{"id":5540,"date":"2021-09-08T22:42:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T02:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5540"},"modified":"2021-09-24T23:24:36","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T03:24:36","slug":"2016-training-archive-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5540","title":{"rendered":"2016 Training Archive"},"content":{"rendered":"

2016 Training Archive<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Emergency Partner Credentialing System (EPCS)<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Subtropical Storm Alex<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Severe Weather Symposium 4 March 16<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. FEMA Partner Coordination of Disaster Response & Recovery<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Disaster Ready Open Badges<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. NFPA 1600 \u2013 2016 Edition<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Humanitarian Academy of Harvard<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  9. NWS Weather Ready<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Event Planning<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  11. NWS Training Portal<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  12. Storm Academy<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  13. \u00a0Real ID<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  14. FEMA MEPP<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  15. Houston Flood Recovery<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  16. AREDN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  17. \u00a0HAZMAT Operations Course<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  18. ARES Manuals on the ARRL Website<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  19. Hamvention<\/b><\/span>\u00a02016<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  20. SHARES<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  21. RadResponder<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  22. EDEN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  23. Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  24. NSSE<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  25. OHDEN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  26. SATERN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  27. CUSEC<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  28. Planning for actual vs perceived risk<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  29. UAS in Disaster Management Course<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  30. FEMA MGT-405 course<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  31. Cybersecurity Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  32. Ham radio on YouTube<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  33. Red Cross Volunteers Needed<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  34. EMAO<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  35. NVOAD<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  36. UAS Remote Pilot Certificate<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  37. NCCPS<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  38. \u00a0Updated FEMA EMI Courses<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  39. Disaster Ready Training Site<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  40. RDPC<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  41. COMMEX 16-4<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  42. \u00a0USA.gov<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  43. Check your equipment!<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  44. FEMA EMI on Social Media<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  45. Red Cross DST<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1. Emergency Partner Credentialing System (EPCS)<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    On Tuesday, December 29<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Department of Public Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0announced that its\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Homeland Security Division<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0would begin offering secure credentials to the private sector member organizations of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Public Private Partnership<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>OP3<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>).\u00a0 This\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Partner Credentialing System<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>EPCS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), which is free to these member organizations, began on Friday, January 1, 2016.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    At present there are two credential types:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency-Specific Credentials<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, for use during a single emergency incident, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Multi-Emergency Credentials<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, for those who might be expected to respond often, such as utility workers.\u00a0 EPCS credentials may be printed out or loaded to smart phones.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    It must be noted here that local officials may still limit access to incidents due to safety concerns, but this program should eventually make it easier for the law enforcement community to separate response workers from sightseers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The current OP3 membership list includes the American Radio Relay League, the American Red Cross, six District 3 colleges and universities and most major utilities, so don\u2019t be too surprised if EPCS credentials start popping up soon.\u00a0 For further details, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/homelandsecurity.ohio.gov\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to view the press release, two related newspaper articles and the OP3 web pages.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2. Subtropical Storm Alex<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Most of us know that the Atlantic hurricane season begins each June 1st, and concludes at the end of November.\u00a0 Sometimes a tropical cyclone may sneak in a few weeks early in May, or a few weeks late in December.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Well, someone forgot to tell all of this to Subtropical Storm Alex, the first cyclone of 2016, which formed today and was announced this afternoon by the National Hurricane Center.\u00a0 This eastern Atlantic storm is not expected to strike any landmass, but is a very rare event indeed.\u00a0 It is only the fourth January storm to form since 1851.\u00a0 To track Alex, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Alex will not affect Ohio District 3, but it illustrates the need to pay attention to the weather forecasters and not assume that unusual winter weather patterns will never strike us.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    3. Severe Weather Symposium 4 March 16<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    In addition to the scheduled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Skywarn<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0weather spotter training sessions frequently mentioned on this net, Ohio is fortunate to have an annual severe weather symposium.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Meteorology Club at The Ohio State University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will present their\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>20<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Annual Severe Weather Symposium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>US Bank Conference Theater, The Ohio Union,\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>1739 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The symposium is free of charge, and takes place this year on Friday, March 4th<\/sup>\u00a0from 9 AM to 5 PM.\u00a0 Parking is available at the adjoining Ohio Union South Garage for $11.75 per day, and attendees should also be prepared for lunch in the Union or at one of the restaurants across the street.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Scheduled speakers this year include three National Weather Service employees, an OSU professor, the Delaware County emergency manager and two broadcast meteorologists, including Mike Bettes from The Weather Channel.