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   http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2015-07-15   
      
   The ARES E-Letter   
      
   July 15, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE   
      
   In This Issue:   
      
    *  ARES Links, Briefs   
    *  ARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for Monday , July 20: Don't Miss   
       It!   
    *  Anatomy of a CERT: Oceanside (CA) CERT   
    *  Spring Severe Storm SET a Success in Pacific Northwest   
    *  Critical Partnership: CERT Joins with Amateur Radio Club for Field Day   
       in West Central Florida   
    *  ARRL Los Angeles Section Promoting Membership in Infragard   
    *  Heat: Summer's #1 Killer   
    *  Letters: Liability Waivers   
    *  Editorial: The Critical Need for Amateur Radio Embedded in CERTs   
      
      
   ARES Links, Briefs   
      
   June 29, 2015 - Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 has special significance for   
   ARES registrants and leaders. As this measure now resides in both chambers of   
   Congress, ARRL Website Has New Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 Page. June 28,   
   2015 -- States, Counties, Communities Recognize the Value of Amateur Radio,   
   Field Day June 25, 2015 -- Ohio ARES "NVIS Antenna Day" Concludes That the   
   Truth is Up There June 16, 2015 -- Oklahoma Amateur Radio Clubs Join Forces to   
   Support Cycling Event   
      
      
   ARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for Monday, July 20: Don't Miss It!   
      
   The ARRL will host a 2015 Hurricane Season webinar Monday, July 20, getting   
   under way at 8 PM EDT (July 21, 0000 UTC). The approximately 90-minute session   
   will address the role of Amateur Radio during the 2015 Hurricane Season.   
   Anyone interested in hurricane preparedness and response is invited to attend   
   this online presentation.   
      
   Topics will include a meteorological overview of the current season; Amateur   
   Radio station WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center: Who We Are and What We   
   Do; ARRL Media and Public Relations; the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN); the VoIP   
   Hurricane Net, and ARRL coordination and interface.   
      
   The program will include presentations by representatives of the National   
   Hurricane Center and WX4NHC, the VoIP Hurricane Net, the HWN, the Canadian   
   Hurricane Centre, and the ARRL. Webinar registration is open to all, but   
   should be of particular interest to radio amateurs in hurricane-prone areas.   
   The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session. Register online. -- Mike Corey,   
   KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager   
      
      
   Anatomy of a CERT: Oceanside (CA) CERT   
      
   The community of Oceanside, California, located north of San Diego along the   
   coast, has a population of 180,000 and is approximately 42 square miles in   
   size. The community has an energetic CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)   
   program, along with a vital Amateur Radio communications support group. Like   
   many California coastal communities, Oceanside is exposed to numerous hazards,   
   including earthquakes, tsunamis, severe weather, flooding, and wildfires.   
      
   CERT members understand that following a major disaster, first responders who   
   provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for   
   these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and   
   road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have   
   come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on   
   each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life   
   sustaining needs.   
      
   Oceanside CERT is "about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and   
   doing the greatest good for the greatest number." CERT is a citizen-based,   
   neighborhood-centric approach to emergency and disaster effects mitigation and   
   adaptation where citizens will be initially on their own. Their early actions,   
   based on their training, planning, [certlogo.jpg] resources and communication   
   capabilities, can save lives when government responders are not available:   
   citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat victims with   
   basic medical interventions, search for and rescue victims safely; and   
   organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.   
      
   In 2005, the Oceanside Fire Department started the community's CERT program.   
   The program was initially funded by a County grant and supported with a small   
   budget from the Fire Department. After much planning and work, the first class   
   of 25 citizen-trainees graduated that year.   
      
   Since then, the program has grown: it now has more than 400 trained citizens   
   with an elected board of directors to oversee and manage the group. The Fire   
   Department serves as program advisor and sponsoring representative to the San   
   Diego County CERT Council. About 125 of these dedicated volunteers are active   
   members that continue to attend quarterly training sessions and participate in   
   city EOC drills, various community fairs, civic events and PR opportunities.   
      
