BCARES BOARD MEETING----25 MAY 2006

CALL TO ORDER

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in a Ball Aerospace meeting room by Dale Scott (KAØQPV).

Persons Present

Board status Name (position) Present?
BARC Primary Mike Derr W3DIF (Secretary) Y
BARC Alternate Dave Sharpe KIØHG Y
LARC Primary Dan Hysom KB3CXD N
LARC Alternate Don Bessee KCØQZR N
RMVHFS Primary Len Koppl KDØRC Y
RMVHFS Alternate Mike Borenstein NØBP N
2-Year At Large, Even Year, Primary George Weber KAØBSA Y
2-Year At Large, Even Year, Alternate Ken Kinyon W7TS N
2-Year At Large, Odd Year, Primary Jim Kubitschek KGØHU (Chairman/EC) Y
2-Year At Large, Odd Year, Alternate Mark Huff KBØLRS Y
1-Year At Large, Primary Dale Scott KAØQPV (Vice Chairman/Admin-AEC) Y
1-Year At Large, Alternate Ed Schlichting KBØTVH Y
Office of Emergency Management Justin Dombrowski (Treasurer) N
Boulder County Sheriff's Office Chuck Pringle KCØDGP N

Other Attendees:
Doshia Kretke - KBØNAS (BCARES Member)

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING AND ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

The minutes of the April 6, 2006 Board meeting were unanimously accepted and approved.

OLD BUSINESS

  1. BCARES Hours Tally Update
    Dale (KAØQPV) collected BCARES volunteer hours from Board members for the past month. It was mentioned that BCARES hours include NIMS/ICS training, meeting attendance and net participation.
  2. Hamcon Colorado 2006 Planning (June 9th, 10th and 11th)
    The following were discussed for possible use at the BCARES Hamcon 2006 exhibit table:
    1. Recruiting letters and membership applications. Information flyers with web page net, annual meeting, new member training, event history, capability and resource information.
    2. CD ROM disk hand-outs containing NIMS and ICS training and certification information.
    3. Red Book copies (for distribution to members only).
    4. Specific information on getting badge pictures taken.
    5. BCARES business cards with contact information.
    6. Videos and photos of BCARES activities.
    7. A 3 ft. X 5 ft. Vinyl BCARES banner.
    8. ATV and packet demonstrations.
    Friday – Exhibitor setup 0900-1300, open to general public 1300-1800.
    Saturday – Exhibitors 0800-0900, general public 0900-1800
    Sunday – Everyone 0900-1200. All exhibitors must be out of Exhibition Hall by 1400.

    Action Items:
    1. Dale (KAØQPV) will work on the table display and work with George (KAØBSA) to prepare hand-outs. Dale will also recruit BCARES members, by e-mail and and Monday nets, to assist with table staffing.
    2. Jim (KGØHU) will mail the table reservation and $40 fee to the Hamcon Committee.

    The Boulder County comm. van is tentatively scheduled to be present at Hamcon, but Board members suggested that the Longmont comm.. van may currently be a better example of BCARES interaction with its served agencies. Dale (KAØQPV) mentioned that an impressive Salvation Army comm van was shown at the Boulder County All Hazards Symposium in March.

    Action Items:
    1. Jim (KGØHU) will contact Longmont and determine its Comm Van availability. The Hamcon Committee will need to be informed if a change is made, so a larger parking lot space can be reserved for the Longmont van, which is larger than the Boulder County or Salvation Army vans. A 30 ft. space is currently reserved.
    2. Dale (KAØQPV) will contact Rich Ferguson (KAØDXM) to determine availability of the Salvation Army comm van.

    If it is possible for a Comm Van to be present at Hamcon, Board members suggested that it would be worthwhile to consider including tours and an ATV demonstration.

  3. BCARES Funding – Equipment Prioritization Lists and Discussion
    1. C.U. Equipment Recommendations
      As follow-up to discussions at last month’s Board meeting, requests from Joe Roy, C.U. Police Chief, were again reviewed. He wants BCARES to provide higher signal quality video and feeds from a larger number of cameras (three or four) at football games. He also wants to be able to feed BCARES video to his Folsom Field press box digital video system. C.U. has indicated a willingness to acquire equipment, however, BCARES needs to be involved in planning and installation.

