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|    The ARES E-Letter for December 18, 2013    |
|    18 Dec 13 12:33:02    |
      If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:       http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2013-12-18              The ARES E-Letter              December 18, 2013       Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE              In This Issue:                      * New Year's Resolution: Become a CERT Leader        * Philippines Response Winds Down        * Emergency Management and ARES Ink Agreement in Palm Beach County        * ARRL Partner Roundup        * Make Plans Now to Attend GAREC in Alabama in August        * Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) Features        Amateur Radio        * Texas Amateurs Support Hotter 'n Hell Hundred Bike Ride        * Letters: Radio 101        * Essay: Working A Breakpoint        * Resource: Disaster Training Video Library        * K1CE For a Final                     New Year's Resolution: Become a CERT Leader              The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept is a major, growing       concern in the quickly evolving arena of emergency management on a micro       versus macro scale and deserves the full attention of ARES and indeed any       radio amateur as a top priority for the coming year.              CERT is the wave of the future -- the immediate future -- as limited resources       for disaster response at all levels of government (local, state and federal)       are bumping up against ever-increasing need of the populace in the face of       elevating incidence and ferocity of natural and man-made disaster. The CERT       concept is part of the answer to the horns of this dilemma: residents on a       street or apartment complex in their neighborhood will network and be trained       to take care of themselves in the first critical post-disaster hours and       possibly days when no outside help is available. Think of the CERT program as       a kind of block party, only instead of socializing over hot dogs and       hamburgers, neighbors get together to train and plan to look after       each[certlogo.jpg] other when under siege of disaster effects. When you really       think about this concept, it has implications that are of a serious, life and       death nature.              The CERT program is a FEMA program, part of its Citizen Corps and Ready       campaigns, but had its origins in forward-thinking fire and EMS units in       southern California decades ago. Neighbors are trained in conducting an       initial assessment of their own homes and survival kits. They learn to reduce       the immediate dangers presented by a disaster by turning off utilities,       suppressing small fires, evacuating the area, and helping others. They learn       to treat people in the immediate area. They learn to implement their own       Incident Command System - they establish a command post, staging area, and       medical triage and treatment areas. They learn to collect damage information       and develop a plan of operation based on life-saving priorities and available       resources. And they learn to establish and maintain communications with       responders and the outside world.              The radio amateur, especially an ARES-registered operator, is the ideal       candidate for forming and leading a neighborhood Community Emergency Response       Team. A critical part of the CERT's planning and operations is radio       communications, and we as radio amateurs have the experience and credibility       for this emergency support function out of the gate. Become a CERT leader!       Every journey of recruiting a dozen homes on a street for a CERT begins with       the first, perhaps your next door neighbor. Talk to him or her "over the       fence" and start planning and drafting your team. Read and use the FEMA       publication Starting and Maintaining a CERT.              There are many resources to help you! You can start with FEMA's Independent       Study Course on CERT. A reader recently called my attention to a new library       of disaster-related training with numerous videos, including several on       Neighborhood Preparedness and Response. I haven't had a chance to review it       yet, but I will. The library can be accessed at the Just In Time Disaster       Training web site.              FEMA has a number of resources available to the CERT members and leader. You       can get the CERT National Newsletter. You can Search CERT programs by ZIP       code. You can get a Directory of Existing CERTs by State.              You can register a new CERT program with FEMA on-line. This page is to       register CERT programs only, however, not to register individuals or       individual teams sponsored by a local CERT Program. To be an official CERT       Program, the program must be operated by a local emergency response       organization such as your local Fire Department or Office of Emergency       Management and endorsed by the local Citizen Corps Council if your community       has one. The program coordinators must conduct the CERT Basic Training Course       and hold a CERT exercise at least once a year. There must be a point of       contact to be posted with other program information on the national CERT       website.              Search to find a CERT program in your locale to help you set up and establish       your neighborhood CERT. The CERT concept can also be extended to workplaces -       the same ideals apply!              