AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES) TRAINING
MATERIAL
This text was originally typed by Sue Chism, N4ENX, the Greenville South Carolina ARES Emergency Coordinator and entered on the forums at www.SuperHosts.net/forums.
It is being made available to ARES volunteers in this format to prepare the ARES volunteers for participation in emergencies.
Those amateurs wishing to take the Level I Amateur Radio Emergeny Communications Exam will find that this material presented will help with preparation for completion of the Level I course.
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LESSON
ONE & TWO
How do you fit in?
To the agencies we serve, we are their immediately
available communication experts.
Amateurs have the equipment, the skills, and the
frequencies necessary to create expedient emergency communication networks
under poor conditions.
We are licensed and pre-authorized
for national and international communication.
We have the ability to rapidly
enlarge our communication capacity to meet growing needs in an emergency. Many
of these skills are the same ones that you would use in everyday
communications.
Some of the emergency communication skills are very different
from those you that use in your day to day ham radio use. Without specific
emergency communication skills, you can become part of the problem rather than
part of the solution.
WHAT YOU ARE NOT!
There are limits to your responsibilities as an emergency communicator
and it is IMPORTANT to know where to draw the line.
You are NOT a "first responder." You do not
need flashing lights and sirens, gold badges, or fancy uniforms. You have no authority. You can not make decisions for others. You cannot make
demands on the agency you are helping to
serve or any other agency.
The only decisions you can make
are whether to participate or not, and those affecting your own health and
safety. You can lend a hand to fill an urgent need when you are qualified to do
so, or to perform other jobs for the served agency of which communication is an
integral part for which you are trained and capable. You are not in charge. You are there to temporarily fulfill the needs of
an agency whose communication system is unable to do its job. The agency will
tell you what they need and you will do your best to comply.
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LESSON THREE
THE
The communications
job you are asked to do will vary with the agency you will be helping.
If it is the American Red Cross, you will be providing communications needed to maintain a system of shelters and other relief efforts.
If it is state or local emergency management agency, you could
be handling interagency communications, or serving as the eyes and ears of the
emergency managers.
If a hospital's telephone system fails,
you might be handling the
"mechanics" of communications so that doctors and nurses can concentrate on patients.
For a large forest fire or search and rescue operation, you could be
setting up phone patches for firefighters or
rescuers to their families, or assisting with logistical communications to
insure that food, supplies, personnel and materials arrive when and where
needed.
For the National
Weather Service, the reporting of storm locations and weather
conditions to them, so that they can better inform and warn the public.
In any widespread
disaster, hams could be assisting all the agencies listed above and more.
Our job is to get the message through,
using any means to do so. Don't think of just ham radio, but if you had an
emergency message to pass and the communications systems were not available,
how would you do it?
If you have access to CB radio, Family Radio, USE IT. If an agency asks you to use their
radio system, USE IT. Your
operating and technical skills are just as important as your ham radio
resources.
Make a list of what means of
communications you have available to you.
QUESTIONS:
1. List three ways in which Emergency Communications are similar to
Non-Emergency Communications.
2. List six ways in which Emergency Communications differ from
Non-emergency Communications.
3. In an emergency situation, a served agency asks you to forward an
urgent message. Which one of the following methods would you not use? Tell why
you selected your answer.
a. CB radio
b. Family Radio
c. Informal, conversational grapevine
d. The agency's own radio system
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LESSON FOUR:
WHO WORKS FOR
WHOM!
Your job as a communicator is to meet the needs of the served agency.
When you volunteer your services to ARES you agree to accept and comply with
reasonable orders and requests from your ARES leader. If you do not feel
comfortable doing this, DO NOT VOLUNTEER!
Our Role as a EmComm Volunteer
In today's fast paced emergency responses, there is often no time to
sit down and discuss what are we going to do. We have to be prepared to help
with any function that also includes communication as defined by the served
agency. There has to be pre-planning with the served agency to ensure that
these jobs are clearly defined and any additional job-specific training
required is obtained in advance.
In general, emcomm groups should be
prepared to perform jobs for their served agency that include the need to
communicate.
Here are a few of the many
possible job descriptions:
1. Radio operator, using Amateur or served agency radio systems.
2. Dispatcher, organizing
the flow of personnel, vehicles, and supplies.
3. Resource coordinator,
organizing the assignments of disaster relief volunteers.
4. Field observer,
watching and reporting weather or other conditions.
5. Damage assessor,
evaluating and reporting damage conditions.
6. Van driver, moving
people or supplies from location to location.
7. Searcher, providing
communication for a search and rescue team.
To perform these jobs, we need this flexibility to continue our
contribution to public safety as Amateur Radio operators.
Specific Agency Relationships between the volunteer
communicator and the served agency.
Memorandums of
Understanding (MOU) are in place
with many served agencies that define the working relationship.
Here are some examples of those
relationships.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
(www.fema.gov). In most cases you will have little direct
contact with federal agencies.
American Red Cross (see logo on www.upstateares.org )
Have their own communication team and have a MOU with the local ARES Team.
Typical assignments include
linking shelters and chapter houses, performing damage assessment, and handling
supply and personnel logistics.
State and Local emergency Management.
Assignments are inter-agency communications, message handling between state and
local emergency management offices. We are the hands that help with
communications that are disabled.
The relationship between Amateur
Radio operators and a served agency is a critical one.
Emcomm volunteers should maintain
a professional attitude at all times and remember that this relationship to the
served agency is much like that of an employee, without the paycheck. Agency
relationships will vary with the agency, region, and the needs and style of
local government. We have to be able to "go with the flow", but also
be able to stop the flow when it is burning our bridges behind us.
Avoid giving any information to the press until you
understand both the served agency's and the emcomm policies on speaking to the
press.
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LESSON FIVE:
WHY IS ORGANIZATION
SO IMPORTANT TO EMCOMM?
Imagine a random group of volunteers trying to tackle a full-scale
disaster communication emergency, working together for the first time. They do
not know each other well, have very different approaches to solving the same
problem, and half of them want to be in charge. Get the picture?
It is not too far fetched, Just ask anyone who has been around emcomm
for a while -- they have seen it! These lessons are intended to help solve that
problem.
Emcomm organizations provide training, and a forum to share ideas and
develop workable solutions to problems in advance of a real disaster. This way,
when the time comes to assist the served agency, you will be as prepared as you
can be. The response will occur more smoothly, challenges will be dealt with
productively, and the served agency's needs are met.
These are the organizations that can be involved during a disaster.
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
This program is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League(ARRL)
since 1935. ARES is part of the League's field organization, which is composed
of "Sections", our Section is
The elected Section Manager (SM), Jim Boehner,N2ZZ, appoints the top
leadership of the Section. The Section Emergency Coordinator is,Charlie Miller,
AE4UX, who appoints the District Emergency Coordinator (Each EMD Area has a
DEC). The SEC also appoints the Emergency Coordinator (EC) for each county
within the State. The EC for each county then appoints as many Assistant Emergency
Coordinators(AEC) to help with the emergency plans within the county.
ARES has Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with a variety of agencies
at the national level, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the National Weather Service.
These documents set out the general relationship between ARES and the agency at
the national level, and provide guidance for local units of both organizations
to draft more specific local MOUs. In addition to local chapters of national
groups, ARES groups often have MOUs or other written or verbal agreements with
state and city emergency management departments, hsopitals, schools, police and
fire departments, public works agencies, and others.
RADIO AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE (RACES)
The federal government created RACES after World War II. It addressed
the need for a group of hams to operate as an integral part of the Civil
Defense organization in time of national emergency or war. The RACES program
also provides the means to continue to serve the public if the President
suspends regular Amateur operations. The RACES
rules provide for use of almost all regular Amateur frequencies, but place
strict limits on the types of communications made, and with whom.
Go to ARRL website(http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/foreword.html)
section entitled "Public Services Communications Manual."
