AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY
SERVICE (ARES) HANDBOOK
May
17, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND SCOPE ...................................................2
APPLICABILITY...............................................................2
.
DEFINITIONS.....................................................................2
ORGANIZATION OF THE ARES SYSTEM.....................3
OPERATION OF THE
TRAINING NET OPERATING PROCEDURE..................6
EMERGENCY NET CALL UP..........................................7
EMERGENCY NET CLOSURE.........................................7
2 METER REPEATERS SERVING THE LOWER
HOSPITALS, POLICE, RED CROSS,
FIRE DEPTS, NATIONAL GUARD, AND
MISC. MONITORING FREQS...........................................11
WHAT DO I BRING? ........................................................12
DELAWARE/SUSSEX/KENT ARES LEADERSHIP.......13
MESSAGE FORMAT/RADIOGRAM.......................14, 15
PURPOSE
AND SCOPE
To provide a standardized set of directions for the members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) in times of emergency or disaster.
To provide a basic operating framework for the ARES of Sussex County.
To provide specific information with respect to Sussex County ARES response to various emergencies.
APPLICABILITY
This plan applies
to all members of the Amateur Radio Service, as licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), and registered in the ARES of Sussex County,
Delaware. This plan also applies to any ARES members from other areas, and
other licensed individuals, which may provide assistance to the Sussex County
ARES.
DEFINITIONS
ARRL: The American Radio Relay League
(ARRL) is a nation-wide organization of amateur radio operators and like-minded
individuals, dedicated to "the promotion and advancement of the radio
art." It is also the
ARES: The Field Service organization of the ARRL devoted to providing communications on a voluntary basis during disasters and emergencies. Communication may be provided on any frequencies designated for the Amateur Radio Service, as authorized within the class of license held by the individual operators.
RACES: The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a registered group of licensed operators, Technician Class or higher and 18 years of age or older, operating on specifically assigned frequencies under the direction of specified government bodies. RACES operation is very structured, being specified in FCC Part 97. Local and/or State planning may also apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If
RACES has been activated, it shall be given complete control of ALL
frequencies as required. ARES shall assist RACES only if directed to do so
by competent authority.
DISASTER: An event where communications are required for an extended period, where primary communications have been lost or are overloaded. Disasters are not dealt with locally, and outside assistance is usually requested (e.g. hurricane).
EMERGENCY: An event where additional communications are needed to assist or protect the general public; however, the event is controllable at the local or county level (e.g. forest fire).
NCS: The Net Control Station (NCS) is the operator responsible for the proper operation and control of any net to which that operator has been assigned. This operator is also responsible for assigning liaison stations as needed.
SKYWARN: An emergency organization of concerned citizens, including radio operators, trained in severe weather spotting and reporting (initially used for tornado early warning nets) by the National Weather Service.
EC: The Emergency Coordinator (EC) is the individual appointed by the DEC to coordinate ARES members in a given jurisdiction.
DEC: The District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) is an individual appointed by the SEC to oversee specific emergency concerns, assist the SEC, and/or coordinate a specific number of emergencies.
SEC: The Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) is the individual appointed by the Field Services Section Manager (SM) to coordinate the ARES members for the entire section.
TRAFFIC: Any message, whether formal or informal, handled via amateur radio frequencies. Usually, message formats for formal traffic will follow the guidelines established by the ARRL to maintain uniformity.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ARES SYSTEM
The Amateur Radio
Emergency Service was formed to provide an alternate means of communications
during times of emergency or disaster. This service is one of the primary
reasons for the licensing of radio operators in the Amateur Radio Service, as
provided under Part 97 of the FCC rules and regulations.
The ARRL has established the ARES as a means of providing this service on a level, which supports local, county, and statewide organizations. National and international levels of cooperation are supported and coordinated through the ARRL.
Although RACES and ARES are separate entities
with very different missions, the State of
The Sussex County ARES is comprised of licensed operators concerned with providing emergency communications when needed. An operator does not have to be a member of the ARRL to join ARES. In addition, membership in ARES does not require that the operator become a member of any other organization. Members are, however, encouraged to join local clubs and the RACES organization.
