ARES Letter for October 18, 2006

The ARES E-Letter
October 18, 2006
================= 

Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor

<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,
<http://www.iaru-r2emcor.net/>

===================================
ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or
comments: <k1ce@arrl.net>;;; 
===================================

+ THE VIEW FROM FLAGLER COUNTY

The current storm season has been a dud, to the relief of many here
on the east coast of peninsular Florida, as well as other areas on
the jittery Atlantic seaboard. While it's too early yet to appeal our
steeper homeowner's insurance premiums, we are guardedly optimistic
for a quiet overall season.

Our county's ARES program has a new Web site:
<http://flagleremcomm.org/>
_________

FCC News: Part 97 rules have been changed from limiting amateur
communications in support of relief actions to disaster situations
when normal communications were overloaded, damaged, or disrupted, to
allowing amateurs at all times and on all frequencies authorized to
the control operator to meet essential communications need and
facilitate relief actions. This relaxation of the rules should
eliminate questions and confusion that have historically put up
hurdles to using Amateur Radio in emergencies.

In its Report and Order, the FCC also acknowledged one of the key
purposes of Amateur Radio is to provide emergency communications to
the public. It is always good to see that affirmation by the FCC from
time to time.

==============
IN THIS ISSUE:

+ THE VIEW FROM FLAGLER COUNTY
+ NEW LAW FORMALLY MAKES AMATEUR RADIO PART OF EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNITY
+ AMERICAN RED CROSS: DISASTER VICTIM SAFE AND WELL REGISTRY
+ WEATHER RADIOS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
+ MR. SESSUMS GOES TO WASHINGTON
+ ARES RESPONDS TO FLOODING IN HEARTLAND
+ GEORGIA ARESMAT EMPLOYS DIGITAL, VOICE MODES FOR DRILL
+ ALABAMA GROUP HONORS ONE OF ITS OWN
+ FEEDBACK: ARRL NATIONAL DATA BASE PROJECT
+ LETTERS: TIME FOR CHANGE
+ TOLEDO COUNTY ACTS OUT TERROR FOR PRACTICE, ARES INVOLVED
+ SGL PRESENTATION TO GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL A HIT
+ SATERN ANNUAL REPORT WORTH STUDY 
+ W2IK WEB SITES WORTH A LOOK 
+ NERPC SURVEY LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EMCOMM VEHICLES
+ K1CE FOR A FINAL 

==============

+ NEW LAW FORMALLY MAKES AMATEUR RADIO PART OF EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNITY

A section of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2007
Appropriations Act, HR 5441
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.05441:>, formally
includes Amateur Radio operators as a part of the emergency
communications community. President Bush signed the bill into law
October 4.

Amateur Radio is included within the legislation's Subtitle D,
Section 671, known as the "21st Century Emergency Communications
Act." Radio amateurs are among the entities with which a Regional
Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group (RECC Working
Group) must coordinate its activities. Included within the DHS's
Office of Emergency Communications -- which the measure also creates
-- RECC Working Groups attached to each regional DHS office will
advise federal and state homeland security officials.

In addition to Amateur Radio operators, RECC Working Groups also will
coordinate with communications equipment manufacturers and vendors --
including broadband data service providers, local exchange carriers,
local broadcast media, wireless carriers, satellite communications
services, cable operators, hospitals, public utility services,
emergency evacuation transit services, ambulance services, and
representatives from other private sector entities and
nongovernmental organizations.

The RECC Working Groups will assess the survivability, sustainability
and interoperability of local emergency communication systems to meet
the goals of the National Emergency Communications Report. That
report would recommend how the US could "accelerate the deployment of
interoperable emergency communications nationwide." They also will
coordinate the establishment of "effective multi-jurisdictional,
multi-agency emergency communications networks" that could be brought
into play in an emergency or disaster.

