1987 RACES Bulletins
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 01/87
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT LIABILITY 1. QUESTION: WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE IF ANY OF MY EQUIPMENT IS DAMAGED OR LOST ON A RACES MISSION?
ANSWER: An official answer to this question is pending from the Director of State OES. To date, it has been understood and accepted that the volunteer is solely responsible for his property used when his volunteer services are accepted by a local government or the C.A.P. The volunteer may seek relief through his insurance company and/or a casualty loss in his tax returns filed with the IRS. Any volunteer seeking relief for an out-of- pocket expense or loss should address their concerns to the local government agency to which they are a part. If they are concerned in this area they should probably obtain their local government's policy or position in this matter before continuing as a volunteer.
2. QUESTION: What if a local government commandeers a volunteer's equipment or property, such as appropriating a private vehicle?
ANSWER: Submit a claim to that government.
3. QUESTION: If I don't get satisfaction from my government, can I go to the next highest jurisdiction?
ANSWER: No. If you are with a city RACES, for example, you are serving only that city jurisdiction--even if city, county and/or State RACES may be involved with the same mission. Volunteers cannot serve more than one jurisdiction at any given time. This latter point may be the least understood by many volunteers and should be emphasized by all State, county and city OES personnel--both paid and volunteer staff.
Signed/ Stan Harter, KH6GBX, CA State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on Monday, January 26, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 02/87
SUBJECT: MONO COUNTY HAMS WANTED Are there any hams in Mono County? Several sources say there are only two hams in the entire county. Can this be true? Mono County OES wants to contact every ham living in Mono County. Please notify us callsign and any other info by return message via the CCDN, mail, or WESTNET packet to W6HIR @ WA6NWE. Are there any Mono hams out there?
Sgd/Marion Henson, W6NKR, CA State Chief RACES Officer
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 03/87
SUBJECT: COUNTY-STATE COMMUNICATIONS LINKSATTENTION: COUNTY RACES OFFICERS
Counties activated should upcome a circuit to your OES Region ASAP to maintain intelligence flow and mutual aid support because it is often impossible to reach you by telephone.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 04/87
SUBJECT: RACES PAMPHLETS Many of you have asked for the subject FEMA Number L-136/July 83 pamphlets. We are out of stock and FEMA Washington D.C. advises us that they are being reprinted. We are on back order for two thousand copies. We call your attention, however, to a similar pamphlet prepared by the San Diego County OES which we feel is a superior publication. It shows in detail what RACES can really do if it is trained and organized. We recommend it to all RACES units. Call San Diego (619)-565-5080 for a copy or State OES RACES at (916)427-4281.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 05/87
SUBJECT: NEWS A high frequency log periodic antenna was installed at OES headquarters in Sacramento by the efforts of 11 hams, two commercial sky hook crane operators, three Sacramento firefighters with a 150-foot snorkel and 6 State employees. The hams assembled the KLM 40-through-10 meter log periodic on the ground and awaited less windy weather before it was hoisted atop a 75-foot tower. A special thanks to these hams for a job well done: Les Ballinger WA6EQQ, Herb Bennett KA6VHF, Jim Buckman N6HOS, Bob Cloud W6CFQ, Keith Crandall K6QIF, Marion Henson W6NKR, Herb Hildebrand W6UBI, Chris Huber N6ICW, Norm Nelson KA6YRC, and Jim Pratt N6IG. The antenna is connected to a Kenwood 930S HF radio at the State OES Headquarters RACES radio station W6HIR.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 06/87
SUBJECT: MAILED BULLETINS TO BE REDUCED If you received this Bulletin by mail and the envelope had a black dot pasted on it, we may stop mailing them to you after the end of March. Budget cuts make it necessary to reduce the mailed bulletins to a minimum. The primary purpose of the mailed Bulletins is to provide RACES information for amateur radio publications. Some clubs have been providing us copies of their newsletters. Many have not. Since the medium is radio, it is reasonable that the maximum distribution and training value be done over the CCDN (California Civil Defense Net) on Mondays 3545.5 KHz 1900 hours CW and 1930 RATT. We will continue, of course, to place the State RACES Bulletins in all the WESTNET packet mailboxes.
If you are affected, we will welcome your justifications to keep receiving them by mail by return CCDN message, U.S. mail, or packet message (W6HIR @ WA6NWE).
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 9, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 07/87
SUBJECT: NEW STATE OES REGION MANAGER IS A HAM The Director has appointed Alfred (Al) Kelly as Manager, State OES Region 3 in Redding. Al replaces Lynn Roberts who retired. Al joined OES in 1978 as a Communications Coordinator at the Region 1 Los Angeles office. In 1979 he was reassigned to Region 3 and 4 office as Communications Coordinator responsible for the 24 northeastern counties. Al is know to many of you as N6ECP and the Region 3 RACES Coordinator.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 16, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 08/87
SUBJECT: KING COUNTY GOES RACES On February 19, 1987, approximately 40 hams showed up at the County Government Center to be sworn in by the King County OES in Hanford. Many representatives of each law enforcement agency of the County were present, including some city and county officials. Jude Dunham, County OES, gave a short talk and a film was shown. Sheriff Tom Clark then did the honors of swearing in the hams as RACES members. All those present have received their ID cards. Dunham and Dave Brown, KI6OR, are working on a training program. More hams will be sworn in at a later date.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 23, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 709
SUBJECT: NATIONAL DISPATCHER'S WEEK National Dispatcher's Week is April 12-18, 1987 throughout the nation. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services salutes all the dispatchers, telecommunicators, 9-1-1 operators and others who work around the clock in public safety communications centers. Seldom seen and appreciated by the public, they are the front line link between the public safety agencies and the public they serve. RACES operators should visit a nearby dispatch center and receive a briefing on their duties and skills required to better appreciate the workload and stress. It can be a tough job. Dispatchers--we salute you. RACES operators--take them a copy of this statewide bulletin.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 30, 1987
Discussion:
RACES (RADIO AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE) RACES operators are Amateur Radio operators (not C.B.) enrolled in and assigned to the State or a county or city government to provide that government emergency communications skills and resources. RACES systems may supplement, augment or replace public safety systems overloaded or rendered inoperative due to a natural or manmade disaster. They are all unpaid volunteers. RACES personnel are, in effect, deputy communicators--enrolled and sworn in by their local government. Contact your local or State Office of Emergency Services for details.
"CODE FOUR, TEN-SEVEN"
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 710
SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA DAMS A data management system for the California Office of Emergency Services Dam Safety Program will be on-line by this spring. The system will track the status of more than 2,000 California dams under state jurisdiction. Information will be retrievable on the type of dam, the date that the area below the dam was last inspected, and the status of the local planning for a potential dam failure. For more information, contact Dave Zocchetti, Planning Division, (916) 427-4285.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 6, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 11/87
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY RESPONSE INSTITUTEATTENTION: Emergency Management Agency Coordinators via Amateur Radio
Close to two hundred people attended the 1st Emergency Response Institute seminar in San Jose on March 28-29. It was attended by ARES, RACES and other interested hams plus representatives and speakers from Federal, State, and local public safety and emergency management agencies. There were many "how to" sessions to better equip the participants to work together and support public agencies. Some came from as far away as San Luis Obispo, Siskiyou and Kern counties.
Congratulations to Dave Larton, N6JQJ, and his staff for putting on a most worthwhile seminar.
If there is another ERI next year we will urge attendance by all RACES Radio Officers in Northern California as recommended and necessary training.
A detailed report is available to agencies requesting one.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
SERVICE NOTE: Demonstrate your communications capability by providing a copy of this message to your local city and/or county emergency management agency. Commencing next week will be series of messages specifically for all such agencies via Amateur Radio. The messages will address problem areas that exist between Amateur Radio and some local governments in California that were brought out at the ERI in San Jose. The delivery of these bulletins depends entirely on you in most cases. This often is the means by which you stay in touch with your local emergency management agencies.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 11, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 12/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 1/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
This is the first is a series of messages specifically for OES/emergency management agencies. They are the outcome of the most commonly identified problems between volunteers and some emergency management agencies at the recent Emergency Response Institute in San Jose. The use of Amateur Radio operators in a structured program by local governments is called RACES---Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Every county in California should have a RACES unit. Legislative hearings in 1983 took the State to task for letting RACES disappear in most areas in California and directed the State OES to bring the RACES back on line and take its place with other local government volunteer programs such as those for reserve deputy sheriffs, reserve police officers, volunteer firefighters, etc. RACES is a part of your government. It is not a separate, detached or outside organization. RACES volunteers are your government's deputy communications personnel, your reserve of Amateur Radio operators. They comprise a pool of skilled communicators with reliable and sophisticated radio systems at no cost to the government. They are entitled to the privilege of being enrolled in RACES in every county or community in California.