The Sussex County ARES staff consists of the DEC, all EC's and any specifically designated operator(s) which will provide special liaison services for the ARES group. The ARES organization is not subdivided into local municipalities to allow maximum flexibility in response. It is also NOT divided along "club boundaries" for the same reason. It should be noted, however, that occasions will arise requiring "local" knowledge; in these cases, every attempt shall be made to utilize "local" operators.
The ARES of Sussex County does not collect dues. It does provide a countywide organization of operators willing to respond to any number of emergencies. The controlling groups have generously granted usage of repeater systems (either verbally or in writing). In the event of a problem, the frequency shall be relinquished to the controlling party.
Members are encouraged to provide agreeable solutions to any problems. Problems which cannot be resolved should be brought to the attention of the next higher level of staffing.
OPERATION OF THE
The ARES system shall have three (3) levels of operation.
1) STANDBY: The first level of operation is in effect during non-emergency times. No nets are in progress and everyday life takes precedence. Minor problems or localized emergencies, such as traffic accidents, may be handled at this level without activation of the ARES.
2) ALERT: The second level of operation may be requested in response to a local agency request and is automatically assumed to be in effect during net operations unless otherwise noted. It is also automatically in effect during the following:
A. ANY PUBLIC SERVICE EVENT
B. FIELD DAY
C. SECTION EMERGENCY TEST (SET)
At the Alert level, operators are requested to monitor their local frequencies for possible activation, or to participate in operations for practice. Nets may be established at this level for administration purposes, but should not remain established for greater than one (1) hour. If necessary, a check-in/recheck schedule should be implemented instead of continuous operation.
3) ACTIVATION: The highest level of operation. At least one (1) full-time ARES net is in operation. Members may be operating with, or in support of, other volunteer organizations (such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army), local municipalities, or state and federal emergency management groups (such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA). Members may be operating as liaison stations to other ARES or RACES groups or designated communications function (such as MARS, the Military Affiliated Radio System).
Activation shall automatically occur for the following:
(Help in Emergencies for Livestock and Pets)
B. ANY state of emergency declared at state, county, or municipal level
When activated, members should expect to operate for extended periods (i.e. greater than one hour) and should be prepared to operate in shifts, if necessary.
When activated, members should deploy as directed
with the assumption that they must be completely self-sufficient. This means
all necessary equipment, tools, food, clothing, etc., should either be brought
with the operator or by another member of a team.
It should be noted that above all, FLEXIBILITY in operation should remain as a top priority for all radio operators. Training and drills may only cover a small number of the problems which may occur during "the real thing." Operational capabilities on more than one band or mode, or the ability to operate without commercial power for extended periods tend to become necessary features of radio operators in communication emergencies.
HOWEVER, this does
not mean an operator without some, or all, of these capabilities would be
unusable. Operators may be teamed up with others, or work in shifts to enable
around-the-clock operations.
Sussex County ARES communicates information on behalf of the served agency using established formal communications procedures in accordance with FCC regulations. THE SERVED AGENCY IS ALWAYS IN CHARGE. ARES member will leave civil defense and disaster management to the professionals and serve strictly as communicators.
The Sussex County ARES holds regularly scheduled
net sessions for the training of its membership. The net is also used for the
exchange of information with respect to emergency management and amateur radio.
The net will also handle message traffic into and out of the
The Sussex Emergency (ARES) Net is held every Tuesday, unless previously scheduled otherwise to avoid operations during holiday periods. The net commences at 1900 hours (7:00 p.m. local time) and lasts for approximately 30 minutes. The net is held on the 147.075(+) MHz repeater.
If prior to or during a net the primary
repeater is found to be inoperable, the following procedure should be followed:
IF: The primary repeater is not responding to input signals and the output frequency is clear of interference:
THEN: The net control station should start or continue the net on the OUTPUT FREQUENCY (SIMPLEX) of the primary repeater. The net control station will probably have to increase power to reach as many stations as possible. If all stations cannot be reached, operations should be moved to the SECONDARY REPEATER FREQUENCY. An attempt to relay this information to stations out of range of the net control station should be made as required by adjacent stations. At least one station will be designated to remain on the primary repeater output frequency for at least 10 minutes to direct future traffic to the proper frequency.
