{"id":5544,"date":"2021-09-08T22:45:51","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T02:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5544"},"modified":"2021-09-15T21:26:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T01:26:58","slug":"2017-training-archive-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/?page_id=5544","title":{"rendered":"2017 Training Archive"},"content":{"rendered":"

2017 Training Archive<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. ABCs of Temporary Emergency Power<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    2. Agora<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    3. American Red Cross New Training<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    4. Columbia University Center for Disaster Preparedness Online Training<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    5. 2017 Severe Weather Symposium<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    6. Raspberry PI<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    7. Arduino<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    8. ICS and NIMS Training<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    9. 2017 All-Ohio Section ARES Conference<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    10. FEMA NTED<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    11. Check your power sources!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    12. \u00a0<\/span>IS Training Certificates\/CARVE Training<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    13. FEMA Online Training Updates<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    14. National Preparedness Course Catalog<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    15. Hamvention 2017 Friday Forums<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    16. Hamvention 2017 Saturday and Sunday Forums<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    17. ARDEN at Hamvention 2017<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    18. Ohio Responds<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    19. \u00a0<\/span>VOAD<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    20. Tropical Storm Cindy\/Preparedness<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    21. Communications Backup Plans<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    22. FEMA Operational Communications<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    23. FEMA EMI Weekly e-Forums<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    24. Hawaii Civil Defense Preparations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    25. FirstNet<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    26. ARRL Emergency Communications Courses<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    27. Eclipse Preparations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    28. Eclipse Lessons Learned<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    29. \u00a0<\/span>Houston: Evacuation vs Shelter in Place<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    30. Hurricane Watch Net<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    31. 2200 and 630 Meter Bands becoming available<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    32. California Wild Fires<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    33. NIMS 3rd Edition<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    34. Buyer Beware<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    35. NIMS National Qualification System<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    36. ARES Membership Considerations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    37. Exercising Go kits<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    38. Public Speaking for Amateur Radio<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    39. National Weather Service Online Weather School<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      1. ABCs of Temporary Emergency Power<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

      FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has released a new two hour online course on electrical generators.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ABCs of Temporary Emergency Power<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is course\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>IS-815<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0on the EMI Independent Study list.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      The course includes information on selecting a generator\u2019s size, installing a temporary generator, maintaining a generator while in use, disconnecting a generator and demobilizing a generator after its use.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Remember, you must first obtain a FEMA Student Identification Number at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/femasid<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to take any FEMA course.\u00a0 Once you have an SID, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov\/is\/crslist.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to start IS-815.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      2. Agora<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Regular net attendees will not be surprised to discover that I\u2019ve stumbled across yet another emergency training site.\u00a0 The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>United Nations Children\u2019s Fund<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0has established\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Agora<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, a training web portal for their staff and those of other\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Non-Governmental Organizations<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>NGO<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>s.\u00a0 Most courses of interest here are related to emergencies involving children.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      The first course I took was Psychosocial Support Programming, which complemented my previous training in Psychological First Aid.\u00a0 I\u2019ve also registered for one involving persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Registration and training for us NGO types (Red Cross, ARES, etc.) is free at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/agora.unicef.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 After you complete your registration, the site will send a link to your email address.\u00a0 Using that link, login and go to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Catalogue<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0button to search for appropriate training opportunities.\u00a0 Please note that it took me a while to get accustomed to using the catalogue\u2019s filters.\u00a0 Courses that you sign up for appear under the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Backpack<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0button, so be sure to practice using it as well.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      3. American Red Cross New Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

