Transcript Basic Training Course

Delaware County
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Basic Training
The Radio Amateur is:

Considerate...never knowingly uses the air in
such a way to lesson the pleasure of others.
 Loyal...offers loyalty, encouragement and
support to their fellow radio amateurs, their
local radio club, and to the American Radio
Relay League, through which Amateur Radio
is represented.
The Radio Amateur is:

Progressive...with knowledge abreast of
science. It is well-built and efficient. Operating
practice is above reproach.
 Friendly...slow and patient sending when
requested, friendly advice and counsel to the
beginner, kindly assistance, cooperation and
consideration for the interest of others.
These are marks of the amateur spirit.
The Radio Amateur is:

Balanced...radio is their hobby. They never
allow it to interfere with any of
the duties they owe to their home, job,
church, school, or community.
 Patriotic...their knowledge and their station
are always ready for the
service of his country and their community.
(Original by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, 1928)
Mission:
A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as
established by Part 97 of the Federal Communications
Commission’s regulations, is the performance of public
service communications for the general public, particularly
in times of emergency when normal communications are
not available. To that end, the Delaware County, PA
Amateur Radio Emergency Service members, under the
oversight of the American Radio Relay League, will equip
themselves and train to provide communications as a direct
service to the general public through government and relief
agencies of Delaware County, PA, the State of PA, and
Federal Agencies when requested by those agencies.
Insert ARRL Video Clip Here
Introduction to Emergency
Communications

What is a Communications
Emergency?
The FEMA Incident Command System manual
Section 1.9 defines an incident as any "... planned
or unplanned occurrence or event, regardless of
cause, which requires action by emergency service
personnel to prevent or minimize loss of life or
damage to property and/or natural resources."
Introduction to Emergency
Communications

What is the Incident Command
System?
The Incident Command System is a management
tool consisting of procedures for organizing
personnel, facilities, equipment and
communications at the scene of an emergency.
Introduction to Emergency
Communications

What does attitude have to do with
Emergency Communications?
Everything! Hams are trained, provide their own
equipment, and are generally well organized.
However, when a ham assumes he can assist by
the sheer fact that he has an FCC license and 3
handheld transceivers (HTs), he takes on an
attitude.
Introduction to Emergency
Communications

What defines a communications
emergency?
The common issue is when communications
processes are inadequate to handle the flow of
information required to service an incident, as
defined in the ICS.
Introduction to Emergency
Communications

What role does Amateur Radio
serve?
Our primary role is to support the emergency
management community with communications
during times of emergency and disaster when
normal communications are unavailable or
overwhelmed.
Emergency Communications
Certification

Overview
– Certification is an opportunity to provide the
public service community with trained Amateur
Radio operators who will have a consistent
level of expertise in Emergency
Communication.
– The goal is to provide consistently
knowledgeable communication people who
have a very positive, service oriented attitude.
Emergency Communications
Certification

Attitude
It is imperative that you understand
your knowledge in EmCom is not
actually as important as is your
attitude during emergencies.
Attitude will determine the success of
the overall Amateur Radio effort.
Emergency Communications
Certification
Experience is the worst
teacher when it gives
the test before
presenting the class.
Communications Organizations

Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES)
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
consists of licensed amateurs who have
voluntarily registered their qualifications and
equipment for communications duty in the public
service when disaster strikes.
Communications Organizations

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES)
RACES is administered by local, county and state
emergency management agencies. It is supported
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), and is a part of the Amateur Radio
Service that provides radio communications for
civil-preparedness purposes only.
Communications Organizations

The National Traffic System (NTS)
The National Traffic System plan is a means for
systematizing amateur traffic handling facilities by
making a structure available for an integrated
traffic facility designed to achieve the utmost in
two principal objectives: rapid movement of
traffic from origin to destination, and training
amateur operators to handle written traffic and
participate in directed nets.
Communications Organizations

SKYWARN
Often referred to as the "eyes and ears" of the
National Weather Service (NWS), SKYWARN is
the organization of trained spotters and
communicators who voluntarily watch, track and
report unusual weather activity.
The Primary Served Agency

Who is Delaware County ARES
primary served agency?
Delaware County Emergency Management
Agency.
The Primary Served Agency
Fire/Emergency
Services
Transportation
Dept.
DEMA
Red Cross
Parks Dept.
County Police
DelCo
County EOC
Health Dept.
Cities
Utilities Dept.
Muni. police
Dept.
Coroner
Schools
Riddle
Medical
Chester
Crozier
Medical
The Primary Served Agency

