EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS A LIST OF ESSENTIALS
There are many opinions on what items an amateur radio operator should pack for deployment during an emergency event. This is just one of them. The type of emergency, and the time of the year, will dictate some of the necessary items you should bring to successfully fulfill your communications duties. No list is ever complete, therefore, there are additional places at the end of this list for you to pencil in other items you would like include in your "go bag" for deployment. No organization should ever expect you to have a fully stocked "go bag" ready and waiting to be picked up as you walk out the door.
A number of emergencies will be "predictable", such as severe weather, so you will have a short window of time to assemble your "go bag". Again, the situation will dictate what you will need to bring, however, you must be able to operate for an extended period of time and under a "worst case scenario" deployment. It is better to bring too much than too little. Not bringing the proper supplies can cripple your abilities to be an effective communicator and put a burden on the system. Knowing where all your items are, so you can assemble your "go bag", is critical. Take the time to go through this list and see what items you have on hand (and where they are) for quick assembling and what items you might need to purchase to maintain a properly stocked "go bag" and thereby be an efficient communicator.
NOT ON THE LIST BUT ESSENTIAL
EVERY amateur radio operator should ALWAYS have on his/her person their FCC amateur radio license, ARES/RACES ID cards and Red Cross training cards and any other pertinent identification. You never know when you might have to "switch hats" and become a shelter manager or even have combined duties as both shelter manager and radio operator. (I had dual-duties at a shelter during a hurricane)
THE LIST
In no dedicated order. You may wish to make copies of this list and place one in your "go bag" sack as a reminder and as a check list for when you need to completely assemble your "go bag" before deployment.
1. YOUR RADIO (HT "Handi-Talkie" or MOBILE)
I say this because due to deployment/location/duration/equipment-you-own considerations this might be either an HT, with at least 5 watts output, and a GAIN ANTENNA or a high power mobile radio with power supply. (OR BOTH) Make sure you tell the EC or communications officer your equipment capabilities, if you are using an HT or higher power unit and how long you can operate your radio without commercial power, as this will dictate where he/she deploys you and your duration of communicating. Make sure you know how to properly operate your radio and have the most used repeater frequencies/tones programmed in it's memory. Test it to make sure you can contact each repeater. This will ensure that you have the proper offsets/tones installed. Dual band radio equipment is better, but not vital. Most of your operations will take place using the two meter band. either with the support of repeater(s) or operating simplex. Some amateur radio operators can only afford EITHER an HT or a mobile radio, but not both. This doesn't mean that you can't be assigned somewhere. An experienced radio officer will take your equipment limitations into consideration and place you accordingly. Never let the fact that you don't have a high power radio prevent you from "turning out" during an emergency. It's the communicator, not the equipment, that is the most valuable asset. You might even be given an assignment to work teamed with a radio operator who has a high power radio. Again, it's up to the radio officer to make that determination.
2. POWER FOR YOUR RADIO
Again, depending upon the radio you will be using, power is a major concern. Sometimes, but not always, you might be called upon to operate where there are no "commercial mains". If this be the case, a mobile radio with a plug-in power supply will not be of help. KNOW YOUR FACTS... in other words, find out where you are being deployed and ask your EC, or whomever is incharge of the communications deployment, what the power considerations at your final destination are.
IF they can't give you a prompt answer, prepare for a "no power" situation. You might then need to power your high wattage radio from your car or truck. If this should be the case, you will need a power cord that matches your radio to, at the very least, a male cigarette lighter plug so your radio can be powered from any vehicle, not just your own. Remember that during an emergency your vehicle may not be allowed past a certain point, but there will probably always be a vehicle that will and that you can mooch power from. If you have the ability, a LARGE 12 VOLT GEL BATTERY, since they don't spill acid and will do the job for a number of hours of operation. Make sure you have the proper power cord to connect the battery to your radio and that it is a FUSED line. If you operate this way, it would be a simple matter to recharge this battery using a pair of jumper cables to any vehicle. Observe proper connection procedures and polarity while doing this and have your radio operate out of a vehicle while the battery is being charged. Always be aware of your power operating conditions, both polarity and battery capacity... Don't run out of power during a hectic communications time.
If you are sure they have power, either commercial or via a generator, then a better means is, of course, a power supply. If it's one thing I've learned, a switching power supply, being MUCH lighter than a transformer-type power supply, is a Godsend. The difference in weight when you carry your "go bag", especially if you have to carry it some distance, can be as much as 30 pounds!! This became a reality when I had to report to Red Cross Communications HQ during the World Trade Center Disaster. I had a light weight switching power supply, but my friend had to lug a 35 pound supply with him seven blocks from the subway station to the building. Oh, yes: FUSES, FUSES, FUSES. You can, in a pinch, use the foil wrapping from a pack of cigarettes as a make-shift fuse ONLY in a DIRE emergency.
HT POWER: If you are, by design or necessity, using an HT, make sure you have PLENTY of power in the form of batteries. I purchase my HTs with several parameters in mind. The MAJOR one is, it MUST be able to operate using ALKALINE "AA" batteries. HTs that use a special unique battery pack can be a detriment. HTs that use AAs are much better because you can get "AA" batteries just about anywhere. Not all HTs have external battery plugs. Try to buy an HT that does.
BUY AN HT THAT HAS A POWER OUTPUT OF AT LEAST 5 WATTS...Those cute, little 300 milliwatt HTs are useless in an emergency. If it doesn't have an external battery jack, an empty "AA" battery case can be retrofitted with a jack AND a regulator circuit. This will allow you to safely plug in a small 12 volt Gel battery, say 7 AH, and have an almost unlimited power source. If you have this external power jack setup, a small (4 amp) power supply, with proper supply-to-HT cord, fused of course, is also a nice thing to have should your deployment location have commercial power. If you have an HT that only uses a specific rechargable battery pack, BRING a charger and as many extra battery packs as you can muster. Try to have at least three. If your HT uses AAs, bring enough to do four complete changes. Make sure your "AA" batteries are fresh!!
3. ANTENNA SYSTEM
This area is where most communicators have a weakness. You are going to what probably is an "unknown location." By that, I mean, your deployment location has probably never been checked out for radio communications. Your communications area might be, for example, the gym in a local school. This type of area, having lots of metal in it's framework, along with metal lockers, etc., might make getting your signal out a major problem. Also, surrounding structures might interfere with signal reception and transmission. GAIN antennas are a must. The simple stubby antenna that came with your HT will not work. Get a "roll up J-pole", also known as a pocket J-pole antenna. This offers substantial gain over that BNC "dummy load" that is currently on your HT. A J-pole can be hung, using twine or some other NON-CONDUCTOR cord, at a height which will increase your chances of being heard. Make sure your J-pole is hung away from any metal structures. Make sure you have cord, not a wire, to hang it up as high as possible. DO NOT USE A DIPOLE ANTENNA as it's horizontal polarization is ineffective in reaching repeaters. Repeaters use vertical antennas.
SEE SECTION TWELVE ON HOW TO MAKE A "J"POLE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
A 25 foot run of RG-8X (mini) is also needed to connect your HT or high power radio to the J-pole. I shy away from RG-213 or other heavy cable as they are very bulky and can become more of a trip hazard and their additional weight puts a strain on the hanging J-pole. Usually most cable runs are short, so line loss is not a problem. I suggest that you have TWO of these cables. Make sure you have the needed adapters to connect your J-pole to your cable and the cable to your radio. Have a spare adapter should you need it. (BNC to SO239) Also, have a barrel connector to combine the two cables if needed. Keep your cable run as short as possible.
Test all of this BEFORE hand!!
If conditions allow you to use a magnetic-mount, mobile type antenna, consider this: your mag-mount antenna needs a metal place to adhere to AND that area must also serve as an "artificial ground", the same way your car body does. This means mag-mounting to an air conditioner (outside) or some other similar surface that is at least 20 inches wide. This might limit your placement, therefore, always have a J-pole handy. Even if you do find a place to mount it, will the extra run of cable, and the power loss running such a length of cable, be worth the rf "effort"? Remember that a 100 foot run of RG8X will lose OVER one half the power coming out of your radio!!Also be aware that when you run a cable, safety is a concern. You don't need people getting hurt or putting you off the air if they trip on your cable. If your vehicle has a "hard-wired" antenna permanently mounted you have just made things much more difficult for yourself. It may look good, but it has little use during an emergency because you are now tied to your car. Don't be cheap. Buy or make a J-Pole. IMPORTANT: In either case, know where your repeaters are located so you can place your antenna in the proper direction and so no metal structures are between your antenna and the repeater.
4. EARPHONES AND SPEAKER/MIC
Your deployment location might be very active and noisy. Your need to properly communicate is very important. In order to copy any info, you might be better off using a pair of headphones, with the proper adapter to your radio, for your operation. I like to use an external speaker to my "mobile type" radio so the speaker is "front projecting" and communications are easier to understand. A hand held speaker/mic for your HT is also a good idea. Earphones sometimes are needed for listening to sensitive communications that you wouldn't wish the general public in your shelter or area to hear. Easier listening also makes it less stressful on yourself and keeps you from getting tired during those extended deployments.
5. A COPY OF YOUR RADIO'S OPERATING MANUAL
This is a very important item that is often overlooked and without it you can expect a headache to occur. During times of stress you might forget how to program your radio to, say for example, change to another repeater that isn't programmed in your radio or to change to another simplex frequency and lock it in place.
I can't stress this enough. Have a COPY of your radio manual on hand. This is also a good idea in case you are taking a break and another operator is using your equipment.
6. A REPEATER DIRECTORY or COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF AREA REPEATERS (Offsets and Tones).
If the repeater you are using "goes down" you need to be able to shift to another repeater and knowing what frequency and tone is important. Your EC or communications officer should always give you a list of back-up frequencies before you deploy. If they don't...ASK!! This is also important because, whether we like to admit it or not, there might be intentional interference. Jamming makes our jobs tougher and sometimes you might be asked to defer to another repeater or go simplex. If you are asked to go to "F2", you better know what frequency/repeater "F2" is.
7. NOTE PAD(S) AND SEVERAL PENS AND MARKERS
Make sure you have enough paper, I like using a smaller, thick spiral note book, to keep all information on. Using a spiral book prevents pages from becoming dislodged. When you are communicating, keeping an accurate log as writing down requests and replies is very important. Make sure you mark entry DATES AND TIMES. This is what we are deployed for. Pass "traffic" exactly as given. Don't add any personal comments or change words. If anyone needs clarification, they'll ask for it. Sometimes "coded" traffic, in the form of specific words, will be passed, so be sure you get the info right. Use markers to write "make-shift signs". You'd be surprised how unprepared other personnel in your area might be and this will add to your worth.
8. MAPS
As prepared as anyone might be, there could be a time where you are called to deploy to an area that is unfamiliar to you. Maps are a must. This is not just to get to your deployment area. In an ideal world, your EC or radio officer should give you a packet with all the necessary details and info to successfully deploy all the operators under his/her command. This packet should include a map or set of maps with key locations such as shelters, fire depts, etc. clearly marked. In many cases, however, this doesn't happen due to time constraints and a limited EC staff. Always bring maps with you. Make sure it is as detailed as you can get. Also try to make note of the other deployment areas so you have a better understanding of the event. A prime example was when several of us were asked to deploy during a wildfire. No maps or directions were made by the radio officer and we ended up almost being trapped by flames enroute to our assignments. Note to ECs or radio officers: make sure you keep a stock of maps AND lists of possible shelters, fire departments, etc. so you can quickly assemble packets and mark them with active locations. Don't wait until the last moment.
9. PERSONAL ITEMS
The more comfortable you are, the better and longer you will be able perform as a communicator. The following is a sub-list of items that you might wish to include in your "go-bag".:
1. a simple first aid kit
2. your own prescription and non-prescription medication. For headache and pain relief, I use ORUDIS KT, found next to the aspirin at drug stores, Antihistamine for allergic reactions. Have at least 6 days supply of your prescription meds.
3. throat lozenges, mints and gum
4. reading glasses
5. sun glasses / sunscreen
6. a lighter
7. "handi-wipes" or moist towelette packets
8. insect repellent
9. "power bars", at least 10, and other food items such as MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
10. 8 or more bottled water/juice
11. salty snacks, especially in hot weather
12. toilet items, including toilet paper, hand soap, etc.
13. extra appropriate clothing for the time of year, including hats
14. rain parka, either bright yellow or orange
15. boots and socks
16. work gloves
17. at least 6 pairs of disposable gloves non-latex type
18. chapstick
19. collapsible cup
20. flashlight with fresh spare batteries
21. watch or clock
22. a high visability vest (orange)
23. a particulate respirator (full face, including your eyes)
for events which might expose you to ash, etc. as during a
heavy wildfire if you deploy close to the fireline
Purchase one that makes a good seal around your face.
24. a chemical/biological full face respirator for terrorist events
in case you are deployed close to the incident (wind direction does change)
Purchase one that makes a good seal around your face. I use a NATO approved
full head mask.
DO NOT SKIMP ON THESE LAST TWO ITEMS
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10. OTHER ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:
DUCT TAPE--- You'll use this
Electrical Tape
Extension power cord (heavy duty, at least 25 feet)
One multi-outlet so several units may be plugged in
Asst. hand tools (a VOM would be nice)
Swiss-Army type knife or multi-tool knife
Cash and coins for pay phone or to buy additional items at a local store
A deck of playing cards (trust me)
Trash bags. These can be used to protect gear, personnel and for trash
Several cans of heavy-duty flat fixer as driving through areas
that have debris many cause flats.(keep in your car, not in your "go bag")
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The reason I have included food and water is that when an emergency event first takes place, we, as communicators, do not want to put an added strain on any system. When things start returning to a normal or subdued event, and there are enough supplies and food for all the people in your shelter/area, then you are free to feed yourself with whatever is supplied. We are there to help the system, not burden it. As communicators we need to be self-sufficient.
A number of these items can be gathered and stored in a large knapsack. Make sure that you inspect all items as you assemble them. Check cables to make sure that they aren't frayed, pinched and that the connectors are in good shape. Test all your gear and test and recharge your batteries to make sure you are ready. An emergency doesn't wait for you. You wait for it. This is a basic list. As you become more experienced, and depending upon your deployment location/time of year, you'll probably add to this list
YOU MAY WISH TO COPY THE ABOVE SECTION AND KEEP IT HANDY WHEN YOU GATHER YOUR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO COPY THE ABOVE SECTION ONLY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
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REVIEW of this section:
Build and maintain two types of "go bags" for communications. The first should be for a "one day" event, such as a parade or walk-a-thon. The second is for a longer term event as is usually the case in emergency communications involving natural disasters or terrorist attacks. The second "go bag" will take the shape of a large knapsack as there will be many more items. There are items that do not store well for months, so keep a list of items you need to add for completion, such as food (power bars), fresh "AA" batteries, etc. Always maintain properly charged "rechargable-type" batteries. Check them at least once a month and "cycle" them twice a year by using them in communications until they are adequately drained of energy, then re-charging them. When you need to, replenish any used items in your "go bags".
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Optional assignment: Make a list of the differences in a one-day event "go bag" and an extended duty "go bag". What items are different? What items are the same and why? Refer to the list in this section to see what you might have left out. After re-reading the above section, what additional items that were not listed would you include to suit your own personal needs? If you do not understand the equipment/power/antenna sections, ask a ham radio operator experienced in emergency communications about them. Why is an HT that uses "AA" batteries better than one with a special battery pack? Why is a short antenna that comes with most HTs useless during either a public service event or emergency?
SECTION EIGHT: Your First Emergency (Non-Terrorist) Event
After reviewing the last section, you should have a fairly complete "go bag" in place or one that can be easily assembled on short notice. That's good because you've been noticing, on the news, that a very strong low-pressure area is beginning to develop in the Atlantic Ocean. The weather service has indicated that it will grow to become a severe weather pattern, with the possibility of it becoming a hurricane within the next three days. If it does as planned, it will create havoc along the coastal area and thousands of people will need to be evacuated to higher ground by the end of the week.