RACES Radio Officers are appointed by the State, county and city emergency management agencies they serve.
(To be continued)
Sgd/Stanly E. Harter, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 20, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 13/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 2/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
RACES Radio Officers are appointed by the State, county and city emergency management agencies they serve. They are a part of the agency staff and expected to be treated as such. The Radio Officer should be provided a job description, provided the organization practices and policies, learn the relationships to other agencies, attend staff meetings, may be sent to training sessions/seminars, provided space to work and resources to carry out the management of a program that would otherwise be staffed by a paid position in past years. In short, the Radio Officer should be made to feel a part of your staff as would a paid employee. We, in turn, expect the same interest, professionalism and dedication from any RACES Radio Officer.
We can appreciate that it may be difficult for emergency services managers to accept this if you have never had an unpaid volunteer on your staff.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 27, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 14/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 3/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS We can appreciate that it may be difficult for emergency services managers to accept this who have never had an unpaid volunteer on your staff. It can also be difficult to grasp the RACES program where it has been dead in many areas for up to 20 years. The State legislature has mandated that this oversight be corrected. This, coupled with reduced budgets, makes the use of skilled volunteers in law enforcement, fire suppression, search and rescue, and communications sound and practical.
Amateur Radio operators are a valuable resource of skills and in-place communications systems and equipment at no cost to government. Their availability and usage is called the RACES program. In short, they are assigned directly To you or to whomever you have delegated the emergency communications function.
(To be continued.)
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 4, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 15/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 4/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
RACES is managed by you or by the department to whom you have delegated the emergency communications function.
The RACES Radio Officer is not a paper assignment just to place a name in a plan or a doomsday roster and then forget about it. We have, unfortunately, received reports of some jurisdictions where this seems to be the case.
Are you faced with any of these problems?
(To be continued)Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 11, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 16/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 5/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY COORDINATORS
(To be continued)Sgd / STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 18, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 17/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 6/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY COORDINATORS
A continuation of this series will be made if and when more problems are identified or questions raised.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on June 1, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 18/87
SUBJECT: STATE RACES PLAN COVER The cover of the State RACES Plan contains the word "AMATUER" in the title. This was discovered after the printing was delivered to us. Should we have had the artwork redone, covers republished, hundreds of plans disassembled, reassembled, and stapled again? We decided it was a more judicious savings of taxpayer dollars to let it go -- to perhaps become someday a collector's item.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 8, 1987 on W6NKR at 1900 CW and 1930 RTTY on 3545.5 KHz, and entered and stored in all WESTNET PBBS.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 19/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS DEPORTMENT & APPEARANCE WE ASKED SOME OES PROFESSIONALS IF THEY HAD ANY ADVICE FOR VOLUNTEERS. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID:
To be continued.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 15, 1987 and entered and stored in all WESTNET PBBS
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 20/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS DEPORTMENT, 2/2
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 22, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 21/87
SUBJECT: DELIVERING THE MESSAGESATTN: All RACES operators (i.e., any Amateur enrolled in an Emergency Services agency).
An increasing number of emergency services agency managers at the city and county levels are learning of the RACES bulletins and claim they are not getting all of them and some not at all. Interestingly enough, some say they have a RACES unit but have never received any of the bulletins. This can only mean that there is a breakdown in the delivery chain. Perhaps it's a misunderstanding among some operators. Check the "TO" line in the message headers. The local OES agencies do not receive these bulletins by any means other than you -- the Radio Amateurs assigned to that OES agency. This affords both the Amateurs and the OES agencies to maintain regular contact with each other. If this will be your first message to be so delivered, please include as many previous messages as possible.
Any OES agency requiring a complete set of the messages from May 1985 forward, please contact your OES Region Communications Coordinator. The Bulletin series answers questions, provides interpretations, clarifies misunderstandings, and provides specific Amateur Radio program guidance requested of State OES by the State Senate.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 29, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 22/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 1/4 Synopsis: A guide for those demonstrating packet radio communications to government agencies and others. State OES often calls for local support in demonstrating packet to government officials. These pointers can help achieve a flawless demonstration.
The success or failure of any demonstration is determined in the first few minutes. The interest and attention span of non- technical observers is typically very short. Observers are interested only in seeing the end product and benefits. We should give these to them in the shortest possible time.
Limit the demonstration time to 5-10 minutes of productive reception of packet traffic. Sending traffic from the demonstration is of little dynamic interest -- receiving traffic is!
(To be continued)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 6, 1987
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT LIABILITY 1. QUESTION: WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE IF ANY OF MY EQUIPMENT IS DAMAGED OR LOST ON A RACES MISSION?
ANSWER: An official answer to this question is pending from the Director of State OES. To date, it has been understood and accepted that the volunteer is solely responsible for his property used when his volunteer services are accepted by a local government or the C.A.P. The volunteer may seek relief through his insurance company and/or a casualty loss in his tax returns filed with the IRS. Any volunteer seeking relief for an out-of- pocket expense or loss should address their concerns to the local government agency to which they are a part. If they are concerned in this area they should probably obtain their local government's policy or position in this matter before continuing as a volunteer.
2. QUESTION: What if a local government commandeers a volunteer's equipment or property, such as appropriating a private vehicle?
ANSWER: Submit a claim to that government.
3. QUESTION: If I don't get satisfaction from my government, can I go to the next highest jurisdiction?
ANSWER: No. If you are with a city RACES, for example, you are serving only that city jurisdiction--even if city, county and/or State RACES may be involved with the same mission. Volunteers cannot serve more than one jurisdiction at any given time. This latter point may be the least understood by many volunteers and should be emphasized by all State, county and city OES personnel--both paid and volunteer staff.
Signed/ Stan Harter, KH6GBX, CA State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on Monday, January 26, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 02/87
SUBJECT: MONO COUNTY HAMS WANTED Are there any hams in Mono County? Several sources say there are only two hams in the entire county. Can this be true? Mono County OES wants to contact every ham living in Mono County. Please notify us callsign and any other info by return message via the CCDN, mail, or WESTNET packet to W6HIR @ WA6NWE. Are there any Mono hams out there?
Sgd/Marion Henson, W6NKR, CA State Chief RACES Officer
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 03/87
SUBJECT: COUNTY-STATE COMMUNICATIONS LINKSATTENTION: COUNTY RACES OFFICERS
Counties activated should upcome a circuit to your OES Region ASAP to maintain intelligence flow and mutual aid support because it is often impossible to reach you by telephone.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 04/87
SUBJECT: RACES PAMPHLETS Many of you have asked for the subject FEMA Number L-136/July 83 pamphlets. We are out of stock and FEMA Washington D.C. advises us that they are being reprinted. We are on back order for two thousand copies. We call your attention, however, to a similar pamphlet prepared by the San Diego County OES which we feel is a superior publication. It shows in detail what RACES can really do if it is trained and organized. We recommend it to all RACES units. Call San Diego (619)-565-5080 for a copy or State OES RACES at (916)427-4281.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 05/87
SUBJECT: NEWS A high frequency log periodic antenna was installed at OES headquarters in Sacramento by the efforts of 11 hams, two commercial sky hook crane operators, three Sacramento firefighters with a 150-foot snorkel and 6 State employees. The hams assembled the KLM 40-through-10 meter log periodic on the ground and awaited less windy weather before it was hoisted atop a 75-foot tower. A special thanks to these hams for a job well done: Les Ballinger WA6EQQ, Herb Bennett KA6VHF, Jim Buckman N6HOS, Bob Cloud W6CFQ, Keith Crandall K6QIF, Marion Henson W6NKR, Herb Hildebrand W6UBI, Chris Huber N6ICW, Norm Nelson KA6YRC, and Jim Pratt N6IG. The antenna is connected to a Kenwood 930S HF radio at the State OES Headquarters RACES radio station W6HIR.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 06/87
SUBJECT: MAILED BULLETINS TO BE REDUCED If you received this Bulletin by mail and the envelope had a black dot pasted on it, we may stop mailing them to you after the end of March. Budget cuts make it necessary to reduce the mailed bulletins to a minimum. The primary purpose of the mailed Bulletins is to provide RACES information for amateur radio publications. Some clubs have been providing us copies of their newsletters. Many have not. Since the medium is radio, it is reasonable that the maximum distribution and training value be done over the CCDN (California Civil Defense Net) on Mondays 3545.5 KHz 1900 hours CW and 1930 RATT. We will continue, of course, to place the State RACES Bulletins in all the WESTNET packet mailboxes.