      Action Item: Jim (KGØHU) will work with Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) to determine digital video interface options and organize a site assessment. An equipment list will be submitted to C.U. by the end of June, so acquisition and installation can take place prior to the start of the C.U. football season.
    2. Boulder County Equipment Recommendations
      As follow-up to discussion at last month’s Board meeting, an offer by Boulder County (Cmdr. Chuck Pringle) to assist BCARES with equipment acquisition as again reviewed. It was again suggested that camera preferences be reviewed with Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) to maximize format compatibility. A custom title feature (call sign and time/date stamp) is mandatory.
      Len KDØRC suggested changes to packet equipment on the list. Advantages and disadvantages of separate TNC’s vs. the Kenwood TM-D700A internal TNC were discussed. Len suggested that concerns expressed by other districts regarding the TM-D700A TNC may be mis-diagnosed. The TM-D700A has a less feature-rich TNC, but is more convenient.
      It was recommended that a final equipment list be submitted to Chuck Pringle no later than mid-July.
      Action Items:
      1. Len KDØRC will review the equipment proposal (see April 6, 2006 Board minutes) and provide suggestions. He will also further discuss the viability of the TM-D700A with other districts and report back to the Board.
      2. Dale (KAØQPV) will work with Jim Andrews (WAØNHD) to review camera options.
      3. Dave (KIØHG) volunteered to look into the availability of 900 MHz ATV which may offer a way of providing additional camera feed channels. Mark (KBØLRS) also volunteered to look into ATV equipment sources.
  4. Boulder County Health Department Update – Site Assessment Report
    Action Item:As follow-up to the Boulder County Health Department site survey reported at last month’s Board meeting, Dale (KAØQPV) will shortly provide a summary and equipment recommendations to Heath Harmon.
  5. Hospital Update – Antenna Upgrades
    Doshia (KBØNAS) reported on planned antenna upgrades. One or two dual band Diamond X-50NA’s are planned for Longmont United hospital in addition to their existing Station Master VHF antenna, which is expected to remain in place. Two X-50NA’s are being considered for Avista and one for Boulder Community Hospital (BCH). Some new cabling will also be required.
    Action Items:
    1. Doshia (KBØNAS) will work with Longmont United and BCH to finalize an order for antennas and cables.
    2. Dave (KIØHG) will work with Doshia (KBØNAS) and Andy Przedpelski (KCØCWK) to further define Avista’s needs.
    3. Mark (KBØLRS) volunteered to look into possible discounts and cable sources.
  6. BCARES Pagers
    Dale (KAØQPV) continued his report from last month that some BCARES pagers, including his own, were not receiving necessary call-out pages. A visit with Scott Whitehead revealed that pagers may be programmed for BCARES, Fire Major, Flood Major, Law Major and other groups. Dale’s pager was re-programmed to receive BCARES, Fire Major and Flood Major.
    Action Item: BCARES pager users should have their pagers checked if they believe they may be missing important pages.
  7. Training – NIMS/ICS Compliance Planning
    Amateur radio operator certification, in the form of NIMS-compliant course training, is now being required by more and more served agencies. Incident Command System (ICS) courses have been developed to meet requirements specified under the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Currently, Colorado RACES requires completion of ICS-100, 200 and 700 courses for membership. ICS-800 may also be required in the future. These courses are available on-line. BCARES members need to begin taking these courses to avoid potential future conflict with our served agencies.
    The BCARES Board meeting discussion centered on ideas regarding how best to roll NIMS/ICS training out to the membership. Links to the courses are available on the BCARES web site: http://www.qsl.net/aresco-d11/

