Disaster Communications Amateur Radio and the Medical Reserve Corps National Leadership Conference, Dallas Texas

Welcome Jeffrey T. Reilly – Westchester County, NY Jeffrey T. Reilly – Westchester County, NY Program Specialist - EMSS Program Specialist - EMSS MRC Training Coordinator MRC Training Coordinator

Goals Walk away with a basic understanding of Amateur Radio Walk away with a basic understanding of Amateur Radio Understand how Public Service Groups can augment your infrastructure Understand how Public Service Groups can augment your infrastructure Start you thinking about communication shortfalls in your MRC Start you thinking about communication shortfalls in your MRC Setting Realistic and Workable Partnerships Setting Realistic and Workable Partnerships

Amateur Radio Commonly known as “Ham” Radio Commonly known as “Ham” Radio Humble beginnings to a sophisticated, multi-medium communications “hobby” Humble beginnings to a sophisticated, multi-medium communications “hobby” Hams can talk across the street, or around the world Hams can talk across the street, or around the world

All Hams are not created equally Federally licensed through the FCC Federally licensed through the FCC Rigid testing of different “classes” Rigid testing of different “classes” Some use Morse Code ( …) Some use Morse Code ( …) Some don’t and aren't required to know it. Some don’t and aren't required to know it. Some use low power, some much more Some use low power, some much more Some can and do use computers Some can and do use computers Some can’t stand the use of computers Some can’t stand the use of computers

All Hams are, however Curious! Curious!

Types of Communications Digital – much like the internet with written messages Digital – much like the internet with written messages VoIP – Echolink / eQSO VoIP – Echolink / eQSO Audio – Voice communications – plain English Audio – Voice communications – plain English Video – SSTV Video – SSTV Satellites and the ISS are used as well Satellites and the ISS are used as well

Organized groups (NETS) ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service RACES – Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services RACES – Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services SKYWARN SKYWARN MARS MARS ARDS ARDS SATERN SATERN Hurricane Watchers NET Hurricane Watchers NET To name a very few……

Organized groups (NETS) ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service RACES – Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services RACES – Radio Amateur Communication Emergency Services SKYWARN SKYWARN MARS MARS ARDS ARDS SATERN SATERN Hurricane Watchers NET Hurricane Watchers NET ALL of these established groups are powerful stakeholders and partners

Hurricane Watchers

Salvation Army (SATERN) Health and welfare Information Request Form Please use this form to submit your inquiry. Your inquiry will be sent to the disaster area, where SATERN personnel will attempt to locate the person or persons about whom you are inquiring. While there is no guarantee, we will make every effort to locate your friend or loved one. Please supply as much information as possible. Please use this form to submit your inquiry. Your inquiry will be sent to the disaster area, where SATERN personnel will attempt to locate the person or persons about whom you are inquiring. While there is no guarantee, we will make every effort to locate your friend or loved one. Please supply as much information as possible. Enter your personal information in this section: Enter your personal information in this section: First Name (Required) Last Name (Required)Address CityState/Province Zip/Postal CodeCountry Tel. Number (Required) Address (Required) First Name (Required) Last Name (Required)Address CityState/Province Zip/Postal CodeCountry Tel. Number (Required) Address (Required)

Some “buzz” words Traffic Traffic Health & welfare Health & welfare NET NET NCS NCS Radiogram Radiogram ARRL ARRL

Ham Infrastructure Natural disasters won’t disable amateur radio as it will cell phones, land line phones and other conventional means of communications. Why? Natural disasters won’t disable amateur radio as it will cell phones, land line phones and other conventional means of communications. Why? Because Ham Radio Stations, in many cases, are stand alone entities

Ham Infrastructure Many many hams have generation, back up power, back up antenna systems and alternate means of communications - REDUNDANCY Many many hams have generation, back up power, back up antenna systems and alternate means of communications - REDUNDANCY

Ham Infrastructure More MRC units are utilizing amateur radio in the communications branch of ICS More MRC units are utilizing amateur radio in the communications branch of ICS Hams are becoming active members of the MRC, lending expertise, enthusiasm and equipment Hams are becoming active members of the MRC, lending expertise, enthusiasm and equipment

How do messages get Transmitted Stations in the field act as the initial messenger Stations in the field act as the initial messenger The Organized NETS meet at a specific time and frequency The Organized NETS meet at a specific time and frequency Members of the NETS pass traffic Members of the NETS pass traffic Traffic is delivered Traffic is delivered

