1. Emergency Communications for the Layman

2. Overview Disasters & Communications Different Types of Communications
Situational Awareness
Wireless Communications Methods
Communication Basic Terminology
Communication Etiquette – first time users
Training
Your First Radio 2

3. Communications Disrupted By…
Natural Disasters
Lightning
Violet Storms
Flooding
Earthquakes
Most likely valley scenarios, Earthquake, Electric Power Outage in the heat of the summer, and Terrorist Attack; any or all of which would cause call volume overload.
Local responders may be caught in the disaster also as they and their families also reside here. It may take several days for outside response to arrive.
Man Made
Terrorist Attack
Electric Power Outage
Equipment Failure
Call Volume Overload

4. Communications Systems
Wired vs
Wireless
Broadcast
2 Way 4

5. Local TV & Radio Blacked Out
Broadcasting
Local TV & Radio Blacked Out
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
No local Radios
No local TV
No Electrical Power
No ATMs working
No Emergency Broadcast Messages
Most Communications do NOT stop all at once, even when the power is cut off
Emergency Power often starts with some AA or AAA batteries in your radios (MORE ON THAT LATER) 5

6. Wireless
Broadcast vs 2 Way 6

7. Broadcasting - Wireless
Situational Awareness
Scanners
AM/FM radios
Emergency Warning System
Satellite TV / radios
Alerts via Internet
Most Communications do NOT stop all at once, even when the power is cut off
Emergency Power often starts with some AA or AAA batteries in your radios (MORE ON THAT LATER)

8. Emergency Warning System
NOAA “All Hazards” Radio
Weather Alerts from NWS
Rebroadcasts EAS Warnings
Child Abduction (Amber Alert)
Flash Flood Alerts
Earthquakes
Tornado Warnings
Local weather forecast 24 hrs/day
S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding)
Always on Alerted to Flash Floods
EAS Emergency Alert System
National Weather System
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
7 channels NOOA Weather Radios
MHz MHz MHz
MHz MHz MHz MHz

9. Broadcast Radio & TV AM/FM Portable Radio
Portable Local Digital TV (no Analog*)
Satellite
Broadcast Radios (XM / Sirius)
Direct TV
Specialty
Shortwave Radios
Radios with Crank-up power
Scanners
Fire & EMS Dispatch (Trunking)
Police
Amateur Radio
Scanners: Radio systems used by pubic safety agencies have increased in complexity and cost, and so have the scanners that monitor them.
*Digital TV – June 2009
Analog TV’s will no longer work, everything is now Digital High Definition D/HD TV
2 different frequency bands: VHF (Ch. 2-13) and UHF (Ch )
UHF Antennas can be small
VHF Antennas must be at least 30” long and 30” wide or VHF signals might not work
Digital signal is binary, it either works or it does not,
Analog had degrees of quality of signal, you could still get a weak signal
FCC DTV Reception Maps:
Put in your address, it will show you what TV stations are in your area, type antenna you will need (UHF or VHF) , Virtual Channel, Signal Strength for your area

10. Uniden HomePatrol-1 or -2 Scanner
Reception for local Police, Fire, EMS, Amateur Radio
Motorola APCO 25 Digital, Motorola, EDACS, LTR
3.5" color touch screen LCD display
Factory programmed for all known radio systems in the US and Canada
Zip code entry for local systems
S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert
Quick Record and Playback Instant Replay
Free Radio System Updates
Expensive (model-1: $300 & model -2: $450)
Uniden HomePatrol 2 has the same looks and features as the original HomePatrol 1, but adds TDMA Phase 2 capability
Scanners: Radio systems used by pubic safety agencies have increased in complexity and cost, and so have the scanners that monitor them. 10

11. Hurricane Rita (2005)
Largest evacuation in U.S. History and third largest peacetime evacuation in the world in modern history.
September 22, 2005 – More than 3 million evacuated in Texas and Louisiana including 2.4 million from Houston, Texas.
Transportation issues are emerging as a major after-action agenda item in Texas, where scenes of massive traffic jams were broadcast nationwide as Hurricane Rita approached. ****27 hours to travel 35 miles through the congestion.
Came right after Hurricane Katrina 2005

12. Hurricane Sandy (2012)
NYC sent alerts before & at height of storm to public, including special needs individuals (165,000 registered users)
CMAS (text to cell phones) for 1st time
Twitter
Landline
Mobile
During Super Storm Sandy, NYC The City became the first local
municipality in the country to use the Commercial Mobile
Alert System (CMAS), an emergency text message service created
by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to send
text messages to all equipped cell phones in a designated geographical
area regardless of phone carrier service or origin. The
City used CMAS three times during Sandy, starting at noon on
October 28 after the Mayor announced the mandatory Zone A
evacuation and twice on October 29 between 8:30 and 9:30 PM
during the height of the storm. The City’s Advanced Warning
System also reaches special needs individuals through government
and nonprofit organizations.
OEM uses an additional set of tools to broadcast information
to the general public, including Notify NYC, the City’s flagship
emergency update system that sends alerts via landline, mobile,
text, , and Twitter to more than 165,000 registered users.
Notify NYC’s reach expanded by nearly 15% during Sandy,
gaining more than 9,600 direct subscribers and another 12,000
to the Notify NYC Twitter account.

