12/25/10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan This dcument is a guide that cntains the minimum infrmatin needed t prvide ARES/RACES supprt t a served agency in an emergency. This emergency plan has been submitted by Jeffrey Burmeister, W5OMU, Rsevelt Cunty District Emergency Crdinatr. This plan fllws the frmat riginally develped by Michael J. Eatn, K5MJE fr the City f Albuquerque, Bernalill Cunty, New Mexic and has been reviewed by William Kaufmann, W5YEJ, ARES New Mexic Sectin Emergency Crdinatr and State RACES Officer. This emergency peratins plan is pending apprval by the City f Prtales, Rsevelt Cunty, New Mexic. 1.0 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES MISSION T prvide Amateur Radi-based, nncmmercial, cmmunicatins service in the Rsevelt Cunty, New Mexic area during times f disaster, cmmercial cmmunicatin failure r ther emergency situatins. 1 f 10
2.0 Intrductin t ARES/RACES 2.1 ARES Rsevelt Cunty ARES is an element f the American Radi Relay League s (ARRL) Public Service Field Organizatin The Amateur Radi Emergency Service is cmpsed f radi peratrs wh are licensed by the Federal Cmmunicatins Cmmissin after passing a written examinatin n their knwledge f telecmmunicatins and technical skills in the peratin f radi equipment. The Rsevelt Cunty Amateur Radi Emergency Service (RC-ARES) is cmpsed f FCC licensed Amateur Radi peratrs wh have vluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment fr public service cmmunicatins duty. Rsevelt Cunty ARES functins under this Emergency Cmmunicatins Plan and the directin f the Rsevelt Cunty ARES District Emergency Crdinatr (DEC). The DEC shall be appinted by the ARRL s New Mexic Sectin Emergency Crdinatr (SEC). The Rsevelt Cunty ARES functins under this emergency plan under the directin f the Rsevelt Cunty District Emergency Crdinatr (DEC) in cnsultatin with the New Mexic Sectin Emergency Crdinatr (SEC). The SEC may appint EC s as needed fr the ARES t functin efficiently. 2.2 RACES Rsevelt Cunty RACES exists and functins under Subpart E f part 97.401 f the Federal Cmmunicatins Cmmissin (FCC) Rules and Regulatins, this Emergency Cmmunicatins Plan, and with the directin f the Rsevelt Cunty RACES Officer. The Rsevelt Cunty RACES Officer shall be nminated by the New Mexic State RACES fficer, but must be fficially appinted by the directr f the Rsevelt Cunty Office f Emergency Management. Under Federal regulatins, Amateur Radi public service cmmunicatins are furnished withut cmpensatin f any kind. 2 f 10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan
3.0 Purpse f this Plan The purpse f this plan is t prvide a written guide cntaining the minimum infrmatin that wuld be needed in an emergency. Each emergency is different and the plan supprts the flexibility needed t prvide an adequate respnse t each. The interface with each agency that culd request ARES/RACES services has different requirements. T meet these varied requirements, each agency will be requested t assist in develping their Memrandum f Understanding (MOU) with ARES/RACES. The MOU will specifically address the relatinship between the tw rganizatins as well as the available capabilities and resurces ffered by ARES/RACES. The primary respnsibility f the Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES is t furnish cmmunicatins in the event f a natural r man-made disaster, when regular cmmunicatins are inadequate r fail. Drills, exercises, training and instructins shall be carried ut t insure readiness, and t respnd quickly t prvide effective Amateur Radi Emergency Cmmunicatins whenever an incident may arise. 4.0 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Official Psitins 4.1 District Emergency Crdinatr The Rsevelt Cunty DEC (District Emergency Crdinatr) is appinted by the New Mexic State SEC (Sectin Emergency Crdinatr) t supervise the effrts f lcal Emergency Crdinatrs lcated in the defined district. He/she shall be the primary cntact fr emergency service rganizatins, city and cunty fficials. In an exercise r an actual emergency, the DEC will circulate within the peratinal area prviding guidance, directin, and recmmending changes as necessary. He/she will evaluate the cmmunicatins needs f the served agencies and respnd quickly t thse needs. The DEC will assume verall authrity and respnsibility fr emergency respnse and perfrmance by ARES persnnel under his jurisdictin. 4.1.1 The DEC Respnsibilities The DEC prvides the leadership functin in any multi-jurisdictinal situatin. Crdinates training, rganizatin and participatin f Emergency Crdinatrs in the district f jurisdictin. Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan 3 f 10