RACES and Civil Defense(now Emergency Management)have changed over the
years. While the RACES rules are the same, there are fewer RACES groups today.
Most of them have become "dual hat" organizations. That means that
RACES members also belong to ARES, and can "switch hats" when the
need arises. Emergency management officals like this arrangement since it provides
more flexibility, and gives them more direct control over the ham radio
volunteers.
Remember, that in RACES operations,
only the county emergency management leader,(such as Greenville County EOC
Emergency Management Leader) can activate a RACES operation.
In ARES, the county emergency
coordinator,(such as ARRL Greenville County Emergency Coordinator) or assistant
emergency coordinator can activate an ARES operation.
Please go to the ARRL web site and look at the MOUs for the different
agencies, so that you will have a better understanding of why we do this and
not that.
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LESSON SIX:
OBJECTIVE: This lesson introduces communication skills that are
specific to emcomm operations, and helps you understand differences from normal
Amateur Radio operations.
INFORMATION:
An emergency communicator must do his part to get every message to its intended
recipient, quickly, accurately, and with a minimum of fuss. A number of factors
can affect your ability to do this, including your own operating skills, the
communication method used, a variety of noise problems, the skills of the
receiving party, the cooperation of others, and adequate resources.
Why Are Emergency Communication Techniques Different?
Life and death communications are not part of our daily experience.
Most of what we say and do each day does not have the potential to severely
impact the lives and property of hundreds or thousands of people. In an emergency, any given message can have huge and
often unintended consequence. An unclear message, one that is delayed or
mis-delivered, or never delivered at all can have disastrous results.
Listening
Listening is at least 50% of
communication. Discipline
yourself to focus on your job and "tune out" distractions. If your
attention drifts at the wrong time, you could miss a critical message.
Listening also means avoiding unnecessary
transmissions. You have two ears and one mouth, so you
should listen twice as much as talking. A person with a life and death priority message could be
missed while you are chit-chatting.
You might be operating from a noisy location, the signal might be weak,
or other stations may be causing interference. In each of these cases, it helps
to have headphones to minimize local noise and help you concentrate on the
radio signal.
Microphone Techniques
Using your microphone correctly can make a big difference in
intelligibility. For optimum performance, hold the microphone close to your
cheek and just off to the side of your mouth. Talk across, rather then into the
microphone. This will reduce breath noises and "popping" sounds that
can mask your speech.
Speak in a normal, clear, calm
voice. Raising your voice or shouting can result in over-modulation and distortion,
and will not increase volume at the receiving end. Speak at a normal pace,
rushing your words can result in slurred and unintelligible speech. Pronounce
words carefully, making sure to enunciate each syllable and sound.
Radios should be adjusted so that a normal voice
within 2 inches of the microphone element will
produce full modulation. If your
microphone gain is set so high that you can achieve full modulation with the
microphone in your lap, it will also pick up extraneous background noise that can
mask or garble your voice. A noise-cancelling microphone is a good choice since
it blocks out nearly all unwanted background noise.
"VOICE OPERATED TRANSMISSION" (VOX) is NOT
RECOMMENDED for emergency communications. It is too easy
for background noise and off-air operator comments to be accidentally
transmitted, resulting in embarrassment or a disrupted net. Use a hand or foot
switch instead.
When using a repeater, be sure to leave a little extra
time between pressing the push-to-talk switch and speaking. A variety of delays can occur
within a system, including CTCSS decode time, and transmitter rise time.
Some repeaters also have a short "kerchunk" timer to prevent brief
key-ups and noise from keying the transmitter. It also gives time for some handhelds
to come out of the "power-save" mode. Leaving extra time is also necessary on any system of linked repeaters, to allow time for all the links to begin
transmitting.
These techniques
will ensure that your entire message is transmitted, avoiding time-wasting
repeats for lost first words. Pause a little longer than usual between
transmissions any time there is a possibility that other stations may have
emergency traffic to pass from time to time. A count of "one, one
thousand" is usually sufficient.
Each communication should consist of
only the information necessary to get the message across clearly and accurately. Extra information
can distract the recipient and lead to misinterpretation and confusion. If you
are the message's author and can leave a word out without changing the meaning
of the message, leave it out. If the description of an item will not add to the
understanding of the subject of the message, leave it out. Avoid using
contractions within your messages. Words like don't and isn't are easily
confused. If someone else has drafted the message, work with the author to make
it more concise.
The following is an example, please rewrite it to reduce the message
text, but still retain the clarity of the message.
"We need 50 additional cots and blankets at the Roe School
Shelter, and we also need more food since 20 new people just arrived and we are
told another 30 may be coming soon. Please call me and tell me when these
supplies will arrive."
The following is an example.
Break for text, message to follow
Need fifty cots and blankets at Roe
School Shelter (xray) Food for fifty people (xray) Advise arrival time of
requested supplies
break for signature (
)
End of message no more
Callsign
Make your transmissions sound
crisp and professional. Do not editorialize, or engage in chitchat. An
emergency net is no place for "Hi Larry, long time no hear," or any
other non-essential conversation.
Be sure to say
exactly what you mean. Use
specific words to ensure that your precise meaning is conveyed. Do not say,
"that place we were talking about," when "Richards School"
is what you mean. Using non-specific language can lead to misunderstandings and
confusion.
Communicate one complete subject at a time.
Mixing different subjects into one message can cause misunderstanding and
confusion. If you are sending a list of additional food supplies needed, keep
it separate from a message asking for more sand bags.
Use plain language instead of ham jargon and specialized
terminology in our daily conversations. Most of us
understand each other when we do, and if we do not on occasion it usually makes
little difference. In an emergency, however, the results can be different.
A misunderstood
message can cost a person's life.
Not everyone involved in the emergency will understand our specialized
language, so do not use it.
All messages and communciations
during an emergency should be in plain language.
"Q" signals (except in CW
commmunications), 10 codes, and similar jargon should be avoided.
The one exception to this is the list of standard "pro-signs" used in
Amateur traffic nets, such as "clear, say again all after" and such.
Avoid words or phrases that carry strong emotions.
Most emergency situations are emotionally charged already, and you do not need
to add to the problem. For example, instead of saying "horrific damage and
people torn to bits" say "significant physical damage and personal
injuries."
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LESSON SEVEN:
Introduction to
Emergency Nets
The objective of this lesson is
intended to provide an overview of operation in a radio network, or
"net" environment. It sets the stage for the following lessons, which
present various aspects of net operation and message handling in greater
detail.
Learn the following definitions:
Net: A group of
stations who gather on one frequency, with a purpose. The net provides a
structure and organization to allow an orderly flow of messages.
Net Control Station (NCS):
The station in charge of the net and directing the flow of messages and general
communications.
Formal Messages:
Written messages that are sent in a standardized format.
Traffic: A term referring
to messages sent over amateur radio, usually formal, written messages.
Pass: To send messages
from one station to another
Third Party Traffic:
Messages transmitted on behalf of a person or organization other than a
licensed amateur radio operator. The term also applies to when a person other
than a licensed operator is allowed to use the microphone.
Liaison Station:
A station responsible for passing messages between different nets.
What is an
Emergency Net?
The purpose of any net is to
provide a means for orderly commmunication within a group of stations. An "emergency" net is a group of stations
who provide communications to one or more served agencies, or to the
general public, in an emergency. An emergency net may be formal or informal, depending
on the number of participants and volume of messages.
Net Formats
Directed (formal) Nets:
In a directed net, a "net control station"
(NCS) organizes and controls all activity.
One station wishing to call or
send a message to another in the net must first receive permission from the
NCS. This is done so that messages with a higher priority will be handled
first, and that all messages will be handled in an orderly fashion. Directed
nets are the best format when there are a large number of member stations. (Be careful not to confuse"formal nets"
with "formal messages." There is no link between the two).
Open (informal) Nets
In an open net, the NCS is optional.
