That SPARC provide active support of the ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) by staffing and providing the necessary equipment to
serve the needs of Eastern Loudoun County during emergency conditions
as identified by the ARES Emergency Coordinator for Loudoun
County. SPARC's level of effort will be to support ARES
activities at various Eastern Loudoun Relocations Centers and Public
Service Events as needed.
Discussion:
1. Mission: During natural disasters and other emergencies
Loudoun County may activate relocation centers located throughout the
county. Typically these centers are located in the county's
junior and senior high schools. ARES volunteers are needed to provide
communications at these centers in the event of total communications
failure. Public Service events such as parades and sporting
events can also use ARES volunteers to assist
with basic needs such as crowd control, logistics
and medical aid.
2. Level of Effort: It is envisioned that SPARC would provide the
necessary personnel to staff at least 3 relocation centers here in
Eastern Loudoun. This would be a firm commitment, by SPARC, to
answer the call of the Emergency Coordinator. At a minimum this
would require at least two people manning 2 twelve hour watches for
each center. Additional personnel could be used to shorten the
watch. Note though, that conditions might require personnel to
stay in place for at least twelve hours due to bad traveling
conditions. Public service events staffing is not as rigid and
staffing might be supplied with available personnel that are interested
in the event.
3. Required Equipment: The minimum equipment requirement at each
relocation center would be a 40 watt 2 meter voice with seven hour
battery capability and a battery operated 40/80 meter voice
station. Equipment used for public service events are quite loose
and are usually handled with handheld transceivers.
4. Training of Volunteers: To staff this effort our volunteers will
have to undergo training in the area of radio procedures and
interaction with other emergency personnel. Such training could
be conducted by Tom (WB3AKD).