What should you do? The first thing would be to constantly monitor the weather services for updates. Weather patterns are not as predictable as we'd like them to be. The next thing you'd want to do is to review your family's "home bag" to make sure it has stocked the adequate supplies, including water and food. Go and charge your batteries for your equipment. If you can, keep them "topped off", which means you should charge them and then keep a small "trickle charge" on them every so often so they don't discharge. In order for your larger batteries to keep their maximum charge in storage, keep them clean and off any cement floor. You'd be surprized how much electron leakage there is between the two terminals of a dirty battery. My larger Gel Batteries are stored on a piece of wood. If need be, GO OUT NOW and buy a fresh supply of "AA" batteries for your HT. Make sure you have SEVERAL complete changes of batteries.
Check your deployment "go bag". Since this event will involve rain, make sure you have foul-weather gear included. Let's see.... What have you forgotten? Did you fill the tank of the family car and check to make sure it's always at least half full? Is there enough food in the house for your pets? How about going over the emergency procedures you have discussed with the members of your family in the event that they are stranded and can't get back to their home? Review what their course of action should be. All the while, keep monitoring the weather service's information and predictions. That would-be storm might be a few days away, but you'd be surprized how fast it can reach you.
Now you feel that you are ready for your first emergency event. Unfortunately, the storm has just intensified into a hurricane. Not only that, it has picked up speed and it's course will bring it sweeping up the coast. That means many thousands of people will need to seek shelter elsewhere. The hurricane isn't poised to hit for two days, so you have plenty of time, right? WRONG. Evacuation has already been recommended for people on the coast, so they have started to board up their homes and the exodus will soon begin. Quite a number of those families will either stay with relatives who live in-land or they might stay at hotels that are further away from the storm's wrath. There will be, however, a large number who will need to find other means to shelter themselves because the hotels are quickly being booked and filled. I hope you have your radio on and are listening to your emergency group's standard repeater frequency. Thank goodness you are not living too close to the coast so the only worry in your area will be that of strong winds, rain and street flooding. Or so you hope... Remember that any strong hurricane can also spawn tornadoes, so stay alert. Also be aware that even though you are far enough away to feel any effect from the ocean's wrath, there are people in your own area that may wish to find shelter in sturdier structures. These are the people who live in mobile homes or trailer parks. With strong winds and heavy rains in your area, there will remain the possibility of either spot power outages or even widespread power distruptions if the storm intensifies or takes a track further inland.
Now you hear on your radio that shelters are slowly beginning to open in anticipation of evacuees from the low-lying coastal areas. This probably means you will be getting "called out" to supply communications at some shelter. Just as these words leave your head, the phone rings. It is a fellow ham, who is calling the group's "phone tree", a list of hams that are called to report for duty. He has instructed you to check in on the emergency group's repeater.
As you listen, before you check in, the Net Control Operator is explaining that, due to a manpower shortage, there is a need for radio operators to assist in providing communications at several shelters in another county and the deployment would probably mean that you'd be there for at least 36-48 hours, both during and after the hurricane as travel after 10PM this evening will become very difficult due to the high winds and heavy rain that will accompany the hurricane's landfall, estimated at midnight. You hadn't expected this type of request, however, you know that whenever we are called upon to supply communications, it is our responsibility to volunteer if time and abilities permit. You know that you will have the next 48 hours free, so when the Net Control Operator asks for operators willing to be deployed for this duty, you give them your callsign. The Net Control Sation will then give you directions to the "East End Elementary School" in Tarryville, about 60 miles to the east of your home.
Between the two of you, it is figured that it will take you about 30 minutes to assemble your "go bag" and equipment, gas up your car and then an hour and a half to get you to the school, which is being used as a shelter. If phone service is still intact, you will call up your group's command center to verify your arrival. And so, off you go, right? NO NO NO..... Since you will be operating from another county and not under the coverage or operational control of your local group, you will need to know what repeater frequencies/offsets/tones the emergency group in your deployment area will be using!!! Don't leave home without this information!!! Luckily, your Net Control Operator has them and will give you the correct frequencies, etc. Write them down....NOW. Write them down in two different places in case you lose one copy. Also, if you have the time before you leave, program your radio... don't forget offsets and tones. Now it's time for one last check of your "go bag" and supplies. You've decided to take both your HT, with a gain antenna, AND your mobile radio, with a power supply, a "J pole" and your mag-mount antenna, and that big gel battery you just purchased and charged. GOOD MOVE. Since you don't have any idea what you will encounter once you get there AND what service interruptions may occur, it's a good idea to be prepared for any inconviences that may come your way. After one last check of your family, their "home bag", and your own supplies, it's time to head out. Remember that "RADIO COMMUNICATIONS" sign you made for your very first event? Make sure you put that on your dashboard so it will make getting into your deployment area easier and will probably allow you to park much closer to the building being used as the shelter. As you CAREFULLY drive towards your destination, there are probably a hundred questions going through your mind.
Remember one thing: You have had training in how to set up your station and how to communicate. Don't worry. The same procedures you used during drills and public service events will also apply here. The Net Control Station is the one you will be responsible to for the correct coordination of relaying information. The service you are supplying will be on behalf of whatever organization is manning the shelter. So what do you think your first contact should be when you reach the school? Yes, even before you set up your station, you should first introduce yourself to the "Shelter Manager". They are your "on site" boss. Introduce yourself and tell the manager your name, callsign and that you represent emergency communications and will soon be ready to communicate, via amateur radio, to other stations within the network of communicators so help, supplies and anything else they might need is just a radio call away. They might have a cell phone and think that your duty is redundent. Assure them that there are many, many times when cell phones do not work due to "cell sites" being put off line, due to lack of power, and that whether you have electrical power in your area or not, it will not impede your communications. Do this all with a friendly, "I am here to help", attitude.
At this point, ask them where they would like you to set up your station and tell them you wish to be "out of the way", yet visible in case you are needed. Usually, if a shelter is set up in a school, it will be located in a large area, such as the gym. If it appears that "clients", the people coming to the shelter, will remain overnight, you don't want your squawking radio keeping them up at night, so offer to set up your station in the hallway, just off the gym entrance. Once you have chosen a place to set up, now is the time to get your gear. WAIT !!! Did you chose a place that will allow you to hang a "J Pole", out of the way and away from large metal structures? You did? GREAT!! That will probably make your first attempt at hitting the local repeater successful.
At this time you should see if you can "hit" the repeater with your HT, it's whip antenna , and the extended-power battery bag. Usually, using the extended-power battery bag will put your HT's power slightly higher than the "AA" battery set up. No dice? Try hanging that "J Pole" up and trying it with that. It works!! Great. See how easy this is becoming... Now do three things. One, check into that repeater just as you've been trained, by calling the Net Control Operator, and report to them that you have set up at the assigned shelter and are ready for duty. I am sure they will be glad to hear that and probably will want a simple report as to who is there, such as the number of volunteers, clients, etc. They may request that you use a tactical call. (see section nine under "Tactical calls").
Second, see if that payphone down the hall works. If it does, call your home group's command center and tell them that you've reached your duty post and made contact with the local communication's group Net Control Operator and are ready for duty. Also, you might wish to call your family and tell them you are there and safe. Thirdly, inform the shelter manager that you are ready to assume any communications duties and are in direct contact with various agencies in the event of a power loss or phone disruption. The shelter manager may even ask you to send a simple supply request to test this system. You'd send the request just like you did for that walk-a-thon. Now would be the time to locate/ scrounge a chair and small table to act as your operating post. After that, bring in any gear for backup and your own personal comfort items. Now, you are ready!!! NO!!!! Not quite yet.
Now is the time for you to take a casual walk around the shelter area and see what is there. It is the observant radio operator who takes a mental stock of what is around him/her just in case problems arise and he/she has to make adaptations. The effective communicator needs to be able to quickly adapt to changing conditions. For example, what happens if the window right outside your operating area in the hall should break during the hurricane? You'd have to move... but to where? Line up a secondary location, now, so you won't have to wait and decide where to move if the window does break. Make sure you have a place to put up that "J Pole" again. Now a real brain-tease. What have I left out to ensure all-round emergency communications? The answer is simple: Check out the secondary repeater frequency you were given just in case you have to switch over. Just quickly change frequency, listen to see if anyone is active on that repeater and if not transmit: "This is (your callsign), Test". If you hear the tail squelch and the signal strength bars remain on your display for a second, it usually means you can reach that repeater. (the best bet would be if someone replied with a signal report) NOW GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL REPEATER SETTING.
The "Waiting Game"
You are all set and feeling much more confident than when you left your house. And why shouldn't you? You are prepared, trained and deployed. You are listening to the emergency net frequency and can see by the repeater activity that things are slowly building in preparation for the main event, the hurricane. There are now several shelters setup and "online" with radio operators. People are also slowly coming into your shelter, supplying the service agency with some information and then "staking out their little piece of the gym" where they might have to reside for a day or two. You look outside and see the wind slowly picking up. A sign of things to come. Aren't you glad you don't have to put up an outside antenna to "hit" the repeater? Don't worry, you'll have the "joy" of putting up an outside antenna in gale force winds some other day.
If you can, try seeing if you can listen to the emergency net using your HT and that longer whip antenna you bought. Yes, you can't "hit" the repeater, you tried that and found it only works with the "J Pole", but if you can "monitor" the repeater using the whip, it will give you some mobility so you won't be locked in to your desk in the hall. Don't forget to plug in the speaker/mic and have the volume down a bit so it doesn't get annoying to people in the shelter when you are actually in the gym. This way, when you are called, all you have to do is walk out to your communications post and switch the whip for the "J Pole" and make any replies. The Net Control Station is making routine reports on the strength and direction of the hurricane. That's excellent! It is always good to be kept up-to-date. You might also want to inform your shelter manager of the weather updates.
Now a few words on Shelter Managers. The position of Shelter Manager is filled by a volunteer, just as you are, who has probably had basic training in that area. It is unfortunate that with so many volunteer positions there is a tremendous "turn over". Some people just don't stay active for too long. You might find that the shelter manager who is at your place of deployment has had no "on-the-job" experience. I was stationed at one shelter where the day the hurricane hit was to be the last day of her training! In this case, she was very nervous and rightly so. I, being trained and experienced as a shelter manager, guided her through all phases of the shelter operation, BUT, she was still incharge and made all the decisions. If you, upon gaining experience at shelters, should come across a shelter manager with no experience, it is only morally proper to offer input. Damn what other training people have told you, if you can lend a few reassuring words or direction, do it! BUT, always remember, they have the responsibility of running the shelter, not you. Using "kid gloves" will encourage them to do their best and avoid chasing them away when the next emergency happens. You, plus the shelter manager and the rest of the shelter volunteers, are a team and should all pull together. The better you interface as a team, the more reassured your clients will be and will lend to a relaxed atmosphere.
As the hurricane increases in intensity, the Net Control Operator will probably request hourly updates from all shelters. This usually means that you will report the number of clients, volunteers, supplies, other support personnel such as police or firemen and the general conditions of the shelter, such as "Do you still have electrical power/lights?". These communications are just like when you were requesting cups at that walk-a-thon. Keep the communications short yet accurate. DO NOT interject any personal comments or opinions. Keep written notes of the hourly numbers you relay to Net Control. Mark each entry with the local time and date. This is done in case they require a "back fill" of information at a later time. Once the hurricane reaches it's maximum intensity in your area, it might be very difficult for any response emergency vehicle or supply vehicle to reach your shelter. If YOU note that the shelter might be running low on supplies within the next 12 hours, remind your shelter manager, before hand, that there may be a time when roads are unpassable so they many wish to re-stock now, while they still can. These reminders can go a long way towards establishing a good relationship with the other volunteers as long as it is done in a friendly manner. DO NOT JUST STAND AROUND AND BE A "RADIO HUGGER". Observe and report anything to your shelter manager. Quite often they will be "over their head" in dealing with angry or scared clients, so an extra pair of friendly eyes won't hurt. Don't barge in when they are in the middle of taking care of a client. Wait, then report.
Remember, your major duty is to supply communications. DO NOT assume any additional duties on your own. You are neither a traffic cop nor a social worker. Stick with what you have been trained to do, unless the shelter workers are grossly over worked. Your relaxed, professional attitude will relax those around you. If you are not doing anything at the moment and the shelter manager is short-handed, it is ok to help out if they ask for your assistance in unfolding and setting up a few cots, etc. Just don't get carried away with other tasks. Your communications duties will not require you to be active every minute of the event. Most of the time, it is a waiting game. Remember in my list of essentials I included a deck of playing cards? Now might be the time to engage in a friendly game of Rummy (NO GAMBLING), all the while being aware of your communications duties and having an active ear on your radio. This will help pass the time for both you and anyone you play with AND will instill the attitude that everything will be okay.
The hurricane is continuing on it's course and so are you, passing the occassional request on behalf of the shelter manager and giving hourly reports as requested by Net Control. The phones did go out of service early in the storm, but you maintained contact with Net Control and the shelter manager was impressed. The lights have flickered a few times, but nothing serious in the disruption of electrical power. You, of course, have that battery powered fluorescent camping light ready. Aren't you glad you purchased two, one for your family's "home bag" and one for your deployment needs. Everyone in the shelter seems to be calmly waiting out the storm. Having been there for a number of hours, you know that with the hurricane reaching it's maximum intensity, you will not have a relief operator until the storm abates. This is when you have to train your body to go into "light duty cycle", that means learning to relax yet still maintain mental activity. Don't fall alseep!!! Several hours have passed and you begin to notice that the winds seem to be dying down. Is this the end or has the eye of the storm reached you? One of the ways to find out is by paying attention to the weather updates given by your Net Control Operator.
A few hours later, you learn that the hurricane has passed it's peak in your area. Will the shelter operations be winding down? You can't be sure, yet. If there was destruction from the high winds or massive flooding, some of your clients may have to be there a while until it is either safe for them to return home or be sheltered at another facility. You continue your communications and reports as usual. Luckily there has been no damage at your site. Soon, you are informed by net control that a relief operator is on their way to take your place. Yes, that means your responsibility as a communicator will soon come to an end. DO NOTHING until your relief operator shows up and sets up his gear and contacts Net Control. This way, if there are any problems, communications will not be disrupted. Give your relief operator a run down on the shelter operations AND introduce them to the shelter manager.
When you are relieved make a note of the date, time, and the name and callsign of your relief operator in your notebook. Then it's time to pack up and "stand down". Take a slow drive back home, being careful to avoid anything that may have blown on to the highway. When you arrive home, check into your local emergency group's net if it is still in operation and inform them that you have completed your deployment. Keep your notes because at a later date they may wish a de-briefing of your experience. You've done a great job at your first emergency communications detail and your family has weathered your absence quite well. Hopefully, your next emergency event will run just as smoothly.
You are well on your way to becoming an "old pro" in emergency communications. Remember that not all emergency events will be as predictable as this nor will they offer you as long a window of time inwhich to prepare and assemble your "go bag". Always try to be as prepared as you can by keeping as much dedicated supplies/equipment in your "go bag" as possible. This way you will have to add very few items and it will make your deployment easier and quicker. Emergencies don't wait for us, we wait for them. Keep invloved. Do self-evaluations. Update your "go bags". Always be ready. And know that your community thanks you for all your cooperation and effort. Now go get some sleep!!!
REVIEW of this section:
Know all your facts before you go out for deployment. Some emergency events are not predictable so always maintain the maximum amount of items in your "go bag" . When you do this, completing the bag with additional items will not be as time comsuming. Keep your rechargable batteries fully charged. Make sure you have several changes of "AA" batteries for your HT. Leave a dedicated "J pole", and cable, in your "go bag". Use them JUST for emergency communications. When you reach your post, introduce yourself to those people you will be working with. Communicate with the other volunteers at all times. Remain calm. Keep accurate notes of each communications, including date and local time. Never breakdown your equipment until you relief has their station up and running and has reported to net control.