Stations may call each other
directly. When a NCS is used a all, he
usually exerts minimal control over the
net. The NCS may step in when the message volume increases for short
periods, or to solve problems and keep the net operating smoothly. Open nets
are most often used when there are only a few stations and little traffic.
Types of Emergency Nets:
Emergency nets may have different purposes, and a
given emergency may require one or more of each type of net. During a small
operation, all functions may be combined into one net.
A traffic net handles formal written messages in a
specified format. The nets operated by the National Traffic
System (NTS) are an excellent example of traffic nets.
ARES or RACES
traffic nets may be directed or open depending on their size.
Tactical nets are used for real-time coordination of
activities related to the emergency.
This is a faster moving, often
less formal operation. Messages are usually brief, and frequently unwritten. A
tactical net usually has a NCS, but may be directed or open. The NCS may have
other duties or responsibilities as well.
A resource net may be needed to acquire volunteers
and handle assignments, and is usually a directed
net.
Resource nets accept check-ins
from arriving volunteers, who are then directed to contact an appropriate
station or to proceed to a specific location.
An information net is usually an open net used to
collect or share information on a developing situation, without overly
restricting the use of the frequency by others.
Net members send updated local
information as needed, and official bulletins from the served agency may be
sent by the NCS , an agency liaison station, or an Official Bulletin Station
(OBS).
The NCS and many of the
participants monitor the frequency, but a roll call may be taken, but seldom
is. The operation of an information net also serves as notice to all stations
that a more formal net may be activated at any moment if conditions warrant.
A good example
of an information net, is a SKYWARN weather net activated during a
severe storm watch.
Checking into an
Emergency Net:
There are two situations where you
will need to "check in" to a net. When you first join the net and
when you have messages, questions, or information to send.
If you are part of the organization operating the net, simply follow
the instructions for checking into directed and open nets.
To become part of a directed net, listen for the NCS to ask for
"check ins" and listen to any specific instructions, such as
"check-ins with emergency traffic only." At the appropriate time,
give only your call sign and location transmitting from. If you have a message
to pass, you can add, "with traffic." If it is an emergency message,
say "with emergency traffic." The same is true for stations with
priority traffic. Wait for a response before offering more information.
Checking into a directed net when the NCS has not asked for check ins is
usually considered a bad practice. If a long period of time passes without a
request for check ins, you might wait for a pause in the net's activity and
briefly call the NCS like this "net control,(your callsign) with
traffic".
To check into an open net for the first time, briefly call the net
control station as above. If there appears to be no NCS, call anyone on the net
to find out who is "in charge" and make contact with them. If you are
already part of the net and have a message to send, simply wait for the
frequency to be clear before calling another station.
Passing Messages:
If you told the NCS you have traffic to send when you checked in,
he/she will probably ask you to "list
your traffic" with its
destination and priority. After you send your list, the NCS will direct you to
pass each message to the appropriate station in the net, either on the net
frequency, or another frequency to avoid tieing up the net. When moving to
another frequency to pass the message, always check to see if the frequency is
in use before beginning.
When you are asked by the NCS to send your message, the standard
procedure is for the NCS to tell the receiving station to call the sending
station.
Checking out of an emergency net:
Always let the NCs know when you are leaving the net, even if it is
only for a few minutes. If the NCS believes you are still in the net, they may
become concerned about your unexplained absence. This could result in someone
being unnecessarily dispatched to check on your well-being.
Reasons for checkout out of a net, here they are:
1. The location of station is closing.
If the NCS has given you directions to close the location, simply
acknowledge the request, and sign with your FCC callsign, or if using tactical
call sign, sign with it and your FCC callsign. If the order to close has come
from a local official, state that your location has been closed, along with the
name and title of the official who ordered it, and sign off as above. Long
"goodbyes" only tie up the net needlessly, and do not sound very
professional.
2. You need a break and there is not relief operator.
Tell the NCS that you will be away from the radio for a certain length
of time, the reason, and sign with your tactical call sign, if you are using
one, and your FCC call sign.
3. You have turned the location over to another operator.
Tell the NCS that you have turned the station over to (give the new
operator's name and FCC callsign) and that you are leaving. Sign with your
tactical call sign, if you are using one, and your FCC call sign.
THERE ARE TWO SPECIAL SITUATIONS TO BE AWARE OF, THEY
ARE:
1. If you are asked by someone in authority, such as
a law enforcement officer, to move your station, then move
immediately and without argument. Notify the NCS of the
situation at the first appropriate opportunity. Don't argue with the officer.
2. If you are requested by someone in authority to
turn off your radio, or to refrain from transmitting, do so immediately
and without question. Do not notify Net Control until you have permission to transmit again, and can do so safely.
There is usually a good reason for such a request. It may be an issue of
security, or it may be a potential hazard, such as an explosive, which could be
triggered by RF energy. Again, don't argue.
Here is a review of the lesson:
Large nets are usually directed
(formal) nets with a NCS in charge.
Smaller
nets may be "open" (informal), and a NCS is optional.
Nets can serve many purposes,
including passing formal messages, handling logistics, or passing informal
tactical messages. Large emergencies may require more than one of each type of
net - small emergencies may have one combined net. Medium and long distance messages
are often handled by the National Traffic System (NTS), such as the South
Carolina Single Sideband Net, held on 3.915 MHZ, at
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LESSON EIGHT:
THE INCIDENT COMMAND
SYSTEM
This lesson is a summary of ICS and its relationship to emcomm, and not
a complete description of its various forms and uses.
THE HISTORY OF ICS
In the early 1970's, a disorganized and ineffective multi-agency
response to a series of major wildland fires in
Their efforts to address these difficulties resulted in the development
of the original Incident Command System. Although developed for wildland fires,
the system ultimately evolved into an "all risk" system, appropriate
for all types of fire and non-fire emergencies.
There are other versions of the ICS in use, but the Incident Command System
(ICS), as developed by the National Fire Academy (NFA), has been widely
recognized as a model tool for the command, control, and coordination of
resources and personnel at the scene of an emergency andis used by most fire,
police, and other agencies around the country. The use of the ICS is now
required by various federal laws for all hazardous material incidents, and in
other situations by many state and local laws. The ICS has also been adopted
for use in many other countries.
WHAT IS ICS?
The Incident Command System is a management tool designed to bring
multiple responding agencies, including those from different jurisdictions,
together under a single overall command structure. Before the use of the ICS
became commonplace, various agencies responding to a disaster often fought for
control, duplicated efforts, missed critical needs, and generally reduced the
potential effectiveness of the response. Under ICS, each agency recognizes one
"lead" coordinating agency and person, will handle one or more tasks
that are part of a single over-all plan, and interact with other agencies in
defined ways.
The Incident Command System is based upon simple and proven business
management principles. In a business or government agency, managers and leaders
perform the basic daily tasks of planning, directing, organizing, coordinating,
communicating, delegating, and evaluating. The same is true for the Incident
Command System, but the responsibilities are often shared between several
agencies. These tasks, or functional areas as they are known in the ICS, are
performed under the overall direction of a single Incident Commander (IC) in a
coordinated manner, even with multiple agencies and across jurisdictional
lines.
WHAT THE ICS IS NOT
1. A fixed and unchangeable system
for managing an incident
2. A means to take control or authority away from agencies or
departments that participate in the response.
3. A way to subvert the normal chain of command within a department or
agency.
4. Always managed by the fire department.
5. Too big and cumbersome to be used in small, every day events.
6. Restricted to use by government agencies and departments.
Greenville County Emergency Management uses this format. Please check
with your
THE ICS STRUCTURE
The Incident Command System has two interrelated parts. They are "management by objectives,"
and the "organizational structure."
MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES:
Four essential steps are used in developing the
response to every incident, regardless of size or complexity.
1. Understand the policies, procedures, and statutes
that affect the official response.
2. Establish incident objectives(the desired outcome of the agencies'
efforts).
3. Select appropriate strategies for cooperation and resource
utilization.
4. Apply tactics most likely to accomplish objectives (assign the
correct resources and monitor the results.)
