Williamson County ARES, TX

1. Williamson County ARES August 2013 Meeting Williamson County ARES, TX

2. MANAGING A RESPONSE Being ready when the call comes Williamson County ARES, TX

3. Initial Notification • Served agency requests response. • Notification to EC and designees. • Decision on resources needed. Williamson County ARES, TX

4. Alerting Members • STX paging system likely first alert. • When you get an alert, go to the 146.64 repeater. • Net will be activated. Williamson County ARES, TX

5. Cellphone • Exploring the possibility of using Group Me to alert members. • Cellphone is a supplementary notification vehicle. Williamson County ARES, TX

6. Self-Activation • Do Not confuse with self-deployment! • If you become aware of an incident, notify your EC and activate a net on the repeater. Williamson County ARES, TX

7. Family First • Secure your home and family. • Let family know where you are going if you activate. • Before an incident, discuss your plan with your family. Williamson County ARES, TX

8. Resources • Most local operations will take place on VHF or UHF repeaters. • Primary : 146.64 PL 162.2 • Secondary: 146.70 PL 110.5 • Third: 147.080 PL 100.0 Williamson County ARES, TX

9. Repeaters • Time-out timers. • Know the “dead spots” in County Operting Area. • San Gabriel Park in Georgetown • Other dead spots • Linked repeaters Williamson County ARES, TX

10. En Route Response • Make sure your vehicle is fueled up. Drive off the top-half of the tank. • Pick up your jump-kit (clothing) • Pick up your go-kit (radio) • Let your family know where you are going Williamson County ARES, TX

11. First Steps • Program your radio! • Suggest programming the repeater output as a simplex frequency into memory channel. • Check in to the Net • Wait for instructions. Williamson County ARES, TX

12. Know Your Radio • Learn how to manually program your radio before an incident. • Make sure the frequencies in our Emergency Communications Plan are programmed into your radio. • Program neighboring county frequencies. Williamson County ARES, TX

13. Comm Plan Williamson County ARES, TX

14. Shared Tactical Frequencies Williamson County ARES, TX

15. Packet Frequencies Williamson County ARES, TX

16. Who Is In Charge • EC will appoint a “station manager” • Check in with station manager • Fill out necessary paperwork • Get position assignment • Report to position Williamson County ARES, TX

17. FEMA Events • On FEMA events, volunteer hours are tracked and the community is reimbursed toward their obligation for “matching funds.” Williamson County ARES, TX

18. Always Be a Good Guest • Whether local or out-of-area response, strive to leave the community better than you found it. • We go home, hosts have to live there! Williamson County ARES, TX

19. Initial Setup • Set up radio and check antenna • Check for possible interference • Check for working phones, faxes, Internet, etc. • Learn host’s operation and needs. • ID alternative message paths Williamson County ARES, TX

20. Personal Needs • Find sanitary facilities • Determine water and food sources and eating arrangements • Review overall conditions and how they affect your operation • Find a place to get some rest Williamson County ARES, TX

21. Message Relays • When one station can’t hear another, a third station may have to act as a relay • Use other frequencies for relays Williamson County ARES, TX

22. Radio Room Security • Only on-duty operators will be allowed in the radio room • Avoid distractions in radio areas • Do not leave equipment unattended • Host agency will clear authorized personnel Williamson County ARES, TX

23. Recordkeeping • Maintain a log • Arrival and departure times • Net check-ins • Critical events • Staff changes • Equipment problems and issues Williamson County ARES, TX

24. Stress and Egos • Leave your ego at home • Delegate responsibilities among operators • Prioritize your actions • Do not take comments personally • Take a few deep breaths Williamson County ARES, TX

25. Stress and Egos • Get adequate food, water, rest and medical attention • Do not work longer than your shift • If you are losing control of a situation, bring in someone else • Watch out for your colleagues Williamson County ARES, TX

26. Stress and Egos • Always RESPOND, never REACT • Look for ways to help your fellow operators • Do not be offended if someone offers to help in a situation • If you need a SAFETY BREAK take it! Williamson County ARES, TX

27. Long Term Operations • Shift should be no longer than 8 hours • Staffing schedules will be developed • Food, water and shelter Williamson County ARES, TX

28. Large-Scale Disasters • Normal infrastructure is down or overloaded • Public Safety frequencies become overloaded • Agencies are reluctant to let other agencies use their radio system, or to use others Williamson County ARES, TX

29. Large-Scale Disasters • May need handheld radios if deployed in vehicles • Mobile go-kits with higher power radios, mag-mount antennas, and battery clip power leads Williamson County ARES, TX

30. Large-Scale Disasters • Need to set up rapidly to provide service • Communication area may exceed 50-350 miles • Voice is primary mode • Packet for non-critical or data intensive transmissions Williamson County ARES, TX

31. Ending Operations • Restore equipment and area to its arrival state • Finalize all paperwork and get it to documentation • Check out with Demob Clerk • Leave a GOOD impression Williamson County ARES, TX

32. Make Notes for AAR • All deployments will have an After Action Review to note the following: • What worked • What didn’t work • What can we do better Williamson County ARES, TX

33. Thanks for your attention Questions / comments Williamson County ARES, TX