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Emergency Communication For Saratoga ( III ) Don Steinbach AE6PM

Emergency Communication For Saratoga ( III ) Don Steinbach AE6PM Saratoga Amateur Radio Association April 4, 2018. Recent Developments. New from the City. From Michael Taylor to Brent Hailpern, etc. 3/15/2018:

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Emergency Communication For Saratoga ( III ) Don Steinbach AE6PM

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  1. Emergency Communication For Saratoga (III) Don Steinbach AE6PM Saratoga Amateur Radio Association April 4, 2018

  2. Recent Developments

  3. New from the City From Michael Taylor to Brent Hailpern, etc. 3/15/2018: “We should add something about the end of the “automatic activation” in the event of a 6.5 earthquake. All activations will be specific and targeted. We do not want spontaneous volunteers, including CERT members, to self-activate. As the City updates its Emergency Operations Plan, the roles of the CERT organization will be included (likely in the form of a concept of operations).” >> Listen to the K6SA Repeater << Also --- DSW badges can now be issued on any Saratoga work day, no longer just 2:00 to 4:00 on Thursdays. Make an appointment with Lori McKenna (408)868-1201 or lmckenna@saratoga.ca.us. >> Make sure I have your name on the RACES list <<

  4. New from the FCC Personal Radio Service Reform (Revisions to Part 95 effective 8/29/2017) • FRS is allotted 22 channels (was 14) • ERP on channels 1 thru 7 is 2.0 watts max (was 0.5 watts) • ERP on channels 8 thru 14 is 0.5 watts max (same) • ERP on channels 15 thru 22 is 2.0 watts max (was GMRS only) >> Saratoga CERT will continue to use channnel 11 initially and move to a quieter channel between 8 and 14 if required <<

  5. New from the ARRL ARES program enhancements: • A new national mission statement. • New national training requirements and local training resources. • Updated field organization job descriptions. • Improved ARES operating guidelines. • New ARES group benefits. • A new volunteer management system. >> How this integrates with existing SCC implementation is TBD. The request for a SARA ARES identification number has been completed. Awaiting response. <<

  6. EOC Status • We have two operational EOCs: • The primary EOC is at the Saratoga City offices (13777 Fruitvale Avenue) • New installation • The backup EOC is at the Saratoga fire station (14380 Saratoga Avenue) • No change to exising equipment • The Santa Clara County Fire Department will purchase and install additional (portable) amateur radio equipment at the fire station. • Portable, located in the lobby (Volunteer Communications Pack) • Staffed by CERT & hams to interact with the public

  7. EOC Comm Capability • Both EOCs are equipped to communicate with: • Local amateurs on 2-meter fm voice • Local amateurs on 70 cm fm voice • The County EOC on 2-meter fm voice • The County EOC on 70 cm fm voice (marginal) • The County EOC on 220 MHz packet • The County EOC via the EOC radio net on 39 MHz • Amateur radio stations and the OES on HF • Requires installation of a temporary HF antenna.

  8. Nets and Frequencies

  9. Primary SARA Frequencies Normal operation (duplex): • 146.655 MHz, negative offset, 114.8 Hz PL tone Repeater failure – stay on repeater output: • 146.655 MHz, simplex, 114.8 Hz PL tone Contingency (simplex) • 146.505 MHz, simplex, no PL tone • 146.595 MHz, simplex, no PL tone (Revised) >> These should be programmed into your radio <<

  10. Alternate SARA Frequencies Normal operation (duplex): • 443.150 MHz, positive offset, 100 Hz PL tone Repeater failure – stay on repeater output: • 443.150 MHz, simplex, 100 Hz PL tone HF • 28.400 MHz (Upper Sideband). >> Include these 440 MHz (70 cm) frequencies if your radio has the capability <<

  11. Simplex Frequency Conflicts • 146.595 MHz • Shared with Los Gatos/ Monte Sereno • Shared with Los Altos • Shared with Gilroy • 146.505 MHz • Shared with NASA-AMES - 146.505 MHz is the first choice after 146.655 MHz - 146.595 MHz is the third choice

  12. SARA Net • Meets Sunday night at 9:00 • K6SA repeater on 146.655 MHz (-), PL of 114.8 Hz • K6SA repeater on 443.150 MHz (+), PL of 100.0 Hz • Net Control rotates among volunteers • AE6PM tracks assignments so everyone gets a turn. • Script is at http://www.k6sa.net/net.php • ARRL EC submits a monthly report to the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator.