In light of the new law, the ARRL plans to follow up to determine how
it can interact with the DHS and its Office of Emergency
Communications. - excerpted from a report in the ARRL Letter

+ AMERICAN RED CROSS: DISASTER VICTIM SAFE AND WELL REGISTRY

In July, the American Red Cross launched a "Safe and Well" Web site
to provide families with a tool to exchange welfare information with
loved ones and friends in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The
site allows a disaster victim to select and post standard messages
for friends and family that indicate the victim is safe and well and
will make contact when they are able. Those worried about the safety
of a victim can access the site, enter either the name and telephone
number or name and complete address of the person in question, and
view their "safe and well" messages. See
<https://disastersafe.redcross.org/> -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, Helena,
Alabama, National Communications System; Navy MARS; ARES; SHARES;
Skywarn. 

+ WEATHER RADIOS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 
ARRL and Citizen Corp are teaming up to assist local school districts
(if they need the help) to set up and register their NOAA Weather All
Hazard Public Alert Radio. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the Department of Education, and the
Department of Homeland Security are partnering to launch a
significant nation-wide project to distribute 80,000 NOAA Public
Alert Radios to U.S. public schools throughout the nation. The radios
are designed to signal different types of alerts ranging from weather
emergencies to child abductions, and from chemical accidents to acts
of terrorism. The radio acts as a sentry, standing guard 24/7, to
sound an alarm when danger threatens.
If your ARES group would like to assist Citizen Corps in this
project, please contact your local Citizen Corps Council to offer
assistance. Where there isn't a Council, please contact local
Emergency Management. Contacts should not be made directly to local
schools but, instead, should be made by Citizen Corps and Emergency
Management to local school district superintendent's offices to
ensure a coordinated plan. Assistance to schools will be provided at
the request of, and in coordination with, the school district.
To locate your State Citizen Corps Council log onto
<http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/statepoc.do> 
To locate your local Citizen Corps Council log onto:
<http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/find_council.shtm> or
<http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/mycouncils.do> 
To locate state offices and agencies for emergency management, you
can log onto: <http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm> 
To get contact information for local emergency management offices,
you can email or call IAEM, The International Association of
Emergency Managers, at <info@iaem>; or 703-538-1795x2 to ask for your
local contact or you can click on the link for the state web sites at
<http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm> 
The NOAA Web site <http://public-alert-radio.nws.noaa.gov/> is the
primary location for information and updates for Citizen Corps and
associated volunteers for this project. The following links contain
background information about the program including a document on
frequently asked questions and answers about the program, Citizen
Corps volunteer material for the NOAA Public Alert Radio Program, a
copy of the letter that went to the schools along with a descriptive
and informational brochure about the radio distribution program. 
If your ARES group takes part in this project with Citizen Corps or
your local Emergency Management office, please report this activity
to Steve Ewald, WV1X, <sewald@arrl.org>; at ARRL Headquarters and to
your ARRL Section Manager. 
NOAA Frequently Asked Questions
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/NOAA-FAQ-update-1-9-29.pdf>
Citizen Corps Volunteer Information
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/Citizen_Corps_Volunteer_Info_20062.pdf>
Public Alert Letter for Schools 
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/Public-Alert-letter-2006.pdf>
Public Alert Radio Brochure
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/PublicAlertRadioBrochure.pdf>
 
+ MR. SESSUMS GOES TO WASHINGTON

Hillsborough County (Florida) Emergency Management RACES Officer Gary
Sessums, KC5QCN, a frequent and respected contributor to this
newsletter tendered his resignation from his RACES post as well as
his ARRL West Central Florida Section appointments and accepted a
position working with the SHARES High Frequency Radio Program of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Communications System
(NCS) in Arlington, Virginia.