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Advanced registration is recommended at:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>u.osu.edu\/metclub\/symposium<\/strong><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 As you register you will be offered the opportunity to donate to the club.\u00a0 Please consider doing so.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    4. FEMA Partner Coordination of Disaster Response & Recovery<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is currently recruiting students for two four-day offerings of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Partner Coordination of Disaster Response & Recovery<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, course number E0824.\u00a0 The course is intended to improve coordination among the various local, state, tribal, federal, volunteer and private partners responding to or recovering from a disaster.\u00a0 In brief, it teaches participants how to play nice with others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The instruction sessions take place at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Emergency Training Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Emmitsburg, Maryland on April 25th through 28th or on August 29th through September 1st, 2016.\u00a0 Classes, instructional materials and lodging are provided at no cost, but all students are required to purchase meal tickets for the duration of their stay.\u00a0 Travel may or may not be provided, depending on the type of agency or organization that agrees to send you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    To request attendance at one of these trainings, complete FEMA Form 119-25-1 at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.training.fema.gov\/apply\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, and add your signature and that of your supervisor at the agency you intend to represent.\u00a0 Forward this form according to the instructions for Training Opportunity No.1225 at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.training.fema.gov\/emi.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at least six weeks prior to the start of the course you plan to attend. \u00a0And if this course is not your cup of tea, the training center offers hundreds of others throughout the year.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    5. Disaster Ready Open Badges<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    In the past I\u2019ve mentioned DisasterReady, an organization designed to train humanitarian responders for field duty.\u00a0 Recently they reorganized their website, and sent me an email suggesting that I look it over.\u00a0 Having done so, I suggest that you might consider doing so as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    In addition to the individual courses that have always offered, DisasterReady now has learning paths \u2013 logical sequences of courses preparing the user for specific jobs in the field.\u00a0 To learn more about this, look on the website for references to Open Badges and to Open Badge Passports.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Of course, most of you\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201c\u2026 don\u2019t need no stinking badges!\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>(with apologies to<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0The Treasure of the Sierra Madre<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for butchering their quote), but you may wish to look the site over anyway.\u00a0 It is:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.disasterready.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    6. NFPA 1600 \u2013 2016 Edition<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s been a few years since we talked about the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA.\u00a0 One of the major activities of the NFPA is the production and updating of national standards for many aspects of firefighting and emergency response.\u00a0 The standard for tonight is the 2016 Edition of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NFPA 1600<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Standard on Disaster\/Emergency Management and Business Continuity\/Continuity of Operations Programs<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This standard began in 1995 as the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Recommended Practice for Disaster Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0It was primarily intended for use by government emergency management activities.\u00a0 Over the years its mission and title expanded to include business disaster recovery and other activities.\u00a0 In addition to NFPA, Association of Contingency Planners (ACP), Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security seals of approval all appear on the cover of this 2016 Edition.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Interested users may obtain a free PDF copy of NFPA 1600, 2016 Edition by registering on their website and placing an order just as if you were purchasing an item from them.\u00a0 You may not share your copy with others without written permission from NFPA. \u00a0Go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/catalog.nfpa.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0 and click My Profile to create one.\u00a0 Then go to:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/catalog.nfpa.org\/Standard-on-DisasterEmergency-Management-and-Business-ContinuityContinuity-of-Operations-Programs-2016-Edition-P1438.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0to order your copy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    By the way, there is a similar international standard,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ISO 22320, Societal security \u2013 Emergency management \u2013 Requirements for incident response, 2012<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 We will not be reviewing this document because it is obscenely expensive to obtain at roughly $5 per page!\u00a0 And as we all know \u2013 I\u2019m cheap!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    7. Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Some of you may already know that the American Red Cross, including the chapters covering ARES District 3, is currently engaged in a Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.\u00a0 The goal is to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries nationwide by 25% over the next five years.\u00a0 Meeting this ambitious goal will require some help.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If the smoke alarms in your home are over ten years old, the first thing you should do to assist this campaign is to replace those outdated detectors.\u00a0 The Red Cross is prepared to assist by installing replacements in your home as needed.\u00a0 There is no charge for this service, although the installers will ask you to take some time to make a plan to respond appropriately if a fire should break out in the home.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    To be placed on an installation list, call your American Red Cross office in Dayton (937-222-6711 for Montgomery, Greene or Preble Counties) or Troy (937-332-1414 for all remaining ARES District 3 counties) during business hours.\u00a0 The office should record your request and staff will contact you later to set up an appointment at your home.\u00a0 This offer does not extend to residents of apartment complexes with a wired smoke detector system.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    These installation teams could use a few more hands, so if you have some weekends or evenings free contact your Red Cross office to inquire about joining the Red Cross staffs, fire departments and other volunteers to take a bit of training and install a few detectors in your neck of the woods.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    8. Humanitarian Academy of Harvard<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Harvard University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0currently has an endowment approaching $38 billion dollars.\u00a0 That\u2019s billion as in bravo!\u00a0 I have no idea where most of this money comes from or goes to, but I have found a small piece of it that may interest potential disaster responders, including ARES members.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Harvard Humanitarian Initiative<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has formed an educational arm known as the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Humanitarian Academy of Harvard<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This academy draws on the faculties of many of Harvard\u2019s other specialty schools.