Conclusion: You are On Your Own! "Winging It is Not an Emergency Plan"              The government's promotional language often reads like this: "When a disaster       or overwhelming event occurs and responders are not immediately available,       CERTs can assist . . ." Let's examine what they're really saying in plain       terms: When your house and family are in immediate danger in the first minutes       and hours after a disaster, you are on your own. There will likely be no EMS,       fire, police nor any other agency responders to save you and your family and       neighbors. Your survival is up to you alone, based on your preparations and       the help from your immediate neighbors on your street. Your chances will be       greatly enhanced with an organized neighborhood response, the kind of response       that is at the heart of the CERT concept. Make it your New Year's resolution       to form your own neighborhood CERT! -- Rick Palm, K1CE                     Philippines Response Winds Down              The Philippines Amateur Radio Association HERO (Ham Emergency Radio       Operations) Network stood down November 27, although some activity continues       during the disaster cleanup. Much remains to be done in the devastating       aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which injured more than 26,000 people,       displaced some four million residents, destroyed 1.2 million houses, and       wreaked extensive damage and destruction to agriculture and to the Philippine       infrastructure.              There is extensive coverage of the Amateur Radio response on the ARRL website,       the IARU Region 3 website, and there is more to come in QST. Check here for       more current information.                     Emergency Management and ARES Ink Agreement in Palm Beach County              Officials of the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) of Palm Beach County,       Florida, and the county's ARESr officials entered into a Memorandum of       Understanding (MOU) on November 11, 2013. The MOU outlines the commitment of       the two entities to work together to prepare for and respond to emergencies.       ARES provides a critical link in emergency communications to shelters,       emergency operating areas, the EOC, and CERT teams to name a few. "We are       thrilled to formalize our relationship with ARES through this MOU, which will       contribute to a heightened state of disaster readiness for the County," said       Bill Johnson, Director of the Division of Emergency Management for the county.       Signing for Palm Beach County ARES was ARRL Southern Florida Section Manager       David L. Fowler, K4DLF. -- Jeff Beals, WA4AW, ARRL Southern Florida Section       Assistant Manager; Gold Coast District Emergency Coordinator; wa4aw@arrl.org,       http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/southern-florida                     ARRL Partner Roundup              American Red Cross Apps Available              The Red Cross is promoting several disaster-related Apps for smartphones.       Check them out at the Red Cross website:              Earthquake App -- Be ready for an earthquake with Earthquake by American Red       Cross. Get notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home,       find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out - a must       have for anyone who lives in an earthquake-prone area or has loved ones who do.              Shelter Finder App -- The Red Cross Shelter Finder is available in the iTunes       store and works on iOS devices. The Shelter Finder displays open Red Cross       shelters and their current population on an easy to use map interface.              Hurricane App -- Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm       track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are       safe even if the power is out - a must have for anyone who lives in an area       where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do.              The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday       emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the       official American Red Cross First Aid app offers videos, interactive quizzes       and simple step-by-step advice -- it's never been easier to know first aid.              Tornado App -- Get your family and home ready for a tornado with the official       Tornado App from the American Red Cross. The Tornado app puts everything you       need to know to prepare for a tornado - and all that comes with it - in the       palm of your hand. With interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice       it's never been easier to be ready.              Wildfire App -- Be ready for wildfires with the Wildfire App by the American       Red Cross. Get the latest state-by-state wildfire news and updates, prepare       your family, home and pets, let loved ones know that you are safe even if the       power is out - a must have for anyone who lives in an area that is susceptible       to wildfires or has loved ones that do.              Team Red Cross: Volunteer App -- Team Red Cross wants you! Join Team Red Cross       to help provide the care and comfort needed to communities when the       unthinkable occurs. Team Red Cross wants people with various backgrounds,       talents, and skill levels. Everyone has something special to offer...including       you. Make a difference and join Team Red Cross. -- American Red Cross                     Make Plans Now to Attend GAREC in Alabama in August              Here is your chance to attend a Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications       Conference, which is held each year in different parts of the world. The 2014       GAREC will be held in the US next year, in Huntsville, Alabama, in August. It       will be held at the time of the popular Huntsville Hamfest, which will be an       ARRL Centennial Regional Event for the year, the one hundredth year of the       ARRL. Don't miss it.              GAREC-2013 took place in Zurich, Switzerland, attended by 45 delegates from 14       countries. The theme of the conference was "Do we need emergency       communications in the 'first world'".              Presentations were received on the effects of a loss of the electrical grid;       the role of the ITU in promoting emergency communications; groups in India and       Italy; digital modes for email and file transfer.              Finding and sharing problems and allowing individual countries to recognize       that they were not alone provide valuable support for Amateur Radio emergency       communications world-wide. These are some of the goals of the GAREC.              