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Optional assignment: In proper order, list how you would get ready and deploy for an emergency event, including the assembling of your equipment and taking care of family needs. After completeing this list, refer to the above section for items or actions you might have missed. Do a "mock" emergency communications drill on your own by setting up a communications duty sight in your garage using just the items and equipment you have in your go bag and make several contacts with some operators on the local repeaters. (If you have no garage, go to a park and do the same) Set up and use that J pole. Self-training in equipment set up methods will go a long way in you becoming self-assured.
A BASIC COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM
PART B:
Section Nine: Lots Of Odds And Ends
the media, ITU Phonetics (the REAL deal),
using a microphone the right way, human interference,
tactical calls and nets, duty site interaction,
when or if to turn out, and more
Section Ten: HAZMAT Emergencies
don't touch, just communicate
Section Eleven: SKYWARN and You
special training makes for special eyes
Section Twelve: Constructing A Pocket "J Pole"
making one that actually works
Section Thirteen: Net Control Operator
To Be Or Not To Be?
Section Fourteen: Still More Odds And Ends
your emotions, family support, "Drop
Teams", Rural and Urban search and rescue,
and more
============================================
SECTION NINE: LOTS OF ODDS AND ENDS
THE MEDIA AND YOU:
There may be times when the media will show up at your post for a story. You are not assigned as a public relations person; so do NOT engage in a long-winded conversation about the event. You should refer any questions to the person in charge of the site. In the case of a shelter, this will be the Shelter Manager. They have been trained in handling the press/media. Sometimes the media might pressure you so they can develop a "human interest" story. You should ONLY report that you are there to supply radio communications on behalf of whatever organization you are currently serving. That is all. Giving too much information can lead to problems as things you might state often get distorted in their "reporting". You do not need this responsibility. At your communications EOC there is usually a PIO (Public Information Officer) who is responsible for any media interaction.
IF YOU GET TO A POST EARLY
This may sound very stupid, but I feel that I have to say it: There may be times during an emergency where the radio operators are so quickly assigned to a deployment area that they may get to the location BEFORE it is open. If this happens, inform NET CONTROL of this fact. There were TWO separate cases, a few years ago on Long Island, where hams during a winter storm were assigned to shelters that never did open and they just sat outside in their cars and gave reports of zero "clients", not telling the Net Control Operator that the shelter wasn't open. This being their first involvement, they were ill trained in what to expect or do. Keep things such as this in mind when you are training or being trained. Sometimes the simplest of things can be overlooked.
THE PROPER WAY TO USE A MICROPHONE
When using your microphone to transmit, hold it near mouth level, but DO NOT place it directly in front of your mouth. Try not to "eat" the mic. Keep it at an angle and talk slowly and clearly. Do not shout into the microphone but also do not whisper. Talk with the same voice level as if you were having a conversation in your living room. (Ladies... try to talk a bit louder) If the mic is directly in front of your mouth you'll also be transmitting noise each time you take a breath and it will also cause your voice to sound muffled. Your heavy breathing will also be transmitted. You do not want to sound like an obscene phone caller. If the communications is over a repeater you might also cause "over deviation" in which case the repeater will not transmit complete sentences and others will hear your communications as being choppy. By becoming involved in local club nets you will develop the proper mic etiquette for clear communications. (This is not just a beginner's mistake, there are "experienced operators" even training ops who haven't mastered how to properly use a microphone)
Using ITU Phonetics
These are the WORLD-WIDE ITU Phonetics to use when you have to spell something out. DO NOT use the idiotic ones published and jammed down operator's throats by a "national" organization. Several of them are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG and I shudder each time I hear someone say "KeeBeck" or "Kaybeck" for a "Q". Does anyone say "God Bless the Keen"? No, it's "Queen", so pronounce Quebec as it should be.
A - alfa (AL-fa) B - bravo (BRAH-voe)
C - charlie (CHAR-lee) D - delta (DELL-tah)
E - echo (ECK-oh) F - foxtrot (FOX-trot)
G - golf (GOLF) H - hotel (HOE-tell)
I - india (IN-dee-ah) J - juliet (JU-lee-ett)
K - kilo (KEY-loh) L - lima (LEE-mah)
M - mike (MIKE) N - november (no-VEM-ber)
O - oscar (OSS-cah) P - papa (PAH-PAH)
Q - quebec (Que-BECK) R - romeo (ROW-me-oh)
S - sierra (SEE-air-rah) T - tango (TANG-go)
U - uniform (YOU-ni-form) V - victor (VIK-tor)
W - whiskey (WISS-key) X - x-ray (ECKS-ray)
Y - yankee (YANG-key) Z - zulu (ZOO-loo)
DEALING WITH INTERFERENCE (the human kind)
There are all kinds of people in this world. Most are nice. Some are not. It's the same way with amateur radio operators. There may be times when the jerks come out and attempt to interfere with communications during an emergency. Do not let them. These sick individuals take great "pride" in upsetting any ongoing communications. The best way to handle them is to just ignore them. Pretend you do not even hear them. NEVER say "Can you repeat that again, someone keeps breaking in." That's just what they want you to do. They want to generate a response. Just work through it and usually they will get tired and stop.
IF they don't, the next step is to shift to another repeater or frequency without mentioning that such a shift is taking place. (This is one reason why alternate frequencies are assigned before you turn out.) When the move to an alternate frequency is complete, at least two communicators should remain on the original repeater and talk. This will make the jerk transmitting the interference think that the emergency net is still there. Hopefully the net control station can communicate the problem to a ham radio operator or two who will be able to track down the offending idiot and inform local law enforcement personnel who might "pay him a visit". Local police are very sympathetic to this problem and usually a visit from them will make the offender stop. I have even seen police arrest an individual for interfering with an ongoing emergency. The net control operator will also make a note of whom it is and report the incident to the local OOC (Official Observer Coordinator) for action by the FCC.
Just a reminder… USING TACTICAL CALLS:
During both public service events and emergency events the net control operator may request that you use Tactical Calls to identify. These are usually either a location or vehicle you might be in. Tactical calls make the net control operations easier to fathom during a hectic operation. If this is the case, do so. An example would be: "Net Control, this is West Gate School Shelter". But remember that this does NOT absolve you from following FCC rules that state you MUST give your callsign when IDing at the end of a series of transmissions and every ten minutes. Since most emergency communications between two stations will be under ten minutes this can be simply done on the last transmission by stating your callsign.
TACTICAL or LOGISTICAL NETS
Sometimes there may be several nets in operation and on separate repeaters or simplex frequencies during an event. A tactical or logistical net could be one of them. This is a net that is used to converse with supply vehicles or depots, special communications between two agencies served by our communications group or any type of intercommunications beyond shelter or simple duty posts. By dividing the communications responsibilities between a standard operational net that supplies shelter reports, etc. and a tactical net, the event will operate with greater efficiency. A tactical net is only used when there are enough communicators available to divide duties and the situation warrants it.
An example was when I was doing Amateur Television (ATV) during a marathon. We used a separate frequency to coordinate the video transmissions back to the start/finish area so people could see how the race was progressing. If any technical problems developed we used this tactical ATV frequency to communicate in semi-private and correct them. This way we didn't clog up the regular race net. While we were adjusting the ATV setup and using a tactical frequency on two meters, another ham operator broke in our communications to state that he was watching our 70CM ATV transmissions. We were on Long Island. His location: Connecticut!
Just remember that others will also be listening to your tactical net so be as professional as possible and ID with your callsign. This simple tactical frequency required no net control operator. Another tactical net was the communications just between the race officials. There was no need for their conversations to be mixed in on the operational net which was basically doing restocking requests, runner counts and medical problems. A larger marathon or event might expand and have a medical net all to itself.
INTERACTION AT A DUTY SITE
When you are working at a site that has evacuees, such as in a shelter, the people being housed there will be under stress. They may not even know if they will have a house to come home to. This stress can lead to them saying or doing unusual things at your site. It is NOT your duty to act as a social worker. Maintain a professional attitude with them. If they ask, tell them about amateur radio. By acting calm, you will calm them. Do not take anything they say to heart. I have had cases where people have just drifted in, being homeless, and have used the shelter and it's facilities. This is OK because the point of the shelter is to assist everyone. In some rare cases people may act as if they are not fully rational. If you see something like this, report it to the shelter manager.
DO NOT engage in talk or actions that could be misunderstood or misinterpreted. You are NOT there to make friends or cultivate a romance. You are there ONLY to supply communications support. Do not "dispense" any medications, even aspirin, from your go-bag. It could get you in a world of legal trouble. If a registered nurse is on duty at the site, you can give her your extra aspirin to hand out. DO NOT document the emergency event by taking pictures. It is both illegal and immoral.
DON'T JUMP THE GUN
Not every emergency will require emergency communications. Do not take it upon yourself to jump into the middle of a minor emergency and try supplying emergency communications. If they are required, the emergency group you are a part of will be approached by some agency and asked to begin emergency communications duties. There are other times when the leadership of your group, expecting that agencies will require our support, will take it upon themselves to begin the emergency communications process. Trust their judgment. They have both the experience and the knowledge to do this. Be professional. DO NOT start a communications event where none is needed. That will only tarnish the perception of amateur radio communications as a support function.
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
MREs are a very useful way to store food and have it ready in your "go bag". These are military type rations and take the place of the old "K" rations. They come pre-cooked and sealed in special plastic/foil pouches. They have a nice long shelf life if they are stored in a place that doesn't get very warm/hot. They are available in different styles such as full meals that contain an entree (some type of meat), fruit, a beverage base that when added with water makes a good drink, dried fruit bar, etc. They can be either warmed up or eaten cold. These MREs can be purchased at any Army/Navy store or ordered online. I suggest you only use these on extended duty assignments. They are good to include in any "Go Bag" or "Home Bag". If you are on a one or two day assignment, stick with the power bars, etc. DO NOT break out these meals if the "clients" in a shelter or elsewhere aren't eating foods just as "good". Don't upstage your shelter clients. MREs are good when you are in the field for a period of days doing search and rescue communications.
WHEN (or IF) TO TURN OUT:
After gaining some experience, you will have to decide, depending upon each "emergency event", if it is advantageous for you to "turn out" for communications duty. You must consider first, of course, your family. What affect will your being away, to do communications work, do to them? Will they be okay? Secondly, how long can you "turn out" for? If it is an emergency, you might have to stretch your deployment far longer than what you might consider to be necessary. Prepare yourself and your family for the fact that, depending upon the emergency, you might be gone for several days.
Most often, however, your deployment will last 24 hours at the most. Also be aware that if manpower becomes limited or the emergency expands you might be called upon to deploy again after a short rest. Every emergency event is different and will each have a different set of parameters, so it is up to you to decide if it is advisable to become part of the communications support effort. Your time commitment and equipment limitations will play a major part in your decision. If the emergency is seen at first to be of short duration, but then might expand to a longer duration, will you be able to commit to that longer period of time? You cannot be expected to turn out for every event, but a dedicated ham radio operator knows that he needs to payback for the privilege that went with becoming a licensed amateur radio operator.
REVIEW of Section Nine
• Never think of yourself as a media spokesperson. That responsibility belongs to the person in charge of your duty site. At the incident command center or at the EOC there usually is a PIO or "public information officer" who handles the media.
• Treat each emergency as a unique support effort and be ready to have an extended duty. If you report to a site and no one is there, communicate that fact to Net Control.
• If requested, use tactical calls to identify your location, but always ID using your callsign at the end of each series of transmissions.
• Learn to ignore and listen beyond malicious interference.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Optional assignment:
Why is it important that there be a single point-of-contact spokesperson at any site? Why might you be asked to spend more time at a duty site than was originally proposed? If tactical calls are used, why must you also give your callsign and when? Look into obtaining MREs for your "go bag".
SECTION TEN: Responding to a "HAZMAT" Emergency
There may be times when your group will be called out to assist in communications duties during a hazardous materials emergency (HAZMAT). A Hazmat emergency involves the release or possible release of harmful gases or fumes, chemicals and biological or radioactive agents. As such, these emergencies vary widely in their scope and severity. There are many trigger effects that will cause a Hazmat event. A fire at a recycling plant could release toxic fumes and surrounding neighborhoods would need to be evacuated. A tanker truck hauling toxic chemicals might jack-knife and cause a spill that could possibly lead to neighborhoods being evacuated. During severe weather a gas line might rupture. There might be a terrorist attack that will release toxins, either chemical or biological, into the water system or air.
No Second Chances
In all of these cases you must act with extreme caution as you may NOT get a second chance. If this sounds scary, it is. Do not feel obligated to turn out for these events if you aren't 100% trained and feel comfortable in doing so. In extreme events, such as bio-terrorism or toxic fumes being released from a fire, it will require extra training and special protective gear and equipment if you are assigned to a detail close to the event.(Returning from a wildfire duty our group was alerted to a huge recycling plant fire whose black choking fumes were quickly engulfing an entire village and that might have meant evacuation of almost 10,000 residents. The officials could not figure out where they'd house these people until I reminded them that we, the township, owned the airport and there were several empty hangers. Another example of an amateur radio operator thinking on his feet!)
Special HAZMAT Training Needed
Responding for communications duty during a Hazmat event, if it is not a shelter detail, can be a very complex task. It is important that you train under the direction of a special Hazmat team rather than from a guide or booklet. If you are interested in this type of training, you should contact your local Fire or Police departments to see when/where this type of training is available. But as communicators, all we should do is communicate. DO NOT TOUCH ANY MAZMAT materials even if you are wearing "protective" gloves. ONLY TRAINED HAZMAT PROFESSIONALS ARE TO INTERFACE WITH MATERIALS.
Practice Drills
If the communications group you join is worth a lick, then they will have drills covering communications during different Hazmat events. One drill, for example, could consist of an airplane crash that releases jet fuel. You need to know how to react and what NOT to do. This event is a double-edged sword as you will be handling communications during rescue operations in the midst of a toxic spill. In this case, you do not enter the site unless you are properly trained, have specific protection and have a specific duty at that location.
Location
DO NOT take it upon your own to get too close to the event even if you are assigned there. Most of the time, you will not be too close to the actual hazardous materials. Your duties might take you as close as the Incident Command Center or "On Site" Medical Triage Area so you can relay updates to net control and they may pass that information to other authorities.
• The "Incident Command Center" is a location (post) close to the site that will have local control of the event. This is where the basic decisions are made.
• "On Site Medical Triage" is the area near the event where teams of EMTs or doctors will examine each victim to see what additional medical treatment they may require above and beyond the first aid they are given at the site. Severe cases may require transport to an area hospital. In either case, there might be better forms of communications than our radio system (Police, Fire and EMT radio systems) so all you might be required to do is standby. Never attempt to "expand your role". You are not "Rambo" with a radio. This is the type of action that gives amateur radio communications support a "black eye". We are communicators, NOT Hazmat specialists.
Get Ready To "Bug Out"
If you are assigned close to the incident, be prepared to evacuate immediately if wind conditions shift or if the spill should either grow, combine or ignite. Always be aware of the situations around you. An example of a changing Hazmat situation was when I was at WTC 9/11 "Ground Zero" and they reported that there were tons of toxic chemicals. They later realized that if some of these chemicals were combined they would become TEN times as deadly. NEVER touch any chemical or powder spills in the Hazmat area. If you see any spills that might have been overlooked, inform the incident command post as soon as possible. This does NOT mean you should go looking for spills, etc. If you accidentally become exposed to any chemical or powder, tell incident command right away so you can be decontaminated. If you are called upon to respond during an evacuation of an area due to either a fire, gas line rupture or chemical spill, there will be shelters that will need to be covered by radio communicators. The shelters themselves will be far from "harm's way" and your communications support at any of these sites will be almost identical to being at a shelter during a severe weather event.
Most BEST Route May Not Be The Shortest Route
When you are assigned to a shelter during a Hazmat emergency, make sure that your route to the shelter is far from the actual Hazmat occurrence even if you have to drive miles out of your way to avoid it. In the early hours of this type of emergency the people actually handling the Hazmat containment duty may not fully be aware of what toxins are being released and if they first say that it is a basic non-toxic chemical spill, fumes could be released later that might prove deadly.