\u00a0 It is providing a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>free<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0e-learning course offering its students a comprehensive introduction to the international humanitarian coordination system.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If a completely free Harvard course on disaster response interests you, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.buildingabetterresponse.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, press the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Create a new account<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0button on the right side of the home page, and a few minutes later you should receive an email link to your e-learning course. \u00a0I\u2019ve already taken two free response courses from Yale, so I\u2019m looking forward to adding this Harvard course to my resume!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    9. NWS Weather Ready<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Weather Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NWS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) would like all of us to visit their new\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Weather Ready Nation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Spring Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0webpage to consider weather awareness materials related to the onset of spring. \u00a0While the information on Rip Currents and Tsunamis may not be of value locally, most of the materials on this site do pertain to ARES District 3.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The site is at the following internet location:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nws.noaa.gov\/com\/weatherreadynation\/spring_safety.html<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 While on this home page, click the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ambassadors<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0button on the top right to learn how an organization that you belong to may become more involved as an NWS\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Just a reminder, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>20<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Annual Severe Weather Symposium\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio State University Meteorology Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0comes up this Friday, March 4<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0from 9 AM to 5 PM.\u00a0 The symposium is free, but the OSU parking garage will run about $12 and you will need some sort of lunch.\u00a0 For more information, click the link on the top of the NWS Wilmington, Ohio homepage at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.weather.gov\/iln<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    10. Event Planning<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    On Monday morning I gave a one hour American Red Cross Pillowcase Project talk on house fires and tornado preparedness at a Clark County elementary school.\u00a0 Then I returned to Springfield to help manage an organized Pi Day walk to various Pi-related schools, sororities and fraternities in Springfield.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Our 6.2832 mile walk (that\u2019s 2 Pi) started at 1 PM, and District 3\u2019s first tornado outbreak of 2016 began about a half hour later.\u00a0 We had dozens of people on the course an hour later when the tornado warning for Clark County was issued.\u00a0 We don\u2019t let anyone begin a walk during a tornado warning, but what to do about walkers already out?\u00a0 The participants all had emergency contact information to reach the walk headquarters, but we had no way to contact the walkers out on the route.\u00a0 And Springfield has no tornado warning sirens.\u00a0 This has been the way these organized walks have operated for forty years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Should my walking club change our practices? \u00a0Perhaps we don\u2019t need to now.\u00a0 There are many smart phone apps to warn of impending weather dangers, although not everyone carries a smart phone yet. \u00a0This is a question facing anyone who runs any organized outdoor event, and the larger the event the more important event planning becomes.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    11 NWS Training Portal<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    We once again find ourselves in the middle of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio\u2019s Severe Weather Awareness Week<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0We hope that as an Ohio District 3 ARES member you were able to check in to one of this morning\u2019s many area\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SkyWarn<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0nets.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Since severe weather is this week\u2019s theme, let\u2019s look at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Weather Service Training Portal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0site at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.nws.noaa.gov\/training\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 While much of this training material is for NWS employees and other weather professionals, there are a few pages that might be of interest to ARES members.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    On the left hand side of this page, near the center, is the heading\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Partners and Volunteers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Many ARES members fall under one or more of the categories shown here, such as\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Educators<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Managers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\/or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Weather Spotters<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0If interested, click on the link or links that might apply to your situation.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    12. Storm Academy<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Most of the programs I give here are quite serious in nature.\u00a0 However, today I have something a little different.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the parent company of two local television stations, is sponsoring the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FOX\/ABC Storm Academy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0on Saturday, April 2<\/span><\/span><\/span>nd<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0between 11 AM and 2 PM.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This program will be held outdoors at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Austin Landing<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, a blanket or both, as no seating will be provided there.\u00a0 If the weather doesn\u2019t cooperate, the event will move to the Bike Hub.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Meteorologists Jeff Booth, Chris Mulchay and Mike Joyce will teach informal classes on various aspects of weather, including storm chasing and simple weather experiments.\u00a0 The event is free, and open to all ages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    For further information, including directions and parking, go to the following website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/austinlanding.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    13. Real ID<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    A States Rights issue has recently reared its ugly head at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Emergency Training Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Emmitsburg, Maryland, at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Center for Domestic Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Anniston, Alabama and at many other Federal sites.\u00a0\u00a0 Four states, plus one U.S. territory, have missed the Federal\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Real ID Act<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0deadline for upgrading the security of their driving licenses and\/or state identification cards.