Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course ARECC Level I Session 1 Dean Davis, KL7OR AEC, Marion County ARES

This course was adapted for the classroom by Kevin Rock, KD5ONS Dean Davis, KL7OR ARECC Level I 2

Learning Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ARECC Level I 3

If one waits until a disaster occurs and then volunteers to be trained for the job, one becomes a liability, not an asset. Training and preparedness must occur before it is needed." from Dan Miller, K3UFG ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program Coordinator ARECC Level I 4

Three Levels of Training Level I course -- basic overview of emergency communications via ham radio Level II course -- intermediate training, more indepth study to enhance skills in handling emergency communications via ham radio Level III course -- advanced training designed to bridge the gap between basic participation and leadership ARECC Level I 5

Number of graduates as of March 2003 Level I graduates: 3,168 Level II graduates: 912 Level III graduates: 469 Approximately 90% of all students take this training on-line, interacting with mentor/instructors and other students. New classes for each course open every month. Hundreds are still in on-going classes. ARECC Level I 6

Preparedness Quiz Here are 12 questions to determine if you are fully prepared for the next emergency. Score each question with 1 point for a YES answer and 0 points for a NO answer. ARECC Level I 7

Question 1 Do you know who your local emergency communications coordinator is? ARECC Level I 8

Question 2 Do you know which frequency is designated as the primary meeting point when commercial power is unavailable in your community? ARECC Level I 9

Question 3 Do you know where to find potable water in your community if the normal water supply has been contaminated? ARECC Level I 10

Question 4 Do you have a jump kit prepared and ready for immediate use? ARECC Level I 11

Question 5 Have you made plans for your family that include any and all pets? ARECC Level I 12

Question 6 When called upon to support your nearby town, have you designated someone to take care of your family in your absence? ARECC Level I 13

Question 7 Is your primary vehicle s gas tank always at least half full of fuel? ARECC Level I 14

Question 8 If it becomes necessary to suddenly leave your community, do you have at least 2 evacuation routes? ARECC Level I 15

Question 9 At this very moment, can you readily find a flashlight and a portable broadcast radio in your home? ARECC Level I 16

Question 10 Are you absolutely certain that they will work right now? ARECC Level I 17

Question 11 In the past 12 months, have you participated in any additional ARRL, FEMA or ARC training activities? ARECC Level I 18

Question 12 If approached by a reporter, can you answer questions you re authorized to answer without using jargon? ARECC Level I 19

CONCLUSION Work and train together Strive constantly for selfimprovement Be ready to assist our neighbors Treat everyone around us as we want to be treated! ARECC Level I 20

QUESTIONS? ARECC Level I 21

Introduction What is a communication emergency? A critical communication failure Puts the public at risk Examples? ARECC Level I 22

Introduction What is an emergency? Planned or unplanned occurrence or event, regardless of cause, which requires action by emergency service personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources. ARECC Level I 23

Introduction What defines a communications emergency?...the result of anything that disrupts normal communications. When communications processes are inadequate to handle the flow required ARECC Level I 24

Intro What is different about ECOMM? Who you may talk to Can t be delayed Definitely not leisurely Unscheduled, no warning Working for a served agency Never to plan No reserve capacity, you re working all out ARECC Level I 25

Intro What s it like? Activation could be before or after Reporting who s in charge? Operations tactical comms or messaging nets Volume high or low Assignments varied depending on need Changes as needed to do the job ARECC Level I 26

Introduction How do we serve? Provide communications where the regular systems cannot. Volunteer time and skills Provide the supporting equipment and infrastructure ARECC Level I 27

Introduction What do we bring? Attitude of cheerful service Knowledge, skill, experience, and equipment ARECC Level I 28

Introduction The proper attitude is key! When a ham assumes he can assist by the sheer fact that he has an FCC license and 3 HTs, he takes on an attitude. Dealing with such a person without training adds new problems and leaves a bad taste with the public service agency. ARECC Level I 29

Introduction Attitude Your knowledge is NOT as important as your attitude. The professionals we serve have seen far too many people who are interested in impressing someone than in getting the job done. Be different. Be quiet. Be efficient. Take orders. ARECC Level I 30

