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   http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2016-02-17   
      
   The ARES E-Letter   
      
   February 17, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE   
      
   In This Issue:   
      
    *  New ARRL/Red Cross MoU Signed   
    *  ARES Report Forms Training Webinar   
    *  Colorado Exercise DEEP FREEZE   
    *  Ohio ARES(R) Helps in Water Problem   
    *  Tips: Public Safety Tools -- Excellent Resources for ARES   
    *  Essay: I Don't Get No Respect   
    *  Letters: More Tips for Net Controllers   
    *  Model Emergency Communication Plan for a Retirement Community   
    *  Wind Storm Damages San Diego/Baja Amateur High Speed Data Facilities   
      
      
   ARES(R) Briefs, Links   
      
   IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency Communication   
   (2/8/2016); Ohio SEC Hoping to Expand "NVIS Antenna Day" Activity this Year   
   (1/29/2016); FEMA Issues Call for Youth Council Members (1/29/2016); ARES(R)   
   Volunteers Help to Distribute Water in Ohio Community with Lead-Tainted Water   
   (1/28/2016); ARES(R) Volunteers Support Major Flood Responses (1/27/2016);   
   Hams Turn Out to Help as Massive Snowfall Stuns Several States (1/25/2016)   
      
      
   ARES/Media Hits   
      
   ARES(R) in Emergency Management Magazine   
      
   Ken Reid, KG4USN, wrote an excellent article, published in Emergency   
   Management magazine online on the subject of how emergency management agencies   
   can work with ARES(R) groups. Read the article here.   
      
   ARES(R) and High Def TV News   
      
   Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G, reported an article in TV   
   Technology News on radio amateurs involvement in High Definition TV   
   experimentation used in ARES. Read the article here.   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   New ARRL/Red Cross MoU Signed   
      
   The ARRL and the American Red Cross have signed a new Memorandum of   
   Understanding (MoU). The document, signed in January, succeeds one agreed to   
   in 2010; it will remain in place for the next 5 years. The MoU spells out how   
   League Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers will interface with   
   the Red Cross in the event that ARES teams are asked by the Red Cross to   
   assist in a disaster or emergency response.   
      
   "Whenever there is a disaster requiring the use of Amateur Radio   
   communications resources and/or facilities, the local Red Cross region or   
   chapter may request the assistance of the local ARES organization responsible   
   for the jurisdiction of the scene of the disaster," the MoU provides. Such   
   assistance would include mobilization of ARES personnel in accordance with a   
   prearranged plan, and the establishment of communication as necessary during a   
   disaster or emergency. "Both ARRL volunteers and American Red Cross workers   
   will work cooperatively at the scene of a disaster and in the disaster   
   recovery, within the scope of their respective roles and duties" within the   
   scope of the MoU, the agreement says.   
      
   Generally, the MoU sets the parameters of the partnership between the ARRL and   
   the Red Cross to provide assistance to communities affected by disasters. It   
   calls upon both organizations to encourage and maintain open lines of   
   communication at the state and local levels, sharing current data regarding   
   disasters, situational and operational reports, changes in policy or   
   personnel, and any information pertaining to disaster preparedness, response,   
   and recovery.   
      
   For its part, the League will encourage ARES units to engage in discussions   
   with local Red Cross entities to develop plans for local response or disaster   
   relief operations. The Red Cross will encourage its field units to engage in   
   discussions with the ARRL Field Organization to develop plans for local   
   response or disaster relief.   
      
   Facilitating this is a Statement of Cooperation to provide methods of   
   cooperation between the two organizations on the local level in providing   
   services to communities during or after a disaster event, "as well as other   
   services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial." The ARRL signatory   
   is either the appropriate ARRL Section Manager or Section Emergency   
   Coordinator.   
      
   The new MoU also clarifies that ARES volunteers assisting the Red Cross but   
   not registered as Red Cross volunteers do not have to undergo a prior   
   background check. Radio amateurs who register as Red Cross volunteers, though,   
   must abide by the Red Cross's background check requirement.   
      
