1989 RACES Bulletins
RACESBUL.046 - SUBJECT: MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - 2/3
Date: Jan. 2, 1989 Emergency communications and warning are the keys to response, recovery and survival, and are indeed the fabric that ties all our efforts together following any emergency or disaster to save lives and reduce property damage. Like all jurisdictions, the state must maintain emergency communications systems and provide plans and procedures for their maintenance and use. Our disaster services are based on the concept of mutual aid as described above.
In order to provide for a timely response to disasters, statewide, with adequate command and control of the response personnel and resources, two major communications categories have been identified. One is the WARNING effort which provides for the exchange and dissemination of information regarding potential emergencies on a continuing basis. Currently, State OES has direct hotline telephone contact with 50 states and 46 California counties. Alternate warning channels are available to all 58 counties by the microwave connected California Law Enforcement Radio System (CLERS) and the California Law Enforcement Teletype Systems (CLETS). The warning objective is to disseminate warning information to officials and the public within five to ten minutes.
(continued)
RACESBUL.047 - SUBJECT: MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - 3/3
Date: Jan. 9, 1989 The second category is COMMUNICATION which will provide the essential systems and hardware to exercise direction and control for emergency response throughout the state. The objectives of this element are:
(Concluded)
RACESBUL.048 - SUBJECT: STATE FIRE CHIEF BARROWS RETIRES
Date: Jan. 16, 1989 After a 40-year career in California's fire service, RICHARD G. BARROWS, Chief, Fire and Rescue Division, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, retired December 29, 1988. His 18-year tenure as Chief is one of the longest in California fire service history. His duties have included managing the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, sometimes called "The World's Largest Volunteer Fire Department" because its 1,200 local component agencies can be sent anywhere in the state to help other departments fight major fires. "No other state in the nation has such an extensive mutual aid system," Barrows says. "We're proud of what we've developed through the years -- because it works, and works well."
One of Barrows' primary contributions to the fire services came in 1970 after fires in Southern California burned almost 600,000 acres and destroyed more than 700 homes. At that time he became an active proponent and participant in FIRESCOPE, a firefighting system which standardized maps, command structures, terminology, and radio frequencies among hundreds of disparate fire agencies within the state, providing for a more efficient "team" approach to regional fire response. The FIRESCOPE technology is now extended statewide, as well as to other states and other countries.
During a 24-day period in 1985 a series of 2,547 fires began all over the state, burning 453,143 acres and destroying 223 homes. Fire crews from 48 states were brought in to assist California crews in defeating the blazes and protecting homes. More recently, in September 1988, Barrows dispatched California fire crews to Wyoming to protect homes, lodges, and other commercial structures in several Yellowstone National Park communities. In the winter of 1964-1965 Barrows directed the largest peacetime airlift operation in the United States when parts of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties were isolated by flood waters. In 1972 he traveled to Managua, Nicaragua, as part of a special OES survey team. His subsequent report detailed considerations and recommendations for California earthquake response planners. Thirteen years later he arranged for heavy rescue mutual aid support teams from the Sacramento and Los Angeles areas to assist Mexico City after the catastrophic September 1985 earthquake.
RACESBUL.049 - SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF STATE RADIO OFFICER
Date: Jan. 23, 1989 It is with pleasure that we announce the appointment of TIMOTHY F. "Doc" NORDLAND, WB6MOQ, as the Deputy Chief State Radio Officer (South), thereby filling a vacancy in our volunteer staffing pattern. NORDLAND's area of responsibility is the State OES Regions 1 and 6 which are the counties of Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. He will work closely with this headquarters, Region 1 RACES Coordinator Don Root (WB6UCK), Region 6 RACES Coordinator John Hudson (WA6HYQ), and the various ARRL officials in these areas. NORDLAND was formerly the State OES Region 1 RACES Radio Officer.
The individual State, county and city RACES programs encompass those various governments' use of Amateur Radio operators for emergency communications in support of their emergency services/civil defense agencies. Signed/Stanly E. Harter. KH6GBX, Chief State RACES Radio Officer California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
RACESBUL.050 - SUBJECT: EXCELLENT COUNTY RACES NEWSLETTER
Date: Jan. 30, 1989 For a copy of an excellent county newsletter of a reorganized and revitalized RACES unit, send a SASE for the January 1989 "NET CONTROL" to:
Ken Bourne, W6HK, RACES Radio Officer
Orange County GSA/Communications Division
1985 South Santa Cruz Street
Anaheim, CA 92805
RACESBUL.051 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM? - 1/2
Date: Feb. 6, 1989
WHAT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM?
by
Chuck Wood, WD6APP, County RACES Radio Officer
San Diego County Sheriff's Department Most people have no idea how their police and fire departments communicate with the officers in the field. As a Radio Amateur you probably have much more knowledge about this subject than the average citizen. But do you really know what goes on to protect the lives of our citizens?
Many years ago the FCC allocated three frequency bands for Public safety. The first is commonly called Low Band and covers 30 to 50 MHz; the second, High Band, 150 to 174 MHz; and the third, UHF, covers 450 to 512 MHz. More recently the 800 MHz Band has been allocated but we will only discuss the first three in this article.
Low Band is the best long range band and is in use in areas that have large areas to cover because of its ability to curve over hills and into valleys. It requires less radio sites because of this. High Band is good for medium coverage areas and is used in urban settings. UHF is much better for metropolitan coverage and has much better penetration in cities such as New York, Chicago, etc., where there are tall buildings.
(Concluded in RACESBUL.052)
RACESBUL.052 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM? - 2/2
Date: Feb. 13, 1989 Most systems use receivers that are located in remote areas and are designed to enhance the coverage of the system. Since the advent of small portable hand handhelds, this has become a must. Some cities, such as New York, use hand handhelds totally and have no radios mounted in the cars. This requires, at times, as many as 20 to 30 receivers on a single frequency. These receivers are commonly linked back to the main dispatch via high grade phone lines or via microwave which can carry hundreds of voice circuits. The City and County of San Diego each have such microwave paths which are extensive and stretch for hundreds of miles around the county and provide high quality radio coverage for our Public Service Dispatchers. If you compare this to the Amateur Radio repeaters we are used to using, you can see that even though our ham repeaters are good, think of how good they would be with multiple receiving and transmitting sites. This is what is required so that your Public safety officers can pick up their radios and get in at those critical times when lives are in danger.
RACESBUL.053 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 1/9
Date: Feb. 20, 1989
DISASTER/MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
by
Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department The following list of seventy (70) "things to expect" is not offered as a prediction of doom. Although most of the items are negative, this is a realistic list of problem areas that we can expect to face in a disaster.
Recognizing that problems will appear and giving some thought to them prior to a disaster are steps towards overcoming them. Some of the areas require specific actions; some will diminish with time; some are inherent in disaster operations and must simply be accepted.
Although not every one of the 70 listed items will occur in every emergency, the majority of them will appear in most situations. You are encouraged to scan the list, determine which items are or may become your responsibility, and determine how those items could best be handled or the problem reduced.
RACESBUL.054 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 2/9
Date: Feb. 27, 1989
RACESBUL.055 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 3/9
Date: Mar. 6, 1989
RACESBUL.056 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 4/9
Date: Mar 13, 1989
RACESBUL.057 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 5/9
Date: Mar. 20, 1989
RACESBUL.058 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 6/9
Date: Mar. 27, 1989
RACESBUL.059 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 7/9
Date: Apr. 3, 1989
Date: Apr. 8, 1989
Date: Apr. 17, 1989
DATE: Apr 24, 1989 A recent comment by an eastern seaboard resident was: "California is the only place that need worry about earthquakes, so why bother us with all your earthquake information?" I was reminded of this statement when the March/April 1989 issue of "RESCUE" arrived at this office. A color map of the U.S. shows graphically how erroneous is such a statement. The seismic risk map shows that areas of CA, NV, AZ, WA, UT, ID, MT, MS, AR, TN, KY, IL, NY, VT, MA, NC and SC are subject to MAJOR DAMAGE. These same, and several other, states are subject to MODERATE DAMAGE, and an even larger number of states are prone to MINOR DAMAGE. Only parts of TX, LA, and AL are subject to NO DAMAGE. Food for thought.
STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator/State RACES Radio Officer
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone (916)427-4281 Fax (916)427-4215
RACESBUL.063 - SUBJECT: APRIL WAS BEAT THE QUAKE MONTH IN CALIFORNIA
DATE: May 1, 1989 Californians learned about major earthquakes and earthquake safety during the month of April which Governor Deukmejian proclaimed "California Earthquake Preparedness Month." The campaign theme, "Beat the Quake," prompted Californians to take safety actions before the next earthquake strikes. Hundreds of events were held by state and local governments, organizations, community groups, and schools to increase public awareness of the earthquake risk and encourage individual, family, and business preparedness. "We want all Californians to know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake," said Bill Medigovich, Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, which coordinated the campaign. "This knowledge could help save lives, and reduce or avoid property damage and business disruption when the next quake hits. The recent Armenian disaster has forced world attention on the destructive potential of earthquakes, particularly in earthquake-prone California, where temblors occur with regularity."
Many RACES, ARES, and CAP communications tests and exercises were conducted. The need for more emphasis on simplex VHF/UHF and the use of HF-SSB communications became evident with the simulated and real loss of mountaintop Amateur and CAP radio facilities.
RACESBUL.064 - SUBJECT: OUT OF SIGHT IS OUT OF MIND
DATE: May 8, 1989 I'm sure you've all heard that old expression, "Out of sight is out of mind." Well, the same holds true for a lot of volunteer organizations who may bemoan the fact that "Here we are but nobody calls on us." Or, "When they alerted everybody, they didn't call (me)(us)." This is not an unusual condition. It can often be traced to the fact that liaison is lacking between the volunteer organization and the government agency they serve. Simply stated, the volunteers are not making regular and frequent visits to the agency. If the volunteer group is fulfilling a need or operational task for the first time, the need for these visits is more important than ever. Once a week is usually not too often. True, business may not be necessarily discussed at each and everymeeting, but seeing one another on a regular basis is important. Another old adage pops up here, whether we like it or not: It's not what you know -- it's who you know. The best volunteer resource in the area may be out there, but the local disaster management agency will not really know about them, let alone alert them, because there is no ongoing liaison. When the emergency develops is NOT the time. Yet many volunteer feelings may be hurt when their offers of assistance are declined -- simply because they are an unknown quantity.
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.065 - SUBJECT: EMP DEVICES
DATE: May 15, 1989 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has available two four-page pamphlets that should be of interest to technical communications and electronics people. These are available from your FEMA regional office.
CPC (Civil Preparedness Circular) 88-3. Subject: Electromagnetic Pulse Protection Grounding Recommendations. Synopsis: Provides recommendations for EMP grounding systems. The recommendations provide a trade-off between the cost to achieve a very low resistance and the result minimum EMP grounding required. Grounding is critical in the protection of communications and electronic equipment.
