ARES Letter for January 10, 2008

The ARES E-Letter
January 10, 2007
================= 

Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor

<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,

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

+ The View from Flagler County

Several points of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's
Fourth Assessment Report (2007) have implications for ARES. See:
<http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf>
Examples include: 1) Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as
is now evident from observations of increases in global average air
and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and
rising global average sea level; 2) There is observational evidence
of an increase in intense tropical cyclone activity in the North
Atlantic; 3) In North America, warming in western mountains is
projected to cause decreased snow pack, more winter flooding, and
reduced summer flows, exacerbating competition for over-allocated
water resources; 4) Cities that currently experience heat waves are
expected to be further challenged by an increased number, intensity
and duration of heat waves, with potential for adverse health
impacts; and 5) Coastal communities will be increasingly stressed by
climate change impacts interacting with development and pollution.

Perhaps overlooked in last year's press to get ARES members trained
in ICS/NIMS is basic training that we all should have, including
SKYWARN training. Empirically, the majority of ARES members are not
trained in SKYWARN. The basics of meteorological observation and
reporting are taught in an evening of classroom instruction by
trainers from the National Weather Service and/or the local emergency
management agency. <http://www.nws.noaa.gov/skywarn/> Here in Flagler
county, an ocean community on Florida's east coast under the Sword of
Damocles posed above, we have excellent trainers from the NWS and
emergency management staff. <http://flagleremcomm.org/skywarn.html>
I've been through it, but will refresh my knowledge by re-certifying
this year. Make it your priority, too. -- K1CE

______________
In This Issue:

+ The View from Flagler County
+ Explosion and Fire at Florida Lab
+ Sarasota (Florida) Damage Assessment Exercise
+ Orange County, California's HDSCS: 2007 Fourth Busiest Year
+ Longtime EC/DEC NB4K Retires in Northern Kentucky
+ LETTERS: California DMV Responds to Space-In-Call Letter License
Plate Complaint
+ LETTERS: On Repeating EmComm Courses
+ LETTERS: More on CEM's EmComm Course Requirements
+ LETTERS: The Gift
+ TIPS: Smart Fuse-It Glows When It Blows
+ LETTERS: One Day Ham Classes with Follow-Up
+ Disaster "Go-Kits" Updated
+ K1CE For a Final
______________

+ Explosion and Fire at Florida Lab

December 19 - An explosion and fire at T2 Laboratories in
Jacksonville, Florida, drew a response from the Duval County ARES. T2
Labs specializes in the design and manufacture of low environmental
impact specialty chemicals that replace conventional toxic and
dangerous industrial chemicals. A chemical reaction caused the
explosion.

The explosion and fire occurred at 1:30 PM, with the Jacksonville
Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) responding to the scene and
declaring a second alarm upon arrival. Hearing about the explosion on
a local Jacksonville repeater, the Duval County EC, General Dailey,
KD4VVZ, and Assistant EC's were paged to be aware of the incident and
be prepared to respond if activated by the Jacksonville Fire and
Rescue Department.

A formal net was activated on the 146.76 MHz repeater and information
regarding the situation was shared. Bill Sander, KA4OBP was NCS. All
parties were advised to stand-by and prepare for official activation
and requests to staff local hospitals if needed. Approximately 25
amateurs were checked in or provided information to net control.

Crown District DEC Miller Norton, W4EMN, was on the JFRD Command Van
at the scene. Communications with the net on the 146.76 MHz repeater
was initiated shortly thereafter. He advised net control that ARES
should be considered as activated by request of the JFRD but should
not attempt to report to the scene due to the roads being blocked and
the uncertainty of the type and toxicity of the chemicals involved.

Additional communications were established on a simplex frequency
(146.415 MHz) with Red Cross official Rusty Russ, W4WCR who was also
on scene. As the incident continued, amateur radio communications
with Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) Agency Liaison official
Todd Lovelace, K1KVA, was established through the repeater. JEA has
two generating plants within 1.5 miles of the blast scene. Both
generators were briefly knocked off-line by the initial explosion.
Non-essential plant workers were evacuated from those facilities at
the height of the fire. Communications pertaining to those
evacuations were conducted through the 146.76 MHz repeater, and were
the only direct communications between JEA and the JFRD initially.
JEA has a written plan allowing the use of amateur radio
communications among its licensed employees during disasters and
emergencies. This system worked well and independently of the busy
public safety frequencies in use at the scene.