      The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is directing all of its disaster volunteers and paid staff to complete several revised Red Cross core courses over the next few months.\u00a0 These courses should soon be available online through the new\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>EDGE<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0training website, and will also be conducted in classroom sessions on March 23-5 at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Regional Training Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Cincinnati.\u00a0 If you took any of these courses prior to January 1, 2016, as I did, you are expected to retake them due to more recent changes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      The required courses are:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Disaster Cycle Services: An Overview<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Everyone is Welcome \u2013 Disability Integration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Psychological First Aid<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Concept of Operations Overview<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      5. Shelter Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Recovery Services Fundamentals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        4. Columbia University Center for Disaster Preparedness Online Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Center for Disaster Preparedness<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Columbia University<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in New York City offers free two-hour courses and webinars in many topics of use to ARES members.\u00a0 You must register first at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/ncdp.crlctraining.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        There are about 40 courses and webinars to choose from at this time, many connected to Public Health. Some are quite specialized in medical, dental or mental health fields, but courses on social media and various risk topics are more general in nature.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        So if you\u2019ve ever wanted to attend Columbia University and receive course completion certificates to prove it register at the internet address above and get started!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        5. 2017 Severe Weather Symposium<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Every year I urge attendance at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The Ohio State University Meteorology Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s annual\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Severe Weather Symposium<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 This free event brings leaders in the severe weather field to Columbus for a day of talks and visual presentations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        The 21<\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Symposium is scheduled for all day on Friday, March 24, 2017 at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>US Bank Conference Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Union<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0at the OSU campus.\u00a0 Planned speakers include\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Dr. Greg Forbes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The Weather Channel<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, as well as representatives from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Storm Prediction Center<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Severe Storms Laboratory<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Weather Service<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0offices,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Van Wert EMA Director Rick McCoy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Jay Farlow, W9LW<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Keep in mind that in past years weather conditions have forced several speakers to cancel their appearances.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        There is a parking fee, currently $12.50 per day, for the Ohio Union South Garage.\u00a0 Symposium preregistration is recommended at the following website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/u.osu.edu\/metclub\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        6. Raspberry PI<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        I ran into our District Emergency Coordinator on Monday evening and he was concerned that our programs might be drifting too far from ARES topics. \u00a0So let\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>try<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to get back on track.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        The\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Raspberry Pi<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is an inexpensive but powerful microcomputer that some hams are adopting for amateur radio use. \u00a0There are many operating systems available, most\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Linux<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0based but a stripped down version of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Windows 10<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will run on one.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        It has become a popular device for scratch built automated weather stations, which have\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SkyWarn<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0applications. \u00a0Other hams use the Pi for\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>D-Star<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Echolink, RTTY<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>APRS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0projects. \u00a0Still others use them for\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Software Defined Radio<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>WSPR<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0experiments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Raspberry Pi motherboards and accessories are available from area vendor MCM, on Amazon and from many other sources. \u00a0Raspberry Pi projects crop up daily, so rather that list websites I\u2019d suggest just plugging Raspberry Pi into your favorite search engine. \u00a0For Raspberry Pi basic information, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/raspberrypi.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. \u00a0We will take up competitor\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Arduino<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0during a later program.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        7. Arduino<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Last Wednesday we discussed the Raspberry Pi computers and some applications of value to ARES members.\u00a0 Tonight our topic is another inexpensive computer \u2013 the Arduino.\u00a0 Arduino computers are used to construct projects similar, but not identical, to the Raspberry Pi.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Something I forgot to mention last week was that books have been published to help users of both the Arduino and Raspberry Pi program and build projects for these devices.\u00a0 Some books are even Amateur Radio specific.\u00a0 The ARRL at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.arrl.org\/arrl-store<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and Amazon at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.amazon.com<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0sell these titles, as do other vendors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Back to the Arduino, some projects identified that might have ARES applications include antenna switches, an APRS tracker, beacon controllers and a software defined radio.\u00a0 Vendors of Arduino and its accessory boards include MCM in Springboro and Amazon online.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8. ICS and NIMS Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n