CPC 88-4. Subject: Coaxial Type EMP Protection Devices. Synopsis: The widespread use of solid state electronic communications equipment in recent years, with their inherent weakness to damaging transient electrical pulses, has stimulated the electronics industry to develop and market a large variety of improved transient protection devices. These devices provide full protection of communications equipment from damaging voltage and current transients generated by lightning and electromagnetic pulses. The suitability of these new devices for low cost protection of communications equipment is reviewed.
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.066 - SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - 1/2
DATE: May 22, 1989 RESCUE 621 is the transportable communications system assigned to the 939 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (Air Force Reserve), located at Portland International Airport, Oregon. According to Mr. Bill Kratch of the 939th, the capability of RESCUE 621 exceeds that of virtually any other civil or military system now in operation. RESCUE 621 radio systems include: HF Point to Point and Air/Ground, UHF Air/Ground, VHF Air/Ground, VHF Satellite (NASA ATS-3), VHF-FM ("Fox Mike" tactical radio), VHF FM High Band and Low Band Mobile Radio (Federal government, state and local law enforcement, rescue, fire and ambulance services, American Red Cross), and connections for virtually any portable or mobile radio that can be furnished by the user.
RESCUE 621 can patch together transmissions among these channels, providing a unique capability to extend local communications to a regional or global basis, while quickly adapting to rapidly changing situations. Through RESCUE 621, on- scene officials can literally talk to supporting agencies on the other side of the globe, while simultaneously all parties are linked into local or regional networks. While rescue missions were being flown immediately following the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the White House Situation Room used RESCUE 621 to link directly with military rescue aircraft and civilian officials responding to the disaster.
RACESBUL.067 - SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - 2/2
DATE: May 29, 1989 The vehicle and support systems trailer are air- transportable by military aircraft, and are kept in mission-ready condition at all times. The vehicle is a CJ5 Jeep containing all radios and operating consoles. The vehicle carries the driver and one passenger. The trailer carries power generator, gasoline tanks and radio repair kits. This system has been funded as a peacetime rescue resource by the Air Force Reserve. RESCUE 621 is managed by Mr. Bill Kratch, 939th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (AFRES), Portland International Airport, OR. Telephone 503-335-4561, AUTOVON 638-4561. Mission tasking for RESCUE 621 is controlled by the USAF Rescue Coordination Center, Scott AFB, IL. Telephone 618-256-4815 or AUTOVON 576-4815.
RACESBUL.068 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 1/5
DATE: June 5, 1989 One of the least discussed subjects in most public safety agencies is what you should do, what you could do, what you are expected to do, or what you should not do in regards to your family in the event of a major emergency or the threat of one. Perhaps this is because it is an unpleasant subject to some, not worthy of consideration by others, or simply "no contest" by yet others. Volunteers who are committed to an emergency response function are grouped with public safety employees in this discussion. RACES personnel, for example, are government employees whenever they are working, training or serving with their state or local government. By the way, there are no "right" answers although, once a discussion gets started, there can be some strong feelings on what should or should not be done. What is important is that emergency public service responders recognize that individuals feel differently on this subject and that every agency should define a policy of what it expects of its employees (and volunteers) before the crisis develops.
RACESBUL.069 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 2/5
DATE: June 12, 1989 While being interviewed for my first civil defense position I was told that its employees and volunteers may put in long and unscheduled hours, may respond to incidents never knowing when they will be released to go home, may be called to duty at odd hours to respond immediately, and that by my not accepting these conditions could be sufficient and understandable grounds for my seeking employment elsewhere. Having had fourteen years prior volunteer SAR and firefighting experience where the same ground rules applied, I personally had no trouble with this. It was stressed during the pre-employment interviews and post-employment policy by that agency that its employees should make whatever plans were necessary to assure that their family knew what steps to take and where to go. If necessary, by themselves and without you. It required a state of mind acceptance, if you will, by the employees, spouses and other dependents.
Having served as a volunteer emergency responder for so many years prior to being paid, it certainly helped to prepare me for the frame of mind that the employer sought. I later learned that it also made the difference who was hired among equally qualified people. I thus started my career thinking that this was a standard operating practice among all emergency agencies. Nothing could be further from the truth.
All emergency workers, paid or otherwise, come to the job without any prior experience and exposure to emergency plans for the family. Each probably had training, but did it include what your family should do if you are not there to be with them?
RACESBUL.070 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 3/5
DATE: June 19, 1989 The nature of the crisis has a lot to do with whether or not communications between and your family is or may be possible. All such families should be briefed on what can happen to the telephone system in time of crisis. We take the phone system too much for granted. A sudden knowledge of an event, or the threat of one, can render the telephone system inoperative. The phone system is designed to handle just so many calls. Too many callers at one time and the system collapses. This is why Emergency Broadcast System announcements should always include the admonition to limit the use of the telephone only to emergency calls or emergency calls for assistance.
Emergency responders should have a preplan and know what to do and where to go in the absence of a telephone callout. By the same token, our families should know what to do and where to go if they do not hear from us. Better yet, they should be conditioned not to hear from us, that we are involved with the preservation of life and property of many people, and that we are confident in the fact each of the adults in our family knows, understands and accepts that fact. To be sure, there are exceptions and extenuating circumstances.
Chiefs, managers and supervisory personnel first should know that there are several categories of crisis reactions among employees and volunteers. These reactions should be discussed at the rank and file levels prior to arriving at a plan or policy.
RACESBUL.071 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 4/5
DATE: June 26, 1989 Some of these personal responses are:
Be that as it may, it does behoove managers and planners to discuss the matter with their people and adopt an official position. Employees and volunteers should not be left in the dark "because we have never talked about it."
Date: Jan. 2, 1989 Emergency communications and warning are the keys to response, recovery and survival, and are indeed the fabric that ties all our efforts together following any emergency or disaster to save lives and reduce property damage. Like all jurisdictions, the state must maintain emergency communications systems and provide plans and procedures for their maintenance and use. Our disaster services are based on the concept of mutual aid as described above.
In order to provide for a timely response to disasters, statewide, with adequate command and control of the response personnel and resources, two major communications categories have been identified. One is the WARNING effort which provides for the exchange and dissemination of information regarding potential emergencies on a continuing basis. Currently, State OES has direct hotline telephone contact with 50 states and 46 California counties. Alternate warning channels are available to all 58 counties by the microwave connected California Law Enforcement Radio System (CLERS) and the California Law Enforcement Teletype Systems (CLETS). The warning objective is to disseminate warning information to officials and the public within five to ten minutes.
(continued)
RACESBUL.047 - SUBJECT: MUTUAL AID COMMUNICATIONS - 3/3
Date: Jan. 9, 1989 The second category is COMMUNICATION which will provide the essential systems and hardware to exercise direction and control for emergency response throughout the state. The objectives of this element are:
- to provide communications for direction and control within state government and to federal government emergency resources;
- to provide communication channels for direction and control from state to local government;
- to assist local government in providing direction and control within their jurisdictions;
- to develop procedures for the utilization of nongovernmental communication resources;
- to develop systems and procedures to use the broadcast industry for dissemination of warning and emergency public information of all levels of government; and
- to provide for the coordinated use of Amateur Radio operators during periods of disasters.
(Concluded)
RACESBUL.048 - SUBJECT: STATE FIRE CHIEF BARROWS RETIRES
Date: Jan. 16, 1989 After a 40-year career in California's fire service, RICHARD G. BARROWS, Chief, Fire and Rescue Division, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, retired December 29, 1988. His 18-year tenure as Chief is one of the longest in California fire service history. His duties have included managing the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, sometimes called "The World's Largest Volunteer Fire Department" because its 1,200 local component agencies can be sent anywhere in the state to help other departments fight major fires. "No other state in the nation has such an extensive mutual aid system," Barrows says. "We're proud of what we've developed through the years -- because it works, and works well."
One of Barrows' primary contributions to the fire services came in 1970 after fires in Southern California burned almost 600,000 acres and destroyed more than 700 homes. At that time he became an active proponent and participant in FIRESCOPE, a firefighting system which standardized maps, command structures, terminology, and radio frequencies among hundreds of disparate fire agencies within the state, providing for a more efficient "team" approach to regional fire response. The FIRESCOPE technology is now extended statewide, as well as to other states and other countries.
During a 24-day period in 1985 a series of 2,547 fires began all over the state, burning 453,143 acres and destroying 223 homes. Fire crews from 48 states were brought in to assist California crews in defeating the blazes and protecting homes. More recently, in September 1988, Barrows dispatched California fire crews to Wyoming to protect homes, lodges, and other commercial structures in several Yellowstone National Park communities. In the winter of 1964-1965 Barrows directed the largest peacetime airlift operation in the United States when parts of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties were isolated by flood waters. In 1972 he traveled to Managua, Nicaragua, as part of a special OES survey team. His subsequent report detailed considerations and recommendations for California earthquake response planners. Thirteen years later he arranged for heavy rescue mutual aid support teams from the Sacramento and Los Angeles areas to assist Mexico City after the catastrophic September 1985 earthquake.
RACESBUL.049 - SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF STATE RADIO OFFICER
Date: Jan. 23, 1989 It is with pleasure that we announce the appointment of TIMOTHY F. "Doc" NORDLAND, WB6MOQ, as the Deputy Chief State Radio Officer (South), thereby filling a vacancy in our volunteer staffing pattern. NORDLAND's area of responsibility is the State OES Regions 1 and 6 which are the counties of Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. He will work closely with this headquarters, Region 1 RACES Coordinator Don Root (WB6UCK), Region 6 RACES Coordinator John Hudson (WA6HYQ), and the various ARRL officials in these areas. NORDLAND was formerly the State OES Region 1 RACES Radio Officer.
The individual State, county and city RACES programs encompass those various governments' use of Amateur Radio operators for emergency communications in support of their emergency services/civil defense agencies. Signed/Stanly E. Harter. KH6GBX, Chief State RACES Radio Officer California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
RACESBUL.050 - SUBJECT: EXCELLENT COUNTY RACES NEWSLETTER
Date: Jan. 30, 1989 For a copy of an excellent county newsletter of a reorganized and revitalized RACES unit, send a SASE for the January 1989 "NET CONTROL" to:
Ken Bourne, W6HK, RACES Radio Officer
Orange County GSA/Communications Division
1985 South Santa Cruz Street
Anaheim, CA 92805
RACESBUL.051 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM? - 1/2
Date: Feb. 6, 1989
WHAT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM?
by
Chuck Wood, WD6APP, County RACES Radio Officer
San Diego County Sheriff's Department Most people have no idea how their police and fire departments communicate with the officers in the field. As a Radio Amateur you probably have much more knowledge about this subject than the average citizen. But do you really know what goes on to protect the lives of our citizens?
Many years ago the FCC allocated three frequency bands for Public safety. The first is commonly called Low Band and covers 30 to 50 MHz; the second, High Band, 150 to 174 MHz; and the third, UHF, covers 450 to 512 MHz. More recently the 800 MHz Band has been allocated but we will only discuss the first three in this article.