So stay away from the event.
Your basic procedures when you report to a shelter during a Hazmat emergency should remain the same as any other shelter detail. These are usually short-term shelter operations. However, you should be prepared for a longer stay if the fire, gas line rupture or chemical spill takes longer than expected to be contained or cleaned up. NEVER attempt to "check out" a Hazmat event. Your presence there could easily complicate matters and endanger the professionals on the scene. You are also putting your own life at needless risk and making amateur radio operators look stupid. Stay as far away as possible.
The best way to protect yourself is to not be there
Also be aware that this silly junk that the government professes about duct taping plastic sheathing on your windows and doors to prevent infiltration of fumes or biological agents during some terrorist attack will NOT work nor will it protect you or your family. This is just government B.S. designed to calm a nervous public and lead them into having a false sense of security. But it is all DEAD wrong. A dust mask or even a respirator mask from "Home Depot" will NOT be of any good. The only real protective gear is expensive, limited in supply, must be personally fitted to your face and body and requires training in their use to properly protect you. The best way to protect yourself is to evacuate the area and do so in a speedy manner. DO NOT go down wind of any suspect areas. Remember, in the VERY UNLIKELY event that you need to evacuate, bring that "home bag" with you. That bottled water could be a life saver. DO NOT let any person or any "company or organization" scare you into buying a load of stuff you don't need. The infrastructure of our country is such that it quickly recovers from any emergency. Most emergencies are created by nature, such as hurricanes and other storms. There will be no nuclear event, just as there wasn't any back in the early 1960's. Those of you who had fallout shelters built were just making very expensive wine cellars. We do live in an era of uncertainty, however, if you have common sense and that home bag I suggested, there are just about no events that you and your family won't be able to weather.
REVIEW of Section Ten
• There are no Second Chances in a Hazmat Emergency. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be dead or seriously injured, either way unable to do your job as a communicator.
• Plan your route on the way to your assignment to avoid the possible danger area, such as downwind from the disaster site. Keep that AC turned to 'inside air' and roll up those windows tightly just as a precaution.
• Bring your go-bag and your home-bag just in case your stay becomes longer than planned, or you become unable to return home because of a shift in contamination
• Don’t stick your nose in to find out what is happening closer to the disaster scene.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Optional assignment:
Get one of those Hazardous Material books from your federal, state or local government so that you can learn what those code numbers on the back of tanker trucks really mean. Did you know that "1203" is the number for gasoline fuel? Consider carrying a pair of binoculars in the car because if you are close enough to read the placard on the back of the wrecked tanker and happen to be downwind, you are already too close to the scene.
SECTION ELEVEN: SKYWARN and You
Another area of radio emergency communications you may wish to be a part of involves the SKYWARN program. SKYWARN is not a club or national organization, but there might be areas of the country where people have gotten together to form local groups. Simply put, SKYWARN involves the training of people who will observe and communicate to the National Weather Service or local emergency management group any threatening weather that might be developing in their area. This reporting is done by either checking into a severe weather net on the radio and reporting observations to the net control operator or by calling the local area National Weather Service or emergency operations group.
The National Weather Service has local offices throughout the country and often have their own amateur radio station located on site. This is a very good idea as when a weather emergency exsists the station can be easily manned with hams who have additional knowledge in weather related events and can quickly report to the NWS officials any information spotters transmit over local repeaters. There are both amateur radio operators and non-hams who serve as "SKYWARN Spotters". By reporting severe weather as it develops, spotters are a valuable resource in getting the information out to the public so they will be able to take cover or evacuate an area. By using spotters as an early warning system countless lives have been saved.
YOU can become a part of this valuable team by getting some special training. The National Weather Service conducts very excellent training courses throughout the country. If you wish to learn more about attending such a class, contact your local National Weather Service office. Each area of the country will offer courses that focus on weather problems in their locale. In the Northeast, they will concentrate on the severe weather that occurs there, such as winter storms and hurricanes. In the Midwest the main thrust of the training will be about tornadoes and floods. Having attended courses in several areas, I am impressed at their coverage and information. The training is based upon what to look for before the severe weather develops into a major event. In the Northeast you learn all about the different classifications of hurricanes and the damage each can produce. You also learn how to do plot projections and what needs to be done if the hurricane shifts direction or changes in intensity. You will be shown pictures or slides of the damage that results from each level of intensity. That will really get the point across. In the Midwest, you learn about how storms develop into tornadoes, their intensity levels, what comes BEFORE a tornado and pictures of their paths of destruction.
Although some people who have attended SKYWARN courses have been involved in "storm chasing", attending the courses does not make you one. Most people who "chase" severe storms in the hopes of being there during the development into a tornado do so to learn more about the weather from a scientific standpoint and are usually meteorologists who have additional training and equipment. Being a chaser is a very dangerous experience. Better served if you are a local reporter and maintain a safe distance. SKYWARN spotters are the people, who based upon their reporting, will get the ball rolling when severe weather develops that will require the opening of the shelters at which you will be supplying communications. By attending SKYWARN classes you will gain a better understanding of the process and will be able to communicate information more accurately.
SECTION TWELVE: Constructing A Pocket "J Pole"
Antenna For Two Meters (one that actually works)
One of most inexpensive additions to your communications inventory, and one of the most important, is
the "J Pole" antenna. The type I am talking about is a roll-up type that can be stowed in any "go bag" for quick set up and use. There are several companies that sell these "pocket J Poles" and you might wish to look into purchasing one or two to add to your stock for emergency use. Usually, the small antenna that came with your HT is of little use for reliable communications.
When you are called to deploy, you might be housed in a structure that inhibits signal passage. The answer is usually a better antenna. In most cases, the "J Pole" suits this purpose. Not only can it be used with your HT, but you can also use it with a mobile radio/power supply. This way, you have one antenna with a dual use. It requires nothing more than a non-conductive cord to hang it up. No supports or poles needed.
If you'd like to try and build a pocket "J Pole" antenna, here are some simple plans. Unlike other plans that tell you how to make a crude antenna, this section tells you how to construct one and how to PROPERLY tune it.
Take one length (55 inches) of 300 ohm twin lead (buy this from your local Radio Shack) This is the old type of TV twin lead we had on our TVs as kids. USE A NEW LENGTH, not an old run of wire ripped off from your house!! On one end, strip off about 1/2 inch of the insulation, exposing the parallel wires. Bend them towards each other so they TOUCH or overlap. Solder them together, making a nice, neat, tight connection. This is the bottom of your antenna.
Next, measure exactly 16 1/2 inches from the end that you shorted together and cut a notch in ONE of the wires in the twin lead. The notch should be about 1/4 of an inch. Next, measure exactly 1 1/2 inches from the same bottom of the shorted ends and strip the insulation exposing about 1/4 of an inch of the wires on BOTH sides of the twin leads. At these two points, CAREFULLY solder in place a 20 foot length of RG 8X (mini) cable, with the center conductor soldered to the long run (un-notched side of the twin lead) and the shield side soldered to the notched side. (Trust me on this. It should NOT be the other way around no matter what you've read, heard or been told.)
Double check all your connections and then carefully use electrical tape to cover the bottom 3 inches of the twin lead while holding the coax cable tightly against it so it makes a solid seal. Make sure that the coax connections to the twin lead aren't shorting together. Continue taping it until it seals all the connections you have made including the shorted bottom of the twinlead and beyond to just the coax cable for about 2 inches. This will seal all of the connections and add strength to your antenna/coax connection.
Add a PL-259 connector to the end of the coax. Have an adapter handy so you can use this antenna with either your mobile radio or your HT.
At this point, due to variations in Twin Lead construction, you will need to "tune" the antenna by hanging it up, vertically, using a non-conductive cord, and away from metal objects, and using a fellow ham's antenna analyzer. It will probably be a bit long, so trim the top, by removing 1/4 of an inch at a time AND on the side that has the notch: for each 1/4 inch you have cut from the top of the twin lead notch out an additional 1/32 of an inch enlarging the original notch from the bottom of the notched area... like you'd be increasing the original notch length (but not really, just trimming the "short" side of the parallel lead) until it tunes lowest SWR on 146 MHZ. (If you do not adjust it in this manner, you'll never get the lowest SWR or widest bandwith.) When you have finished make a small hole in the insulation at the top of the twin lead to pass a hanging "non-conductor" cord (such as twine or nylon) through it.
That's all there is to it!! You may wish to make more than one once you get the hang of it's construction and tuning. Very inexpensive, very effective and stores in a small area. Most of these "J" Poles will also work well on the 70 CM band !
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I have also used this design and inserted the "J Pole" into a long piece of 1/2" PVC pipe. This makes the antenna durable and it can be mounted to a mast on your roof just as you would a base station two meter antenna. (Make sure you seal both ends of the PVC pipe with epoxy) DO NOT THINK THAT A HORIZONTAL DIPOLE ANTENNA will work in VHF emergency communications. It's horizontal polarization is ineffective in reaching repeaters. Repeaters use vertical antennas.
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Optional assignment:
Get some ham radio operators together for an "antenna building party" so each of you can assemble, tune and test your own personal "J Pole" antennas. You might want to make this a club project.
SECTION THIRTEEN: Net Control Operator
(To Be Or Not To Be)
Being a Net Control Operator during an emergency is a difficult assignment. It isn't as simple as taking callsigns and names as in the case of an informal or non-emergency net. There are many skills, some of which cannot be taught, that a competent Net Control Operator must have.
Some of the characteristics of a good Net Control operator are:
• GOOD voice quality (not high pitched or nasal)
• A good command of the English language and proper diction.
• Self-confidence but not an obnoxious attitude.
• Knows how to take and give orders.
• Ability to deal both mentally and physically with high stress for extended periods of time.
• A sense of humor.
• VERY GOOD penmanship.
• Above average operating techniques.
• Knows how to be organized.
• Knowledge of emergency communications protocol and served agencies.
• A concern for all volunteers.
• GOOD listening skills.
• The ability to be flexible.
• Being able to "Check your emotions at the door."
• Is able to show a good "face" for amateur radio.
• DOES NOT TRY TO RUN THE SHOW (we all answer to someone)
Not all of us have what it takes to be a good net control operator. Being able to coordinate several stations while at the same time working in a busy EOC environment is quite a juggling act. The ability to do several tasks well and at the same time, and prioritize them, is a quality few of us have. You won't be handed a script like informal nets have, so you better be able to work on the fly and improvise. Like a lion-tamer, no one should be able to sense fear or doubt in a net control operator. People in the field look to the net control operator for strength and calmness. You should be able to convey this during your communications. All radio communications should be brief and to the point. It is not a time for excess words or rag-chewing but this does not mean that you must rush when you speak. Speaking CLEARLY and SLOWLY goes a long way towards being an effective operator. (see section nine: "Lots of Odds and Ends" on how to properly use a microphone) There is also a great deal of logging and note taking by a net control station. Entries must be clear and noted with dates, times, names, callsigns and other pertinent information.
If you are asked a specific question, you must know where to go to find the correct answer. Never leave any question unanswered. If you cannot answer a question within ten minutes, inform the operator who asked it that you are aware that their question hasn't been answered and you are still pursuing a proper reply. If a request for, say supplies, is made make sure the logistic support is put to task until the request is fulfilled. In this way you are supporting the guys "in the trenches". Never leave them hanging. Calling for clarification to any message sent is also important. Never be afraid to ask an operator to repeat their information. YOU are the end of the communications line, so get it right. Do not over use Phonetics. (see section nine: "Lots of Odds and Ends" and look under "phonetics") They are to be used ONLY when what is being said might be better understood if spelled out.... and ONLY the important words. If an operator checks in and uses phonetics to give his callsign, DO NOT repeat his callsign using phonetics. That only wastes time. A net control operator must have the patience to work with a group of people whose skill levels will greatly vary. There may be times when you will have to pause to explain something to a new operator that most of us would take for granted. Being a net control op means being both a teacher and a student. This does not mean "talking down" to a new volunteer, but rather being a friend who has more experience. Make sure when you relieve any volunteer from their assignment that you make a special effort to thank them for their support. A few encouraging words keep volunteers coming back.
You are responsible for setting a pattern and protocol that all other radio operators will follow, so make sure it is a sound one. ALWAYS be in control.... If you aren't your net operations can quickly disintegrate into chaos. Keep all your operators in line and following proper procedures. Never allow an operator to break protocol. If you do, others will follow and you will lose control of your net. If one does, just carefully rein them back in by reminding them that they have to use proper net protocol, then let it drop. If they continue to breach protocol you might have to use stronger language and tell them that they must be acknowledged by net control and ALL communications must flow through you unless you give a station the authority to "go direct" for one series of communications. Try NOT to make an issue of it, just state what needs to be said and no more. It is also important to know that we are all volunteers, so handle your field ops with kid-gloves and DO NOT criticize an operator over the air. Any corrections should be done in private.
You must also know your limitations as a person, so take breaks often. This will help lower your frustration level. When you take a break, detach yourself mentally from the communications duty. Read a magazine, take a short nap, eat, take a short walk for some fresh air or use the bathroom. Put the net control operations out of your mind for a while. This way when you return to your duties you will have renewed energy. Remaining cool is a valuable trait. Another thing to keep in mind is that you must ID often (more than the 10 minute FCC rule) and also explain on the air the purpose of the net you are operating so people who might be monitoring or just turning on their radios will remain silent and let you and the net do their job. Always be aware that others are listening, especially the media. So watch what you say. Never interject any personal opinions into your communications no matter how frustrated you may become. The agencies we serve are also listening to see how amateur radio operators fulfill their communications duties. Always remain a professional both on and off the air. You cannot be expected to be perfect, but do not get flustered. Remain calm and do your best to recover from any mental or verbal mistakes. There might be times when you will be dealing with some very disturbing traffic, such as the case when I had to report to net control that additional bodies were removed from the rubble at the World Trade Center. (It was by their request that I report any new casualties that might be uncovered) You must be able to pass or receive this type of information without emotions overwhelming you. If you should become stressed, it will be revealed in your voice. Your voice's pitch will raise and you will probably talk a bit faster. People monitoring will notice. Try to avoid this by taking those frequent breaks.
If you have listened to an actual emergency net, you will always be able to tell who is the net control operator because they have a commanding voice and on-the-air presence. The job is not for all of us and to tell you the truth, I hate it, but it is a necessary assignment that needs to be filled by competent radio operators. If you feel that you would be a good net control operator candidate, talk to your communications group and see if training is available. This usually takes the form of being a net control operator during tests and drills and one-on-one training. After this they may place you in the position as a relief net control operator. This way they will see if you can "take the heat". (refer to earlier sections about proper net procedures)
SECTION FOURTEEN: STILL MORE ODDS AND ENDS
Keeping An "Even Keel":
During the course of any emergency event you could be under so much stress that it's difficult to control your emotions. After all, we are only human and the sorrow or tension during an emergency can play havoc with your soul. Never lash out at anyone, no matter how much they may annoy you. Show patience at all times. This is why it is very important to take frequent breaks. Read a few chapters from an amusing novel. Read a magazine. Do a crossword puzzle. If you can, take a short walk to clear your mind. (If you are the only communicator at a post, make sure you take your HT on your break/walk) In this way you will be able to disengage yourself for a while. First and foremost, you must remain calm on the exterior as people you are supporting will depend upon you for a show of strength during a trying time. If you feel that you can't do this, then inform your emergency group so they can assign you to a less stressful position that also doesn't require much interface with the public.
Support from your family:
There may be an emergency event that has deeply touched you in some way. Although during the event you must keep most of your emotions buried, upon your return you might want to discuss with your family what transpired and what you were feeling. They should be there for you, listening to you and being sympathetic to any feelings you might be having. Do not dwell on any particular point. The release is in telling them what you felt and did during the entire emergency. The more fully they understand, the better and stronger their support will be for you.