        Ohio District 3 ARES Program for Wednesday, February 22, 2017<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Every week Scott, N8SY, our ARRL Ohio Section Manager, sends out news to subscribers within the section.\u00a0\u00a0And each time he asks Ohio ARES members to send him copies of completion certificates from FEMA Independent Study courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        IS-100 and 200 explain the fundamentals of the\u00a0Incident Command System<\/b>, or\u00a0ICS<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0IS-700 gives the basics of the\u00a0National Incident Management System<\/b>, or\u00a0NIMS<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0And IS-800 lays out the\u00a0National Response Framework<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0All responders<\/i>\u00a0to emergencies and disasters are now expected to be familiar with this training.\u00a0\u00a0This is a legal liability issue for any agency and individual placed in charge of such incidents.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        On the Ohio Section ARES pages\u00a0<\/span><\/span>http:\/\/arrl-ohio.org\/SEC\/default.html<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0the section maintains a roster of ARES members who have sent copies of their certificates.\u00a0\u00a0As of today roughly 65 District 3 ARES members have shared their training with him, mostly from Montgomery County.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Please go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/cdp.dhs.gov\/femasid\/register<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for a FEMA Student ID number, then to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov\/is\/crslist.aspx<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to take this training.\u00a0\u00a0Then email copies of the certificates to your county EC, your DEC\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>w8lly@arrl.net<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and your Section Manager\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>n8sy@n8sy.com<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span> . <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        9. 2017 All-Ohio Section ARES Conference<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        For those who maintain a calendar of events, ARRL Ohio Section Manager Scott, N8SY reports that an All-Ohio Section ARES conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Marion Technical College<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\/ Ohio State University Marion campus in Marion. Ohio.\u00a0 Exact location and program details are not yet available.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        All Emergency Coordinators, Assistant Emergency Coordinators and regular ARES members are welcome.\u00a0 The conference leadership has requested that those planning to attend please register in advance at the following address:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/arrl-ohio.org\/SEC\/form.html\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        10. FEMA NTED<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        It\u2019s been a while since we mentioned the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Training & Education Division<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>NTED<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>) course catalog. The current edition, dated 20 March 2017, contains 379 pages of free training being offered primarily to state and local government entities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Buried within the catalog are a number of courses whose numbers end in a \u201cW\u201d.\u00a0 These are online offerings, and about 25 of them are available to ARES members who have obtained the previously mentioned FEMA\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Student Identification Number<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SID<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 If you happen to be a sworn member of the law enforcement community, several more of these \u201cW\u201d courses are open to you.\u00a0 A dozen of these courses relate to cyber security, which should interest many hams using the internet.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Anyway, to download the latest edition of the NTED catalog, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.firstrespondertraining.gov\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0and follow the link near the upper right of the home page.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        11. Check your power sources!<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        In my 25 years as a ham I\u2019ve had a few failures when it comes to emergency preparedness.\u00a0 In my case, they have generally involved power supply issues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        My Icom 4-band handheld has had rather poor luck when it comes to battery packs.\u00a0 Although I use it just a few times each year, two of the rechargeable packs have failed in under 5 years each.\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d gotten smart when I bought a pack for it that took 6 ordinary AA cells, but a set I left in that pack leaked on me, ruining it after just one year.\u00a0 My 4th<\/sup>\u00a0pack for this radio is working out just fine, but those false starts had me worried.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        My first handheld, a 2 meter Alinco, had a different power supply problem.\u00a0 I guess I left the external DC supply plugged in too long, because the outer contact eventually no longer closed, so the power never left my charged pack to energize the radio.\u00a0 It probably would have worked if I had replaced the power jack, but one look told me that replacing the entire radio made more sense than trying to repair that thing!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        How often do you check your radio power sources?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        12. IS Training Certificates\/CARVE Training<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Scott, N8SY, the ARRL Ohio Section Manager notes in his current newsletter that 500 Ohio ARES members have now documented that they have completed IS-100, 200, 700 and 800, the four FEMA courses requested of us.\u00a0 Of course, that means that there are many more Ohio ARES members who have not completed them or not submitted copies of their training certificates to their EC and to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>n8sy@arrl.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Enough said about that!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        I recently learned about a new free online course for those who wish to continue with optional training opportunities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Community-led Action in Response to Violent Extremism\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>(<\/span><\/span><\/span>CARVE<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>), FEMA catalog #<\/span><\/span><\/span>AWR-355-W<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, has been available for only two weeks.\u00a0 Target audiences for this four hour course include community volunteers, which pretty well covers most ARES members.\u00a0 Once enrolled, you have thirty days to complete this training.\u00a0 To enroll, go to this University of Maryland website:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/umd-start.catalog.instructure.com\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 Remember to have your FEMA Student ID number handy to start this or any other FEMA course.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        13. FEMA Online Training updates<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Earlier in April I downloaded the latest FEMA\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Training and Education Division Course Catalog<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, dated 27 March 2017, from the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.firstrespondertraining.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website.\u00a0 I check this site for updates once a week, and I\u2019ve noticed that it has been listed as\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>down for maintenance<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0ever since.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        While this site is out of service, the many courses listed in the catalog are mostly still available. \u00a0The links to some of these are noted in my earlier programs on the district\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ohd3ares.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website under the headings\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Net Info\/Training\/Net Training Archive<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Also note that FEMA\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Emergency Management Institute Independent Study<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0course list is still available at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov\/IS\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0, so even if the NTED Catalog never returns there is still plenty of free training out there.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        14. National Preparedness Course Catalog<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Two weeks ago I mentioned that the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.firstrespondertraining.gov<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website had been down for maintenance for several weeks.\u00a0 Well, it\u2019s back in all its glory.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        The online\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Preparedness Course Catalog<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0now lists over 700 FEMA courses of all types, with 211 of them online or distance learning opportunities.\u00a0 In addition to the online catalog, you may download or print two smaller FEMA catalogs in .pdf format \u2013 the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Training and Education Division (NTED)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0catalog mentioned earlier this month, and a .pdf of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>State and Federal Sponsored<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0courses.\u00a0 I recommend downloading over printing, as these smaller catalogs are still many hundreds of pages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Next week let\u2019s tackle the list of Hamvention forums!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        15. Hamvention 2017 Friday Forums<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Last Wednesday I threatened to report on Hamvention forums relevant to ARES tonight, so here we go with three for Friday, May 19th.\u00a0 When you arrive at Hamvention, check the published program for changes to this list.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Friday, at 9:15 AM in Room 2 Ross Merlin, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>US Department of Homeland Security\u2019s SHARES Program Manager<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will present the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SHARES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SHAred<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>RESources<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Forum<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0on interoperability and backup communications among Federal agencies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        At 10:30 AM, following the SHARES forum in Room 2, Paul English,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Army Military Auxiliary Radio System Program Manager<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, will moderate the MARS Forum along with Dave Stapchuk,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Chief of Air Force MARS<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0The will discuss how MARS presently supports the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>US Department of Defense<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0missions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        At 1:15 PM in Forum Room 1, John Peterson with the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>US Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Office of Emergency Communications<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will host a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Homeland Security Forum<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, including updates to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Incident Command System Communications Unit<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0training.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Next Wednesday we\u2019ll do three more for Saturday and Sunday.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        16. Hamvention 2017 Saturday and Sunday Forums<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        As previously threatened, here are some Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st Hamvention forums that\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>may<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0interest ARES members.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        On Saturday morning at 9:15 AM in Forum Room 3 Bill Feist will lead 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>, forum.\u00a0 The focus will be\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SATERN in the 21<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>st<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0Century<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        At 1:30 PM in Room 2, Bill Curtice of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Miami Valley Mesh Alliance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0will moderate the forum on digital mesh networks.