Low Band is the best long range band and is in use in areas that have large areas to cover because of its ability to curve over hills and into valleys. It requires less radio sites because of this. High Band is good for medium coverage areas and is used in urban settings. UHF is much better for metropolitan coverage and has much better penetration in cities such as New York, Chicago, etc., where there are tall buildings.
(Concluded in RACESBUL.052)
RACESBUL.052 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS A P.S. COMM SYSTEM? - 2/2
Date: Feb. 13, 1989 Most systems use receivers that are located in remote areas and are designed to enhance the coverage of the system. Since the advent of small portable hand handhelds, this has become a must. Some cities, such as New York, use hand handhelds totally and have no radios mounted in the cars. This requires, at times, as many as 20 to 30 receivers on a single frequency. These receivers are commonly linked back to the main dispatch via high grade phone lines or via microwave which can carry hundreds of voice circuits. The City and County of San Diego each have such microwave paths which are extensive and stretch for hundreds of miles around the county and provide high quality radio coverage for our Public Service Dispatchers. If you compare this to the Amateur Radio repeaters we are used to using, you can see that even though our ham repeaters are good, think of how good they would be with multiple receiving and transmitting sites. This is what is required so that your Public safety officers can pick up their radios and get in at those critical times when lives are in danger.
RACESBUL.053 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 1/9
Date: Feb. 20, 1989
DISASTER/MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
by
Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department The following list of seventy (70) "things to expect" is not offered as a prediction of doom. Although most of the items are negative, this is a realistic list of problem areas that we can expect to face in a disaster.
Recognizing that problems will appear and giving some thought to them prior to a disaster are steps towards overcoming them. Some of the areas require specific actions; some will diminish with time; some are inherent in disaster operations and must simply be accepted.
Although not every one of the 70 listed items will occur in every emergency, the majority of them will appear in most situations. You are encouraged to scan the list, determine which items are or may become your responsibility, and determine how those items could best be handled or the problem reduced.
- In an earthquake, there may be violent ground shaking; it will seem to last much longer than it actually does.
- Fires will occur, caused by electrical shorts, natural gas, fireplaces, stoves, etc.
- Fires in collapsed buildings will be very difficult to control.
RACESBUL.054 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 2/9
Date: Feb. 27, 1989
- The extent of the disaster will be difficult to assess, though this will be necessary to assure proper commitment of resources.
- Emergency equipment and field units will commit without being dispatched. There will be an air or urgency and more requests for aid than units available to send.
- Communications will be inadequate; "holes" will appear in the system and air traffic will be incredibly heavy.
- Trained personnel will become supervisors because they will be too valuable to perform hands-on tasks.
- Responding mutual aid units will become lost; they will require maps and guides.
- Water will be contaminated and unsafe for drinking. Tankers will be needed for firefighting and for carrying drinking water.
- Citizens will volunteer but their commitment will usually be short-term.
- There may be a multitude of hazardous materials incidents.
- Aircraft will flood the area; law enforcement, fire, media, civilian, commercial and military aircraft will be a major concern.
RACESBUL.055 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 3/9
Date: Mar. 6, 1989
- The Command Post and/or EOC will be overrun with non- essential personnel; media, geologists, architects, engineers, representatives from other jurisdictions, etc.
- Staging will be essential; the flow of personnel, equipment and supplies will be overwhelming.
- Although it is an EOC function, the Field Command Post will become the temporary seat of government.
- Electric power will be interrupted or will fail completely.
- It will be difficult to shut of the gas; valves that are seldom, if ever, used will be difficult to find, and may not work when they are found.
- Phone service will be erratic or non-existent. Pay phones will be the most reliable.
- The media will have the best communications available; be prepared to share or impound their resources.
- Fuel will not be available because there will be no electricity to run the pumps.
- There will be an epidemic of flat tires; police, fire, and emergency medical vehicles will sustain a multitude of flat tires that will require repair in the field.
RACESBUL.056 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 4/9
Date: Mar 13, 1989
- Fires will need to be investigated; mutual aid should include arson investigators.
- The primary police department concern will be law enforcement; there will not be sufficient time or manpower to provide miscellaneous services.
- It will be dark; there will not be enough generators or lights available.
- Portable toilets will be in demand; there will be no place to go, and if a place is found there will be six photographers there to cover the event.
- The perimeter will be difficult to control; citizens and media alike will offer good reasons why they should be allowed to enter the restricted area.
- Search dogs will be needed early in the operation.
- Documentation will be very important; there will be a multitude of requests for information later.
- Riveted steel (oil and water storage) tanks may fail.
RACESBUL.057 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 5/9
Date: Mar. 20, 1989
- Streets will be impassable in some areas; it will be necessary to clear streets of rubble in order to conduct emergency operations.
- The same buildings will be searched more than once unless they are clearly marked.
- In earthquakes, there will be aftershocks; they will hamper emergency operations, create new fears among the citizenry and may cause more destruction than the original shock.
- Many injured people will have to find their own way to medical treatment facilities.
- Volunteer and reserve personnel may be slow to respond; they will put their own families' safety first.
- On-duty public safety personnel will be concerned about their own families, and some may leave their posts to check on them.
- Law enforcement and the media will clash; all media representatives should be referred to the Public Information Officer.
- Very few citizens will utilize evacuation/mass care centers; they will prefer to stay with friends and relatives, or to camp out in their own yards.
- Structural engineers will be needed to evaluate standing buildings for use as evacuation centers, command posts, information centers, first aid stations, etc.
RACESBUL.058 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 6/9
Date: Mar. 27, 1989
- The identification of workers and volunteers will be a problem; it will be difficult to determine who is working where and on what.
- There will be rumors; people will be listening to their radios and must be given accurate information.
- There will not be enough handie-talkies; batteries will soon go dead.
- Many fire hydrants will be inaccessible (covered or destroyed by rubble) or inoperable.
- Generators will run out of fuel; jerry cans of fuel must be obtained early to maintain generator powered lighting and communications.
- Critical facilities will have to be self-sufficient; gas, lights, water and sewage may be out for days.
- Emergency responders will require rest and must be relieved. Local personnel may be of value as guides for mutual aid responders, or as supervisors for volunteer crews.
- Equipment will be lost, damaged or stolen, and may never be accounted for.
- Someone will get the bill; record-keeping and accounting procedures will be important.
RACESBUL.059 - SUBJECT: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? - 7/9
Date: Apr. 3, 1989
- Traditional non-emergency personnel will want to go home at 5 o'clock; all public employees must be made to realize that they are a part of the emergency response team.
- People will die and there is nothing that can be done about it. Non-public safety personnel will not understand why everyone cannot be saved. Priorities must be set to save the most lives possible.
- Dead bodies should not be an initial concern. Rescuing the living should be the first priority.
- If phones are working, the number of requests for service will be overwhelming. People will have to fend for themselves; it will be difficult for dispatchers to ignore these pleas for help.
- Some field units will "disappear"; you will not be able to reach them and will not know where they are or what they are doing.
- Security will have to be posted at hospitals, clinics, and first-aid stations to control hysterical citizens demanding immediate attention.
Date: Apr. 8, 1989
- Representatives from public agencies throughout the United States and many foreign countries will want to come and observe the operations or offer assistance. They will be a significant problem.
- Department heads (EOC) staff may not have a working knowledge of their assigned areas of responsibility, and will "play it by ear."
- Some citizens and media representatives will question your decisions because they will not recognize that the safety of field responders is paramount.
- There are no critically injured in a disaster; only those who are dead or alive.
- Handicapped and disabled persons will probably die unless personal family and friends can care for them and maintain their life-support systems.
- Management will not be familiar with field response procedures, and may attempt to change standard operating procedures.
- Emergency responders (public safety and medical alike) will not be adequately trained to respond efficiently.
- There will be initial chaos; supplies, materials and equipment needed will not be readily available.
- There will be a general lack of necessary information; coordinators will want to wait for damage/casualty assessment information to establish priorities.
Date: Apr. 17, 1989
- Emergency equipment will not be able to reach some locations because of traffic jams. Tow trucks will be at a premium. Parked or abandoned vehicles will block streets, and emergency responders will be the worst offenders.
- Even though there will not be enough people to initially deal with emergencies, many available personnel will never be identified and never used. After the initial shock, there will be too many volunteers.
- General information will be offered in response to specific questions because field units cannot verify the requested information.
- Individual public safety officers will be asked to do the work of squads or companies; they will have to recruit volunteers on the spot to provide assistance to their efforts.
- The message flow to, from, and within the EOC and Field Command Post will break down and become inefficient and unmanageable.
- There will be an overcritical desire to "verify" all incoming information. If it is received from a field unit, it should be considered as verified.
- Some EOC and Command Post personnel will become overloaded; some will not be able to cope with the volume of activity and information they have to deal with, and some will not be able to cope with the noise and distractions.
- Things will get better -- some time after they have become considerably worse.
DATE: Apr 24, 1989 A recent comment by an eastern seaboard resident was: "California is the only place that need worry about earthquakes, so why bother us with all your earthquake information?" I was reminded of this statement when the March/April 1989 issue of "RESCUE" arrived at this office. A color map of the U.S. shows graphically how erroneous is such a statement. The seismic risk map shows that areas of CA, NV, AZ, WA, UT, ID, MT, MS, AR, TN, KY, IL, NY, VT, MA, NC and SC are subject to MAJOR DAMAGE. These same, and several other, states are subject to MODERATE DAMAGE, and an even larger number of states are prone to MINOR DAMAGE. Only parts of TX, LA, and AL are subject to NO DAMAGE. Food for thought.
STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator/State RACES Radio Officer
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone (916)427-4281 Fax (916)427-4215
RACESBUL.063 - SUBJECT: APRIL WAS BEAT THE QUAKE MONTH IN CALIFORNIA
DATE: May 1, 1989 Californians learned about major earthquakes and earthquake safety during the month of April which Governor Deukmejian proclaimed "California Earthquake Preparedness Month." The campaign theme, "Beat the Quake," prompted Californians to take safety actions before the next earthquake strikes. Hundreds of events were held by state and local governments, organizations, community groups, and schools to increase public awareness of the earthquake risk and encourage individual, family, and business preparedness. "We want all Californians to know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake," said Bill Medigovich, Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, which coordinated the campaign. "This knowledge could help save lives, and reduce or avoid property damage and business disruption when the next quake hits. The recent Armenian disaster has forced world attention on the destructive potential of earthquakes, particularly in earthquake-prone California, where temblors occur with regularity."
Many RACES, ARES, and CAP communications tests and exercises were conducted. The need for more emphasis on simplex VHF/UHF and the use of HF-SSB communications became evident with the simulated and real loss of mountaintop Amateur and CAP radio facilities.
