TRAINING VOLUNTEERS
The ARRL
Introduction to Emergency Communication Course
EC-001 (2011)
Session One
Introduction to Emergency Communication Course
Developed for ARRL STX
By
Lloyd Jeffries, K1LGJ
Credits for some original work included in these slides goes to:
I thank the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for permission to use copyrighted EC001 course material that is included in this
classroom presentation material.
Original slides used and modified for this presentation were developed by Brian Daly, WB7OML, EC - King County (WA) District M Western Washington Medical Services Team and leadership team of the Seattle ACS.
Supplemental material has been obtained through various sources including FEMA, Citizen Corps website (CERT) , Washington State
ARES/RACES, King County ARES/RACES, South Texas ARES, Williamson County, TX ARES/RACES and others too numerous to mention.
Permission is granted to any amateur radio team to use provided credit is given to the developers.
Course Requirements
• Completed two DHS/FEMA Courses
• IS-100.b Introduction to ICS
• IS-700 National Incident Management System
Http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp
• Must be complete before taking the final exam!
Recommended
• IS-250 Emergency Support Function
• IS-288 Role of Volunteer Agencies
Note: An Amateur Radio License is not required
Introductions & Expectations
• Who am I?
• Your Name, Callsign and Expectations
• My Expectations
Objectives
• The main goal of these sessions:
To establish a
baseline level of knowledge and skill
in Amateur Radio Emergency Communication for
anyone wishing to assist their local emergency
communications organizations
Overview
• We are here to improve professionalism and
effectiveness of our public service efforts
• Learn new skills, new ways of thinking about
existing skills
• Share stories of how this applies to our local
teams
Classroom Logistics
•
•
•
•
•
Environment
Very Informal
Open Discussions (time permitting)
Review answers to Lesson Questions
Prepare for the final exam
Course Flow
Six Sections with 29 Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Framework: How You Fit in
The Networks for Messages
Message Handling
What Happens When Called
Considerations
Alternatives and Opportunities
Final Exam - 35 Questions - score 80% or better
- $15.00 Fee
Course Flow (cont.)
Six 3-hour Sessions
Session 1 – Topics 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b
Session 2 – Topics 6, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 8, 9, 10
Session 3 – Topics 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Session 4 – Topics 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Session 5 – Topics 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Session 6 – Topics 28, 29, Summary, Final Exam
Topic 1: Introduction to
Emergency Communication
What is a Communication
Emergency?
• A Communication Emergency exists when:
– A critical communication failure puts the public
at risk
What are some potential causes of a
“Communications Emergency”
locally?
Exercise
• Rank in order the
following disaster risks for
local Texas Counties in
your area from highest risk
to lowest risk
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Windstorms
Air Crashes
Landslides
Terrorism
Hazmat Incidents
Volcanic Eruptions
Earthquake
Tornadoes
Snowstorm
Civil Disorders
Floods
Droughts/Water Shortages
What Makes a Good Emcomm Volunteer?
• Common Attributes:
– Desire to help others without personal gain of
any kind
– Ability to work as a member of a team
Where Do You Fit In?
• Amateurs bring:
– Equipment
– Skills
– Frequencies
– Can create expedient emergency communications networks
under poor conditions
However….
Where Do You Fit In?
• Radios, Frequencies and Basic Radio Skills are not
enough!
• Without specific emergency communication skills,
you can easily become part of the problem
• Technical and Operating Skills are critical…
– But so is your ability to function as a team player within
your organization as well as the organization you are
serving
What You Are Not!
• There are limits of responsibility as an emergency communicator
• Specifically:
– You are not a first responder
– You have no authority
– You can & should make decisions affecting your and your
family’s health & safety
What You Are Not!
• You cannot “do it all”
– If the served agency runs short of specialized help, it is
not your job to fill it
• especially if you are not trained for the job!
– But you can fill in an urgent need or perform jobs
where communication is an integral part, if you are
qualified
• You are not in charge!
Leave your ego at the door!