   Oceanside CERT is authorized by the Oceanside Fire Department, the San Diego   
   County Unified Disaster Council, and the San Diego County CERT Council.   
      
   Oceanside CERT Amateur Radio Team   
      
   The active Amateur Radio Team is a subcommittee of Oceanside CERT, consisting   
   of over three dozen licensed radio amateurs. Their team's goal is to have at   
   least 4-5 hams within each Fire Service Area.   
      
   Team Chairman Joe Gardeski, N6JO, reports "we combine the radio communication   
   skills learned from our avocation, training and licensing, with the principles   
   learned from our CERT training, toward the purpose of helping our families,   
   friends and neighbors with communication during time of emergency or   
   disaster." Gardeski adds "And we have fun doing it!"   
      
   Amateur Radio Team members plan and train to operate from their homes and   
   outside in their neighborhoods if necessary, using portable, mobile and base   
   station equipment to link them to each other and officials, forming a   
   communications web throughout the City of Oceanside.   
      
   Team members conduct an on-the-air "Weekly Net" exercise taking 25-30 radio   
   check-ins from all eight Fire Service Areas within the City, with Linda,   
   KJ6DPT, arranging a different Net Control Op at the mic each week to rotate   
   the training opportunity.   
      
   Gardeski says "we hold a Monthly Meeting where we get together for planning   
   and training. We do several field tests and drills per year."   
      
   Gardeski adds "we volunteer our time and provide our own radio station   
   equipment, with the focus on improving our station performance and radio   
   operating skills." "We gladly extend a helping hand to others within Oceanside   
   CERT interested in learning more about Amateur Radio, obtaining their ham   
   license, and finding economical equipment to get started." "We educate fellow   
   hams about the benefits of receiving CERT training."   
      
   Learning from the widespread southern California power outage three years ago   
   and with Fire Dept. support the Amateur Team designed and installed their own   
   coordinated WF6OCS FM repeater on 144.505 MHz. The repeater is 100%   
   solar/battery powered and has been running 24/7 continuously for 2-1/2 years.   
   The Team presently is building out their broadband digital mesh microwave   
   infrastructure and expects to have over half of their eventual twelve off-grid   
   nodes on-air by year's end, thus adding digital capabilities to the CERT ham   
   backup plan. Future plans include a linked UHF FM repeater for improved   
   coverage of the downtown and beach tourist areas.   
      
   "The key point is that we offer a potentially critical extra level of   
   communication for Oceanside CERT and the community during time of emergency,"   
   Gardeski concluded. - Thanks to Oceanside CERT Chairman Joe Gardeski, N6JO,   
   N6JO@arrl.net, and Oceanside CERT Program Coordinator Ted Fritz, KJ6IXE, for   
   their courtesy and permission to publish portions of their excellent website   
   www.oceansidecert.org   
      
   [Editor's note: In my correspondence with N6JO that led to this article, he   
   wrote "Oceanside CERT is but one group among many other fine CERT groups all   
   working toward the same preparedness goal. If your work and ours encourages   
   others to join this effort, then local communities will be better prepared   
   during time of disaster/emergency, and you and we will have done a good   
   service for our fellow hams, and other communities and neighborhoods across   
   the country."   
      
   Joe also wrote "It is just a fact of life that, during the first 72 hours of a   
   major disaster, individuals and their families and neighbors will need to   
   provide for themselves as best as possible while the authorities deal with   
   higher priorities. Oceanside CERT and similar such programs help equip   
   citizens in local communities with awareness and basic skills, which hopefully   
   rolls up to better preparation at the national level. It follows that anything   
   we can all do to encourage our fellow hams and their families and friends to   
   participate in free CERT training would result in better prepared communities   
   and neighborhoods, where initial neighborhood and community self-reliance will   
   be the order of the day. "-- K1CE]   
      
   CERT Program Update   
      
   According to FEMA, there are 2,200 registered official CERT programs across   
   the country. To be registered as 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; conduct the CERT Basic Training   
   Course and a CERT exercise at least once a year; and have a point of contact   
   to be posted with other program information on the national CERT website.   
   There are also individuals and individual teams sponsored by official CERT   
   programs that are not included in this count. To find an official CERT program   
   near you by ZIP code, check here.   
      