  13. SVECS Net • Sponsored by the Silicon Valley Emergency Communication System. • Meets Tuesday night at 8:00. • AA6BT repeater 146.115 MHz (+), PL of 100 Hz • N6NAC repeater 444.625 MHz (+), PL of 110.9 Hz • Collects the number of local net check-ins from 12 entities. • Someone from SARA volunteers to report the count from the Sunday night net • Data is forwarded to the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator.

  14. SVECS Net (cont’d) • Net Control responsibility rotates through the cities according to a published schedule. • 3/27/18 San Jose • 4/3/18 Santa Clara • 4/10/18 Saratoga • Etc. • Responsible city provides a net control operator volunteer. • Good experience. • Script is at http://www.svecs.net/SVECSnetcontrolscript.pdf • Nobody ever gets fired!

  15. EOC to EOC Radio Network • Network exists to provide a radio communications link between Santa Clara County Operational Area local jurisdiction EOCs when regular phone service may be disrupted ….. • SARA supports this for the City (radio installation and operation). • Motorola radios and NOT ham radio frequencies. • Test is conducted on the first Monday of every month at 0930. • Responsibility rotates between jurisdictions.

  16. Responsibilities And Commitments

  17. MOU with the City of Saratoga SARA agrees to: • Establish and maintain fixed, mobile and portable station emergency communication capabilities for local amateur radio coverage and point-to-point contact between City officials and remote locations. • Assist in operating, maintaining, and programming the Traveler’s Information System (TIS) AM broadcast station. • Conduct the monthly EOC radio test with County Communications.

  18. MOU with the City of Saratoga The City of Saratoga agrees to: • Make space available for a ARES/RACES two-way radio system and placement of an antenna on the City’s antenna tower. • Make reasonable accommodation to store a 8’ x 24’ tower-trailer in the City Yard.

  19. SARA and CERT • SARA supports Saratoga CERT with radio communication resources. • SARA ARES/RACES operates the EOC to communicate with CERT divisions and the County. • Each CERT division has one or more hams to communicate with the EOC and between divisions. • CERT uses FRS within the divisions. • SARA conducts classes for Technician Class license exams. • Recently passed on to Los Gatos/Monte Sereno • SARA provides orientation and training classes for new licensees. • HT Orientation • Two-Way Radio Basics • HT Selection Seminar • Radio cheat sheets (TBS)

  20. Activation and Deployment

  21. Changing Times • It used to be that if you had a two-way radio and showed up at an incident, you were welcomed. • Now you’re likely to be viewed as a pest or a terrorist. • So ….. • Be professional. • Follow instructions/orders/requests. • Resist the temptation to voice “a better way.” • Stay alert. • Avoid talking to the news media.

  22. ARES and RACES • Think of ARES as “civilian” and RACES as “government; ARES as “no insurance” and RACES as “insured.” • During a “non-declared emergency”, ARES can operate under ARES, but when the emergency or disaster is officially declared by a governmental authority, the operation can become RACES with no change in personnel or frequencies. • Each city in Santa Clara County has an ARES Emergency Coordinator position, and the person in that position is also that city's RACES Radio Officer. • At the county level is the ARES District Emergency Coordinator who is also the RACES Chief Radio Operator. • An exception is Gilroy, which has as of 1996 put a new aspect of radio communication, the Auxiliary Communications System (ACS), in place. • See the “Emergency Communication for Saratoga (II)” link on the Resources page of the K6SA website for more ARES/RACES/ACS info.

  23. Saratoga ARES/RACES • A current amateur radio license is required. • Saratoga residency is not required. • No formal training is required. • Members should participate in the weekly net and the quarterly drills to maintain operating proficiency. • Should be able to program/reprogram radio, or follow instructions to do so. • Net Control experience is a plus. • CERT training is a plus. • Familiarity with ICS is a plus. • Registration as a DSW for Saratoga is required for RACES participation. • See Michael Taylor or Monica LaBossiere to be sworn in.