\u00a0 He will host Andre Hansen of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Project.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Almost simultaneously, at 1:45 PM in Room 4 Mike Corey, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, will host a forum featuring almost everyone we\u2019ve previously mentioned for a brief overview of their disaster organizations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Finally, on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM S. Ram Mohan of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>National Institute of Amateur Radio<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Hyderabad, India will present a program on disaster communications in Asia.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        If you missed<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>last week\u2019s presentation on Friday forums<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>, look for both of these at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.ohd3ares.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0under\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Net Info\/Training\/Net Training Archive<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        17. AREDN at Hamvention 2017<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Last Wednesday we mentioned the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in our discussion of the forums at Hamvention 2017.\u00a0 In addition to their Saturday afternoon forum, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AREDN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0folks will present hourly mini classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Hamvention Booth #1001 in Building 1.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Mini class topics include\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Voice over Internet Protocol<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0(<\/span><\/span><\/span>VoIP<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>),\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Winlink 2000<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>MeshChat,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Video Tips\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Network Planning<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0 Stop by Booth #1001 to view the latest schedule, which may include additional subjects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        For more about\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>AREDN<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, visit their website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.aredn.org<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        18. Ohio Responds<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Just before the beginning of Hamvention 2017 ARRL Ohio Section Manager Scott, N8SY and Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan, N8BHL worked out a deal to integrate Ohio ARES into the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Responds<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0database.\u00a0 Some of you may have noticed the Ohio Responds booth in Hamvention Building\/Tent 6.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Ohio Responds is managed by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Department of Health<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0to track many of the volunteer staff needed to manage a major disaster in our state.\u00a0 It tracks credentials and regional training opportunities for its participants, gives heads up on pandemics or other health issues, and probably does other stuff that I\u2019ve missed!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        In addition, it provides liability protection to members who take one approved training every three years, which may ease the minds of some potential Amateur Radio Good Samaritans.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        In order to begin the application process, you must be on the ARRL Ohio Section IS-100\/200\/700\/800 completion list.\u00a0 Check here:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/arrl-ohio.org\/SEC\/special\/nims_roster.html<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0\u00a0After that, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/arrl-ohio.org\/ohio-responds-page.html<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0for specific instructions on joining Ohio Responds as an Ohio ARES member.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        19. VOAD<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        It is a fact, both fortunate and unfortunate, that Ohio District 3 ARES members rarely get called out to deal with incidents within their jurisdictions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        For example, last week Clark County experienced not one, but two damaging tornadoes\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>simultaneously<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Bethel Township.\u00a0 Amateurs here participated in the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>SkyWarn<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0activities, but were not activated for other purposes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Bethel Township Fire\/Rescue<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, along with several mutual aid departments, and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Clark County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0handled the two scenes, while the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Northern Miami Valley Ohio Chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>American Red Cross<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0briefly opened a shelter and started casework on several affected families.\u00a0 But even this emergency was under control quickly, and ARES support was not requested.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        So how does an Ohio District 3 ARES member gain practical disaster experience? \u00a0One way might be to affiliate with a member of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Ohio Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, or\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>VOAD<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Just over fifty member organizations support incidents throughout Ohio, and one of them might be a good match for your religious preference, your skill set or your profession.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        To learn more about Ohio VOAD, visit their website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/ohvoad.communityos.org<\/a><\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        20. Tropical Storm Cindy\/Preparedness<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        As I am preparing tonight\u2019s ARES program, Tropical Storm Cindy is expected to make landfall soon near the Louisiana-Texas border.\u00a0 While the center of circulation of this storm is expected to pass to our south as a tropical depression, parts of District 3 may still receive a respectable amount of rain on Thursday and Friday.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        So we\u2019ve probably dodged a bullet with regards to Cindy, but there are still over five months left in the 2017 hurricane season.\u00a0 Remnants of tropical systems can, and sometimes do, impact western Ohio.\u00a0 In 2008 the winds left over from Hurricane Ike caused half a billion dollars in wind damage in Ohio alone.\u00a0 Some Ohio residents were left without power for a week.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        This brings us to some questions ARES leaders have asked you often in the past.\u00a0 Are your backup batteries fully charged?\u00a0 Have you tested your generator recently?\u00a0 Is your go kit ready for action?\u00a0 Do you even have a go kit?\u00a0 Even if you don\u2019t need this things for Thursday or Friday, they might come in handy for Field Day on Saturday and Sunday!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        21. Communications Backup Plans<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Well, internet access has been down for almost two weeks now at my Red Cross office. Repair work orders have been submitted, but to no avail so far. Much of what Red Cross Disaster Services does now requires the internet, so I\u2019ve implemented a couple of backup plans to cover situations like my office is currently facing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        When I need Red Cross internet access during and immediately after regular business hours, I can use either my public library\u2019s wi-fi or its customer computers. Should an after-hours emergency arise I\u2019ve made arrangements to work out of the county emergency operations center, which also offers both wi-fi and in-house computer access.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        It\u2019s a good idea for ARES organizations and members to have backup plans as well. Do you have backup repeaters and\/or simplex frequencies preselected? Does your county ARES have a continuity of operations plan should things go very, very wrong? Do all members know these backup arrangements?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        It\u2019s certainly something to consider while things are quiet around here!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        22. FEMA Operational Communications<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        The\u00a0Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/b>\u00a0recently released a series of documents to build and sustain\u00a0Core Capabilities\u00a0<\/b>for disaster response. One of these of interest to ARES is\u00a0Operational Communications<\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        This document suggests five FEMA courses as training examples, including:\u00a0Public Information and Warning<\/b>,\u00a0Amateur Radio Resources<\/b>,\u00a0Effective Communication<\/b>,\u00a0Managing Public Information for All-Hazards Incidents<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Social Media for Natural Disaster Response and Recovery<\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        The\u00a0American Radio Relay League<\/b>\u00a0is specifically mentioned as a potential response partner, along with such other obvious choices as cellular and internet providers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        While a few suggested trainings are available online, most require the cooperation of county or state emergency management agencies in the application process. To view this and other\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Core Capability Development Sheets<\/b><\/span><\/span>, go to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>www.fema.gov\/fema-technical-assistance-program<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        23. FEMA EMI Weekly e-Forums<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        FEMA Emergency Management Institute<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Presents<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Weekly EMI e-Forums<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Wednesdays in August 3:00 \u2013 4:00 p.m. EDT<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        \u00a0EMI e-Forums are 1-hour, moderated, webinar discussion forums that provide an opportunity for EMI and the emergency management community to discuss matters of interest on national preparedness training. EMI e-Forums facilitate a discussion of whole community-presented best practices.\u00a0 The panel members are whole community, with topics relevant to whole community.\u00a0 These exchanges of ideas are free of charge and available to anyone who wishes to participate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Read more in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Training Bulletin 1327<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Date: \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Topic:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8\/2 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0National Exercise Program:\u00a0 Tales from States Who Participated<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8\/9 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The Emergency Management Professional Program: Bringing the Whole Community Together<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8\/16\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Public Information Officers:\u00a0 Training Builds Capability We Are Proud Of<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8\/23\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Improving Local Recovery:\u00a0 Training as a Success Maker<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        8\/30 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0State Training Officer and State Administrative Agent TPOC:Working Together Achieves Better Outcomes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Login link:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/fema.connectsolutions.com\/emieforums<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Our EMI e-Forums on Adobe Connect are mobile device accessible for those on the go.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Click here for more info<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        Conference call-in:\u00a0 800-320-4330, PIN 107622<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        For questions, contact:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov\/contactus\/sendcomment.aspx<\/a><\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        24. Hawaii Civil Defense Preparations<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

