EmComm

Start with "Shelter in Place" Resources

My partner, among others, wonder why I have solar rechargeable battery kits. And friends wonder why I annually test new types of dehydrated food and have resources to back-up drinking water.  I half expect to be nominated for "Doomsday Preppers," although that level of preparedness (obsessiveness?) certainly neither fits my behavior nor goal.

 I confess, the degree of adversity I've personally experienced has not been that remarkable.  Yet, even living here in the Washington DC Metro, we've faced multiple events that warranted consideration  

Here are a few experiences, just of f the "top of my head," that have warranted use of "Shelter in Place" and "Go Kits." Each incident impacted home, travel, workplace and/or other activities of daily living over more than a 24-hour period of time:
  • Mid-Atlantic and Midwest Derecho (June - July, 2012) - roads closed, power out for one week, some 911 communication failures, temperatures above 100 degrees F.
  • Hurricane Sandy (October, 2012) - not especially bad here, yet the threat potential was remarkable and the devastation to our north still exists.
  • North American Blizzard of 2009 (December, 2009) - foreshadow of a hard winter
  • North American blizzard of February, 2010 (Snowmageddeon) - wow, this shut us down for a long time!
  • Washington Metro Red Line Train Collision (June, 2009)
  • Hurricane Isabel (September, 2003)
  • Beltway Sniper Attacks (October 2002)
  • Brentwood Post Office Incident (October, 2001)
  • College Park and Beltsville, Maryland Tornadoes (September, 2001)
  • September 11 Attacks (September, 2001)
  • Blizzard of 1996 (January 6 - 8, 1996; followed by another storm on January 12th)




Memorize Important Telephone Numbers

David, N5FDL Makes a good point in his EmComm Blog:

“In Jeff Friedrich’s dispatch from the Boston Marathon yesterday, he quoted a volunteer named Kathleen Hunt, who was helping runners retrieve their bags near the finish line. “There were runners who couldn’t find their clothes, who didn’t have their phones, who couldn’t find their families,” she said. “It reminded me how important it is to memorize a few phone numbers.” Read more from Slate…


    My Start in Public Service Communication

      RACES is a leadership, response and
      organizational protocol which is used
      by federal, state, and local agencies
      that seek to utilize amateur radio operators
      as a decentralized auxiliary communication
      resource in times of emergency.
      Public service and EmComm have been part of my radio amateur DNA from my novice days. Training as an Net Control Station (NCS) took root once I was a Technician Class operator and frequented the Cape and Islands (Two Meter) Traffic Net (courtesy of mentoring by KA1EXJ, WA4STO, and others).

      I grew up in Southern New England -- home to hurricanes, significant blizzards, thunderstorms and even a renegade tornadoes. The "Blizzard of '78" and Hurricane Gloria are two incidents that still loom large in my memory.

      The guys at Central Fire Station in my home town of Middleboro, MA chuckled when I'd bring the monthly "Civil Defense" bulletins to the watch desk. That's back when Cokes were 25¢ and the Whistle House -- an original alarm system that signaled the approximate location of a fire by a series of numeric whistle-counts -- was located in the tower of Town Hall when I was a kid. (The Starr Mill area, my neighborhood, was code "2-7".)

      Fortunately, the perceptions of the fire chief and deputy didn't deter my curiosity and resolve.  And so it goes ...


      Arlington County, VA OEM

        Well, times have definitely changed and I have a hunch the public safety folks back home might view things a little differently nowadays. Back when I lived in Arlington, VA, I affiliated with a local Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and was deputized as a radio operator in February, 2007.





        Even though I no longer live in Arlington County, VA, my registration with Arlington OEM as volunteer certified under the RACES protocol as a radio operator remains active.  This is considered an asset for the county, since I remain deputized, trained and familiar with the Arlington OEM protocol.  In the event that volunteers who reside in Arlington as those in the affected areas may need to focus on their families, I'm one of the folks who can assist with "out of the immediate area" auxiliary communications. The 2012 Derecho weather event was an example.

