emergency management. The two specific topics
discussed were: (1) How to communicate with disaster survivors and
distribute information to mass audiences if cellular and on-line
communications are unavailable immediately following a catastrophic
disaster; in particular, how existing communications tools, such as
Amateur Radio operators, can be leveraged and linked to other forms of
mass communications following a disaster; and (2) How mobile
applications can help emergency managers and individuals prepare for,
respond to, and quickly recover from disasters.

Katz presented an overview of the Amateur Radio Service while Corey
presented how radio amateurs relay vital messages during a disaster and
how Amateur Radio works in conjunction with new technologies such as
the Internet and social media. Following the presentations there was
time for the audience to make comments and ask questions. The feedback
received was good and the Deputy Administrator summed it up by saying
"They're not Amateurs but they are very much professionals." For more
information on the Amateur Radio portion of the FEMA Think Tank
Conference Call see http://www.fema.gov/thinktank/.

==> MESSAGE FROM ARRL'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MANAGER KI1U: GET ON THE
AIR

In the March 2012 issue of QST your ARES E-Letter editor Rick Palm,
K1CE, had some great advice and insight on training and certifications
for EmComm. Taking part in regular training, whether a new course or a
refresher, has several benefits. First, it lets our served agencies
know that we take not only our relationship with them seriously, but
their mission, too. Second, the learning experience itself benefits the
individual Amateur. And third, taking part in regular training keeps us
informed on what is happening with our served agencies.

Our focus on training, though, has missed something very important.
Where do we start training? What is the first thing you should do if
you want to help with emergency communications and public service? What
is the most important training we can take part in? The answer was
found in your Amateur Radio license study manual.

At the risk of being tarred and feathered by die hard EmComm
enthusiasts, Amateur Radio is not all about emergency communications.
It is about getting on the air and making use of the spectrum we've
been granted. Training starts by turning on your radio. Any time you
get on the air is training and a learning experience. It doesn't matter
what you do on the air: Field Day, rag chewing, nets, DXing, contests,
etc. What matters is that you get on the air. Not just when there is an
ARES event or an emergency, but at every opportunity. GET ON THE AIR!

Think about this: what would we be doing if we didn't have spectrum to
use? We get to keep our spectrum not by spelling out all the "what ifs"
and doomsday scenarios. We keep it by using it, and using it a lot.
There are those that wouldn't mind taking some of our spectrum from us.
Saying we need it in an emergency doesn't always work; after all, even
public safety feels the sting of spectrum grabs.

So how is getting on the air training? By being active on the Amateur
bands, you will increase your knowledge of propagation, rules and
regulations, station building, antennas, modes of communication, and
build networks through the QSO's you make. It is a perpetual learning
environment. After 25 years as an Amateur, I still learn new things by
being active on the bands. Don't take my word for it; ask around to
those in your EmComm group that have been there, done that, and have a
closet full of t-shirts. Getting on the air is a learning experience.

You may not get a certificate for getting on the bands (well perhaps if
you try DXing or contesting) and your served agency may not understand
your excitement for logging that new country on 10 meters, but you will
be learning and growing as an Amateur. So start training and get on the
air. I hope to see you in my logbook soon. - Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL
Emergency Preparedness Manager

==> TRAINING: ICS COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

Every incident requires that certain management functions be performed.
The problem must be identified and assessed, a plan to deal with it
developed and implemented, and the necessary resources procured and
paid for. Regardless of the size of the incident, these management
functions still will apply.

There are five major management functions that are the foundation upon
which the ICS organization develops. These functions are:

1) Incident Command -- Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and
priorities and has overall responsibility for the incident.

2) Operations -- Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives,
and establishes the tactics and directs all operational resources.

3) Planning -- Supports the incident action planning process by
tracking resources, collecting/analyzing information, and maintaining
documentation.

4) Logistics -- Provides resources and needed services to support the
achievement of the incident objectives.

5) Finance & Administration -- Monitors costs related to the incident.
Provides accounting, procurement, time recording.

The Communications Unit comes under the Logistics function, and
develops the Communications Plan (ICS 205), to make the most effective
use of the communications equipment and facilities assigned to the
incident. Additionally, this Unit installs and tests all communications
equipment, supervises and operates the incident communications center,
distributes and recovers communications equipment assigned to incident
personnel, and maintains and repairs communications equipment on site.