At 2:48 PM, a third alarm was declared and evacuation of all homes
and businesses within a 1/2 mile radius of the area was instituted.
At the same time, net control was advised that Red Cross would open a
shelter within thirty minutes at the Oceanway Elementary School. At
2:57 PM, DEC Norton requested that a message be sent via the
Southeastern Emergency Digital Association Network (SEDAN)
<http://www.fla-sedan.net/> to the State EOC at Tallahassee to advise
of the incident with details to follow.

The net was continued until the shelter was closed at 5:30 PM and
ARES was released by JFRD. - DEC Miller Norton, W4EMN, Crown District

+ Sarasota (Florida) Damage Assessment Exercise

Members of the Sarasota County (Florida) Auxiliary Communications
Service (ACS) participated in a damage assessment exercise on
Wednesday, November 28, 2007. 

For two years, ACS has assisted with local Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) training by teaching the communications class,
and recruiting CERT members so they have backup communications. ACS
has also been working with Emergency Management and the County Damage
Assessment officials (at Red Cross) to develop a plan to get
immediate post storm damage reports from the field back to them. A
form was developed for CERT members to use to gather information, and
then call or radio it to officials. 
 
For the information relay, Winlink allows e-mail transmission via
packet to other Winlink users or to a regular e-mail server. A local
Telpac (Internet to packet) gateway at the EOC was started, and ACS
members tested the "Airmail" program, which is used to compose, send,
and receive messages. 
 
ACS was then invited to participate in an official Damage Assessment
exercise, with the goal of collecting damage assessments from teams
in the field, radio those into the Command Post, and then send them
via packet and Winlink for County officials to receive them as e-mail
messages. 
 
Teams performing the actual damage assessments included the City of
North Port, North Port CERT, Hardee County Code Enforcement, Hardee
County Community Housing, Manatee County Red Cross, Sarasota County
CERT, Sarasota County Emergency Management Neighborhood Disaster Plan
group, and the Southwest Florida Red Cross (Sarasota). 
 
Three operators were positioned around the Damage Assessment site (an
old abandoned Trailer park) to collect the forms from the teams,
compile the numbers, and report those to the Command Post. One
station at the Command Post would collect the reports on voice, with
another station connected to a laptop and TNC to compose and send the
reports out via packet/Winlink.
 
Internet interruptions caused problems. "Plan B" went into effect,
with direct connection to the Red Cross via RF pathways facilitating
the reports, even with Internet connections down.
 
This was ACS's first attempt at using Winlink for emergency work, and
the group was pleased. However, relying entirely on the Internet is a
bad idea, thus the plan to have backup, direct RF links as well as
several more Telpac gateways in the County to be able to cover more
area and to serve as backups, is prudent. Finding locations and
equipment is one of the group's projects. 
 
This Damage Assessment communications plan is one of the first in the
state. Several other Florida counties have contacted Sarasota County
for the model for their own Damage Assessment plans.  Using Amateur
Radio and CERT as part of this plan emphasizes the importance of
these resources.  -- Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ, EC, Sarasota County ACS
<http://www.saracs.org/>

+ Orange County, California's HDSCS:  2007 Fourth Busiest Year

2007 came to a close for the Hospital Disaster Support Communications
System (HDSCS) of Orange county, California, with a Christmas Eve
standby at a south county hospital that suffered a power outage. In
accordance with HDSCS plans, when a member near the hospital had his
power go out, he immediately checked on the hospital closest to him. 
While phones were up at the time, the hospital was on generator power
and did feel more comfortable having him come into the facility to
standby just in case further problems occurred. Jim Riedel, K6EEE,
stayed in touch with assistant emergency coordinator Tom Gaccione,
WB2LRH, via the Catalina repeater until power was restored before
midnight and both communicators secured. 

HDSCS statistics for 2007 were: 5 Emergency callouts; 8 Standby
operations; 8 drills; and 9 public service or special demos with
hospitals.