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    NETC and CDP attendees from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington and American Samoa must arrive with a valid passport or other Federal ID, as their state IDs can no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification for entry onto many Federal reservations. \u00a0There is an alternate procedure for gaining admittance, but it requires the visitor to submit paperwork at least three weeks in advance, and the resulting background check is only good for 180 days.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Fortunately, Ohio and all of its neighboring states are in compliance, but there might be ARES members out there who are carrying one of the licenses mentioned.\u00a0 The Real ID Act is supposed to apply to entry to most Federally controlled areas, including office buildings.\u00a0 And in less than two years noncompliance will even block the user from boarding a commercial aircraft.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Being unable to fly commercial may inconvenience the residents of those four states, but it will be a huge deal in American Samoa, where there are no Interstates or trains!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    14. FEMA MEPP<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    On Friday morning Shelby County emergency responders will be conducting a hazardous materials and train derailment exercise.\u00a0 First responders have been in training with CSX railroad instructors for much of the week, and it should make for an interesting four hours.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Planning such a large full-scale event requires both disaster experience and formal exercise design training.\u00a0 One of the accepted ways to do this is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Master Exercise Practitioner Program<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MEPP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FEMA\u2019s Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0schedules three or four MEPP courses per year at its Emmitsburg, Maryland facility.\u00a0 This year\u2019s application period runs from May 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0to July 1<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>, with courses beginning in October, November, December and February.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The MEPP course of instruction consists of three four-day classes held several months apart.\u00a0 They must be taken in order.\u00a0 Tuition, materials, lodging and transportation are generally free, but students are required to purchase meal tickets for each four day session.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    For more information on the MEPP, including application information and forms, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov\/mepp\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 For questions, contact our District 3 Emergency Coordinator, who just happens to be a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Master Exercise Practitioner<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MEP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    15. Houston Flood Recovery<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Most of you have heard something about the ongoing record flooding taking place in portions of the Houston, Texas area.\u00a0 They are now reaching the point where assistance from outside the state is being requested.\u00a0 And it is possible that some net participants may have the time and energy to get involved.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    First of all, I\u2019d like to strongly encourage anyone listening to make formal arrangements with responsible parties in the Houston area\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>prior\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>to leaving Ohio.\u00a0 Self-deployment into a disaster area is almost never a good idea.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    I have a web address for those who might like to volunteer to help in Texas, as well as those who would like to work with established organizations to move needed disaster supplies into the affected area.\u00a0 The point of contact recommended by the mayor of Houston is:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.houstonfloodrecovery.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 This umbrella organization serves the greater Houston area, not just the City of Houston itself.\u00a0 Too often the large cities receive the bulk of the press coverage and the assistance, while nearby village residents are suffering as much or more.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    16. ARDEN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Last year we discussed\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Broadband-Hamnet<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Miami Valley Mesh Alliance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 At that time the MVMA was linking used Linksys and new Ubiquiti wireless routers using modified firmware, which they demonstrated at the 2015 Dayton Hamvention.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Well, things move rapidly in digital communications, and the MVMA now uses modified Ubiquiti routers running firmware created for the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AREDN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0These routers now operate in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz Amateur Radio bands.\u00a0 Some data channels available are shared with off-the-shelf wireless routers, while other channels are exclusive to Amateur Radio, thanks to the AREDN firmware modifications.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you would like to learn more about the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network, their website is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.aredn.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 To learn more about the Miami Valley Mesh Alliance, contact Bill Curtice at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>wa8apb@arrl.net<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0or visit their tables at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Hamvention 2016<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    17. HAZMAT Operations Course<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Center for Domestic Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Anniston, Alabama, a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0training facility, has a new course offering that may interest some ARES members.\u00a0 If you are associated with a fire department, law enforcement agency or emergency management agency, you may want to check out the new\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Hazardous Materials Operations<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0course,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>PER-322.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    HAZMAT Ops is a five day course, plus two travel days, intended for responders who may be assigned to HAZMAT Operations duties in their community.\u00a0 Course completion certifies that the graduate is trained to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Fire Protection Association<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NFPA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) Standard 472 at the Operations Level.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    There are a few required prerequisites, such as the frequently mentioned\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-100<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-200<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0courses, as well as\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AWR-160<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, another free online training.\u00a0 All travel, lodging, dining and training costs are covered by FEMA, although you should take some money with you for souvenirs and such.\u00a0 The first three offerings, including travel days, are August 21through 27, August 28 through September 3, and September 18 through 24.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    To learn more about this and other CDP offerings, go to their secure website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/training\/courses\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    18. ARES Manuals on the ARRL Website<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Have you ever visited the ARES web page on the American Radio Relay League website?