Emergency  NET  CONTROL PROTOCOL

    The following are the instructions for performing the NCS functions.

    NOTE: An emergency is by its very nature a seat-of-the-pants operation 
      and all items/protocols listed/suggested below will, no doubt, have
      to change due to the situation at hand.

    BASICS: There are basics for any directed NET. (We will not discuss a 
      non-directed net since emergency nets are directed nets.)

      1. The Net control calls the net into existence.

      2. NCS takes check-ins and places them into the needed categories.
         (People checking in, people who can go someplace, etc whatever is 
         needed.)

      3. NCS designates someone to find out if there is a need for the net 
         by one of our customers.  (If there is no need by a customer
         then we will be a monitoring net until such time as a customer
         needs us, we conclude there is not going to be a need, or the 
         emergency is over.)

      4. We are needed:  The following needs to be supplied by the 
         customer:
           a) Where are we needed?
           b) How many are needed?
           c) What is needed, we don't ask the customer what is needed we 
              ask what kind of communications do you need? We then 
              translate that into what our group needs to supply to meet 
              the need(s), Radio supplies.
              Also, at this point someone should assess what each group 
              will need in the way of personal supplies as well.
           c) Approx. duration?

      5. Check-in procedures once a group is on site. What will the site 
         designation be? (Evac 1, Hospital, RC 2, etc.)

Suggested Script Template:
 NOTE: item(s) in () can be added or one selected.
       item(s) in [] MUST be supplied.

  This is _[call]_ calling the CARET NET.  Calling the Carroll Amateur
  Radio Emergency Team for the (possible) support of _______________.

  This is an Emergency net, (ARES/RACES) members are presently needed.

  This is a directed net, ALL communications shall be at the specific 
  direction of net control.

  Questions                                                  

  Is there an alternate net control on frequency?

  Is there any emergency traffic for the net?

  Is there any organizational traffic for the net?

  (ARES/RACES) members please check-in now:
  Check-ins will now be taken from the first half of the alphabet,
  if your callsign suffix begins with Alpha through Mike, please come now
  Check-ins will now be taken from the rest of the alphabet, November
  through Zulu.

        Call stations with emergency traffic ASAP and then stations
        with organizational traffic.  If this is the first call up,
        designate someone to find out who needs us and where.

        Remember to pause and identify regularly, every 10 min MAX. 
        During an emergency this includes identifying the purpose of
        the net as well.  Also ask for additional check-ins after the
        identification.

 This emergency net for the support of the ______________________ is now 
 closed.  I thank all stations for their participation.  The net is
 closed and the repeater is returned to regular use.  This is _[call &
 name]_ saying 73.

KE3FL/Phil
AEC Carroll County MD
3/2/2000