Amateur Radio Emergency Operation and Preparedness Links

ARES/RACES

• The Role of Amateur Radio in Providing Emergency Electronic Communication for Disaster Management, first posted in 1996, is still an excellent introductory article for those just starting to investigate amateur operators' role in emergency response.
• The main national Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) page says it all.
• Northern Florida Amateur Radio Emergency Service: because that's where I live.
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) Index contains a list of links to various regional ARES/RACES club organizations across the USA.
• KC7CDK'sAmateur Radio Organizations page contains a library of pertinent articles.

On Emergency Operation

• WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY ARES/RACES 1997 ARRL SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST REPORT is a very good evaluation of how this group's simulation went: lots of lessons here.
• The Hospital Disaster Support Communications System, a group of hams from Orange County, CA, have a great site dedicated to emergency and disaster communication for hospitals and other major medical facilities.
• ARRLWeb: Field Services Forms: Reference Operating Card, ARL Numbered Radiogram codes, Operating Aid, Message Form, etc.
• AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL: the official document.
• 42nd Brighton (Saltdean) Scout Group, UK: animated illustrations of the major knots: see them tie themselves! (if you have the appropriate web browser capability).

(Self-) Education and Other Information

• FEMA: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has lots of informational and certification materials.
• Public Service/Emergency Communications - Certification: An excellent tutorial w/practice exams on emergency operation, noted in the August QST. The ARRL is now offering Certification classes using these materials. Even if you don't take formal ARRL-sponsored classes, this should be your first stop.
• The KY Amateur Radio site provides hours of good reading through its KY Section ARES Resource Library.
• HRO - Disaster Communications Self-Evaluation Primer: a self-evaluation questionaire-scenario for any disaster relief agency, first written by Major James R. Sohl, CAP, WB5MPX in 1996.
• SARBC - Incident Command System ICS manual and other materials available for downloading from the Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia, including an ICS glossary.
• The Disaster Relief Communications Foundation: Described as an "NGO researching affordable telecommunications for small non-governmental organisations engaged in disaster relief and humanitarian aid during the acute phase of an emergency," this site is host to an on-line book on disaster communication aimed at (British) relief organizations. It is most interesting in that it suggests to relief organizations the pros and cons of using amateur radio operators. The relevant sections are here, here, and here, although rest of the book is a good read as well. It does take a while to load over a modem connection.

Hurricane and Severe Weather Information

• SKYWARN
• NOAA Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center
• HURRICANE links: ICW-NET
• Weather Underground: Tropical Weather
• Hurricane Central from the Orlando Sentinel
• HURRICANECITY, Atlantic hurricane tracking
• International Hurricane Center - FL Intl Univ
• Scanning Reference: Hurricane Frequencies

Other organizations

• DERA Preparedness: The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association's page.
• American Red Cross
• Emergency Services WWW Site List: a list of 1,687 known Fire / Rescue / EMS / Emergency Services sites that can be found on the internet.
• REACT: the Citizens Band (CB) emergency communication organization.

Volusia County, Florida

• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Volusia County Emergency Management
  • Disaster Preparedness Guide

Three Kits

Also, since I believe in preserving as much mobility as possible, my philosophy is that of the backpacker: to pack only what I can carry, yet enough to meet emergency needs. For example, I tote a hammock instead of a tent and sleeping bag. However, since my primary purpose in the event of an emergency would be communication, I do not skimp as much in the area of station operation as I do in the personal comfort/survival area (it could cause a problem should I have more food at my disposal than other needy people in an emergency shelter -- and surely some Red Cross person will feed and water me in a pinch).

To keep things straight in my mind, I have ordered the items hierarchically into three kits. The three kits are cumulative; that is, first there's the primary kit, then the basic is added to the primary for fixed station operation, then the extended kit for more than 24 hours of operation. Of course, some items that fall into the category of survival are also important for operation (such as a multi-tool); I list these under personal/survival so that when I take a hike (literally), I won't forget anything. However, for ease of packing, I have also ordered them in terms of where I carry them. Basically, I either wear it, carry it in a backpack, keep it in a tool box, or lock it in the car.

I've also got a full checksheet you can download and some First Aid Kit suggestions.

 

Primary Kit
For portable station operation (so basic you can't do without it) Carried on your person RADIO (2m HT w/30W linear amp & ps OR mobile unit w/ps) Earphone/headphones Extra batteries Speaker mike BNC adaptors Cig lighter adaptor Notebook/pen Watch/clock Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack) Extra HT High gain HT antennas Extra AA batteries	Personal comfort/survival Carried on your person Cap (head protection) ID Money Multitool Mini first aid kit Vitamins Medications Sun glasses Water container Snacks Address book Rubber bands Paper clips Within easy reach (in a wearable bag or backpack) Insect repellent Sun screen Rain poncho

 Please address praise, scorn, and other comments concerning the design of this and other personal web pages to Ken McCoy KF4BQF