There are many opinions on what items an amateur radio operator should pack for deployment during an emergency event. This is just one of them. The type of emergency, and the time of the year, will dictate some of the necessary items you should bring to successfully fulfill your communications duties. No list is ever complete, therefore, there are additional places at the end of this list for you to pencil in other items you would like include in your "go bag" for deployment. No organization should ever expect you to have a fully stocked "go bag" ready and waiting to be picked up as you walk out the door.
A number of emergencies will be "predictable", such as severe weather, so you will have a short window of time to assemble your "go bag". Again, the situation will dictate what you will need to bring, however, you must be able to operate for an extended period of time and under a "worst case scenario" deployment. It is better to bring too much than too little. Not bringing the proper supplies can cripple your abilities to be an effective communicator and put a burden on the system. Knowing where all your items are, so you can assemble your "go bag", is critical. Take the time to go through this list and see what items you have on hand (and where they are) for quick assembling and what items you might need to purchase to maintain a properly stocked "go bag" and thereby be an efficient communicator.
NOT ON THE LIST BUT ESSENTIAL
EVERY amateur radio operator should ALWAYS have on his/her person their FCC amateur radio license, ARES/RACES ID cards and Red Cross training cards and any other pertinent identification. You never know when you might have to "switch hats" and become a shelter manager or even have combined duties as both shelter manager and radio operator. (I had dual-duties at a shelter during a hurricane)
THE LIST
In no dedicated order. You may wish to make copies of this list and place one in your "go bag" sack as a reminder and as a check list for when you need to completely assemble your "go bag" before deployment.
1. YOUR RADIO (HT "Handi-Talkie" or MOBILE)
I say this because due to deployment/location/duration/equipment-you-own considerations this might be either an HT, with at least 5 watts output, and a GAIN ANTENNA or a high power mobile radio with power supply. (OR BOTH) Make sure you tell the EC or communications officer your equipment capabilities, if you are using an HT or higher power unit and how long you can operate your radio without commercial power, as this will dictate where he/she deploys you and your duration of communicating. Make sure you know how to properly operate your radio and have the most used repeater frequencies/tones programmed in it's memory. Test it to make sure you can contact each repeater. This will ensure that you have the proper offsets/tones installed. Dual band radio equipment is better, but not vital. Most of your operations will take place using the two meter band. either with the support of repeater(s) or operating simplex. Some amateur radio operators can only afford EITHER an HT or a mobile radio, but not both. This doesn't mean that you can't be assigned somewhere. An experienced radio officer will take your equipment limitations into consideration and place you accordingly. Never let the fact that you don't have a high power radio prevent you from "turning out" during an emergency. It's the communicator, not the equipment, that is the most valuable asset. You might even be given an assignment to work teamed with a radio operator who has a high power radio. Again, it's up to the radio officer to make that determination.
2. POWER FOR YOUR RADIO
Again, depending upon the radio you will be using, power is a major concern. Sometimes, but not always, you might be called upon to operate where there are no "commercial mains". If this be the case, a mobile radio with a plug-in power supply will not be of help. KNOW YOUR FACTS... in other words, find out where you are being deployed and ask your EC, or whomever is incharge of the communications deployment, what the power considerations at your final destination are.
IF they can't give you a prompt answer, prepare for a "no power" situation. You might then need to power your high wattage radio from your car or truck. If this should be the case, you will need a power cord that matches your radio to, at the very least, a male cigarette lighter plug so your radio can be powered from any vehicle, not just your own. Remember that during an emergency your vehicle may not be allowed past a certain point, but there will probably always be a vehicle that will and that you can mooch power from. If you have the ability, a LARGE 12 VOLT GEL BATTERY, since they don't spill acid and will do the job for a number of hours of operation. Make sure you have the proper power cord to connect the battery to your radio and that it is a FUSED line. If you operate this way, it would be a simple matter to recharge this battery using a pair of jumper cables to any vehicle. Observe proper connection procedures and polarity while doing this and have your radio operate out of a vehicle while the battery is being charged. Always be aware of your power operating conditions, both polarity and battery capacity... Don't run out of power during a hectic communications time.
If you are sure they have power, either commercial or via a generator, then a better means is, of course, a power supply. If it's one thing I've learned, a switching power supply, being MUCH lighter than a transformer-type power supply, is a Godsend. The difference in weight when you carry your "go bag", especially if you have to carry it some distance, can be as much as 30 pounds!! This became a reality when I had to report to Red Cross Communications HQ during the World Trade Center Disaster. I had a light weight switching power supply, but my friend had to lug a 35 pound supply with him seven blocks from the subway station to the building. Oh, yes: FUSES, FUSES, FUSES. You can, in a pinch, use the foil wrapping from a pack of cigarettes as a make-shift fuse ONLY in a DIRE emergency.
HT POWER: If you are, by design or necessity, using an HT, make sure you have PLENTY of power in the form of batteries. I purchase my HTs with several parameters in mind. The MAJOR one is, it MUST be able to operate using ALKALINE "AA" batteries. HTs that use a special unique battery pack can be a detriment. HTs that use AAs are much better because you can get "AA" batteries just about anywhere. Not all HTs have external battery plugs. Try to buy an HT that does.
BUY AN HT THAT HAS A POWER OUTPUT OF AT LEAST 5 WATTS...Those cute, little 300 milliwatt HTs are useless in an emergency. If it doesn't have an external battery jack, an empty "AA" battery case can be retrofitted with a jack AND a regulator circuit. This will allow you to safely plug in a small 12 volt Gel battery, say 7 AH, and have an almost unlimited power source. If you have this external power jack setup, a small (4 amp) power supply, with proper supply-to-HT cord, fused of course, is also a nice thing to have should your deployment location have commercial power. If you have an HT that only uses a specific rechargable battery pack, BRING a charger and as many extra battery packs as you can muster. Try to have at least three. If your HT uses AAs, bring enough to do four complete changes. Make sure your "AA" batteries are fresh!!
3. ANTENNA SYSTEM
This area is where most communicators have a weakness. You are going to what probably is an "unknown location." By that, I mean, your deployment location has probably never been checked out for radio communications. Your communications area might be, for example, the gym in a local school. This type of area, having lots of metal in it's framework, along with metal lockers, etc., might make getting your signal out a major problem. Also, surrounding structures might interfere with signal reception and transmission. GAIN antennas are a must. The simple stubby antenna that came with your HT will not work. Get a "roll up J-pole", also known as a pocket J-pole antenna. This offers substantial gain over that BNC "dummy load" that is currently on your HT. A J-pole can be hung, using twine or some other NON-CONDUCTOR cord, at a height which will increase your chances of being heard. Make sure your J-pole is hung away from any metal structures. Make sure you have cord, not a wire, to hang it up as high as possible. DO NOT USE A DIPOLE ANTENNA as it's horizontal polarization is ineffective in reaching repeaters. Repeaters use vertical antennas.
SEE SECTION TWELVE ON HOW TO MAKE A "J"POLE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
A 25 foot run of RG-8X (mini) is also needed to connect your HT or high power radio to the J-pole. I shy away from RG-213 or other heavy cable as they are very bulky and can become more of a trip hazard and their additional weight puts a strain on the hanging J-pole. Usually most cable runs are short, so line loss is not a problem. I suggest that you have TWO of these cables. Make sure you have the needed adapters to connect your J-pole to your cable and the cable to your radio. Have a spare adapter should you need it. (BNC to SO239) Also, have a barrel connector to combine the two cables if needed. Keep your cable run as short as possible.
Test all of this BEFORE hand!!
If conditions allow you to use a magnetic-mount, mobile type antenna, consider this: your mag-mount antenna needs a metal place to adhere to AND that area must also serve as an "artificial ground", the same way your car body does. This means mag-mounting to an air conditioner (outside) or some other similar surface that is at least 20 inches wide. This might limit your placement, therefore, always have a J-pole handy. Even if you do find a place to mount it, will the extra run of cable, and the power loss running such a length of cable, be worth the rf "effort"? Remember that a 100 foot run of RG8X will lose OVER one half the power coming out of your radio!!Also be aware that when you run a cable, safety is a concern. You don't need people getting hurt or putting you off the air if they trip on your cable. If your vehicle has a "hard-wired" antenna permanently mounted you have just made things much more difficult for yourself. It may look good, but it has little use during an emergency because you are now tied to your car. Don't be cheap. Buy or make a J-Pole. IMPORTANT: In either case, know where your repeaters are located so you can place your antenna in the proper direction and so no metal structures are between your antenna and the repeater.
4. EARPHONES AND SPEAKER/MIC
Your deployment location might be very active and noisy. Your need to properly communicate is very important. In order to copy any info, you might be better off using a pair of headphones, with the proper adapter to your radio, for your operation. I like to use an external speaker to my "mobile type" radio so the speaker is "front projecting" and communications are easier to understand. A hand held speaker/mic for your HT is also a good idea. Earphones sometimes are needed for listening to sensitive communications that you wouldn't wish the general public in your shelter or area to hear. Easier listening also makes it less stressful on yourself and keeps you from getting tired during those extended deployments.
5. A COPY OF YOUR RADIO'S OPERATING MANUAL
This is a very important item that is often overlooked and without it you can expect a headache to occur. During times of stress you might forget how to program your radio to, say for example, change to another repeater that isn't programmed in your radio or to change to another simplex frequency and lock it in place.
I can't stress this enough. Have a COPY of your radio manual on hand. This is also a good idea in case you are taking a break and another operator is using your equipment.
6. A REPEATER DIRECTORY or COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF AREA REPEATERS (Offsets and Tones).
If the repeater you are using "goes down" you need to be able to shift to another repeater and knowing what frequency and tone is important. Your EC or communications officer should always give you a list of back-up frequencies before you deploy. If they don't...ASK!! This is also important because, whether we like to admit it or not, there might be intentional interference. Jamming makes our jobs tougher and sometimes you might be asked to defer to another repeater or go simplex. If you are asked to go to "F2", you better know what frequency/repeater "F2" is.
7. NOTE PAD(S) AND SEVERAL PENS AND MARKERS
Make sure you have enough paper, I like using a smaller, thick spiral note book, to keep all information on. Using a spiral book prevents pages from becoming dislodged. When you are communicating, keeping an accurate log as writing down requests and replies is very important. Make sure you mark entry DATES AND TIMES. This is what we are deployed for. Pass "traffic" exactly as given. Don't add any personal comments or change words. If anyone needs clarification, they'll ask for it. Sometimes "coded" traffic, in the form of specific words, will be passed, so be sure you get the info right. Use markers to write "make-shift signs". You'd be surprised how unprepared other personnel in your area might be and this will add to your worth.
8. MAPS
As prepared as anyone might be, there could be a time where you are called to deploy to an area that is unfamiliar to you. Maps are a must. This is not just to get to your deployment area. In an ideal world, your EC or radio officer should give you a packet with all the necessary details and info to successfully deploy all the operators under his/her command. This packet should include a map or set of maps with key locations such as shelters, fire depts, etc. clearly marked. In many cases, however, this doesn't happen due to time constraints and a limited EC staff. Always bring maps with you. Make sure it is as detailed as you can get. Also try to make note of the other deployment areas so you have a better understanding of the event. A prime example was when several of us were asked to deploy during a wildfire. No maps or directions were made by the radio officer and we ended up almost being trapped by flames enroute to our assignments. Note to ECs or radio officers: make sure you keep a stock of maps AND lists of possible shelters, fire departments, etc. so you can quickly assemble packets and mark them with active locations. Don't wait until the last moment.
9. PERSONAL ITEMS
The more comfortable you are, the better and longer you will be able perform as a communicator. The following is a sub-list of items that you might wish to include in your "go-bag".:
1. a simple first aid kit
2. your own prescription and non-prescription medication. For headache and pain relief, I use ORUDIS KT, found next to the aspirin at drug stores, Antihistamine for allergic reactions. Have at least 6 days supply of your prescription meds.
3. throat lozenges, mints and gum
4. reading glasses
5. sun glasses / sunscreen
6. a lighter
7. "handi-wipes" or moist towelette packets
8. insect repellent
9. "power bars", at least 10, and other food items such as MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
10. 8 or more bottled water/juice
11. salty snacks, especially in hot weather
12. toilet items, including toilet paper, hand soap, etc.
13. extra appropriate clothing for the time of year, including hats
14. rain parka, either bright yellow or orange
15. boots and socks
16. work gloves
17. at least 6 pairs of disposable gloves non-latex type
18. chapstick
19. collapsible cup
20. flashlight with fresh spare batteries
21. watch or clock
22. a high visability vest (orange)
23. a particulate respirator (full face, including your eyes)
for events which might expose you to ash, etc. as during a
heavy wildfire if you deploy close to the fireline
Purchase one that makes a good seal around your face.
24. a chemical/biological full face respirator for terrorist events
in case you are deployed close to the incident (wind direction does change)
Purchase one that makes a good seal around your face. I use a NATO approved
full head mask.
DO NOT SKIMP ON THESE LAST TWO ITEMS
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10. OTHER ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:
DUCT TAPE--- You'll use this
Electrical Tape
Extension power cord (heavy duty, at least 25 feet)
One multi-outlet so several units may be plugged in
Asst. hand tools (a VOM would be nice)
Swiss-Army type knife or multi-tool knife
Cash and coins for pay phone or to buy additional items at a local store
A deck of playing cards (trust me)
Trash bags. These can be used to protect gear, personnel and for trash
Several cans of heavy-duty flat fixer as driving through areas
that have debris many cause flats.(keep in your car, not in your "go bag")
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The reason I have included food and water is that when an emergency event first takes place, we, as communicators, do not want to put an added strain on any system. When things start returning to a normal or subdued event, and there are enough supplies and food for all the people in your shelter/area, then you are free to feed yourself with whatever is supplied. We are there to help the system, not burden it. As communicators we need to be self-sufficient.
A number of these items can be gathered and stored in a large knapsack. Make sure that you inspect all items as you assemble them. Check cables to make sure that they aren't frayed, pinched and that the connectors are in good shape. Test all your gear and test and recharge your batteries to make sure you are ready. An emergency doesn't wait for you. You wait for it. This is a basic list. As you become more experienced, and depending upon your deployment location/time of year, you'll probably add to this list
YOU MAY WISH TO COPY THE ABOVE SECTION AND KEEP IT HANDY WHEN YOU GATHER YOUR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO COPY THE ABOVE SECTION ONLY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
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REVIEW of this section:
Build and maintain two types of "go bags" for communications. The first should be for a "one day" event, such as a parade or walk-a-thon. The second is for a longer term event as is usually the case in emergency communications involving natural disasters or terrorist attacks. The second "go bag" will take the shape of a large knapsack as there will be many more items. There are items that do not store well for months, so keep a list of items you need to add for completion, such as food (power bars), fresh "AA" batteries, etc. Always maintain properly charged "rechargable-type" batteries. Check them at least once a month and "cycle" them twice a year by using them in communications until they are adequately drained of energy, then re-charging them. When you need to, replenish any used items in your "go bags".
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Optional assignment: Make a list of the differences in a one-day event "go bag" and an extended duty "go bag". What items are different? What items are the same and why? Refer to the list in this section to see what you might have left out. After re-reading the above section, what additional items that were not listed would you include to suit your own personal needs? If you do not understand the equipment/power/antenna sections, ask a ham radio operator experienced in emergency communications about them. Why is an HT that uses "AA" batteries better than one with a special battery pack? Why is a short antenna that comes with most HTs useless during either a public service event or emergency?
SECTION EIGHT: Your First Emergency (Non-Terrorist) Event
After reviewing the last section, you should have a fairly complete "go bag" in place or one that can be easily assembled on short notice. That's good because you've been noticing, on the news, that a very strong low-pressure area is beginning to develop in the Atlantic Ocean. The weather service has indicated that it will grow to become a severe weather pattern, with the possibility of it becoming a hurricane within the next three days. If it does as planned, it will create havoc along the coastal area and thousands of people will need to be evacuated to higher ground by the end of the week.