How is the MRC NET different Most all other NETS pass traffic into and out of an affected area for the services of the general population Most all other NETS pass traffic into and out of an affected area for the services of the general population The primary function of the MRC NET is to facilitate traffic between MRC leaders “back home” and deployed MRC members “in the field” The primary function of the MRC NET is to facilitate traffic between MRC leaders “back home” and deployed MRC members “in the field”

Medical Reserve Corps NET Brand new, but not a new concept Brand new, but not a new concept Approximately 20 hams across the USA, Working as NET CONTROL Stations (NCS) Approximately 20 hams across the USA, Working as NET CONTROL Stations (NCS) These stations act as liaisons between the field and the MRC These stations act as liaisons between the field and the MRC

The Bottom Line An MRC Unit, or MRC members are deployed to a disaster area. An MRC Unit, or MRC members are deployed to a disaster area. They need to be aware of the communications options available to them to get messages “back home” They need to be aware of the communications options available to them to get messages “back home”

FEMA & RACES Guidance For Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Guidance For Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Civil Preparedness Guide Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington, D.C CPG 1-15 Civil Preparedness Guide Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington, D.C CPG 1-15

How you can get involved Contact local ARES / RACES organizations in your service area Contact local ARES / RACES organizations in your service area If they aren’t familiar with the Medical Reserve Corps, educate them If they aren’t familiar with the Medical Reserve Corps, educate them Give them information about the MRC NET and how it’s function is different from their NETS, and won’t encroach upon their much needed function. Give them information about the MRC NET and how it’s function is different from their NETS, and won’t encroach upon their much needed function.

How you can get involved Get ARES / RACES team members on board as active participants in your local MRC or CERT teams Get ARES / RACES team members on board as active participants in your local MRC or CERT teams Utilize them for POD drills Utilize them for POD drills Use them for public education Use them for public education Have them give you a demo on how their particular infrastructure is set up. Have them give you a demo on how their particular infrastructure is set up.

Karen E. Johansen I wish to thank and recognize the Amateur Radio Operators that gave of their time to travel to the hurricane Katrina stricken area. These people from different backgrounds and parts of our country came to Southeast Louisiana provide emergency communications to whatever organization needed their services. These operators did not care what job they were assigned, nor did they complain about the living conditions. If anyone ever needs to be reminded of the spirit of America will only need to read this page. Karen E. Johansen - WB5GEO Communications Officer St. Tammany Amateur Radio Club

MRC Unit Locations

To learn more about Hams

Training should include everyone

HAMS as part of the team

Hurricane frequencies to monitor Now we are beyond "Alpha" - time to listen to those unsung heroes of Ham Radio who tirelessly help out with these emergencies. Please click here for a listing of frequencies to monitor thanks to Hugh Stegman / NV6H. Now we are beyond "Alpha" - time to listen to those unsung heroes of Ham Radio who tirelessly help out with these emergencies. Please click here for a listing of frequencies to monitor thanks to Hugh Stegman / NV6H.click hereclick here Please click here to make a donation to the Red Cross for Hurricane relief efforts. Please click here to make a donation to the Red Cross for Hurricane relief efforts.click hereclick here How Ham Radio Operators can volunteer to help with Hurricane disaster relief efforts - please click here. How Ham Radio Operators can volunteer to help with Hurricane disaster relief efforts - please click here.click hereclick here This how Ham Radio operators help in emergency conditions ! Please click here to view a short video about helping with Hurricane Katrina. This how Ham Radio operators help in emergency conditions ! Please click here to view a short video about helping with Hurricane Katrina.click hereclick here

Some interesting Ham Radio websites to visit: The ARRL "Getting Started" Page" The ARRL "Getting Started" Page" The W5YI group at The W5YI group at The QRZ Ham Radio callsign lookup service at The QRZ Ham Radio callsign lookup service at The Tucson Packet Amateur Radio group at The Tucson Packet Amateur Radio group at The Electronic Ham Radio operators at The Electronic Ham Radio operators at The Ham Radio Magazine "CQ" at radio.com. The Ham Radio Magazine "CQ" at radio.com. radio.comwww.cq-amateur- radio.com Nuts and Volts Magazine at Nuts and Volts Magazine at The Radio Amateur Information Network (R.A.I.N.) at The Radio Amateur Information Network (R.A.I.N.) at

Question Time