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The ARES E-Letter

May 18, 2016
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE


In This Issue:

 *  LAX High Desert ARES Supports Walk MS
 *  San Diego ARES Drill Showcases Microwave Bandwidth/Speed Capability
 *  New Books: Army MARS at 90
 *  Train-Bus Crash Mass Casualty Exercise in Southern Florida
 *  Preparing for Wildfires


ARES(R) Briefs, Links

Maritime Mobile Service Network Responds to Mayday Call from Stranded Vessel
(5/16/2016) Canadian Radio Amateurs Went on Alert to Assist in Alberta
Wildfire Emergency, Evacuations (5/11/2016); ARRL Ham Aid Gear Headed to
Ecuador to Support Earthquake Relief, Recovery (5/7/2016); IARU Region 2 Calls
for Emergency Communications Workshop Papers, Presentations (4/28/2016);
Amateur Radio Praised Following Participation in Washington Interoperability
Exercise (4/21/2016); Lack of Power Stymies Amateur Radio Post-Quake Aid in
Ecuador (4/20/2016); EchoLink VoIP Service Proving Valuable in Handling
Ecuador Earthquake Traffic (4/20/2016)


This Week: Dayton Hamvention(R) Forums of Interest to ARES Members

The Dayton Hamvention(R) is this weekend, and features great forums of
interest to readers who plan on attending:

Friday, May 20-- 9:15-10:15 Room 3 SHARES HF EMCOMM SHARES - SHAred RESources
Government HF Emergency Radio System. This session, conducted by Ross Merlin
WA2WDT, the SHARES Program Manager, will discuss the recent expansion of the
federal SHARES HF Radio Program to support state agencies, county Emergency
Management agencies, and critical infrastructure/key resources providers in
addition to the legacy stakeholder group of Federal agencies. SHARES provides
emergency backup and interoperability communications for many of the civil
agencies previously supported by the MARS programs. Recently all MARS members
were granted access to the SHARES program, and the MARS and SHARES are working
more closely together to improve and maintain the readiness of HF emergency
communications. The presentation will conclude with a question and answer
session.

Saturday, May 21 -- 9:15-10:15 Room 3 SATERN:"The Times They Are A-Changin"
Moderator: Bill Feist, WB8BZH. Speakers: Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, National CRD
Secretary and National Disaster Liaison; Bill Shillington, W9ZCL, Territorial
SATERN Coordinator, Central Territory; and Bill Feist, CEM, WB8BZH, National
SATERN Liaison. Busroe, who is responsible for The Salvation Army's National
Disaster Services program, was to present SATERN Founder Major Patrick E.
McPherson, WW9E, with The Salvation Army's Exceptional Service Award for his
dedicated service in founding and developing the SATERN program over the past
28 years; McPherson became a silent key this week (see below).

Sunday, May 22 -- 9:15-10:15 Room 1 Amateur Radio Disaster and Emergency
Communications Panel Moderator: Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness
Manager. A chance to hear from representatives from Amateur Radio's largest
organizations active during times of disaster and emergency. Speakers: Rob
Macedo, KD1CY, VOIP WX Net and VOIP Hurricane Net; Julio Ripoll, WD4R, Amateur
Radio at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC; Paul English, WD8DBY, US Army
MARS; David Stapchuk, KD9DXM, US Air Force MARS; Stan Broadway, N8BHL,
Hurricane Watch Net; and Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN.


ARRL Understanding Local MOU's webinar; Date Changed

ARRL Headquarters will be offering a training session for ARES(R) Emergency
Coordinators, District Emergency Coordinators and Section Emergency
Coordinators on local, section, and state level Memorandums of Understanding
for ARES. The training webinar date has changed: it will be held on Wednesday
May 25, 2016 at 8pm Eastern Time. You may register for the webinar here. The
webinar will be recorded and made available online afterward. All EC's, DEC's
and SEC's are encouraged to participate. -- Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency
Preparedness Manager