RACESBUL.064 - SUBJECT: OUT OF SIGHT IS OUT OF MIND
DATE: May 8, 1989 I'm sure you've all heard that old expression, "Out of sight is out of mind." Well, the same holds true for a lot of volunteer organizations who may bemoan the fact that "Here we are but nobody calls on us." Or, "When they alerted everybody, they didn't call (me)(us)." This is not an unusual condition. It can often be traced to the fact that liaison is lacking between the volunteer organization and the government agency they serve. Simply stated, the volunteers are not making regular and frequent visits to the agency. If the volunteer group is fulfilling a need or operational task for the first time, the need for these visits is more important than ever. Once a week is usually not too often. True, business may not be necessarily discussed at each and everymeeting, but seeing one another on a regular basis is important. Another old adage pops up here, whether we like it or not: It's not what you know -- it's who you know. The best volunteer resource in the area may be out there, but the local disaster management agency will not really know about them, let alone alert them, because there is no ongoing liaison. When the emergency develops is NOT the time. Yet many volunteer feelings may be hurt when their offers of assistance are declined -- simply because they are an unknown quantity.
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.065 - SUBJECT: EMP DEVICES
DATE: May 15, 1989 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has available two four-page pamphlets that should be of interest to technical communications and electronics people. These are available from your FEMA regional office.
CPC (Civil Preparedness Circular) 88-3. Subject: Electromagnetic Pulse Protection Grounding Recommendations. Synopsis: Provides recommendations for EMP grounding systems. The recommendations provide a trade-off between the cost to achieve a very low resistance and the result minimum EMP grounding required. Grounding is critical in the protection of communications and electronic equipment.
CPC 88-4. Subject: Coaxial Type EMP Protection Devices. Synopsis: The widespread use of solid state electronic communications equipment in recent years, with their inherent weakness to damaging transient electrical pulses, has stimulated the electronics industry to develop and market a large variety of improved transient protection devices. These devices provide full protection of communications equipment from damaging voltage and current transients generated by lightning and electromagnetic pulses. The suitability of these new devices for low cost protection of communications equipment is reviewed.
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.066 - SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - 1/2
DATE: May 22, 1989 RESCUE 621 is the transportable communications system assigned to the 939 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (Air Force Reserve), located at Portland International Airport, Oregon. According to Mr. Bill Kratch of the 939th, the capability of RESCUE 621 exceeds that of virtually any other civil or military system now in operation. RESCUE 621 radio systems include: HF Point to Point and Air/Ground, UHF Air/Ground, VHF Air/Ground, VHF Satellite (NASA ATS-3), VHF-FM ("Fox Mike" tactical radio), VHF FM High Band and Low Band Mobile Radio (Federal government, state and local law enforcement, rescue, fire and ambulance services, American Red Cross), and connections for virtually any portable or mobile radio that can be furnished by the user.
RESCUE 621 can patch together transmissions among these channels, providing a unique capability to extend local communications to a regional or global basis, while quickly adapting to rapidly changing situations. Through RESCUE 621, on- scene officials can literally talk to supporting agencies on the other side of the globe, while simultaneously all parties are linked into local or regional networks. While rescue missions were being flown immediately following the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the White House Situation Room used RESCUE 621 to link directly with military rescue aircraft and civilian officials responding to the disaster.
RACESBUL.067 - SUBJECT: USAFR RESCUE 621 - 2/2
DATE: May 29, 1989 The vehicle and support systems trailer are air- transportable by military aircraft, and are kept in mission-ready condition at all times. The vehicle is a CJ5 Jeep containing all radios and operating consoles. The vehicle carries the driver and one passenger. The trailer carries power generator, gasoline tanks and radio repair kits. This system has been funded as a peacetime rescue resource by the Air Force Reserve. RESCUE 621 is managed by Mr. Bill Kratch, 939th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (AFRES), Portland International Airport, OR. Telephone 503-335-4561, AUTOVON 638-4561. Mission tasking for RESCUE 621 is controlled by the USAF Rescue Coordination Center, Scott AFB, IL. Telephone 618-256-4815 or AUTOVON 576-4815.
RACESBUL.068 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 1/5
DATE: June 5, 1989 One of the least discussed subjects in most public safety agencies is what you should do, what you could do, what you are expected to do, or what you should not do in regards to your family in the event of a major emergency or the threat of one. Perhaps this is because it is an unpleasant subject to some, not worthy of consideration by others, or simply "no contest" by yet others. Volunteers who are committed to an emergency response function are grouped with public safety employees in this discussion. RACES personnel, for example, are government employees whenever they are working, training or serving with their state or local government. By the way, there are no "right" answers although, once a discussion gets started, there can be some strong feelings on what should or should not be done. What is important is that emergency public service responders recognize that individuals feel differently on this subject and that every agency should define a policy of what it expects of its employees (and volunteers) before the crisis develops.
RACESBUL.069 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 2/5
DATE: June 12, 1989 While being interviewed for my first civil defense position I was told that its employees and volunteers may put in long and unscheduled hours, may respond to incidents never knowing when they will be released to go home, may be called to duty at odd hours to respond immediately, and that by my not accepting these conditions could be sufficient and understandable grounds for my seeking employment elsewhere. Having had fourteen years prior volunteer SAR and firefighting experience where the same ground rules applied, I personally had no trouble with this. It was stressed during the pre-employment interviews and post-employment policy by that agency that its employees should make whatever plans were necessary to assure that their family knew what steps to take and where to go. If necessary, by themselves and without you. It required a state of mind acceptance, if you will, by the employees, spouses and other dependents.
Having served as a volunteer emergency responder for so many years prior to being paid, it certainly helped to prepare me for the frame of mind that the employer sought. I later learned that it also made the difference who was hired among equally qualified people. I thus started my career thinking that this was a standard operating practice among all emergency agencies. Nothing could be further from the truth.
All emergency workers, paid or otherwise, come to the job without any prior experience and exposure to emergency plans for the family. Each probably had training, but did it include what your family should do if you are not there to be with them?
RACESBUL.070 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 3/5
DATE: June 19, 1989 The nature of the crisis has a lot to do with whether or not communications between and your family is or may be possible. All such families should be briefed on what can happen to the telephone system in time of crisis. We take the phone system too much for granted. A sudden knowledge of an event, or the threat of one, can render the telephone system inoperative. The phone system is designed to handle just so many calls. Too many callers at one time and the system collapses. This is why Emergency Broadcast System announcements should always include the admonition to limit the use of the telephone only to emergency calls or emergency calls for assistance.
Emergency responders should have a preplan and know what to do and where to go in the absence of a telephone callout. By the same token, our families should know what to do and where to go if they do not hear from us. Better yet, they should be conditioned not to hear from us, that we are involved with the preservation of life and property of many people, and that we are confident in the fact each of the adults in our family knows, understands and accepts that fact. To be sure, there are exceptions and extenuating circumstances.
Chiefs, managers and supervisory personnel first should know that there are several categories of crisis reactions among employees and volunteers. These reactions should be discussed at the rank and file levels prior to arriving at a plan or policy.
RACESBUL.071 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 4/5
DATE: June 26, 1989 Some of these personal responses are:
- "I will stay on the job or report immediately to work; my family knows what to do and where to go."
- "I really don't know what I would do. It would depend on the circumstances. This has not been spelled out in our department. I guess that I will play it by ear."
- "I'm not doing ANY work until after I have taken care of my family. Even then I might not report for duty. Would you?"
Be that as it may, it does behoove managers and planners to discuss the matter with their people and adopt an official position. Employees and volunteers should not be left in the dark "because we have never talked about it."
RACESBUL.072 - SUBJECT: WHAT ABOUT FAMILY? - 5/5
DATE: July 3, 1989 One city is a few hours downstream of a potential dam failure that would inundate the city and hundreds of square miles around it. The city feels it is reasonable to expect all of its essential duty employees to have a contingency plan for their families to evacuate themselves to distant safe havens. This leaves the essential employees to continue uninterrupted the business of relocating essential services, records, personnel, prisoners and other wards of the government, etc. Several agencies use some form of the "buddy" system. Those reporting from home stop off at the homes of other employees to see that they are OK; patrol duty personnel may make similar checks if time allows. One county communications department says that, in the event of an earthquake, if you can make it home and back inside of one hour, you may go ahead and do so; if you cannot, stay on the job.
Too few agencies have adopted a policy in concert with adjacent jurisdictions: if you cannot get through to your duty station, report to the nearest similar facility and offer your services. That facility may have intercommunications with your own and your whereabouts can thus be made known.
Too many agencies have not addressed this subject at all. How about yours? Have you?
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.073 - SUBJECT: WHO RUNS THE RACES? - 1/2
DATE: July 10, 1989 Q. "Who is charged with managing the RACES program?"
A. The civil defense director, or by whatever title is used in your state or local government. Reference: FCC Rules and Regulations part 97.163 et al.
DISCUSSION: This does not mean that the c.d. director literally manages the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service program. The definition of "civil defense" is "any and all government agencies and support organizations working together on an emergency problem, normally in accordance with established plans and procedures."
The c.d. director usually delegates the RACES program to a qualified person in his/her office or to a support or response agency. Thus, the c.d. director often assigns the day to day training, management and use of the RACES unit to the chief of a law enforcement or fire department; the mission of the RACES, however, remains to serve the needs of the c.d. director and all agencies within the government. By the same token, the RACES must not serve the needs of only one agency, nor can there be more than one RACES organization within one government.
The operative word is delegation or assignment. The c.d. director cannot waive responsibility for the proper development and utilization of the RACES. A government either has a RACES unit or it doesn't. The RACES is not is a club, a special interest, or similar outside or detached group of people.
(Concluded in Part 2)
RACESBUL.074 - SUBJECT: WHO RUNS THE RACES? - 2/2
DATE: July 17, 1989 There may be a tendency to assign the RACES to a government's technical communications section. This is generally not recommended because the RACES is or should be) primarily operational and not technical. RACES communications is tactical and supports operational elements of government in real time and ever changing environments. It requires the movement of people and resources to adapt to often rapidly changing events. Such operations are typically not the job environment of technical communications managers, engineers and technicians. For these reasons civil defense directors should resist the frequent, albeit natural, tendency to place the RACES under a technical communications department head.
RACES members are volunteers and it certainly helps to place its management in an agency familiar with the regular utilization and management of volunteers.
Input and comments are welcomed by return mail or packet radio. --KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
RACESBUL.075 - SUBJECT: EMERGENCY PACKET COMMUNICATIONS - 1/2
DATE: July 24, 1989 When you are asked to set up a temporary packet station to provide communications for an emergency or drill, two computers should be used. If you don't, you will probably be caught in the middle of a message flow log jam that can be almost as bad as no communications at all. The reason is that you can't write messages to disc and receive traffic at the same time.
Example: Amateur Radio station N6ZZZ-1 may be your regular packet radio terminal at your EOC. When incident communications are initiated, set up your second packet terminal as, say, N6ZZZ- 2. In this manner N6ZZZ-1 is used only to receive traffic; it should go to both the computer's log and its associated printer. Meanwhile, terminal #2 is transmitting traffic from N6ZZZ-2.