Makes lcal decisins in the absence f the SEC r thrugh crdinatin with the SEC cncerning the alltment f available amateurs and equipment during an emergency. Crdinates the interrelatinship between lcal emergency plans and between cmmunicatins netwrks within their jurisdictin. Establishes a viable wrking relatinship with area gvernment fficials, including plice, fire, ambulance and ther emergency services. Interfaces with municipal and prvincial emergency Planning Officers and agencies. Prvides directin in the handling f emergency cmmunicatins f either frmal r tactical nature. Recmmends EC appintments t the SEC. Crdinates the reprting and dcumenting f ARES activities in the district f jurisdictin. Initiates plicy and prcedural changes, bth within the Amateur Radi field rganizatin as well as the served agencies, required t facilitate the activities f ARES in the city and cunty. This includes slicitatin f funding frm served agencies, ther gvernment agencies, as well as lcal amateur radi clubs. Establishes an emergency cmmunicatins plan fr the cmmunities and agencies that will effectively utilize ARES members t cver the needs fr tactical cmmunicatins. The DEC will manage and crdinate ARES exercises r respnses t emergency situatins r incidents. Crdinates with the DEC's frm the surrunding t prvide cperative supprt. 4.2 Rsevelt Cunty RACES Officer RACES is perated under Federal Cmmunicatins Cmmissin rules Part 97 subpart 97.407 fr the Amateur Radi Service. RACES is a frmal gvernmental cntrlled service, and can nly perate during a declared emergency / disaster event. The RACES prgram is managed and cntrlled by state, city, r cunty gvernments. Very strict rules apply t RACES peratin. The state, city, r cunty gvernment fficials can require backgrund checks and ther requirements prir t certifying a RACES member. Because f this, RACES members can perfrm cmmunicatins duties f a sensitive nature. In Rsevelt Cunty, the psitins f cunty RACES fficer and ARES DEC are nrmally held by the same persn. Additinally ARES members are encuraged t als register with RACES. 4.3 Emergency Crdinatrs Wrking clsely with the District Emergency Crdinatr, the EC prepares fr, and engages in the management f cmmunicatins needs during emergencies. 4 f 10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan
Plicy and prcedural matters are develped in cnjunctin with bth the DEC and Assistant Emergency Crdinatrs: Prmtes and enhances the activities f ARES as a vluntary, nncmmercial cmmunicatins service t the benefit f the public. Manages and crdinates training, rganizatin, and emergency participatin f interested amateurs wrking in supprt f the cmmunities, agencies r functins designated by the DEC, SEC, and Sectin Manager. Maintains a viable wrking relatinship with private agencies, federal, state, cunty, and municipal gvernments in the jurisdictinal area that might need ARES services in an emergency. The EC circulates within the peratinal area, prviding guidance, directin, and making changes as necessary. He/she shuld nt be cnfined t an perating psitin. The EC will functin as secnd in cmmand t the DEC in a multiple jurisdictinal respnse. In the DEC s absence, an EC will assume cntrl f the respnse. 4.3.1 Emergency Crdinatr fr Search and Rescue The EC fr Search and Rescue will crdinate the recruitment, training and assignment f ARES amateur radi peratrs t prvide in-twn cmmunicatin supprt fr Search and Rescue missins in the surrunding area. 4.3.2 Emergency Crdinatr fr the Red Crss The EC fr the Red Crss will be the primary cntact between the Red Crss and ARES. The EC fr the Red Crss will be respnsible fr the cnfiguratin and maintenance f the ARES radi statin at the Red Crss Headquarters. 4.3.3 Emergency Crdinatr fr the Prtales EOC The EC fr the City f Prtales EOC will be the primary cntact between the Prtales Emergency Manager and ARES. The EC will be respnsible fr the cnfiguratin and maintenance f the ARES/RACES radi statin at the City EOC. 4.3.4 Emergency Crdinatr fr the Rsevelt Cunty EOC The EC fr the Rsevelt Cunty EOC will be the primary cntact between the cunty Emergency Manager and ARES. The EC will be respnsible fr the cnfiguratin and maintenance f the ARES/RACES radi statin at the Cunty EOC. 4.3.5 Emergency Crdinatr fr Special Events The EC fr special events is the primary ARES cntact fr cmmunity grups seeking amateur radi cmmunicatin supprt fr their events. Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan 5 f 10