        Hawaii has become the first state to respond to North Korea\u2019s latest Intercontinental Ballistic Missile tests.\u00a0 Effective as soon as November of 2017, the siren tests Hawaii uses to warn people about major emergencies on the first workday of each month will include a second siren test specifically to indicate a possible nuclear attack.\u00a0 Many jurisdictions in the United States once tested similar sirens, but discontinued them in the 70\u2019s.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        In addition, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency now recommends that all residents be prepared to shelter in place for up to fourteen days.\u00a0 This means minimally maintaining a two week supply of food and drinking water at all times.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        The water supply, one gallon per person per day, and most food items would have to be rotated through the stocks, because bottled water and foods expire after a few years.\u00a0 Most sources recommend a three day supply of these items at this time.\u00a0 Should we be rethinking that?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

        I think that we have briefly mentioned FirstNet in the past, but there have been a few recent developments that bear watching.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        The First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, was established by Congress in 2012 to better integrate first responder activities in times of emergency.\u00a0 Using $7 billion and part of the 700 MHz spectrum, FirstNet contractor AT&T is building a nationwide network of public safety communications facilities.\u00a0 Each state can participate or opt out, and seven states, including neighboring states Kentucky and West Virginia, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands have already opted in.\u00a0\u00a0Ohio and Indiana have not as of today.\u00a0 States have a mid-December deadline to decide.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

        FirstNet is expected to offer more system integration that Ohio MARCS, our current statewide public safety system.\u00a0 MARCS works well for voice traffic, and computer communications are possible as well.\u00a0 But as a broadband service FirstNet plans to offer video capability, GIS and quite a bit more.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        For the latest FirstNet updates, visit their website at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.firstnet.gov<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

         <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        26. ARRL Emergency Communications Courses<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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        \n

        \u00a0Let\u2019s revisit a few emergency management related courses offered by the\u00a0American Radio Relay League, or\u00a0ARRL.\u00a0 New\u00a0Amateur Radio Emergency\u00a0Services<\/span>\u00a0members<\/span>\u00a0and hams who do not belong to the ARRL may not be familiar with these ham radio specific training opportunities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Introduction to Emergency Communication, course EC-001, is open to any amateur radio operator.\u00a0 The cost depends on whether you are an ARRL member or not.\u00a0 There are also two prerequisite Federal Emergency Management Agency courses \u2013 IS-100 (online version) or ICS-100 (classroom version) and IS-700 (online only).\u00a0 Evidence of completion must be supplied at the time you register.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        <\/div>\n
        Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs, course EC-016, is free to certain ARRL members only.\u00a0 While any ham may be an ARES member, you must also be an ARRL member to hold an ARES appointment as an EC, DEC, SEC, etc.\u00a0\u00a0There are additional prerequisites and recommended courses associated with this advanced course, and there is a fee to take the course completion test.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        <\/div>\n
        ARRL Public Relations, course EC-015, is a free course useful for hams with Public Information Officer, or PIO, aspirations.\u00a0 For more information on these three courses, visit\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>www.arrl.org\/online-course-catalog<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0. <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n