The Communications Unit is responsible for effective incident
communications planning, especially in the context of a multiagency
incident. All communications between organizational elements during an
incident should be in plain language (clear text) to ensure that
information dissemination is clear and understood by all intended
recipients. Planning is critical for determining required radio nets,
establishing interagency frequency assignments, and ensuring the
interoperability and the optimal use of all assigned communications
capabilities.

The Communications Unit Leader should attend all incident Planning
Meetings to ensure that the communication systems available for the
incident can support tactical operations planned for the next
operational period.

Incident communications are managed through the use of an incident
Communications Plan and a communications center established solely for
the use of tactical and support resources assigned to the incident.
Advance planning is required to ensure that an appropriate
communications system is available to support incident operations
requirements. This planning includes the development of frequency
inventories, frequency-use agreements, and interagency radio caches.

Nets

Radio networks for large incidents may be organized as follows:

1. Command Net -- The command net links together Incident Command,
Command Staff, Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, and Division and Group
Supervisors.

2. Tactical Nets -- Several tactical nets may be established to connect
departments, agencies, geographical areas, or specific functional
units. The determination of how nets are set up should be a joint
function designed by Planning, Operations, and Logistics.

3. Support Net -- A support net may be established primarily to handle
changes in resource status but also to handle logistical requests and
other nontactical functions.

4. Air-to-Ground Net -- To coordinate air-to-ground traffic, either a
specific tactical frequency may be designated, or regular tactical nets
may be used.

5. Air-to-Air Nets -- Air-to-air nets may be designated and assigned
for use at the incident. An air-to-air net is designed to be used by
airborne assets; ground units should not utilize this net. - FEMA ICS

==> LETTERS: VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT MODELS

I was EC in Leon County, Florida, and read your "Final" in the last
issue with interest as it matches closely with our typing list that I,
with Brian Short, KC0BS, developed several years ago after FEMA first
released their initial typing structure. At the time I was the
Technology Projects Manager for the Mid-America Regional Council and
was developing a regional typing standard(s) for the entire Kansas City
region for all emergency services personnel including volunteer groups
such as Amateur Radio, CERT, and the Medical Reserve Corps.

In my new role as an Emergency Manager I'm now on the receiving end of
the hams who want to help but I don't dare risk putting ineffective or
untrained personnel into key positions using limited resources. This
typing has been helpful in sending the right people to other
jurisdictions locally and we hope it will be just as helpful on a state
to state basis. How long has Flagler county been using their typing
structure? Did you get any kickback from the hams when you implemented
it? What do you think it will take to get these adopted on a national
level so that we can share resources with some confidence that as a
receiving agency we are getting what we need (which is, of course, the
purpose of typing in the first place)? -- Matt May, KCEM, MEP Assistant
Director, Operations, Johnson County Division of Emergency Management,
Olathe, Kansas [There is a wealth of good information on the Flagler
County, Florida, model of volunteer management here
, including a program
manual, application forms, and a volunteer typing matrix that was
feautured in the last issue. - K1CE]

==> TRAINING: IS-201 ON ICS FORMS

There is a new IS-201 class that overviews some of the ICS forms that
could be used in an incident. While the mix covered in this class is
different than what I have seen in actual incidents, the class does
present the forms and should provide a good overview of how and why
they are utilized. I would suggest that this class be considered for
more advanced ARES/RACES personnel. We will be adding it to the
certification requirements for personnel on our command vehicle. --
Garth Kennedy, W9KJ, Administrative Officer, Naperville, Illinois EMA
[Course Overview: This is a web-based training course on the National
Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS). The
course is designed to provide training through an independent study
vehicle on the use of ICS forms. Take the course here
. - ed.]

==> LETTERS: MAPS AND GPS FALLIBILITY

The story Hams Help Save the Life of Fellow Ham
 in the December
2011 issue was interesting and heartwarming when learning of the safe
rescue of the ham. The one thing that caught my eye was the misleading
by the GPS in trying to lead to the motel the driver was looking for. I
try to use the Internet mapping programs offered by Google and others.
I print out the road and street layout of the location I am headed for
when it is not a familiar location. I use my GPS to verify that I am on
the roads that my map shows that I should be on, as I go along. When
the GPS starts to send me to a road I know from the map is a wrong one,
then I know not to trust or follow the GPS directions any longer. I
then use the map and the roads shown on it to get where I need to get
to.