Another computer should be used for writing the outgoing traffic to discs "off line." This can be done by any employee or volunteer with fast typing skills. No radio license is required. The discs are then given to the Amateur radio operator for transmission. All of the received messages have to go to a printer, of course. The outgoing message discs are cycled back and forth between the radio operators and the disc writer. (To be continued)
RACESBUL.076 - SUBJECT: EMERGENCY PACKET COMMUNICATIONS - 2/2
DATE: July 31, 1989 Never, please, never send messages from a keyboard in real time. This can hold up the entire system by preventing other stations from moving traffic in the shortest possible time. Accuracy and speed are the attributes that elevated Amateur radio from a nice-to-have emergency communications resource to must- have in many jurisdictions. The goal in state level RACES, for example, is to maintain an exchange of the maximum amount of letter perfect traffic in the least transmission time per message. Until the advent of packet in California, for example, no Amateur Radio mode met this need. State and county emergency operating centers everywhere should install one or more packet radio terminals.
It is recommended that a voice frequency be established between the various packet radio terminals for use used as a coordination or "order wire" channel. This can be most useful in solving technical problems quickly and for giving quick replies to some packet messages. Just because a message was received by packet does not mean that it is chiseled in stone that a reply must also be by packet. Whereas it may be deemed appropriate that a written (packet) reply be made for the record, a voice radio reply will be faster and more appreciated -- the written reply can follow later. ---WA6EQQ, KH6GBX
RACESBUL.077 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 1/3
DATE: August 7, 1989 We welcome RACES bulletins and newsletters so that we may gather and share good ideas and positive thoughts with you -- the CD/ES Coordinator/Director and your RACES Radio Officer. At least one county in the country is fortunate to have recruited as its volunteer county RACES officer, a nationally recognized communications businessman. His management skills and the unit's increased morale are reflected in their newsletter. Here are some excerpts from just one monthly issue. Place and people names have been deleted.
"NEXT RACES MEETING: TOUR OF COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. At this meeting we will learn about the responsibilities of those who work at the Emergency Communications Center and how RACES supports the County Fire Department. The department's Emergency Management Division is installing a considerable amount of Amateur radio equipment at its various facilities for RACES operation, with strong emphasis on packet radio. This is a very important meeting and all County RACES members are requested to attend. RACES members from all city organizations are also encouraged to be there. Other Radio Amateurs or prospective Amateurs are also invited."
"RACES ACTIVATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY 4TH. RACES volunteers and their 2-meter HT's are needed to work on July 4 with the County Fire Department. This will be a County RACES activation and all members are requested to participate. The fire department needs at least 20 certified RACES operators and, therefore, RACES members from cities will be needed in addition to County members. During this activation, one RACES operator and a 'runner' will be assigned to the County Fire Emergency Communications Center and other operators will be assigned to fire inspectors (who don't have HT's) at public displays. RACES operators will be assigned to roving patrols to report illegal fireworks . . . Assignments will be made to unincorporated areas of the County, as well as to contract cities. The training program will be held in June and all participants will be required to attend that program."
(To be continued)
RACESBUL.078 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 2/3
DATE: August 14, 1989 "RACES SERVES VARIOUS AGENCIES. Much of our training and activations have involved the County Fire Department, and we can expect our activities to increase with the Department as we become more trained and experienced. We consider it a privilege to serve the County Fire Department, but we are also available to other County agencies. For example, we can expect to be activated for communications service to the County Probation Department, and a training program is being planned. Other agencies, such as the County Sheriff, could also ask that we be activated, especially as we become more thoroughly trained as a crack emergency communications team. Our level of activations depend on you, the members of the County RACES. We need your participation in the weekly nets, in scheduled and unscheduled RACES activations, at the monthly meetings, and in the training programs. We also need your suggestions for activities to make our meetings more interesting and we need your volunteered efforts to make those activities a success. We also need you to recruit other Amateurs to join the RACES. With more members we will improve our operations, and we will increase our enjoyment in providing this important emergency communications service to the citizens of this County." [This is another good example of why RACES personnel must be trained by and exercise with the government they serve; that having an Amateur Radio license is not the end all in emergency communications -- it is just the beginning. Training, a thorough understanding of your local government and its operations, and frequent participation are key requisites to the RACES. The training does not have to be civil defense emergency communications in order for RACES personnel to become effective when the RACES is activated for its intended purpose. Showing up for duty the first time in an emergency is usually too late.]
(To be continued)
RACESBUL.079 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 3/3
DATE: August 21, 1989 "RACES DECAL AVAILABLE FROM CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. Contra Costa County (CA) has had new decals printed with the new RACES logo which was designed about a year ago." [It was designed by a Nevada State RACES artist and adopted by CA State RACES with their kind permission.] "The logo is circular with the words EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS THRU AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS printed between concentric yellow bands at the outer edge of the circle. Within the inner band is a drawing showing a telegraph key, satellite and dish, and a tower with a beam on top. The word RACES is printed in red at the lower part of the drawing area. The outer lettering, the satellite, and dish are printed in blue. The background is solid white. These [vinyl] decals have a self- adhesive on the back with a peel-off covering. They are suitable for mounting on the outside of a window and are weather resistant. As supplied, the decals are 4 inches square and need to be trimmed with scissors to become round. They can be used on the covers of RACES manuals, car windows, and magnetic signs." [Certified RACES personnel may obtain availability and cost information on these plus 9-inch decals, and 3- and 4-inch cloth garment patches by sending a SASE to us; see the message header.]
This completes these excerpts from an outstanding monthly and professional appearing county RACES newsletter. Proof again that the Amateurs in the RACES are indeed professionals.---KH6GBX
RACESBUL.080 - SUBJECT: ICS RACES RESPONDER'S CHECKLIST
DATE: August 28, 1989 This checklist applies to State RACES personnel and is recommended to the RACES in other jurisdictions and organizations using the Incident Command System.
Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator CA
RACESBUL.081 - SUBJECT: ICS PROPER RADIO USAGE
DATE: September 4, 1989
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
RACESBUL.082 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 1/5
DATE: Sept. 11, 1989 Most of us have had the experience of putting up a portable antenna in a remote area -- most often for Field Day. My most memorable time was on a deer hunting trip. I climbed a small pine tree to put up a random wire. I then spent an hour trying to get the pitch off me and my clothes.
Since that time I have used several other methods that don't require one to get so personal with the supports. I tried tying a rock to the end of a rope with the intention of throwing it over a low branch. The rock kept coming off the rope and I succeeded in knocking a dead branch off the tree. I settled for a lower branch and had to worry about tall campers running under it.
(To be continued in Part 2)
RACESBUL.083 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 2/5
DATE: Sept. 18, 1989 I saw an article where someone used a bow and arrow to put up an antenna and I decided to give it a try. I used my archery fish reel on the bow with some Dacron line. It worked very well; I was able to put up a 137-foot random wire that turned out to be vertical. The best tree for the antenna was a tall pine about 20 feet in back of my camper. I was glad that I used an arrow with a blunt head when it came back down too close for comfort.
In archery, the rear sight of the bow is called the anchor point. It is on your face, cheek, corner of your mouth or etc., where you place your fingers of the hand that you use to draw the string. When putting up the antenna, unless it's a very tall antenna, you will not need a full draw. Another ham was erecting his first antenna using a bow and arrow for Field Day a few years ago and used a full draw. The arrow shot up over the tree and headed for parts unknown. He never found the arrow but did find the string on the opposite side of the tree and was able to get the antenna up.
(To be continued in Part 3)
RACESBUL.084 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 3/5
DATE: Sept. 25, 1989 Another method I have used that works well is the use of a slingshot and "Jetline". Jetline is used by utility companies and others for putting up power lines and such. It lends itself to antenna work very nicely. It comes in a plastic tube. I hold the tube in the same hand that I hold the slingshot, with the open end of the tube in the direction the fishing sinker is to be propelled. Slingshots are great for pulling the Jetline from the tube and carry the weight up and over whatever you want to use as your aerial support. A 2-1/2 or 3 ounce weight is used to provide enough weight to get your Jetline over a rough branch surface and back down to where you can reach it. I haven't figured out a way to get the Jetline back into the tube. There is enough in one tube to put up several antennas -- depending upon the height, of course.
(To be continued in Part 4)
RACESBUL.085 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 4/5
DATE: Oct. 2, 1989 Fishing reels with monofilament line have also been used with good results.
Before Amateur Radio antennas were installed on Sacramento's new Blood Bank building, we needed to put up an antenna in a hurry to fulfill our obligation in an upcoming Simulated Emergency Test. The garage of the building has a 40-foot ceiling with exposed rafters and stringers. I used the slingshot to put up a forty meter dipole inside the garage. It was successful, the radio worked fine, and the Blood Bank officials were very impressed.
The slingshot and Jetline was used during the forest fires to put a 2-Meter "J" antenna 40 feet up a pine tree at a fire camp.
(To be continued in Part 5)
RACESBUL.086 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 5/5
DATE: Oct. 9, 1989 I find the slingshot and fishing sinker easier to use and pack in the trunk of a car than the bow and arrow. The slingshot I use and prefer is a folding Wrist-Rocket. It also makes a usable survival weapon. I used it in a park to put up an antenna; I don't believe it appears as threatening as a bow an arrow to other park users.
Both methods make a difficult job both easy and fun, a slingshot is cheaper than pole climbing spurs, and keeps you and others from getting emotional about a pine tree.
LES BALLINGER. WA6EQQ @ WA6NWE.CA.USA
State RACES Packet Operations Manager
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
(This concludes Part 5 of 5)
RACESBUL.087 - SUBJECT: STATION LICENSE QUESTIONS
DATE: Oct. 16, 1989Q. Can we get a new club or RACES station license?
A. No. They are no longer available.
Q. If we already have one, can it be renewed?
A. Yes.
Q. Can a repeater license be renewed?
A. No.
RACESBUL.088 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS THE RACES?
DATE: Oct. 23, 1989 Judging from the increased frequency of questions from those becoming interested in the RACES for the first time, it is timely to reissue State RACES Bulletin 86-6.
The RACES is communications supporting a local government by Amateur Radio operators. The RACES withered and died in those areas where they thought its use was limited to a major disaster or war. RACES survived or is being reestablished in those areas where it is utilized to support virtually any emergency with as little as one RACES operator. In short, the use of the RACES is not limited to a major event that might require the mobilization of all of the RACES and other civil defense resources.
A series of messages followed 86-6 showing the many activities by which Amateurs may increase their participation and readiness in the vital area of emergency communications. 86-6 went on to say:
An old saying goes "It's not what you know, it's who you know." This goes for the RACES and the ARES as well. Inter- personal communications between the disaster and emergency responder agencies can be as important as the actual telecommunications. Volunteers unfamiliar with the players and how they play their government game can be a hindrance and their services declined unless they have received the necessary and required orientation and training. The same holds true for us hams. A few hours of orientation and meetings with the government, plus some field activities, can make a significant difference on how much value an individual RACES and ARES member can be.
WILLIAM L. MUSLADIN, N6BTJ
Chief State RACES Radio Officer
RACESBUL.089 - SUBJECT: DSW ID CARD SOON TO BE
DATE: Oct. 30, 1989 Details of a new and long sought statewide California Registered Disaster Service Worker identification card will soon be announced.