         <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        27. Eclipse Preparations<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
        \n

        This may come as a surprise to some of us, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0American Red Cross<\/span>\u00a0are preparing for disasters associated with next Monday\u2019s total solar eclipse.\u00a0\u00a0The Red Cross has already issued\u00a0Disaster Response, or\u00a0DR, numbers for each state within the\u00a0Path of Totality, and budgeted funds for those events.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Red Cross shelters are on standby in case people are stuck in traffic jams on major eclipse routes, and some amateur radio organizations have also been placed in standby mode in case the cellular and landline networks fail due to temporary overloads along the Path of Totality.\u00a0 A few responders have even been issued cell phones programmed for the Department of Homeland Security\u2018s Wireless Priority Service, or WPS, and Government Emergency Telephone Service, or GETS.\u00a0\u00a0WPS phones and GETS cards give users priority access to cellular sites and landlines.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        <\/div>\n
        By the way, don\u2019t toss out your eclipse glasses after August 21st.\u00a0 Another total solar eclipse will impact the Miami Valley on April 8, 2024, with much of the valley in the Path of Totality! <\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n

         <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        28. Eclipse Lessons Learned<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
        \n

        My<\/span>\u00a0eclipse\u00a0adventure<\/span>\u00a0took place in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, just northwest of<\/span>\u00a0Hopkinsville \u2013 the point of maximum totality.\u00a0 We had\u00a0a few<\/span>\u00a0seconds<\/span>\u00a0less totality there, but the friendly crowd in the village square was in the hundreds rather than the tens of thousands as in Hopkinsville.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        It was a great opportunity to view the potential for emergencies from the inside, and I was impressed by the resiliency of the infrastructure \u2013 except, of course for the Interstate Highway System!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Cellular service was impacted by the influx of visitors.\u00a0 Video and photos were slow, if they arrived at all.\u00a0 Text messages and even voice calls seemed little affected, so I chose to not remove my handy Government Emergency Telecommunications Service card from the car.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

        Fuel\u00a0and\u00a0food\u00a0were readily available despite warnings to\u00a0top off tanks\u00a0beforehand and bring your own meals.\u00a0 There were few traffic issues on the way to the path of totality, but the trip back was another story entirely.\u00a0 We took three hours to get from Louisville to Dawson Springs and over six to return to Louisville afterwards!\u00a0 Should you\u00a0ever\u00a0need to evacuate a city in a hurry, consider using state routes or back roads to get away, as Interstate Highways first and U.S. routes next become temporary parking lots.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        On the way back to Louisville I spoke to no less than four different amateurs on 146.52 simplex.\u00a0\u00a0My girlfriend was so impressed with the help they offered that she is finally considering a ham license!\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        As an additional note, all of District 3 will be in the path of the totality of the eclipse occurring in 2024<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        29. Houston: Evacuation vs Shelter in Place<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
        \n

        Mayor Turner of Houston, Texas has taken<\/span>\u00a0heat for failing to order\u00a0evacuations<\/span>\u00a0in advance\u00a0of\u00a0Hurricane Harvey.\u00a0 But we only have to go back one<\/span>\u00a0week to see why he made the proper decision.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        It took me just three hours by Interstate to get to the path of totality for last Monday\u2019s solar eclipse, but six hours to return to my point of origin later that day.\u00a0 The number of vehicles heading away from the eclipse path overwhelmed the Interstate Highway System in dozens of places, turning it into clusters of temporary ten\u2013mile-long parking lots!\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

        That was the result of a few hundred thousand vehicles heading in the same direction.\u00a0 The Houston Metro area has four million residents.\u00a0 Can you imagine a\u00a0million\u00a0vehicles trying to leave Houston all at once?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        The last time Houston attempted an evacuation, thousands were still on the roads when the storm struck.\u00a0 It was not safe or pretty, and evacuees died on those Interstates.\u00a0 While sheltering in place wasn\u2019t completely safe, it was still the best call for the mayor of Houston to make.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

        On an unrelated note, FEMA\u2018s Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama has cancelled all scheduled classes for the next few weeks in order to train federal workers for Harvey recovery, which shouldn\u2019t take more than ten years or so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Next week \u2013 back to ham radio topics!\u00a0 <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        30. Hurricane Watch Net<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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        \n

