Emergency Operations

1. Emergency Operations Chapter 4 Section 5

2. FCC Declared Emergencies • No one has exclusive rights to any frequency in amateur radio service {unless FCC has declared a communications emergency} (T8A07) • To legally restrict frequencies to emergency use only the FCC must declare a communications emergency (T8A06) • If the FCC declares a communications emergency it will include any special conditions or rules to be observed during the emergency (T8A01) • Restrictions to expect during an FCC declared communications emergency include that you must not use certain frequencies unless you are participating in the relief effort (T8A04)

3. Radio Service Communications • Different types of radio service are allocated different frequencies • You are only allowed to communicate to other radio services if the FCC specifically authorizes it or you have a real emergency (T8A02) • You may have more one radio or license • I have radio for MURS, FRS, and CB which need no license • And for GMRS which does require a license • I can relay from one radio service to another • I cannot use my amateur radio to chew the fat with a police officer • Most amateur radios won’t transmit off the amateur bands • If public officials at an emergency request use of your equipment it is still governed by FCC rules (T3D09) • It is handy that an unlicensed individual can transmit under your call sign when you are present at the control point (Sometimes it is easier for your Bishop to talk than you to relay)

4. “Little Emergencies” • Emergency communications always have priority on amateur radio (T8A11) On all frequencies at all times (T8A12) • If you hear someone reporting an emergency you should assume it is real and act accordingly (T8A08) • If you are talking to another station and you hear an emergency call you should stop your contact and take the emergency call immediately (T8A03)

5. Calling for Emergency Assistance • An appropriate way to initiate a call for emergency help is to call “Mayday Mayday Mayday come in any station this is your call sign” (T8A09) • If you make a false emergency call • You could have your radio license revoked • You could be fined a large sum of money • You could be sent to prison (T8A10) • Commentary on disaster drills and practices • Our regular nets are designed to get us familiar with equipment and conditions before we need them • Our ward has annual emergency drill as part of the ward emergency plan • If you conduct an emergency drill make sure you indicate repeatedly that it is only a drill • When we drill we start a message saying this is drill – then we give the message – then we say again it is a drill

6. Equipment for Larger Scale Emergencies • We encourage radios in cars first • The set up is cheaper • The have a built-in power supply • They enable you to move to areas of need • Nice to have “Jump Kit” of radio and other supplies if you need to go someplace to support an emergency effort • If you are taking a handheld radio it is always good to have several fully charged spare batteries (T7A01) • Chris Pixton’s comment “you can never have too much power” • We have had emergency drills foul-up when handheld radio with Bishop has eaten several battery packs and gone dead

7. Other Jump Kit Considerations • Its good to have things like an external antenna, connecting cable, an array of adaptors and connectors, cables and clips for connections to external batteries, repeater or contact directories, copies of your license • A 1500 watt linear amplifier is probably not useful (T7A02) • Light or makeshift antennas can’t handle the power • You probably don’t have a power source to run it • Most use plug in electric power • The power is usually out when things are nasty

8. Emergency Operations Outposts • A lot of outposts have a lot of noise and distraction going on around • A command post • A shelter • A good thing to have under these conditions is a combination headset and microphone (T7A04) • I have a nice headset to keep out noise and distraction • At a location a “tactical call sign” is helpful • You might say Shelter, or Command Post, or Etherton District Mobile • Does not eliminate your need to use FCC call sign • Radio operator at the command post may change • Who can memorize everyone’s call sign and where they are at • One reason for using tactical call signs is that they are more efficient and help coordinate public service communications (T8A05)

9. Organization for Emergency Communications • Regional Bishops Storehouse has SLAP-N • Each Stake tries to have 2 long range radio operators that report in to SLAP-N • Each Stake has its Net • Because of size President Shane suggests subnets • Carbondale – Steelville • Farmington Area • Cape-Jackson • Sikeston-Popular Bluff

10. Public Service Nets • ARRL has organization of communicators called ARES • Often organized on county level • Government public service evokes help through RACES • Both organizations provide communications during an emergency (T3D10) • Our involvement • Our primary mission is to provide support to Priesthood leaders (communications we don’t formulate the plans – we may have interlocking callings) • Chris Pixton has warned to be cautious of “serving two masters” • Sometimes there are advantages in coordination • Phil Nash is a leader in his local Amateur Radio Club that has also provided help to the Stake • It provides a contact network with County EMA • Jackson County EMA wants to work through ARES • Consideration has been given to having Church operators also be ARES with understanding that we serve Church first