If you are affected, we will welcome your justifications to keep receiving them by mail by return CCDN message, U.S. mail, or packet message (W6HIR @ WA6NWE).
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 9, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 07/87
SUBJECT: NEW STATE OES REGION MANAGER IS A HAM The Director has appointed Alfred (Al) Kelly as Manager, State OES Region 3 in Redding. Al replaces Lynn Roberts who retired. Al joined OES in 1978 as a Communications Coordinator at the Region 1 Los Angeles office. In 1979 he was reassigned to Region 3 and 4 office as Communications Coordinator responsible for the 24 northeastern counties. Al is know to many of you as N6ECP and the Region 3 RACES Coordinator.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 16, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 08/87
SUBJECT: KING COUNTY GOES RACES On February 19, 1987, approximately 40 hams showed up at the County Government Center to be sworn in by the King County OES in Hanford. Many representatives of each law enforcement agency of the County were present, including some city and county officials. Jude Dunham, County OES, gave a short talk and a film was shown. Sheriff Tom Clark then did the honors of swearing in the hams as RACES members. All those present have received their ID cards. Dunham and Dave Brown, KI6OR, are working on a training program. More hams will be sworn in at a later date.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 23, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 709
SUBJECT: NATIONAL DISPATCHER'S WEEK National Dispatcher's Week is April 12-18, 1987 throughout the nation. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services salutes all the dispatchers, telecommunicators, 9-1-1 operators and others who work around the clock in public safety communications centers. Seldom seen and appreciated by the public, they are the front line link between the public safety agencies and the public they serve. RACES operators should visit a nearby dispatch center and receive a briefing on their duties and skills required to better appreciate the workload and stress. It can be a tough job. Dispatchers--we salute you. RACES operators--take them a copy of this statewide bulletin.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on March 30, 1987
Discussion:
RACES (RADIO AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE) RACES operators are Amateur Radio operators (not C.B.) enrolled in and assigned to the State or a county or city government to provide that government emergency communications skills and resources. RACES systems may supplement, augment or replace public safety systems overloaded or rendered inoperative due to a natural or manmade disaster. They are all unpaid volunteers. RACES personnel are, in effect, deputy communicators--enrolled and sworn in by their local government. Contact your local or State Office of Emergency Services for details.
"CODE FOUR, TEN-SEVEN"
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 710
SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA DAMS A data management system for the California Office of Emergency Services Dam Safety Program will be on-line by this spring. The system will track the status of more than 2,000 California dams under state jurisdiction. Information will be retrievable on the type of dam, the date that the area below the dam was last inspected, and the status of the local planning for a potential dam failure. For more information, contact Dave Zocchetti, Planning Division, (916) 427-4285.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 6, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 11/87
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY RESPONSE INSTITUTEATTENTION: Emergency Management Agency Coordinators via Amateur Radio
Close to two hundred people attended the 1st Emergency Response Institute seminar in San Jose on March 28-29. It was attended by ARES, RACES and other interested hams plus representatives and speakers from Federal, State, and local public safety and emergency management agencies. There were many "how to" sessions to better equip the participants to work together and support public agencies. Some came from as far away as San Luis Obispo, Siskiyou and Kern counties.
Congratulations to Dave Larton, N6JQJ, and his staff for putting on a most worthwhile seminar.
If there is another ERI next year we will urge attendance by all RACES Radio Officers in Northern California as recommended and necessary training.
A detailed report is available to agencies requesting one.
Sgd/Stan Harter, KH6GBX
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
SERVICE NOTE: Demonstrate your communications capability by providing a copy of this message to your local city and/or county emergency management agency. Commencing next week will be series of messages specifically for all such agencies via Amateur Radio. The messages will address problem areas that exist between Amateur Radio and some local governments in California that were brought out at the ERI in San Jose. The delivery of these bulletins depends entirely on you in most cases. This often is the means by which you stay in touch with your local emergency management agencies.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 11, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 12/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 1/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
This is the first is a series of messages specifically for OES/emergency management agencies. They are the outcome of the most commonly identified problems between volunteers and some emergency management agencies at the recent Emergency Response Institute in San Jose. The use of Amateur Radio operators in a structured program by local governments is called RACES---Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. Every county in California should have a RACES unit. Legislative hearings in 1983 took the State to task for letting RACES disappear in most areas in California and directed the State OES to bring the RACES back on line and take its place with other local government volunteer programs such as those for reserve deputy sheriffs, reserve police officers, volunteer firefighters, etc. RACES is a part of your government. It is not a separate, detached or outside organization. RACES volunteers are your government's deputy communications personnel, your reserve of Amateur Radio operators. They comprise a pool of skilled communicators with reliable and sophisticated radio systems at no cost to the government. They are entitled to the privilege of being enrolled in RACES in every county or community in California.
RACES Radio Officers are appointed by the State, county and city emergency management agencies they serve.
(To be continued)
Sgd/Stanly E. Harter, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 20, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 13/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 2/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
RACES Radio Officers are appointed by the State, county and city emergency management agencies they serve. They are a part of the agency staff and expected to be treated as such. The Radio Officer should be provided a job description, provided the organization practices and policies, learn the relationships to other agencies, attend staff meetings, may be sent to training sessions/seminars, provided space to work and resources to carry out the management of a program that would otherwise be staffed by a paid position in past years. In short, the Radio Officer should be made to feel a part of your staff as would a paid employee. We, in turn, expect the same interest, professionalism and dedication from any RACES Radio Officer.
We can appreciate that it may be difficult for emergency services managers to accept this if you have never had an unpaid volunteer on your staff.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on April 27, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 14/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 3/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS We can appreciate that it may be difficult for emergency services managers to accept this who have never had an unpaid volunteer on your staff. It can also be difficult to grasp the RACES program where it has been dead in many areas for up to 20 years. The State legislature has mandated that this oversight be corrected. This, coupled with reduced budgets, makes the use of skilled volunteers in law enforcement, fire suppression, search and rescue, and communications sound and practical.
Amateur Radio operators are a valuable resource of skills and in-place communications systems and equipment at no cost to government. Their availability and usage is called the RACES program. In short, they are assigned directly To you or to whomever you have delegated the emergency communications function.
(To be continued.)
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 4, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 15/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 4/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY COORDINATORS
RACES is managed by you or by the department to whom you have delegated the emergency communications function.
The RACES Radio Officer is not a paper assignment just to place a name in a plan or a doomsday roster and then forget about it. We have, unfortunately, received reports of some jurisdictions where this seems to be the case.
Are you faced with any of these problems?
- The OES agency does not understand the RACES program, lacks information, is misinformed by outsiders, and/or is unaware that every county and State OES Region should have an active RACES unit. There are many city RACES units as well but, for good management reasons, we do not generally advocate new RACES units in cities of under 500,000 population. A particularly troublesome emergency management problem exists if there are city RACES units in a county that has no bona fide county RACES program. Our office will he pleased to work with you to successfully overcome any of these shortcomings. Simply call us at (916)427-4281.
(To be continued)Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 11, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 16/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 5/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY COORDINATORS
- The RACES officer is not adequately fulfilling the expectations of the position. Have you provided a written job description? This office will provide model Radio Officer and Communicator job descriptions for the asking.
- The RACES Radio Officer is not the right manager for the job. Can you rectify this problem through closer supervision, assistance from our office, or by replacing the individual?
- Failure to integrate and maintain close and harmonious relations with ARES--the Amateur Radio Emergency Service sponsored by the American Radio Relay League. All ARES members should be enrolled in RACES, but the individual's preferences should be respected by categorizing each RACES member as 1st level response, 2nd level, and so forth. This is the job of the Radio Officer and his/her staff.
- Failure to permit the RACES personnel to be used as frequently as possible in exercises, special events for training purposes, and real emergencies. Volunteers will not perform, and cannot be expected to perform, in the manner you expect if they are not either trained or used on a regular basis.
(To be continued)Sgd / STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on May 18, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 17/87
SUBJECT: RACES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS - 6/6ATTENTION: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY COORDINATORS
- Radio Officer failing to stop by the office at least once or twice a month as a bare minimum. Failure to do so can excuse the OES agency from observing step number 7. Failure to do so will also doom your RACES unit and program to failure.