Whenever a national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) event
occurs, Sessums will be managing the nationwide SHARES HF radio
system from the NCS National Coordinating Center (NCC) as part of
ESF-2 Communications at the Federal level. [Congratulations, and good
luck, Gary! - Rick]

+ ARES RESPONDS TO FLOODING IN HEARTLAND

When telephone and Internet service in Kentucky went out due to
flooding over the September 22-24 weekend, ARES filled the gap.
Kentucky SEC Ron Dodson, KA4MAP, says rain in Kentucky and southern
Indiana resulted in states of emergency in 19 Kentucky counties and
12 cities, including Frankfort, the capital. Emergency managers
contacted Dodson to activate the Kentucky Emergency Net on 3.993.5
MHz to provide support communication between the EOC and Kentucky's
120 counties.

Shelby Ennis, W8WN, in Hardin County reported via the K4ULW 146.625
repeater that all telephone service, including the Hardin County
E-911 facility, had gone down, Dodson said. "Cell phones soon
overloaded and also shut down, basically stranding the whole county
without outside contact except via Amateur Radio." 

Communication between the state EOC and Hardin County took place via
the Bullitt Amateur Radio Society's KY4KY 146.700 repeater in Brooks.
The American Red Cross headquarters in Louisville also used this
machine to communicate with their shelter and Hardin County emergency
management, Dodson said. 

Communications Supervisor Bob Stephens, WA4CMO, of the Kentucky
Department of Military Affairs said the Kentucky Emergency Management
command vehicle was positioned adjacent to the state EOC to provide
communication on both Amateur Radio and MARS frequencies. Pat
Compton, KF4FMZ, and Bill Uschan, K4MIS, staffed the Amateur Radio
side, while Richard Howe, KB5WCH, represented the Civil Air Patrol
during the Saturday operation, which continued for several hours. "We
operated all systems during the afternoon and provided critical
communication between the EOC and Hardin and Meade counties,"
Stephens reported.

The American Red Cross summoned members of ARES District 6 - the
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro area -- to assist with damage
assessments and to maintain communication with the Hardin County
shelter operation. Jefferson County EC John Hesse, KF4IZS, reported
operations continued on Sunday as additional damage assessment
details deployed in Louisville and in Fisherville in Spencer County.

The Franklin County Chapter of the American Red Cross contacted
Woodford County EC Jerry Mueller, KC4WZO, Sunday morning seeking
Amateur Radio volunteers to support communication in the flooded
Millville area. "The Red Cross had three disaster relief teams in the
Millville area, and cell phone communication was not reliable,"
Dodson said. Paul Harrington, KB4ENQ, Rob Hutchinson, KI4ODT, and
Mueller responded, joined by Compton from the Capitol Amateur Radio
Society. 

Kentucky Adjutant General Lt Gen Donald Storm and Kentucky Division
of Emergency Management Director Maj Gen Maxwell Bailey "were pleased
with the way Amateur Radio functioned in providing communication when
all else failed. They extend their thanks to those amateurs who gave
of themselves in this effort." - excerpted from the ARRL Letter

+ GEORGIA ARESMAT EMPLOYS DIGITAL, VOICE MODES FOR DRILL

The Georgia ARES Mutual Assistance Team (ARESMAT) used both digital
modes -- in the form of Winlink 2000 -- and voice modes during a
drill conducted with the Air National Guard. Georgia ARESMAT DEC
Scott Royle, KK4Z, says the September 20 exercise simulated a large
Category 3 hurricane hitting the Georgia coast at Savannah.

"The drill included evacuation of civilians via C-130 aircraft," he
explained. ARESMAT was responsible for providing "reach-back"
communication between Savannah, Tift Henry Airport in Tift County and
Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. Royle said Georgia ARESMAT
deployed five Winlink stations and six team members to handle digital
and voice nets for the exercise. 

Savannah, Chatham and Tift counties also established local nets to
test emergency circuits in those areas, and communication was
established between Dobbins Joint Operations Center and Georgia
Emergency Management's State Operations Center. 

"The training ARESMAT gained from this exercise will be invaluable as
the team continues to prepare to operate under these conditions,"
Royle said, expressing his appreciation for all who participated.

