Emcomm via Amateur Radio

1. Emcomm via Amateur Radio Information for Served Agencies and Organizations in King Co. Kirk Bellar 4-20-08

2. Why Amateur Radio? • Hams are (just about) everywhere • Ham populace dispersed throughout King Co. • Over 500 hams presently active in emcomm in King Co. • 25 local teams within the county • Hams are flexible • Hams can go where they’re needed • They can set up and maintain their own equipment, or use pre-installed equipment • Hams are disciplined • During actual events, teams function only at the behest of their served agencies • No “wannabes” or “cowboys” (except for the hams who are also professional responders) • Hams are there to augment, not replace, the pros, and to free them to do their jobs • Most teams are already vetted and credentialed

3. Why Amateur Radio? • Hams are self-sustaining • Have their own radio equipment, supplies, backup power • Multiple frequency bands and modes • Bands: HF through microwave bands, frequency agile • Modes: FM, SSB, digital, TV (and yes, Morse code is still around) • Amateur repeaters extend effective coverage • Training and exercising • ARRL online courses – three levels • FEMA IS-100, 200, 700, 800 (ICS, NIMS) • SKYWARN, CERT, Red Cross training • Local, state-wide, and national exercises • Participation in exercises with their served agencies (Sound Shake, TOPOFF) • Public-service events (parades, fun runs, etc.) provide practice opportunities • Communications Academy

4. Who Do Hams Talk To? • Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) • State EOC – Camp Murray • County EOC (RCECC) – Renton • Other county EOCs in Washington • Local EOCs – Seattle, Bellevue, etc. • Local fire and police stations • NGOs – Red Cross, Salvation Army, hospitals, churches • National Weather Service • Port of Seattle (maritime operations) • Corporations – PSE, Boeing, Microsoft, Safeco • All of these entities have dedicated ham teams

5. What Happens in an Emergency? • We activate only at the request of our served agencies – we’re not first responders • Not every emergency is a communications emergency • Hams check in on pre-arranged frequency, get assignment or go to pre-assigned location • Typical assignments: • Staff EOC ham radios, exchange tactical and formal messages with other agencies • “Shadow” served-agency leadership • Support fire and police stations • Support emergency shelters, exchange messages with EOCs or NGOs • Related tasks: • “Stealth” damage assessment • Severe weather spotting (Skywarn) • Operate public-safety radios, phones, fax machines • Block watch (CERT and similar teams) • SAR and CAP – teams use ham radio as a tool to talk among themselves

6. Getting Ham Help in King Co. • You may already have a ham team supporting your municipality or organization, see www.aresofkingcounty.org/contact.php • If not, contact Kirk Bellar, DEC/RRO: kbellar@earthlink.net or 206-465-2873 • State leadership contacts are available at www.wastateares.org

7. Legalities and Caveats • Hams are licensed by the FCC, must pass exam • By law, hams can’t be paid specifically to exchange messages • However, employees who are also hams can legally operate on-the-clock if their amateur activity is incidental to their normal duties • Messages must not concern normal operation of a business, must relate to safety of life and property or be of an “unimportant” nature • Transmissions are unencrypted; anyone can listen in • Non-hams can talk on a ham radio only if a licensed ham is controlling the transmissions, unless there’s an immediate threat to life or property • Insuring emcomm volunteers is an ongoing issue

8. “How Can I Get Ham Support?” • In an emergency, there are never enough hams to go around • FDs, PDs, municipal governments, and hospitals get priority • Best way to assure yourself of ham support: Grow your own hams! • Technician-class license is sufficient for most emcomm needs • Morse code proficiency is no longer needed for exams • Calendar of upcoming ham classes and exams is available at www.mikeandkey.org/education.htm • Self-study materials are available at www.arrl.org/catalog or www.w5yi.org • Online study materials: Too numerous to mention! Start with www.ac6v.com/help.htm

9. Equipment Needs • Hams pride themselves on self-sufficiency, but pre-installing ham equipment can save valuable time in an emergency • Priorities for equipment: • Dual-band (2m and 75cm) vertical antenna: ~ $150 • Dual-band FM mobile radio & power supply: ~ $530 • NVIS antenna for 75, 60, 40 meters: ~$100 • HF transceiver & power supply: ~$1650 • Terminal Node Controller (TNC) and PC for packet (digital) radio: ~$200 (not including PC) • 6m vertical antenna for FM: ~$150 • 6m mobile transceiver & power supply (if HF transceiver doesn’t include 6m): ~$450

10. Affiliations • Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®): • An arm of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) • Started as Amateur Radio Emergency Corps in the mid-30s • Supports NGOs (Red Cross, Salvation Army) and corporations • Teams are headed by Emergency Coordinator (EC) or Assistant EC • Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES): • Started by FEMA in early 50s • Supports government entities (fire, police, etc.) • Local Emergency Manager appoints RACES Radio Officer (RO), who heads the team and selects its members • RACES members are registered state emergency workers • Some liability and property-loss protection under WAC 118 if state EMD issues a Mission Number or Training Number for the event • Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS): • “Big tent” encompassing ARES, RACES, MARS, CAP, REACT, other emcomm organizations

11. Thanks for your Interest! • King Co. ARES/RACES contact info: www.aresofkingcounty.org • Seattle team: www.seattleacs.com • Medical Services Team: http://www.ww7mst.org/ • Questions??