Amateur Radio and the Emergency Communications (Region 1 point of view) Huntsville, Alabama, USA August 16th, 2007 Dr. Seppo Sisättö, OH1VR EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region 1

My subjects: 1) Tampere Convention 2) EmCom cross the borders 3) EmCom Parties on the Air 4) Conclusions and proposals

My background: OH1VR since 1960 OH1VR since 1960 One of the fathers of the Tampere Convention One of the fathers of the Tampere Convention EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region – EmCom Coordinator of the IARU Region – Ph.D. 1977, Journalist, director in press, radio and tv, entrepreneur, writer, Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University, lecturer etc. Ph.D. 1977, Journalist, director in press, radio and tv, entrepreneur, writer, Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University, lecturer etc.

Tampere Convention Tampere Declaration 1991 Tampere Declaration 1991 ICET Tampere Convention ICET Tampere Convention Finally: Tampere Convention in Force Finally: Tampere Convention in Force January 8th, slow process.. January 8th, slow process.. ICEC-2006, GAREC-2005, 2006, ICEC-2006, GAREC-2005, 2006, promoting Tampere Convention - promoting Tampere Convention

United Nations Press release Information Service United Nations Office at Geneva 7 January January 2005 TAMPERE CONVENTION: SAVING LIVES THROUGH EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS

EmCom cross the borders 1 o Amateur Radio is an international hobby o We communicate daily cross the borders o We have equipments and the will to help o We have a long history in EmComs o We have skills to build up a contact o We are known by authorities as a powerful resource BUT: resource BUT:

EmCom cross the borders 2 o We do not have proper protocol: like how to behave, how to contact proper authorities behave, how to contact proper authorities etc. in the cases of international EmComs etc. in the cases of international EmComs o We are good and we have a good will but without tools our role is limited without tools our role is limited o We are NOT organized for international EmComs – should we? My answer is: YES! EmComs – should we? My answer is: YES!

EmCom Parties on the Air 3 o Exercise – not a contest o Twice a year, 4 hours o HQ-stations and stations of the special EmCom groups as participants o The idea was born in Region 1 but we ask other Regions to join the party. Then it will be a global exercise – we do need it o Next EmCom Party will be on Nov. 11th, 2007

From Safety-2003 to Safety-2008 Objectives of the Finnish Safety-2003 and Safety-2008: 1) to build a nationwide (covering all 446 municipalities) two-way communications municipalities) two-way communications network, separate from the national grid network, separate from the national grid 2) to enhance the preparedness of radio amateurs for assisting society in emergencies by improving, among other things, the message handling skills of amateurs, and 3) to create a basis for more regular cooperation with the authorities with the aim of establishing radio amateurs as a distinct cooperating partner among partners listed by the authorities in their preparedness plans

How we did it? About 1000 radio amateurs participated in 2003 = every fifth Finnish Radio Amateur = every fifth Finnish Radio Amateur Three preliminary exercises before June 7th, 2003 Three preliminary exercises before June 7th, 2003 The aim of the exercise, the building and operation of a nationwide communications network, was deliberately exaggerated The aim of the exercise, the building and operation of a nationwide communications network, was deliberately exaggerated

Minister of Interior and Safety 2003

Vests for the participants of Safety 2003

Training courses before the exercise

Cell HQ at Helsinki Energy ARC (under one cell HQ operated 5-8 stations)

Proposals for GAREC-2007 Inviting all IARU regions to participate EmCom Parties on the Air – forming a WG to run it? Inviting all IARU regions to participate EmCom Parties on the Air – forming a WG to run it? Forming a WG for creating abbreviations for international EmComs Forming a WG for creating abbreviations for international EmComs Deciding to continue GAREC –process, Deciding to continue GAREC –process, next year in Region 3 or Croatia and 2009 in Tampere Finland - again next year in Region 3 or Croatia and 2009 in Tampere Finland - again

Conclusions Amateur Radio is usefull tool for the Emergency Communicatios Amateur Radio is usefull tool for the Emergency Communicatios World wide cooperation among Amateur Radio operators on the field of EmCom is in the process (GAREC’s, exercises, education etc.) World wide cooperation among Amateur Radio operators on the field of EmCom is in the process (GAREC’s, exercises, education etc.) WRC-07 has a key role to strengthen EmCom opportunities of Amateur Radio Service WRC-07 has a key role to strengthen EmCom opportunities of Amateur Radio Service Ratification of Tampere Convention and acceptance of CEPT -licensing are steps forward Ratification of Tampere Convention and acceptance of CEPT -licensing are steps forward

Thank you!