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

2. 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)

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

4. 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?

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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!

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

20. 73’s de VU2JAU
73’s de VU2JAU