- OES agency's failure to remember that the Radio Officer is a regular member of the staff and should, for example, receive distribution of all staff memos, pertinent correspondence, appropriate clerical support, and appropriate work space. The Radio Officer (or an assistant) is to be invited to staff meetings, conferences, appropriate in-government training, and other employee functions. The Radio Officer should have an "in" basket at the office. A well informed volunteer feels the pride of belonging and should serve with the same professionalism as paid staff.
A continuation of this series will be made if and when more problems are identified or questions raised.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on June 1, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 18/87
SUBJECT: STATE RACES PLAN COVER The cover of the State RACES Plan contains the word "AMATUER" in the title. This was discovered after the printing was delivered to us. Should we have had the artwork redone, covers republished, hundreds of plans disassembled, reassembled, and stapled again? We decided it was a more judicious savings of taxpayer dollars to let it go -- to perhaps become someday a collector's item.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 8, 1987 on W6NKR at 1900 CW and 1930 RTTY on 3545.5 KHz, and entered and stored in all WESTNET PBBS.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 19/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS DEPORTMENT & APPEARANCE WE ASKED SOME OES PROFESSIONALS IF THEY HAD ANY ADVICE FOR VOLUNTEERS. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID:
- "TELL THEM TO DRESS APPROPRIATELY WHEN THEY COME TO THE OFFICE OR ANYWHERE ELSE TO WORK FOR AND REPRESENT THEIR OES. THIS MEANS A NEAT AND CLEAN APPEARANCE COMPARABLE TO OTHER EMPLOYEES. SINCE MOST VOLUNTEERS ARE ASSUMED TO BE EMPLOYEES BY OUTSIDERS, THEIR APPEARANCE AND CONDUCT MUST BE A CREDIT TO THEIR ORGANIZATION." IN SHORT, LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND ASK YOURSELF "WOULD I HIRE THAT? AND IF SO, FOR WHAT?"
- "NEVER REPORT FOR DUTY OR VISIT THE OFFICE WITH ALCOHOL ON YOUR BREATH."
- "SPEAK FAVORABLY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION TO OTHERS OR NOT AT ALL. ON DUTY OR OFF DUTY YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION IN THE EYES OF OTHERS." IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF YOUR SUPERVISOR IN THE OES.
To be continued.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 15, 1987 and entered and stored in all WESTNET PBBS
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 20/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS DEPORTMENT, 2/2
- "VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BE ADVISED AHEAD OF TIME THAT MOST OF US EXPECT A PRETTY FAIR DEGREE OF RELIABILITY AND COMMITMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW UP AT A TIME AND A PLACE -- THEN DO IT." AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS A COUNTY THAT REQUESTED A DEMONSTRATION OF AIRBORNE ATV FROM A DISTANT UNIT. THE ATV TEAM ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO FLY THEIR OWN PLANE, FURNISH THEIR OWN ATV EQUIPMENT, AND PAY ALL OPERATING EXPENSES OUT-OF- POCKET. SIXTY VOLUNTEERS PROMISED TO ATTEND. LESS THAN 15 SHOWED UP. THIS IS A POOR EXAMPLE OF RELIABILITY, DEDICATION AND COMMON COURTESY.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 22, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 21/87
SUBJECT: DELIVERING THE MESSAGESATTN: All RACES operators (i.e., any Amateur enrolled in an Emergency Services agency).
An increasing number of emergency services agency managers at the city and county levels are learning of the RACES bulletins and claim they are not getting all of them and some not at all. Interestingly enough, some say they have a RACES unit but have never received any of the bulletins. This can only mean that there is a breakdown in the delivery chain. Perhaps it's a misunderstanding among some operators. Check the "TO" line in the message headers. The local OES agencies do not receive these bulletins by any means other than you -- the Radio Amateurs assigned to that OES agency. This affords both the Amateurs and the OES agencies to maintain regular contact with each other. If this will be your first message to be so delivered, please include as many previous messages as possible.
Any OES agency requiring a complete set of the messages from May 1985 forward, please contact your OES Region Communications Coordinator. The Bulletin series answers questions, provides interpretations, clarifies misunderstandings, and provides specific Amateur Radio program guidance requested of State OES by the State Senate.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 29, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 22/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 1/4 Synopsis: A guide for those demonstrating packet radio communications to government agencies and others. State OES often calls for local support in demonstrating packet to government officials. These pointers can help achieve a flawless demonstration.
The success or failure of any demonstration is determined in the first few minutes. The interest and attention span of non- technical observers is typically very short. Observers are interested only in seeing the end product and benefits. We should give these to them in the shortest possible time.
Limit the demonstration time to 5-10 minutes of productive reception of packet traffic. Sending traffic from the demonstration is of little dynamic interest -- receiving traffic is!
(To be continued)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 6, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 23/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 2/4 Assure that everything works before demonstrating it -- or don't demonstrate it at all. A successful demo can be made by communicating from the demonstration site to (a) a nearby packet station previously prepared for the demo or (b) a previously prepared nearby (not more than one digi away) packet bulletin board.
Previous preparation entails writing two or three messages in advance. These messages must then be pre-positioned at the (a) offsite packet station or (b) in the packet bulletin board or mailbox.
Message content: Messages tailored to the specific event are always more effective. At least one message should be at least 30 lines to more effectively demonstrate real time transmission time. Use local place, agency and people's names in your demo traffic. Including the name(s) of politicians and the person(s) influential in the budget process can be quite effective if done properly. Design disaster exercise messages to reflect a plausible incident in your area, but be sure to preface and end the message with the word "DRILL".
(To be continued.)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 13, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 24/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 3/4 If your local OES, Fire or other agency uses a SITREP (situation report) or status report form, obtain it in advance and draft your demo message around it. It is very important to write the message in their language and on topics they are familiar with -- not in unfamiliar terms. The same is true of forms and formats; always use those of your agency and not those of ARRL or any others if they conflict. The potential users of your packet will be favorably impressed by reading messages with which they can relate.
Use your own equipment and never equipment of others for the first time, otherwise Murphy's Law is sure to strike.
Always use a printer. Tear off and hand hard copy to the officials.
Pre-survey the site if possible. The most common oversight is insufficient coaxial cable to enable you to place your antenna where it will work best. A hundred feet is recommended.
(To be continued.)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 20, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 25/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 4/4 Avoid planning to or offering to connect with State OES Headquarters station W6HIR-1. Why? First, in a real incident you may be communicating with a county or your State OES Regional office but not the Sacramento Headquarters. Second, State OES HQ will not be manned after-hours when most demos are made.
A side comment is that we have heard a complaint or two from packet operators unhappy with having to dismantle their home packet station to relocate it to a demo site. They might be reminded that the emergency need for packet communications is seldom if ever at home, but rather in the field. This is true of most RACES/ARES communications; the operators and their equipment are invariably needed anywhere but at home.
For copies of these procedures and sample demonstration messages, write or call: RACES, c/o your State OES Regional Office.
Sgd/Stanly E. Harter, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 27, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 26/87
SUBJECT: HURRICANES THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION HAS RELEASED ITS LIST OF 1987 SEASON HURRICANE NAMES, ALTERNATING BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE. HURRICANES, SOMETIMES CALLED TYPHOONS IN THE PACIFIC, ARE TROPICAL CYCLONES WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF 74 MPH OR MORE.
THIS SUMMER'S HURRICANES OFF THE WEST COAST ARE ADRIAN, BEATRIZ, CALVIN, DORA, EUGENE, FERNANDA, GREG, HILARY, IRWIN, JOVA, KNUT, LIDIA, MAX, NORMA, OTIS, PILAR, RAMON, SELMA, TODD, VERONICA AND WILEY.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on AUGUST 3, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 27/87
SUBJECT: HAMS HELP WANTED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (State OES) is recruiting Amateur Radio operators for several key volunteer positions in Southern California for our Los Alamitos and Ontario facilities.
Urgently needed are radio operators for each location.
Minimum qualifications: Amateur Radio license higher than Novice. CA driver license.