Cascadia Rising: Major Earthquake Exercise in Pacific Northwest

The FEMA Cascadia Rising exercise, the largest DHS-FEMA exercise of 2016, will
begin on June 7. The scenario is an earthquake and tsunami disaster involving
the entire Pacific Northwest. On June 7, the exercise will start with a
blackout of all normal, regular communications systems. Emergency/disaster
alternate communication systems will be provided by the amateur service. ARRL
HQ and W1AW will be active and involved. Two DoD exercises will run
concurrently. More information can be found at the FEMA 2016 Cascadia Rising
website. Oregon and Washington ARES/RACES organizations are both to be heavily
involved with a significant investment of HF activity planned. This will be a
major opportunity to showcase ARES/RACES programs and capabilities. -- John
Core, KX7YT, incoming Oregon Section Manager; ARES District 1 Emergency
Coordinator

[A 9.0 magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) and the
resulting tsunami is the most complex disaster scenario that emergency
management and public safety officials in the Pacific Northwest could face.
Cascadia Rising is an exercise to address that disaster.

June 7-10, 2016 Emergency Operations and Coordination Centers (EOC/ECCs) at
all levels of government and the private sector will activate to conduct a
simulated field response operation within their jurisdictions and with
neighboring communities, state EOCs, FEMA, and major military commands.

Conducting successful life-saving and life-sustaining response operations in
the aftermath of a Cascadia Subduction Zone disaster will hinge on the
effective coordination and integration of governments at all levels - cities,
counties, state agencies, federal officials, the military, tribal nations - as
well as non-government organizations and the private sector. One of the
primary goals of Cascadia Rising is to train and test this whole community
approach to complex disaster operations together as a joint team. -- FEMA]


SATERN Founder, Director Maj. Patrick McPherson, WW9E, Silent Key

Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) Founder and past National
Director Maj Patrick E. "Pat" McPherson, WW9E, of Coloma, Michigan, died May
14 at Lakeland Medical Center in St Joseph, Michigan, where he'd been admitted
on May 10 with breathing difficulties. He was 70. After serving as SATERN
Director for more than 23 years, McPherson stepped down 5 years ago, although
he reassumed the role in 2014-2015 on an interim basis. An ARRL member and a
second-generation Salvationist, McPherson founded the disaster response and
relief arm in June 1988 with one other US and two Canadian radio amateurs.
Just 2 months after its founding, SATERN responded to provide communication
between the US and Jamaica following Hurricane Gilbert. Complete ARRL obituary
here. -- Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, ARRL News


LAX High Desert ARES Supports Walk MS

On Saturday April 30, 2016 the LAX (ARRL Los Angeles Section) High Desert
District ARES group provided communications support for Walk MS, an annual
Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser in Lancaster, California. [High Desert refers to
areas of southern California deserts that are above 2,000 feet and below 4,000
feet.] There were an estimated 2,000 walkers, volunteers, spectators, and
sponsors. The course covered 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and the participants'
fitness and health varied widely including those with mental and physical
disabilities and wheelchair-bound entrants.

The LAX High Desert ARES group fielded 16 operators who coordinated
communications with EMS, law enforcement, and two SAG vans. The operators also
provided communications for the two dozen high school freshmen who comprised
the bulk of the on-course volunteers.

A net control station was established in the main staging area with a portable
antenna and solar power array. Nine on-course stations were staffed/operated
and an operator was assigned to each of the two SAG vans. Tactical call signs
were assigned to each station, and primary and secondary 2 meter simplex
frequencies were employed.

The LAX High Desert ARES team handled 64 radio messages, the bulk of the calls
related to the welfare and progress of the last walkers, including "Tail End
Charlie." The operators also fielded calls for the resupply of water at rest
stops, redeployment of stations as the walk progressed, and numerous traffic
control issues at busy intersections. This year's event had an on-duty deputy
sheriff who was also an amateur operator on the net serving as a link for
quick and smooth response to traffic problems, redeploying sheriff's
volunteers as needed.