IF: The primary repeater output is activated as a silent dead carrier or would otherwise cause interference to a station attempting to transmit on the repeater output frequency:
THEN: The net control station and all other stations should transfer operations to the PRIMARY FM SIMPLEX FREQUENCY. The net control station will probably have to increase power to reach as many stations as possible. If all stations cannot be reached, operations should be moved to the SECONDARY REPEATER FREQUENCY. An attempt to relay this information to stations out of range of the net control station should be made as required by adjacent stations. At least one station will be designated to remain on the primary FM simplex frequency for at least 10 minutes to direct future traffic to the proper frequency.
Common sense
must prevail in these types of situations. If the net is not found on the
Primary repeater or primary FM simplex frequencies, then the Secondary repeater
should be investigated for activity.
In the event of a major disaster, net operations
may require the use of additional repeaters and bands. Follow the directions of
the NCS. The NCS may need multiple nets to be established, each having its own
NCS with a liaison station assigned for coordination with the main
It is recommended that all operators become familiar with the net call-up procedural guidelines (on the following page). Stations assigned as liaisons should have the ability to rapidly shift frequencies to provide quick information transfers between nets. Liaison stations should also have a working knowledge of the nets to which they are assigned.
For multiple nets, the following guidelines are provided:
TRAINING NET OPERATING PROCEDURE
"This is
(NCS Call Sign) calling the
"This is a
directed net. Stations should not break the net unless they have emergency or
priority traffic. Stations holding such traffic, please call now."
The
NCS handles any such traffic immediately.
If
there is no emergency or priority traffic -
"Hearing
none, are there any stations with routine traffic? Stations with traffic and
traffic only, call now."
The NCS accepts
check-ins with traffic, having those stations list the destinations of the
traffic held. Once all traffic has been listed, the NCS should accept regular
check-ins.
"This is
(NCS Call Sign) and the
The NCS may accept
check-ins randomly, by callsign, alphabetically, or by municipality. Priority
should be given to mobile and portable units. Portables may be given
instructions to secure or re-check with a net at a pre-determined time. Once
all check-ins appear complete, handle any remaining traffic.
Continue with Net
announcements, if any. Provide the opportunity for members to provide feedback
or information not listed by the NCS. Allow frequent pauses for additional
check-ins.
When announcements
are complete, announce the drill (if any are to be run). The NCS shall provide
any directions or additional information needed for each drill.
Upon
completion of any drill, allow for any comments or cross-talk and a last chance
for check-ins.
When
there is no further activity,
"This has
been a regularly scheduled session of the
EMERGENCY
NET CALL UP
"This is
(callsign). Attention all stations on frequency. Please stand by for emergency
traffic. Attention all stations on frequency. Please stand by for emergency
traffic. This is (a drill / an actual emergency). This is (callsign)."
Wait 5 to 10 seconds
"Attention
all stations on frequency. This is (callsign), net control station for the
Wait 5 to 10 seconds
" The
communications services of the ARES Team is requested by (requesting agency).
There is (very brief description and location of the incident). All stations
stand by for roll call."
Follow a roll call
of active members from the SUSSEX COUNTY ARES ROSTER, noting status of each
member checking in. Give a second call for late or missed members, but take no
visitors. The DEC, EC, and/or SEC will be copying down the status of each
member as the net progresses.
Following the roll
call, the DEC, EC or SEC will take over the net and direct the appropriate
resources to their assigned locations. They may also request some people on the
net to telephone others on frequency if added personnel are required.
EMERGENCY
NET CLOSURE
Net Control reassumes control of the net.
"This is
(callsign). I would like to thank all stations for participating in the net.
This repeater is now returned to normal operation. (callsign) clear."