The complexity of the incident will determine how formally the "management
by objectives" portion will be handled. If the incident is small and
uncomplicated, the process can be handled by verbal communications between
appropriate people. As the incident and response become more complex,
differences between the individual agencies' or departments' goals, objectives,
and methods will need to be resolved in writing.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
The ICS supports the creation of a flexible
organizational structure that can be modified to meet changing conditions.
Under the ICS, the one person in charge is always called the "Incident
Commander" (IC). In large responses, the IC may have a "General
Staff" consisting of the Information, Safety, and Liaison Officers. In a
smaller incident, the IC may also handle one, two, or all three of these
positions, if they are needed at all.
Various other tasks within the ICS are subdivided into four major
operating sections: Planning, Operations, Logistics, and
Finance/Administration. Each operating section has its own "chief",
and may have various "task forces" working on specific goals. The
Logistics section handles the coordination of all interagency communication
infrastructures involved in the response, including Amateur Radio.
These operating sections may be scaled up or down, depending ont he
needs of the situation. In a small, single agency response, the IC may handle
many or all functions. As the size and complexity of a response increase, and
as other agencies become involved, the various tasks can be re-assigned and
sub-divided. If the response workload increases, the Logistics Chief may handle
communication decisions along with other tasks, or assign the job to a
"communication task force leader".
THE INCIDENT COMMANDER:
The initial IC is usually the most senior on-scene officer fromt he
first responding agency. The IC is responsible for the management of the
incident and starts the process by helping setting initial incident objectives,
followed by an "Incident Plan" (IP). In a small incident, the IC may
do all the ICS functions without aid, but in a larger incident, they will
usually delegate responsibilities to others. The IC still has overall
responsibility for the incident, regardless of any duties delegated.
In the early stages of a hazardous materials spill, the Incident
Commandr may be a fire department officer. As other federal agencies arrive to
begin cleanup efforts, one of their officers may become the Incident Commander.
ORGANIZATION OF THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
INCIDENT COMMANDER
INFORMATION OFFICER
SAFETY OFFICER
LIAISON OFFICER
PLANNING SECTION
PLANNING CHIEF
Responsiblilities are:
information gathering and dissemination and working out the details of each
agenc's response.
OPERATIONS SECTION
OPERATIONS CHIEF
Responsibilities
are: working with
people from these agencies (Police, Fire, Public Works, Red Cross, Relief
Agencies) who are actually in the field doing the work to protect or serve the
public.
LOGISTICS SECTION
LOGISTICS CHIEF
Responsibilities are:
working with the responding agencies offering these services (communication,
medical support, transportation, supplies, personnel, food).
FINANCIAL/ADMINISTRATION SECTION
FINANCIAL CHIEF
Responsibilities are: each of the responding agencies financial staff will
keep track of the total cost of the response. This is very important if Federal
Disaster Relief funds will be requested.
Amateur Radio ARES falls under the
Logistics Section Organization,when the Logistics Chief creates a
Communications Task Force.
HOW DOES AN EMCOMM GROUP "FIT IN" TO THE ICS
The relationship of an emcomm group to the ICS structure will vary with
the specific situation. If your group is providing internal communication
support to only one responding agency, and has no need to communciate with
other agencies that are part of the ICS, you may not have any part in the ICS
structure itself except through your served agency. If your group is tasked
with handling inter-agency communications, or serves more than one agency's
internal communication needs, it is likely your group will have a
representative on the Logistics Section's "communication task force."
In certain situations, an emcomm group might serve one or more agencies
simultaneously. As the responsibility for managing the incident shifts from one
agency to another, the emcomm group's mission may shift to assisting the new
lead agency, or simply end. In some cases, your group might begin by supporting
your own served agency, and end up supporting a new and unfamiliar agency. The
choice of whether to use you emcomm group's services may be made by the served
agency, Communications Task Force leader, Logistics Chief, or Incident
Commander, depending on the specific situation and ICS structure in use.
Here is a review of the lesson: The ICS is a management tool that
preserves the command structure of each responding agency, while bringing them
all together under a common plan and leader. Emcomm groups often operate as
part of the Logistics section of the ICS. If the emcomm group serves the
internal communication needs of only one agency, it may not be a formal part of
the ICS structure.
***************************************************************************
LESSON NINE:
PREPARING FOR
DEPLOYMENT
In this lesson we will discuss the steps an emcomm volunteer should
take to be ready to respond quickly and be fully prepared to handle their
emcomm assignment.
PREPARED FOR WHAT?
You never know what challenges an emergency situation will offer. You
might have AC power, or just the batteries you bring along. Safe drinking water
may be available, or you may have only your canteen. Sometimes you can find out
in advance what sort of conditions are likely for your assignment, but many
times no one will know, particularly during the early stages of an emergency.
Being prepared for an emergency communication deployment involves a
wide range of considerations, including radio equipment, clothing and personal
gear, food and water, information, and specialized training. No two deployments
are the same, and each region offers its own specific challenges. What is
appropriate for rural
What will you need to be ready for your assignment
without delay?
Will you need to join networks, what do I need to do that?
Will you need to be able to relocate quickly?
Will you be on foot, or near your vehicle?
Is your assignment at a fixed location or will you be mobile?
What will the duration of the assignment be, less than 48 hours, 72
hours, or for even longer?
Will you be in a building with reliable power and working toilets, or
in a campsite without the modern conveniences?
What will the weather be like or what conditions will I encounter?
Will I have food or water?
Where will I sleep?
These are some of the questions an emcomm volunteer
needs answers to, if they are going to be ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
Most people seem to divide ready
kits into two categories: one for deployments under 48 hours, and one for up to 72 hours.
For deployements longer than 72 hours, many people will just add more of the
items that they will use up as the assignment continues.
Here are some ideas for your ready kit:
Radios and Accessories
Handheld VHF or dual-band radio
Spare rechargeable batteries for handhelds
Alkaline battery pack for handhelds
Alkaline batteries
Speaker microphone and earphone for handheld
Battery chargers, AC and DC for handhelds
Mobile VHF or dual-band radio
HF radio
Muti-band HF antenna, tuner, heavy parachute cord
Gain antennas and adapters(roll up J-Pole, mobile magnetic mount, etc)
Coaxial feed lines, jumpers
Ground rod, pipe clamps and wire
AC power supplies for VHF,UHF mobile and HF radios, accessories
Large battery source for VHF/UHF mobile and HF radios, with chargers
All related power, data, audio, and RF cables and adapters
Small repair kit, hand tools, multi-meters connectors, adapters,
fuses,wire, connectors,small parts, insulators, duct tape, etc.
Spare manuals for all equipment
Headphones for Radios
Specialized gear for packet, ATV or other modes
Multi-band scanner, weather radio
Personal cell phone, pager, spare batteries and chargers
Pencils, legal pads, pencil sharper
Personal Gear
Clothing for the season, weather, and the length of deployment
Toilet kit, such as soap, razor, deodorant, comb, brush, toilet paper
Foul weather or protective gear, warm coats, hats, etc
Sleeping bag, air mattress of some sort, pillows if needed
Ear plugs
High energy snacks
Easily prepared dried foods that will store for long periods
Eating and cooking equipment if needed
Water containers, filled befor departure (bottled water)
First aid kit, personal medications and prescriptions for up to one
week
Money, including a large quantity of quarters for vending machines,
tolls
Telephone calling card
Information to carry
ID cards and other authorizations
Frequency lists and net schedules
Maps, both street and topographic
Key phone numbers, email and internet addresses
Contact information for other members in your group, EC, etc
Copy of emergency plans
Resource lists, who to call for which kinds of problems
Log sheets, message forms
Operating Supplies
Outgoing message forms or sheets to compose message
Incoming message forms
Log Sheets
Standard forms used by the served agency
Letter or legal note pads
Sticky notes
Paper clips and rubber bands
Blank envelopes
The make up of your ready kit is the way you want it
to pack it and carry it.