A complement to the normal ARES function, the ARESMAT concept
recognizes that a neighboring section's ARES resources can be quickly
overwhelmed in a large-scale disaster, necessitating communication
support from ARES personnel outside the affected area. -- excerpted
from a report in the ARRL Letter 

+ ALABAMA GROUP HONORS ONE OF ITS OWN

The St. Clair County (Alabama) ARES/Skywarn team met October 2, and
honored its Emergency Coordinator of 13 years, Johnny Thompson,
N4MLP. He has been the "go to" person for St. Clair County EMA
director Ellen Hayes. Thompson has been in charge of EMA equipment
and daily operations of the ARES group. 

ARRL Alabama SEC Jay Isbell, KA4KUN, was there to present Thompson
with an emergency communications commendation for his excellent
service to Alabama. Alongside Jay were St. Clair County Commissioner
Stan Bateman and St. Clair ounty EMA director Hayes. -- Roger White
Jr., KF4ZLU

+ FEEDBACK: ARRL NATIONAL DATA BASE PROJECT

Populating the League's proposed national data base of major disaster
volunteers [see last issue's lead story] is going to be a gigantic
challenge. I saw a lot of hams in my Katrina experience, and the vast
majority of them were great, but a few had their own idea of what
they were going to do and went off the deep end when they didn't get
to do exactly that. It only takes a tiny number to poison the efforts
of the rest.

I was at Hattiesburg, Mississippi with 15 other hams, bunking in the
Red Cross chapter house. Just after dark one night, a new recruit
appeared. He was driving a huge motor home (remember how ARRL
desperately tried to discourage those?) and managed to maneuver
himself into our very limited parking and block about six other
vehicles. Then he appears with an extension cord,looking for a place
to plug himself in. A few minutes later, all our ham gear went dark
-- he had overloaded the circuit. And this guy comes storming in all
upset that he can't use his microwave oven. Even worse, it wasn't as
simple as just resetting a tripped breaker -- he had literally blown
the circuit and it was the next day before we could obtain
replacement parts to get things back to normal. Luckily, the new
recruit was gone the next day. I guess that a place without
microwaves is too much for him.

So believe me when I say I understand that building the database is
the easy part . . . populating it is the tough part. Having the ECs
provide their best talent is certainly the way to go . . . unless
that talent doesn't have an EC. -- Steve Bonine, KB9X

+ LETTERS: TIME FOR CHANGE
 
In the last decade, the role and mission of ARES has changed
significantly in terms of how we serve our client base and how we fit
into the ICS/NIMS system used by first responders. It's time to make
the changes to integrate into the emergency management system by
using ICS and Red Cross message forms without the cumbersome
intermediate steps of converting to and from the NTS format. Making
basic NIMS/ICS training a requirement for ARES is long overdue. I
just took the NIMS/ICS introductory course again and it was three
hours one evening (including the test) with a very good
instructor--not a lot to ask if we are serious about being part of
the system.
 
The NTS system exhibits the classic problem of modern technology
marching ahead and around NTS, leaving it as a curious anachronism in
a world of cell phones, instant messaging, and VoIP. NTS was
originally conceived as a solution to sending messages across great
distances in times of disaster and emergency. Amateur Radio still
fulfills the need of alternative communications when other
communications infrastructure is overloaded or inoperative. But we
need to do this in a new environment of structured emergency
response. -- Bill Burden, WB1BRE [Bill is former ARRL New England
Division Director and New Hampshire Section Manager]

+ TOLEDO COUNTY ACTS OUT TERROR FOR PRACTICE, ARES INVOLVED

The emergency vehicles surrounding Westfield Franklin Park, Toledo,
Ohio, were to handle a terrorist situation inside the mall there --
though only for training purposes. Emergency personnel from Lucas
County ran a homeland security drill at three sites, each dealing
with a terrorist threat. In addition to the mall, exercises were run
at two schools. 
 
The drills tested the ability of law enforcement, fire, emergency
medical services, and 911 to effectively communicate and respond to
multiple catastrophes. At both schools, the scenarios involved urban
search-and-rescue teams rescuing victims of car bombs. In the mall, a
suicide bomber took hostages. 