Introduction Certification -- why? Provide the community with trained operators... With a consistent level of training With an understanding of the attitudes necessary to interface with the public service community. Training is needed before an event. ARECC Level I 31

Introduction What role does amateur radio serve? To support emergency management agencies when normal communications are unavailable or overwhelmed. We are not a rapid response team. ARES/RACES is not an extension of hobby talk-time. ARES/RACES needs trained operators that willing to learn to communicate--not just talk. ARECC Level I 32

Introduction You may have to un-learn things you thought you knew. Many false impressions on emergency communications Some important principles differ from traditional ham practices. Pre-existing agreements may affect procedures Be open to new material and the rationale why it works. ARECC Level I 33

Intro Will you make a good volunteer? Do you have the technical skills? Can you work in a team? Are you a communicator or just a ham? Are you willing to prepare yourself? Are you willing to not be in charge? Can you work well with people who may not think you re needed? ARECC Level I 34

Intro Which methods might you use to pass a message? Repeater or simplex CB radio CW Fax machine Packet Telephone Cell phone Internet ARECC Level I 35

Amateurs as professionals Attitude You re an amateur, you re not paid You must have a professional attitude though You aren t working for yourself How professionals often see you Volunteer is not always a nice word! ARECC Level I 36

Amateurs as professionals Non-Communication Roles What should you be willing to do? What if you re asked to do something other than communicate? Some possible jobs Radio operator Dispatcher Field observer Damage assessor ARECC Level I 37

Amateurs as professionals Some specific agencies FEMA Red Cross Salvation Army State & Local emergency management SKYWARN Any Others? ARECC Level I 38

Amateurs as professionals REMEMBER You re there to help BUT You aren t in control, the served agencies are! ARECC Level I 39

Amateurs as professionals Putting it in Writing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) ARRL has them with major organizations The professional approach Get your understanding in writing! ARECC Level I 40

Organizations & Systems Why do we need organizations? Response is a team effort We need to think through scenarios We need to train If we don t work together before the disaster, it will be chaos during it ARECC Level I 41

Organizations & Systems Amateur Radio Emergency Service -- ARES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service -- RACES Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network SATERN Rapid Response Team -- RRT ARES Mutual Assistance Team -- ARESMAT Military Affiliate Radio Service -- MARS US Government Shares Resources System -- SHARES National Traffic System -- NTS ARECC Level I 42

Organizations & Systems Local radio clubs National Communication System -- NCS FEMA National Radio System -- FNARS Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams -- REACT Emergency Alert System -- EAS (Conelrad) NOAA Weather Alert and National Weather Radio -- NWR National Warning System -- NAWAS Tsunami Warning System -- TWS National Earthquake Information Center -- NEIC ARECC Level I 43

ARES Organization Four levels -- national, section, district, local. National EC coordination at ARRL headquarters. Field & educational services manager. ARECC Level I 44

ARES Organization Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC). Appointed by Section Manager (SM), who is elected. Appoints DECs and local ECs. ARECC Level I 45

ARES Organization In large sections, SECs may sub-divide many local groups into Districts. Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AEC) Appointed by EC to delegate workload, handle special interest groups, etc. ARECC Level I 46

Local Level Most Important It s where leaders have contact with volunteers AND served agencies. The local EC is the key contact in ARES. Some ECs handle a small town, some multiple counties. ARECC Level I 47

Local Level Most Important Some ECs handle one group, some many. Local Planning Committee AECs, with the EC as Chairman. Governs the local group. ARECC Level I 48

ARES Operations During Emergencies Require training and prep in net operations, traffic handling. Pre-disaster planning ID of clients. Discussion with clients to learn nature of information they communicate people they need to communicate with. Specification, development and testing of services; memorandums of understanding. ARECC Level I 49

ARES Operations During Emergencies Formal written traffic is important for: A record of what has happened; review, critique and evaluation; completeness. Conciseness; takes less time than informal traffic. Easier copy; familiar format leads to fewer mistakes by receivers. ARECC Level I 50