    ICS-100 http://training.fema.gov/E MIWeb/IS/is100.asp
    ICS-200 http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is200.asp
    ICS-700 http://training.fema.gov/E MIWeb/IS/IS700.asp
    ICS-800 http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800.asp
    Articles of Incorporation with Boulder County designate BCARES as the official County RACES and ARES organization. Although not presently the case, it appears that, eventually, NIMS/ICS training may have to be required by our served agencies, as a possible result of future Federal grant funding requirements.
    Action Item: Dale (KAØQPV) will develop an e-mail to be sent to the general BCARES membership to discuss details of NIMS/ICS training and encourage taking the courses.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Surge Hospital Mass Casualty Exercise
    Doshia (KBØNAS) reported that a mass casualty response exercise involving area hospitals is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th. Boulder County is planning to set up a surge hospital at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. They are asking for BCARES assistance with packet and voice communications between the Fairgrounds and each participating area hospital.
    Action Item: Doshia (KBØNAS) will continue to meet with Heath Harmon and the Boulder County Health Department to follow development of the exercise and BCARES involvement.
  2. Field Day The possibility of identifying a fun way for BCARES to be involved in Field Day was discussed. A possible repeat of last year’s ATV experiments was mentioned, as was the possibility of finding a way to participate with packet.
    Action Item: BCARES involvement in Field Day will be promoted on the Monday night nets to develop interest and identify someone willing to take the lead in BCARES Field Day activities.
  3. Lyons “Good Old Days”
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that Lynn Huff, who is in charge of communications for Lyons “Good Old Days,” has asked BCARES to provide one or two volunteers to assist in staffing the County Comm Van during this event, which is scheduled for June 22nd through 25th (which includes Field Day weekend). BCARES would be using Comm Van equipment and County frequencies.
    Action Item:Jim (KGØHU) will meet with Lynn to obtain further details.
  4. Proposed Inter-District Simulated Emergency Test (S.E.T.)
    Len (KDØRC) proposed an inter-district S.E.T. exercise with Districts 10, 11 and 27 for a Saturday in October. The Board suggested October 14th or 21st as possible dates, depending on the C.U. football schedule. [Note: A look at the C.U. football schedule after the Board meeting showed October 14th as a home game and October 21st as an away game, so it looks like October 21st could be a possible S.E.T. date.] Action Items:
    1. Len (KDØRC) will take the lead and work with Dale (KAØQPV) and others to develop the exercise.
    2. Jim (KGØHU) will discuss exercise details with Justin Dombrowski and Chuck Pringle after additional planning has taken place.
  5. EMWIN Network -- Development and Maintenance
    The Urban Flood Control District has requested BCARES assistance in developing and maintaining Emergency Weather Management Information Network (EMWIN) satellite links. The EMWIN network is being developed to provide Emergency Operations Centers (EOC’s) with National Weather Service/Skywarn severe storm and related digital information. Satellite technology is being used to better ensure that NWS/Skywarn emergency management data would continue to be available in the event of an internet outage.
    Jim (KGØHU) reported that he and Mark (KBØLRS) have been working with the Adams County EOC on their EMWIN system. Similar systems are currently being installed in the Denver metro area and communities along the Front Range. Boulder County has the equipment and is integrating it into their EOC. BCARES is being asked to provide technical expertise to, primarily, assist in maintaining and keeping local systems operational.
    Action Item: Jim (KGØHU) will pass along further details to the BCARES Board as they become available.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Next BCARES Board Meeting -- Tentative Date: THURSDAY, 15 June 2006 AT 7:00 p.m.

TEMPORARILY TABLED FOR FOLLOW-UP AT FUTURE MEETINGS

  1. ARESCO Web Page (BCARES Reflector Information)
  2. Digital Communications: Winlink and Packet Cluster Support
  3. Continued Discussion: BCARES – RACES Compliance (Policies, Planning, Equipment, Documentation, Training, etc.). IS 700 Compliance for RACES.
    Reference: NIMS info @ http://www.fema.gov/nims
  4. Ecom Testing
  5. BCARES County-wide Site Survey Results
  6. BCARES Job Descriptions
  7. Status of Reimbursements or Expenses
  8. Emergency Response Protocol (Quick Review)
  9. MOU Status
  10. BCARES Tentative Training Plan for 2006
  11. BCARES Web Page Update Status
  12. Examples of Other ARES Groups’ Web Pages & Content (Ideas & Suggestions)

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Michael Derr (W3DIF), Secretary