   Then-ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed the MoU on behalf of the League   
   on January 7, while ARC Senior Vice President-Disaster Cycle Services Richard   
   Reed, signed for the American Red Cross on January 22. -- ARRL   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   ARES Report Forms Training Webinar   
      
   ARRL Headquarters will be offering a training session for ARES Emergency   
   Coordinators, District Emergency Coordinators and Section Emergency   
   Coordinators on how ARES report forms are filled out, submitted and how the   
   information is used. The training webinar will be Tuesday March 1, 2016 at 8pm   
   Eastern Time. You may register for the webinar here. The webinar will be   
   recorded and made available online. All EC's, DEC's and SEC's are encouraged   
   to participate. -- Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager.   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Colorado Exercise DEEP FREEZE   
      
   Colorado is no stranger to snow. In October 1997 a devastating blizzard hit   
   the state resulting in several deaths, many stranded motorists, and more   
   people in need of help. On Saturday, January 9, 2016, the El Paso County   
   Office of Emergency Management (OEM) held exercise DEEP FREEZE '16 in   
   conjunction with the Colorado National Guard, American Red Cross, Salvation   
   Army, and other agencies to practice a response to an October '97 type of   
   event.   
      
   At the invitation of the Red Cross, operators from Region 2, District 2 (Pikes   
   Peak ARES(R)) of the Colorado Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service(R) set   
   up alternate communications between the Red Cross shelter and the county   
   Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Two Pikes Peak ARES(R) members were dual   
   hatted as county Special Communication Unit personnel and manned the radios in   
   the EOC while another ARES(R) member worked at the shelter.   
      
   Using VHF/FM radios these operators established simplex voice and data   
   communication and demonstrated to the shelter manager, Red Cross EOC liaison,   
   and the OEM the ability to digitally pass Incident Command System forms such   
   as the ICS-213.   
      
   "The digital messaging capability is a tremendous tool and using it in the   
   exercise helped me learn how best to work it in with our liaison training",   
   said Jimmy Jenkins, the Red Cross EOC liaison for the exercise.   
      
   Participating in the exercise were Fred Kendall, KD0TKR; Bob Nuttleman, K0FYI;   
   and John Bloodgood, KD0SFY. More photos can be found here. See also Twitter   
   hashtag #deepfreeze16 -- John Bloodgood, KD0SFY, EC and PIO -- Region 2   
   District 2, Colorado ARES(R) (Pikes Peak ARES(R)) www.facebook.c   
   m/PikesPeakARES Twitter: @PikesPeakARES   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Ohio ARES(R) Helps in Water Problem   
      
   Flint, Michigan, isn't the only area with water problems due to high lead   
   content. Starting the week of January 18, approximately 8,100 customers of   
   Sebring, Ohio, water were notified that they too had problems with high lead   
   content in their drinking water. On January 22, both Ohio and Mahoning County   
   Emergency Management Agencies began passing out bottled water in Sebring.   
   Mahoning County ARES(R) Emergency Coordinator Wes Boyd, W8IZC, activated   
   ARES(R) to assist. Response on the workday was low, but a handful of ARES(R)   
   volunteers was able to respond. According to Boyd, "EMA and Red Cross were   
   overjoyed that radio operators came to work not needing a radio." ARES(R)   
   volunteers joined others in moving and distributing water supplies. Another   
   call was out for the weekend, where more water was to be distributed.   
      
   This is a perfect example of being ready to serve in whatever capacity we can,   
   in order to help our communities. Sometimes it doesn't involve only operating   
   a radio. - Stan Broadway, N8BHL, Section Emergency Coordinator, Ohio   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Tips: Public Safety Tools -- Excellent Resources for ARES   
      
   The US Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications'   
   Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program publishes a   
   repository of numerous resources for auxiliary emergency communicators. Most   
   are of direct interest to ARES/RACES and other amateur emergency communication   
   groups, including the new Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide   
   (AuxFOG). The pub is a 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. -- K1CE   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Essay: I Don't Get No Respect   
      
   "Last Christmas I got no respect. In my stocking, I got an odor-eater." -   
   Rodney Dangerfield   
      
   Arriving at a certain public service event for the first time and on time, I   
   dismally found our team "organizer" absent. We had been instructed to arrive   
   at 0630. He arrived at 0730, unprepared and scrambling, offering no apology,   
   explanation, or guidance. I then realized our fate as volunteers was tied to   
   an unfolding human disaster. Those of us who gave up a Saturday and arrived on   
   time (everyone else), had been standing around shivering, checking our   
   calendar (maybe the event was actually tomorrow), and checking our watches.   
   What we should have been checking for was a plan.   
      
   What was our mission and role? Who do we report to? Not even cursory answers   
   were provided by our leader. "He's always like this," one frequent volunteer   
   told me. He added this advice: "Just work around him and make lemonade from   
   the lemon." Still, I couldn't get the phrase "I get no respect" out of my head.   
      