ARES Operations During Emergencies When relays are involved, standard ARRL message format or a required alternative should be used. Record should show: Message number. Precedence; indicates importance. Station of origin; for any handling inquiries. Check; for catching errors. ARECC Level I 51

ARES Operations During Emergencies When relays are involved, standard ARRL message format should be used. Record should show: Place of origin; so the recipient knows where. Filing time; important in an emergency message. Date of origin. Address; complete w/ phone number. Signature; name and title. ARECC Level I 52

ARES Operations During Emergencies For point-to-point message delivery, without relays; full ARRL format not needed. Whatever format the client agency requests, they get. Saves time and effort to use shortened format. Callsign of originating station usually indicates place of origin. Addressee is usually known and close by. Time often serves as a message number. ARECC Level I 53

ARES Operations During Emergencies Message forms can serve as a log of operation. Discourage the use of ARL numbered messages. MCARES has developed it s own format. ARECC Level I 54

ARES Operations During Emergencies Appropriate procedures can not be learned by reading or studying. Practice is necessary. Avoid complacency. Practice frequently. Get to know the operating styles of other operators. ARECC Level I 55

RACES ARES and RACES are legally different! RACES is a separate radio service. RACES operators must be officially enrolled with the local civil-preparedness, or emergency management agency. ARECC Level I 56

RACES FCC used to issue WC-prefix calls to RACES stations. Now operations are conducted with individual FCC call signs. ARECC Level I 57

RACES Operator privileges dependent on, and identical to license held in Amateur Radio Service. Frequencies and emissions are same for both services and shared. ARECC Level I 58

RACES If the President evokes War Emergency Powers, RACES might be limited to certain frequencies, and the Amateur Service silenced. ARECC Level I 59

ARES-RACES ARES and RACES works best together as an integrated organization. Members each wear two hats. ARECC Level I 60

The National Traffic System (NTS) A means of systemizing amateur traffic handling facilities. Operates daily; continuously. Operators participate for one or more periods per week; some daily. ARECC Level I 61

The National Traffic System (NTS) Two principal objectives: Rapid movement of traffic. Training operators to handle traffic and to participate in directed nets. ARECC Level I 62

The National Traffic System (NTS) Handles only formal (written) traffic. Not competition for independent traffic nets. Rather functions in complement to them, especially in overload or lack of outlet situations. System concept, is most important. ARECC Level I 63

The National Traffic System (NTS) Each net operates in consideration of other nets. Each net performs its function only. System is adversely affected by any failure. Nets sometimes adopt temporary expedients. Every effort is made to assist poorly functioning nets to return to normal. ARECC Level I 64

Membership in NTS Official Relay Station --appointed. Organizationally, the members are nets and nodes. It isn t a club for nets that any net can join. Nets joining is less a matter of official action than state of mind. ARECC Level I 65

Membership in NTS Within section boundaries: Nets or packet nodes can become a part of NTS by performing the functions of such. If coverage is beyond section boundaries and within call areas (regions): Nets and nodes may become a part of NTS by foregoing their general membership and setting up to operate as a session of the region net. ARECC Level I 66

Membership in NTS HF digital stations capable of store-and-forward can be certified as NTS Digital Stations by NTS Area Digital Coordinators. Nets whose coverage extends beyond region boundaries can not become NTS nets; area nets are too specialized. Any net or node that becomes a part of NTS is expected to observe the general principles of NTS operations. ARECC Level I 67

Membership in NTS Participation in NTS is best done by participating in already-existing NTS nets. ARRL fully supports other nets. ARECC Level I 68

NTS Modes NTS not dedicated to any mode. NTS is dedicated to the use of the best mode for the purpose involved. Modes used decided by Net Manager(s). Only one NTS system; not separate systems for each mode. ARECC Level I 69

How do We use REACT? Radio Emergency Associated Communication Team is organized internationally to use CB radio, UHF, VHF, and GMRS to provide PS communications for travelers and communities. ARECC Level I 70

How do We use REACT? All-mode/all-service emergency communications organization. Focused on communications with the public. ARECC Level I 71

How do We use REACT? Well-qualified to handle unstructured communications outside of nets. Especially: Collecting info, providing instructions to truckers bringing relief supplies. Processing radio calls from the public during phone outages. Dealing with spontaneous volunteer radio operators of all services. ARECC Level I 72