\u00a0 While some ARRL goods and services are only available to dues paying members, most items on the ARES page are available to all. \u00a0Two free pdf downloads near the top of the ARES page are of particular interest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The first is the March 2015 edition of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Services Manual<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This 94 page handbook discusses ARES, its structure and its relationships with served agencies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The next is the 2008 edition of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARES Field Resources Manual<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This is 90 pages of information that you might wish to have with you while responding to an actual incident, such as how to prepare a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ready Kit<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, sometimes referred to as a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Go Kit<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Both of these free publications can be printed out and\/or downloaded to a computer or tablet.\u00a0 To reach the ARRL\u2019s ARES page, go to:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.arrl.org\/ares<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    19. <\/span>Hamvention<\/span>\u00a02016<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Well, it\u2019s Hamvention time again.\u00a0 If you are going to Hara Arena this weekend and time permits, here are some places you might want to check out.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Friday\u2019s activities include the one hour SHARES HF EMCOMM Forum at 9:15 AM in Room 3.\u00a0 There are some changes to the mission of the Shared Resources Government HF Emergency Radio System, and the SHARES Program Manager will enlighten the attendees.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    On Sunday morning at 9:15 in Room 1 the Amateur Radio Disaster and Emergency Communications Panel will convene.\u00a0 Moderated by the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, this one hour discussion is likely to be lively, although who knows what direction it will take.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Emergency communications vehicles will assemble daily for display outside the flea market. \u00a0Most units will be manned and open for walk through.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Of course, this list just scratches the surface.\u00a0 Come out this weekend and see just what I\u2019ve forgotten to share.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    20. SHARES<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Last week I mentioned the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SHARES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> forum scheduled for this past Friday at Hamvention.\u00a0 \u00a0SHARES is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Department of Homeland Security<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SHAred RESources High Frequency Radio System<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Due to recent changes, it now includes federal, state, county, public utility and other select shortwave communications systems.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    In times of emergency, SHARES provides the means for stations on one shortwave network, such as the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Air Force<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Military Affiliate Radio System<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MARS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, to pass emergency messages to a station from a normally unrelated HF network, like Cincinnati Bell or Verizon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amateur operators may not participate in SHARES as hams, but may as preapproved representatives of Army MARS, Air Force MARS, the American National Red Cross, a county emergency management agency or in some similar capacity.\u00a0 Preapproval is necessary because some SHARES information, such as frequency lists, is protected by DHS, and a degree of training is needed prior to operating on SHARES nets.\u00a0 To learn more, visit\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.dhs.gov\/shares<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    21. RadResponder<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    I\u2019ve been playing in the emergency management sandbox for 47 years now, but continue to discover new or unfamiliar websites and resources nearly every week.\u00a0 Last month I came across the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RadResponder Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a website managed jointly by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Nuclear Security Administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NNSA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RadResponder Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0concerns all unclassified things radiological.\u00a0 It includes federal, state, local, tribal, industrial, medical and other partners with an interest in the use and\/or misuse of radioactive materials.\u00a0 Registration to use the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RadResponder Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0resources requires an email address from one of the organizations mentioned above.\u00a0 Gmail, Yahoo, Roadrunner and similar email addresses can only be used on a temporary basis.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you feel that you and your organization (police department, fire department, emergency management agency, hospital, etc.) would benefit from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RadResponder Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0membership, you may apply at the following website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.radresponder.net\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    22. EDEN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Much of ARES District 3 is relatively rural, and each District 3 county\u2019s agricultural community is served by an\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio State University Extension<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0office.\u00a0 So what does that have to do with disasters?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Extension Disaster Education Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>EDEN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, connects extension service educators throughout the nation to reduce the impact of disasters in the areas they serve.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you live in one of the more rural areas of ARES District 3, consider visiting the EDEN website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/eden.lsu.edu\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Afterward, you may also find a visit to your county OSU Extension office for disaster planning information. \u00a0Go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/extension.osu.edu\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for contact information about your county OSU Extension office.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    23. Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    In addition to your ARES affiliation, are you a member of any religious organization that includes a disaster response component?\u00a0 Many religions do respond, although not all members who belong to one of those religious organizations are aware of it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has produced an online course to educate emergency managers and the general public about this interface between disasters and religions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-505<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0was recently released and is now available.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Anyone with a FEMA\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Student Identification Number<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SID<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, can complete this course.