   You can learn about the training available, history of exercises and   
   responses, and contact information for your nearest CERT program.   
      
   The May 2015 CERT E-Brief includes stories about the Daisy Mountain, AZ Fire   
   Department and Whatcom County, WA CERT programs and their recent efforts in   
   response to flooding in their communities and surrounding areas, a CERT best   
   practices guide developed by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for   
   local programs, the Charlton County, GA CERT program's important role in   
   emergency response and recovery in a community with very few professional   
   resources and capabilities, and the Erie County, PA CERT program's response to   
   disrupted water service at a local correctional facility. You can read the   
   issue here.   
      
      
   Spring Severe Storm SET a Success in Pacific Northwest   
      
   While hurricanes and tornadoes receive much publicity across the central   
   portion of the U.S., the Pacific Northwest is not lacking in the severe storm   
   arena. Remember that extratropical cyclone which roared up the O   
   egon/Washington/BC coast back in 1962 (Columbus Day Storm of 1962) and is a   
   contender for the title of most powerful recorded in the U.S. in the 20th   
   century?   
      
   Using a realistic severe storm scenario, the Clark County (Washington) ARES   
   (CCARES) held its Spring 2015 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on May 30. Fifty   
   CCARES members participated at partner agency locations throughout the county.   
   These included the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, PeaceHealth   
   Southwest Medical Center, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Vancouver Fire   
   Department (stations 7 and 10), East County Fire and Rescue, Clark County   
   Sheriff (West Precinct), and Battle Ground Police Department.   
      
   The SET included a full simplex path check between agency locations, formal   
   message passing on simplex (with repeater backup), an operational period   
   changeover, a shift of the primary net for the SET over to a different   
   repeater (which operators had to manually enter into their radios), many   
   real-life inspired simulated injects into the exercise, and several   
   operational site visitations by an ARES Assistant EC. The CCARES extended   
   thanks to W7AIA and KB7APU for the use of their repeaters for this event.   
      
   Lessons Learned   
      
   Every exercise and activation spawns topics for future training and practice,   
   and this SET was no different. Those topics include better distribution of   
   tasks between members, parallel operation of multiple stations at served   
   agencies, effective allocation of radios between voice and data, tactical call   
   sign use, practice using procedural words in messaging, more experience with   
   digital modes and templates, establishing mentors for specific training   
   topics, and additional practice at portable operations.   
      
   CCARES Emergency Coordinator John Gainsborough, KM7LJ, recorded this SET as a   
   success in nearly all the exercise evaluation categories. Planning for the   
   Fall 2015 SET is already underway, as is response planning for the four-day   
   Cascadia Rising 2016 regional exercise next June. -- Steve Aberle, WA7PTM,   
   ARRL Official Emergency Station (OES), ARRL Western Washington Section   
      
      
   Critical Partnership: CERT Joins with Amateur Radio Club for Field Day in West   
   Central Florida   
      
   Amateur Radio operators from The Upper Pinellas (Florida) Amateur Radio Club   
   and East Lake CERT practiced emergency/disaster communications skills and   
   demonstrated their capabilities before the public at their ARRL Field Day site   
   at the end of last month. Together, the two organizations boast a total of 72   
   Amateur Radio operators ready for service when called upon. Pinellas county   
   lies to the east of Tampa with a population of about one million on the coast   
   of the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater is the county seat, and St. Petersburg is   
   its largest city.   
      
   East Lake CERT is part of the Community Emergency Response Team program, a   
   FEMA initiative that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards   
   that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills,   
   such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster   
   medical interventions. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in   
   their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional   
   responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are   
   encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role   
   in emergency preparedness projects in their community.   
      
   Using the call sign KV4CT, club member-amateurs operated five positions on the   
   HF and VHF bands. The first eight hours of operation was streamed live on the   
   Internet. More than 200 contacts were made with stations in the continental US   
   and Hawaii, Canada, and the Caribbean. They operated off the grid on battery,   
   solar, and portable generator power to simulate the conditions that might   
   exist after a disaster. Operators also demonstrated Amateur Radio to the   
   general public and allowed Technician class licensees to try HF communications.   
      