How do We use REACT? If no NTS outlet is available to pass emergency traffic, forward it to a non-nts system, such as REACT or an independent traffic net. ARECC Level I 73

Rapid Response Teams Used during first few minutes of an emergency Smaller Teams within larger EMCOMM groups To place a few strategically placed stations on the air within the first half-hour to an hour. ARECC Level I 74

ARES Mutual Assistance Team Hams that can travel to other areas to assist ARES groups based in a disaster area. To bring additional resources including equipment to disaster site Local ARES group is still in charge ARECC Level I 75

Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) DOD sponsored auxiliary communication program Army, Navy/Marine Corps, Air Force Licensed hams, disciplined and structured nets outside of ham bands ARECC Level I 76

Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) Handled quasi-official morale messages Provides backup communications networks to military, federal, state, and local agencies. Phone patches to US military personnel overseas ARECC Level I 77

ARRL ARES/NTS org chart ARRL Headquarters NTS -- traffic ARES -- emergency Area Net Manager Region Net Manager Supervision Section Manager Supervision Section Traffic Manager Coordination Section EC Section Net Manager Liaison District EC Section Net Liaison Local EC Local Net Liaison or Dual affiliation Local Net Official Relay Station Official Emergency Station ARECC Level I 78

Columbia County District One Columbia County Sheriff's Office Assistant Emergency Coordinator Clay Naylor W7CBN Operations Officer Assistant Emergency Coordinator Bob Dent WA7WIM Oregon Section Emergency Coordinator Wayne Jack KK7TT District Emergency Coordinator Bill Morris W7IH Emergency Coordinator Martin Anderson KC7ILK Clatskanie Assistant Emergency Coordinator Robert Britton KD7JDS Mist/Birkenfeld Assistant Emergency Coordinator Mike Fudge N7VZD Rainier Assistant Emergency Coordinator Stan Lewis WA7SL Scappoose Assistant Emergency Coordinator Loren Klepper KD7LGW St. Helens Assistant Emergency Coordinator Robert Hafer KC7PD Remote Operations Assistant Emergency Coordinator David Morrison W7OR Vernonia Assistant Emergency Coordinator Norm Roberts KB7CD ARECC Level I 79

Washington County Oregon District One Section Emergency Coordinator Wayne Jack KK7TT Washington County District Emergency Coordinator Bill Morris W7IH Emergency Coordinator Ben Johnson N7OGM Assistant Emergency Coordinator Assistant RACES Officer Ernie Johnson K7EAJ Assistant Emergency Coordinator Assistant RACES Officer Alvin Carlson KB7VHI Assistant Emergency Coordinator Assistant RACES Officer Ken Wilhelmi N7QQU Assistant Emergency Coordinator Assistant RACES Officer Bill Lennox KD7EFP ARECC Level I 80

Served Agency Systems Most agencies have their own Their procedures and styles may be different They may have specific rules regarding communications They may have specific frequencies to use ARECC Level I 81

The Primary Served Agency Keep in mind You are working an incident to help the agency with a communications shortfall this is embarrassing to some agencies. Acknowledge that the served agency runs the event. Be cooperative and show that you understand by your actions. Don t be a know-it-all! (arrest and removal) ARECC Level I 82

The Primary Served Agency Who talks to the media? The agency PIO only. DO NOT make any statements about the emergency to the press! Refer reporters an other media reps to the PIO. DO NOT pass along frequency, mode or traffic-volume information. ARECC Level I 83

What You Can Say to the Press: MCARES is Marion County ARES-RACES, a volunteer organization of amateur radio communicators sponsored by the Marion County Department of Emergency Services. Through the MCDES we aid law enforcement, fire, EMS, hospital and other agencies with communications when unusual conditions prevail. We currently have # operators in places like the EOC, communications centers, Red Cross shelters and other places where communications are required. ARECC Level I 84

Served Agency Systems Simplex systems Shared repeater systems Trunked systems Telephone systems Satellite systems ARECC Level I 85

QUESTIONS? ARECC Level I 86