A directed exercise was also held where delegates were asked to work together       as one team, providing emergency communications for a fictional country and       event. This encouraged the delegates to consider what their ideal network and       license conditions would look like as well as enhance the inter-personal       relationships between the delegates helping them to work together more       efficiently in the future.              All groups and organizations involved in amateur disaster response       communications are invited to attend the Huntsville conference to share their       knowledge and learn from others. See Huntsville Hamfest website for more       information. ARRL and IARU reps will be present. See you in Huntsville next       August!                     Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) Features Amateur Radio              The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) is a new       reference for auxiliary communicators who directly support backup emergency       communications for State/local public safety entities or for an Amateur Radio       organization supporting public safety.              This reference guide contains information about AuxComm best practices,       frequently used radio frequencies, Mutual Aid channels as well as tips and       suggestions about auxiliary emergency communicators integrating into a NIMS       ICS environment to support communications for planned events or incidents. It       can serve as a reference both for auxiliary emergency communicators and public       safety communications professionals. You can download the AUXFOG by clicking       here and then clicking on the link and save it to your own storage device. It       will only download as a PDF.-- Thanks to Jim Duram, K8COP, Whitehall, Michigan       [editor's note: This book looks like an exceptionally well done technical       reference that is a must-have for every ARES operator. I'll have a more       comprehensive review of this Department of Homeland Security pub in the next       issue -- K1CE]                     Texas Amateurs Support Hotter 'n Hell Hundred Bike Ride              Wichita Falls, Texas -- Last summer, on August 14, the Hotter 'n Hell Hundred       (HHH) bicycle ride/race took place in Wichita and Clay Counties deep in the       heart of Texas. The HHH has ride routes of 10 kilometers, 25 miles, 50 miles,       100 kilometers, and 100 miles and is believed to be the largest certified       Century Bike Ride in the United States. Over 4,200 volunteers support the       event, including 55 Amateur Radio operators. In addition to the ride, a road       race with routes of 40 kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 164 kilometers is held.       The HHH also features off road activities.              For this year's event, there were a total of 12,438 entrants: 11,275 were tour       riders, 636 participated in the trail events and 527 were racers. Also, for       the thirty-second year, Amateur Radio was a critical part of the Ride. A total       of 55 hams provided communications at 18 Rest Stops, the Main Medical Tent,       and the Mobile Command Posts of the City of Wichita Falls and the Wichita       County Sheriff's Department. Radio amateurs rode in five rest stop resupply       and control vehicles, provided a station at the local ice plant, and operated       a Net Control Station (NCS).              The HHH ride is controlled with three directed Amateur Radio nets, using three       local repeaters for the "B route," "Medical" and "Supply." In addition, two       commercial nets -- one controlling the SAG wagons and the other controlling       the mobile first aid teams -- are co-located with the Amateur NCS. As a side       note, the Wichita County ARES has several locations in the county that are       equipped with radios and computers and can be used as an NCS in an emergency       situation, in a very short amount of time.              To support the HHH's 0700 start, some hams began arriving at their assigned       locations around 0530 on Ride Day and the nets officially opened at 0600. The       Amateur support was terminated, and the nets were secured when the last rider       crossed the finish line at 1818 Saturday evening. With the exception of the       NCS, the City's MCP, and the Ice Plant, which all ran on commercial power, all       other locations operated on generators, batteries or solar power.              Charles Byars, W5GPO, the ARES District Emergency Coordinator for District 1       of the ARRL North Texas Section said "this is a better test of our Amateur       communications skills and capability to work with the community than any       canned exercise could ever be. We have a well thought out operations plan, but       when the cannons go boom, the planes fly over, and the Ride begins, the       ability of our operators to think and react becomes paramount. Also, we       interface with, and get to know, all segments of the community that we would       work with in the event of a local disaster and they get to know us and see how       we operate." Hams have been a critical part of the HHH's support since its       inception in 1982. -- David H. Gaines, N5DHG, HHH Steering Committee, Wichita       Falls, Texas                     Letters: Radio 101              The Government Printing Office Bookstore has a subscription blog service on       topics of interest to readers. I just received a post entitled Radio 101:       Operating Two-Way Radios Every Day and in Emergencies. Readers can view it       here.The majority of the post is about Amateur Radio and features ARES and       information provided by ARRL.              Key publications from the government's Radio Communications Collection       including the US Frequency Allocations Radio Spectrum Chart are reviewed. It       appears to be done quite well. A training publication on the above topic is       available here. -- Robert Bauer, KC4HM, Louisville, Kentucky, Ro       ert.Bauer@ky.gov                     Essay: Working A Breakpoint              [I found the following essay to take me right to breakpoint 6 as if I were       actually there alongside the author. His first person account is inspirational       and imparts some good tips. I hope it takes you there, too! I really enjoyed       it. - K1CE]              Serving as a ham radio operator at a bike ride breakpoint is a very gratifying       experience, and by sharing that experience with you, I hope to entice you into       doing it, too. So come along for a day of serving as the ham radio link at a       breakpoint for the Tour de Pink Bike Ride, a breast cancer fund-raiser, held       in Rose Hill, Texas. The event is run by the Tour de Pink organization, and       ham radio operators furnish a communications net to link its component       breakpoints and vehicles.              