Role of HAMs in Emergency/Disasters Presented by Jayant S. Bhide VU2JAU National Coordinator for Disaster Communication in India (ARSI) R3 Contact vu2jau@gmail.com Mob. 09425109013

Introduction to Emergency Communications What Constitutes an Emergency Communications? “We will define an incident as any planned or unplanned occurrence or event, which requires action by emergency service personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property and/or natural resources.” Clearly, during large events, normal communications channels can become overloaded by the flow of information (traffic)

AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATION HELP GUJRAT EARTHQUAKE 26 th JANUARY 2001 Morvi (GUJ) Flood September 1979 2005 Tsunami ORISSA CYCLONE

Amateur Radio’s Role Support the emergency management community Amateur radio is NOT an emergency response team We don’t provide first aid We don’t transport victims We don’t provide traffic control We don’t provide any other function normally provided by public safety personnel Amateur radio DOES provide communications when the normal public service systems are overloaded Do you have the time and the drive to do it well?

Why Amateur Radio Works Doesn’t rely on common carriers and phone companies Public Service Agencies can only communicate if they are on the same frequencies We provide that common frequency through the use of the many at our access Many frequencies allow us to overcome different communications obstacles We are distributed throughout the community We can respond quickly to immediate areas of need Regardless of the make and model of our equipment, we can communicate

How Does Amateur Radio Communications Compare with Other Radio Activities? Uses the same basic skills and activities Each operator is licensed HAM in varying levels Each operator routinely uses that privilege to practice the ability to communicate via radio One uses the same general operating practices to communicate on repeaters or HF Contesting emphasizes speed and listening skills and endurance Field Day offers the chance to practice setting up under unusual conditions Public Service Events let us practice flexible communications Regular amateur radio activities begin to resemble the skills required during emergency communications

Uniqueness of Emergency Communications Activation with little or no prior warning May handle several key organizations simultaneously May often deal with multiple nets and a limited time frame Portability and ability to be operational in a short amount of time Emergency communicators look for specific stations to contact NOW to pass traffic Operations could continue for days Things happen in real time Emergency communications involves amateurs and non-amateurs Ability to improvise Leadership, teamwork and initiative are the keys

Procedure Only requirements Volunteer organization Valid ham license Sincere desire to help Volunteer organization Local leader is the Emergency Coordinator – EC Typical activities are with HF, VHF nets Preparedness through practice Weekly nets Drills Self activating Any ARES leader can activate the group

The Primary Served Agency Primary responsibility for an event Amateurs are there to help Reason that ARES and RACES exist Model for operations Standardized structure Responsibility for Public Information Never make a statement to the media or public about an emergency If pressed, you can talk about amateur radio and its role

Communications Guidelines Two levels of communications Formal - Passing traffic on behalf of served agency Informal - Passing traffic originated by YOU Rules for passing served agency traffic Read it first. If you don’t understand it, ask for clarification When you transcribe it, make no changes You may not understand the content, but others will MAKE NO CHANGES If you are the originator, make corrections BEFORE you send the message!

Communications Guidelines (continued) It’s important to say as little as possible, but get the message across Some rules: Brevity and Clarity - if you can leave out a word without changing the meaning of the message, do it Do not use contractions Do not editorialize Listen Use standard ITU phonetics

Communications will be acknowledged Communications Is: The two-way exchange of ideas and information Using fewest words to completely define the thought One complete task or thought at a time because it is precise Unemotional Communications will be acknowledged

Final Thoughts on Safety Incident scenes are not about radios or being a Ham They are about the incident You will either be part of the problem … -or- You will be part of the solution

Security Considerations Message contents should remain private You should never reveal the contents of a message Even after an incident is over Lots of people monitor the ham bands General public Media Might receive portions of a message… not the full context Rumor and speculation Stick to passing messages Make sure messages are approved prior to sending Keep a log of all traffic

Basic Training Checklist Education and training supplies the knowledge Confidence to execute the required process in the minimum amount of time Learn BEFORE the skills are needed Acquire the basic skills needed to function as a team Support one another Operate as a cohesive unit ID Cards HAM Radio license Drivers License or other photo ID Civil Defense ID or other ID

Basic Training Checklist (cont) “Hot Zones” Typically refer to areas that may contain hazardous materials or other unknown hazards Stay out unless instructed otherwise (remember personal safety issues) Bottom line - don’t become part of the problem Test your techniques and equipment before an event Equipment Handie-talkies with earphones, a hand mike and a gain antenna. Don’t forget the spare batteries! Use PTT rather than VOX For fixed ops, use a mobile radio and deep-cycle batteries with a good antenna

Advantage to HAM Radio operators Be treated as a co-worker A safe working environment A suitable assignment Know as much as possible about people, policies, procedures and programs Participate in activities and quality training Be heard and have an active part in planning Recognition & Rewards

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