BCARES BOARD MEETING----19 OCTOBER 2006

CALL TO ORDER

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. at Ball Aerospace by Dale Scott (KAØQPV).

Persons Present

Other Attendees:

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING AND ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

The minutes of the September Board meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved by a vote of the Board with correction of two minor typographical errors. A copy will be forwarded to Rick Clark (KFØBK) for posting on the BCARES web page.

The Board discussed the August minutes and voted to revise them by deleting the sentence, under item 4.d., "Jeff confirmed this compliance for the Board." and replacing it with: "Jeff expressed his personal support for the BCARES report and operation (not as an official ARRL ruling)." The revision will be forwarded to Rick Clark (KFØBK) to update the August minutes on the BCARES web page.

OLD BUSINESS

1. BCARES Volunteer Hours
   Dale (KAØQPV) collected BCARES volunteer hours from Board members for the past month. It was noted that BCARES hours include NIMS/ICS training, meeting attendance, equipment maintenance and net participation.
2. Receipts, Reimbursements and Equipment
   Jim provided a reimbursement check to Pete Goldman (WB2DVS) to bring him up to date on several past maintenance purchases.
   It was mentioned that there was a loose connector in the TV58 backpack which needed attention and Pete said he would repair it. Jim (KGØHU) reported that Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) traced a recent problem with the TV58 transmitter to a shorted trimmer capacitor, which was replaced.
   Jim (KGØHU) reported that a 6 dB gain UHF antenna provided by Dale (KAØQPV) improved ATV signal quality, during tests at the October 14th C.U. football game. Jim recommended that those antennas be purchased for all BCARES backpacks.
   Jim (KGØHU) gave Pete a video camera donated to BCARES by Mike (W3DIF). Pete will begin acquiring the necessary components to build a new ATV backpack. Pete asked for assistance in obtaining a power adapter plug for the camera. Mike agreed to purchase and provide it.
   Dale indicated he would discuss with Pete the purchase of a new tripod for one of the existing backpack cameras to replace a broken one.
3. Secretary of State Registration
   Jim (KGØHU) reported that he had performed required annual BCARES re-registration with the Colorado Secretary of State.
4. BCARES E-mail
   George (KAØBSA) shared a procedure which new members can use to add themselves to the BCARES mailing list, without having to contact Nima (NØYX), as in the past.
5. Training and Exercises
   Upcoming BCARES training includes two more C.U. football games in November and a December 7th multi-county EOC activation. The multi-district S.E.T. originally scheduled for October 21st was cancelled.
   There will be a table top hazmat exercise at NIST on November 9th to plan for a full-scale exercise for the spring of 2007. Jim (KGØHU) will attend.
   ICS/NIMS training status was discussed. Many members still need to complete the training. Dale (KAØQPV) will continue sending reminders to the BCARES membership.
6. Dale's Special Report to the Board
   Dale (KAØQPV) reported that he had forwarded his Part 97.113 Special Report to the Board to Rick Clark (KFØBK) for posting on the BCARES web site. This report on BCARES compliance with FCC Part 97.113 had been reviewed and approved at the August Board meeting.
7. Surge Hospital After Action Report
   A Surge Treatment Center After Action Report was distributed to the Board for review and comment. It was noted with appreciation that Doshia Kretke (KBØNAS) was the primary author. She was also the primary organizer of the event. The Board commented that the report was exceptionally detailed and useful. It has been filed with Colorado State ARES for posting on their website.
8. Resignation of W7TS from BCARES Board
   The Board discussed Ken's (W7TS) recent resignation and decided to defer seeking a replacement until the BCARES annual meeting in January 2007.
9. BCARES Web Site
   Future plans for the BCARES web site were discussed. Mark (KBØLRS) has volunteered to serve as the new BCARES webmaster and will combine the existing web site maintained by Rick Clark (KFØBK) with a new one developed by J.D. Burke (KCØMWB). Both Rick and J.D. have offered to assist but, due to lack of available time, will no longer be involved once the move to the new site is complete.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Interim OEM Director Update and Information
   Jim (KGØHU) expressed appreciation for Jim Smith, Interim Boulder County OEM Director, and indicated that a decision was still pending regarding a permanent candidate for the position.
2. Broomfield MOU
   Jim (KGØHU) reviewed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) received from Kent Davies at the City and County of Broomfield. Kent asked what would be needed to get the MOU signed by BCARES. Jim expressed concern regarding item III.C.2., which states "Each Party is responsible for maintaining its own health, liability, and indemnity insurance should either determine such insurance is necessary." Jim felt that both Federal and State statutes may require BCARES be covered by served agency insurance, but there is need for a legal opinion. A meeting with Broomfield's attorney was suggested.
   Supplemental repeater support for the Broomfield area was briefly discussed. Jim (KGØHU) reviewed the possibility of installing a remote receiver for the 146.760 MHz repeater in Broomfield. He also suggested that BCARES consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the owner of an available, little-used private UHF repeater in Thornton (448.275 MHz, 156.7 Hz tone). Mike (W3DIF) has obtained verbal approval from the owner for BCARES use.
3. Status of "ATV Supplementary Operations Policy" Document
   Dale (KAØQPV) reported that he distributed his ATV Supplementary Operations Policy document to several BCARES members for review and comment. He plans to have it ready for the BCARES Board to consider for adoption by year-end.
4. Status of BCARES Packet Capability and Competency
   Dale (KAØQPV) expressed concern regarding the limited packet experience level among most BCARES members. He expressed concern that most BCARES members have insufficient experience for single-handed set-up of BCARES packet stations and troubleshooting connection issues. The need to expand training opportunities and attract members to attend sessions was discussed.
   Jim (KGØHU) pointed out that packet needs to be carried as a BCARES core competency. Dale pointed out that our served agencies expect us to be able to provide this service, so we need to be sure we can provide packet on a massive scale.
   Dave (KIØHG) volunteered to serve as BCARES packet lead. Mark (KBØLRS) will assist on the technical side and George (KAØBSA) with education. They will coordinate with Len (KDØRC). The Board expressed appreciation for Len's long-term efforts to develop and maintain the WØIA cluster and equipment.
   Board member discussion included concern over possible technical obsolescence of the sets and ways to improve their user-friendliness and set-up time. Documentation improvements were suggested. It was suggested that WØIA packet cluster hardware be reviewed and possibly upgraded to improve handling of high volume message traffic. The need to coordinate equipment changes with Dave Sittner at PSAP was noted.
5. Winlink 2000 and Airmail
   Dale (KAØQPV) and George (KAØBSA) indicated that they are continuing to look into Winlink 2000/Airmail and the possibility of adding these digital messaging systems to the BCARES "toolbox." Dale (KAØQPV) reported favorably on the systems, but noted that hardware cost was a major limitation. Winlink 2000 is a Pactor3 system, which appears to function only on proprietary SCS TNC's. The TNC's are priced somewhere around $1,000 each.
6. EMWIN Network -- Development and Maintenance
   Jim (KGØHU) reported on the EMWIN Network. The North Central Metropolitan Drainage District has requested BCARES assistance in maintaining Emergency Weather Management Information Network (EMWIN) satellite links. The EMWIN network is under development to provide Emergency Operations Centers (EOC's) with National Weather Service/Skywarn severe storm and related digital information. Satellite technology is used to better ensure that NWS/Skywarn emergency management data will continue to be available in the event of an internet outage.
   Jim (KGØHU) reported that he and Mark (KBØLRS) have worked with the Adams County EOC on their EMWIN system. Similar systems are currently being installed in Denver metro area and Front Range counties. Boulder County has the equipment and is integrating it into their EOC. BCARES has been asked to serve as lead ham radio coordinator for providing technical expertise to assist with maintenance and keeping local systems operational.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Noted:

• BCARES ATV at CU Football (Two Remaining ATV Games)
  Nov. 4 - Kansas State (Saturday, TBA, Boulder)
  Nov. 11 - Iowa State (Saturday, TBA, Boulder)
• November 9th NIST Tabletop Hazmat Planning Exercise - Planning session for a full-scale exercise to be held in Spring 2007. BCARES is being asked to provide supplemental communications and assist NIST in evaluating their own internal communications.
• December 7th Multi-County State EOC Activation - BCARES to participate in practicing voice and packet inter-operability with other Districts.
• January 2007 BCARES Annual Meeting - Date and location to be determined.

TEMPORARILY TABLED FOR FOLLOW-UP AT FUTURE MEETINGS

1. ARESCO Web Page (BCARES Reflector Information)
2. Continued Discussion: BCARES - RACES Status and Compliance (Policies, Planning, Equipment, Documentation, Training, etc.). IS 700 Compliance for RACES. Reference: NIMS info @ http://www.fema.gov/nims
3. Ecom Training/Testing
4. BCARES County-wide Site Survey Results
5. BCARES Job Descriptions
6. Emergency Response Protocol (Quick Review)
   • BCARES Red Book Procedure / MACS Plan Procedure
   • Best Practices
   • Do's and Don'ts List
7. BCARES Tentative Training Plan for 2007
   • Dates, Times, Training Types, Locations, etc.
   • Training Topics
8. Examples of Other ARES Groups' Web Pages & Content (Ideas & Suggestions)

ADJOURNMENT