We start planning several weeks before the event, with an email from a net       organizer asking for hams to volunteer to serve at breakpoints. I sign up.       Nothing further happens until a day or two before the event, at which time a       series of emails provide a map of the course, frequency information and       assignments. My assignment is Breakpoint 6.              Breakpoints are rest stations for the cyclists. They are positioned at       intervals along the event's course, with each headed by a breakpoint       coordinator and staffed by volunteers. Breakpoints provide water, Gatorade,       snacks, and often bicycle repairs.              A ham net serves to connect the breakpoints and vehicles to the officials       controlling the event and to each other. The net consists of several       transceivers and operators linked together through a dedicated repeater. This       enables all members of the net to hear each other.              The Net Control Station (NCS) is the central operator who is the link between       the ham net and the officials in charge of the event. All calls go through Net       Control unless he directs otherwise.              Using the information and map supplied, I determine the exact locations of the       pre-event breakfast and of the breakpoint, and enter them into my GPS. In the       sleepy darkness of early morning, this will be a big help. In addition, I have       a plastic panel that I use as my "cockpit information board." I tape on it any       maps and other information I might need. This board is kept on the floor in       front of the car's passenger seat, handy at all times but out of the way.              The day before the event I install my radio on the front passenger seat of the       car and place the magnetic mount and antenna on the car roof. I put on my       luminescent safety vest with its name badge, and strap on my homemade Sam       Browne belt that will serve to hold my handheld on my chest. I program my       handheld and my mobile unit with all needed frequencies and codes, using the       same channel assignments in both radios to minimize confusion. I have       information tags on each radio that summarize how to program a new frequency       and that list current frequencies and codes. I go to bed early.              At 0430 hours the next morning, I arrive at the pre-event breakfast and meet       the net organizer. He has obtained permission to use the Rose Hill repeater,       K5IHK, and he provides updates about the event. This meeting is also a good       time get help with my radio if I need it. Breakfast is a short but enjoyable       event. Everyone is wide awake and cheerful, looking forward to the day ahead.              At 0530 hours I go to my assigned breakpoint. It is still dark and the       breakpoint is on a rural road with little lighting and sparse signage. I drive       to the dot on the GPS and then look around until I spot the breakpoint site, a       parking area in front of a general store and cafe. I am the first person to       arrive at the breakpoint. I am glad to be wearing a reflective vest. It may       save me from being run over in the darkness and it will identify me during the       day.              By arriving early, I can choose a location for my mobile unit/car that is       tucked away out of obvious work areas or traffic lanes, but yet convenient to       the breakpoint work area. I parked my car so that its headlights will help       others identify the breakpoint site in the predawn darkness.              Next, I consult the map to see if the course has a turn near my breakpoint,       and check to see if there are turn signs to guide the riders as they approach       it. The signs are there. If they had not been there, or if I had found any       other problems, then I would have reported them to Net Control at check in.              The net activates at 0630 hours and I check in with Net Control. I will       monitor Net Control at all times for the rest of the day. I can call him at       any time but only on "business." It is the net controller's responsibility to       convey information to the bicycling event officials and, through me, to the       coordinator of Breakpoint 6. Disposition of issues affecting the cyclists and       the event is solely the event officials' responsibility. I have a dual role in       that I serve both as the eyes and ears of Net Control, and as the voice of the       breakpoint coordinator.              The volunteers in charge of the breakpoint are not there when I arrive, but       arrive shortly. If they had not shown up, then I would have reported that to       Net Control.              I confer with the coordinator as soon as possible. I will use my ham radio to       link her to the Tour d' Pink officials via the ham net. I will remain at the       breakpoint until it closes after the departure of the last rider and the       "turtle," a car or truck that follows after the last rider. I ask her if the       position of my mobile station is acceptable. If not, it is easier to find a       better location early, before other vehicles arrive. She approves my unit's       location.              It is impressive to see how rapidly the volunteers turn a piece of bare       concrete into a complete cyclist refreshment center. Our breakpoint has a       bicycle repairman. He is a commercial vendor who brings his own tent and       equipment. He provides excellent service, repairing not only the bikes but       also the riders' shoes and other special gear. It is remarkable how much he       can do and how efficiently he can do it.              