HDSCS coordinators attended 32 hospital meetings and/or inservices to
hospital staff; HDSCS coordinators provided 6 presentations to
Amateur Radio groups; and participated in 8 projects at hospitals.
2007 was the 4th most active year since 1980.

2008 plans call for a "Certified Hospital Communicator" program. --
April Moell, M.A., WA6OPS, District Emergency Coordinator, HDSCS,
Orange County, California <emcom4hosp@aol.com>;,
<http://www.hdscs.org/>

+ Longtime EC/DEC NB4K Retires in Northern Kentucky

John D. Meyers, NB4K, of Butler, Kentucky, is retiring after 27 years
in ARES. In 1980, Jake McHendrix, WD4PBF (SK), asked Meyers to be the
EC for Kenton County, Kentucky. Two years later, he became District
EC for District 7 in the state, comprised of eight and then nine
counties in northern Kentucky.

In 1978, Meyers started the Northern Kentucky Emergency Net (NKEN) as
part of the Northern Kentucky Amateur Radio Club's special interest
group. The only training at that time was the weekly net and the
annual ARRL SET. There were no formal training requirements. The net
was involved in many emergencies over the years: the tornado of 1986,
the blizzard of 1996 and Falmouth flooding in 1997. During these
events, DEC Meyers had the only working Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) for amateur radio emergency operation in Kentucky, which is
updated annually and is still used today.

There was a silver lining to the clouds that brought heavy flooding
to Northern Kentucky in 1997. Ham radio's role in providing emergency
communication resulted in a windfall for the hams in Northern
Kentucky courtesy of AT&T. The corporation spent $100,000 to set up a
VHF repeater, a UHF repeater, antennas, and a "shack" with air
conditioning and heating at one of its cellular telephone sites. The
NKARC agreed to cover the electricity and phone bills. Meyers spent
many hours in negotiations with AT&T to secure this donation.
 
In 2004, Meyers met with the ECs of each of the counties in District
7 to form the Kentucky District 7 Amateur Radio Emergency Team, Inc.
(KD7ARET), which then received $30,000 in donations. Their donor's
page can be found on the club's Web site: <http://www.ky7et.org/>.
The organization has 88 members.

The emphasis of the organization is on FEMA and ARRL/ARES training:
All ECs and AECs have completed ARRL EC-001, EC-002 and EC-003.
Twenty-eight members have completed Automated External Defibrillator
(AED) training and 30 members are licensed in Basic First Aid. Two
members, including Meyers, have passed more than fifty of the FEMA IS
courses each. 

District 7 now has nine counties with VHF/UHF dual cross band radios,
antennas and power supplies at facilities. Three have HF
communication. Two of the four hospitals in Northern Kentucky have
the same station set-ups as does the Greater Cincinnati/Northern
Kentucky International Airport. 

The work goes on, but there comes a time to pass the wand to the
younger generation, and December 31 was Meyers' last day as DEC.
Brian Clark, W4SOU, succeeds Meyers, who will be working closely with
the Emergency Manager for Pendleton County as a consultant and part
of the EOC staff. "It has been my pleasure to lead and be part of the
ARES operation in District 7," said Meyers.

+ LETTERS: California DMV Responds to Space-In-Call Letter License
Plate Complaint

The following is the response of the California DMV dated December
27, 2007, to a ham complaining of the DMV's practice of putting
spaces in call signs on Amateur Radio license plates: 
  
"California Vehicle Code Section 5005 allows the Department of Motor
Vehicles to issue special plates in lieu of the regular license
plates to a vehicle owned by persons holding an Amateur Radio license
issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These special
license plates display the official Amateur Radio call letters of the
applicant as assigned by the FCC. 
 
"The Department has been issuing HAM license plates since 1953 when
the statute was first enacted. The placement or spacing of letters
and numbers composed of the HAM license was originally determined by
the FCC. Although the department is required by law to issue HAM
license plates with specific call letters, spacing is not addressed
in the statute and the department can exercise its administrative
authority in this regard. 
 