Day-to-Day vs. Emergency Communications
“Day-to Day” Amateur Radio
–
–
–
–
No pressure to get a message through
Do things at your leisure
No one’s life depends on it
Public Service Events
• Scheduled and Planned
– Even SETs are mostly relaxed and scripted
Day-to-Day vs. Emergency Communications
“Emergency Communications” Amateur Radio
– May involve both Amateurs and non-Amateurs
– Happens in real-time
• Unplanned, little or no warning
• May go on for several days
– May have several nets simultaneously
• Pass critical messages in a limited timeframe
– Portable stations, quickly set up and operational anywhere
The Missions
• Can vary with specific agency served
– American Red Cross
• Provide communications needed to maintain
shelters and other relief efforts
– State/Local Emergency Management
• Interagency communications
• “eyes and ears” of the emergency managers
What are some of the missions you might see?
Communicating – Job #1
• Important to remember your job is:
– “communicating”
• Communicating does not automatically
imply amateur radios
– Be prepared to use any means required
Communicating – Job #1
• Our job – GET THE MESSAGE THROUGH
– Don’t think ONLY about how to use the ham
radio to send the message --– Just think about the best and fastest way to
send it
• If the best way is a FAX, cell phone, CB or FRS – use it
• If an agency asks you to use their radio system, use it
Your Operating Skills are just as important
as your Ham Radio Resources
Anatomy of a Communications Emergency
• Early phase of a disaster
– Severe storm “watch” or “warning” period
– In many cases, no immediate need for emergency
communications
• Earthquake may be an exception
– Monitor developments and prepare to deploy
– Some nets may be activated
• Hurricane Watch, Skywarn
Anatomy of a Communications Emergency
• Once need for more communication resources is identified
– Served agency puts out call to volunteers
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
• Field locations
• “Rapid Response Team” (RRT)
– Minimal, quick response in a very short time
– Backed up by a more robust response after 1-2 hours
Anatomy of a Communications Emergency
• “Resource” and/or “Logistics” nets may be
established
– Handle incoming emcomm volunteers
– Direct resources where needed most
– Unassigned volunteers check in and monitor
But Once Operations Begin…
Anatomy of a Communications Emergency
Message Volume Grows Quickly
Confusion
Batteries
Relief Operators
Fuel
Replacement Operators
Radio Failures
Food and Water
Antenna Failures
Sleeping Accommodations
Communication Assignments
• Staffing a Shelter
– Handle calls for
information, supplies,
personnel
• Collecting/Transmitting
Damage Reports
• “Shadowing”
– Communication link for an
official
• Pass messages outside of the
disaster area
• Gathering Weather
Information
• Pass health/welfare inquires
• Handle logistical needs for
served agency
Need for Flexibility
• Nets will be set up, re-arranged, and
dismantled as needs change
– Remain flexible to meet needs of served agency
• Over time, communication needs diminish
– Nets closed
– Operators released
Not long after the operation has ended…
After-Action Review
• Review the effectiveness of response
– Within the emergency communications group,
and/or with the served agency
• Format can be a formal net, email, or face-to-face
meeting
– Should occur as soon as possible
Critiques done properly can greatly improve your
organization’s – and your own - effectiveness
Summary
• Any questions before the quiz?
Topic 1 Question
1. When does a communication emergency
exist?
A. Whenever the public is at risk
B. When there is an earthquake in your area and
the public is inconvenienced
C. When a critical communication system fails and
the public is inconvenienced
D. When a critical communication system fails and
the public is put at risk
Topic 1 Question
2. Which of the following is it most important
for an emcomm group to do at the end of
an emergency communication operation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Review the effectiveness of its response
Take photos of the activity
Call the local newspaper to schedule interviews
Review the activities of the first responders
Topic 1 Question
3. Which of the following is NOT a
responsibility of emergency
communicators?
A. Making demands on the agency being served
B. Having radios, frequencies and basic radio skills
C. Being licensed and preauthorized for national
and international communication
D. Possessing emergency communication skills
Topic 1 Question
4. Which of the following describes the
function of a Rapid Response Team (RRT)?
A. To handle large-scale emergencies over an extended
period
B. To deploy a quick response in a very short time
C. To establish and operate a storm watch prior to any
emergency
D. To review the effectiveness of an emergency
communication group
Topic 1 Question
5. In an emergency situation -- when a served
agency asks you to forward an urgent
message -- which one of the following
methods would you NOT employ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
CB radio
Family radio
Informal, conversational grapevine
The served agency's own radio system
ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE
STARTING TOPIC 2?