        What a difference a week makes!\u00a0 Last Wednesday Hurricane Harvey was mentioned in most of the major news stories.\u00a0 Today three newer storms, Irma, Jose and Katia, have moved it off of the front pages.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Hurricane Irma is today\u2019s big story.\u00a0 The Hurricane Watch Net went up again yesterday after a week\u2019s rest, and may stay up for much of September!\u00a0 The HWN comes up as hurricanes approach land.\u00a0\u00a0Its job is to feed weather information from the affected area into the National Hurricane Center to help improve their reports.\u00a0 It is not usually involved in disaster response, but provides Hurricane Center updates if time permits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        The Net operates on or near 14,325 kHz USB during daylight hours, and on or near 7,268 kHz LSB at night.\u00a0 To learn more about this net, visit <\/span><\/span><\/span>www.hwn.org<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0. <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        31. 2200 and 630 Meter Bands becoming available<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        In a few weeks<\/span>\u00a0the United States Amateur Radio community will have two new bands to play with.\u00a0 On\u00a02200 Meters<\/span>\u00a0hams will be able to use 135.7 to 137.8 kHz at\u00a0one watt<\/span>\u00a0Effective Isotropic Radiated\u00a0Power,\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0EIRP,<\/span>\u00a0maximum.<\/span>\u00a0 And on\u00a0630 Meters<\/span>\u00a0we will have 472 to 479 kHz available at up\u00a0to five watts EIRP.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        A unique condition prior to using either of these bands is that the Federal Communications Commission requires us to register our intentions with the Utilities Technology Council at <\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/utc.org\/plc-database-amateur-notification-process\/<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t hear back from\u00a0the\u00a0UTC\u00a0in\u00a0thirty days you are good to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Will these new allocations have any practical use in emergency communications? I guess we will all find out together in the coming months and years!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        Additional:\u00a0 These bands are available to General, Advanced and Extra class licensees.\u00a0 Many general coverage receivers can receive these frequencies, but transmitters are likely to be a build it yourself proposition for the near future.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        32. California Wild Fires<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
        \n
        \n