"The Department adopted the spacing in order for law enforcement to
differentiate between HAM license plates and other series license
plates. Unlike other states, California does not distinguish the HAM
license plates with a symbol or wording indicating the plate is a HAM
plate. 
 
"In April 2007, it was brought to our attention that the HAM license
plates were being ordered and issued without the proper spacing. The
problem has since been corrected; however, those HAM plates issued
with no spaces will remain valid until the plates are lost or damaged
and duplicates are requested. The Department has received several
complaints, regarding the spacing of HAM license plates ordered by
applicants. Thoughts of eliminating the spaces have been reviewed,
but we must take into consideration the other series license plates
and the distinction that HAM license plates will no longer have.
Sincerely, Mario Balbiana, Program Manager, Registration Policy
Development, Department OF Motor Vehicles, Registration Operations
Division, Sacramento, CA 

[For more info on this issue:
<http://www.NoSpaceHamPlates.blogspot.com/>, courtesy Cliff Cheng,
WW6CC - ed.]

+ LETTERS: On Repeating EmComm Courses

I must respectfully disagree with the statements on repeating courses
made by Mike Stern, KB7THL, in the December 19 issue. The writer's
emergency preparation and instruction credentials are impeccable, but
I think he is leaving one thing out of his education comments,
particularly with having to repeat courses already taken and passed.
He says: "I have also taken many classes repetitively. These classes
are often only different in name or slight acronym changes. I do
agree that this redundancy can be time consuming and often annoying.
However, as the world of emergency response and management evolves,
we all need to keep in tune with changes." And who can disagree with
that. But surely there is a simpler way of keeping up than having to
repeat an entire course (or several). Isn't keeping up with changes a
newsletter function?
 
I'm trying to recruit emcomm operators. This past year we had some
hams who, just a few months after completing an emergency training
course, were told that they had to re-take the course because the
content had changed. The changes appeared minor. This widely known
incident was a real downer to recruiting local hams. The response I
get now is that they will wait until things stabilize so they only
have to go through it once. Pointing out that training and knowledge
are not static and have to constantly adapt, does little to stir
their enthusiasm.
 
We who are trying to organize emcomms are faced with some real
challenges in what is (constantly) changing and what has yet to be
nailed down: background checks, credentials, top-level organization,
message format and forms to name just a few. We need an easier way to
keep up to date than having to repeat courses. -- Skip Reymann, N6SR,
AEC, Kern River Valley, Kern County, California <N6SR@aol.com>;

+ LETTERS: More on CEM's EmComm Course Requirements

Regarding the comments of Certified Emergency Manager Tom May, W6YXX,
in the November 29 issue advocating relief for Certified Emergency
Managers (CEM) from further FEMA training for ARES compliance: Two
respondents in the December 19 issue argued in favor of continuing
training for all. And at least one appeared to take specific issue
with a presumed reluctance toward continued training. And one
advocated for the need of (ARECC) EmComm training. We all need to be
aware however, that Mr. May in his letter (1) never argued against
continuing training for himself, and (2) never argued against EmComm
training for CEM's.
 
In teaching a ham radio licensing class, we wouldn't start off a
group of graduate RF engineers with a discussion of basic AC/DC
circuits (been there, done that), so why shouldn't CEM's and those
with similar certifications have some form of expedited access to
updated processes and procedures? I was a ranking Fire Service
officer with some twenty years' service--before leaving that behind
twelve years ago to further my overlapping telecommunications
engineering profession--prior to my official retirement six years
ago. (My point: Quite some time has gone by.) And yet, in taking
FEMA's IS-100, 200, 700, and 800 very recently, I realized that I
learned very little that I didn't already know. This is hardly
surprising given that I had learned the original FIRESCOPE in
fire-rescue command and strategy studies at Los Angeles City College
- Harbor Campus, back in the early 1970's. 
 