Make up a checklist and keep copies of it in your
ready kit, so that the items used can be replaced.
Preplanning
When the time comes, you need to know where to go, and what to do,but
that may not be possible until you arrive at the situation.
If it is possible, run through this checklist of questions for answers.
Which frequency should you check in on initially? Is there a back-up
frequency?
If a repeater is out of service, which simplex frequency is used for
the net? (check and see if 146.52 works in your vehicle, it can interfer with
the car's computer these days)
Which nets will be activated first?
Should you report to a pre-determined location or will your assignment
be made as needed?
Learn about any place to which you may be deployed to familiarize
yourself with its resources, requirements, and limitations. If you are assigned
to a particular shelter, you will need to know alternate routes to it.
Will you need a long antenna cable to get from your operating position
to the roof?
Are antennas permanently installed, or will you need to bring your own?
Will you be in one room with everyone else, or in a separte room?
Is there dependable emergency power to circuits at possible operating
positions?
Does the building have an independent and dependable water supply?
Do you have good coverage for your cell phone or beeper inside the
building?
Can you reach local repeaters reliably with only a rubber duck antenna,
or do you need an antenna with gain?
If the repeaters are out ot service, how far can you reach on a simplex
channel?
Will you need a HF radio?
If you will be assigned to an EOC,
school, hospital, or other facility with its own radio system in place,
learn under what conditions you will be required to use it, where it is, and
how it works. In addition to radios, consider copiers, computers, fax machines,
phone systems and other potentially useful equipment.
Consider escape routes.
If you could be in the path of a sotrm surge or other dangerous condition, know
all the possible routes out of the area. If you will be stationed in a large
building such as a school or hospital, find the fire exits, and learn which
parking areas will be the safest for your vehicle.
Here is the review of this lesson:
Pre-planning
and physical preparation are essential to an effective and timely emergency
response. Know in advance where are you going, if possible, and what you will
be doing there when you get there. Keep a ready kit available to go at a moment's
notice. Information is as important as equipment, keep updated lists of other
volunteers and contact information, frequencies, andother resources on hand as
well as copies of essential information to help you in your deployment.
****************************************************************************
LESSON TEN:
OPERATIONS AND
LOGISTICS
This lesson will help you understand and deal with some of the
operating logistical issues that arise during emergency relief and
communication operations.
Choosing Net Frequencies
Unlike commerical and public safety radio users, Amateurs have a vast
amount of radio spectrum to use in meeting the needs of an emergency. Most local and regional emcomm
communication takes place on 2 meter or 70 centimeter FM, or on 40 or 80 meter
SSB/CW. The choice made is based on the locations to be covered, the
availability of repeaters, distance, terrain, and band conditions.
VHF and UHF FM are preferred for
most local operations because the equipment is common, portable, has a clear
voice quality and the coverage is extended by repeater stations. VHF and UHF
communication range is determined by terrain, antenna height, and the
availability of repeaters.
For larger areas or in areas without
repeaters. HF SSB may be needed. Most local emcomm operation is on the 40 or 80
meter bands using Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) propagation. For
occasional long-haul communication needs and international operations, 15 or 20
meter nets may be the best option.
The frequencies for this area,
upstate
Know Your
Resources in Advance
Become familiar with the coverage
and features of each permanent repeater and digital message system in your
area, and pre-program your radios with the frequencies, offsets, and CTCSS
tones.
Ask your EC or AEC which repeaters
are used for emergency communication in your area.
Will they be available for
exclusive emcomm use, or must they be shared with other users?
Information
to find out include:
How does it identify itself?
Are there any "dead spots" in critical
areas? How much power is required to reach the repeater with a clear, quiet,
signal from key locations?
Does the repeater have a courtesy tone, and what does it sound like?
Do the tones change depending on the repeater's mode?
How long is the "time-out timer?"
Is it part of a linked system of repeaters? What features does it have,
and which touch-tone commands or CTCSS tones activate them?
Net frequencies that support digital communication
systems, such as packet radio bulletin board messaging systems, AMTOR, PSK31
and RTTY:
Which software do they use?
Do the digital systems have mailboxes or digipeater functions?
Which other nodes can they connect to?
Can traffic be passed over an Internet link automatically or manually?
How many connections can they support at once?
Each station monitors one or more frequencies. When you want to pass
the traffic to another station, consider which frequency you wish to use to
exchange messages. then, find the other station's monitoring frequency and call
on that frequency. If the other station is monitoring a controlled net, first
ask the Net Control Station (NCS) for permission to call the other station and
when persmission is granted, give the other station a call. when you make
contact, inform the other station of the frequency you wish to use to exchange
the message, move to that frequency and pass the message.
Message Relays
When one station cannot hear
another, a third station may have to "relay" the messages.
Although this is a slow and cumbersome process, it is often the only way to
reach certain stations. If relays must be used, move off the main net frequency
to avoid tying up the frequency for an extended period.
Record Keeping
Most served
agencies will expect you to keep records of your operations.
These
records will certainly include original copies of any messages sent, station
logs, memos, and official correstpondence.
Some may even require you to keep
"scratch" notes and informal logs. Depending on agency policy, you
may be required to keep these records in your own possession for a time, or to
turn some or all records over to the agency at the end of operations.
In
some agencies, your station records are permanent and important legal
documents, and must be treated as such. It
is important to know your served agency's policy on record keeping in advance
so that you can comply from the very beginning of operations.
Your station operating logs should probably contain
the following information:
Your arrival and departure times
Times you check in and out of specific nets
Each message, by number, sender,
addressee, and other handling stations
Critical events - damage, power loss, injuries, earth tremors, other
emergencies
Staff changes - both emcomm and site
management, if known
Equipment problems and issues
Every individual message or note should be labeled with a time and date.
In the case of scratch
notes, place
dates and times to each note on a sheet so that information can be used later
to determine a course of events.
If you expect to operate from the location for more than a day or two,
establish a message filing system so that you can retrieve the messages as
needed. A "portable office" type file box or any other suitable
container can be used to organize and file the messages. This is also an
efficient way to allow another operator to pick up where you left off, even if
they arrive after you leave. Effective record keeping allows them to come up to
speed quickly.
LESSON ELEVEN:
DEALING WITH
STRESS AND EGOS
Any unusual situation can create personal
stress - disasters create incredible amounts of it.
Most people are not used to
working under extreme stress for long periods of time, and do not know how to
handle it. They can become disoriented, confused, unable to make good decisions
at all, lose their tempers, and behave in ways they never would any other time.
In the early hours of a diaster, the tendency is to regard every
situation or need as an "emergency", requiring an immediate response.
You might get a barrage of requests for actions. You might not have the extra
seconds it requires to fully consider the options, and to prioritize your
actions. The result is an overload of responsibility, which can lead to
unmanageable levels of stress.
While you cannot eliminate disaster-related stress, you can certainly
take steps to reduce or control it. Here are some tips to help you manage the
situation to avoid creating, and dealing with, excessive stress and stressful
situations.
SET OF RULES FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
1. Delegate some of your
responsibilities to others. Take on those tasks only you can handle.
2. Prioritize your actions - the most important and
time-sensitive ones come first.
3. Do not take comments personally - mentally translate
"personal attacks" into "constructive criticism" and a
signal that there may be an important need that is being overlooked.
4. Take a few deep breaths and relax. Do this often, especially
if you feel stress increasing. Gather your thoughts and move on.
5. Watch out for your own needs - food, water, rest and medical
attention.
6. Do not insist on working more than your assigned shift if
others can take over.
7. Take a moment to think before responding to a stress-causing
challenge - if needed, tell them you will be back to them in a few minutes.
8. If you are losing control of a situation, bring someone else in
to assist you. Do not let a problem get out of hand before asking for help.
9. Keep an eye on other team members, and help them reduce stress
when possible.