Desirable experience: CW, RTTY, packet, voice or ATV. RACES, ARRL ARES/EC, CAP, MARS or other emergency communications experience. Willing to learn and participate in a vital leadership role.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Don Root, WB6UCK, at (714)391-4485 or packet PBBS (WB6UCK @ N6BGW); or Stan Harter, KH6GBX, at (916)427-4281 and Packet PBBS: W6HIR @ WA6NWE.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 29, 1987
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR RADIO PUBLICATIONS AND NETS: PLEASE GIVE THIS WIDEST DISSEMINATION. THANK YOU.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 28/87
SUBJECT: I.D. CARDS WANTEDATTENTION: CITY/COUNTY OES DIRECTORS/RADIO OFFICERS
We are frequently asked to see examples of the ID cards provided Amateur Radio operators enrolled as Disaster Service Workers. We are starting a collection of the cards to show others seeking ideas and assistance. Please send us two (2) of your cards to Stanly E. Harter, State OES, 2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8/10/87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 29/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 1/5 ITEM 1. The annual earthquake exercise will be conducted October 14 and 15, 1987. The exercise will be played in real time and will commence after a 0430 hypothetical major earthquake in Southern California.
ITEM 2. The only communications at the offset for the State Office of Emergency Services between Los Alamitos and Sacramento will be HF-SSB. For this we will be looking towards RACES, CAP and MARS.
ITEM 3. The contact in Southern California for communications planning and coordination is Don Root, telephone (714)391-4485. This will be an excellent opportunity to test the capabilities of the frequencies, personnel and equipment of RACES, CAP and MARS. Operations each day will end around 1500.
(To be continued)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8/17/87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 30/87
SUBJECT: SAR CITY USA Register early for the SAR City USA seminar at Barstow Community College on November 6,7,8. There will be 80-100 different classes ranging from basic search and rescue to advanced training for the veteran, both paid and volunteer. An average of 500 attendees each year. Commercial displays and latest equipment available. Family camping area available. Many RACES personnel attend. For more information contact executive director Brian Zane at 619-253-2210.
Sgd/Blynn Mueller, Deputy Chief RACES Radio Officer, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8-24-87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 31/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 2/5 ITEM 4. It will be a limited scope exercise reflecting the first 36-48 hours of the disaster. The focus will be on communications, using all radios available. Emphasis on public information functions, situation reports, priorities. No canned messages. "Real time" time play. City to county to State Coordination Center (SCC) Los Alamitos to State Operations Center (SOC) Sacramento.
ITEM 5. Players will include but not limited to Los Angeles County, City of L.A., FIRESCOPE OCC, FEMA Region 9, State OES at all Regions and the SCC and SOC, and the counties of Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Riverside and Ventura.
ITEM 6. We hope to incorporate into the permanent California State plans for emergency high frequency communications the CAP and MARS organizations.
To be continued September 14th Bulletin #32.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on August 31, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 32/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 3/5 7. As noted by Headquarters W6HIR traffic the last couple of weeks, the State will be participating in an earthquake exercise on 14-15 October, 1987, along with city, county and federal governments. Under the exercise scenario, government and telephone communications will be severely impacted in parts of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.
8. RACES members of the above jurisdictions who wish to participate, but cannot arrange time off during the normal business hours on October 14th can still participate. Contact the person in your jurisdiction who is planning their participation in the exercise or me at State OES Region 6 office for details. Telephone 714-391-4485.
To be continued next week.
Sgd/Don Root, WB6UCK, OES Southern Area RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on SEPTEMBER 14, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 33/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 4/5 9. This exercise will provide OES the first opportunity to test the new Southern California Earthquake Response Plan, adopted by the Governor's Emergency Council last spring. Under the plan, cities in the impacted area coordinate their needs with their counties; the counties coordinate with State OES. As such, OES will not accept message traffic from cities (with the exception of the City of Los Angeles) during the "active" portions of the exercise.
10. Also under the plan, the concept of OES Regions 1 and 6 as separate coordinating entities is replaced by one coordinating facility: the State Coordination Center (SOC), currently located on the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Los Alamitos in Orange County.
To be continued next week.
SGD/DON ROOT, WB6UCK, State OES Southern Area RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on September 21, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 34/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 5/5 11. A number of Amateurs think about the need for portable operation and go so far as to put together a portable station, and the forget a few basic items to include. We all think about VHF operating with a small two meter rig, complete with batteries and magnetic mount antenna. But what about the ground plane when you do not have a metal surface to mount the antenna on or near? Build 4 radials that are a quarter wavelength for the band concerned out of coat hangers, welding rods or spare antenna rods, and place them in an X pattern under the mag mount to provide a minimal ground plane.
12. When planning portable HF stations, remember a ground rod and a solid connection. Your tuner and your antenna wants to see a counterpoise. Also remember to carry some warning tape for your radials and guys that are located where people may walk into them. A trip to your local lumber store will yield vinyl survey tape in a number of colors including yellow and orange to warn people of the hazard. Tie 6 to 8 inch pieces of the tape to your radiator or guys at eye level and every 12 to 18 inches downward from there.
To be continued next week.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on SEPTEMBER 28, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 35/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE '87 EXERCISE IS UPON US! Response '87 exercise is now less than 10 days away. Packet radio is being featured as a mainstream method of message handling. The State Coordination Center at Los Alamitos will be on 145.03.....[more details no longer of interest]. As many government agencies are experiencing packet for the first time through this exercise, we would appreciate the cooperation of the general Amateur community in keeping the channels for this exercise free on non-exercise traffic. Thank you. 73,
DON ROOT, WB6UCK, Ass't. Chief, State Telecommunications Division, Southern Area RACES Coordinator.
For statewide broadcast October 5, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 36/87
SUBJECT: DEFINITION OF RACES IN CALIFORNIAATTN: ALL AMATEURS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS
The term RACES in California is used to describe any Amateur Radio operator who is enrolled in a specific government, in accordance with California State Codes governing the registration and use of Disaster Service Workers, to provide communications via the Amateur Radio Service. A disaster does NOT have to be declared to use RACES personnel. The RACES section is usually attached to that government's emergency preparedness office, or to the department it designates, such as Sheriff's, Communications, etc. It may be called something other than RACES by the jurisdiction but the foregoing definition is the generic definition in California. An Amateur may be both a member of ARES and RACES; this is, in fact, encouraged. The distinction is that RACES responds to and serves the State or a local government; ARES supports non-governmental activities and organizations.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on OCTOBER 12, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 37/87
SUBJECT: CCDN & RACES BULLETINS - 1/2 The California Civil Defense Net has historically skipped Mondays that fell on holidays. Effective immediately the CCDN will be conducted every Monday of the year. At least one California STATE RACES BULLETIN will be sent to QST and every OES agency every Monday. The BULLETINS are sent via (1) the CCDN, Mondays at 1900 on CW and 1930 on RTTY on 3545.5 MHz; (2) all WESTNET packet bulletin boards; and (3) by mail to selected agencies and ARC's who use them in their club publications.
The BULLETINS are of lessened value if they are not delivered upon receipt to every county OES coordinator by a local Amateur.
BULLETINS will restart with number 001 in January 1988 to simplify future reference and progress to number 999 regardless of month or year.
An index to past BULLETINS is available from this office. Also copies of selected past BULLETINS are available to Radio Officers and OES agencies on a limited basis.
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 38/87
SUBJECT: CCDN & RACES BULLETINS - 2/2 Not all RACES BULLETINS may be carried by the CCDN. Time critical BULLETINS may be sent by packet at any time. RACES program personnel statewide should check their packet mailbox daily for traffic addressed to "RACES". As pointed out at a recent ARRL conference all emergency operations centers, RACES, and ARES management personnel should be equipped with packet communications. It is the fastest and most accurate Amateur communications mode readily available for message traffic, management and training subjects.
Again, it is requested that all STATE RACES BULLETINS be read at reading speed over all voice radio nets throughout California to keep all Amateurs informed of Amateur radio emergency services. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services thanks all who have cooperated in this effort.
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Coordinator, Amateur Radio Service
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 39/87
SUBJECT: USE OF ID CARD POLICYATTENTION: ALL STATE RACES STAFF AND OPERATORS
INFO: ALL COUNTY AND CITY RACES IN CALIFORNIA
The ID card issued by any California government jurisdiction to a RACES operator is for the official use only of that volunteer or employee while serving that or another government on a mutual aid basis. Please do not embarrass your agency or jeopardize the retention of an official identification card by using it to gain access or for personal advantage if you are not on official business for your agency. Infractions have a way of filtering back to authorities. One action of poor judgment can undo the hard fought gains of many fine volunteers. Good deeds are quickly forgotten but negative ones long remembered. There are reportedly counties which will not use volunteers because of one bad episode in the past. It is recommended that program managers and training officers in agencies using volunteers stress this subject of ID card use and misuse.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on November 2, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 40/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING POLICYATTENTION: RACES PROGRAM MANAGERS AND TRAINING OFFICERS For every public safety function or problem there is a government agency charged with the primary response, control and mitigation. Some agencies use volunteers on a regular basis and others do not. Such regular or professional volunteers are generally expected to meet certain qualifications prior to acceptance and enrollment. We know of no public safety function in California provided solely by volunteers. Skilled volunteers, properly trained and registered, are a part of and support a specific public agency. Public agencies do not take kindly to unrequested volunteers showing up at an emergency. By the same token, properly registered volunteers do not self-dispatch themselves; they respond by authorization from competent authority. One of the prerequisites in California for a volunteer to serve a public agency is to first become a registered Disaster Service Worker in accordance with State Government Code 8580 et al. See your local OES Coordinator for further information if you are interested.