Generally, a volunteer will complete the necessary application forms with a city, county, or the State emergency management (civil defense) agency with which the volunteer will affiliate. The applicant will then be given paperwork to take to the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office to have his or her picture taken. Following the necessary processing, the volunteer will subsequently receive a laminated photo ID card that will measure approximately 2 inches by 3-3/8 inches.
The front of the card will carry the photo, the State seal, name, and Class Assigned as specified by Emergency Council Rules. Amateur Radio operators are in the "Communications" class. The card will say "The person identified by this card has volunteered and been trained to carry out the stated assignment in time of emergency, on behalf of the State. It is important he/she be assisted in carrying out these duties."
The reverse of the DSW card will have a serial number, specialty (such as RACES), color hair, height, color eyes, birthdate, volunteer and official signatures, and card expiration date.
This new DSW ID card will be in addition to, but not necessarily replace, any government agency or other organizational ID card issued to volunteers.
Detailed information will be forthcoming so please do not deluge us with questions at this time.
STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator/State RACES Radio Officer
Phone (916) 427-4281 - Fax (916) 427-4215
RACESBUL.090 - SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE OBSERVATIONS - 1/2
DATE: Nov. 6, 1989 As is always the case, the recent Santa Cruz earthquake demonstrated that there are never enough communications facilities available when disaster strikes. In the hundred mile long affected area telephone service was partially knocked out and that which remained in service was totally overloaded. Microwave public service links went down as antennas were mis- aligned, towers buckled and power failed. The result was a huge lack of information about what damage had occurred, what was needed and where it was needed, and where recovery effort priorities should be placed.
The State of California RACES quickly came on line to supplement limited circuits between government agencies where they existed, and to provide communications where all regular circuits had been disrupted. At the Governor's Office of Emergency Services HQ, in-place RACES radio assets were manned within minutes. Solid communication links into the affected regional OES command posts in turn were in communication with the key units in their recovery plans. The RACES links had a vital part in knitting governmental recovery operations into a viable, efficient effort. For the first five days, RACES radio rooms were manned around the clock. Then , as regular government and commercial circuits were restored, RACES operations were reduced, but not before Jon Madzelan, Chief of OES Telecommunications, told the RACES that "We couldn't have done it without you."
(Continued in part 2/2)
RACESBUL.091 - SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE OBSERVATIONS - 2/2
DATE: Nov. 13, 1989 There were many lessons to be learned from the actual operation in a major disaster recovery situation. Some of them follow:
Chief State RACES Officer
RACESBUL.092 - SUBJECT: FLIGHT 232 COMM LESSONS LEARNED
DATE: NOV. 20, 1989 United Airlines flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 19, 1989. Here is a brief summary of the lessons we learned:
DOUG POTTS, KA0VHV, Asst. EC, Woodbury County, Iowa
ALAN PEDERSON, KA0VNM. Asst. EC, Dakota County, Nebraska
RACESBUL.093 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 1/3
DATE: Nov. 27, 1989
RACES PACKET RADIO TERMINAL
by
Keith Crandall, K6QIF
HQ RACES Station Manager
June 1989 We have been asked from time to time for a specification for obtaining, adding or upgrading of packet radio stations for government sites and civil defense/emergency services fixed locations. [This report is divided into a narrative and a minimum specification in lay terms. No endorsement of any make or manufacturer is intended; where such does appear it reflects that with which we have had satisfactory experience. ---KH6GBX].
NARRATIVE The world tells us that Packet Radio is already two-thirds complete when we have a two meter radio and a terminal or a computer. That is true but it is not really the complete way to go. It makes more sense to do it right the first time.
The RF part of the system should be a radio that will reject extraneous signals and have good sensitivity on the frequencies you are to use. A good example is the Kenwood TS-2550 transceiver. It has a clean receiver and transmitter and has a fast switching time between transmit and receive.
(Continued in part 2/3)
RACESBUL.094 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 2/3
DATE: Dec. 4, 1989 Next would be a good TNC (Terminal Node Controller). The AEA model PK-232 does this very well. It gives you all the modes (6) and good basic operation. Another model is the KAM by Kantronics.
You must run the complete system with a good data terminal or computer. (We call them what they are -- data communications terminals --- particularly where jurisdictions have prohibitions against or governing the procurement of computers for common workplace applications.) We have had good experience with the TDK-1000, an IBM clone, obtainable in the Sacramento area. The unit is unique in that it has a special setup: two serial ports, 10 meg speed, 1 Meg RAM, 20 meg hard disc, and both 3-1/2 inch and 5-1/4 inch floppy disc drives for data I/O. A good power supply system should be chosen with a backup A.C. supply (UPS) and battery good for a sufficient period of time until the standby power can be on line. For this reason we use a Tripp-Lite model SB-400 for the A.C. power and 4 each 40 Amp- Hour gel cell batteries in parallel to obtain 160 Amp duty cycle.
MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS The following are the minimum requirements for a data terminal for Emergency Services/Civil Defense packet radio communications:
SYSTEM:Baby AT case, 200 watt power supply, mother board XT turbo 12 MHz with 8 slots, and 1 Meg memory installed.
(Continued in part 3/3)
RACESBUL.095 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 3/3
DATE: Dec. 11, 1989DOS:Disc Operating System shall be 3.2 or later.LED/SWITCHES:LED indicators for HD and other accessory switches for keyboard and turbo.I/O CARD:Mono-multi I/O board with the following:
RACESBUL.096 - SUBJECT: LEVEL OF ACTIVITY - 1/2
DATE: Dec. 18, 1989 Here are some tips we'd like to pass along for dedicated and well organized public service volunteers. They are the people who accept the basic premise that, "Barring any higher personal priority, I will respond each time I am called out. I do this because this is what I really like to do." Volunteers in this "Level A" category are typically those in search and rescue, fire fighters, law enforcement reserves, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and certain other civil defense volunteers.
Some volunteer groups are first line responders with a highly developed callout system. Their parent agency radio pages, telephones or otherwise signals the volunteers on each and every callout. This may happen from once to several times a month.
The majority of volunteers, however, don't get called out anywhere near that often. Their chance to serve may be only once or a few times a year. This doesn't mean to say that their level of skills required is any less than the more frequent responders; it's just that the need for their services may be far less. Amateur Radio operators are usually in this category, whether they are in the RACES, ARES, or by whatever name.
Let's call the volunteer head of this group the OIC or officer-in-charge. It behooves an OIC or his/her designee to be tuned in closely to the community emergency services, to be aware of what is going on most of the time, so that the OIC will know of any incident or threat that could or would use the services of their Amateur Radio operators -- either "for real" or simply as a training vehicle.
It really can't be said often enough to volunteer groups: "More often than not, you have to request to be requested." This goes hand in hand with: "Out of sight is out of mind." Government agencies don't see their "deputy communicators" day in and day out. More often than not they don't really understand what it is you do, why frequent usage or training of the volunteers is important, or why the Amateur Radio emergency resource itself is important. (Continued in part 2/2)
RACESBUL.097 - SUBJECT: LEVEL OF ACTIVITY - 2/2
DATE: Dec. 25, 1989 The OIC (or designees) monitors what is going on and what is scheduled in the future, actively looking for opportunities to serve. When the OIC identifies such an opportunity, he goes to his supervisor in the parent agency and requests permission for the unit to participate.
I have served on both sides of the fence over the years. As an OIC I have requested permission to respond to the incident or to participate in a support or training role. Quite often it required a selling job to educate the authorizing authority the benefits to be derived by both the participants and the sponsoring agency. As an authorizing authority I have to weigh the benefits, the expected results, and the hazards. As a rule I look for every reason to say "yes" and not an automatic turndown.
How does it work in your community, with your organization and your agencies?
Sgd STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE.CA.USA.NA)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone (916)427-4281 - Fax (916)427-4215
DATE: July 3, 1989 One city is a few hours downstream of a potential dam failure that would inundate the city and hundreds of square miles around it. The city feels it is reasonable to expect all of its essential duty employees to have a contingency plan for their families to evacuate themselves to distant safe havens. This leaves the essential employees to continue uninterrupted the business of relocating essential services, records, personnel, prisoners and other wards of the government, etc. Several agencies use some form of the "buddy" system. Those reporting from home stop off at the homes of other employees to see that they are OK; patrol duty personnel may make similar checks if time allows. One county communications department says that, in the event of an earthquake, if you can make it home and back inside of one hour, you may go ahead and do so; if you cannot, stay on the job.
Too few agencies have adopted a policy in concert with adjacent jurisdictions: if you cannot get through to your duty station, report to the nearest similar facility and offer your services. That facility may have intercommunications with your own and your whereabouts can thus be made known.
Too many agencies have not addressed this subject at all. How about yours? Have you?
--KH6GBX
RACESBUL.073 - SUBJECT: WHO RUNS THE RACES? - 1/2
DATE: July 10, 1989 Q. "Who is charged with managing the RACES program?"
A. The civil defense director, or by whatever title is used in your state or local government. Reference: FCC Rules and Regulations part 97.163 et al.
DISCUSSION: This does not mean that the c.d. director literally manages the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service program. The definition of "civil defense" is "any and all government agencies and support organizations working together on an emergency problem, normally in accordance with established plans and procedures."
The c.d. director usually delegates the RACES program to a qualified person in his/her office or to a support or response agency. Thus, the c.d. director often assigns the day to day training, management and use of the RACES unit to the chief of a law enforcement or fire department; the mission of the RACES, however, remains to serve the needs of the c.d. director and all agencies within the government. By the same token, the RACES must not serve the needs of only one agency, nor can there be more than one RACES organization within one government.
The operative word is delegation or assignment. The c.d. director cannot waive responsibility for the proper development and utilization of the RACES. A government either has a RACES unit or it doesn't. The RACES is not is a club, a special interest, or similar outside or detached group of people.
(Concluded in Part 2)
RACESBUL.074 - SUBJECT: WHO RUNS THE RACES? - 2/2
DATE: July 17, 1989 There may be a tendency to assign the RACES to a government's technical communications section. This is generally not recommended because the RACES is or should be) primarily operational and not technical. RACES communications is tactical and supports operational elements of government in real time and ever changing environments. It requires the movement of people and resources to adapt to often rapidly changing events. Such operations are typically not the job environment of technical communications managers, engineers and technicians. For these reasons civil defense directors should resist the frequent, albeit natural, tendency to place the RACES under a technical communications department head.
RACES members are volunteers and it certainly helps to place its management in an agency familiar with the regular utilization and management of volunteers.
Input and comments are welcomed by return mail or packet radio. --KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
RACESBUL.075 - SUBJECT: EMERGENCY PACKET COMMUNICATIONS - 1/2
DATE: July 24, 1989 When you are asked to set up a temporary packet station to provide communications for an emergency or drill, two computers should be used. If you don't, you will probably be caught in the middle of a message flow log jam that can be almost as bad as no communications at all. The reason is that you can't write messages to disc and receive traffic at the same time.