Long Term Operations
As soon as it becomes clear that the situation is not going to return
to normal for a while, plans should be made for extended emcomm operations
Here
are some to consider:
1. Additional operators to allow for regular shift changes, and
those who go home.
2. Replacement equipment, as operators leave with their own gear
or it fails.
3. Food and Water
4. A suitable place to sleep or rest.
5. Generator fuel
6.
Fresh batteries
7. Sanitation facilities
8. Shelter
9. Message handling supplies, forms
10.Alternate NCS operators, backups
11.Additional net resources to handle message traffic.
If you can think of other items to consider, let me know, so that we
can add them to the list.
***************************************************************************
LESSON TWELVE:
Battery
Management
If you are operating on battery power, you will eventually need to recharge your batteries.
As discussed earlier, some batteries need more time to recharge than others,
and this time needs to be taken into account in your planning. Deep cycle marine batteries, for
instance, can require a full day or longer to fully recharge. Sealed lead-acid
(
If you are using slow-charging batteries, you may need to have enough on-hand to last the
entire length
of the operation. If your batteries can be charged quickly, some
means must be provided for doing so. Some chargers can be powered from a
vehicle's 12-volt system, and are a good choice for emcomm. If no local means of charging is
available, your logistics team may need to shuttle batteries back and forth
between your position and a location with power and chargers.
Generator and Power Safety
Take some care in the placement of generators so that
they will not be a problem for others.
Engine
noise can make it
difficult for shelter residents and volunteers to get much needed rest, and for
anyone trying to do their job.
Exhaust
fumes should not be
allowed to enter the building or nearby tents or vehicles. A position
"down wind" of any occupied location is best. Even when vehicles are
not included, internal combustion engines are still the number one cause of
carbon monoxide poisoning in the
Earth grounding of portable or
vehicle-mounted AC generators is not required as long as only plug and cord
connected equipment is used, and the generator meets National Electrical Code
(NEC) standards listed in Article 250-6. The main exception is for generators
that will be connected, even temporarily, to a building's permanent electrical
system.
Ground Fault Interrupters (GFIs) add
a further degree of safety when working with generators and portable power
systems. However, GFIs will not work as intended without a good electrical
ground. Be sure the ground connections in every extension cord and device are
intact. Also, be sure to test any GFI device to be used with or near HF radios
to be sure that the GFI will function porperly while the radio is transmitting.
AC extension cords used to connect to generators or other power sources
should be rated for the actual load. Most are rated for far less power than the
generator can produce. Also, most extension cords are rated only for their
actual length, and cannot be strung together to make a longer cord without
"de-rating" the cord's capacity.
For
example, a typical 16 gauge, 50 foot, orange "hardware store" cord is
rated for 10 amps. When two are used to run 100 foot, the rating drops to only
7 amps.
Choose
a single length of cord rated for the load and the entire distance you must run
it. If this is not possible, you can also run two or more parallel cords to the
generator in order to reduce the load on any single cord.
While "romex" type wire for long extension
cords have been used, it is a violation of the National Electrical
Code and a dangerous practice. Repeated bending, rolling, and abrasion can
cause the solid copper conductors and insulation to break, resulting in a fire
and electrocution hazard.
Use only flexible insulated extension cords
that are UL, rated for temporary, portable use.
Specialized Assignments
You may be asked to handle other assignments for the served agency that
may or may not include communicating. Emcomm volunteers may be cross trained for and perform, a
variety of served-agency skills that also include communicating.
Examples are Skywarn weather spotting, Red Cross damage assessment, and many logistics jobs.
If the opportunity arises for cross training, grab it and add it to your list
of skills.
Review of lesson:
Simplex operation is preferred over repeaters because
repeaters often fail in a disaster situation.
Frequencies and
operators are resource that should be managed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Record keeping is
essential to an effective emcomm operation. It allows messages to be tracked, and preserves
continuity when personnel change.
Demanding situations
like disasters can breed disagreements, especially when strong egos and
short-fused tempers are introduced. Take steps to reduce the level of stress on yourself, and
do not respond in kind to an angry person.
When an operation
looks like it will be an extended one, begin immediately to prepare for the
additional people and resources necessary to sustain the operation
Arrange to charge
batteries as needed. Use generators and power distribution equipment safely.
Leaving your
equipment behind is a choice only you can make. Think about this well in
advance to be sure other arrangements are made before you leave with all your
equipment.
Emcomm groups
accept other agency tasks beyond just communications.
QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following will NOT limit VHF simplex range?
A. Terrain
B. Output Power
C. Antenna Gain
D. Digipeaters
2. Which of the followig actions will NOT improve simplex reception?
A. Increase the antenna height.
B. Switch to a non-directional antenna.
C. Increase transmitter output power.
D. Move the antenna away from obstructions.
3. Which of the following is true about a simplex repeater?
A. The FCC rules do not permit unattended operation of simplex
repeaters.
B. They work best in the "cross-band repeater" mode.
C. They require the use of two radios.
D. Is the same as a "human repeater."
4. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate served agency
assignment for an emcomm volunteer?
A. Field damage assessment and reporting.
B. Driving a supply delivery vehicle.
C. Typing inventory lists and filing memos.
D. Gathering weather data and reporting conditions.
5. Which of the following is a good means of dealing with stress during
an emcomm event?
A. Take every comment personally.
B. Pay no attention to other team members; let them handle their own
problems.
C. To reduce personal stress, insist on working more than your own
shift.
D. Prioritize your actions - the most important and time sensitive ones
come first.
(ANSWERS)
Here are the answers to the
questions given in Lesson 12.
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. D
***************************************************************************
LESSON THIRTEEN:
Your
purpose as emergency communicators is to provide accurate and rapid transfer of
information from one place to another.
To do that job well, you must
understand the strengths and weaknesses of each mode of communication.
You must be throughly familiar with the needs
and priorities of the agencies you are serving. some messages must be delivered
quickly, and others are less urgent.
Some are detailed, and some are
simple. Sometimes you should not even use the radio to pass the message.
Some Concepts to Consider:
Communication modes fall into several categories:
. Point to point - telephone, fax, some digital radio modes
. Multi-point - voice and cw radio, some digital modes
. High precision - fax, e-mail, digital modes
. Low precision - voice, cw, telephone
. High priority - voice, telephone
. Low priority - fax, e-mail, digital modes, cw
Messages fall into similar categories:
. Point to point - Messages intended for one party
. Point to Multi-point - Messages intended for a group
. Multi-point to point - Messages from members of a group directed to
one station
. High precision - Lists of items, medical or technical terminology,
specialized or detailed information
. Low precision - Traffic reports, damage estimates, simple situation
reports
. High priority - Fast delivery is critical
. Low priority - Message can be delivered in a more relaxed time frame
Each type of message should be sent
using the most appropriate mode, taking into consideration the message's
contents, and its destination(s).
An example might serve to illustrate these concepts.
A localized flash flood hit north
In spite of the weather, the shelter still had electricity and phone
service.
QUESTION: How would you set
up the station to assist at the shelter?
The station is set up and the operator has a three page list of names
and addresses of evacuees who had checked into the shelter to transmit to Red
Cross headquarters.
Working equipment available to the operator is:
1. Ham Radio station, with emcomm net on local wide area repeater.
2. Ham Radio station, with emcomm resource net on simplex
3. Fax machine
What are some questions to ask yourself first
1. This is a long list, can I send it with an alternative method?
2. Should I tie up the emcomm net for this list that may take about 15
minutes to transmit and make sure it is received as is?
3. Can I use the fax machine?
4. Is the fax machine at Red Cross operating?
How did you answer?
Using the wide area repeater
( a busy mult-point method) only ties up the repeater, it can
not be used for reports from mobiles out in the field also the broadcast of the
evacuee's names and addresses over a non-secure communications frequency is a
violation of Red Cross policy.
Using voice for transmission,
which is a low precision
method because of the copying by handwritten transcription and using spelling
and phonetics for the names and addresses. Time consuming. What about
privacy policy?
