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Appendix 2

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Kodiak Amateur Radio Emergency Service (KARES)

1. Introduction

1.1 The Kodiak Amateur Radio Emergency Service (KARES) is composed of FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operators who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service communications.

1.2 Under federal regulations, Amateur Radio Service Communications are furnished without compensation of any kind.

1.3 KARES functions within this emergency plan under the direction of the KARES Emergency Coordinator, who is appointed by the American Radio Relay League through the action of the Alaska Section Manager.

1.4 The Emergency Coordinator may appoint Assistant Emergency Coordinators as needed.

2. Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing information that would be needed in an emergency, while maintaining flexibility in providing adequate response.

2.2 The primary responsibility of KARES is to furnish communications in emergency situations when regular communications fail or are inadequate.

2.3 Drills, training and instruction shall be carried out to insure readiness to respond quickly in providing effective radio communications when needed.

2.4 The following agencies could be served during an emergency by KARES communications: Emergency Service Organization, Kodiak Chapter-American Red Cross, Providence-Kodiak Island Medical Center, Fire Departments, Police Department, Harbor Department, U.S. Coast Guard Integrated Support Command-Kodiak, Alaska State Troopers, and other agencies needing assistance.

3. Activating the Plan

3.1 Any KARES member who suspects a communications emergency should monitor the assigned net for activity.

3.2 If local telephone service is available, the Emergency Coordinator and/or Assistant Emergency Coordinator(s) should be notified using the existing Pager system.

3.3 In an emergency in which Amateur Radio might serve the community, operators my be alerted by any Borough, City, Red Cross, Civil Preparedness or similar official. Contact should be made to the KARES officers via the paging system.

4. Mobilization Procedure

4.1 The Police Department Dispatch Center shall notify the Emergency Coordinator(s) via the paging network.

4.2 If local telephone service is available, Emergency Coordinator(s) will notify other KARES members via the pager network.

4.3 Upon awareness or notification that a communications emergency exists, KARES members will call in to the Kodiak Emergency Net on 146.280/146.880 FM Repeater, with 146.340/146.940 repeater and 146.520 simplex as alternate frequencies.

4.4 KARES members in mobile units will receive assignment at the time of check-in on the radio net.

4.5 The Emergency Coordinator will assume net control or delegate another station as net control station (NCS). Control will be from the Kodiak Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or other such designated command post. The net control station will be known as KARES Net Control.

4.6 The Emergency Coordinator will assure that (1) one High Frequency (HF) station in the Kodiak area is on the air in actual or potential events of a statewide proportion. The HF Station will be identified as the Kodiak Amateur Radio Emergency Service Station, and will report to State Control on 3.920 mHz LSB. The HF Station operator will keep KARES net control at the Emergency Operations Center updated with statewide reports as appropriate. This will be done via the designated repeater net (see Section 4.3).

4.7 The KARES local net control (VHF-FM) and the KARES HF � sideband station for long-range communications will be utilized during a communications emergency. Key stations shall have full emergency power capability with relief operators assigned to ensure continuous coverage.

5. Net Assignments

5.1 The Kodiak Emergency Net will be called to order by the Net Control Station.

5.2 KARES members will check in to the net from their mobile and home stations and await further instruction.

5.3 Liaison stations to the following National Traffic System nets will be assigned:

Alaska Snipers' Net: 3.920 MHz, 0200 UTC.

5.4 Mobile units will be dispatched as needed to the American Red Cross position, the Providence-Kodiak Island Medical Center, and other agencies as requested.

5.5 Operations of home stations not capable of emergency power will be coordinated to effectively operate the key emergency-powered stations in Kodiak as required.

6. Operations

6.1 All KARES radio operators must handle written traffic using standard American Radio Relay League (ARRL) format.

6.2 All messages must be signed by the official who originates them with his/her title. The radio operator has the responsibility for the accuracy of message content.

6.3 Message precedence of Emergency, Priority, Welfare, and Routine as defined on ARRL form FSD3 shall be used on all messages.

6.4 Stations will refrain from transmitting unless invited to do so by Net Control. The only exception is for a station with emergency traffic.

7. Drills, Tests, and Alerts

7.1 An annual test will be conducted in October in conjunction with the nationwide American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Simulated Emergency Test.

7.2 KARES will regularly supply public safety communications in conjunction with local events to test the effectiveness of radio operations.

7.3 The Kodiak Emergency Net meets at any time deemed necessary by the Emergency Coordinator.

7.4 At the discretion of the Emergency Coordinator, KARES will be activated in an unannounced fashion via telephone and/or pager call-out at least once a year.

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Last modified: Sun Mar 24 15:07:40 AKST 2002