ARRL Certification Program
Emergency Communications
Handling Walk-ons

Handling Walk-ons

1. Realities

One of the realities of emergency communications is that the pool of people dedicated to emergency communications is always smaller than the range of needs for emergency communicators.  During the idle times between events, attendance at training sessions are often low considering the number of potential candidates.  While we all would like to see more education and preparedness up front before the event, the reality is a majority of people will be affected when the event occurs and many of those offering communications assistance will be underprepared coming into the event.

A key element is the level of education and training prior to the event.  Therefore, the essential elements must be conveyed in a rapid fashion, and allow the rest to be developed during the deployment.

One must anticipate this situation and handle it as best as practical given the circumstances to yield the most results.  The results won't be perfect, (note:  nothing in an emergency is ever perfect or ideal -- if one has a problem with that fact, get over it) and there would have been room for improvement had prior education taken place, but these elements are beyond control once the event occurs.
 

2. Considerations
• If the walk-on doesn't have a valid Civil Defense ID, the person may not be allowed into the operational area if it is restricted.  You may have to route the volunteer to another assignment.
• If the event involves a community evacuation, perhaps the best assignment is to have the "walk-on" report with his family to his/her nearest community evacuation shelter and begin operations.
• It is best not to have the walk-on operate independently if possible, but in conjunction with another experienced person.
• Walk-ons can be used to free up previously trained individuals that are needed more importantly in another assignment.
3. Three Page Handout
It is best to develop a  two or three page handout ahead of time to give to the person to orient him/her to operations.  It should include:
• Leave blanks to fill in the callsign, agency assignment, name of the agency contact person, and location to report.
• General Guidelines on ICS, lead agencies.
• List of people normally in charge.
• Key Frequencies and telephone numbers.
• Key operating practices
• Sample of tactical messaging
• Sample of the ARRL Radiogram message and handling instructions
• Short list of do's and don'ts.
• Part 97.401, 97.407
4. Determination and Assessment
• During the escalation of the event, make a determination how and where to use the walk-ons.
5. Briefing Area
During the escalation of the event, determine the appropriate area for holding briefings for walk-ons, and announce it on bulletins to the nets.
6. Strategies
1. Assign to an Existing Operations or Logistics Team
• Existing operators can provide on-the-job education and supervision.
• Can be used as relief operators.
• Can free up a trained individual for reassignment to a more needed location.
• Depending on the skill and equipment of the walk-on, the walk-on can shadow an official, keeping him/her available and accessible to the net and other officials.
2. Relay and Monitor Stations
• The walk-on may also be put into service monitoring frequencies for activities and relaying between nets.
• Running phone patches for people in the field to locals where phone service is available or unaffected by cellular sites that are saturated with calls.
3. General Transportation and General Labor Assignments
• The walk-on may be available to provide logistical transportation using the radio to keep updated.  The radio can also be used to locate key people in the receiving area.
• Similarly, the walk-on may be available for general labor assignments, using the radio to keep in touch with the head of operations.  This includes
• preparing and replenishing rest areas for the workers
• moving and handling in-bound materials and the associated workers
• updating status boards and message centers

• True or false:  There are always more emergency communicators available for each incident that needed.
• True or false:  One of the key areas that could use walk-ons supplying emergency communications is community evacuation shelters.
• True or false:  During the onset of an emergency, the leaders should consider where to hold the briefing area for the walk-ons.
• True or false:  During the onset of an emergency, the leaders should consider what opportunities are best suited for the walk-ons.
• True or false:  Handling phone patches and phone relays are viable opportunities for the walk-ons.