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Emergency Communications Setup & Operations. CVRD ECT Level 2 Workshop January 29, 2013. Objectives of this course . ECT Operational Guideline Overview of existing communications infrastructure Explanation of infrastructure components Guidelines for use of components
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Emergency Communications Setup & Operations CVRD ECT Level 2 Workshop January 29, 2013
Objectives of this course • ECT Operational Guideline • Overview of existing communications infrastructure • Explanation of infrastructure components • Guidelines for use of components • Discuss basic troubleshooting in our environment • The personal Go-Kit • Standards • Your questions
ECT Operational Guideline • Latest copy of the document is May 2012 (check your copy) • ECT members should periodically review all content • Work through ECT training opportunities
Equipment, Locations and Use • Office tower and antenna layout • VA7ECT radio rack • ECC equipment layout • SuperComBox • Generators • EOC installations • Pelican Case radio units
VA7ECT Radio Rack All equipment on the radio rack is linked to an APC-1500 UPS which in turn is linked to the site diesel back-up generator
Cable Entry X-connect Point Conduit to the roof / tower Conduit to Room 213 Cable runs to the roof are LMR-400 Cable runs to Room 213 are RG-213
Typical ECC setup Amateur Commercial
SuperComBox • Based on the EMBC model, but using SKB rack box • Built in 2008 for approximately $2500 • It’s an all-in-one VHF deployment utility • VHF voice for both amateur and commercial • VHF data for Airmail • Operates on both grid and 12v power • Does not include antennas. It is assumed the box will be deployed to locations where connections are available or can be created in the field • Not real heavy but should be moved by two people
SuperComBox – front view SKB “US Series 10U Roto Rack
Standard frequencies in use • Standard frequency list in all Pelican Case radio units • Frequencies are both owned and borrowed from other agencies under the LOA process • In total the CVRD has access to about 90 different frequencies from a wide variety of partners
EOC facilities - overview • Four (4) Primary centres • Two (2) have dedicated / permanent radio installs • Some secondary locations have antenna installs • Given the CVRD does not own the buildings, radio equipment installs vary dramatically by location • Good relationships in certain locations have allowed for larger or more complex installations – especially in terms of antenna locations • Without exception, access to all radio equipment is by pre-arranged appointment with facility owner via CVRD – Public Safety office
Generators Located at a variety of facilities throughout the District, all units are professionally maintained and run frequently by onsite staff • 6 KW Yanmar diesel generator • 40L day-tank inside container • Updated with new fuel filters • Linked to house wiring
EOC Call Signs • Island Savings Centre = VA7CCD • Kerry Park Recreation Centre = VA7KPC • Frank Jameson Recreation Centre – VA7FJC • Lake Cowichan Recreation Centre – VA7LKC • Regardless of activity, personal call signs are not to be used while operating from any EOC
Secondary EOC Locations Cobble Hill Farmers Institute Hall Glenora Hall Shawinigan Lake Recreation Centre
More Secondary EOC’s Chemainus Seniors Centre North Oyster School North Oyster School Cowichan Lake Sports Complex Camp Pringle
Pelican Case radios • Approximately 50 units spread throughout District • User community is F/P/A and local government • Often referred to as ‘end of the world’ radios • Programming is a mix of commercial and amateur • Identical codeplug (programming) in each radio • Radios are either Motorola SM120 or M1225 • All radios are 16-channels • Deployment and use are incident specific • Documentation contained in each unit
Pelican Case radios Motorola SM120 Motorola M1225
Basic Troubleshooting “Basic troubleshooting is a step-by-step methodology that utilizes both technical expertise and a common sense approach to complex situations in a manner that allows for a systematic and logical process of elimination to find the root cause of any given problem” AGAIN
Troubleshooting Radio Gear You don’t need a setup this elaborate to solve most of our everyday operational issues
Three Ironies of Troubleshooting • #1: Whenever you are absolutely certain that you have correctly guessed the cause of a failure, you will likely be wrong. • #2: Whenever you believe that an expensive, hard-to-find component is the cause of your failure, you will likely be wrong • #3: Usually --- the amount of effort required to replace a component is inversely proportional to the probability that it has failed.
Keep an open mind • Eliminate the operator (yourself) first • Check the space between keyboard and the chair for operational challenges • Always -- check all cables and connectors • Check the position of all the operating controls • Check all of the mode indications and verify the mode • Check all the cables and connections of your equipment • Use all your senses and keep an open mind • Ask yourself – is this a ‘fix or not to fix’ situation
Personal Go-Kit • Personal preparation involves a wide range of considerations, including radio equipment, power sources, clothing and personal gear, food and water, information and specialized training • Every ECT member should have or be working on the development of both personal and a radio Go-Kit • Try to think through each probable assignment you might be faced with and plan your Go-Kit to meet the situations you might encounter • The Go-Kit will sustain you while on task • A good example of Go-Kit preparation is attached for your review
ECT Standards: Anderson PowerPole Motorola power connector
ECT Standards – Next Steps • In keeping with other jurisdictions, CVRD ECT will create operational standards for the following items: • Acronyms • Communications plan (completed for ECC) • Equipment type (underway) • Operational software (moving to RMS Express) • Naming conventions for SSID’s • Message format (WL2K, subject line, etc)