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 9, 1987.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 41/87
SUBJECT: FLOW OF COMMUNICATIONSAttention: RACES Training Officers
A reminder to all local OES agencies and RACES operators is in order following several county exercises in October. State OES Headquarters in Sacramento received several messages direct from counties. This is not normally proper.
All repeat all OES-related communications flow from cities to counties to State OES Region offices to State OES HQ and vice versa.
Some county exercise messages were sent direct to Sacramento instead of to their OES Region. Several county radio operators said the messages were addressed to State OES and they assumed that meant Sacramento. In other words they were not familiar with the OES Region structure and traffic flow and telephoned the Sacramento headquarters to simulate the radio traffic.
There are two exceptions to this rule: (1) Counties in OES Region 4 send RACES traffic to OES Headquarters (W6HIR) because Region 4 has no separate RACES facility. It is co-located with OES HQ. (2) In the event your Region office is incapacitated or has not yet come up on the air.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Coordinator, Amateur Radio Services
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 16, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 42/87
SUBJECT: TRAINING WRITEUPS WANTED ATTENTION: Amateur Radio emergency services instructors, managers and others with emergency experience.
This is your opportunity to share your advice with others. Many hams with little or no experience are asking for guidance. A role of this office is to collect and distribute guidance to hams interested in becoming a professional volunteer resource to emergency response agencies.
Anything worth doing right should be put into writing. Now is your chance to speak up and be heard -- or rather -- read. We know there are many fine RACES/ARES instructors/managers/members out there. Send in your contributions now. Any topic. As many as you want, no limit. Mail or packet them to me.
Authors will be credited. Items we edit will be sent back to the author for final approval prior to release.
RACES and ARES units are constantly asking us for training materials and outlines. This can and should be a joint effort for all who have good advice or procedures to share with all Amateur Radio operators seeking to sharpen their skills. Topics should include management, operations, technical or policy.
Questions? Call me at 916-427-4281, write, or packet W6HIR- 1 @ WA6NWE-1 in the WESTNET PBBS system.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX, Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 23, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 43/87
SUBJECT: WILL ATTEND THE ERI'88? The first RACES Radio Officer orientation seminar will be conducted Saturday, 26 March 1988, from 1400-1700 at the Emergency Response Institute '88 in San Jose. We urge all State, county and city radio officers to attend. Planning, organizing, staffing, direction, coordination, operations, reporting and budget topics will be presented by State OES. If you plan to attend, let me know now so that the ERI'88 staff can make necessary preparations. We will understand that it may not be a firm commitment on your part at this early date but we would like a feel for how many may come. Please reply by name and callsign (or number of tentative spaces) and the jurisdiction being represented. Reply to me by packet or mail. Please give this bulletin widest dissemination. See packet bulletin RACESBUL.7X1, subject "ERI'88 Agenda" for details.
Sgd/STAN HARTER, KH6GBX
State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 30, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 44/87
SUBJECT: TSUNAMI A tsunami is a seismic seawave usually caused by a submarine earthquake. A tsunami warning is generally automatically issued after a quake off the coast of Alaska of Richter 6.8 and Richter 7.5 if offshore British Columbia and the western U.S. A Warning means immediate evacuation of low lying areas is required. A Watch means a Warning may follow. Authorities will cancel Watches and Warnings whenever sufficient information permits the decision. Emergency workers and the media must know (1) the difference between a Watch and a Warning, and (2) that a tsunami may be several waves over several hours. It is not, repeat not, just one wave.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 4, 1987
TRAINING DISCUSSION: People who use the term "tidal wave" should be corrected whenever possible. The correct term is tsunami. The tsunami is a shock wave that travels over the open sea at speeds close to 500 miles per hour. One cannot see this shock wave in the open ocean. As it approaches land, several things happen. It slows down. The water frequently recedes from the ocean bottom, leaving fish flopping in vast tide pools. This can often attract people to catch fish with their hands instead of heading immediately for high ground as they should. Then the tsunami bores in at speeds ranging from 30-100 mph and from 20 to over 100 feet high. Your being above the runup is the only escape from a tsunami. There may be several waves over a period of time. Subsequent waves may be larger than the first of preceding waves. There are no rules that govern the speed, height, and how many waves will affect any given coast. When you are told to evacuate--don't be a dead hero. Get out! Civil Defense warning sirens and the Emergency Broadcast System should be activated simultaneously two hours prior to the ETA of the first wave in your locality. CAP aircraft in Hawaii are equipped with electronic sirens and P.A. systems that effectively warn fishermen, campers and swimmers away from the shorelines. -73- KH6GBX
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 45/87
SUBJECT: ICS VIDEOTAPE A VHS videotape of a FEMA videoconference on 6/17/87 titled "The Incident Command System: Professionalism in Managing Emergencies" is available for loan from the State OES HQ Public Information Office.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 14, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 46/87
SUBJECT: SEASON'S GREETINGS As we enter the holiday season I wish to extend my thanks and sincere appreciation to all of the dedicated and skilled volunteers who have supported the State OES and local agencies in 1987. Many of you work quietly behind the scenes and away from the TV camera's glare, so that the public is largely unaware of the selfless service you provide your government and community. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is most appreciative and will let your contributions be known at every opportunity. We look forward to a long and growing association.
(Signed) WILLIAM MEDIGOVICH, Director
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 21, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 47/87
SUBJECT: RACES BULLETIN NUMBERING SYSTEM The State RACES Bulletin numbers will begin with 001 with the next bulletin in January 1988 and run consecutively thereafter and without starting over every year. This will facilitate future reference and filing. The WESTNET packet numbering will be RACESBUL.001, etc. An index of past bulletins is available to any agency from this office.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 28, 1987
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 2/4 Assure that everything works before demonstrating it -- or don't demonstrate it at all. A successful demo can be made by communicating from the demonstration site to (a) a nearby packet station previously prepared for the demo or (b) a previously prepared nearby (not more than one digi away) packet bulletin board.
Previous preparation entails writing two or three messages in advance. These messages must then be pre-positioned at the (a) offsite packet station or (b) in the packet bulletin board or mailbox.
Message content: Messages tailored to the specific event are always more effective. At least one message should be at least 30 lines to more effectively demonstrate real time transmission time. Use local place, agency and people's names in your demo traffic. Including the name(s) of politicians and the person(s) influential in the budget process can be quite effective if done properly. Design disaster exercise messages to reflect a plausible incident in your area, but be sure to preface and end the message with the word "DRILL".
(To be continued.)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 13, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 24/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 3/4 If your local OES, Fire or other agency uses a SITREP (situation report) or status report form, obtain it in advance and draft your demo message around it. It is very important to write the message in their language and on topics they are familiar with -- not in unfamiliar terms. The same is true of forms and formats; always use those of your agency and not those of ARRL or any others if they conflict. The potential users of your packet will be favorably impressed by reading messages with which they can relate.
Use your own equipment and never equipment of others for the first time, otherwise Murphy's Law is sure to strike.
Always use a printer. Tear off and hand hard copy to the officials.
Pre-survey the site if possible. The most common oversight is insufficient coaxial cable to enable you to place your antenna where it will work best. A hundred feet is recommended.
(To be continued.)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 20, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 25/87
SUBJECT: PACKET RADIO DEMONSTRATIONS - 4/4 Avoid planning to or offering to connect with State OES Headquarters station W6HIR-1. Why? First, in a real incident you may be communicating with a county or your State OES Regional office but not the Sacramento Headquarters. Second, State OES HQ will not be manned after-hours when most demos are made.