By noon, Tail End Charlie finished the walk with an operator following behind.
With all stations and attendees accounted for, the net was closed. A short
debriefing was conducted and notes were taken for discussion at the next ARES
meeting. All event communications were handled efficiently, largely due to the
group's collective experience from drills, ongoing training, and the long
history of supporting this event. -- Brian Basura, N6CVO, Assistant DEC, ARES
High Desert District, ARRL Los Angeles Section


San Diego ARES Drill Showcases Microwave Bandwidth/Speed Capability

A recent San Diego ARES (SDGARES) drill featured a remarkable microwave link
established between the southern California city's Sharp Coronado Hospital and
the Club de Radio Experimentadores de Baja California (CREBC) club
headquarters in Tijuana, Baja through the efforts of the CREBC club, the
Coronado Emergency Radio Operators (CERO) and the High Data Rate Emergency
Network of San Diego (HDRENS). Mike Burton, N6KZB, at CREBC HQ, and the
Coronado Hospital ARES group (WW6RB, N6QKE, KK6DKW and W3NRG) working from the
hospital conference room were in high speed video/audio contact extensively
such that in effect the two sites were working in tandem: There was no waiting
for voice channels to be free or typing and accessing data messages. It was
just like having both groups in the same room all the time. The reliability of
the link and connection was outstanding -- the video definition was excellent
as was the audio such that one could follow the voice exchanges between CREBC
and ARES at the Coronado hospital just by listening to the speaker in the
CREBC club room in Mexico. In addition, the software gave the groups the
ability to send files of any size back and forth and to connect to the
commercial Internet if needed. The Sharp headquarters visitors and hospital
staff who passed through could be seen at CREBC, and vice versa. The drill
garnered good public relations for SDGARES. - Ed Sack, W3NRG

[A new (March 2016 publication date) ARRL title, High Speed Multimedia for
Amateur Radio -- Build a High Speed Amateur Radio Microwave Network, can help
ARES members learn to take advantage of the broadband capabilities of high
speed data in the microwave regions for emergency/disaster response
communications. From ARRL: Using commercial off-the-shelf equipment and
developing their own software, groups of hams have created high speed wireless
Amateur Radio digital networks with wide area coverage.

The possible uses for these high speed data networks in the Amateur Radio
community are endless. Virtually any service that works on the regular
Internet can be adapted to an Amateur Radio high speed multimedia (HSMM)
network, including video conferencing, instant messaging, voice over Internet
protocol (VoIP), network sensors and cameras, remote station control, and many
other services. With the capability to send real-time video and data files,
the public service and disaster support aspects of Amateur Radio are expanded
tremendously.

This book introduces HSMM networking, explains the basics of how it works, and
describes the various technologies in use today. Later chapters explain in
detail how to deploy your own HSMM network, along with various applications to
put it to work. Well illustrated step-by-step instructions will guide you
through the process of installing and configuring software needed to get your
HSMM network up and running. Available for purchase here.]


New Books: Army MARS at 90

Army MARS at 90, Helping Protect the Homeland, An Unofficial History was just
published in March, by author Bill Sexton, AAR1FP/FL, N1IN. The commentary
represents Sexton's observations as a 25 year veteran of Army MARS, including
a 10 year stint on the HQ staff; he served as the organization's Public
Affairs Officer for most of its ninth decade. The book covers the history of
the system from its inception to changes in its mission from 2010 to the
present. Sexton was close to the heart of MARS planning and operations, having
reported directly to the Chief; he retired from the Chief's Special Staff in
2014. The recent changes he writes about are the re-purposing of the auxiliary
from supporting civil agencies to more direct support of the military, and
more involvement with ARES: ARES and RACES were asked to join in a major
Defense Department test of the panoply of amateur emergency response entities,
which was held last November.

The book starts off with one of the current challenges facing the country --
terrorism - and how amateur service operators in MARS could keep the nation
connected by HF in the event the Internet, cell and other vital systems were
taken out. MARS, a mainly infrastructure-independent system, could be one of
the few surviving, and the first contact with survivors, in a national scale
disaster. The author then recounts the origins of the program, when the Signal
Corps and ARRL partnered to provide a needed transcontinental wireless
network, and how the basic mission hasn't changed that much. The Army Links Up
with the Amateur read a QST headline. The liaison helped ARRL justify hams'
continued access to spectrum, including against emerging commercial broadcast
interests. The Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) later became MARS.

