Transcript Slide 1
1 AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS If we look closely at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that govern Amateur Radio we find that there is no mention of having fun or seeing who can talk the furthest. However... There is very specific mention of Amateur Radio providing a trained pool of radio operators available in times of need. In other words our ability to communicate when normal communications infrastructure is overloaded or unable to function is a reason we are able to get a license. "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications." -- FCC Part 97.1(a). 2 SOME HISTORY Where did it all begin? 3 SOME HISTORY 1913 Ice Storm .. Amateurs at the University of Michigan and Ohio State University provide communications after the ice storm.. First recorded instance in this country of Amateur Radio in providing emergency communications.. 4 AEC Note in the September 1935 issue of QST magazine asking hams interested in emergency communications to write to ARRL… ARRL Emergency Corps (AEC) formed with a goal of having a member in each community… 5 AREC In 1951 the AEC becomes the.. Amateur Radio Emergency Corps 6 ARPSC In 1963 the AREC becomes the emergency division of the Amateur Radio Public Service Corps.. 7 ARES In 1978 the AREC is changed to Amateur Radio Emergency Service 8 SOME HISTORY 9 YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES In Early 1998 Yavapai County ARES/RACES was organized… 10 YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES New look in 2006… 11 YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES Yavapai County ARES/RACES formed in early 1998… Works closely with both radio clubs, but not an integral part of either… ARES/RACES primary served agency is: Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management… 12 YAVAPAI COUNTY ARES/RACES Membership of over 65… How many are active?? Dedicated core group that can be depended on… Amateur Radio is the hobby.. Emergency Communications is a Commitment… 13 Equipment Installations 14 Equipment Installations Yavapai County ARES/RACES Equipment Installations… 18 Complete with 4 Pending 15 Equipment Installations Prescott and Central Yavapai Fire Departments.. • Dual Band Antennas installed on almost every fire station.. Additional antennas are installed when new stations are built.. • Yavapai Regional Medical Center.. West and East Campus Dual band transceiver and antenna installed.. 16 Equipment Installations Yavapai County Community Health Services • Dual band transceiver and antenna installed. Yavapai College Prescott and Verde Campus • Dual band transceivers and antennas with digital communications capability. 17 Equipment Installations Verde Valley Locations… o Dual band radio with antenna installed on the Cottonwood Public Safety Building.. o Dual band radio with antenna installed at the Verde Valley Fire Station on Hwy 260.. o Amateur VHF radio with antenna installed at Sedona EOC location.. o Dual band radio with antenna installed at the Village of Oak Creek Fire Station.. 18 Equipment Installations Typical EOC Amateur Radio Installations Include: Two Dual Band VHF/UHF Amateur Transceivers One High Frequency Amateur Transceiver One Computer for Digital Communications One VHF Public Safety Transceiver One UHF Public Safety Transceiver One All Band Scanning Receiver Most City and Town EOC installations are designed to, if necessary, be an alternate Yavapai County EOC. 19 Equipment Installations Yavapai County Emergency Operating Center 20 Equipment Installations Prescott City Emergency Operating Center (Alternate Arizona State EOC) 21 Equipment Installations Prescott National Forest USFS Fire Center 22 Repeater Site Yavapai County ARES/RACES Mt. Union Repeater and Packet Node site.. 23 Repeater Site Yavapai County ARES/RACES Mingus Mountain Repeater site.. 24 Communications Van 1979 Ford Econoline stretch van once used by the state.. This unit is now based at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building .. 25 Communications Van 2007 Dodgen Industries 24’ Mobile Communications Vehicle (MARC).. 26 Yavapai County EMCOMM EL PASO NATURAL GAS PIPELINE EXERCISE JUNE 3, 2008 Other Agencies: County OEM Yavapai Cnty Sheriff Juniper Woods Fire DPS El Paso Natural Gas 27 Yavapai County EMCOMM APRIL 3, 2009 WILDFIRE EXERCISE Exercises are held yearly with the Interagency Fire and Emergency Management Group (IFEMG) 28 Yavapai County EMCOMM Email Via Amateur Radio and the Internet 29 Yavapai County EMCOMM Email via Amateur Radio and the Internet 30 Why Amateur Radio? Cell phones and public service radio (especially newer computer controlled) systems can be among the first to “crash” or become overloaded in major events. Effective, accurate, and timely communications during disasters and other emergencies will make a difference between additional loss of life, injury and loss of property. Amateur Radio is a communication “system” that utilizes multiband, multi-mode, wide-area networks that are INDEPENDENT of the “infrastructure” or commercial power sources. 31 When All Else Fails…. 32 Not Just When All Else Fails !!! 33