AK4FA: EMCOMM

Background

I have listed EMCOMM as the first page on my site because it has always captured my attention and is universal to ham disciplines. By universal I mean that no matter what your interest, you can apply your area of interest to something in EMCOMM. Whether you enjoy using satellites to communicate or running QRP, in an emergency you may only have the option of QRP or you may want to try satellite communication depending on the equipment available and the geographic scope of the emergency. While there is no one correct way to do it, FEMA provides a fairly good framework to approaching an incident. With a basic understanding of ICS, you can be utilized in an emergency and fit into the response framework rather than being a wildcat volunteer and functioning outside of the system.

Here in TN, we have the privilege of an outstanding state emergency response program run by TEMA. The TEMA communications guru, David Wolfe, is a highly skilled and professional administrator who was kind enough to share his knowledge of emergency communications with me when I pursued my COML certification. As I continue to count my blessings, I must mention Bill Joregensen and Butch Coulter of the Williamson County EMA who have fostered a community of preparedness not only helping to set up a great repeater network within our area but also providing continued training opportunities and joint events to hone our emergency response capabilities.

While many may disagree as to the utility of training exercises supporting bike races, I find these to be invaluable as an introductory tool to emergency response and ICS. These events also help to encourage the testing of equipment and operating in unfamiliar environments. While I do not believe that Ham radio will immediately replace all emergency communications during a disaster, I believe that it can provide invaluable supplementary support. The Ham response can free up valuable resources, allowing first responders to focus on life safety while relegating routine communications and other information handling activities to the Ham community. Additionally, with the ability to utilize HF, or even VHF when served agency operate on an 800 trunking system, the Ham response can literally fill gaps in communication.

When I Got Started

I find it pertinent to discuss my county operations because it is what I know (in some limited detail) and it is what I have operated in since obtaining my license. WCARES, my primary radio club, is one of the best organizations in the country (in my subjective opinion). While we may have vast membership, the membership is somewhat divided in its interests, which makes for a great resources to the Ham just getting started. One of my biggest dislikes when getting my license (I have only had a license since 2011) was trying to decipher the newsgroup style message boards of the 90's and overly technical descriptions found on some beginner pages. While I have learned a bit about electronics, I am an attorney by day and get frustrated when trying to decipher hidden technical details. As I worked my way through school, I was a web developer for my university, which is why I dislike most ham radio websites with antiquated feels. This is just a personal preference and has no reflection on the content of those websites, which are mostly rich in information if you can find it. While my content may not be great, at least I will try to make it presentable.

Williamson County

In our county we have adopted a tiered system for our EMCOMM focus group. Everyone is welcome to participate in our group. We do not restrict membership, have background checks or charge dues because tribal knowledge and protectionist policies won't grow a club and won't foster a sense of community building and agency relationship stimulation.

At our basic level, anyone is welcome to observe events and participate as a learning experience to see if EMCOMM is of interest. There are no requirements for this level.

Level One requires a Technician License as well as ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800. This allows to operator to fill out the ICS forms and participate on a basic level while understanding what is going on during the event

Level Two focuses on getting into HF communications, requires a General License and some Winlink training. We use Winlink within the county and are blessed to have several of the Winlink development team in our group. The county has some training kits available and is extremely supportive in getting our county Hams operational with Winlink.

Level Three introduces leadership and allows members to become more involved leading everything from nets to training events. Because we heavily utilize ICS, we require ICS 300 at this level as well as SKYWARN training to serve on our severe weather nets. We further develop leadership through training events and getting the operators comfortable running parts of simulated emergency responses.

Level Four is the supervisory level of the EMCOMM group and requires the most effort to achieve. It requires a COML certification and willingness to help coordinate events throughout the county. COML is an excellent class as it is presented through TEMA and really cements all of the ICS courses together.

While we focus on ESF-2 (Communications) related activities, we also encourage additional training in first aid and basic survival skills in case a member is deployed. While we primarily train to communicate, every member is required to go into an incident with the attitude of service, willing to help wherever needed. If we send 6 radio operators to a disaster and they need 6 people to haul water then our operators must be willing to serve as needed under the requesting agency. We don't espouse job descriptions or duty guidelines because in a disaster, there is a response framework instead of clear cut job descriptions. We strive to meet the most urgent needs in the best way we are able whether we are using radio communications or a shovel.

Drop Kit Response

When I think of a drop kit, a go bag or a jump team, I know that there is a lot about them on the internet and many terms are used interchangeably. To define drop kit, I'll refer to the radio and its associated components needed to operate a station in the field. I have built a few different drop kits, improving upon previous designs and scrounging up parts where I could. I will add some pictures, but first share my thoughts.

Put the kit on wheels
Don't forget about power
Don't forget about laptop power
Have something to put the kit on
Bring a comfortable chair
Test it before you go
Have wiring schematics to facilitate troubleshooting
Have antenna options, you won't always have a tree

I have put HF kit in a rolling toolbox (the Stanley one with two wheels). This contains the battery, rig, tuner and everything the radio requires to function. I have another small hand tool box for my VHF / UHF Winlink kit, and I have a small folding dolly to carry this. All of the kits have provisions to plug an AC inverter or direct DC supply for my computers. I have been on a few events where the radio had plenty of battery but the computer only lasted 20 minutes. The table and chair suggestions come from having to hold a rig in my lap while transmitting as well as operating for a few hours from a metal folding chair. If you are going to deploy, you may as well be comfortable to the extent possible to reduce your fatigue and allow you to be a better responder. Additionally, I have enjoyed the option of a Buddipole, G5RV, end fed or diople antenna, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation. You may not be able to afford all of the antenna types, which is fine because I don't have all of them and have improvised in a few settings. The important thing is to plan to adapt because you may not be in an ideal spot when you set up.

Hopefully I will add more about building the kits at a later time and run through what I did, which seems to work so far.