What should you do? The first thing would be to constantly monitor the weather services for updates. Weather patterns are not as predictable as we'd like them to be. The next thing you'd want to do is to review your family's "home bag" to make sure it has stocked the adequate supplies, including water and food. Go and charge your batteries for your equipment. If you can, keep them "topped off", which means you should charge them and then keep a small "trickle charge" on them every so often so they don't discharge. In order for your larger batteries to keep their maximum charge in storage, keep them clean and off any cement floor. You'd be surprized how much electron leakage there is between the two terminals of a dirty battery. My larger Gel Batteries are stored on a piece of wood. If need be, GO OUT NOW and buy a fresh supply of "AA" batteries for your HT. Make sure you have SEVERAL complete changes of batteries.
Check your deployment "go bag". Since this event will involve rain, make sure you have foul-weather gear included. Let's see.... What have you forgotten? Did you fill the tank of the family car and check to make sure it's always at least half full? Is there enough food in the house for your pets? How about going over the emergency procedures you have discussed with the members of your family in the event that they are stranded and can't get back to their home? Review what their course of action should be. All the while, keep monitoring the weather service's information and predictions. That would-be storm might be a few days away, but you'd be surprized how fast it can reach you.
Now you feel that you are ready for your first emergency event. Unfortunately, the storm has just intensified into a hurricane. Not only that, it has picked up speed and it's course will bring it sweeping up the coast. That means many thousands of people will need to seek shelter elsewhere. The hurricane isn't poised to hit for two days, so you have plenty of time, right? WRONG. Evacuation has already been recommended for people on the coast, so they have started to board up their homes and the exodus will soon begin. Quite a number of those families will either stay with relatives who live in-land or they might stay at hotels that are further away from the storm's wrath. There will be, however, a large number who will need to find other means to shelter themselves because the hotels are quickly being booked and filled. I hope you have your radio on and are listening to your emergency group's standard repeater frequency. Thank goodness you are not living too close to the coast so the only worry in your area will be that of strong winds, rain and street flooding. Or so you hope... Remember that any strong hurricane can also spawn tornadoes, so stay alert. Also be aware that even though you are far enough away to feel any effect from the ocean's wrath, there are people in your own area that may wish to find shelter in sturdier structures. These are the people who live in mobile homes or trailer parks. With strong winds and heavy rains in your area, there will remain the possibility of either spot power outages or even widespread power distruptions if the storm intensifies or takes a track further inland.
Now you hear on your radio that shelters are slowly beginning to open in anticipation of evacuees from the low-lying coastal areas. This probably means you will be getting "called out" to supply communications at some shelter. Just as these words leave your head, the phone rings. It is a fellow ham, who is calling the group's "phone tree", a list of hams that are called to report for duty. He has instructed you to check in on the emergency group's repeater.
As you listen, before you check in, the Net Control Operator is explaining that, due to a manpower shortage, there is a need for radio operators to assist in providing communications at several shelters in another county and the deployment would probably mean that you'd be there for at least 36-48 hours, both during and after the hurricane as travel after 10PM this evening will become very difficult due to the high winds and heavy rain that will accompany the hurricane's landfall, estimated at midnight. You hadn't expected this type of request, however, you know that whenever we are called upon to supply communications, it is our responsibility to volunteer if time and abilities permit. You know that you will have the next 48 hours free, so when the Net Control Operator asks for operators willing to be deployed for this duty, you give them your callsign. The Net Control Sation will then give you directions to the "East End Elementary School" in Tarryville, about 60 miles to the east of your home.
Between the two of you, it is figured that it will take you about 30 minutes to assemble your "go bag" and equipment, gas up your car and then an hour and a half to get you to the school, which is being used as a shelter. If phone service is still intact, you will call up your group's command center to verify your arrival. And so, off you go, right? NO NO NO..... Since you will be operating from another county and not under the coverage or operational control of your local group, you will need to know what repeater frequencies/offsets/tones the emergency group in your deployment area will be using!!! Don't leave home without this information!!! Luckily, your Net Control Operator has them and will give you the correct frequencies, etc. Write them down....NOW. Write them down in two different places in case you lose one copy. Also, if you have the time before you leave, program your radio... don't forget offsets and tones. Now it's time for one last check of your "go bag" and supplies. You've decided to take both your HT, with a gain antenna, AND your mobile radio, with a power supply, a "J pole" and your mag-mount antenna, and that big gel battery you just purchased and charged. GOOD MOVE. Since you don't have any idea what you will encounter once you get there AND what service interruptions may occur, it's a good idea to be prepared for any inconviences that may come your way. After one last check of your family, their "home bag", and your own supplies, it's time to head out. Remember that "RADIO COMMUNICATIONS" sign you made for your very first event? Make sure you put that on your dashboard so it will make getting into your deployment area easier and will probably allow you to park much closer to the building being used as the shelter. As you CAREFULLY drive towards your destination, there are probably a hundred questions going through your mind.
Remember one thing: You have had training in how to set up your station and how to communicate. Don't worry. The same procedures you used during drills and public service events will also apply here. The Net Control Station is the one you will be responsible to for the correct coordination of relaying information. The service you are supplying will be on behalf of whatever organization is manning the shelter. So what do you think your first contact should be when you reach the school? Yes, even before you set up your station, you should first introduce yourself to the "Shelter Manager". They are your "on site" boss. Introduce yourself and tell the manager your name, callsign and that you represent emergency communications and will soon be ready to communicate, via amateur radio, to other stations within the network of communicators so help, supplies and anything else they might need is just a radio call away. They might have a cell phone and think that your duty is redundent. Assure them that there are many, many times when cell phones do not work due to "cell sites" being put off line, due to lack of power, and that whether you have electrical power in your area or not, it will not impede your communications. Do this all with a friendly, "I am here to help", attitude.
At this point, ask them where they would like you to set up your station and tell them you wish to be "out of the way", yet visible in case you are needed. Usually, if a shelter is set up in a school, it will be located in a large area, such as the gym. If it appears that "clients", the people coming to the shelter, will remain overnight, you don't want your squawking radio keeping them up at night, so offer to set up your station in the hallway, just off the gym entrance. Once you have chosen a place to set up, now is the time to get your gear. WAIT !!! Did you chose a place that will allow you to hang a "J Pole", out of the way and away from large metal structures? You did? GREAT!! That will probably make your first attempt at hitting the local repeater successful.
At this time you should see if you can "hit" the repeater with your HT, it's whip antenna , and the extended-power battery bag. Usually, using the extended-power battery bag will put your HT's power slightly higher than the "AA" battery set up. No dice? Try hanging that "J Pole" up and trying it with that. It works!! Great. See how easy this is becoming... Now do three things. One, check into that repeater just as you've been trained, by calling the Net Control Operator, and report to them that you have set up at the assigned shelter and are ready for duty. I am sure they will be glad to hear that and probably will want a simple report as to who is there, such as the number of volunteers, clients, etc. They may request that you use a tactical call. (see section nine under "Tactical calls").
Second, see if that payphone down the hall works. If it does, call your home group's command center and tell them that you've reached your duty post and made contact with the local communication's group Net Control Operator and are ready for duty. Also, you might wish to call your family and tell them you are there and safe. Thirdly, inform the shelter manager that you are ready to assume any communications duties and are in direct contact with various agencies in the event of a power loss or phone disruption. The shelter manager may even ask you to send a simple supply request to test this system. You'd send the request just like you did for that walk-a-thon. Now would be the time to locate/ scrounge a chair and small table to act as your operating post. After that, bring in any gear for backup and your own personal comfort items. Now, you are ready!!! NO!!!! Not quite yet.
Now is the time for you to take a casual walk around the shelter area and see what is there. It is the observant radio operator who takes a mental stock of what is around him/her just in case problems arise and he/she has to make adaptations. The effective communicator needs to be able to quickly adapt to changing conditions. For example, what happens if the window right outside your operating area in the hall should break during the hurricane? You'd have to move... but to where? Line up a secondary location, now, so you won't have to wait and decide where to move if the window does break. Make sure you have a place to put up that "J Pole" again. Now a real brain-tease. What have I left out to ensure all-round emergency communications? The answer is simple: Check out the secondary repeater frequency you were given just in case you have to switch over. Just quickly change frequency, listen to see if anyone is active on that repeater and if not transmit: "This is (your callsign), Test". If you hear the tail squelch and the signal strength bars remain on your display for a second, it usually means you can reach that repeater. (the best bet would be if someone replied with a signal report) NOW GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL REPEATER SETTING.
The "Waiting Game"
You are all set and feeling much more confident than when you left your house. And why shouldn't you? You are prepared, trained and deployed. You are listening to the emergency net frequency and can see by the repeater activity that things are slowly building in preparation for the main event, the hurricane. There are now several shelters setup and "online" with radio operators. People are also slowly coming into your shelter, supplying the service agency with some information and then "staking out their little piece of the gym" where they might have to reside for a day or two. You look outside and see the wind slowly picking up. A sign of things to come. Aren't you glad you don't have to put up an outside antenna to "hit" the repeater? Don't worry, you'll have the "joy" of putting up an outside antenna in gale force winds some other day.
If you can, try seeing if you can listen to the emergency net using your HT and that longer whip antenna you bought. Yes, you can't "hit" the repeater, you tried that and found it only works with the "J Pole", but if you can "monitor" the repeater using the whip, it will give you some mobility so you won't be locked in to your desk in the hall. Don't forget to plug in the speaker/mic and have the volume down a bit so it doesn't get annoying to people in the shelter when you are actually in the gym. This way, when you are called, all you have to do is walk out to your communications post and switch the whip for the "J Pole" and make any replies. The Net Control Station is making routine reports on the strength and direction of the hurricane. That's excellent! It is always good to be kept up-to-date. You might also want to inform your shelter manager of the weather updates.
Now a few words on Shelter Managers. The position of Shelter Manager is filled by a volunteer, just as you are, who has probably had basic training in that area. It is unfortunate that with so many volunteer positions there is a tremendous "turn over". Some people just don't stay active for too long. You might find that the shelter manager who is at your place of deployment has had no "on-the-job" experience. I was stationed at one shelter where the day the hurricane hit was to be the last day of her training! In this case, she was very nervous and rightly so. I, being trained and experienced as a shelter manager, guided her through all phases of the shelter operation, BUT, she was still incharge and made all the decisions. If you, upon gaining experience at shelters, should come across a shelter manager with no experience, it is only morally proper to offer input. Damn what other training people have told you, if you can lend a few reassuring words or direction, do it! BUT, always remember, they have the responsibility of running the shelter, not you. Using "kid gloves" will encourage them to do their best and avoid chasing them away when the next emergency happens. You, plus the shelter manager and the rest of the shelter volunteers, are a team and should all pull together. The better you interface as a team, the more reassured your clients will be and will lend to a relaxed atmosphere.
As the hurricane increases in intensity, the Net Control Operator will probably request hourly updates from all shelters. This usually means that you will report the number of clients, volunteers, supplies, other support personnel such as police or firemen and the general conditions of the shelter, such as "Do you still have electrical power/lights?". These communications are just like when you were requesting cups at that walk-a-thon. Keep the communications short yet accurate. DO NOT interject any personal comments or opinions. Keep written notes of the hourly numbers you relay to Net Control. Mark each entry with the local time and date. This is done in case they require a "back fill" of information at a later time. Once the hurricane reaches it's maximum intensity in your area, it might be very difficult for any response emergency vehicle or supply vehicle to reach your shelter. If YOU note that the shelter might be running low on supplies within the next 12 hours, remind your shelter manager, before hand, that there may be a time when roads are unpassable so they many wish to re-stock now, while they still can. These reminders can go a long way towards establishing a good relationship with the other volunteers as long as it is done in a friendly manner. DO NOT JUST STAND AROUND AND BE A "RADIO HUGGER". Observe and report anything to your shelter manager. Quite often they will be "over their head" in dealing with angry or scared clients, so an extra pair of friendly eyes won't hurt. Don't barge in when they are in the middle of taking care of a client. Wait, then report.
Remember, your major duty is to supply communications. DO NOT assume any additional duties on your own. You are neither a traffic cop nor a social worker. Stick with what you have been trained to do, unless the shelter workers are grossly over worked. Your relaxed, professional attitude will relax those around you. If you are not doing anything at the moment and the shelter manager is short-handed, it is ok to help out if they ask for your assistance in unfolding and setting up a few cots, etc. Just don't get carried away with other tasks. Your communications duties will not require you to be active every minute of the event. Most of the time, it is a waiting game. Remember in my list of essentials I included a deck of playing cards? Now might be the time to engage in a friendly game of Rummy (NO GAMBLING), all the while being aware of your communications duties and having an active ear on your radio. This will help pass the time for both you and anyone you play with AND will instill the attitude that everything will be okay.
The hurricane is continuing on it's course and so are you, passing the occassional request on behalf of the shelter manager and giving hourly reports as requested by Net Control. The phones did go out of service early in the storm, but you maintained contact with Net Control and the shelter manager was impressed. The lights have flickered a few times, but nothing serious in the disruption of electrical power. You, of course, have that battery powered fluorescent camping light ready. Aren't you glad you purchased two, one for your family's "home bag" and one for your deployment needs. Everyone in the shelter seems to be calmly waiting out the storm. Having been there for a number of hours, you know that with the hurricane reaching it's maximum intensity, you will not have a relief operator until the storm abates. This is when you have to train your body to go into "light duty cycle", that means learning to relax yet still maintain mental activity. Don't fall alseep!!! Several hours have passed and you begin to notice that the winds seem to be dying down. Is this the end or has the eye of the storm reached you? One of the ways to find out is by paying attention to the weather updates given by your Net Control Operator.
A few hours later, you learn that the hurricane has passed it's peak in your area. Will the shelter operations be winding down? You can't be sure, yet. If there was destruction from the high winds or massive flooding, some of your clients may have to be there a while until it is either safe for them to return home or be sheltered at another facility. You continue your communications and reports as usual. Luckily there has been no damage at your site. Soon, you are informed by net control that a relief operator is on their way to take your place. Yes, that means your responsibility as a communicator will soon come to an end. DO NOTHING until your relief operator shows up and sets up his gear and contacts Net Control. This way, if there are any problems, communications will not be disrupted. Give your relief operator a run down on the shelter operations AND introduce them to the shelter manager.
When you are relieved make a note of the date, time, and the name and callsign of your relief operator in your notebook. Then it's time to pack up and "stand down". Take a slow drive back home, being careful to avoid anything that may have blown on to the highway. When you arrive home, check into your local emergency group's net if it is still in operation and inform them that you have completed your deployment. Keep your notes because at a later date they may wish a de-briefing of your experience. You've done a great job at your first emergency communications detail and your family has weathered your absence quite well. Hopefully, your next emergency event will run just as smoothly.
You are well on your way to becoming an "old pro" in emergency communications. Remember that not all emergency events will be as predictable as this nor will they offer you as long a window of time inwhich to prepare and assemble your "go bag". Always try to be as prepared as you can by keeping as much dedicated supplies/equipment in your "go bag" as possible. This way you will have to add very few items and it will make your deployment easier and quicker. Emergencies don't wait for us, we wait for them. Keep invloved. Do self-evaluations. Update your "go bags". Always be ready. And know that your community thanks you for all your cooperation and effort. Now go get some sleep!!!
REVIEW of this section:
Know all your facts before you go out for deployment. Some emergency events are not predictable so always maintain the maximum amount of items in your "go bag" . When you do this, completing the bag with additional items will not be as time comsuming. Keep your rechargable batteries fully charged. Make sure you have several changes of "AA" batteries for your HT. Leave a dedicated "J pole", and cable, in your "go bag". Use them JUST for emergency communications. When you reach your post, introduce yourself to those people you will be working with. Communicate with the other volunteers at all times. Remain calm. Keep accurate notes of each communications, including date and local time. Never breakdown your equipment until you relief has their station up and running and has reported to net control.