Controlled and scheduled nets in a system, not unlike the present-day National
Traffic System, were formed. The first disaster for the AARS was the 1926
flood that took out communications. AARS members called for help from the Army
and Red Cross for the horrific Great Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928 disaster in
Florida. Sexton adds archived photos, which are as powerful as the disaster
photos of today. [Sexton credits another MARS member, Bill Gabour, AB5G, a
leader in Louisiana MARS, for his prowess and patience in handling the 60
illustrations and other technical details of publishing this book.]

The AARS was shut down with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but ARRL's efforts
led to the War Emergency Radio Service where selected hams could operate on
2-1/2 meters for emergency messages. It was the forerunner to RACES. After the
war, AARS was reestablished as MARS and was started up just in time to see
service for the Korean war.

Prior to WWII, the ARRL had started ARES to focus on civilian em
rgency/disaster response, based on local VHF operation. ARRL also started the
National Traffic System (NTS) in 1949, based on the previous military model.
MARS had a longer-haul HF network, too, and it seemed that ARES, NTS and MARS
would be logical partners, but they competed for hams from the same pool. Some
members saw MARS as a threat, unfortunately over a long period of time,
although there were exceptions. Recent events and cooperative exercises have
helped to thaw the trilateral relationship. (MARS, NTS and
ARES were not the only entities vying for candidates for membership: RACES was
formed by the federal government in 1952, at the onset of the Cold War, to be
activated during conflict or during an emergency by a local emergency
management (formerly Civil Defense, or CD) agency.There was friction between
ARES and RACES, well into the modern era, although it seems to be
dissipating). Sexton also discusses the friction between Army MARS and the
Navy and Air Force programs. The Navy terminated its MARS program last year.


Service to Vietnam Soldiers

Sexton turns in a moving chapter on MARS' support for service personnel in
Vietnam, a new purpose for operators that had commenced with the Korean
conflict. MARSgrams were relayed, and phone patching followed for soldiers to
talk to their families at home. In-country MARS operators faced constant peril
from enemy fire. Calls were terminated abruptly when operators had to fight.
The MARSgram and phone patch era ended with the first Gulf War, with the
advent of e-mail and satellite phone service; participation in MARS dwindled.


Return to Emergency Communications

MARS returned to its original mission of emergency/disaster relief
communications. MARS operators adopted/developed new technologies such as
Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) and Winlink. The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) signed an agreement with MARS. Challenges to MARS' use of
the Winlink 2000 system came (with concern over use of the unsecure Internet),
but went. Sexton covers changes in leadership, empowering volunteer
leadership; major disaster drills and the need for interoperability; and the
renaissance that occurred when the Army recently renewed its interest in MARS.

Barely a week before a crucial DoD test of "all-radio" cross-country
capability that members had spent months preparing for, Superstorm Sandy
uprooted training schedules with a bigger challenge. Stressed-out operators
passed both tests. Last Fall, a major communications exercise included
interfacing with local amateur groups such as ARES. ARRL reported success,
"especially in terms of ARES-MARS cooperation." Sexton concludes his book with
current history, and a look ahead to MARS' centennial; and a set of appendices.


A Labor of Love

There was a trifecta at work on this superb, fascinating, and at times,
gripping tome: Sexton's 40 years as writer and editor of daily newspapers, his
decade of service as Army MARS Public Affairs Officer, and lastly but most
importantly, his passion for the organization. Some of the anecdotes brought
tears to my eyes, having lived my young adulthood during the Vietnam era.
Sexton's book taught me a lot about the organization and only now do I fully
realize that MARS has represented the very finest in Amateur Radio's richest
traditions of service to humanity.

Army MARS at 90, by William C. Sexton, N1IN, self-published March 2016,
privately printed. N1IN@arrl.net -- K1CE


Train-Bus Crash Mass Casualty Exercise in Southern Florida

When a train and just about anything else cross paths, the results are not
good. According to the US Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad
Administration Office of Safety Analysis, 2016 has recorded 155 incidents and
20 fatalities. Last year, the total was 2,059 incidents with 240 fatalities.

This past April Fools' Day, the train versus bus incident in Arcadia, Florida,
however, was only a drill. The Florida Department of Health along with public
safety agencies from DeSoto County staged a mock train-bus accident along the
tracks that pass Morgan Park in Arcadia, designed to field test the first
responder and hospital emergency departments. Hendry County Emergency
Management staff and reservists, led by EM Director Brian Newhouse, KJ4WIC,
and Finance & Logistics Chief Cristina Mercado were invited to participate in
the exercise to take advantage of the training opportunity.