\u00a0 SID numbers are free at the following secure web page:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/femasid<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 And IS-505 is available at no charge at:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/training.fema.gov\/IS\/crslist.asp<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    24. NSSE<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Have you ever heard of a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Special Security Event<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NSSE<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>? An NSSE is an activity deemed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as being a significant target for terrorism or organized criminal activity.\u00a0 Once something is declared an NSSE, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>U.S. Secret Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0assumes ultimate responsibility for security, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Bureau of Investigation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0takes on intelligence functions and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0leads any necessary post-event recovery.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    NSSEs are rare in Ohio, but the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Republican National Convention\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>(<\/span><\/span><\/span>RNC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) in Cleveland from July 18<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0through July 21st has been so designated.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Association for the Advancement of Colored People<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NAACP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) Convention in Cincinnati from July 11<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0through July 16<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0approaches NSSE status, as does the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Presidential Debate<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Fairborn scheduled for September 26<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>, although I have not yet seen announcements regarding NSSE status for these events.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amateur Radio operators are being recruited as volunteers for the Republican National Convention.\u00a0 Most positions are with\u00a0American Red Cross support units in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties.\u00a0 To volunteer, email Cuyahoga County ARES at<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>info@ccares.us<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 As to the other two events, I will pass volunteer contact information along as I obtain it.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    25. OHDEN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Let\u2019s spend a few training sessions talking about emergency nets.\u00a0 Tonight\u2019s choice is the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Digital Emergency Net<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>OHDEN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. OHDEN is an Ohio Section emergency traffic net using sound card digital modes and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, or<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NVIS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, antennas to better cover the State of Ohio. \u00a0The purpose of the net is to link the Ohio emergency operations center to the various county emergency operations centers within Ohio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The OHDEN currently meets at 7:45 PM EDT Tuesdays on 3585 kiloHertz USB, with 7072 kiloHertz USB as the alternate frequency.\u00a0 That\u2019s right, I said 80 or 40 meters\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Upper<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Sideband!\u00a0 The digital modes currently in use are\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>OLIVIA 8\/500\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>PSK31<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, with\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MT63<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0used for sending bulletins. \u00a0The standard software program is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FLDIGI<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    More information about the OHDEN may be found at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/ohden.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. \u00a0FLDIGI and related programs may be downloaded at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/sourceforge.net\/directory\/communications\/hamradio\/os:windows\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    26. SATERN<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The Salvation Army<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has many projects going on simultaneously throughout the United States and the world.\u00a0 One major project is disaster response, and ham radio operators participate through the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SATERN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 SATERN operates dozens of daily and weekly training nets, which can gradually or rapidly switch to emergency or catastrophe nets as needed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The current activation status of SATERN\u2019s nets may be found on their website home page, which is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.satern.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 This status varies from Delta I, or training mode, through Delta V, signifying a response to a catastrophic event.\u00a0 The SATERN net days, times and frequencies can also be found on a link at this home page.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    National and international SATERN voice operations take place on 14.265 MHz USB.\u00a0 Many regional SATERN voice nets use 7.265 MHz LSB.\u00a0 SATERN state nets show up on 80 meter frequencies, and some smaller SATERN nets use two meter repeaters, as noted on the link above.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    27. CUSEC<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    While researching the topic of disaster nets for this current series of programs, I discovered the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Central United States Earthquake Net<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This net is intended to support the emergency work of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Central United States Earthquake Consortium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>CUSEC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and its research partners whenever needed following any earthquake in the Midwest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The frequencies reportedly used for this purpose are 3810 kilohertz LSB and 7180 kilohertz LSB, and this regional net comes up as needed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Anyone interested in learning more about the work of the Central United States Earthquake Consortium can visit their website,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.cusec.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    28. Planning for actual vs perceived risk<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    At a previous training I noted that the first Presidential Debate of 2016 was scheduled for September 26<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Wright State University\u2019s Nutter Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Yesterday afternoon Wright State President David Hopkins announced that this debate would no longer take place as scheduled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Hofstra University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Hempstead, New York will now host this event.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The stated reasons for moving the debate were concerns regarding the safety and security of the Wright State students and that only half of the money needed for event security had been raised.\u00a0\u00a0While the money issue was quite real, let\u2019s take some time to consider the safety and security issues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    President Hopkins specifically mentioned the Nice, France attack in his comments.\u00a0 But did Nice change the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>actual<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0safety and security concerns or simply the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>perceived<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0situation?