A side comment is that we have heard a complaint or two from packet operators unhappy with having to dismantle their home packet station to relocate it to a demo site. They might be reminded that the emergency need for packet communications is seldom if ever at home, but rather in the field. This is true of most RACES/ARES communications; the operators and their equipment are invariably needed anywhere but at home.
For copies of these procedures and sample demonstration messages, write or call: RACES, c/o your State OES Regional Office.
Sgd/Stanly E. Harter, KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JULY 27, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 26/87
SUBJECT: HURRICANES THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION HAS RELEASED ITS LIST OF 1987 SEASON HURRICANE NAMES, ALTERNATING BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE. HURRICANES, SOMETIMES CALLED TYPHOONS IN THE PACIFIC, ARE TROPICAL CYCLONES WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF 74 MPH OR MORE.
THIS SUMMER'S HURRICANES OFF THE WEST COAST ARE ADRIAN, BEATRIZ, CALVIN, DORA, EUGENE, FERNANDA, GREG, HILARY, IRWIN, JOVA, KNUT, LIDIA, MAX, NORMA, OTIS, PILAR, RAMON, SELMA, TODD, VERONICA AND WILEY.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on AUGUST 3, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 27/87
SUBJECT: HAMS HELP WANTED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (State OES) is recruiting Amateur Radio operators for several key volunteer positions in Southern California for our Los Alamitos and Ontario facilities.
Urgently needed are radio operators for each location.
Minimum qualifications: Amateur Radio license higher than Novice. CA driver license.
Desirable experience: CW, RTTY, packet, voice or ATV. RACES, ARRL ARES/EC, CAP, MARS or other emergency communications experience. Willing to learn and participate in a vital leadership role.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Don Root, WB6UCK, at (714)391-4485 or packet PBBS (WB6UCK @ N6BGW); or Stan Harter, KH6GBX, at (916)427-4281 and Packet PBBS: W6HIR @ WA6NWE.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on JUNE 29, 1987
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR RADIO PUBLICATIONS AND NETS: PLEASE GIVE THIS WIDEST DISSEMINATION. THANK YOU.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 28/87
SUBJECT: I.D. CARDS WANTEDATTENTION: CITY/COUNTY OES DIRECTORS/RADIO OFFICERS
We are frequently asked to see examples of the ID cards provided Amateur Radio operators enrolled as Disaster Service Workers. We are starting a collection of the cards to show others seeking ideas and assistance. Please send us two (2) of your cards to Stanly E. Harter, State OES, 2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8/10/87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 29/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 1/5 ITEM 1. The annual earthquake exercise will be conducted October 14 and 15, 1987. The exercise will be played in real time and will commence after a 0430 hypothetical major earthquake in Southern California.
ITEM 2. The only communications at the offset for the State Office of Emergency Services between Los Alamitos and Sacramento will be HF-SSB. For this we will be looking towards RACES, CAP and MARS.
ITEM 3. The contact in Southern California for communications planning and coordination is Don Root, telephone (714)391-4485. This will be an excellent opportunity to test the capabilities of the frequencies, personnel and equipment of RACES, CAP and MARS. Operations each day will end around 1500.
(To be continued)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8/17/87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 30/87
SUBJECT: SAR CITY USA Register early for the SAR City USA seminar at Barstow Community College on November 6,7,8. There will be 80-100 different classes ranging from basic search and rescue to advanced training for the veteran, both paid and volunteer. An average of 500 attendees each year. Commercial displays and latest equipment available. Family camping area available. Many RACES personnel attend. For more information contact executive director Brian Zane at 619-253-2210.
Sgd/Blynn Mueller, Deputy Chief RACES Radio Officer, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 8-24-87
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 31/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 2/5 ITEM 4. It will be a limited scope exercise reflecting the first 36-48 hours of the disaster. The focus will be on communications, using all radios available. Emphasis on public information functions, situation reports, priorities. No canned messages. "Real time" time play. City to county to State Coordination Center (SCC) Los Alamitos to State Operations Center (SOC) Sacramento.
ITEM 5. Players will include but not limited to Los Angeles County, City of L.A., FIRESCOPE OCC, FEMA Region 9, State OES at all Regions and the SCC and SOC, and the counties of Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Riverside and Ventura.
ITEM 6. We hope to incorporate into the permanent California State plans for emergency high frequency communications the CAP and MARS organizations.
To be continued September 14th Bulletin #32.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on August 31, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 32/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 3/5 7. As noted by Headquarters W6HIR traffic the last couple of weeks, the State will be participating in an earthquake exercise on 14-15 October, 1987, along with city, county and federal governments. Under the exercise scenario, government and telephone communications will be severely impacted in parts of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.
8. RACES members of the above jurisdictions who wish to participate, but cannot arrange time off during the normal business hours on October 14th can still participate. Contact the person in your jurisdiction who is planning their participation in the exercise or me at State OES Region 6 office for details. Telephone 714-391-4485.
To be continued next week.
Sgd/Don Root, WB6UCK, OES Southern Area RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on SEPTEMBER 14, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 33/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 4/5 9. This exercise will provide OES the first opportunity to test the new Southern California Earthquake Response Plan, adopted by the Governor's Emergency Council last spring. Under the plan, cities in the impacted area coordinate their needs with their counties; the counties coordinate with State OES. As such, OES will not accept message traffic from cities (with the exception of the City of Los Angeles) during the "active" portions of the exercise.
10. Also under the plan, the concept of OES Regions 1 and 6 as separate coordinating entities is replaced by one coordinating facility: the State Coordination Center (SOC), currently located on the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Los Alamitos in Orange County.
To be continued next week.
SGD/DON ROOT, WB6UCK, State OES Southern Area RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on September 21, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 34/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE 87 EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE - 5/5 11. A number of Amateurs think about the need for portable operation and go so far as to put together a portable station, and the forget a few basic items to include. We all think about VHF operating with a small two meter rig, complete with batteries and magnetic mount antenna. But what about the ground plane when you do not have a metal surface to mount the antenna on or near? Build 4 radials that are a quarter wavelength for the band concerned out of coat hangers, welding rods or spare antenna rods, and place them in an X pattern under the mag mount to provide a minimal ground plane.
12. When planning portable HF stations, remember a ground rod and a solid connection. Your tuner and your antenna wants to see a counterpoise. Also remember to carry some warning tape for your radials and guys that are located where people may walk into them. A trip to your local lumber store will yield vinyl survey tape in a number of colors including yellow and orange to warn people of the hazard. Tie 6 to 8 inch pieces of the tape to your radiator or guys at eye level and every 12 to 18 inches downward from there.
To be continued next week.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on SEPTEMBER 28, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 35/87
SUBJECT: RESPONSE '87 EXERCISE IS UPON US! Response '87 exercise is now less than 10 days away. Packet radio is being featured as a mainstream method of message handling. The State Coordination Center at Los Alamitos will be on 145.03.....[more details no longer of interest]. As many government agencies are experiencing packet for the first time through this exercise, we would appreciate the cooperation of the general Amateur community in keeping the channels for this exercise free on non-exercise traffic. Thank you. 73,
DON ROOT, WB6UCK, Ass't. Chief, State Telecommunications Division, Southern Area RACES Coordinator.
For statewide broadcast October 5, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 36/87
SUBJECT: DEFINITION OF RACES IN CALIFORNIAATTN: ALL AMATEURS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS
The term RACES in California is used to describe any Amateur Radio operator who is enrolled in a specific government, in accordance with California State Codes governing the registration and use of Disaster Service Workers, to provide communications via the Amateur Radio Service. A disaster does NOT have to be declared to use RACES personnel. The RACES section is usually attached to that government's emergency preparedness office, or to the department it designates, such as Sheriff's, Communications, etc. It may be called something other than RACES by the jurisdiction but the foregoing definition is the generic definition in California. An Amateur may be both a member of ARES and RACES; this is, in fact, encouraged. The distinction is that RACES responds to and serves the State or a local government; ARES supports non-governmental activities and organizations.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on OCTOBER 12, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 37/87
SUBJECT: CCDN & RACES BULLETINS - 1/2 The California Civil Defense Net has historically skipped Mondays that fell on holidays. Effective immediately the CCDN will be conducted every Monday of the year. At least one California STATE RACES BULLETIN will be sent to QST and every OES agency every Monday. The BULLETINS are sent via (1) the CCDN, Mondays at 1900 on CW and 1930 on RTTY on 3545.5 MHz; (2) all WESTNET packet bulletin boards; and (3) by mail to selected agencies and ARC's who use them in their club publications.
The BULLETINS are of lessened value if they are not delivered upon receipt to every county OES coordinator by a local Amateur.