Using the fax machine,
after checking to see if the Red Cross headquarters' fax is operating, is this
the best method for transmitting long lists of names and addresses. It not only
gives a hard copy,
but is faster in the transmittal of the list and it is kept confidential
according to Red Cross privacy policy.
Not all telephone lines and fax machines will be available in every
emergency. Sometimes only one mode will be available, especially when the
utility service is interrupted over a wide area. We need to check on the
options when arriving at our assigned positions.
TACTICAL MESSAGES:
Tactical messages are usually low-precision and
time-critical, and can be passed most efficiently using
voice.
Depending on the nature of the
message, it may take the form of formal written traffic, or at the other
extreme, it may mean that the microphone is handed to a person from the served
agency.
This is frequently the quickest
way to get the job done, but remember to
identify third party traffic, if the person is unlicensed. Use this method,
"this is (callsign),Headquarters, with third party traffic. get EOC
Commander on line.
LISTS AND DETAILED MESSAGES:
Some messages contain long lists of supplies, or details where accuracy
is important.
Voice
transmission can introduce errors, and long messages can waste valuable net
resources.
The various
digital modes (including land line fax and email) offer the best means of
handling these messages, since they are both fast and accurate. Digital
messages also have the benefit of repeatable accuracy. When a message is passed
through several stations, it remains unchanged since no operator intervention
occurs.
SENSITIVE INFORMATION:
Some messages contain information that should be kept
private.
Reporters and the general public
commonly use scanning receivers to monitor public safety and Amateur Radio
communications.
Names and addresses of evacuees
and other sentsitive information should NEVER
be transmitted over voice frequencies, since anyone with a scanner can use this
information to their own means of mischief, for example, looting unattended
homes and repeating information inaccurately to others, sometimes causing
public panic. Learn in advance your served agency's privacy policy regarding
certain types of information.
Some groups have switched to digital modes, such as packet, in an
attempt to offer more privacy.
Here in
Although digital transmissions require more than a simple scanner to
intercept, they cannot be relied upon for absolute privacy. The equipment
needed to receive most digital modes is available, and is even built into some
newer receivers. Anyone wishing to monitor digital transmissions can certainly
do so.
Let us put our heads together and
discuss the various modes before deciding what will be use during an emergency.
****************************************************************************
LESSON FOURTEEN:
DIGITAL MODES
Traffic nets handling large volumes of written or high precision
traffic should consider using one of the digital modes.
Digital modes can
be used to transmit long lists such as health and welfare traffic, and logistics
messages involving lists of people or supplies.
Some digital modes provide
virtually error-free transmission and relays can be accomplished by
retransmitting the received digital message without having to retype it. Packet
systems can provide automatic relays
Digital modes that do not provide automatic error correction should
only be used when clean and interference-free signals can be guaranteed. These
modes include RTTY, AMTOR mode A, and PSK31 in BPSK mode.
HF:
The best digital modes for HF operation are packet,
AMTOR mode B, and PSK 31 in QPSK mode.
In general, antenna and radio considerations are similar to voice or CW
operation, although certain digital signals require less power than voice modes
to achieve the same effect.
VHF/UHF:
The TNC2 (Terminal Node Controller, Version 2) FM packet is the most
common mode used on VHF and UHF frequencies. The antenna and coverage
considerations are the same as for FM voice.
PACKET:
Packet communication is error-free in point to point "automated
repeat request" (ARQ) or "forward error correctionF" (FEC)
broadcast modes.
The most effective way to send
messages via packet radio is to use a "bullentin board." The sending
station "posts" his messages on the bulletin board, and other
stations can then retrieve their message at will.
Urgent messages can also be sent
directly to the receiving station if needed.
Bulletin-board stations are also useful when a number of stations are
sending messages to a single point, such as a command post, weather service
office, or emergency operations center. Similarly, bulletin-boards can be
useful in handling outgoing traffic. Stations with traffic can post messages to
the bulletin-board. The traffic handlers can periodically pick up the traffic
and send it to the outbound NTS nets.
A consideration is that multipath
propagation may distort digital signals enough to cause failure when a voice
might still be understandable. The solution is the same as in voice mode - move
the antenna a few inches or feet until you get a clear signal.
AMTOR Mode B
AMTOR Mode B (also known as "FEC" mode) is an advanced
teletype mode with forward error correction, making it ideal for high precision
messages over long distances.
PSK31:
The ability of PSK31 to be usable in very poor conditions makes it
ideal for HF emergency communication.
In addition, the efficiency
resulting from the very narrow bandwidth of the PSK31 signal means that even a
low power transmitter will work quite well. There are two PSK31 modes: BPSK,
which has no error correction, and QPSK which has forward error-correction.
BPSK should be used unless the received copy is poor, since QPSK is 3db less
efficient and requires more careful tuning. Under all but the worst conditions,
BPSK will provide perfect transmissions.
PACKET TELEPRINTING OVER RADIO (PACTOR)
This is a combination of packet and AMTOR. It is designed for HF use
only, and combines the best features of both. PACTOR uses FEC and ARQ modes,
and a standard keyboard. PACTOR is quite robust (more so than AMTOR and RTTY),
but can be slowed by poor band conditions.
TCP/IP PACKET:
TCP/IP Internet protocols and network services are useable on packet
radio. TCP/IP systems have advantages over conventional packet protocols that
could be important in Amateur emcomm operations. One IP system is JNOS, which
has extensions written by Johannes Reinalda, WG7J, to the orginal NOS(Network
Operating System), written by Phil Karn, KA9Q.
*JNOS is a TCP/IP oriented e-mail system. If you're familiar with
Internet e-mail, your're familiar with typing e-mail into JNOS.
*It sends e-mail via SMTP mail protocol and can interface to Internet.
A JNOS station can relay packet radio messages to the Internet and vice versa,
unattended.
*It will print incoming messages automatically onto a printer,
unattended. If the printer is a cut-sheet printer such as an inkjet or laser
printer, individual messages will automatically appear on separate sheets.
*The operator can open up to eight windows for multiple sessions for
messaging. It has a ninth window for command mode for controlling the system,
and a tenth window for debugging.
*It can multi-task efficiently on a 386 computer with 1 megabyte of
memory. In a minimal configuration, it can run on a PC/XT (640KB 8086) as an
end-node station.
* It supports
multiple communications ports and multiple radio/TNC combinations.
* It is shareware,
and is available on the internet.
APRS:
While not a message handling mode, APRS is a digital information mode
with applications in emcomm. Originally called "Automatic Position
Reporting System", this mode is now sometimes called "Automatic
Packet Reporting System", owing to new applications of the technology. The
newest application of APRS is the automated reporting of data from digital
weather stations. The original application for APRS, developed by Bob Bruninga,
WB4APR, is to track a station's location. A GPS receiver is connected to a
computer, and its position information is transmitted to other stations using
APRS packet software, displaying the location of the sending station on a map.
APRS also has a messaging mode similar to Internet "Instant
Messaging" where quick one-line messages can be exchanged.
APRS has two obvious applications for emcomm.
First, the locations of various
emergency vehicles can be tracked visually in real time in an automated and
unattended fashion.
Second, weather and other
environmental data can be reported automatically in near real-time. Both
applications can both speed data acquisition and reduce the work load on
critical emergency nets.
RELATED CONSIDERATIONS:
Become familiar
with, and practice using, any digital mode or system well in advance of an
emergency. Most are complex enough that some experience is required to use them
efficiently and effectively.
Digital communications can be enhanced by composing the message
off-line in a text editor. With a little ingenuity, "fill in the
blank" forms can be created in most word processors to reduce the amount of
typing required and help standardize message formats
The
high duty-cycle of many digital modes requires a rugged radio and power supply
with adequate cooling. Test your equipment under field conditions for an
extended period of time to identify any possible problems.
AMATEUR TELEVISION (ATV)
There are two forms of ATV - slow-scan and fast-scan.