Hendry County CERT Coordinator Margaret England, KM4OVY, ARES Emergency
Coordinator Frank Harris, WA4PAM, and Volunteer Coordinator Tony Fanska,
KC0SJU, provided perimeter safety control around Morgan Park's still-open
public roads. Throughout the exercise, all of the operators in the group
stayed connected on a 2-meter simplex frequency. A total of thirteen
"victim-patients" including Hendry County CERT and ARES team members were made
up to appear like they had serious injuries: A real steel spike "embedded" in
one victim's abdomen, fractured ribs, flying glass cuts, and a cerebral
hemorrhage from a fractured skull were all simulated with detailed makeup.

Once the players were in place, DeSoto County Fire-Rescue responders descended
on the scene, triaged the victims (sorted them by injury severity), and
transported them to DeSoto Memorial Hospital, in what would later be termed a
"very quick" response lasting about one hour, half the normal time.

In the after-action hot wash at the DeSoto County Emergency Operations Center,
the facilitators gave emergency services high marks, citing inter-office
cooperation, communications skills, and solid training. During the meeting,
some of the CERT and ARES "victims" arrived, some still in makeup and fresh
from the emergency room, to applause from the professional teams. The Hendry
County CERT team members had praise for their DeSoto counterparts,
complimenting them on their positive attitude and performance.

Director Newhouse said "I was proud to have our staff and reservists work with
the outstanding professionals in DeSoto County today. I'd like our teams to
continue along this path to make Hendry County the place other jurisdictions
can look to as an example of what can be done with a small group of dedicated
staff and volunteers. Hopefully, when the word gets around locally, it will
encourage more residents of Hendry County to take CERT and Amateur Radio
courses for membership and licensure so they can be ready to help their
neighborhoods after a disaster."

Hendry County CERT Coordinator Margaret England, KM4OVY, added, "I was
impressed at how smoothly the Incident Command System was implemented by the
responders, emergency workers, and hospital staff during the train bus wreck
simulation. I look forward to Hendry County CERT volunteers' participation in
future emergency exercises in order to help in our neighborhoods and
community."

Brenda Barnes, Planning Consultant & Public Information Officer for the
Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades counties said "This was a
great training experience for everyone involved. You respond like you train.
This training exercise provided the opportunity for us to learn together but
also allowed us to strengthen our professional relationships." - from the Big
Lake Amateur Radio Club website, Hendry County, Florida, used with permission
of Andrew Frame, WD4RCC, Reservist, Hendry County Emergency Management; Hendry
County Assistant EC and SKYWARN Spotter


Preparing for Wildfires

A wildfire is an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in a natural area, such as a
forest, grassland, or prairie. There's a misconception that wildfires only
happen in western and the Great Plains states. While wildfires are more common
in certain states, they can occur anywhere in the country. In addition, homes
and business are more susceptible to wildfires as building development expands
into once forested areas. This is called the wildland urban interface, and
this interaction can put individuals at risk for exposure to wildfire. To help
reduce the chance of wildfire, the America's PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for
a Wildfire guide calls on everyone to practice fire prevention, such as
learning terms relevant to wildfire communication that are used by the
National Weather Service:

Fire Weather Watch: Potentially dangerous fire weather conditions are possible
over the next 12 to 72 hours.

Fire Weather/Red Flag Warning: Fire danger exists and weather patterns that
support wildfires are either occurring or expected to occur within 24 hours.
(Your community may also use the National Fire Danger Rating System to provide
a daily estimate of the fire danger [i.e., low, moderate, high, very high, and
extreme]).

Evacuation Notice: Local authorities may issue an evacuation notice to alert
residents that a fire is nearby and it is important to leave the area. When
authorities issue a mandatory evacuation notice, leave the area as soon as
possible.

More here, from FEMA. Please also see "Wildfire Communications: Fog and
Friction", pp. 85-86, February 2014 QST, for education and training references
on safety and providing amateur service communications for responding agencies
and public safety.

______

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