Who talks to the Media (press) – the
primary served agency Public Information
Officer (PIO)
During an emergency do not make any
statement(s) to the media/public about the
emergency!
Communications Guidelines

Basics – two levels of communications
– Passing traffic on behalf of the served agency
– You originate the message, it is not written
and no written response is required
Standard ITU Phonetics – spell words with
standard ITU phonetics
 Numbers – pronounced individually

Safety & Security Considerations

Personal Safety Considerations
– You
– Your Team
– Your Mission
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
 Security and Privacy Considerations

–
–
–
–
Who is the message intended for?
Who is listening?
What you don’t say
Be Compassionate
Traffic Nets

What are they and how they work
– Controlled net
– Net Control Station
– Types
•
•
•
•
•
•
Open (Informal) Nets
Directed Nets
Tactical Nets
Resource Nets
Traffic Nets
ICS Nets
Traffic Nets

Participating in a net
–
–
–
–
Enjoy
Prepare
Listen
Follow NCS
Instructions
– Do not editorialize
– Plan
–
–
–
–
–
–
Check
Unless
Let NCS know
During an event
If
Be
Traffic Nets

Leaving a net
– Don’t leave a controlled net without
permission of informing the NCS
– Potential reasons:
• The location is closing
• You need a break and there is no relief
• You have turned the location over to
another operator
• Net closed and secured
Traffic Nets
Don’t over identify
 Write it down

– You will have a complete log of
everything that came from your location
– It will become very brief
Basic Training Checklist
Why training is important! – Educated
communication is what Amateur Radio
brings to the table! (Anonymous)
 ID Cards
 Test your techniques before an exercise or
an event
 Equipment – Remember you are trained
emergency communicators, not trained
emergency rescue personnel!

Basic Training Checklist

Equipment tips
– Don’t use more power. Improve your antenna.
– Make photocopies of your manuals and store them with
your radio.
– Bring extra fuses.
– Bring headphones.
– Use a foot switch.
– Standardize on the type of batteries you will use.
Personal Equipment Checklist

This list is not meant to replace common
sense –
– ARES/SERVED-AGENCY IDENTIFICATION
CARD
– COPY OF AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE
– HANDHELD RADIO (dual band if possible)
– SPARE BATTERY PACKs (CHARGED ni-cad
and AA)
– HEADSET, SPEAKER-MIC.
– 19-INCH MAG. MOUNT/GROUND PLANE
ANTENNA (will function on 70cm)
– CONNECTOR ADAPTERS (BNC/PL-259)
Personal Equipment Checklist

Continued –
–
–
–
–
–
DUCT TAPE
SHORTHAND NOTEBOOK, PEN & CLIPBOARD
WATCH
MAPS of area (Topo and street)!!!
COMPASS and/or GPS
Copy of Section ARES Communications/
Operational Plan and Local Plans
– COPIES OF MESSAGE FORMS
– TAPE (Boundary-Marking Tape)
– HAT
Personal Equipment Checklist
Survival items
 Tools
 Items for public service events
 Optional items

Emergency Call-Outs

How will I know?
– Register and make yourself available to
the local ARES organization
– Pager and telephone activation
– Listen to the local repeaters
– Monitor NOAA National Weather Radio
Why Use Amateur Radio
It’s RELIABLE!
 It’s FLEXIBLE!
 The phone company may not operate
during emergencies

Differences in Operations

How does Amateur Radio emergency
communications compare with other
Amateur Radio activities?
– Emergency communications uses basic
skills and activities as a foundation
– Emergency communications extends
upon this foundation
Communications

Brevity and Clarity
 Do Not Editorialize
 Listen
 Formal Written Traffic
– Where it will come from is not always the same
as the location of the person receiving the
request
– Where it will go is not always the same as the
location of the person requesting the item(s)
Communications IS:






A two-way exchange of ideas/information
The fewest words that completely define
the thought
One complete thought/task at a time
Sometimes eloquent but usually not,
because it is precise
Unemotional
Communication will be acknowledged
Communications is NOT:
A bunch of unstructured words
 Fill noise such as Aaahhhhhhh
 Vindictive or argumentative

Questions?
The Test
Requires score of 80 or more.
 Cannot miss questions on safety or
attitude or you do not pass.
 Please do not write on the test
question pages. Enter your answers
on the answer sheet.
 Be sure and put your name and call
on the answer sheet.