5.0 Activatin Prcedures Any member f the Rsevelt Cunty ARES wh suspects a cmmunicatins emergency exists, will mnitr the assigned net frequency fr activity. If lcal telephne service is available, the DEC and/r the EC s shuld be ntified by telephne. If an incident ccurs in which the cmmunity may require Amateur Radi Emergency Cmmunicatins within an affected area, Amateur Radi liaisns will be alerted by a designated City, Cunty, Red Crss, Emergency Management, r similar fficial by cntacting the DEC, EC, SEC r ther designated liaisn persnnel. If telephne service is available, the DEC and/r EC(s) shuld be ntified f an emergency by a served agency by phne. See Appendix: A Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Cntacts fr phne numbers). The requesting agency shuld use the fllwing rder f precedence when requesting ARES/RACES activatin: 1. The requesting agency r service shuld attempt t first cntact the ARES District Emergency Crdinatr. 2. If the District Emergency Crdinatr is unavailable, prceed by calling the Emergency Crdinatr(s) r ther ARES/RACES Officers until ne is reached. 3. If a member f ARES/RACES can nt be cntacted using nrmal cmmunicatins facilities, The Prtales City Emergency Manager r the Rsevelt Cunty Emergency Manager shuld be requested t cntact the ARES DEC r an EC. 4. If all attempts have failed, please cntact the Sectin Emergency Crdinatr (SEC) t initiate the request. After making the initial cntact with an ARES/RACES liaisn, the liaisn will activate a respnse t prvide Amateur Radi Emergency Cmmunicatins services fr the requesting agency. The requesting agency is respnsible t prvide all apprpriate and essential infrmatin t the DEC, EC, and/r RACES Officer s that ARES/RACES can activate and mbilize a rapid and effective respnse fr the emergency. After the initial activatin, the requesting agency/services shall prvide updated infrmatin t the DEC, EC, and/r SEC t assist Amateur Radi peratrs in prviding effective emergency cmmunicatins. A list f Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES members shall be kept n file by the ARES leadership. This list will be used t generate the Alert List used t activate ARES/RACES members during an emergency situatin. 6 f 10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan
6.0 ARES/RACES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURES: If telephne service is available, a telephne callut will be initiated. Upn the awareness r ntificatin that a cmmunicatins emergency exists, members f the Rsevelt Cunty ARES will check int the Rsevelt Cunty ARES Net n 146.220/146.820 (+, 67Hz) FM repeater with 146.520 FM Simplex as an alternate frequency. Mbile units are activated and dispatched as necessary. The EC will assume Net Cntrl r delegate anther statin as Net Cntrl Statin (NCS). Net Cntrl may perate frm the Rsevelt Cunty Emergency Operatins Center (EOC), the City f Prtales Emergency Operatins Center, r ther lcatin as needed. After assembling the ARES/RACES unit n the primary call up frequency fr Rsevelt Cunty, an ARES/RACES fficial (r statin acting n behalf f an ARES/RACES fficial) may spawn additinal tactical nets t meet the needs f the emergency relief and recvery effrts. 7.0 Duties f the Net Cntrl Statin (NCS) The Rsevelt Cunty Emergency Net will be called t rder by the NCS. Members f the Rsevelt Cunty ARES are checked int the net frm their mbiles and hme statins t await further instructins. The main duties f the NCS are t insure the ARES/RACES nets are run in an rderly fashin, t help eliminate cnfusin n cmmunicatin netwrks, and t crdinate the flw f traffic as required. Where pssible, traffic leaving a tactical net shall be written in ARRL message frmat r ther specified prtcl as deemed fitting by the served agency r department. See Appendix: F NTS Traffic Tutrial fr a sample f message frmats. All internal r utging messages must carry the signature f the persn riginating the message and their title r ffice. (Example: Jhn Smith, Emergency Management). The cntents f any message handled by Amateur Radi are nt t be divulged t any unauthrized persns. Hwever, served agencies need t be aware that the Federal Cmmunicatins Cmmissin prhibits the use f ciphers r cdes, and therefre the messages handled by Amateur Radi cannt be secured frm public receptin. Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan 7 f 10