The following is a
list of the shelters that the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) has
developed. This list is subject to change and is provided to allow the radio
operator to become aware of the potential shelter locations in
|
DEMA SHELTER LIST: |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
City |
Shelter Location |
|
Capacity |
|
Bridgeville |
Early |
|
300 |
|
Bridgeville |
|
|
600 |
|
Dagsboro |
|
|
800 |
|
Delmar |
Delmar Jr/Sr High School |
Delmar |
800 |
|
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
1000 |
|
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
N/A |
500 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
200 |
|
Lewes |
|
|
1000 |
|
Lewes |
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
1000 |
|
Millsboro |
|
|
400 |
|
Millsboro |
|
|
800 |
|
Millsboro |
|
N/A |
100 |
|
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
600 |
|
Rehoboth |
|
|
730 |
|
|
|
|
450 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
Selbyville |
|
|
300 |
|
Selbyville |
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
Total: |
14,830 |
Function Freq. (MHz) Location
2 METER REPEATERS SERVING THE
Millsboro 147.075(+)
no PL (
Seaford 145.210(-)
PL 156.7 (
Hazlettville 147.300(+) PL 77.0 (as needed)
Woodside 146.970(-) PL 77.0 (as needed)
Delmar 146.925(-) PL 156.7
Princess Anne 146.625(-) no PL
SOUTHERN DELAWARE NETS
(All times local)
Mondays
8:00 PM 6:30
PM M-F
145.210(-)
PL 156.7 3.905
MHz LSB
Tuesdays 7:00 PM 6:00 PM Saturday
145.075(+) 3.905 MHz LSB
Sundays 8:00 PM
146.970(-)
PL 77.0 (as needed)
HOSPITALS, POLICE, RED CROSS,
Delaware
Hospitals
Beebe Medical Center
Bayhealth Medical Center/Dover So. Governors Ave,
Maryland Hospitals
Peninsula Regional Medical Center
Police Stations (Dial 911) or Administrave
Telphone Numbers
Bridgeville 302 Market St. 337-8302
Delmar
Dewey Beach
Lewes East 3rd St. 645-6264
Millsboro 307 Main St. 934-8174
Ocean View Ocean View, DE 539-1111
Selbyville
American Red Cross
Sussex County EOC Airport, Georgetown, DE 855-7801/tel 855-7800/fax
736-2226/W3HZW
DEMA (
Operations Agency)
FIRE DEPTS, NATIONAL GUARD, & MISC.
MONITORING FREQS.
Fire Departments (Dial 911) or
Administrative Telphone Numbers:
Bethany Beach P.O. Box 142 539-7700
Blades
Dagsboro P.O. Box 509 732-6151
Delmar P.O. Box 143 846-2530
Ellendale
Frankford
Laurel P.O. Box 410 875-3081
Lewes P.O. Box 225 645-6556 or 645-7667
Millsboro
Roxana RR4,
Selbyville
National Guard
MISC. MONITORING FREQUENCIES (MHz)
NOAA Weather Radio/Lewes 162.550 Emergency Alerting System
NOAA Weather Radio/Salisbury 162.475 (EAS) Stations:
Hurricane Watch Net 14.325
WHAT DO I BRING?
This list is not all-inclusive, but it provides good ideas. ARES or RACES could be activated for hours or days, so adapt the list to suit the situation and develop a "Ready Kit"!
EQUIPMENT:
Transceiver(s) (Identified with your call sign)
Headphones or earphone
Extra battery packs or external battery
Cigarette lighter power adapter
AC power supply and cord
50' coax with connectors (including various adapters)
Portable Antenna
Flashlight and batteries
Small tool bag (tools, soldering iron, wire)
Message forms
50' 1/8" nylon cord
Spare fuses
Repeater directory
Duct/electrical tape
FCC license
Credit cards/cash/coins/calling card
Pens/pencils/note pad
Maps
PERSONAL ITEMS:
Aspirin, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, antacids, sunscreen, comb, razor, shave cream, soap, "cold water" laundry soap, towel and washcloth, travel alarm, pocket knife, roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag, first aid kit, personal medications, ear plugs (noisy shelters).
