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mobilize to support such communications.
"Mid-State Relay" Stations
When HF conditions are poor, stations in the central part of the state
(along the I-4 corridor) will be used as "Mid-State Relay" stations.
They will stand by on a selected HF frequency to assist in
communications when the Florida EOC needs direct contact with a station
too weak to copy in adverse conditions.
The GATEway Voice Network System
The "GATEway Stations" are a group of operators who are in constant
VHF/UHF contact with the Florida EOC, regardless of where in the state
an incident might be. The FEOC prefers all traffic to come through the
gateway system, properly formatted and identified. These operators are
an elite group. They are WINLINK-qualified, hold FEMA certifications
and are all appointed as ARRL Official Relay Stations (ORS). Their
function during any activation is to serve as a liaison point to the
FEOC, using whatever mode(s) is mandated by the FEOC for that incident.
The "GATEway Network" is comprised of selected HF voice stations that
also have access to local VHF/UHF voice networks. When alerted,
typically, each District will have a GATEway Station available on the
HF North Florida Emergency Net (NFEN) and on the District VHF voice
network.
A GATEway cannot function without VHF links to the County EOC and other
local points designated by the EC or DEC. ECs are strongly encouraged
to use the County and District VHF nets and avoid using HF at all, if
possible, for local communications. This reduces congestion and
confusion on the HF Emergency Net and expedites all traffic.
Vetting by Local and State Agencies
ARESŪ operators are subject to a criminal background check. To qualify
for official deployment requires the operator to provide a Florida
Driver's License ID number when registering in the Northern Florida
Section Database. Deployment for emergencies directed by the Northern
Florida Section will not be authorized unless the operator has
voluntarily submitted the necessary information to be officially listed
in the Northern Florida Data Base.
ARESŪ Training Requirements
In Northern Florida, the following course certifications are required:
1. ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses
o Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (EC-001)
o Advanced Emergency Communications (Combined L2 and L3 ). Requires SM
recommendation and approval. For DECs and above.
2. National Incident Management System Courses
o IS-00100 - Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100)
o IS-00200 - IS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS
200)
o IS 00700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS) an Introduction
(ICS 700)
o IS-00800 - A National Response Plan (NRP,) an Introduction (IS 800)
o IS-00802 - Emergency Support Function (ESF-2) -- Communications
The new plan was drafted by a fantastic team and reviewed by Florida
State EOC staffers John Fleming, WD4FFX, and James Montague, K4IMO. The
team leader for the project was Andy Gausz, KG4QCD, from the Lake
Monroe Amateur Radio Society (LMARS ) club, who
worked many hours coordinating, composing, proof reading, researching
facts and working with the whole team. Other team members were Rick
Harrelson, WB4ULT; Ron Mettler, WB4GHU; bud Thompson, N0IA; Mike Lee,
WB6RTH and David Miner, W4SKG. There were several amateurs who, after
reading the first published edition, sent in valuable corrections that
will enhance the document: W3EQJ; Carl Zelich, AA4MI; Neil Lauritsen,
W4NHL; and Alan McGrew, KC4MTS. [Congratulations on a superb job,
gentlemen. -- K1CE]
==> JUNIOR ARESŪ PROGRAM IN FLORIDA
The Duval County (Jacksonville, Florida) ARESŪ organization has found a
way to incorporate the growing number of young hams into their
activities. The entry level path there is through their Junior ARESŪ
program. It serves effectively as a method to train and retain those
who are under 18 but still want to be involved in ARESŪ functions.
Check out the Duval County Junior ARESŪ Program
Web site, or contact General Dailey, KD4VVZ,
for more info. This type of operation might just be what your group
needs as well. - Northern Florida Section News
, Paul Eakin, KJ4G,
Northern Florida Section Manager
==> IDEA: NEIGHBORHOOD HAMWATCH PROGRAM
The goal of the Neighborhood HamWatch
program is to provide a way for every capable Amateur Radio operator
who isn't involved in a deployed active ARESŪ operation to serve
his/her community in an emergency communication role. HamWatch amateurs
are good communicators, and have ample stations with emergency power
they can use during periods of extended communication outages that
often follow major disasters. These amateurs augment the active ARESŪ
volunteers and are active participants of the emergency communications
system at the neighborhood level.