\u00a0 If you are asked to help plan a major event, try to resist the urge to modify your security planning based on the current week\u2019s news stories.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    On a related note, if you are interested in listening to security at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Republican National Convention<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, go to the internet site\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.broadcastify.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Click on the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0map, then the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Cuyahoga County<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0map and look for the Republican National Convention links.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been listening for two days and it\u2019s been an ear opener!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    29. UAS in Disaster Management Course<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    I ran into an interesting new emergency management course offering this week.\u00a0 As usual, I ran into it by accident.\u00a0 This awareness level course is\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AWR-345<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Disaster Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 It is taught by instructors sent out from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Disaster Preparedness Training Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>University of Hawaii<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    AWR-345 discusses a wide variety of uses of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>unmanned aircraft systems<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>UAS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, in the various phases of disasters.\u00a0 The course also covers various types of vehicles, as well as FAA regulations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    First responders and local emergency managers are encouraged to take this 8 hour training.\u00a0 The first offering in this area will be at the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio on September 15<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0 Register on the Ohio EMA website\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.ema.ohio.gov\/Training.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    30.\u00a0 FEMA MGT-405 course<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    I often travel to Columbus, Ohio or farther for Emergency Management training courses.\u00a0 While most training costs are covered by Federal and\/or state grants, I sometimes have to stay overnight at my own expense.\u00a0 But on rare occasions a training opportunity comes to ARES District 3.\u00a0 That will be the case on Saturday, September 24th<\/sup>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    On that date, FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>RDPC<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) will offer their management level\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MGT-405<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0course,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Mobilizing Faith-Based Community Organizations in Preparing for Disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, at Wilberforce University just east of Xenia, Ohio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This eight hour class is intended to bring faith-based organizations, emergency managers, non-governmental organizations, etc. to the disaster planning table.\u00a0 District ARES members might attend (with permission) representing their religious affiliation, their local emergency management agency or their first responder organization.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Registration closes on September 10<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>, but may end earlier if the class fills first.\u00a0 If you are interested is this, or any, RDPC offering, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.ruraltraining.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    31. Cybersecurity Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    f you, or anyone you know, might want to start a computer career, the newest hot field is cybersecurity.\u00a0 \u00a0There are currently 350,000 vacancies in that field in the United States alone, with that number expected to rise into the millions by the time current high school seniors graduate from college.\u00a0 These professionals currently average nearly $100,000 per year, and it will be a long time before we can train enough people at this work to soften the market for their skills.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Cybersecurity certification is a bit complicated at this time, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security currently recognizing eighteen different certification sources.\u00a0 So your first cybersecurity certification is unlikely to be your last.\u00a0 This will absolutely not be the kind of profession where you get a degree and never pick up a textbook again.\u00a0 Like doctors, nurses and paramedics, continuing education will be the norm.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    In my multi-year quest to locate every free nerd course in the country, I recently found the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Department of Homeland Security<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 On their website is a link to another site offering free cybersecurity training to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>government employees<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at all levels and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>veterans<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>!\u00a0 Go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/niccs.us-cert.gov\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    32. Ham radio on YouTube<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    This afternoon I visited\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and typed several Ham related emergency keywords into the search feature just to discover how many videos were available on these topics.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you type in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARRL disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0you get about 1,000 video hits.\u00a0 Type in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARRL emergency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the hit list raises to 8,000.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur radio disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0brings up 16,000 videos, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>amateur radio emergency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0leaps up to 62,000 hits.\u00a0 Some entries were just minutes long, while others run for hours.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    I confess that my knowledge of YouTube is scanty at best, but I see that I\u2019ve been missing something by not being more adventurous.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t visited YouTube recently, perhaps you should join me there sometime soon.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    33. Red Cross Volunteers Needed<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    On Monday morning I received an email from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>John Bernard<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Regional Disaster Officer<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 To make a long story short, responses to the flooding in Louisiana and West Virginia, plus the local house fires and other incidents within our region, are placing our Red Cross volunteer base under stress.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    John has requested that each current Red Cross regional volunteer ask at least one person to consider becoming an American Red Cross volunteer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Volunteers can limit their activities to just one of the two Red Cross chapters in Ohio ARES District 3, or serve anywhere within the Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region.\u00a0 With a bit of experience, you may join thousands of others working such big national assignments as the previously mentioned floods, forest fires out west, hurricanes making landfall within the United States or other disasters.