13. Local Twitter (https://twitter.com/)
CLV Emergency
Las Vegas FireRescue @LasVegasFD
Clark County
Clark County
NWS Las Vegas @NWSVegas
Get a Twitter Account
To create an account:
Go to and find the sign up box, or go directly to 
Enter your full name, address, and a password.
Click Sign up for Twitter.
On the next page, you can select a username (usernames are unique identifiers on Twitter) — type your own or choose one we've suggested. We'll tell you if the username you want is available.
Double-check your name, address, password, and username.
Click Create my account.You may be asked to complete a Captcha to let us know that you're human.
Twitter will send a confirmation to the address you entered on sign up, click the link in that to confirm your address and account.
Click on “Follow” button
To Stop Getting Tweets,
Go To Website
Click on “UnFollow” button

14. Wireless Voice Communications
Cell Phone
Satellite Phone CB
FRS
GMRS
Amateur Radio

15. Cell Phone Shared infrastructure with Telephone (landlines)
When telephones are out, cell phones usually are also
Short range (Cell tower must be relatively close)
Battery life limited
Call volume overload very common in emergencies
Cell phone inexpensive $

16. Satellite Phone
Is a telephone that utilizes satellites orbiting the Earth
Assigned a telephone number for incoming calls
Requires a telephone number to dial out
Cannot be used indoors, without outside antenna
Call volume overload possible in a major emergency
Battery life limited
Satellite phones expensive $$$
“Air Time” usage is very expensive

17. CB Citizens Band Radios Been around for years
Radio Equipment: not expensive $$
5 watts legal limit
Range: 4-5 mile range (normally)
40 Channels
Channel 9 – for Emergencies only
FCC license not required
Most conversations not fit for family consumption!

18. FRS Family Radio Service Radio Equipment: Inexpensive $
Millions in use!
Very low power – ½ watt
range (1-2 miles unobstructed)
14 channels
No FCC license required

19. GMRS General Mobile Radio Service Readily available
Radio equipment: Not very expensive $$
Power:
5 watts max on a Handheld (Portable) Radio
50 watts max on a Base (Mobile) Radio
Range: 5-25 miles (Extended by Repeaters)
Channels
7 shared FRS channels plus…
8 GMRS Repeater channels
FCC License required: $65 for 5 years
Covers the whole extended family

21. Emergency Communications Amateur Radio in Action
Hurricane Katrina - September 2005
Northeast blackout - August 2003
Shuttle Columbia recovery effort - February 2003
World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks-September 2001
Hurricane Floyd - September 1999
Oklahoma City Bombing - April 1995
Amateur Radio Operator WTC 2001

22. Amateur Radio (‘Hams’)
FCC License and call sign required to transmit on Amateur Radio Bands
Lots of Amateur Radio Frequencies
Power: 1,500 watts on some bands
Range: worldwide on some bands
Wide range of cost for equipment, handheld radio can be relatively inexpensive $$$

23. Written Examination ($15)
Amateur Radio License
Technician Class
Entry level
Written Exam
UHF & VHF bands – local communications
General Class
Some HF – worldwide communications
Extra Class
All frequencies in the Amateur Radio Bands
** NO More Morse Code requirements **
Written Examination ($15)

24. Radio Basics Repeaters Duplex vs Simplex Privacy Tones (PL)
Normal Radio Etiquette
Emergency Communications Etiquette
GMRS Call Sign Required
GMRS Net
GMRS Radio (one example)

25. What is a Repeater? A Repeater rebroadcasts the radio signal,
thus increasing the distance you can communicate.

26. Duplex: GMRS Repeaters
CH Listen Freq Talk Freq
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz
MHz MHz

27. Simplex: GMRS & FRS Shared Freq
Channels Listen Freq & Talk Freq
FRS MHz National SOS Channel
FRS MHz
FRS MHz
FRS MHz
FRS MHz
FRS MHz
FRS MHz
(GMRS 5 Watts Allowed )

28. Privacy Tones
Privacy Tones (also called: Privacy Codes, PL, CTCSS or Tone Squelch)
Like an Electronic Filter
You do not hear them
But they can still hear you

29. Privacy Tones Repeater (Duplex) Standardized for LV Valley
PT: Hz on Talk Freq
(Required for Repeaters to Hear You!)
PT: Hz on Listen Freq (Filters out others talking)
FRS Shared Channels (Simplex)
No Privacy Tones – Recommended

30. GMRS Repeater Channel #2
Located on Angels Peak
Good coverage over LV Valley
Useful for Communications from Camp Stimpson, LDS Girls Camp on Mt Charleston, to LV
Can be used for daily radio traffic
During an emergency, communications for assigned LDS Stakes