My handheld radio serves only as a receiver and I have two sets of spare       batteries for it. Through it I can always hear Net Control. When a call comes       in over the handheld, I go to my car and answer on my mobile unit, which is       not only more powerful but also has a better (car roof - mag-mounted 5/8       wavelength) antenna. Breakpoint 6 has its own DJ with very powerful speakers       providing loud, vibrant music throughout the site and throughout the day. My       car, with quiet inside, provides an ideal working environment for my radio       station. It consists of a 5 watt dual band transceiver mounted in a small       Igloo cooler. The cooler also contains a power supply, a 7.5 amp-hour battery,       and the accessories for the radio itself. It sits on a level plywood platform       on the front passenger seat with an incline that faces the radio upward       towards my head. There is also a car battery in a plastic box on the back       deck, with connecting cables to the radio. The radio is not connected to the       car's electrical system, and therefore I can leave it on all day without fear       of a dead car battery. The wire from the roof antenna passes through the       rubber door seal without damage to either itself or to the door.              During the day I help the breakpoint coordinator. For example, at 1100 hours,       Breakpoint 6 was running out of Gatorade. While monitoring the net I had heard       that Breakpoint 2 was closing down for the day, since all riders had passed       that location. I knew that early breakpoints have lower Gatorade consumption       because fresh riders often skip them. I asked Net Control if Breakpoint 2 had       any Gatorade left, and could it be sent to Breakpoint 6. They did have       leftover Gatorade, and soon Breakpoint 6 had Gatorade, courtesy of Breakpoint       2. Situation resolved.              I also answer questions from the riders. My vest identifies me as a possible       source of information, and most of their questions can be anticipated and       answers determined in advance.              The SAG request requires an important follow-up question. When a rider       requests a SAG ride, I ask if he is having a medical problem. One such rider       answered that she had been having stomach pain for the last 30 minutes and       that resting at our breakpoint had not relieved it. I called Net Control and       asked that a SAG come directly to pick her up, identifying her over the radio       only by her event number. If I had not asked the follow-up question, then she       would have had to wait until the next SAG, on his regular circular route, came       to our breakpoint. If there is no medical problem, the rider removes her       helmet and waves it at the next passing SAG van.              My final duty is a pleasant one. Once the last rider and the turtle had left       our breakpoint, I contacted Net Control and told him that the turtle had left       our location. He checked with the event officials and told me that Breakpoint       6 could close down and that we were released from duty. I relayed this to the       breakpoint coordinator and made everyone happy.              Serving as the ham radio link at a breakpoint is very rewarding and great fun       as well. It is always a day well spent. This was not the first time I have       done this, and I hope it will not be the last. -- Peyton Barnes, M.D., KE5ZDZ,       Houston, Texas, skaevola@hotmail.com                     Resource: Disaster Training Video Library              The Just in Time Disaster Training Library is advertised as a free       Internet-based source for training curriculum for today's emergency       responders. A library selection is Neighborhood Preparedness and Response.       Featured videos include: Building a Neighborhood Disaster Plan; How to Help       Your Neighborhood Prepare for an Emergency; Map Your Neighborhood; and       Neighborhood Emergency Communications. The resource boasts of over 627       disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery training videos. The       library is the most comprehensive, and easy to search, according to the       library's promoters: "The purpose of this on-line video library is to provide       a single, easy to search source in which individuals, agencies and       organizations can access Just In Time Disaster Training videos. The videos       found in this library cover disaster related mitigation, preparedness,       response and recovery training for a wide variety areas." -- Chris Floyd,       Disaster Resistant Communities Group, Tallahassee, Florida                     K1CE For a Final              As I reviewed this issue for release, I re-read the essay of Peyton Barnes,       M.D., KE5ZDZ, and wanted to commend him for so simply but eloquently putting       into words the joy of what we all do: providing a public service through       working side-by-side with our fellow amateurs who share our love of Amateur       Radio, and the fun and practice of using our radios and antennas out of doors       in the field. Many readers will identify with Barnes' experiences: the early       morning rise, the pre-dawn drive and set-up at some remote place, and the       satisfaction of the initial radio check and establishment of communication       with Net Control. Well done, Dr. Barnes.              And finally, as the year 2013 comes to a close, I am reminded of the words       that Jerry Herman, N3BDW, used to say at the close of his conference and       convention presentations on the Hurricane Watch Net when he was its manager:       "It's not so much about the radios and antennas, it's about helping people, is       what we do."              See you next year! 73, Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach, Florida, the "World's       Most Famous Beach"              ____________              ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information              Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most       popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.              Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. 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