   Cables lacking proper connectors and no mains power hampered his setup of "net   
   control" (another term used loosely in this grim context). I'd have thrown a   
   life ring, but he was totally unapproachable. Amidst all the foundering he   
   exhibited a strutting self-importance, guffawing with a small minded group of   
   enablers, and ignoring the rest of us.   
      
   The rest of us decided to stick it out to offer what we could to the event   
   officials, staff and volunteers. I befriended volunteers at a water stop who   
   didn't expect me nor had any idea what my role was, but I enjoyed the day   
   cheering everyone on, while resolved to dial 911 should we need help. (The   
   "net control station" was useless).   
      
   Fast Forward to the present: Considerable experience as a volunteer and now as   
   a leader have cemented in me the importance of approaching each and every   
   volunteer with the greatest of respect and appreciation. It means not just   
   showing up on time, but paving the way for success long before the event   
   morning briefing. I tell my teams that a successful Amateur Radio effort on   
   event day is a reflection of many months of pre-event communications.   
      
   Our mission and role should be no mystery to the organization we are serving.   
   We need to abandon the often-seen and never loved "know-it-all" attitude, and   
   approach event officials and other volunteers as our teachers. We are there   
   for them, not us.   
      
   When volunteers report for duty, they have a plan in hand. They know what to   
   expect. They are trained, follow a communications standard, recognize and   
   support an ICS structure, know the boundaries, and therefore feel confident   
   and - most importantly - respected for the communications quasi-professionals   
   they truly are. "Anyone can push a button," I tell our teams. "We're   
   communicators first, not operators. It is this distinction in which you should   
   take great pride."   
      
   Ultimate success is a safe event, where those we serve - participants, staff   
   and officials - have benefited from our presence. As this happens more and   
   more, and as I encouragingly see it in the work of others, I lighten up and   
   have some fun. As a team leader, express your respect and appreciation for   
   volunteers through organization, planning, keeping your commitments,   
   communication, delegation, trust, and by expanding your own knowledge and   
   technique. As a volunteer, work with your leaders to bring these and other   
   concepts into practice.   
      
   With every event served, up your game. If you're in a position of authority,   
   remember that you represent not only yourself, but all of us. Don't blow it.   
   Aim high and our unique and valuable Amateur Radio service will greatly   
   benefit, and so will you. - Mark Richards, K1MGY, Littleton, Massachusetts   
   [Richards serves as a member of the Boston Athletic Association Communications   
   Committee, which supports the Boston Marathon.]   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Letters: More Tips for Net Controllers   
      
   I would like to add a few net control tips to those posted in last month's   
   issue: Remember the 10 minute ID rule. It is NOT enough to ID with your call   
   at the beginning and end of the net, especially when nets often run over 20   
   minutes. Announce the name of the net several times during the net - an easy   
   way is announce it when you are calling the next list of check-ins. Remember,   
   operators who are tuning around or who arrive after the beginning of the net   
   will have no idea what net they are listening to and whether it is an "open"   
   net if the name and type of check-in is not frequently announced. - Sherri   
   Brower, W4STB, ARRL Southern Florida Public Information Officer   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Model Emergency Communication Plan for a Retirement Community   
      
   Royal Harbor is a gated retirement community of 750 homes located in the town   
   of Tavares, Florida in Lake County, 40 miles north of Orlando. This area   
   features 2000 lakes of which 1400 have names. It's also Florida's hill   
   country, with gently rolling hills, uncharacteristic of the flat land areas of   
   most of Florida.   
      
   Hurricanes and tornados are not unusual to Lake County. In 2007 a tornado   
   killed several people and caused much damage. In 2004 the county was visited   
   by four hurricanes.   
      
   Five years ago the Royal Harbor Amateur Radio Club adopted an emergency ham   
   radio program called Neighborhood Ham Watch. The idea behind the program was   
   to provide emergency communications to the outside world through Amateur Radio   
   operators who lived in Royal Harbor. The operators decided to prepare an   
   emergency disaster communications plan for the retirement community.   
      
   The first Royal Harbor Communications Disaster Plan was presented to the Royal   
   Harbor Home Owners Association board of directors in October 2012. After board   
   approval, it became part of Royal Harbor's overall disaster plan. The plan was   
   recently updated.   
      