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Optional assignment: In proper order, list how you would get ready and deploy for an emergency event, including the assembling of your equipment and taking care of family needs. After completeing this list, refer to the above section for items or actions you might have missed. Do a "mock" emergency communications drill on your own by setting up a communications duty sight in your garage using just the items and equipment you have in your go bag and make several contacts with some operators on the local repeaters. (If you have no garage, go to a park and do the same) Set up and use that J pole. Self-training in equipment set up methods will go a long way in you becoming self-assured.
A BASIC COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM
PART B:
Section Nine: Lots Of Odds And Ends
the media, ITU Phonetics (the REAL deal),
using a microphone the right way, human interference,
tactical calls and nets, duty site interaction,
when or if to turn out, and more
Section Ten: HAZMAT Emergencies
don't touch, just communicate
Section Eleven: SKYWARN and You
special training makes for special eyes
Section Twelve: Constructing A Pocket "J Pole"
making one that actually works
Section Thirteen: Net Control Operator
To Be Or Not To Be?
Section Fourteen: Still More Odds And Ends
your emotions, family support, "Drop
Teams", Rural and Urban search and rescue,
and more
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SECTION NINE: LOTS OF ODDS AND ENDS
THE MEDIA AND YOU:
There may be times when the media will show up at your post for a story. You are not assigned as a public relations person; so do NOT engage in a long-winded conversation about the event. You should refer any questions to the person in charge of the site. In the case of a shelter, this will be the Shelter Manager. They have been trained in handling the press/media. Sometimes the media might pressure you so they can develop a "human interest" story. You should ONLY report that you are there to supply radio communications on behalf of whatever organization you are currently serving. That is all. Giving too much information can lead to problems as things you might state often get distorted in their "reporting". You do not need this responsibility. At your communications EOC there is usually a PIO (Public Information Officer) who is responsible for any media interaction.
IF YOU GET TO A POST EARLY
This may sound very stupid, but I feel that I have to say it: There may be times during an emergency where the radio operators are so quickly assigned to a deployment area that they may get to the location BEFORE it is open. If this happens, inform NET CONTROL of this fact. There were TWO separate cases, a few years ago on Long Island, where hams during a winter storm were assigned to shelters that never did open and they just sat outside in their cars and gave reports of zero "clients", not telling the Net Control Operator that the shelter wasn't open. This being their first involvement, they were ill trained in what to expect or do. Keep things such as this in mind when you are training or being trained. Sometimes the simplest of things can be overlooked.
THE PROPER WAY TO USE A MICROPHONE
When using your microphone to transmit, hold it near mouth level, but DO NOT place it directly in front of your mouth. Try not to "eat" the mic. Keep it at an angle and talk slowly and clearly. Do not shout into the microphone but also do not whisper. Talk with the same voice level as if you were having a conversation in your living room. (Ladies... try to talk a bit louder) If the mic is directly in front of your mouth you'll also be transmitting noise each time you take a breath and it will also cause your voice to sound muffled. Your heavy breathing will also be transmitted. You do not want to sound like an obscene phone caller. If the communications is over a repeater you might also cause "over deviation" in which case the repeater will not transmit complete sentences and others will hear your communications as being choppy. By becoming involved in local club nets you will develop the proper mic etiquette for clear communications. (This is not just a beginner's mistake, there are "experienced operators" even training ops who haven't mastered how to properly use a microphone)
Using ITU Phonetics
These are the WORLD-WIDE ITU Phonetics to use when you have to spell something out. DO NOT use the idiotic ones published and jammed down operator's throats by a "national" organization. Several of them are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG and I shudder each time I hear someone say "KeeBeck" or "Kaybeck" for a "Q". Does anyone say "God Bless the Keen"? No, it's "Queen", so pronounce Quebec as it should be.
A - alfa (AL-fa) B - bravo (BRAH-voe)
C - charlie (CHAR-lee) D - delta (DELL-tah)
E - echo (ECK-oh) F - foxtrot (FOX-trot)
G - golf (GOLF) H - hotel (HOE-tell)
I - india (IN-dee-ah) J - juliet (JU-lee-ett)
K - kilo (KEY-loh) L - lima (LEE-mah)
M - mike (MIKE) N - november (no-VEM-ber)
O - oscar (OSS-cah) P - papa (PAH-PAH)
Q - quebec (Que-BECK) R - romeo (ROW-me-oh)
S - sierra (SEE-air-rah) T - tango (TANG-go)
U - uniform (YOU-ni-form) V - victor (VIK-tor)
W - whiskey (WISS-key) X - x-ray (ECKS-ray)
Y - yankee (YANG-key) Z - zulu (ZOO-loo)
DEALING WITH INTERFERENCE (the human kind)
There are all kinds of people in this world. Most are nice. Some are not. It's the same way with amateur radio operators. There may be times when the jerks come out and attempt to interfere with communications during an emergency. Do not let them. These sick individuals take great "pride" in upsetting any ongoing communications. The best way to handle them is to just ignore them. Pretend you do not even hear them. NEVER say "Can you repeat that again, someone keeps breaking in." That's just what they want you to do. They want to generate a response. Just work through it and usually they will get tired and stop.
IF they don't, the next step is to shift to another repeater or frequency without mentioning that such a shift is taking place. (This is one reason why alternate frequencies are assigned before you turn out.) When the move to an alternate frequency is complete, at least two communicators should remain on the original repeater and talk. This will make the jerk transmitting the interference think that the emergency net is still there. Hopefully the net control station can communicate the problem to a ham radio operator or two who will be able to track down the offending idiot and inform local law enforcement personnel who might "pay him a visit". Local police are very sympathetic to this problem and usually a visit from them will make the offender stop. I have even seen police arrest an individual for interfering with an ongoing emergency. The net control operator will also make a note of whom it is and report the incident to the local OOC (Official Observer Coordinator) for action by the FCC.
Just a reminder… USING TACTICAL CALLS:
During both public service events and emergency events the net control operator may request that you use Tactical Calls to identify. These are usually either a location or vehicle you might be in. Tactical calls make the net control operations easier to fathom during a hectic operation. If this is the case, do so. An example would be: "Net Control, this is West Gate School Shelter". But remember that this does NOT absolve you from following FCC rules that state you MUST give your callsign when IDing at the end of a series of transmissions and every ten minutes. Since most emergency communications between two stations will be under ten minutes this can be simply done on the last transmission by stating your callsign.
TACTICAL or LOGISTICAL NETS
Sometimes there may be several nets in operation and on separate repeaters or simplex frequencies during an event. A tactical or logistical net could be one of them. This is a net that is used to converse with supply vehicles or depots, special communications between two agencies served by our communications group or any type of intercommunications beyond shelter or simple duty posts. By dividing the communications responsibilities between a standard operational net that supplies shelter reports, etc. and a tactical net, the event will operate with greater efficiency. A tactical net is only used when there are enough communicators available to divide duties and the situation warrants it.
An example was when I was doing Amateur Television (ATV) during a marathon. We used a separate frequency to coordinate the video transmissions back to the start/finish area so people could see how the race was progressing. If any technical problems developed we used this tactical ATV frequency to communicate in semi-private and correct them. This way we didn't clog up the regular race net. While we were adjusting the ATV setup and using a tactical frequency on two meters, another ham operator broke in our communications to state that he was watching our 70CM ATV transmissions. We were on Long Island. His location: Connecticut!
Just remember that others will also be listening to your tactical net so be as professional as possible and ID with your callsign. This simple tactical frequency required no net control operator. Another tactical net was the communications just between the race officials. There was no need for their conversations to be mixed in on the operational net which was basically doing restocking requests, runner counts and medical problems. A larger marathon or event might expand and have a medical net all to itself.
INTERACTION AT A DUTY SITE
When you are working at a site that has evacuees, such as in a shelter, the people being housed there will be under stress. They may not even know if they will have a house to come home to. This stress can lead to them saying or doing unusual things at your site. It is NOT your duty to act as a social worker. Maintain a professional attitude with them. If they ask, tell them about amateur radio. By acting calm, you will calm them. Do not take anything they say to heart. I have had cases where people have just drifted in, being homeless, and have used the shelter and it's facilities. This is OK because the point of the shelter is to assist everyone. In some rare cases people may act as if they are not fully rational. If you see something like this, report it to the shelter manager.
DO NOT engage in talk or actions that could be misunderstood or misinterpreted. You are NOT there to make friends or cultivate a romance. You are there ONLY to supply communications support. Do not "dispense" any medications, even aspirin, from your go-bag. It could get you in a world of legal trouble. If a registered nurse is on duty at the site, you can give her your extra aspirin to hand out. DO NOT document the emergency event by taking pictures. It is both illegal and immoral.
DON'T JUMP THE GUN
Not every emergency will require emergency communications. Do not take it upon yourself to jump into the middle of a minor emergency and try supplying emergency communications. If they are required, the emergency group you are a part of will be approached by some agency and asked to begin emergency communications duties. There are other times when the leadership of your group, expecting that agencies will require our support, will take it upon themselves to begin the emergency communications process. Trust their judgment. They have both the experience and the knowledge to do this. Be professional. DO NOT start a communications event where none is needed. That will only tarnish the perception of amateur radio communications as a support function.
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
MREs are a very useful way to store food and have it ready in your "go bag". These are military type rations and take the place of the old "K" rations. They come pre-cooked and sealed in special plastic/foil pouches. They have a nice long shelf life if they are stored in a place that doesn't get very warm/hot. They are available in different styles such as full meals that contain an entree (some type of meat), fruit, a beverage base that when added with water makes a good drink, dried fruit bar, etc. They can be either warmed up or eaten cold. These MREs can be purchased at any Army/Navy store or ordered online. I suggest you only use these on extended duty assignments. They are good to include in any "Go Bag" or "Home Bag". If you are on a one or two day assignment, stick with the power bars, etc. DO NOT break out these meals if the "clients" in a shelter or elsewhere aren't eating foods just as "good". Don't upstage your shelter clients. MREs are good when you are in the field for a period of days doing search and rescue communications.
WHEN (or IF) TO TURN OUT:
After gaining some experience, you will have to decide, depending upon each "emergency event", if it is advantageous for you to "turn out" for communications duty. You must consider first, of course, your family. What affect will your being away, to do communications work, do to them? Will they be okay? Secondly, how long can you "turn out" for? If it is an emergency, you might have to stretch your deployment far longer than what you might consider to be necessary. Prepare yourself and your family for the fact that, depending upon the emergency, you might be gone for several days.
Most often, however, your deployment will last 24 hours at the most. Also be aware that if manpower becomes limited or the emergency expands you might be called upon to deploy again after a short rest. Every emergency event is different and will each have a different set of parameters, so it is up to you to decide if it is advisable to become part of the communications support effort. Your time commitment and equipment limitations will play a major part in your decision. If the emergency is seen at first to be of short duration, but then might expand to a longer duration, will you be able to commit to that longer period of time? You cannot be expected to turn out for every event, but a dedicated ham radio operator knows that he needs to payback for the privilege that went with becoming a licensed amateur radio operator.
REVIEW of Section Nine
• Never think of yourself as a media spokesperson. That responsibility belongs to the person in charge of your duty site. At the incident command center or at the EOC there usually is a PIO or "public information officer" who handles the media.
• Treat each emergency as a unique support effort and be ready to have an extended duty. If you report to a site and no one is there, communicate that fact to Net Control.
• If requested, use tactical calls to identify your location, but always ID using your callsign at the end of each series of transmissions.
• Learn to ignore and listen beyond malicious interference.
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Optional assignment:
Why is it important that there be a single point-of-contact spokesperson at any site? Why might you be asked to spend more time at a duty site than was originally proposed? If tactical calls are used, why must you also give your callsign and when? Look into obtaining MREs for your "go bag".
SECTION TEN: Responding to a "HAZMAT" Emergency
There may be times when your group will be called out to assist in communications duties during a hazardous materials emergency (HAZMAT). A Hazmat emergency involves the release or possible release of harmful gases or fumes, chemicals and biological or radioactive agents. As such, these emergencies vary widely in their scope and severity. There are many trigger effects that will cause a Hazmat event. A fire at a recycling plant could release toxic fumes and surrounding neighborhoods would need to be evacuated. A tanker truck hauling toxic chemicals might jack-knife and cause a spill that could possibly lead to neighborhoods being evacuated. During severe weather a gas line might rupture. There might be a terrorist attack that will release toxins, either chemical or biological, into the water system or air.
No Second Chances
In all of these cases you must act with extreme caution as you may NOT get a second chance. If this sounds scary, it is. Do not feel obligated to turn out for these events if you aren't 100% trained and feel comfortable in doing so. In extreme events, such as bio-terrorism or toxic fumes being released from a fire, it will require extra training and special protective gear and equipment if you are assigned to a detail close to the event.(Returning from a wildfire duty our group was alerted to a huge recycling plant fire whose black choking fumes were quickly engulfing an entire village and that might have meant evacuation of almost 10,000 residents. The officials could not figure out where they'd house these people until I reminded them that we, the township, owned the airport and there were several empty hangers. Another example of an amateur radio operator thinking on his feet!)
Special HAZMAT Training Needed
Responding for communications duty during a Hazmat event, if it is not a shelter detail, can be a very complex task. It is important that you train under the direction of a special Hazmat team rather than from a guide or booklet. If you are interested in this type of training, you should contact your local Fire or Police departments to see when/where this type of training is available. But as communicators, all we should do is communicate. DO NOT TOUCH ANY MAZMAT materials even if you are wearing "protective" gloves. ONLY TRAINED HAZMAT PROFESSIONALS ARE TO INTERFACE WITH MATERIALS.
Practice Drills
If the communications group you join is worth a lick, then they will have drills covering communications during different Hazmat events. One drill, for example, could consist of an airplane crash that releases jet fuel. You need to know how to react and what NOT to do. This event is a double-edged sword as you will be handling communications during rescue operations in the midst of a toxic spill. In this case, you do not enter the site unless you are properly trained, have specific protection and have a specific duty at that location.
Location
DO NOT take it upon your own to get too close to the event even if you are assigned there. Most of the time, you will not be too close to the actual hazardous materials. Your duties might take you as close as the Incident Command Center or "On Site" Medical Triage Area so you can relay updates to net control and they may pass that information to other authorities.
• The "Incident Command Center" is a location (post) close to the site that will have local control of the event. This is where the basic decisions are made.
• "On Site Medical Triage" is the area near the event where teams of EMTs or doctors will examine each victim to see what additional medical treatment they may require above and beyond the first aid they are given at the site. Severe cases may require transport to an area hospital. In either case, there might be better forms of communications than our radio system (Police, Fire and EMT radio systems) so all you might be required to do is standby. Never attempt to "expand your role". You are not "Rambo" with a radio. This is the type of action that gives amateur radio communications support a "black eye". We are communicators, NOT Hazmat specialists.
Get Ready To "Bug Out"
If you are assigned close to the incident, be prepared to evacuate immediately if wind conditions shift or if the spill should either grow, combine or ignite. Always be aware of the situations around you. An example of a changing Hazmat situation was when I was at WTC 9/11 "Ground Zero" and they reported that there were tons of toxic chemicals. They later realized that if some of these chemicals were combined they would become TEN times as deadly. NEVER touch any chemical or powder spills in the Hazmat area. If you see any spills that might have been overlooked, inform the incident command post as soon as possible. This does NOT mean you should go looking for spills, etc. If you accidentally become exposed to any chemical or powder, tell incident command right away so you can be decontaminated. If you are called upon to respond during an evacuation of an area due to either a fire, gas line rupture or chemical spill, there will be shelters that will need to be covered by radio communicators. The shelters themselves will be far from "harm's way" and your communications support at any of these sites will be almost identical to being at a shelter during a severe weather event.
Most BEST Route May Not Be The Shortest Route
When you are assigned to a shelter during a Hazmat emergency, make sure that your route to the shelter is far from the actual Hazmat occurrence even if you have to drive miles out of your way to avoid it. In the early hours of this type of emergency the people actually handling the Hazmat containment duty may not fully be aware of what toxins are being released and if they first say that it is a basic non-toxic chemical spill, fumes could be released later that might prove deadly.