        The focus of disaster responders is rapidly shifting to the West Coast this week, as multiple wildfires combined with Santa Ana winds are torturing tens of thousands of California residents.\u00a0\u00a0See the state fire response website\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>fire.ca.gov<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for updates.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Some<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the issues associated with the hurricane\u00a0landfalls<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are also showing up in California.\u00a0 Large numbers of cellular sites are\u00a0being<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>taken offline<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0melted fiberoptic links, power\u00a0loss\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>cell<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>towers bent over by\u00a0high fire temperatures and wind!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Pacific Gas and Electric is deenergizing electric circuits<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ahead of the fire lines for the safety of first responders, as well as\u00a0turning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>off natural gas\u00a0pipelines to destroyed neighborhoods.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        While the stories of amateur radio participation here have not yet surfaced, I\u2019m sure they are supporting some of the first responders.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately, other<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>hams are probably victims of these fires as well, as entire\u00a0neighborhoods<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in Northern California\u00a0have burned to the foundations.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        33. NIMS 3rd Edition<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        The Third Edition of the National Incident Management System,<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0NIMS, dated October 2017, has been released by the\u00a0Federal Emergency Management Agency.\u00a0 This\u00a0133-page<\/span>\u00a0document,<\/span>\u00a0last updated in 2008, applies to all incidents regardless of size, nature, complexity or location within the United States.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        This new NIMS edition incorporates updates from lessons learned at incidents and exercises since the Second Edition.\u00a0 It impacts any and all incident personnel, including those at incident command posts, emergency operations centers, staging areas, medical facilities, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        FEMA plans to host a series of one-hour webinars in the future to answer NIMS-related questions. For a copy of the new NIMS edition and webinar information, go to the following web page: <\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/national-incident-management-system<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        And by the way, compliance with NIMS is the reason that ARES leadership regularly asks its members to take online FEMA Independent Study courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800, available at <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.gov<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        34. Buyer Beware<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        There are many legitimate organizations providing services and training for emergency management and homeland security.\u00a0 But there are<\/span>\u00a0also a few that have<\/span>\u00a0a certain aroma.\u00a0 Something about them just doesn\u2019t smell quite right.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        In 2013 I received a colorful brochure in a mailing from the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, or ABCHS.\u00a0 It was promoting memberships, training and certifications through their board, supposedly started in 2003.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Their Certified in Homeland Security, or CHS, credential was a series of five levels, with CHS-V being the ultimate goal.\u00a0 Professional memberships are often costly, and this was no exception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        I noticed a couple of red flags when I first received the mailing.\u00a0 First, the web address was a business .com website \u2013 not a non-profit .org or an educational .edu site.\u00a0 But sometimes non-profits use commercial websites for one legal reason or another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        \u00a0Second, the names on\u00a0their list of officers and board members were\u00a0not familiar to me.\u00a0 If I were new to the field this would not be a deal killer, but I\u2019d been around emergency management for twenty years by 2013.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        So today I tried to reach their website through Explorer and Chrome with no results.\u00a0 They made thousands of dollars from folks before they disappeared. <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        35. NIMS National Qualification System<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        \u00a0A few weeks\u00a0back we mentioned that the main\u00a0National Incident Management System, or\u00a0NIMS, document has been updated.\u00a0 The Federal\u00a0Emergency\u00a0Management Agency has\u00a0also\u00a0updated\u00a0NIMS\u00a0Resource Management Supplemental Guidance and Tools\u00a0as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Most of this stuff refers to incident management job titles, descriptions and qualifications.\u00a0 Some have been around for years, but others are new to NIMS.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Three sets of these tools may be of particular interest to some ARES members.\u00a0 The Communications Unit Leader, or COM-L has overall responsibility over communications at a major incident.\u00a0 A Communications Technician works under the COM-L to repair and maintain and program incident communications systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        A new set of tools that may be of interest to ARES members who hold B.S. degrees in a science or engineering field is the Science and Technology Adviser.\u00a0\u00a0This person offers guidance to the incident management decision makers at HazMat or other science or technology related incidents.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        For detailed information about these and other NIMS positions, go to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>www.fema.gov\/national-qualification-system<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        36. ARES Membership Considerations<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Are you a member of more than one county ARES organization?\u00a0 Many amateurs live,<\/span>\u00a0work and play in different counties, so it seems likely that a few of us may be<\/span>\u00a0registered with more than one ARES jurisdiction.\u00a0\u00a0Earlier this week, SEC Stan\u00a0Broadway stated<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0ARES members are encouraged to volunteer for any activities that strike their fancy, but are requested to be on the ARES roster of just one county.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        If you stop to think about this a while, it does make sense.\u00a0 Showing up on multiple rosters inflates the number of ARES volunteers potentially available, as well as possibly inflating the hours served if reported to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>more\u00a0than one EC.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>While not a problem during local emergencies, it becomes more of an\u00a0issue during regional, state or national disasters.\u00a0 The 10,000 hams\u00a0rostered in Ohio ARES might be just 5,000 live bodies if we\u00a0eliminate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>such<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>duplications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Do you desire an ARES appointed position, such as EC, DEC,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>SEC<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or Official Emergency Station?\u00a0 While any licensed\u00a0amateur is encouraged to be an active<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ARES member, you must also be an American Radio Relay League member to be considered for any of the ARES appointments mentioned above.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        37. Exercising Go Kits<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Now that all<\/span>\u00a0of us have Go-Kits, have you ever thought\u00a0about<\/span>\u00a0exercising yours?\u00a0 It seems like a low-stress opportunity to see how well you selected your kit\u2019s contents.\u00a0 Consider bringing your kit along on your next visit to relatives for the holidays.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        If your kit includes water, did you leave expansion room in the water container in case that water temporarily turns to ice?\u00a0 If not, things could get ugly indeed in your trunk when that ice melts!\u00a0 Did you include enough emergency food rations?\u00a0 If you finished off all of the energy bars in under three days of traveling the answer might be no.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Did you try operating your handheld from a motel room only to discover that you omitted the BNC to SO-239 adaptor that lets you use any antenna other than the rubber duck?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        And, most importantly of all, did you remember enough extra clean underwear and socks?\u00a0 One of my most vivid disaster memories was talking with a police officer who didn\u2019t have extras in a town where all laundry services were off line due to contamination issues.\u00a0 Ouch! <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        38. Public Speaking for Amateur Radio<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Have you ever made a presentation about ARES in particular or ham radio in general before any group of non-Amateurs?\u00a0 Most members of the general population still don\u2019t know the difference between Citizens Band radio operators and Amateur Radio operators, so it\u2019s a good idea to share what we know outside of the ham community.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Many hams are not comfortable with public speaking \u2013 even in front of a small audience.\u00a0 This morning I joined two Red Cross employees for a ninety-minute presentation on emergency preparedness and Citizen CPR.\u00a0 We spoke to forty Springfield, Ohio six\u2013graders and were very pleased with the outcome.\u00a0 Kids will listen carefully for mistakes and call you out if you make one, but are impressed by folks who know their subject well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        If you would like to give public speaking for Amateur Radio a try, FEMA\u2019s Emergency Management Institute has a free online course for you.\u00a0 At\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/training.fema.<\/a>gov<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0look for\u00a0IS-242.b,\u00a0Effective Communication. <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        39. National Weather Service Online Weather School<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        Most of the training opportunities I\u2019ve mentioned over the past few years have involved a registration process with some governmental or non-governmental entity.\u00a0 Today\u2019s featured site has no such requirement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        \u00a0JetStream\u00a0is the\u00a0National Weather Service\u00a0Online Weather School.\u00a0 There is no cost to use the training materials, and registration is not required.\u00a0 The site is designed\u00a0for anyone\u00a0interested\u00a0in weather related subjects.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n
        \n

        I found well over a hundred choices in the site\u2019s topic matrix, and you can pick and choose without taking all of the preceding topics in your particular area of interest.\u00a0 To look over the choices or get started on a topic, visit weather.gov\/jetstream .\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        \n

        Return to Net Training Archive Page<\/a><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        2017 Training Archive ABCs of Temporary Emergency Power Agora American Red Cross New Training Columbia University Center for Disaster Preparedness Online Training 2017 Severe Weather Symposium...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1893,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5544","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-25 21:18:37","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5544","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5544"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5544\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohd3ares.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

        To reach the EDGE training site, sign in to or register at the American Red Cross\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Volunteer Connection<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0website,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>https:\/\/volunteerconnection.redcross.org\/<\/a><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 From the VC home page, click on the EDGE button on the upper right hand corner.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n