   The plan makes clear from the very beginning that the members are to first   
   ensure that their own families are safe and secure, before the rest of the   
   plan is executed. In the event of a hurricane, tornado or severe thunderstorm   
   warnings, members will already be on the area ARES frequency 147.255 MHz as   
   part of a SKYWARN net, with the operation being easily converted to the   
   activation of the disaster plan. An equipped operator will be dispatched to   
   HOA office to provide a link to the net and/or the Lake County Emergency   
   Operating Center (EOC) in Tavares, Florida.   
      
   Under a plan A, an operator will be assigned as the net control station from   
   his/her home, and will maintain contact with the EOC on 147.255 MHz. The   
   operator may be using generator or battery backup power. The NCS operator will   
   conduct the net of other Royal Harbor amateurs using the simplex frequency of   
   146.580 MHz or other simplex frequency designated.   
      
   The operator at the Royal Harbor office will remain in contact with the net   
   via the simplex link. One operator will be on a D-STAR link, while another is   
   on HF, lending mode and frequency range diversity.   
      
   All Royal Harbor emergency operators will have VHF/UHF (V/U) capabilities in   
   their personal vehicles if needed for mobile assignments. When it is safe to   
   do so, the net control station may be moved to the lighthouse for better   
   height above average terrain (HAAT). The repeater located in the lighthouse   
   can be powered by a club generator.   
      
   Staffing critical locations will be conducted on a rotating basis; recruitment   
   of additional operators from outside Royal Harbor may be necessary if the   
   incident continues for more than 72 hours. There is an agreement for mutual   
   aid with the Lake County Amateur Radio Association.   
      
   A plan B calls for NCS to be located in the Royal Harbor HOA office, among   
   other changes. Operators should be available for deployment within Royal   
   Harbor with mobile or portable radios for damage assessments. A plan C allows   
   for more modifications to the plan/operation as conditions dictate. ARES will   
   also maintain the ability to contact contiguous county EOCs under other plans.   
      
   These plans work well for this Florida retirement community and may be used as   
   a model for other communities, expanded or contracted based on size and the   
   ARES population of operators. Develop your own communications plan before it's   
   too late. -- Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ, Lake County (Florida) ARES(R) Public   
   Information Officer   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
   Wind Storm Damages San Diego/Baja Amateur High Speed Data Facilities   
      
   A serious wind storm with gusts of 100 mph in the San Diego/Baja Mexico area   
   at the end of January caused major damage to the facilities of the Radio Club   
   of Baja California (CREBC, Tijuana, Mexico) just south of the US-Mexico   
   border. Many San Diego ARES members use the facilities for repeater and packet   
   communications as do mariners heading down the coast of Baja. The microwave   
   communications backbone emergency group High Data Rate Emergency Network of   
   San Diego (HDRENS) connects over a 50 to 100 Mbit/sec 12 mile path to the   
   CREBC Cardenas tower, which was felled by the storm. Mike Burton, XE2/N6KZB,   
   and CREBC officer Juan Tellez, XE2SI, started repairs as soon as the storm   
   passed, getting systems back up over the course of three to four days.   
      
   The Cardenas 80-foot tower was exposed on a high ridge line above Playas de   
   Tijuana, and was a Canadian-made free standing type with broad base, installed   
   27 years ago. It supported antennas for two Ubiquiti 5 GHz links, CREBC UHF   
   repeater, an area police repeater, 3 area commercial customer systems, UHF and   
   VHF links, 145.09 MHz repeater, and area Fire Department repeaters.   
      
   Sometime in the early morning when the gusts were strongest, two of the   
   tower's three legs gave way and the tower collapsed. Corrosion was a   
   contributing factor. On its way down, it missed a neighbor's house by a foot,   
   tore the top security fence railing, damaging many other antennas. Electrical   
   shorts caused site computer damage and damage to AC power lines inside.   
      
   Club members, Fire and Police personnel teamed up to get all systems back in   
   service, place antennas on lower structure and remove the tower. Despite the   
   lower elevation all systems functioned well and a new tower may not be needed.   
      
   Other sites suffered damage and were also repaired. Damages could have been   
   greater and the fast response just shows that amateurs and public safety   
   professionals can work together when needed in the public interest. -- Mike   
   Burton, XE2/N6KZB (CREBC); and Ed Sack, W3NRG, San Diego ARES   
      
   __________________________   
      
      
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   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... A slotted spoon holds little soup, but grabs a potato.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)