Example: Amateur Radio station N6ZZZ-1 may be your regular packet radio terminal at your EOC. When incident communications are initiated, set up your second packet terminal as, say, N6ZZZ- 2. In this manner N6ZZZ-1 is used only to receive traffic; it should go to both the computer's log and its associated printer. Meanwhile, terminal #2 is transmitting traffic from N6ZZZ-2.
Another computer should be used for writing the outgoing traffic to discs "off line." This can be done by any employee or volunteer with fast typing skills. No radio license is required. The discs are then given to the Amateur radio operator for transmission. All of the received messages have to go to a printer, of course. The outgoing message discs are cycled back and forth between the radio operators and the disc writer. (To be continued)
RACESBUL.076 - SUBJECT: EMERGENCY PACKET COMMUNICATIONS - 2/2
DATE: July 31, 1989 Never, please, never send messages from a keyboard in real time. This can hold up the entire system by preventing other stations from moving traffic in the shortest possible time. Accuracy and speed are the attributes that elevated Amateur radio from a nice-to-have emergency communications resource to must- have in many jurisdictions. The goal in state level RACES, for example, is to maintain an exchange of the maximum amount of letter perfect traffic in the least transmission time per message. Until the advent of packet in California, for example, no Amateur Radio mode met this need. State and county emergency operating centers everywhere should install one or more packet radio terminals.
It is recommended that a voice frequency be established between the various packet radio terminals for use used as a coordination or "order wire" channel. This can be most useful in solving technical problems quickly and for giving quick replies to some packet messages. Just because a message was received by packet does not mean that it is chiseled in stone that a reply must also be by packet. Whereas it may be deemed appropriate that a written (packet) reply be made for the record, a voice radio reply will be faster and more appreciated -- the written reply can follow later. ---WA6EQQ, KH6GBX
RACESBUL.077 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 1/3
DATE: August 7, 1989 We welcome RACES bulletins and newsletters so that we may gather and share good ideas and positive thoughts with you -- the CD/ES Coordinator/Director and your RACES Radio Officer. At least one county in the country is fortunate to have recruited as its volunteer county RACES officer, a nationally recognized communications businessman. His management skills and the unit's increased morale are reflected in their newsletter. Here are some excerpts from just one monthly issue. Place and people names have been deleted.
"NEXT RACES MEETING: TOUR OF COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. At this meeting we will learn about the responsibilities of those who work at the Emergency Communications Center and how RACES supports the County Fire Department. The department's Emergency Management Division is installing a considerable amount of Amateur radio equipment at its various facilities for RACES operation, with strong emphasis on packet radio. This is a very important meeting and all County RACES members are requested to attend. RACES members from all city organizations are also encouraged to be there. Other Radio Amateurs or prospective Amateurs are also invited."
"RACES ACTIVATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY 4TH. RACES volunteers and their 2-meter HT's are needed to work on July 4 with the County Fire Department. This will be a County RACES activation and all members are requested to participate. The fire department needs at least 20 certified RACES operators and, therefore, RACES members from cities will be needed in addition to County members. During this activation, one RACES operator and a 'runner' will be assigned to the County Fire Emergency Communications Center and other operators will be assigned to fire inspectors (who don't have HT's) at public displays. RACES operators will be assigned to roving patrols to report illegal fireworks . . . Assignments will be made to unincorporated areas of the County, as well as to contract cities. The training program will be held in June and all participants will be required to attend that program."
(To be continued)
RACESBUL.078 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 2/3
DATE: August 14, 1989 "RACES SERVES VARIOUS AGENCIES. Much of our training and activations have involved the County Fire Department, and we can expect our activities to increase with the Department as we become more trained and experienced. We consider it a privilege to serve the County Fire Department, but we are also available to other County agencies. For example, we can expect to be activated for communications service to the County Probation Department, and a training program is being planned. Other agencies, such as the County Sheriff, could also ask that we be activated, especially as we become more thoroughly trained as a crack emergency communications team. Our level of activations depend on you, the members of the County RACES. We need your participation in the weekly nets, in scheduled and unscheduled RACES activations, at the monthly meetings, and in the training programs. We also need your suggestions for activities to make our meetings more interesting and we need your volunteered efforts to make those activities a success. We also need you to recruit other Amateurs to join the RACES. With more members we will improve our operations, and we will increase our enjoyment in providing this important emergency communications service to the citizens of this County." [This is another good example of why RACES personnel must be trained by and exercise with the government they serve; that having an Amateur Radio license is not the end all in emergency communications -- it is just the beginning. Training, a thorough understanding of your local government and its operations, and frequent participation are key requisites to the RACES. The training does not have to be civil defense emergency communications in order for RACES personnel to become effective when the RACES is activated for its intended purpose. Showing up for duty the first time in an emergency is usually too late.]
(To be continued)
RACESBUL.079 - SUBJECT: RACES ACTIVITIES - 3/3
DATE: August 21, 1989 "RACES DECAL AVAILABLE FROM CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. Contra Costa County (CA) has had new decals printed with the new RACES logo which was designed about a year ago." [It was designed by a Nevada State RACES artist and adopted by CA State RACES with their kind permission.] "The logo is circular with the words EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS THRU AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS printed between concentric yellow bands at the outer edge of the circle. Within the inner band is a drawing showing a telegraph key, satellite and dish, and a tower with a beam on top. The word RACES is printed in red at the lower part of the drawing area. The outer lettering, the satellite, and dish are printed in blue. The background is solid white. These [vinyl] decals have a self- adhesive on the back with a peel-off covering. They are suitable for mounting on the outside of a window and are weather resistant. As supplied, the decals are 4 inches square and need to be trimmed with scissors to become round. They can be used on the covers of RACES manuals, car windows, and magnetic signs." [Certified RACES personnel may obtain availability and cost information on these plus 9-inch decals, and 3- and 4-inch cloth garment patches by sending a SASE to us; see the message header.]
This completes these excerpts from an outstanding monthly and professional appearing county RACES newsletter. Proof again that the Amateurs in the RACES are indeed professionals.---KH6GBX
RACESBUL.080 - SUBJECT: ICS RACES RESPONDER'S CHECKLIST
DATE: August 28, 1989 This checklist applies to State RACES personnel and is recommended to the RACES in other jurisdictions and organizations using the Incident Command System.
- Receive your assignment and mission or order number.
- Check in at the incident base or where directed above.
- Obtain briefing from supervisor. This should include sleeping, feeding and other details.
- Acquire work materials if required.
- Organize and brief subordinates. Everybody has a supervisor.
- Observe communications procedures and discipline.
- Brief your relief as you would want to be briefed.
- Complete necessary forms and record keeping.
Harter, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator CA
RACESBUL.081 - SUBJECT: ICS PROPER RADIO USAGE
DATE: September 4, 1989
- Official use only.
- Message priorities in declining order:
- Death, injury, accident, medical aid
- Report of a new incident
- New incident communications
- Other incident messages
- Routine administrative messages
- Plan your messages.
- No profanity.
- Report facts, not opinions.
- Speak clearly and in a normal tone.
- Use clear text (no ten, ham or other codes).
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX, State RACES Coordinator
RACESBUL.082 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 1/5
DATE: Sept. 11, 1989 Most of us have had the experience of putting up a portable antenna in a remote area -- most often for Field Day. My most memorable time was on a deer hunting trip. I climbed a small pine tree to put up a random wire. I then spent an hour trying to get the pitch off me and my clothes.
Since that time I have used several other methods that don't require one to get so personal with the supports. I tried tying a rock to the end of a rope with the intention of throwing it over a low branch. The rock kept coming off the rope and I succeeded in knocking a dead branch off the tree. I settled for a lower branch and had to worry about tall campers running under it.
(To be continued in Part 2)
RACESBUL.083 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 2/5
DATE: Sept. 18, 1989 I saw an article where someone used a bow and arrow to put up an antenna and I decided to give it a try. I used my archery fish reel on the bow with some Dacron line. It worked very well; I was able to put up a 137-foot random wire that turned out to be vertical. The best tree for the antenna was a tall pine about 20 feet in back of my camper. I was glad that I used an arrow with a blunt head when it came back down too close for comfort.
In archery, the rear sight of the bow is called the anchor point. It is on your face, cheek, corner of your mouth or etc., where you place your fingers of the hand that you use to draw the string. When putting up the antenna, unless it's a very tall antenna, you will not need a full draw. Another ham was erecting his first antenna using a bow and arrow for Field Day a few years ago and used a full draw. The arrow shot up over the tree and headed for parts unknown. He never found the arrow but did find the string on the opposite side of the tree and was able to get the antenna up.
(To be continued in Part 3)
RACESBUL.084 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 3/5
DATE: Sept. 25, 1989 Another method I have used that works well is the use of a slingshot and "Jetline". Jetline is used by utility companies and others for putting up power lines and such. It lends itself to antenna work very nicely. It comes in a plastic tube. I hold the tube in the same hand that I hold the slingshot, with the open end of the tube in the direction the fishing sinker is to be propelled. Slingshots are great for pulling the Jetline from the tube and carry the weight up and over whatever you want to use as your aerial support. A 2-1/2 or 3 ounce weight is used to provide enough weight to get your Jetline over a rough branch surface and back down to where you can reach it. I haven't figured out a way to get the Jetline back into the tube. There is enough in one tube to put up several antennas -- depending upon the height, of course.
(To be continued in Part 4)
RACESBUL.085 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 4/5
DATE: Oct. 2, 1989 Fishing reels with monofilament line have also been used with good results.
Before Amateur Radio antennas were installed on Sacramento's new Blood Bank building, we needed to put up an antenna in a hurry to fulfill our obligation in an upcoming Simulated Emergency Test. The garage of the building has a 40-foot ceiling with exposed rafters and stringers. I used the slingshot to put up a forty meter dipole inside the garage. It was successful, the radio worked fine, and the Blood Bank officials were very impressed.
The slingshot and Jetline was used during the forest fires to put a 2-Meter "J" antenna 40 feet up a pine tree at a fire camp.
(To be continued in Part 5)
RACESBUL.086 - SUBJECT: ANTENNAS & SLINGSHOTS - 5/5
DATE: Oct. 9, 1989 I find the slingshot and fishing sinker easier to use and pack in the trunk of a car than the bow and arrow. The slingshot I use and prefer is a folding Wrist-Rocket. It also makes a usable survival weapon. I used it in a park to put up an antenna; I don't believe it appears as threatening as a bow an arrow to other park users.
Both methods make a difficult job both easy and fun, a slingshot is cheaper than pole climbing spurs, and keeps you and others from getting emotional about a pine tree.
LES BALLINGER. WA6EQQ @ WA6NWE.CA.USA
State RACES Packet Operations Manager
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
(This concludes Part 5 of 5)
RACESBUL.087 - SUBJECT: STATION LICENSE QUESTIONS
DATE: Oct. 16, 1989Q. Can we get a new club or RACES station license?
