Program and Agenda ► 7:30 -- Introduction and Welcome ► Amateur Radio EMCOM Support in the Modern Age ► R.A.C.E.S Administrative Issues ► R.A.C.E.S Procedural Issues ► 8:30 – Open Discussion and Questions ► 9:00 – Conclusion

Introduction and Welcome ► EOC ► Collaborative Organizations ► Guests ► R.A.C.E.S/A.R.E.S Membership ► Thanks to:  Douglas Jacobsen Facility and Staff  Dave Boland, Mark Oliphant, Mac McDaniel, Ken Van Patten, Aldo DiSalvo and all others active in support

Amateur Radio EMCOM Support in the Modern Age ► World Radio Article ► RACOM Video Clip ► Old Versus New Paradigm ► Regulatory Environment

World Radio Article ► “The Future of A.R.E.S”—Jim Wades ► QRZ.COM Commentary: “amateur radio is rapidly approaching a point where it is no longer needed for emergency…communication…. The problem is that many…still live in the 1960s.”” ► Cell phones, 800 MHZ, FRS, Etc.

RACOM VIDEO ► View Video. ► Keep in mind situations where emergency communicators could fit in. ► (RACOM video can be seen at ► HP Web.wmv ) HP Web.wmv HP Web.wmv

Old versus New --Paradigm Shift-- ► Old:  2-meters, HF  Civil Defense Duties  Support Fire, Police, Medics, Forestry ► New  2-meters, HF, FRS/GPRS, CB  Flexible Interoperable Support as Needed  Operate Under ICS/NIMS  Work with Other Emergency Support Groups

Regulatory Environment ► ICS and NIMS ► ICS is THE standard for management  Addresses accountability, supervisory chain, interaction among agencies, standards for communicating and directing, scalability ► NIMS is a national program using ICS  Funding is dependant on all players within an organization being NIMS compliant ► EMCOM Support Requests to Utilize NIMS Certified Operators

Scenario You are the NCS at the EOC. A contract hauler for Florida Dept. Of Transportation calls you through Desoto EOC R.A.C.E.S. They have a bulldozer on a flatbed in Desoto County, but the tractor blew a transmission. What is your action?

Scenario Continued ► You would want to get as much information as possible. What agency is getting the bulldozer? Do you know what the purpose is? Do you have a contact name? ► You find out that the bulldozer is needed to clear debris of an bridge that fell onto a roadway. That is all they know. Who do you pass the message to?

Regulatory Environment as Applied to R.A.C.E.S ► FEMA and FCC rules  FEMA Guidelines recommend 1 hour per week for training and drills  FCC rules limit: up to one hour a week

Cooperative Philosophy? ► Volunteer organizations have trouble attracting and keeping skilled volunteers ► Combining volunteer resources may be the answer  Deploying operators to support Red Cross, DARN, Salvation Army with communications (theirs and ours)  Being capable in dual modes, to include CERT, Skywarn, USCG, CAP, REACT, etc.

EOC RACES NCS WEST COUNTY NCS NORTH COUNTY NCS SOUTH COUNTY NCS EOC MOBILE ALTERNATE RACES NCS STAGING AREA RED CROSS SKYWARN CERT MARS HF MILITARY CB PUBLIC AGENCY TAC STATION TAC STATION TAC STATION POOL OPERATOR POOL OPERATOR POOL OPERATOR RELAY STANDBY RELAY STANDBY CAP NGO Possible R.A.C.E.S Network camp base

Frequency Management Command Net NCS ANCS F1= 440 MHz

Frequency Management Tactical Sites ANCS 1 Hospital ShelterPool Operator F2=2 Mtr Rptr #1 F2 F1 NCS F1= 440 MHz Rptr

How to Get There ► We Need to Learn the New System ► We Need to Train to the New System ► We Need to have Exercises to become proficient and professional

Administrative Concerns ► Officers and Duties  Admin, planning, logistics, training, grants, technical support, etc. ► Update Call Down Roster ► Rewrite R.A.C.E.S Communications Plan (NIMS Compliant)

Tactical Locations ► Alternate EOC now is County Jail  Need to move airport radios and establish new location ► Many old tactical locations no longer needed ► New tactical locations + VA Nursing Home, Cultural Center, Others?

Some Proposed Changes ► Have different operators go to different tactical sites ► Pool Operators will be assigned to tactical locations as part of monthly tactical drill ► Pool Operators will be assigned to random locations

Proposed Protocols ► Pre-Storm (upon weather alert)  Carry cell phone, handhelds  Monitor repeaters ► Frequency Alternates  During and after bad weather, test repeaters often  Know alternate repeater and simplex frequencies

OPEN DISCUSSION ► Questions? ► Suggestions?