Emergency Communications

Eastern MA ARES is currently on stand-by for all areas effective 9:00 AM Thursday, August 25, 2011 until further notice due to potential impacts from major Hurrican Irene.

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Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 9:00AM THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM MAJOR HURRICANE IRENE***

Major Hurricane Irene has been steadily strengthening and currently sits as a major, category 3 storm currently affecting the Bahamas and is poised to become a category-4 storm in the next 24 hours.  Numerous computer model guidance products have established a track where the storm makes a direct impact to Long Island and/or New England during the day on Sunday as a Category-2 hurricane.  Should the storm make landfall, this would be the first land falling hurricane in New England since Bob of 1991. For further meteorological updates, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org   

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from Saturday morning, 8/27 through early next week. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following:  Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of.  We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

Hello to all..

..COMMUNICATIONS RESTORED TO REASONABLE STRENGTH AFTER INITIAL COMMUNICATIONS
PROBLEMS IN THE WAKE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TORNADO OUTBREAK OF JUNE 1ST 2011..
..EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES STAND-BY LIFTED AS OF 11 PM FRIDAY JUNE 3RD 2011..

After the worst tornado outbreak in Massachusetts since 1995, there were
initial communications issues after tornadoes ripped through the Western
Massachusetts ARRL section. Eastern Massachusetts ARES was placed on stand-by
in case support of our neighboring section was required. Since that time,
communications have been restored to tolerable levels and we have lifted
the ARES stand-by as of 11 PM Friday June 3rd, 2011.

The National Weather Service in Taunton has posted their assessment on the
tornado outbreak that hit Massachusetts. Three Tornadoes hit the state. The
complete report on the tornadoes can be seen via the following
Public Information Statement link:

http://www.wx1box.org/local/pns_6_3_11_tor_report.txt

The complete severe weather report for all of the severe thunderstorms is
listed in the link below:

http://www.wx1box.org/local/lsr_6_1_11.txt

The following is a tornado response report from John Ruggiero-N2YHK, Western
Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator:

Just a quick note about the assistance that amateur radio provided during
and after the recent series of tornadoes that affected the area from
Westfield to Southbridge in the Western MA Section:

* SkyWarn was active and amateur radio operators assisted in gathering
severe weather reports on the Mt. Tom, Paxton and other associated
repeaters. Initial reports of a tornado striking Westfield were relayed
to NWS via amateur radio and SkyWarn.

* Tom Doyle, N1MUV, DEC Hampden / Hampshire, and his team provided
assistance to the Red Cross by staffing the Springfield Chapter and three
shelters in Springfield, Monson and Brimfield.

* Tom and his team also provided assistance to several local EOCs, as well
as support to RACES operations at the MEMA Regional HQ in Agawam.

* Charlie Dunlap, K1II, EC Hampden West, and his team provided assistance
to Southwick and surrounding communities, as well as support to RACES
operations at the MEMA Regional HQ in Agawam.

* Tim Mongeau, KB1LZF, EC Worcester, staffed the Worcester Emergency
Communications Team / MEMA Region 4 Radio Room and provided assistance in
gathering reports for SkyWarn.

* Amateur radio operators were present with NWS survey teams today.

* The ARRL has posted a news article about amateur radio’s response on
their website. See link below:
http://www.arrl.org/news/central-massachusetts-experiences-rare-tornado-area-hams-hasten-to-help

* At this time, amateur radio operations are winding down and no further
requests for assistance are pending.

Thank you all for your assistance and continued support of WMA ARES!

John, N2YHK
WMA SEC

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has setup storm assistance
centers for people in need of aid after the tornado outbreak. They have also
setup their 211 line for homeowners and businesses to report damage. Damage
Asessment teams from MEMA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
will be on site starting Monday. Links to these PR releases are listed below:

Storm Assistance Centers:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/storm_assistance_centers.pdf

211 Registration News Release:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/211_Registration_News_Release.pdf

FEMA/MEMA Damage Assessment Teams Press Release:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/News_Release_IA_PA_PDAs_6-3-11.pdf

A great thank you to all the Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters, non-Amateur
Radio SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) members
for their support in this horrific tornadic outbreak. The efforts made by
everyone helped save lives and is greatly appreciated by the National
Weather Service, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and local, state and
federal emergency management.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING JUNE 3RD 2011 DUE TO DAMAGE FROM MAJOR TORNADO OUTBREAK ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS.***

There has been a significant outbreak of severe weather across the region including numerous reports of tornadoes on the ground from Springfield to points as far east as Sturbridge and beyond.  Due to the significant infrastructure damage, we are activating Eastern Massachusetts ARES in stand-by mode to support any potential requests for assistance from around the area. 