Fast-scan ATV is live, full motion
TV similar to what you see on commerical TV, but usually at reduced quality.
Slow-scan ATV uses a voice-grade
channel to send a still picture line by line. It can take more than a minute
for a color picture to be transmitted.
ATV has a number of emcomm applications, but all involve letting
emergency managers see what is going on in the field without ever leaving their
offices. ATV crews usually take a passive "observer" approach, and
avoid interaction with bystanders to ensure that a situation is accurately
represent. No emcomm ATV transmission should ever be "staged" for the
camera.
REVIEW:
Choosing the correct mode and
frequency for each type of message will make your nets more efficient and
improve service to your agency. Voice modes are low precision,multi-point
modes, and many digital modes are high precision point to point modes.
Sometimes, Amateur Radio is not the best way to send a message. Confidential
messages are best sent via telephone, fax, or courier.
QUESTIONS:
1. Which of the following best describes your purpose as an emergency
communicator?
A. To operate the radio
B. To coordinate communications for the EOC
C. To provide accurate and rapid transfer of information from one place
to another?
D. To provide internal communication support to one (and only one)
responding agency?
(C)
2. Which of the following best describes tactical messages?
A. They are high precision and time critical.
B. They are low precision and time critical.
C. They are point-to-point and NOT time critical.
D. They are point-to-multipoint and low precision.
(B)
3. Long lists and detailed messages are best handled by which of the
following modes?
A. Voice or CW
B. Fax or digital
C. CW or digital
D. Phone or fax
(B)
4. During an emergency, you are using voice transmissions to pass
messages. Which of the following "guidelines" should govern your action
if you were asked to transmit the names and addresses of victims?
A. Transmit the information exactly as presented to you.
B. Use a pre-established code to transmit the information.
C. If absolute privacy is required, do not transmit the information by
Amateur Radio.
D. Switch to a digital mode and be assured of complete privacy.
(C)
5. Which of the following PSK31 modes has an error correction feature?
A. BPSK
B. QPSK
C. RPSK
D. SPSK
(B)
****************************************************************************
LESSON FIFTEEN:
ALTERNATE
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
The emcomm volunteer should know the
pros and cons of using alternate communication systems.
This lesson discusses a variety of
communication options that do not depend on Amateur Radio and some
circumstances where they might be used.
There are times when a means of communication other than Amateur Radio
might be appropriate. It is important to remember that your job is to
communicate - regardless of the medium.
Here are some possible situations:
. Communication with non-ham
volunteers or emergency management personnel.
. Transmission of sensitive or lengthy information
. Communication with the public
. Amateur Radio equipment has failed or is not available
. Interference is blocking use of Amateur Radio frequencies
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
LICENSES:
Some radio services require licenses, and others do not. However, in a
true emergency as defined by the FCC, this may not be a problem. FCC rules
gives anyone special permission to use"any means necessary" to
communicate in order to protect life and property - BUT ONLY WHEN NO OTHER
Please do not assume that this means you can just modify your radio and call for
help on the local police requency the next time you see a car crash on the
highway. Law enforcement agencies are not bound by FCC's rules. Hams who have
called for "help" on police frequencies have been convicted of
"interfering with a police agency" under state and local laws, even
though the FCC had taken no enforcement action. In one case, the
judge ruled that by MODIFYING
his radio in advance, the Amateur had committed "pre-meditated"
interference, a serious charge. If you are in a position to save
someone's life or property, be sure you are ready to defend your actions - and
possible lose your amateur radio license - before pressing the microphone
button.
Other services, such as GMRS,
require a license that is relatively easy to obtain. If we plan
or need to use this system, there is a need to obtain the license and keep it current. If you own a radio, but no license, a judge could claim
pre-meditation if you use and disturb licensed users. Like Amateur Radio,
unlicensed operation is not allowed.
USING MODIFIED HAM RADIOS:
While it is easy
to modify many VHF and UHF Amateur radios for operation in
nearby public service and business bands, it is NOT LEGAL TO DO SO. Radios used
in those bands must be "Type Accepted" by the FCC for the purpose,
and Amateur radios are not. It is better to purchase the proper radio.
THE OTHER RADIO SERVICES:
In most of the radio services listed
below only VOICE COMMUNICATION is permitted. Packet and other forms of data or
image transmission are ILLEGAL.
GENERAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE (GMRS)
GMRS is a high power (50 watt), personal-use UHF FM
radio service in which users can also license repeater stations.
Each station license covers only the licensee
and their immediate family, but stations or different licensees are permitted
to talk to one another. 462.675 MHz is designated by the FCC as an
emergency and traveler's information channel, and is monitored by REACT in many
cities. Seven GMRS channels are shared with the Family Radio Service, but
communication between GMRS licensees and FRS users is NOT permitted except in
an emergency.
FAMILY RADIO SERVICE (FRS):
The Family Radio Service uses inexpensive, half-watt,
UHF FM radios on 14 channels. Range can be up
to two miles, but mountaintop transmissions have been heard at much greater
distances.
These radios are becoming quite
popular with the public, and could be a good means of communication with
stranded or isolated persons a short distance away.
REACT recommends the use of FRS
channel 1 for emergency and calling use, but the FCC has declined to make this
official. Voice-scrambling is permitted on FRS, and is available in a few
models. This might make it useful for short-range transmission of sensitive
information.
CITIZEN'S BAND (CB):
27 MHz AM CB radio is familiar to almost everyone.
SSB operation is also allowed. Many of the general public still have CB radios
in their vehicles, especially truckers. Since disaster relief supplies often
arrive by truck, being able to communicate with and direct an incoming truck on
channel 19 could be quite useful. In addition, the longer range (3-5 miles) of
CB makes it useful for receiving calls for assistance on emergency channel 9
from more distant stranded or isolated persons.
MULTIPLE USE RADIO SERVICE (MURS):
This is a relatively new radio service, intended primarily for business
users, but it can be used for any legal purpose under current rules. There are
five MURS channels in the VHF business band. No license is required and
transmitters are limited to two watts output.
This service is perfect for establishing short-range communication with
non-licensed personnel at an incident scene, command post, or within an EOC.
PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO:
There are instances where the use of police and fire radio frquencies
are possible. The agency itself might allow and train you for such use, or an
individual officer may ask you to use his radio to call for help when he
cannot. Keep your transmissions short and to the point. Do not tie up the
channel with long explanations, and cease transmitting if they tell you to.
CELLULAR AND PCS PHONES:
In a widespread disaster situation, these phone systems can quickly
become OVERLOADED. In smaller emergencies, they may still be usable. If a
message is too sensitive to send via any two-way radio, try your cell phone.
Cellular and PCS phone transmissions, especially digital, are considerable more
secure. In addition, it is possible to send data or fax transmissions over the
cellular network at slow speeds.
NON-RADIO COMMUNICATION
LANDLINES:
Do not forget the most obvious means of communication. If they are
still functioning, use the telephone and fax whenever the message might be to
sensitive for radio. Fax is also useful for sending long lists, and where
accuracy is critical. Do not tie up a radio frequency sending a long list of
supplies if a fax is available and in working order.
COURIERS:
Courier service is an excellent marriage of old and
new technologies. When we are asked
to deliver a message with contents that are sensitive or very lengthy, and fax
and phone lines are out of service, hand delivery might be the best choice.
REVIEW:
Amateur Radio may
not always be the best or only means of communicating. It is important to
remember that our job is to get the message through, regardless of the means.
Plan to have other systems
licensed and in place beforehand when possible, but improvise when necessary.
**Side Note: If you plan to take the Level I Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Course Exam, please order the book from the ARRL.org
Book store and fill in the areas not covered here before you take the exam, or
you can sign up for the on-line course following the instructions on the ARRL.org
page. Any questions that you would like
input on, please contact WA4PKL@charter.net,
N4ENX@charter.net, or your local County
ARRL ARES Emergency Coordinator.