For experienced personnel, FEMA could have presented this same
material in a greatly condensed and integrated format the length of
just one of these approximately three-hour courses. There is no such
problem with the EmComm courses though since candidates may simply
take any or all of the three tests for certification. Since I have
completed all of the possible ARES requirements--and then some--I
believe I can lodge my comments here without anyone suggesting that I
am looking for an easy way out. -- Alan Dixon, N3HOE, ARRL Diamond
Club, Melbourne, Florida <n3hoe@arrl.net>; 

+ LETTERS: The "Gift"

Your note in the last issue about the "gift" of a Peet Brothers
weather station "for my wife" brought back memories. Years ago, my
Dad bought my Mom a 1/2 inch variable speed, reversible, heavy duty
drill for her birthday, "because she wanted one." Took quite a while
for her to calm down.  -- Michael Deming, K6GTY, Livingston, Texas
<mddced@att.net>;

+ TIPS: Smart Fuse -- It Glows When It Blows
 
Many involved in EMCOMM have standardized on the Anderson PowerPole
connectors for our operations. In my shack and mobile, I've also
installed a "Rig Runner" Fused DC power outlet strip made by West
Mountain Radio. Many other companies, including MFJ, now offer
similar products. Most use standard automotive blade fuses that are
color coded to identify the amperage rating. 
 
Recently, I upgraded my standard fuses with a product called "Smart
Fuse." These are OEM specification fuses with one key improvement:
they incorporate a small built in light that actually glows when the
fuse is blown. It makes troubleshooting much faster, even in poor
lighting conditions. During tactical deployments, where several
radios and accessories may be sharing a DC strip, this can be a real
aid to quickly identifying the problem, and getting back on the air. 
 
At the same time, I replaced all the fuses in my 2005 Chevy Colorado
4X4, which is used for SHARES deployments with the Smart Fuses as
well. And did the same for my XYL and teenage daughters' cars. Being
able to quickly identify a blown fuse sounds like a small task, but
blade fuses can be hard to remove--and in bad weather, doing this
task beside the road can be downright dangerous. 
 
They do cost more than standard fuses, but I think the potential time
savings in troubleshooting makes them worth the expense. The current
product line includes both the small size, standard, and large blade
fuses with amperage ratings of between 3 and 40 amps. My only
complaint is that they don't currently offer a 1 amp fuse which would
be helpful for accessories. I got mine at an Auto Zone store, but
they're available at most automotive parts stores or online at: 
<http://www.smartglow.com/> -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, EC, Shelby County,
Alabama

+ LETTERS: One-Day Ham Classes with Follow-Up

In January and February, I will be leading two one-day "Ham Cram"
study and testing sessions for the San Joaquin County (California)
EMS Agency. The events, which are free to all fire, EMS, and hospital
personnel, have so far attracted 41 registrants. This includes
hospital ER staff (to operate radios in their work areas),
dispatchers, agency staff, and others. I have been involved with
these one-day "zero-to-Technician" classes for several years and
we've developed a program with about a 90 percent pass rate. Ham
Crams were initially started as a way to give family members and
representatives of served agencies an easy way to get their licenses
-- with the understanding that additional training/experience would
be necessary to make the new licensee a "real" amateur radio
operator. In Northern California, perhaps 2,000 people have received
their licenses this way. 
 
I am trying to develop a program to train these new hams so they have
at least a vague understanding of how a radio works, how ARES works,
and most importantly, how to be an asset and not a liability in an
emergency. I need a 6-hour class that gets the basics across and
hopefully gets students interested in learning more and maybe even
becoming active amateurs. 
 
If anyone has such a curriculum that I might be able to adapt, I'd
like to see it. My plan is to offer the course locally and award a
local ARES "certificate of completion" to the students who pass a
simple test at the end. Meanwhile, I am putting together a "How to do
a Ham Cram" handout that I would be happy to share with anyone
interested in expanding the concept to their area. -- David Coursey,
N5FDL, Emergency Coordinator, San Joaquin County ARES, SJV Section,
California <n5fdl@arrl.net>;

+ Disaster "Go-Kits" Updated

I am routinely asked "what personal items do I need to take when sent
to a disaster area"?  The short answer: Take everything you would
need to survive on a camping trip for a week, plus some disaster
specific items. Our Go-Kits need to be always on our minds and ready
to go. A complete Go-Kit will help us provide better support to our
served agencies.

Your kit will need to be tailored to meet your specific needs but the
following is a suggested minimum content list. Prepare and test your
kit well before the next event, as you may need to hit the ground
running when called. 

