MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

A. Scope

This plan provides guidance for interaction of the Kodiak Amateur radio emergency Service volunteers, hereforth known as KARES, and governmental response agencies during certain emergency conditions.

B. Purpose

This plan provides coordinated operation between government officials and KARES when there is a threat to the safety of life and/or property. Since maximum benefits from amateur radio communications can only be obtained through prior planning, this plan enables agencies and organizations having emergency responsibility to include KARES in local plans.

C. Operations

This plan becomes effective when signed. The City Manager acting as Emergency Services Director is authorized to request the use of available volunteer communications facilities and personnel. Participation in this plan shall not be a relinquishment of license control or prohibit an Amateur Radio Operator from exercising independent discretion and responsibility in any given situation under the license terms.

D. Commitment

The Kodiak community has provided support to outfit the communications trailer with appropriate equipment. The trailer and the KARES membership are ready to respond to any situation in which additional communications support is needed.

A. Notification Process

In an emergency situation, parties will be notified according to the Kodiak Island Emergency Services Organization, Emergency Operations Plan – Appendix B – Warning. The Police Department Dispatch Center will activated a two-tiered EOS Warning Telephone List. Activation of KARES is incorporated in the Emergency Services Organization call-out procedure.

EXCEPTION In an emergency involving individual public safety units (e.g., Police, Fire, Harbor, etc), the Department Head may notify dispatch directly. KARES volunteer(s) on the ESO Warning Telephone List will be called.

B. Use of Public Radio Broadcast

An authorized official may contact the local radio stations to request assistance in activating KARES volunteers.

C. Procedures for Amateur Radio Operators (KARES members)

1. Upon notice to activate KARES, the Emergency Coordinator will
   1. Initiate radio paging of all KARES members, and
   2. Report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or to the Mobile Communications Vehicle.
   3. Initiate roll call of available KARES members. One of the following frequencies will be assigned:

      146.280/146.880 MHz	AL7LQ Repeater
      146.340/146.940 MHz	KL7JBV Repeater
      146.520 MHz	Amateur Radio Simplex

2. KARES members who miss initial response assignments on the emergency channel may check in at any time to receive assignment.

3. All KARES radio operators will follow the guidelines of the Emergency Operations Plan (see Appendix 2).

D. Demobilization

At the end of the emergency, the emergency net manager will initiate roll call using the designated net frequency. KARES volunteers will then acknowledge receipt of the demobilization message.