31. GMRS Repeater Channel #3
Located at LV Bishop’s Storehouse
Can be used for daily radio traffic
During an emergency, for communications between
Local Stakes
Local Bishop’s Storehouse

32. GMRS Repeater Channel #8
Located at LV Temple
Good coverage over LV Valley
Can be used for daily radio traffic
During an emergency, for communications for assigned Stakes

33. GMRS Repeaters GMRS repeaters are private property
GMRS frequencies are shared frequencies, but repeaters are not 
Use of repeaters is with owners’ permission

34. GMRS Communications Etiquette
Listen before you transmit.
Make sure you aren’t interrupting a conversation.

35. GMRS Communications Etiquette
Do not use the radio to advertise the sale of goods or services.

36. GMRS Communications Etiquette
Use lowest power needed to communicate
FRS (1/2 watt)
GMRS simplex
GMRS repeater

37. GMRS Communications Etiquette
Do not use obscene, indecent, or profane words, language, or meaning.

38. Emergency Communications Etiquette
Good News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! This increases your chances of getting the help you need.
Bad News - You’ll be heard by anyone monitoring the radio frequency! No radio communication is truly private, so don’t broadcast sensitive information.

39. Emergency Communications Etiquette
Use plain language.
Although you may know the meanings of all the “10 codes” and other radio jargon, the folks you’re trying to talk to may not, or they may know a different meaning altogether.

40. Emergency Communications Etiquette
If you must interrupt for a bona fide emergency, say “Break for a medical emergency” or other appropriate language. The other parties should yield the frequency to you or attempt to assist you.

41. GMRS Call Sign Requirement
GMRS requires FCC Call Sign
Every GMRS station must transmit a station identification:
(1) Following the transmission of communications or a series of communications; and
(2) Every 15 minutes during a long transmission.
(FCC code Part )

42. GMRS Net Every Monday night Check-ins start around 7:15 pm
Currently on GMRS Repeater CH #4a ( MHz with a PT Hz )
Great time to test your radio equipment on the GMRS repeaters
Get to know other GMRS operators
Some are with Volunteer Organizations
Some are Amateur Radio operators

43. Emergency Communications Amateur Radio Organizations
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.)
Skywarn (National Weather Service)
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (R.A.C.E.S.)

44. Emergency Communications Networking

45. Training

46. Community Emergency Response Team
During a major emergency or disaster, law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire & rescue could be overwhelmed, resulting in a delay in getting to those who
need help!

47. Community Emergency Response Team
CERT training topics include:
Fire safety
Light search and rescue
Disaster medical operations
Terrorism and CERT
CERT Training requires about hours provided in weekly sessions.
Training courses, student materials and equipment are provided free of charge

48. Amateur Radio Relay League
Lobby for Amateur Radio in Washington DC*
Volunteer Examiner Sponsor
Emergency Communications Classes, manuals
Emergency Power
***ARRL is like the NRA to gun owners 48

49. Emergency Power Generator (gas, propane) Battery 12V (deep cycle)
Solar
Wind
Inverter
SmartCharger

50. What Should I Buy for My First Radio?
Handheld Radios $
What should be my first car be?
Are all cars the same?
How is VW Beetle different than a Jeep?
I can NOT tell what Radio to get, but
I can tell you why some hams got this radio?
BUDGET
PORTABILTY
CONVIENCE
NOT RUGGED – cheap enough to go buy another one (disposable?) 50

51. What Should I Buy for My First Radio?
Mobile Radios $$
Jeep – Off Road
MORE $$$
RUGGED
DURABLE
MORE POWER, GREATER REACH
Runs off the Car Battery – Don’t run down the Car Battery
Powerwerx DB-750X Dual Band VHF/UHF 750 Channel Commercial Mobile Radio
Dual band VHF/UHF, 750 channel commercial transceiver with 10 memory banks. Freq. range: , MHz. 50W VHF, 40W UHF power output, Single Receive or True Dual Receive (V+V, U+U, V+U), Optional Remote Head Mounting Kit. Part 90 certified. More Description
On Sale $ List Price: $ You Save: $20.00 SKU: DB-750X
Read more: 51

52. What Should I Buy for My First Radio?
Base Station
HF $$$
Jeep – Off Road
MORE $$$
RUGGED
DURABLE
MORE POWER, GREATER REACH
Runs off the Car Battery – Don’t run down the Car Battery 52

53. Basic Radio Equipment BaoFeng UV-82 HP Radio 128 channels Programmable
Amateur Radio UHF/ VHF band
GMRS / FRS band
Dual Watch Receiver (listen 2 channels)
3 Power Levels (1, 5, 7watts)
$54 From Darrell Stubbs ( )
Optional:
High Gain Antenna ($12) (Strongly Recommended)
Extra AA Battery Pack
Lithium-ion high capacity Battery Pack ($14)
Headset with Microphone
Magnetic Mount Antenna for Vehicle usage

54. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. -- Howard Ruff --
Remember . . .
It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. -- Howard Ruff --