The idea of your personal kit is to help you survive, be more
comfortable and protect yourself from unknowns the best you can. We
cannot be productive nor do our job if we are a burden on the system.
Your communications equipment "Go-Kit" is a separate list. Remember
to register with your local EC, and never self-deploy to a disaster
scene.

Training cards: Training cards/certificates for ARRL, FEMA and other
certifications are important items to take with you. Laminate your
training cards to protect them. Minimal training includes FEMA
IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 and ARRL EC-001, EC-002 and EC-003.  

Served agencies are requiring volunteers to have certain training and
experience before deploying them. Training will help you to know the
lingo, procedures and processes. Red Cross First Aid and CPR training
is also a must. A good way to get general training is to enroll in
the next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. Then, take
the Red Cross training, and the ARRL and FEMA Independent Study
online courses. 
  
Vaccinations and medications: Tetanus, Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-B, TB
all are recommended vaccinations. (Check with your doctor to make
sure you get the right shots). Personal prescription medications:
copies of all prescriptions, including generic names for meds and a
note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationary for
controlled substances and injectable medications should be carried.
Also: First aid kit or CERT kit; First Aid Quick Reference card and
equipment manuals in zip lock bags; acetaminophen, aspirin,
ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever; mild laxative;
anti-diarrheal tablets; throat lozenges; antacid; antifungal and
antibacterial ointments or creams; cough suppressant/expectorant.

Documentation: Addresses, e-mail and phone numbers for family,
friends, work, doctors; ID cards - make copies of everything in your
wallet and leave them with someone at home; paper, pencils; reference
material, e.g., frequencies, net schedules, operator instructions for
all equipment; reading material for spare time; ARES message forms.

Personal: Cash or traveler's checks, change; cell phone, battery,
charger; waterproof watch; moist towelettes for sanitation;
disinfectant; laundry detergent; toilet paper; towel (highly
absorbent, travel towels if possible); extra pair of prescription
glasses, copy of prescription; soap, shampoo, anti-perspirant,
shaving kit; tooth brush and paste; lip balm; sunglasses; ear plugs,
eye shades; Kleenex.
 
Clothing: Gloves (leather, medical, non-latex types); comfortable,
light-weight long pants, long-sleeved shirts; sturdy shoes and boots
(at least two pairs); rain gear; rubber boots; hat/cap; hard hat;
safety goggles; dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter air. 

Food and Water: Bottled water; water filters/purification system,
tablets; nonperishable food items; Power Bars. 

Camping items: Candles, matches, lighter in a ziplock bag; Ziplock
bags; flashlight and extra batteries or shake/crank-flashlight; can
opener; garbage bags (they double as panchos) and plastic ties; paper
towels; fire extinguisher; duct tape; tent; compass; signal flares;
hand tool kit; Spare AA, C, and D batteries; knife, such as a Swiss
Army Knife or Leatherman; fork, knife, spoon kit; insect repellent
containing DEET (up to 50%); sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or
greater); crank-powered weather radio; Pair of FRS radios and spare
batteries; ropes of various lengths; pillow, bedding; air-mattress;
bungee cords; chemical illumination sticks; electrical tape; small
hand saw, or tree limb saw; small Teddy bear for yourself or in case
you find an upset child.

Put your go-kit supplies in re-sealable plastic containers, and then
pack them full of trash on the way out. Take a spare everything.

The idea of your Go-Kit is to prevent you from becoming a problem in
the disaster relief effort. -- Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, ARRL Southeastern
Division Director, former Alabama Section Manager and member,
National Emergency Response Planning Committee

+ K1CE For A Final

To follow-up on the opening comments of this issue, here are a few
other suggestions: harden your home ARES "EOC"; get basic weather
instrumentation (hardened as best you can) for providing *measured*
reports (ground truths); discuss your own region's likely fallout
from climate change with your emergency management professionals; and
become more informed in general on these issues, which are certain to
become front-and-center in the near future. See you next month! --
73, Rick K1CE

Copyright 2008 American Radio Relay League, Inc.  
All Rights Reserved