  24. Activation • ARES/RACES activation will probably be coincident with CERT activation if the incident involves Saratoga. • Monitor the SARA 2-meter repeater (K6SA) output frequency on 146.655 MHz if you suspect something is going on. • This is your best source of local information. • Has backup power system. • Others with high-power base or mobile stations will fill in if the repeater is down. • Instructions will be given on this frequency. • “Alert SCC” might provide telephone notification. • Performance to date has been iffy. • Telephones may be out of service.

  25. Activation Issues • Spontaneous Untrained Volunteers • There are about 300 licensed amateurs with a Saratoga zip code in the FCC database. • Many of them will want to help – this is good. • May show up on the repeater. • May show up at EOC. • Ok to use for status reports from home, but must be DSW to be deployed in any RACES activation. • Will be referred to volunteer registration area, same as any other volunteer. • Telephone notification tree with City and within ARES/RACES is TBD.

  26. The End is Near

  27. Operating Tips • Be sure radio is programmed with frequencies likely to be used. • Know how to program/reprogram your radio. • Make, buy or steal a cheat sheet. • Keep the keypad locked when not in use. • Prevents unintentional configuration changes. • Disable everything except the memory channel selection knob (maybe that, too!). • YAESU users - be sure WIRES is turned off. • Keep your batteries charged. • Keep the HT antenna vertical when communicating.

  28. Go Kit (12-Hour) • Amateur Radio license. • Driver’s license. • DSW badge for requesting agency. • Personal supplies/snacks/water. • CERT graduates already have this. • Remember prescription medication. • Radio programmed with local frequencies • Spare battery pack for radio • Cheat sheet for radio • Pad and pencil or pen • Flashlight • Safety vest & hard hat

  29. Go Kit (12-Hour) • Nice to have: • Lapel speaker-mic or earpiece • Improved HT antenna/rat tail • Thomas Guide or local map • See the SCC ARES/RACES website for more comprehensive go-kit recommendations. • http://www.scc-ares-races.org/gokit/SCCo_Go_Kit_rev160314.pdf

  30. Emergency Communications Go-Kit Data Package Santa Clara County ARES/RACES Go Kit Checklist Santa Clara County OES ARES/RACES Frequency List Modified Mercalli Scale ICS Forms Used in Communications (List) ICS 205 RACES Communications Plan ICS 211A Check In List (Communications) ICS 213 Message Form ICS 214 SCCo ARES/RACES Unit Log ICS 309 SCCo ARES/RACES Comm Log ICS 310 SCCo ARES/RACES On-Site Assignment Sheet ICS 314 Windshield Damage Survey EOC Logistics – Supply and Services Request Assignment maps Emergency Communications Net Control Script Suggestions SARA Comm Personnel Roster

  31. Departure Checklist  _____ HT or other radio programmed with the frequencies in use _____ Current DSW Badge _____ Copy of amateur radio license _____ Spare battery for HT _____ Perform comm check with EOC _____ Go Kit _____ Pick up a supplemental forms package ICS 205 (min qty 5) ICS 211A (min qty 5) ICS 213 (min qty 10) ICS 214 (min qty 5) ICS 309 (min qty 5) ICS 310 (min qty 1) ICS 314 (min qty 5)

  32. Reference Material • Santa Clara County OES ARES/RACES Frequency List • http://www.scc-ares-races.org/freqs/freqs.html • A Quick Trainer and Field Resource Guide for the Emergency Communicator • http://www.scc-ares-races.org/QuickTrainerRev2012Dec.pdf • Previous presentations and Saratoga CERT Radio Communications Plan • http://www.k6sa.net/resources.php

  33. Alphabet Soup • CS – Auxiliary Communications Service • ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service • ARRL – American Radio Relay League • CERT – Community Emergency Response Team • DSW – Disaster Service Worker • EOC – Emergency Operations Center • FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency • ICS – Incident Command System • MAC – Mutual Aid Communicator • MOU – Memorandum of Understanding • NIMS – National Incident Management System • RACES – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service • SARA – Saratoga Amateur Radio Association • SEMS – Standardized Emergency Management System • SUV – Spontaneous Untrained Volunteer

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