CLOTHING:
Boots, jacket,
sweatshirt, underwear (2), pair socks (2), hat, long sleeve shirt (plus the one
on your back), rain wear, pants, and handkerchiefs.
FOOD/SHELTER:
Canned stew, dry soup, instant coffee/tea/cocoa, 1 gallon water, salt/pepper packets, sugar, creamer packets, instant oatmeal, granola bars, throat lozenges, knife/fork/spoon, cup, sleeping bag, cot, tent, bucket for laundry.
Section Emergency Coordinator and Section Manager
Randall Carlson, WB0JJX
H (302) 655-6179
wb0jjx@arrl.net
District Emergency Coordinator Emergency
Coordinator-Western
John Ferguson, K3PFW Vaughn B. Russell, W3IJ
RD 6, Box 113 RD
1,
(302) 855-9385 - home (302) 629-3804 -home
(302) 855-1608 - work w3ij@juno.com
jferg@outland.dtcc.edu
Emergency Coordinator - Mid-Sussex Emergency
Coordinator -
Joseph W. Schorah, WA3KZX Ruley F. Banks, Jr. WA3FYS
RT 2, Box 354AA RT
1,
(302) 337-3449 - home (302) 732-6177 - home
wa3kzx@juno.com ruley@juno.com
District
Emergency Coordinator Emergency Coordinator
Jerome (Jerry) F. Palmer N3KRX Daniel (Danny) L. Clay N3WCB
(302) 398-4115 - home (302) 730-4426 - home
n3krx@arrl.net n3wcb@hotmail.com
MESSSAGE FORMAT
All written messages passed on the behalf of agency officials MUST be in standard ARRL Formal Traffic Format, and all such formal messages must be SIGNED by the official who originates the, with his TITLE, taking responsibility for their contents.
Refer
to sample ARRL Radiogram at this web site:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/radiogram2.pdf
Every formal radiogram message originated
and handled should contain the following component parts in the order given
I. Preamble
a. Number (begin with 1 each month or year)
b. Precedence (R, W, P or EMERGENCY)
c. Handling Instructions (optional)
d. Station of Origin (first amateur handler)
e. Check (number of words/groups in text only)
f. Place of Origin (not necessarily location of station of origin.)
g. Time Filed (optional with originating station)
h. Date (must agree with date of time filed)
II. Address
(As complete as possible, include zip code and telephone number)
III. Text
(Limit to 25 words or less, if possible)
IV. Signature
PHONE: Use prowords instead of prosigns, but it is not necessary to name each part of the message as you send it. For example, the above message would be sent on phone as follows: "Number One | Routine | W1AW | Eight | Newington Connecticut | One Eight Three Zero Zulu | July One | Donald Smith | Figures One Six Four East Sixth Avenue | North River City Missouri | Zero Zero Seven Eight Nine | Telephone Seven Three Three Four Nine Six Eight | Break | Happy birthday | X-ray | see you soon | X-ray | love | Break | Diana | End of Message | Over. "End of Message" is followed by "More" if there is another message to follow, "No More" if it is the only or last message. Speak clearly using VOX (or pause frequently on push-to-talk) so that the receiving station can get fills. Spell phonetically all difficult or unusual words--do not spell out common words. Do not use cw abbreviations or Q-signals in phone traffic handling.
PRECEDENCES
The precedence will follow the message number. For example on phone use, "Two Zero Seven, Routine (or Emergency)."
EMERGENCY--Any message having life and death urgency to any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial facilities. This includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to relief of stricken populace in emergency areas. During normal times, it will be very rare. When in doubt, do not use it.
PRIORITY--Important messages having a specific time limit. Official messages not covered in the Emergency category. Press dispatches and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notifications of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official.
WELFARE--A message that is either a) an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area b) an advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates all is well should carry this precedence. These messages are handled after Emergency and Priority traffic but before Routine.
ROUTINE--Most traffic normal times will bear this designation. In disaster situations, traffic labeled Routine should be handled last, or not at all when circuits are busy with Emergency, Priority or Welfare traffic.
END
OF ARES DOCUMENT
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