Program objectives include: 1) Communicate neighborhood conditions to
local EOCs. Emergency Managers will be provided access to first-hand
information. They will handle heath and welfare messages, report crime
and fulfill other communications needs. 2) Relay information from local
Emergency Managers back to their neighbors so they are better informed
of relief efforts.
Participation in the program requires operators to have the desire and
capability to use their licenses to help their neighbors. There is no
special training or equipment burden necessary. A valid license and a
2-meter/UHF radio and/or HF rig will do the job.
Neighborhood HamWatch operators also communicate with ARESŪ stations
that are in direct contact with local government EOCs. Because of
commercial outages, this may be the only link to the outside world for
a neighborhood. Operators describe neighborhood conditions, medical
needs, and dangerous situations to Emergency Managers and staff.
Emergency Managers can relay messages back to neighborhoods.
How to get started? An informational brochure is available here
,
which will help explain the program and can be printed by local hams
and distributed to their neighbors. This will acquaint neighbors with
their next-door Amateur Radio operators and establish the Neighborhood
HamWatch groups. ARESŪ ECs, and NCS's can help by including a check-in
option for Neighborhood HamWatch operators during or immediately
following training nets so participating hams can begin establishing
contact familiarity.
For more information contact: Andy Gausz , KG4QCD,
President, Lake Monroe (Florida) Amateur Radio Society; Neighborhood
HamWatch Coordinator, from Northern Florida Section News
, Paul Eakin, KJ4G,
Northern Florida Section Manager
==> LETTERS
[Ralph Phillips, P.E., KE5HDF, of Houston, Texas, responds to the
comments of Jeff Sabatini, KI6BCX, Redlands, California, in the last
issue. - ed.]
Jeff Sabatini, KI6BCX, made some very good comments about my hurricane
plans discussed in the August 11, 2010 issue
, and I appreciated them.
I do need to re-think the use of pool shock to convert pool water to
drinking water. The mix I use lists the only ingredient as calcium
hypochlorite. Bleach uses sodium hypochlorite. I will contact the
manufacturer to ask about other "inert" ingredients. Jeff's other
points were valid also, and I have taken them into consideration:
· I store 10 gallons of drinking water before the storm (some people
store up to 50 gallons for a family of four).
· I freeze as much water as I can in plastic bottles and tubs. It
helps preserve my food and provides cool water to drink as it melts.
· Filtering: 4-5 layers of cheese cloth removes almost anything
non-microbial. Coffee filters do well also.
· Sewage and hydrocarbons: My home sits on the highest point for a
mile or more; storm water has never risen past the curb of the street,
even during TS Allison, which flooded 80% of the city. There is very
little chance of contaminated water entering my swimming pool.
· My plan is to drink the stored water first and use pool water only
if the outage lasts beyond 3-4 days.
· I have a propane grill with 2 large bottles of gas, plus a natural
gas line I can hook up (I can convert the grill easily).
I do appreciate Jeff's insights and comments. Even though my location
is safe from flood water, others will not be so lucky and need to be
made aware of the hazards you mentioned. I will write back with what
the pool shock manufacturer says about using it to sterilize drinking
water. -- Ralph E. Phillips, KE5HDF, Houston, Texas
==> K1CE FOR A FINAL
Congratulations to the framers of the major, new rewrite of the
Northern Florida Emergency Communications Plan. It not only provides an
excellent platform for section activations, but also serves as a fine
template and model for local, county, and other section efforts.
_____
I'd like to hear from other groups around the country who have had
their local or county EOCs change to direct management of volunteers,
like Flagler County recently did, discussed above in "The View from
Flagler County." What were the impacts on your local ARESŪ programs,
the good, the bad and the ugly?
See you next month! 73, Rick, K1CE, Flagler County, Florida
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