8.0 Respnsibilities f ARES Members 8.1 Membership Applicatins The membership applicatin cmpleted by Amateur Radi Operatrs is used primarily t establish an ARES member database. The database is used t generate Call Out Rsters and t maintain a list f members and equipment capabilities. This can be used during a mbilizatin t best match particular members t specific assignments. It is the respnsibility f each ARES member t prvide the DEC with an updated membership applicatin whenever relevant cntact, equipment, training, r capability infrmatin changes. Updated infrmatin is especially imprt in the case f cntact telephne numbers. 8.2 Training All ARES members are encuraged t cmplete the three Emergency Cmmunicatins training curses available nline frm the ARRL: http://www.remte.arrl.rg/cce/curses.html#ec001 http://www.remte.arrl.rg/cce/curses.html#ec002 http://www.remte.arrl.rg/cce/curses.html#ec003 In additin, RACES members may be required t successfully cmplete FEMA IS-700 Natinal Incident Management System training t participate within Emergency Operatins Centers (EOC s). The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) ffers mre than frty independent study curses. These are self-paced curses designed fr peple wh have emergency management respnsibilities. These are ffered free-f-charge t thse wh qualify fr enrllment. Each Independent Study Curse includes lessns with practice exercises and a final examinatin. Students wh scre 75 percent r better are issued a certificate f achievement frm EMI. Fr mre infrmatin and a list f curse available see: http://training.fema.gv/emiweb/is/ Emergency and 911 peratins centers, emergency managers, and public safety fficials are encuraged t prvide training and instructin t authrized ARES/RACES members s that we may better assist served agencies with their emergency cmmunicatins requirements during emergencies and incidents. 8 f 10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan
9.0 Planning Organizatin Security and Identificatin 9.1 Planning City, Cunty and State Emergency Management and ther served agencies will invite ARES/RACES fficials, liaisns, DEC's and EC's t meet regularly fr the preparatin and planning f emergency respnse cmmunicatins. This will assist ARES/RACES members t anticipate lcal needs and prepare a rapid and effective respnse fr Amateur Radi Emergency Cmmunicatins. Items that shuld be cnsidered are: Lcatins f public shelters, emergency peratins centers, hspitals, schls, and ther building that might require emergency cmmunicatins, r ther lcatins that wuld be advantageus fr cmmunicatins activities. Cmmunicatins equipment, antennas, transmissin lines, emergency pwer, perating psitins, frequency crdinatin and ther technical cnsideratins. The psitining f assets, the availability f peratrs, prvisins fr fd, water, sanitatin, rest, safety, rtatin f persnnel during extended emergencies, duties and assignments, and ther lgistical issues. Traffic flw, crdinatin f public infrmatin, access t public fficials and ther cnsideratins t facilitate cperatin and internal cmmunicatin. The prper identificatin f ARES/RACES radi peratrs t public safety fficials and plice, and the pre-authrizatin f members and peratrs t access restricted buildings and peratinal areas in supprt f emergency cmmunicatins. The establishment f cntacts, liaisns, telephne trees, paging services, and ther alerting and activatin methds during a crisis, incident r emergency. Prvisin fr the training f ARES/RACES members n prcedures and specialized equipment particular t the requirements f the served agency. The tactical and strategic peratinal details develped frm this planning and preparatin prcess will be attached as appendices t this Emergency Cmmunicatins Plan. This will prvide public fficials, emergency management and ther served agencies, and AREC/RACES members with prcedures t rapidly activate an effective and cmprehensive respnse t emergencies and incidents that require Amateur Radi Emergency Cmmunicatins. Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan 9 f 10
NOTES 10 f 10 Rsevelt Cunty ARES/RACES Emergency Cmmunicatin Plan