Amateur Radio Emergency Services Disaster Services Technology A

Amateur Radio Emergency Services & Disaster Services Technology

A. R. E. S. & RED CROSS DST COMBINING FORCES Especially prepared for ARES State Conference October 18, 2014

Who am I � Amateur Radio Operator – KA 9 MNB/N 9 EAL/WI 9 ARC � Disaster Action Team volunteer – Waukesha County � ARES member - Waukesha County � Red Cross Disaster Services Technology Lead � Red Cross Disaster Assessment Lead ◦ Eastern Wisconsin Region/state of WI ◦ Deploy nationally in DST ◦ Eastern Wisconsin Region/state of WI ◦ Deploy nationally in DA

What is Disaster Services Technology Helping to bring Order out of Chaos through the use of Communications, computers, and internet connectivity to: “to best meet the needs of the survivors in the community “

What is Disaster Services Technology Provide INTRAOPERABLE Communications Provide INTEROPERABLE Communications Using multiple tools

Role has Changed �Role within Red Cross has morphed ◦ From “Communications” ◦ To Disaster Services Technology �Communications �Computers �Networking �Customer Service

� Disaster Services Technology Communication ◦ ◦ � Install Communication equipment (radios, repeaters, cell phones, satellite phones, antennas) Repair and maintain communication equipment Serve as a radio operator and liaison to the Amateur Radio groups supporting affected area Install and maintain IP phones Computer Operations ◦ Install and support computer workstations and network applications in both fixed and mobile environments ◦ Manage deployed servers, e-mail and user accounts ◦ Provide system administration support � � Networking ◦ ◦ ◦ Design and install wired and wireless infrastructure Install and maintain IP Fax Provide network operations troubleshooting Monitor network traffic Maintain network security ◦ ◦ Receive and inventory all DST equipment Check out to and receive equipment from DRO staff Provide single point of contact Provide user orientations Customer Service

What we have agreed � Four Roles ◦ Amateur Radio Liaison ◦ Communication Equipment Operator ◦ Communications Equipment installer/repair ◦ Disaster Assessment

Shared members: “Each organization will encourage interested volunteers to become members and participate in the activities of the other organization. Such volunteers shall meet the standards, have the responsibilities and be entitled to the privileges of each organization. ”

Amateur Radio Liaison �Person ◦ Familiar with amateur radio, ARES, Red Cross ◦ Single point of contact ◦ Linked to person in other organization

Communication Equipment Operator �Stationary or mobile �Equipment – yours and/or ours �Shadow �Amateur frequencies or �Red Cross / National disaster frequencies ◦ SHARES (HF)

Communication Equipment Operator � Shelters ◦ Within shelters ◦ Shelters to �Headquarters �EOC �Other shelters ◦ Message content �Supplies!! �Census �Client requests/information (careful!)

Communication Equipment Operator �Outreach Teams ◦ Casework ◦ Mental Health ◦ Health Service ◦ Coordinate teams ◦ IMPORTANT instant communications

Important Role Distinction � The “When All Else Fails” situation � The “Best Option” situation ◦ ARES & amateur radio are at their best ◦ Multiple served agencies ◦ Short term ◦ ARES & amateur radio constitute the most effective communications ◦ Fewer served agencies ◦ Longer term

Cellular Communications Received Message Transmitted Message Received Message POOR Situational Awareness

Radio Communications Received Message Transmitted Message Received Message GOOD Situational Awareness

Radio Communications Received Message Transmitted Message Received Message COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATES

Communication Equipment Operator � A. R. E. S. ◦ CAN communicate with any other amateur radio operator � R. A. C. E. S. ◦ CANNOT communicate with any other amateur radio operator (? ) �Only other RACES operators �§ 97. 407 Emphasizes importance of “crossover”

Communications Equipment installer/repair � Stationary or mobile � Equipment – yours and/or ours � Locations ◦ Headquarters ◦ Kitchens ◦ Shelters ◦ Temporary Locations �PODs �MARCs �Service Centers

Communications Equipment installer/repair � Feeding ◦ Kitchens to ERVs ◦ ERV’s to ERVs ◦ Red Cross radio system � 47. 42 MHz �National system

Communications Equipment installer/repair � Headquarters ◦ Prepare Equipment For distribution ◦ Centralize communication efforts ◦ Care & Control of equipment

Communications Equipment installer/repair �Help Establish ◦ Antennas ◦ Radios ◦ Paths ? ? ? �Utilize – teach people �Maintain �Break down ◦ and all FAST

Disaster Assessment ◦ Skywarn �As the need is created �Situational awareness ◦ Teams in the field �Collecting damage information �Team coordination �Result reporting ◦ Special DA Class �You schedule

Combining Forces � ARES � Trained � RED comm Personnel � Committed to serve � Operators have equipment � Rapid response CROSS � Resources � Purpose & Direction � Starts response NOW � Multi-faceted response ◦ Needing coordination BOTH Trained teams Leverage local resources

As a member of Disaster Services Technology What would your role be

The Four Areas � Communications ◦ Install Communication equipment (radios, repeaters, cell phones, satellite phones, antennas) ◦ Repair and maintain communication equipment ◦ Serve as a radio operator and liaison to the Amateur Radio groups supporting affected area ◦ Install and maintain IP phones ◦ Truly the ARES role � Computers � Networking � Customer Service

Computers ØInstall and support computer workstations and network applications in both fixed and mobile environments ØManage deployed servers, e-mail and user accounts ØProvide system administration support

Networking ØDesign and install wired and wireless infrastructure ØInstall and maintain IP Fax ØProvide network operations troubleshooting ØMonitor network traffic ØMaintain network security

Customer Service ØReceive and inventory all DST equipment ØCheck out to and receive equipment from DRO staff ØProvide single point of contact ØProvide user orientations

So, to sum up…. Quick recap

Four Roles � Liaison � Communications equipment operator � Communications equipment installer/repair � Damage assessment

Upgrade “Role” �ARRL Em. Comm Training �ARES participation �FEMA training ◦ ICS especially �ARC damage assessment training �Red Cross DST training ◦ DST 101 courses �Red Cross disaster training ◦ Better understand what/why of messages

Questions? Anything Red Cross

THANK YOU � For inviting me to tell the story of a served agency � For all that you have done � For all that you will be doing Volunteer service is the rent one pays for the space they occupy on earth Consider yourselves paid up!