So stay away from the event.
Your basic procedures when you report to a shelter during a Hazmat emergency should remain the same as any other shelter detail. These are usually short-term shelter operations. However, you should be prepared for a longer stay if the fire, gas line rupture or chemical spill takes longer than expected to be contained or cleaned up. NEVER attempt to "check out" a Hazmat event. Your presence there could easily complicate matters and endanger the professionals on the scene. You are also putting your own life at needless risk and making amateur radio operators look stupid. Stay as far away as possible.
The best way to protect yourself is to not be there
Also be aware that this silly junk that the government professes about duct taping plastic sheathing on your windows and doors to prevent infiltration of fumes or biological agents during some terrorist attack will NOT work nor will it protect you or your family. This is just government B.S. designed to calm a nervous public and lead them into having a false sense of security. But it is all DEAD wrong. A dust mask or even a respirator mask from "Home Depot" will NOT be of any good. The only real protective gear is expensive, limited in supply, must be personally fitted to your face and body and requires training in their use to properly protect you. The best way to protect yourself is to evacuate the area and do so in a speedy manner. DO NOT go down wind of any suspect areas. Remember, in the VERY UNLIKELY event that you need to evacuate, bring that "home bag" with you. That bottled water could be a life saver. DO NOT let any person or any "company or organization" scare you into buying a load of stuff you don't need. The infrastructure of our country is such that it quickly recovers from any emergency. Most emergencies are created by nature, such as hurricanes and other storms. There will be no nuclear event, just as there wasn't any back in the early 1960's. Those of you who had fallout shelters built were just making very expensive wine cellars. We do live in an era of uncertainty, however, if you have common sense and that home bag I suggested, there are just about no events that you and your family won't be able to weather.
REVIEW of Section Ten
• There are no Second Chances in a Hazmat Emergency. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be dead or seriously injured, either way unable to do your job as a communicator.
• Plan your route on the way to your assignment to avoid the possible danger area, such as downwind from the disaster site. Keep that AC turned to 'inside air' and roll up those windows tightly just as a precaution.
• Bring your go-bag and your home-bag just in case your stay becomes longer than planned, or you become unable to return home because of a shift in contamination
• Don’t stick your nose in to find out what is happening closer to the disaster scene.
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Optional assignment:
Get one of those Hazardous Material books from your federal, state or local government so that you can learn what those code numbers on the back of tanker trucks really mean. Did you know that "1203" is the number for gasoline fuel? Consider carrying a pair of binoculars in the car because if you are close enough to read the placard on the back of the wrecked tanker and happen to be downwind, you are already too close to the scene.
SECTION ELEVEN: SKYWARN and You
Another area of radio emergency communications you may wish to be a part of involves the SKYWARN program. SKYWARN is not a club or national organization, but there might be areas of the country where people have gotten together to form local groups. Simply put, SKYWARN involves the training of people who will observe and communicate to the National Weather Service or local emergency management group any threatening weather that might be developing in their area. This reporting is done by either checking into a severe weather net on the radio and reporting observations to the net control operator or by calling the local area National Weather Service or emergency operations group.
The National Weather Service has local offices throughout the country and often have their own amateur radio station located on site. This is a very good idea as when a weather emergency exsists the station can be easily manned with hams who have additional knowledge in weather related events and can quickly report to the NWS officials any information spotters transmit over local repeaters. There are both amateur radio operators and non-hams who serve as "SKYWARN Spotters". By reporting severe weather as it develops, spotters are a valuable resource in getting the information out to the public so they will be able to take cover or evacuate an area. By using spotters as an early warning system countless lives have been saved.
YOU can become a part of this valuable team by getting some special training. The National Weather Service conducts very excellent training courses throughout the country. If you wish to learn more about attending such a class, contact your local National Weather Service office. Each area of the country will offer courses that focus on weather problems in their locale. In the Northeast, they will concentrate on the severe weather that occurs there, such as winter storms and hurricanes. In the Midwest the main thrust of the training will be about tornadoes and floods. Having attended courses in several areas, I am impressed at their coverage and information. The training is based upon what to look for before the severe weather develops into a major event. In the Northeast you learn all about the different classifications of hurricanes and the damage each can produce. You also learn how to do plot projections and what needs to be done if the hurricane shifts direction or changes in intensity. You will be shown pictures or slides of the damage that results from each level of intensity. That will really get the point across. In the Midwest, you learn about how storms develop into tornadoes, their intensity levels, what comes BEFORE a tornado and pictures of their paths of destruction.
Although some people who have attended SKYWARN courses have been involved in "storm chasing", attending the courses does not make you one. Most people who "chase" severe storms in the hopes of being there during the development into a tornado do so to learn more about the weather from a scientific standpoint and are usually meteorologists who have additional training and equipment. Being a chaser is a very dangerous experience. Better served if you are a local reporter and maintain a safe distance. SKYWARN spotters are the people, who based upon their reporting, will get the ball rolling when severe weather develops that will require the opening of the shelters at which you will be supplying communications. By attending SKYWARN classes you will gain a better understanding of the process and will be able to communicate information more accurately.
SECTION TWELVE: Constructing A Pocket "J Pole"
Antenna For Two Meters (one that actually works)
One of most inexpensive additions to your communications inventory, and one of the most important, is
the "J Pole" antenna. The type I am talking about is a roll-up type that can be stowed in any "go bag" for quick set up and use. There are several companies that sell these "pocket J Poles" and you might wish to look into purchasing one or two to add to your stock for emergency use. Usually, the small antenna that came with your HT is of little use for reliable communications.
When you are called to deploy, you might be housed in a structure that inhibits signal passage. The answer is usually a better antenna. In most cases, the "J Pole" suits this purpose. Not only can it be used with your HT, but you can also use it with a mobile radio/power supply. This way, you have one antenna with a dual use. It requires nothing more than a non-conductive cord to hang it up. No supports or poles needed.
If you'd like to try and build a pocket "J Pole" antenna, here are some simple plans. Unlike other plans that tell you how to make a crude antenna, this section tells you how to construct one and how to PROPERLY tune it.
Take one length (55 inches) of 300 ohm twin lead (buy this from your local Radio Shack) This is the old type of TV twin lead we had on our TVs as kids. USE A NEW LENGTH, not an old run of wire ripped off from your house!! On one end, strip off about 1/2 inch of the insulation, exposing the parallel wires. Bend them towards each other so they TOUCH or overlap. Solder them together, making a nice, neat, tight connection. This is the bottom of your antenna.
Next, measure exactly 16 1/2 inches from the end that you shorted together and cut a notch in ONE of the wires in the twin lead. The notch should be about 1/4 of an inch. Next, measure exactly 1 1/2 inches from the same bottom of the shorted ends and strip the insulation exposing about 1/4 of an inch of the wires on BOTH sides of the twin leads. At these two points, CAREFULLY solder in place a 20 foot length of RG 8X (mini) cable, with the center conductor soldered to the long run (un-notched side of the twin lead) and the shield side soldered to the notched side. (Trust me on this. It should NOT be the other way around no matter what you've read, heard or been told.)
Double check all your connections and then carefully use electrical tape to cover the bottom 3 inches of the twin lead while holding the coax cable tightly against it so it makes a solid seal. Make sure that the coax connections to the twin lead aren't shorting together. Continue taping it until it seals all the connections you have made including the shorted bottom of the twinlead and beyond to just the coax cable for about 2 inches. This will seal all of the connections and add strength to your antenna/coax connection.
Add a PL-259 connector to the end of the coax. Have an adapter handy so you can use this antenna with either your mobile radio or your HT.
At this point, due to variations in Twin Lead construction, you will need to "tune" the antenna by hanging it up, vertically, using a non-conductive cord, and away from metal objects, and using a fellow ham's antenna analyzer. It will probably be a bit long, so trim the top, by removing 1/4 of an inch at a time AND on the side that has the notch: for each 1/4 inch you have cut from the top of the twin lead notch out an additional 1/32 of an inch enlarging the original notch from the bottom of the notched area... like you'd be increasing the original notch length (but not really, just trimming the "short" side of the parallel lead) until it tunes lowest SWR on 146 MHZ. (If you do not adjust it in this manner, you'll never get the lowest SWR or widest bandwith.) When you have finished make a small hole in the insulation at the top of the twin lead to pass a hanging "non-conductor" cord (such as twine or nylon) through it.
That's all there is to it!! You may wish to make more than one once you get the hang of it's construction and tuning. Very inexpensive, very effective and stores in a small area. Most of these "J" Poles will also work well on the 70 CM band !
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I have also used this design and inserted the "J Pole" into a long piece of 1/2" PVC pipe. This makes the antenna durable and it can be mounted to a mast on your roof just as you would a base station two meter antenna. (Make sure you seal both ends of the PVC pipe with epoxy) DO NOT THINK THAT A HORIZONTAL DIPOLE ANTENNA will work in VHF emergency communications. It's horizontal polarization is ineffective in reaching repeaters. Repeaters use vertical antennas.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Optional assignment:
Get some ham radio operators together for an "antenna building party" so each of you can assemble, tune and test your own personal "J Pole" antennas. You might want to make this a club project.
SECTION THIRTEEN: Net Control Operator
(To Be Or Not To Be)
Being a Net Control Operator during an emergency is a difficult assignment. It isn't as simple as taking callsigns and names as in the case of an informal or non-emergency net. There are many skills, some of which cannot be taught, that a competent Net Control Operator must have.
Some of the characteristics of a good Net Control operator are:
• GOOD voice quality (not high pitched or nasal)
• A good command of the English language and proper diction.
• Self-confidence but not an obnoxious attitude.
• Knows how to take and give orders.
• Ability to deal both mentally and physically with high stress for extended periods of time.
• A sense of humor.
• VERY GOOD penmanship.
• Above average operating techniques.
• Knows how to be organized.
• Knowledge of emergency communications protocol and served agencies.
• A concern for all volunteers.
• GOOD listening skills.
• The ability to be flexible.
• Being able to "Check your emotions at the door."
• Is able to show a good "face" for amateur radio.
• DOES NOT TRY TO RUN THE SHOW (we all answer to someone)
Not all of us have what it takes to be a good net control operator. Being able to coordinate several stations while at the same time working in a busy EOC environment is quite a juggling act. The ability to do several tasks well and at the same time, and prioritize them, is a quality few of us have. You won't be handed a script like informal nets have, so you better be able to work on the fly and improvise. Like a lion-tamer, no one should be able to sense fear or doubt in a net control operator. People in the field look to the net control operator for strength and calmness. You should be able to convey this during your communications. All radio communications should be brief and to the point. It is not a time for excess words or rag-chewing but this does not mean that you must rush when you speak. Speaking CLEARLY and SLOWLY goes a long way towards being an effective operator. (see section nine: "Lots of Odds and Ends" on how to properly use a microphone) There is also a great deal of logging and note taking by a net control station. Entries must be clear and noted with dates, times, names, callsigns and other pertinent information.
If you are asked a specific question, you must know where to go to find the correct answer. Never leave any question unanswered. If you cannot answer a question within ten minutes, inform the operator who asked it that you are aware that their question hasn't been answered and you are still pursuing a proper reply. If a request for, say supplies, is made make sure the logistic support is put to task until the request is fulfilled. In this way you are supporting the guys "in the trenches". Never leave them hanging. Calling for clarification to any message sent is also important. Never be afraid to ask an operator to repeat their information. YOU are the end of the communications line, so get it right. Do not over use Phonetics. (see section nine: "Lots of Odds and Ends" and look under "phonetics") They are to be used ONLY when what is being said might be better understood if spelled out.... and ONLY the important words. If an operator checks in and uses phonetics to give his callsign, DO NOT repeat his callsign using phonetics. That only wastes time. A net control operator must have the patience to work with a group of people whose skill levels will greatly vary. There may be times when you will have to pause to explain something to a new operator that most of us would take for granted. Being a net control op means being both a teacher and a student. This does not mean "talking down" to a new volunteer, but rather being a friend who has more experience. Make sure when you relieve any volunteer from their assignment that you make a special effort to thank them for their support. A few encouraging words keep volunteers coming back.
You are responsible for setting a pattern and protocol that all other radio operators will follow, so make sure it is a sound one. ALWAYS be in control.... If you aren't your net operations can quickly disintegrate into chaos. Keep all your operators in line and following proper procedures. Never allow an operator to break protocol. If you do, others will follow and you will lose control of your net. If one does, just carefully rein them back in by reminding them that they have to use proper net protocol, then let it drop. If they continue to breach protocol you might have to use stronger language and tell them that they must be acknowledged by net control and ALL communications must flow through you unless you give a station the authority to "go direct" for one series of communications. Try NOT to make an issue of it, just state what needs to be said and no more. It is also important to know that we are all volunteers, so handle your field ops with kid-gloves and DO NOT criticize an operator over the air. Any corrections should be done in private.
You must also know your limitations as a person, so take breaks often. This will help lower your frustration level. When you take a break, detach yourself mentally from the communications duty. Read a magazine, take a short nap, eat, take a short walk for some fresh air or use the bathroom. Put the net control operations out of your mind for a while. This way when you return to your duties you will have renewed energy. Remaining cool is a valuable trait. Another thing to keep in mind is that you must ID often (more than the 10 minute FCC rule) and also explain on the air the purpose of the net you are operating so people who might be monitoring or just turning on their radios will remain silent and let you and the net do their job. Always be aware that others are listening, especially the media. So watch what you say. Never interject any personal opinions into your communications no matter how frustrated you may become. The agencies we serve are also listening to see how amateur radio operators fulfill their communications duties. Always remain a professional both on and off the air. You cannot be expected to be perfect, but do not get flustered. Remain calm and do your best to recover from any mental or verbal mistakes. There might be times when you will be dealing with some very disturbing traffic, such as the case when I had to report to net control that additional bodies were removed from the rubble at the World Trade Center. (It was by their request that I report any new casualties that might be uncovered) You must be able to pass or receive this type of information without emotions overwhelming you. If you should become stressed, it will be revealed in your voice. Your voice's pitch will raise and you will probably talk a bit faster. People monitoring will notice. Try to avoid this by taking those frequent breaks.
If you have listened to an actual emergency net, you will always be able to tell who is the net control operator because they have a commanding voice and on-the-air presence. The job is not for all of us and to tell you the truth, I hate it, but it is a necessary assignment that needs to be filled by competent radio operators. If you feel that you would be a good net control operator candidate, talk to your communications group and see if training is available. This usually takes the form of being a net control operator during tests and drills and one-on-one training. After this they may place you in the position as a relief net control operator. This way they will see if you can "take the heat". (refer to earlier sections about proper net procedures)
SECTION FOURTEEN: STILL MORE ODDS AND ENDS
Keeping An "Even Keel":
During the course of any emergency event you could be under so much stress that it's difficult to control your emotions. After all, we are only human and the sorrow or tension during an emergency can play havoc with your soul. Never lash out at anyone, no matter how much they may annoy you. Show patience at all times. This is why it is very important to take frequent breaks. Read a few chapters from an amusing novel. Read a magazine. Do a crossword puzzle. If you can, take a short walk to clear your mind. (If you are the only communicator at a post, make sure you take your HT on your break/walk) In this way you will be able to disengage yourself for a while. First and foremost, you must remain calm on the exterior as people you are supporting will depend upon you for a show of strength during a trying time. If you feel that you can't do this, then inform your emergency group so they can assign you to a less stressful position that also doesn't require much interface with the public.
Support from your family:
There may be an emergency event that has deeply touched you in some way. Although during the event you must keep most of your emotions buried, upon your return you might want to discuss with your family what transpired and what you were feeling. They should be there for you, listening to you and being sympathetic to any feelings you might be having. Do not dwell on any particular point. The release is in telling them what you felt and did during the entire emergency. The more fully they understand, the better and stronger their support will be for you.
