The 2008 Simulated Emergency Test

1. The 2008 Simulated Emergency Test Activate … Activate ... Activate ! October 4, 2008 9am to 12n !

2. September is “Readiness Month” (see http://www.ready.gov/) • The SET demonstrates Amateur Radio’s Readiness • “Readiness Month” raises awareness of citizen preparedness • Are YOU Ready ? http://www.ready.gov

3. And now: A short message about family readiness ... • Get a kit. • Water & Food • First Aid Kit • Radio & Flashlight • Simple tools • Make a plan. • Family rally point • Local & out of town contacts • Be involved ! • http://www.ready.gov/

4. ( Ok … back to the SET )The Simulated Emergency Test … • Identifies strengths and weaknesses of ARES/ RACES, the NTS, and other groups. • Demonstrates the value of Amateur Radio to our served agencies and the public. • Helps Radio Amateurs gain experience in standard message procedures on variety of modes. • SEE SET guidelines on the ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/setguide.html

5. SET 2008The Scenario: A Check of Our County & District Activation Plans • The primary emphasis for this year’s SET is to test our county and district activation plans. • If you have them: • Update telephone trees and recall rosters. • Test repeater emergency tones. • Reinforce check-in repeater and simplex frequencies and procedures.

6. SET 2008What We Hope To Accomplish • Maximize Participation By All Amateurs • Activate as many stations as possible • Operate on emergency power if it’s available • Exercise county and district activation plans. • Do they work as designed? • Test The Statewide Communications Infrastructure • Activate County & District Nets • Activate State ARES/RACES HF Net (3977.5KHz LSB) • and Badger Emergency Net (3985KHz LSB) • Alternate Dates & Drills • Some counties will conduct their SET exercise on other dates. But, PLEASE participate during the statewide exercise on October 4th.

7. SET 2008What We Hope To Accomplish • Generate Messages: • Practice sending formal messages. • Practice with the “QForms” computer program. • Practice sending tactical messages • Unwritten messages where message context trumps message content. • Include the proword “Test” before the precedence in formal messages and include the word “Test” in tactical messages. • Use As Many Modes As Possible: • Digital: WinLink 2000, Packet, PSK63, APRS • Send NTS bound WinLink messages to a station with access to the Badger Emergency Net (use ARRL Radiogram format for these)

8. The QForms Computer Program QF • QForms is a computer program that automatically generates messages in XML. • The QForms program creates: • ICS-213 forms for messages to or from served agencies. • ARRL Radiogram forms for messages to be sent via the National Traffic System. • Qforms can be downloaded free at www.activeham.com

9. Preparation is Important!Steps for Individual Hams • Have Some Fun! Try new modes. • Winlink digital net meets Tuesday evenings. • Badger Emergency Net (BEN) meets daily. • WI ARES/RACES HF Net meets Sunday evenings. • Check in on local net. • What is the frequency of your county net? • Deploy to an EOC or served agency if you’re asked. • Send and receive SET messages. • Formal messages: Use proper format & begin each message with “Test” before the message precedence. • Tactical messages: Use “Test” or “Test Message” in the message text. • Log and report your activities to your EC.

10. Preparation is Important!Steps for DECs and ECs • Before the SET: • Encourage all hams to participate. • Review/update activation plans. • Activate at least one EOC or served agency. • Encourage served agencies to generate message traffic. • Publicize! Send a press release to the newspapers and radio & TV stations in your area.

11. Preparation is Important!Steps for DECs and ECs • During the SET: • Activate local and district nets and announce SET and local scenario. • Send formal messages announcing activation and deactivation of nets. • Activate an Emergency Operations Center and/or a served agency.

12. Preparation is Important!Steps for DECs and ECs • During the SET: • Have stations send messages on behalf of served agencies.

13. Preparation is Important!Steps for DECs and ECs • During the SET: • Monitor the exercise for points of excellence and areas for improvement.

14. Simulated Emergency TestTraffic Flow Traffic Should Flow Through District Nets Unless There Is No District Net.

15. Simulated Emergency TestRole of the National Traffic System • The NTS ties section nets together by systematically relaying message traffic between sections or regions. • NTS interfaces with section & local nets through liaison stations.

16. SET 2008Post Exercise Activities • After the SET: • ECs should conduct a “Hotwash” after-action critique. • Individual Stations: • Send your EC information from logs and notes he/she needs to complete reports.

17. SET 2008Post Exercise Activities • ECs and DECs: report SET results to ARRL HQ. • ARRL SET report packets are available from the SEC or on the internet at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ • Send report to: sewald@arrl.org or by mail to the address on the form. • Send a copy of your report to: Skip Sharpe, ASEC Training. Email: W9REL@ARRL.netor by US Mail to: Skip Sharpe W9REL, 1205 Woodview Dr. Waukesha, WI. 53189

18. SET 2008Your Role: What Should You Do? • Have some fun !  After all this is a hobby! • Check in on your local ARES net. • If your local network isn’t activated, follow your local emergency communications plan’s procedures. • Check in on a nearby local net, if necessary. • Keep logs of contacts and messages sent and received. • Keep notes of good points and items for improvement.

19. SET 2008Your Role: What Should You Do? • Utilize and experiment with different communications modes. • Originate and copy formal messages. • Include “Test Message” at the beginning of your messages • Consider using the “QForms” computer program. • Available Training Aids: • “Nets, Messages, and the NTS ’07” by K9LGU PowerPoint.

20. SET 2008Your Role: What Should You Do? • Have Fun (but with a sense of urgency) ! • Operate as though this was an actual emergency! • Contact some new stations. • Try out some new skills. Any ? Questions … Thanks for Coming Drive Carefully On The Way Home !!