Speaking in general, this is a good practice for any travel to an
unfamiliar location such as for an assignment to an emcomm setup by an
ARES member, and so on. These maps are incredible in detail, even
including motels, gas stations, hospitals and so on. It is a resource
that is free to anyone who has an Internet connection and a printer.
Unfortunately, as we know, there is too much faith in cell phones and
GPS devices, which are all too fallible, especially in an emergency.
Printed maps do not depend on radio tethered devices. It is the one
thing you can depend on, assuming you know how to follow a map, and it
is not dependent on radio or satellites in any way. -- Murray Goldberg,
KD2IN, Toms River, New Jersey

==> LETTERS: THE MODERN EOC

Thanks for the article Putting Amateur Radio in Context in the EOC
[p.88, February 2012 QST]. I wholeheartedly agree with Troy and Bob's
assessment stated in the last paragraph. I came to the same conclusion
several years ago and joined up with CERT, the Medical Reserve Corps
and the Local County Sheriff's Office Citizens on Patrol. The EMCOMM
landscape has changed drastically here since 9/11, and Hurricanes
Katrina and Ike.

Our county Mobile Command Center is equipped with every radio service
imaginable, including satellite and Internet communications and Amateur
Radio. Interoperability is vastly improved, though not perfect. Our
local fire department reinstalled VHF radios in some of the trucks that
are used for mutual aid to other counties since we have an 800 MHz
trunking system but the more rural counties are on VHF FM. Currently
there is a 700 MHz system being overlaid with the 800 MHz system for
interoperability.

Half of our CERT members are radio amateurs. We have been called out
for Search and Rescue, and use Amateur Radio and GMRS as our primary
communication systems. The Medical Reserve Corp relies almost entirely
on Amateur Radio for point to point communications as there are no
funds for expensive Digital Trunking radio systems. Being a member of
these different response groups allows one to meet and work with the
decision makers at the county and city level. They see you as an
emergency asset with a radio and not just someone who can talk on a
radio. -- Eugene Murski, K5ZX, North Texas

==> FORMIDABLE FOOTPRINT: NATIONAL COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD EXERCISE
SERIES

The series of Formidable Footprint 
exercises for neighborhood, community and faith based organizations
continues. The March 31 scenario is an earthquake. April 28's exercise
involves flood scenarios. Exercises have also been scheduled for the
following scenarios: Hurricane, Pandemic, Tornado, and Wildfire.

The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in
accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
(HSEEP) protocols. The objective of the exercise series is for CERTs,
Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations, Community/Faith
Based organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and others to work as a
team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community
may face. There is no charge for participation in any of the Formidable
Footprint exercises. For additional information or to register for
upcoming exercises, please access the following website:
http://www.FormidableFootprint.org
 Stay informed regarding future
exercises by joining the Formidable Footprint LinkedIn Group.

==> CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN NORTH CAROLINA'S ORANGE COUNTY

Laurie Meier, N1YXU, has retired as ARES EC for Orange County, North
Carolina. During Meier's tenure as EC, the Orange County program was
broadened with stellar leadership. Ms. Meier is the first to receive
the North Carolina ARES Area 10 Outstanding Service Award. She humbly
dedicated the award to the Orange County ARES group. Meier was
instrumental in developing their ARES leadership team, structured and
productive weekly nets along with meetings called "Ready Rallies" that
have always produced better informed and trained ARES members.

With Meier's resignation, Steve Ahlbom, W3AHL, has gracefully accepted
the position. Because of ramped up objectives by Emergency Management
for interoperability and increased training demands, his new role will
require strong leadership skills. Mr. Ahlbom is well respected among
the amateur community, and brings a lot to the table as he has been
part of the ARES leadership team as an AEC. Ahlbom has technical
qualities and experience in an active role in supporting regional and
state disaster groups. - North Carolina ARES Area 10 News, Volume 1,
Issue 1, January 2012

==> K1CE FOR A FINAL

I'm back on D-STAR with my ICOM IC-2200H and will have some reports on
my experiences in the next few issues. It certainly is an exciting mode
and the implications for Amateur Radio emcomm are almost limitless,
with numerous applications for digital voice and data.

____

Thanks go to the ARRL's Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey,
KI1U, for his contribution to this month's newsletter, and for his
continuing work for the League's emcomm programs. He is also my editor
up at the Ivory Tower, and the last filter before these words hit the
streets. Thanks, Mike!

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