   East Lake CERT Participates   
      
   East Lake CERT licensed operators had two firsts: Heidi Termulo, KM4JSU, made   
   her first HF contact (on 15 meters), and Ryan Saliga, KM4DOZ, also had his   
   first HF contact (with W1AW, of all stations!). Saliga was so excited he   
   couldn't remember the call sign he was to use for Field Day!   
      
   East Lake CERT meets monthly at East Lake Fire Station 57, in Palm Harbor,   
   which is northwest of Tampa Bay. The CERT hosts a weekly communications   
   training net on the W4AFC repeater.   
      
   CERT and Amateur Radio Together   
      
   The joint exercise bringing the Upper Pinellas ARC and East Lake CERT together   
   showed the critical importance and public benefit of the relationship between   
   programs like CERT and Amateur Radio. Participation was excellent. This mock   
   emergency set-up for communication - Field Day -- every year hones skills so   
   when participating groups are needed and activated, seasoned operators will be   
   able to fill in gaps when other systems are overloaded or non-existent. Having   
   an active CERT program in neighborhoods as well as a community of trained and   
   practiced Amateur Radio operators bring major disaster response capability to   
   the table. -- Andy Miller, KJ4FEC, Vice President, Upper Pinellas Amateur   
   Radio Club, Florida   
      
      
   ARRL Los Angeles Section Promoting Membership in Infragard   
      
   In Los Angeles, according to the ARES page, ARRL Los Angeles Section website,   
   "ARES members are invited to join InfraGard, a public-private partnership   
   managed by the FBI with the purpose of sharing information concerning   
   protection of our nation's critical infrastructure. Communication is one of   
   those critical elements, and ARES is recognized as playing an important role.   
      
   "Applicants for InfraGard membership undergo an FBI background investigation   
   and, once cleared, will receive a membership document, regular e-mailed   
   security briefings, access to the secure InfraGard [ig_logo.png] Internet site   
   and invitations to a variety of training sessions. The passing of the   
   background check may prove useful in a variety of other ARES partner-agency   
   engagements where absence of a background check might otherwise delay or   
   preclude our involvement.   
      
   "InfraGard membership is not mandatory, but Los Angeles ARES leadership   
   encourages all members to consider submitting applications."   
      
   From its website, "InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and the private   
   sector. It is an association of persons who represent businesses, academic   
   institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants   
   dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts   
   against the U.S." - ARRL Los Angeles Section ARES   
      
      
   Heat: Summer's #1 Killer   
      
   Twenty years ago this summer, a heat wave struck Chicago, leading to the   
   deaths of nearly 750 people during a single week. The Chicago heat wave of   
   1995 tragically demonstrated that heat and humidity can be a deadly   
   combination. These factors put a lot of stress on the human body and can lead   
   to serious health conditions such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even   
   death. The more extreme the temperature, the shorter the amount of exposure   
   time needed to fall ill.   
      
   Heat waves have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of   
   people to a hazardous combination of heat and humidity. In fact, heat is   
   typically the leading cause of weather related fatalities each year. High   
   temperatures and humidity are common in numerous locations across the country.   
   However, when temperatures spike and humidity is on the rise in areas of the   
   U.S. that are not accustomed to these conditions, people don't necessarily   
   understand that they need to take action to stay safe.   
      
   The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity   
   is factored in with the actual air temperature. High humidity levels combined   
   with hot conditions can be extremely dangerous. Limit your outdoor activities   
   during these periods. - National Weather Service   
      
      
   Letters: Liability Waivers   
      
   I received my amateur license in the 1950s in Chicago and joined the emergency   
   communications group of that era, which was called Civil Defense. When there   
   was activation, we simply grabbed our radios, showed up at our assignments,   
   and operated/communicated as a service to the public.   
      