\u00a0 There are even a few locals who have gone on international assignments to Canada, the Philippines, etc.\u00a0 If travel is a problem, it is now possible to work as a virtual Red Cross caseworker from anywhere with a telephone and the internet.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    To learn more, contact John at his American Red Cross email address:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>john.bernard@redcross.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Or go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.redcross.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and begin the online application process to join the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(if you\u2019re in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Miami or Shelby county) or the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Dayton Area Chapter\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>(if you\u2019re in Greene, Montgomery or Preble county).<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    34. EMAO<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Association of Ohio<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is a Columbus-based non-profit representing emergency management professionals within the state.\u00a0 It partners with the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to advocate for improved emergency management, civil defense and homeland security efforts within Ohio.\u00a0 The association holds conferences several times per year to exchange ideas and obtain training.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Most members of the association are county EMA directors or deputy directors, but there are now provisions for other emergency management professionals in Ohio to join.\u00a0 Some examples of these potential\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Affiliate Members<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0might include hospital emergency managers, military emergency managers, college emergency managers and public health employees.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you feel that you qualify as a paid emergency management professional within Ohio, you may go to the following website for application forms, annual dues information and other details about the association:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.emaohio.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    35. NVOAD<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NVOAD<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nvoad.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0has pages and pages of useful information for ARES members.\u00a0 One that struck me as useful is a small brochure in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Resource Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\/<\/span><\/span><\/span>Donations Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0section jointly prepared by NVOAD and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Entitled\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>When Disaster Strikes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, this folder provides sound advice for donating your goods and\/or your services to a disaster response.\u00a0 Although the suggestions mentioned in this publication date from 2007, they are as valuable now as they ever were. \u00a0\u00a0The gist of the message is: Cash donations to a legit response organization are usually best, used clothes donations are often the worst, and, when possible, potential volunteers should affiliate with a recognized response organization prior to arriving to volunteer at a disaster site.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    36. UAS Remote Pilot Certificate<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    While preparing for tomorrow\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Disaster Management<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0class at the Ohio Emergency Operations Center in Columbus, I was thinking about how good a fit that job might be for hams involved in emergency response.\u00a0 I recently discovered that the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Aviation Administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FAA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, has released new rules governing commercial use of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems,\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0sUAS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    As of August 29<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0it became possible to pass a knowledge test to qualify for an\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FAA Remote Pilot Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0with a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Small UAS rating<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 In addition to passing a 60 question exam, you must also complete an\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>FAA Airman Certification<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0application form and be approved by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Transportation Security Administration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>TSA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 The certificate is good for two years, and requires another exam in order to renew it.\u00a0 There is a different qualification procedure for those who already hold an FAA pilot certificate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Why would a ham wish to obtain a sUAS Remote Pilot Certificate?\u00a0 Well, unmanned aerial surveys of areas impacted by emergencies have proven quite valuable.\u00a0 You may have noticed the use of unmanned vehicles by the media following recent tornadoes in District 3.\u00a0 The fact is that for a while at least there will be a shortage of FAA licensed remote pilots as commercial uses skyrocket.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This is an opportunity to enter a relatively new field just as it begins to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>take off<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>, if you\u2019ll pardon the expression.\u00a0 Maybe a ham will be one of the first to deliver disaster supplies via an unmanned vehicle!\u00a0 For more information, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.faa.gov\/uas<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    37. NCCPS<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Ohio District 3 ARES Program for Wednesday, September 21, 2016<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    After three years of presenting these programs I still run across unfamiliar emergency response websites.\u00a0 Sometimes I have a better excuse than others for missing the site.\u00a0 My excuse for not knowing about\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The National Center for Campus Public Safety<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0NCCPS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, is that it only dates from 2013. \u00a0The NCCPS was established to support safer and stronger campus communities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The NCCPS site may be important to us because Ohio District 3 has well over a dozen higher education campuses, not including branch offices.\u00a0 Safety and security on those campuses is a higher priority each year.\u00a0 And don\u2019t forget that in 1974 both Central State and Wilberforce Universities were nearly destroyed by the same tornado that struck Xenia.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Assets of the NCCPS website include an online library of relevant publications and a calendar of events listing tons of useful training opportunities. \u00a0The NCCPS Institute also offers training opportunities, although their classes are currently oriented toward sexual assault response.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    To learn more about the NCCPS, visit their site at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.nccpsafety.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    38. Updated FEMA EMI Courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has just updated five short online independent study courses on the topic of Geospatial Information. I think of Geospatial Information as disaster assessment on steroids.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n