A. No. They are no longer available.
Q. If we already have one, can it be renewed?
A. Yes.
Q. Can a repeater license be renewed?
A. No.
RACESBUL.088 - SUBJECT: WHAT IS THE RACES?
DATE: Oct. 23, 1989 Judging from the increased frequency of questions from those becoming interested in the RACES for the first time, it is timely to reissue State RACES Bulletin 86-6.
The RACES is communications supporting a local government by Amateur Radio operators. The RACES withered and died in those areas where they thought its use was limited to a major disaster or war. RACES survived or is being reestablished in those areas where it is utilized to support virtually any emergency with as little as one RACES operator. In short, the use of the RACES is not limited to a major event that might require the mobilization of all of the RACES and other civil defense resources.
A series of messages followed 86-6 showing the many activities by which Amateurs may increase their participation and readiness in the vital area of emergency communications. 86-6 went on to say:
An old saying goes "It's not what you know, it's who you know." This goes for the RACES and the ARES as well. Inter- personal communications between the disaster and emergency responder agencies can be as important as the actual telecommunications. Volunteers unfamiliar with the players and how they play their government game can be a hindrance and their services declined unless they have received the necessary and required orientation and training. The same holds true for us hams. A few hours of orientation and meetings with the government, plus some field activities, can make a significant difference on how much value an individual RACES and ARES member can be.
WILLIAM L. MUSLADIN, N6BTJ
Chief State RACES Radio Officer
RACESBUL.089 - SUBJECT: DSW ID CARD SOON TO BE
DATE: Oct. 30, 1989 Details of a new and long sought statewide California Registered Disaster Service Worker identification card will soon be announced.
Generally, a volunteer will complete the necessary application forms with a city, county, or the State emergency management (civil defense) agency with which the volunteer will affiliate. The applicant will then be given paperwork to take to the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office to have his or her picture taken. Following the necessary processing, the volunteer will subsequently receive a laminated photo ID card that will measure approximately 2 inches by 3-3/8 inches.
The front of the card will carry the photo, the State seal, name, and Class Assigned as specified by Emergency Council Rules. Amateur Radio operators are in the "Communications" class. The card will say "The person identified by this card has volunteered and been trained to carry out the stated assignment in time of emergency, on behalf of the State. It is important he/she be assisted in carrying out these duties."
The reverse of the DSW card will have a serial number, specialty (such as RACES), color hair, height, color eyes, birthdate, volunteer and official signatures, and card expiration date.
This new DSW ID card will be in addition to, but not necessarily replace, any government agency or other organizational ID card issued to volunteers.
Detailed information will be forthcoming so please do not deluge us with questions at this time.
STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator/State RACES Radio Officer
Phone (916) 427-4281 - Fax (916) 427-4215
RACESBUL.090 - SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE OBSERVATIONS - 1/2
DATE: Nov. 6, 1989 As is always the case, the recent Santa Cruz earthquake demonstrated that there are never enough communications facilities available when disaster strikes. In the hundred mile long affected area telephone service was partially knocked out and that which remained in service was totally overloaded. Microwave public service links went down as antennas were mis- aligned, towers buckled and power failed. The result was a huge lack of information about what damage had occurred, what was needed and where it was needed, and where recovery effort priorities should be placed.
The State of California RACES quickly came on line to supplement limited circuits between government agencies where they existed, and to provide communications where all regular circuits had been disrupted. At the Governor's Office of Emergency Services HQ, in-place RACES radio assets were manned within minutes. Solid communication links into the affected regional OES command posts in turn were in communication with the key units in their recovery plans. The RACES links had a vital part in knitting governmental recovery operations into a viable, efficient effort. For the first five days, RACES radio rooms were manned around the clock. Then , as regular government and commercial circuits were restored, RACES operations were reduced, but not before Jon Madzelan, Chief of OES Telecommunications, told the RACES that "We couldn't have done it without you."
(Continued in part 2/2)
RACESBUL.091 - SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE OBSERVATIONS - 2/2
DATE: Nov. 13, 1989 There were many lessons to be learned from the actual operation in a major disaster recovery situation. Some of them follow:
- Government furnished, pre-positioned, tested radios and other equipment are vital to successful communications in and out of headquarters where operational direction and control is accomplished.
- Sufficient RACES staff must be available, known in advance to be committed to their particular assignments, when disaster strikes.
- The RACES units must be good enough to be considered as members of the professional staff by the fulltime, paid disaster workers. This, of course, means regular contact between the RACES and paid staff, planning and exercising jointly.
- The use of tactical callsigns is basic to success. Ham calls that change as individual operators change can and do cause confusion and disruption. FCC callsign rules must be met, of course, but the tactical call sign is paramount. "KB6ABC at OES Region 2" meets requirements and lets other locations know what they need to know and with what part of the system they are talking. The use of individual callsigns should be minimized and limited to meeting FCC requirements.
- Hard copy is better than voice, where messages addressed to third parties must be delivered with zero chance of error. Packet radio provides hard copy and allows logging each message automatically for retrieval or any future need.
- As far as the end user is concerned the means of communication are normally invisible and should be so. The goal of the system is to move information and/or data as rapidly as possible, neither adding or subtracting anything in the process.
Chief State RACES Officer
RACESBUL.092 - SUBJECT: FLIGHT 232 COMM LESSONS LEARNED
DATE: NOV. 20, 1989 United Airlines flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, Iowa, on July 19, 1989. Here is a brief summary of the lessons we learned:
- Centralize control and decision making.
- Plan for the worst.
- Extend handheld range with a portable repeater.
- Have packet capabilities.
- Tape record all repeater communications.
- Document each potential volunteer's skills.
- Maintain regular contact with service agencies.
- Meet regularly to discuss disaster preparedness.
DOUG POTTS, KA0VHV, Asst. EC, Woodbury County, Iowa
ALAN PEDERSON, KA0VNM. Asst. EC, Dakota County, Nebraska
RACESBUL.093 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 1/3
DATE: Nov. 27, 1989
RACES PACKET RADIO TERMINAL
by
Keith Crandall, K6QIF
HQ RACES Station Manager
June 1989 We have been asked from time to time for a specification for obtaining, adding or upgrading of packet radio stations for government sites and civil defense/emergency services fixed locations. [This report is divided into a narrative and a minimum specification in lay terms. No endorsement of any make or manufacturer is intended; where such does appear it reflects that with which we have had satisfactory experience. ---KH6GBX].
NARRATIVE The world tells us that Packet Radio is already two-thirds complete when we have a two meter radio and a terminal or a computer. That is true but it is not really the complete way to go. It makes more sense to do it right the first time.
The RF part of the system should be a radio that will reject extraneous signals and have good sensitivity on the frequencies you are to use. A good example is the Kenwood TS-2550 transceiver. It has a clean receiver and transmitter and has a fast switching time between transmit and receive.
(Continued in part 2/3)
RACESBUL.094 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 2/3
DATE: Dec. 4, 1989 Next would be a good TNC (Terminal Node Controller). The AEA model PK-232 does this very well. It gives you all the modes (6) and good basic operation. Another model is the KAM by Kantronics.
You must run the complete system with a good data terminal or computer. (We call them what they are -- data communications terminals --- particularly where jurisdictions have prohibitions against or governing the procurement of computers for common workplace applications.) We have had good experience with the TDK-1000, an IBM clone, obtainable in the Sacramento area. The unit is unique in that it has a special setup: two serial ports, 10 meg speed, 1 Meg RAM, 20 meg hard disc, and both 3-1/2 inch and 5-1/4 inch floppy disc drives for data I/O. A good power supply system should be chosen with a backup A.C. supply (UPS) and battery good for a sufficient period of time until the standby power can be on line. For this reason we use a Tripp-Lite model SB-400 for the A.C. power and 4 each 40 Amp- Hour gel cell batteries in parallel to obtain 160 Amp duty cycle.
MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS The following are the minimum requirements for a data terminal for Emergency Services/Civil Defense packet radio communications:
SYSTEM:Baby AT case, 200 watt power supply, mother board XT turbo 12 MHz with 8 slots, and 1 Meg memory installed.
(Continued in part 3/3)
RACESBUL.095 - SUBJECT: PACKET TERMINAL SPECS - 3/3
DATE: Dec. 11, 1989DOS:Disc Operating System shall be 3.2 or later.LED/SWITCHES:LED indicators for HD and other accessory switches for keyboard and turbo.I/O CARD:Mono-multi I/O board with the following:
- 2 ea. serial ports marked COMM-1 and COMM-2.
- 1 ea. printer port marked PRINTER.
- Floppy disc drive controller with the RT-clock on this board.
RACESBUL.096 - SUBJECT: LEVEL OF ACTIVITY - 1/2
DATE: Dec. 18, 1989 Here are some tips we'd like to pass along for dedicated and well organized public service volunteers. They are the people who accept the basic premise that, "Barring any higher personal priority, I will respond each time I am called out. I do this because this is what I really like to do." Volunteers in this "Level A" category are typically those in search and rescue, fire fighters, law enforcement reserves, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and certain other civil defense volunteers.
Some volunteer groups are first line responders with a highly developed callout system. Their parent agency radio pages, telephones or otherwise signals the volunteers on each and every callout. This may happen from once to several times a month.
The majority of volunteers, however, don't get called out anywhere near that often. Their chance to serve may be only once or a few times a year. This doesn't mean to say that their level of skills required is any less than the more frequent responders; it's just that the need for their services may be far less. Amateur Radio operators are usually in this category, whether they are in the RACES, ARES, or by whatever name.
Let's call the volunteer head of this group the OIC or officer-in-charge. It behooves an OIC or his/her designee to be tuned in closely to the community emergency services, to be aware of what is going on most of the time, so that the OIC will know of any incident or threat that could or would use the services of their Amateur Radio operators -- either "for real" or simply as a training vehicle.
It really can't be said often enough to volunteer groups: "More often than not, you have to request to be requested." This goes hand in hand with: "Out of sight is out of mind." Government agencies don't see their "deputy communicators" day in and day out. More often than not they don't really understand what it is you do, why frequent usage or training of the volunteers is important, or why the Amateur Radio emergency resource itself is important. (Continued in part 2/2)
RACESBUL.097 - SUBJECT: LEVEL OF ACTIVITY - 2/2
DATE: Dec. 25, 1989 The OIC (or designees) monitors what is going on and what is scheduled in the future, actively looking for opportunities to serve. When the OIC identifies such an opportunity, he goes to his supervisor in the parent agency and requests permission for the unit to participate.
I have served on both sides of the fence over the years. As an OIC I have requested permission to respond to the incident or to participate in a support or training role. Quite often it required a selling job to educate the authorizing authority the benefits to be derived by both the participants and the sponsoring agency. As an authorizing authority I have to weigh the benefits, the expected results, and the hazards. As a rule I look for every reason to say "yes" and not an automatic turndown.
How does it work in your community, with your organization and your agencies?
Sgd STANLY EASTON HARTER, KH6GBX (W6HIR @ WA6NWE.CA.USA.NA)
Asst. Chief, Telecommunications Division
Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone (916)427-4281 - Fax (916)427-4215