        Some of my activities with APRSC include:
        • 06/2006 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 02/2007 - Arlington OEM Deputizes EmComm Radio Operators
        • 02/2007 - Fire Station Simplex Test (Fairfax RACES)
        • 05/2007 - Arlington Neighborhood Day Parade
        • 06/2007 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 09/2007 - APEX Reagan National Airport staged a disaster drill
        • 05/2008 - Arlington Neighborhood Day Parade
        • 06/2008 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 01/2009 - 2009 Inauguration Special Event and Talk-In (K4I)
        • 06/2009 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 12/2009 - Presentation on Psychological First Aid and the Radio Operator
        • 06/2010 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 06/2011 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 06/2012 - GERC special event radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 06/2012 - Field Day radio operator at Minor Hill Park
        • 06/2012 - Activation due to 911-Call Center Disruption as a result of the Summer 2012 (Derecho) Weather Event 

        Why Arlington County? 


        Some wisely ask why I'm not linked-up with other local groups.  The answer is regretful, yet honest: I contacted governmental agencies, reaches out to the volunteer groups, rubbed elbows with local hams and ultimately, didn't feel welcomed. No shame, no blame ... this happen all the time. Therefore, I stay connected with a cohesive and organized group that welcomes newcomers, actually trains them and facilitates a comprehensive vetting process.

        Groups that genuinely value experience, training, hard work and hospitality will flourish. If you're looking to volunteer, ask how many recruits are welcomed and trained each year.  If a roster is always growing and there's limited attrition, the you may be looking at an organization worth you while!

        Here's a good article on amateur radio and volunteer organizational effectiveness:

        Title:          EMCOMM Groups: If You Aren't Doing, You're Dying
        Excerpt:    If your local group doesn’t have stuff going on, you’re dying.


        "Go Kit" and Portable Operation Equipment


          Scott Vest to the Rescue!

          I'm not advertising - nor making a profit - just offering a suggestion that could help others.  This jacket / vest combo is a great asset for the traveler and EmComm Operator alike!  

            • Personal Area Network
            • Travel Document Pocket
            • Magnetic Pocket Closures
            • Eyeglass Chamois with Versatile Clip
            • Bottle Holder (or Vapur Anti Bottle)
            • Water Hydration System Pocket
            • PubPocket™
            • 22 Pockets and compartments
            • Weight Management System
            • DeepPockets™
            • NoBulge Pockets™
            • Extendible, removable Key Holder
            • Back Pocket
            • BudBuckets™—earbud Pockets
            • Pen/Stylus Pockets
            • ZIP-PIP™
            • Change Pocket
            • MyMemory Pocket™
            • CollarConnect™
            • HangingPockets™
            • Collar Loops


          RACES

            Here's some information about Radio Amateur Civil Emergency (RACES) protocol and the Emergency Auxiliary Communications unit with which I volunteer in Arlington County, VA:
            "The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) was established under FCC regulations, as part of the Amateur Radio Service. The mission of RACES is to establish and maintain the leadership and organizational infrastructure necessary to provide Amateur Radio communications in support of emergency management entities throughout the United States. 
            In Arlington County, RACES may be employed during a variety of emergency/disaster situations when governmental communications systems are damaged or when additional communications are desired. 
            RACES develops emergency communications training to enhance the Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF2) communications capabilities of Arlington County government through the Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
            Arlington County OEM requires Amateur Radio operators who request certification as RACES operators to undergo criminal background checks conducted by the Sheriff's Department. RACES operators must satisfy certain training benchmarks on an annual basis to retain certification." (from www.w4ava.org)
            Field Day 2010   ARPSC, Arlington, VA   (c) KE4SKY

            Sunday, July1, 2012

            The mid-Atlantic region was hit by an unusual weather incident (known as a 
            derecho) on Friday evening, June 30, 2012. This weather event left millions of residents in the Wash DC Metro without power. I count myself among the 
            unfortunate without commercial power.

            Arlington County RACES was activated on Saturday for several hours. Telephone services were impaired and several 911 systems 
            were adversely impacted. RACES worked to bridge the gap 
            and then provide parallel auxiliary communications for citizens 
            of the county.
            In response to this activation, I positioned my mobile station atop a 

            Montgomery County (Maryland) parking structure and offered remote assistance to Arlington County EOC. The ideal role for my tactical position included acting as a back-up Ops Net Control or relay, if need.

            Navigating just a few miles to get to this location was challenging. 
            Trees were blown across major roads, several homes and autos were visibly destroyed, and lights at major intersections were not operational (for days). 

             I live near a hospital, so it's pretty significant when traffic signals leading to medical services 
            remain extinguished for long periods of time.

            Here are a few random picture (taken on the third day of the 
            power outage):

            A big branch still hangs
            (Northbound, Georgia Ave @ 16th)
            First PEPCO utility
            truck seen thus far!
            Local Home Damaged by Tree


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