BULLETINS will restart with number 001 in January 1988 to simplify future reference and progress to number 999 regardless of month or year.
An index to past BULLETINS is available from this office. Also copies of selected past BULLETINS are available to Radio Officers and OES agencies on a limited basis.
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 38/87
SUBJECT: CCDN & RACES BULLETINS - 2/2 Not all RACES BULLETINS may be carried by the CCDN. Time critical BULLETINS may be sent by packet at any time. RACES program personnel statewide should check their packet mailbox daily for traffic addressed to "RACES". As pointed out at a recent ARRL conference all emergency operations centers, RACES, and ARES management personnel should be equipped with packet communications. It is the fastest and most accurate Amateur communications mode readily available for message traffic, management and training subjects.
Again, it is requested that all STATE RACES BULLETINS be read at reading speed over all voice radio nets throughout California to keep all Amateurs informed of Amateur radio emergency services. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services thanks all who have cooperated in this effort.
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Coordinator, Amateur Radio Service
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 39/87
SUBJECT: USE OF ID CARD POLICYATTENTION: ALL STATE RACES STAFF AND OPERATORS
INFO: ALL COUNTY AND CITY RACES IN CALIFORNIA
The ID card issued by any California government jurisdiction to a RACES operator is for the official use only of that volunteer or employee while serving that or another government on a mutual aid basis. Please do not embarrass your agency or jeopardize the retention of an official identification card by using it to gain access or for personal advantage if you are not on official business for your agency. Infractions have a way of filtering back to authorities. One action of poor judgment can undo the hard fought gains of many fine volunteers. Good deeds are quickly forgotten but negative ones long remembered. There are reportedly counties which will not use volunteers because of one bad episode in the past. It is recommended that program managers and training officers in agencies using volunteers stress this subject of ID card use and misuse.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on November 2, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 40/87
SUBJECT: VOLUNTEERS RESPONDING POLICYATTENTION: RACES PROGRAM MANAGERS AND TRAINING OFFICERS For every public safety function or problem there is a government agency charged with the primary response, control and mitigation. Some agencies use volunteers on a regular basis and others do not. Such regular or professional volunteers are generally expected to meet certain qualifications prior to acceptance and enrollment. We know of no public safety function in California provided solely by volunteers. Skilled volunteers, properly trained and registered, are a part of and support a specific public agency. Public agencies do not take kindly to unrequested volunteers showing up at an emergency. By the same token, properly registered volunteers do not self-dispatch themselves; they respond by authorization from competent authority. One of the prerequisites in California for a volunteer to serve a public agency is to first become a registered Disaster Service Worker in accordance with State Government Code 8580 et al. See your local OES Coordinator for further information if you are interested.
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 9, 1987.
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 41/87
SUBJECT: FLOW OF COMMUNICATIONSAttention: RACES Training Officers
A reminder to all local OES agencies and RACES operators is in order following several county exercises in October. State OES Headquarters in Sacramento received several messages direct from counties. This is not normally proper.
All repeat all OES-related communications flow from cities to counties to State OES Region offices to State OES HQ and vice versa.
Some county exercise messages were sent direct to Sacramento instead of to their OES Region. Several county radio operators said the messages were addressed to State OES and they assumed that meant Sacramento. In other words they were not familiar with the OES Region structure and traffic flow and telephoned the Sacramento headquarters to simulate the radio traffic.
There are two exceptions to this rule: (1) Counties in OES Region 4 send RACES traffic to OES Headquarters (W6HIR) because Region 4 has no separate RACES facility. It is co-located with OES HQ. (2) In the event your Region office is incapacitated or has not yet come up on the air.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
Coordinator, Amateur Radio Services
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 16, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 42/87
SUBJECT: TRAINING WRITEUPS WANTED ATTENTION: Amateur Radio emergency services instructors, managers and others with emergency experience.
This is your opportunity to share your advice with others. Many hams with little or no experience are asking for guidance. A role of this office is to collect and distribute guidance to hams interested in becoming a professional volunteer resource to emergency response agencies.
Anything worth doing right should be put into writing. Now is your chance to speak up and be heard -- or rather -- read. We know there are many fine RACES/ARES instructors/managers/members out there. Send in your contributions now. Any topic. As many as you want, no limit. Mail or packet them to me.
Authors will be credited. Items we edit will be sent back to the author for final approval prior to release.
RACES and ARES units are constantly asking us for training materials and outlines. This can and should be a joint effort for all who have good advice or procedures to share with all Amateur Radio operators seeking to sharpen their skills. Topics should include management, operations, technical or policy.
Questions? Call me at 916-427-4281, write, or packet W6HIR- 1 @ WA6NWE-1 in the WESTNET PBBS system.
Sgd/ STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX, Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 23, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 43/87
SUBJECT: WILL ATTEND THE ERI'88? The first RACES Radio Officer orientation seminar will be conducted Saturday, 26 March 1988, from 1400-1700 at the Emergency Response Institute '88 in San Jose. We urge all State, county and city radio officers to attend. Planning, organizing, staffing, direction, coordination, operations, reporting and budget topics will be presented by State OES. If you plan to attend, let me know now so that the ERI'88 staff can make necessary preparations. We will understand that it may not be a firm commitment on your part at this early date but we would like a feel for how many may come. Please reply by name and callsign (or number of tentative spaces) and the jurisdiction being represented. Reply to me by packet or mail. Please give this bulletin widest dissemination. See packet bulletin RACESBUL.7X1, subject "ERI'88 Agenda" for details.
Sgd/STAN HARTER, KH6GBX
State RACES Coordinator
For statewide broadcast on NOVEMBER 30, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 44/87
SUBJECT: TSUNAMI A tsunami is a seismic seawave usually caused by a submarine earthquake. A tsunami warning is generally automatically issued after a quake off the coast of Alaska of Richter 6.8 and Richter 7.5 if offshore British Columbia and the western U.S. A Warning means immediate evacuation of low lying areas is required. A Watch means a Warning may follow. Authorities will cancel Watches and Warnings whenever sufficient information permits the decision. Emergency workers and the media must know (1) the difference between a Watch and a Warning, and (2) that a tsunami may be several waves over several hours. It is not, repeat not, just one wave.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 4, 1987
TRAINING DISCUSSION: People who use the term "tidal wave" should be corrected whenever possible. The correct term is tsunami. The tsunami is a shock wave that travels over the open sea at speeds close to 500 miles per hour. One cannot see this shock wave in the open ocean. As it approaches land, several things happen. It slows down. The water frequently recedes from the ocean bottom, leaving fish flopping in vast tide pools. This can often attract people to catch fish with their hands instead of heading immediately for high ground as they should. Then the tsunami bores in at speeds ranging from 30-100 mph and from 20 to over 100 feet high. Your being above the runup is the only escape from a tsunami. There may be several waves over a period of time. Subsequent waves may be larger than the first of preceding waves. There are no rules that govern the speed, height, and how many waves will affect any given coast. When you are told to evacuate--don't be a dead hero. Get out! Civil Defense warning sirens and the Emergency Broadcast System should be activated simultaneously two hours prior to the ETA of the first wave in your locality. CAP aircraft in Hawaii are equipped with electronic sirens and P.A. systems that effectively warn fishermen, campers and swimmers away from the shorelines. -73- KH6GBX
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 45/87
SUBJECT: ICS VIDEOTAPE A VHS videotape of a FEMA videoconference on 6/17/87 titled "The Incident Command System: Professionalism in Managing Emergencies" is available for loan from the State OES HQ Public Information Office.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 14, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 46/87
SUBJECT: SEASON'S GREETINGS As we enter the holiday season I wish to extend my thanks and sincere appreciation to all of the dedicated and skilled volunteers who have supported the State OES and local agencies in 1987. Many of you work quietly behind the scenes and away from the TV camera's glare, so that the public is largely unaware of the selfless service you provide your government and community. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is most appreciative and will let your contributions be known at every opportunity. We look forward to a long and growing association.
(Signed) WILLIAM MEDIGOVICH, Director
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 21, 1987
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 47/87
SUBJECT: RACES BULLETIN NUMBERING SYSTEM The State RACES Bulletin numbers will begin with 001 with the next bulletin in January 1988 and run consecutively thereafter and without starting over every year. This will facilitate future reference and filing. The WESTNET packet numbering will be RACESBUL.001, etc. An index of past bulletins is available to any agency from this office.
For statewide broadcast on DECEMBER 28, 1987