Please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from now through Friday June 3rd, 2011. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required.  Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

On Sunday March the 20th a short exercise was conducted involving the newly established South Coast Hospital Emergency Amateur Radio Network (South Coast H.E.A.R. Network).
The South Coast H.E.A.R. Network consists of three Hospitals, The Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and the Tobey Hospital in Wareham,. These three hospitals merged some years back to form the South Coast Hospital group.

   The purpose of this Drill was to test the newly installed and programmed radio gear, establish communications between all three hospitals including other hospitals out of our area along with other ARES/ RACES Stations. There were three modes of communications tested, two meter simplex voice among the three hospitals, two meter duplex voice and HF on seventy five and forty meters. After testing on simplex the three hospitals switched to the REGION 2a  RACES repeater, in addition to our three sites we were also joined by the Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro Ma. (K1SMH)  our REGION 2a RACES repeater 147.000 is owned and operated by the South Eastern Ma. Amatuer Radio Association (SEMARA) located in Dartmouth. We were also joined by individual ARES home stations the WA1AEC SEMARA Club and  Cape Cod ARES.

   Operating these positions were approximately six Amatuer Radio Operators representing various organizations i.e. The Town of Acushnet Emergency Management Agency, The Town of Somerset Emergency Management Agency,  the  K1ZZN Amatuer Radio Club in Fall River, SEMARA Club in Dartmouth and  SCMARG (South Coastal Ma. Amatuer Radio Group) from Acushnet. All operators are members of the South Coast ARES group.

   Although the drill was of short duration the South Coast HEAR Network was able to test their system and recognize some of our weak and strong points. Future plans are to recruit more operators, especially for St. Luke’s and the Tobey Hospitals, establish digital communications via packet and winlink and participate in other exercises involving othe hospitals in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Respectfully submitted,

Edward A. Caron(ka1rsy)
South Coastal Massachusetts
ARES/SKYWARN Emergency Coordinator
ka1rsy@arrl.net
ka1rsy@comcast.net
 
Asst. Operations Officer
Town of Acushnet
Office of Emergency Management
(508)998-0295 ext 232
ecaron@acushnetema.com
www.acushnetema.com

Hello!

This is KB1NCG, the Metro-Boston DEC for ARES.

As part of my continuing efforts to build a new core team for the Metro-Boston district I have started a new mailing list for Metro-Boston specific activities and discussions.

If you wish to join you can do so here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/metroboston-ares/

My hope is to grow a wide base of regular members with a large depth of knowledge that will be useful to any future deployments within the Metro-Boston district, and greater New England area.

Thanks
Marek Kozubal
kb1ncg@gmail.com
ARES Metro-Boston District Emergency Coordinator
KB1NCG / VA3NCG

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS BEGINNING AT 6 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 2ND 2011 THROUGH NOON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3RD 2011 DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MOBILIZATION DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE MAJOR WINTER SNOW/ICE STORM TO THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION.***
***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON WILL COMMENCE AT 3 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING AND LAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING**

A major winter storm/nor’easter will likely pound the Eastern Massachusetts Section with heavy snow and the potential for damaging accumulations between heavy snow and potential heavy ice accumulations. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for much of the Eastern Massachusetts section. For further specific information on warnings in effect for the section, see the latest Storm Coordination Message link listed below that has greater details on the storm scenario.

http://www.wx1box.org/node/586

We’d like to have ARES personnel assist with SKYWARN reporting of measured snowfall, any changeover in precipitation over the region, snow/ice accumulation and damage reports and by providing damage and storm related pictures where possible. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant storm.