Involved in the exercises were county agencies as well as police and
fire departments from all the cities, villages, and townships. The
FBI, Ohio State Highway Patrol, federal Department of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms, Amateur Radio Emergency Services, and the Fire
Rescue Unit of the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Tactical Fighter
Wing also participated. ARES provided communications.
 
EMA Director Dennis Cole said the exercise will be evaluated by
federal officials and is a requirement of receiving Urban Area
Security Initiative Grant money. He said urban areas throughout the
nation have been conducting similar exercises. -- excerpts reprinted
with permission of The Blade, Toledo, Ohio, September 16, 2006,
forwarded by Brent Stover, WD8PNZ; written by Erica Blake, Blade
Staff Writer
 
+ SGL PRESENTATION TO GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL A HIT
 
Amateur Radio and ARES were the subjects of a presentation to the
September meeting of the Governor's Emergency Management Advisory
Council (GEMAC), held on September 21 at the Anne Arundel County
(Maryland) Emergency Operations Center. Dave Prestel, W8AJR, the ARRL
State Government liaison for Maryland/DC gave the well-received
presentation describing the basics of Amateur Radio and the history
and operation of ARES.
 
His presentation highlighted the training that ARES members receive,
through course work, drills, and public service events and their
exemplary performance in recent events from 9/11 to Hurricane
Katrina. With 11,000 hams in Maryland and an additional 43,000 in the
surrounding states, hams, working through ARES represent a valuable
resource to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Prestel
concluded by suggesting that a way needs to be found to make
ARES a formal part of the Maryland emergency response process, to
include ARES in training and planning, and to establish an
identification card system to facilitate access of ARES operators
into affected areas. Prestel provided a 63 page handout to the
members of GEMAC providing background information and references on
each of the points that he covered.
 
Members of the Governor's staff who were in attendance at the
presentation recommended to his administration that Prestel's
recommendations deserved action. At the request of the GEMAC, there
will be follow up meetings with key ARES personnel to form a
permanent connection to Amateur Radio so that the full capabilities
of its service can be used in times of need.
 
GEMAC is the highest ranking advisory board to the Governor in
homeland security matters. Its members include representatives from
MEMA, state and local public safety agencies, the Citizen Corps,
among others. -- ARRL Maryland-DC Section Manager James E. Cross,
WI3N <wi3n@arrl.org>;

+ SATERN ANNUAL REPORT WORTH STUDY:

<http://www.arrl-al.org/SATERN_Annual_Report_2006.pdf>

+ W2IK WEB SITES WORTH A LOOK:

<http://hometown.aol.com/alonestaryank/webpages.html>

+ The National Emergency Response Planning Committee has prepared an
on-line survey that hopes to garner information leading to a better
understanding of emergency communications vehicles and how they are
used and equipped.  If you own such a vehicle, or are in charge of
one, please fill out the survey found here:
http://www.bullock.org/nerpc/  If such a vehicle is owned and
operated by a group, please designate one person to answer the
survey.  Results will be published in 2007.  Questions regarding the
survey may be directed to wa5tmc@arrl.org.

+ K1CE FOR A FINAL

I had the occasion to visit the ARRL Headquarters staff for the first
time since my departure from the Ivory Tower seven years ago.
Generally speaking, on the League's social strata, ex-HQ staffers are
just slightly above that of a non-member, but I was warmly welcomed
and actually accomplished some business with Steve Ewald, WV1X, Dave
Patton, NN1N, and Harold Kramer, WJ1B, whose brainchild this
newsletter was. It was a wonderful, but wistful visit. So much has
changed, yet so little has changed, too. There is no question that
the Newington staff remains 200% dedicated and committed to the
benefit of Amateur Radio. Does anybody get rich working at the
League? No, but that has never been the point. Rather, it has always
been a labor of love.

See you next month! - 73, Rick K1CE