   In 1967 when I moved to Palo Alto, California, I joined the local ARES/RACES   
   organization. We participated in city drills, bike-a-thons and charity walks.   
   We were issued special identification badges by the Palo Alto Fire Department   
   so we would have access to the EOC and be identified as emergency responders.   
      
   Over the years, I've participated in a number of activations and assignments.   
   We simply showed up where needed to provide service to the city, Red Cross, or   
   race organizer, with no special paperwork required, we just did what was   
   needed to be done.   
      
   In the last few years, our city's EOC was reorganized, and now all amateurs   
   are asked to sign a form before they could work for the EOC. It stipulated   
   that the ham was participating in the event for their own benefit and that the   
   city and all related entities would be held harmless in the event that the ham   
   suffered any mishap while participating in the event.   
      
   This form seemed inappropriate, given that we were volunteering our services   
   for the benefit of the EOC and the public, not for our benefit.   
      
   Months ago, I was asked if I would be available for a local bike tour for   
   which I'd provided communications for many years in the past. A few days   
   before the event, I was sent a similar form that all participants were   
   required to sign. Having committed to support the bike tour, I did not feel   
   right backing out at the last moment, so I signed the form, but gave notice   
   that if such a form were going to be required next year, I would not be   
   available to serve.   
      
   Hams have invested in equipment and taken specialized training to be able to   
   provide communications in the field as a public service. It seems to me that   
   whoever we are serving should provide themselves with whatever insurance is   
   required to make the "hold harmless" agreements unnecessary. - Rich Stiebel,   
   W6APZ, Palo Alto, California   
      
   [We published a related article in this newsletter, January 2014 issue. It   
   shines a light on Stiebel's and others' concerns. Incidentally, all back   
   issues of the ARES E-Letter are archived here. - ed.]   
      
      
   Editorial: The Critical Need for Amateur Radio Embedded in CERTs   
      
   This issue of the ARES E-Letter has focused on the Citizen Corps/CERT program   
   for good reason: we as radio amateurs are potentially critical links in the   
   community and neighborhood disaster survival chain. During the immediate   
   aftermath of a disaster, "first" responders will likely be overwhelmed and not   
   available to assist you, your family and neighbors. Your neighborhood could be   
   isolated for a period of time. You will be first responder, relying on your   
   own interventions for survival, mitigation of, and adaptation to, disaster   
   after-effects. The best approach to personal   
   disaster management I've seen is the CERT program, and under its umbrella, the   
   development of your own neighborhood emergency response team. It will require   
   drafting of a neighborhood plan, and recruitment of members to be trained in   
   basic emergency support functions such as First Aid, light search and rescue,   
   fire management, and, of course, communications for intra-team coordination   
   and with the outside world.   
      
   There are a number of radio communication services that are available to the   
   average citizen (Family Radio Service, General Mobile Radio Service, and   
   Multi-Use Radio Service are examples), but none come close to the breadth and   
   depth of utility of the amateur service. Radio amateurs are found in almost   
   every neighborhood across the country and should be key members of a   
   neighborhood team. Without communications there can be no coordination.   
   Without coordination, there cannot be an effective response mounted to   
   potentially save the lives and property of you, your family members and   
   neighbors.   
      
   The ARRL recognizes this: In June 2003, ARRL became an official affiliate   
   program of Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland   
   Security to enhance public preparedness and safety. A Statement of Affiliation   
   was signed and made ARRL an affiliate under the four charter Citizen Corps   
   programs -- Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Community   
   Emergency Response Teams, and Medical Reserve Corps. The 2003 SoA demonstrates   
   the ARRL's commitment to community emergency preparedness through the Citizens   
   Corps programs.   
      
   Indications are for larger and stronger storms, more sea-level encroachment   
   and severe flooding, wildfires, and droughts. Now is the time to start your   
   own CERT program and neighborhood emergency response team and plan to involve   
   your family members and neighbors to be ready for All Hazards, to meet them   
   when you may be isolated and on your own for hours, or even days or weeks. --   
   K1CE   
      
   __________   
      
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   ... Blessed be the pessimist for he hath bought insurance.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)