If you have not already done so, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from now through Thursday February 3rd, 2011. This is to support parnter agencies (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) etc.) that are also on some form of standby. Its also noted that Connecticut ARES has moved to stand-by mode for Wednesday Morning at 6 AM.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator   
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

 

The Cape and Islands ARES district will hold a winter exercise on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 10 AM to 12 PM.

According to Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, the group will set up an outside field station and operate on 2 meter FM, 6M repeater, FM and SSB. They will also operate on 3.925 and 7.232 MHz using NVIS.

[Full story]

Hello to all,

My apologies for the late posting due to the winter storm that hit the region at the end of this week. If you have time this weekend, please participate in the Cape and Islands ARES district exercise being held this Saturday from 10 AM through Noon. Feel free to contact Cape Cod ARES as listed on the timeline in the document at the link below and here is Frank O’Laughlin-WQ1O Cape Cod ARES DEC messasge on the exercise:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/CCARESdrill_42Doc01-16-11.pdf

Cape and Islands ARES district will be holding its winter exercise this Saturday from 10am-12pm. We will be setting up an outside field station and operating on 2 meter FM, 6M repeater, FM and SSB. We will also be on 75m at 3925khz and 40m at 7232khz using NVIS configuration. I have attached the exercise document and station operational timeline. Please feel free to contact us as listed on the timeline.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

73’ Frank WQ1O
Cape and Islands ARES DEC

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator    
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

 

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS BEGINNING AT 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING JANUARY 12TH 2011 THROUGH NOON THURSDAY JANUARY 13TH 2011 DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MOBILIZATION DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE MAJOR WINTER STORM/BLIZZARD TO THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION.***
***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON WILL COMMENCE AT 3 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING AND LAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING**

A major winter storm/nor’easter will likely pound the Eastern Massachusetts Section with heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and strong to damaging winds with the strong to damaging winds particularly affecting coastal areas. Blizzard/Winter Storm/High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the Eastern Massachusetts section. For further specific information on warnings in effect for the section, see the latest Blizzard Coordination Message link listed below that has greater details on the storm scenario.

http://www.wx1box.org/node/498

We’d like to have ARES personnel assist with SKYWARN reporting of measured snowfall, any changeover in precipitation in extreme Southeast Massachusetts, snow/wind damage reports and by providing damage and storm related pictures where possible. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant storm.

If you have not already done so, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from now through Thursday January 13th, 2011. This is to support parnter agencies (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) etc.) that are also on some form of standby. The Massachusetts State EOC and its regional offices are in a partial activation mode with RACES staffing at the State EOC and certain regional offices.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator   
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS BEGINNING AT 5 PM EDT SUNDAY AFTERNOON DECEMBER 26TH 2010 THROUGH MONDAY EVENING DECEMBER 27TH 2010 DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MOBILIZATION DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE MAJOR WINTER STORM/BLIZZARD TO THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION.***
***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON WILL COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 3 PM SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND LAST THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS AND INTO MONDAY EVENING**

A major winter storm/nor’easter will likely pound the Eastern Massachusetts Section with heavy snow, blizzard conditions, damaging winds and the threat for a widespread moderate to isolated pockets of severe coastal flooding event over the area. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for the entire section except for Cape Cod and the Islands from Noon Sunday to 6 PM Monday for 15-20” of snow with isolated 24” amounts and winds sustained at 30-40 MPH with higher gusts to 60 MPH likely and even higher wind gusts possible.. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard for Sunday Afternoon into Monday Afternoon for 6” or more of snow though rain could mix in at these locations. A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island late Sunday Night through Monday Afternoon. Below is the latest Blizzard Coordination Message with greater details on the storm scenario.

http://www.wx1box.org/node/467

We’d like to have ARES personnel assist with SKYWARN reporting of measured snowfall, any changeover in precipitation in extreme Southeast Massachusetts, wind damage reports and coastal flood reports and by providing damage/flood pictures where possible. Some of the most severe impact will happen overnight so overnight reporting would also be very helpful. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant storm.

If you have not already done so, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from now through Thursday December 30th, 2010. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army and hospitals as required.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator   
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org