EMA Simulated Emergency Test Nov. 9, 2002

Call for EMA 2002 SET Players
Please discuss with your Clubs

Subject: [mras_general] Call for EMA 2002 SET Players
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 21:55:46 -0400
From: “Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN”
To: “Mass RAS General”

Greetings to all…

I am pleased to announce the EMA section will hold the annual Section Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday November 9, 2002. As most of you know, the League requires at least one emergency communication exercise per year. These exercises may be accomplished on a local, district, and section level. Additional exercises can be held at any time by any of those leaders. For example, our Cape Cod and Islands District has already held 10 exercises just this year!

The theme this year will be functionality of mobile emergency communication teams, formed in each district in EMA. Our districts run roughly along county lines, headed by a DEC, but also can include important geographical areas like the North Shore (including Cape Ann), South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands. Teams will be formed using ARES members, and teams that are already formed in clubs are invited to participate as well.

These teams will be tasked to solve a communications problem created by an emergency of some kind (we’ll decide that later) away from their base of operations. Once the problem is revealed, they’ll have to get out there, set up communications with emergency power (mobile only allowed on the way) and to use simplex on at least primary frequencies. We want these teams to pass traffic to their DEC and other teams in their district, as well as any other districts. Short haul HF will be requested by some teams using conventional HF and NVIS methods. Mode selection on VHF/UHF/HF will at the discretion of team leaders, as the goal is to successfully pass traffic from the problem site.

Please do a follow up with your DEC. Details are now just being worked out. Our website www.emaares.com will continually have more information, so please check it often. Please also join the Mass/RACES/ARES/SKYWARN General Yahoo group for messages, if you have not already done so, in order to receive any updates and information.

RACES involvement this year will be limited to participation by each Regional RACES Officer and State RACES comms, meaning Terry in Region 1, Tom [Kinahan, N1CPE] in the big bunker, and Bob Mims, Sr. [WA1OEZ]in the Bridgewater bunker. It is unlikely that individual towns will participate. We’re asking them to receive reports and to task at one of the teams in their region (through the DEC) to solve a problem similar to that described above. That problem will be known only to the RACES officer until SET day.

Tactical communication (ham to ham) will be allowed only for contact and coordination. All traffic passed to solve the problem requires record format using NTS. So if you’re a bit rusty on NTS or net procedures, please plan to attend one the NTS classes being offered this fall to be held in October and November. You might also consider joining us at the ARES Workshop to be held in Attleboro on 10/26, to review some of the field procedures. [See the Calendar listings in the latest newsletter or net report for full training listings.]

We think it will be very good practice for all, and a lot of fun. I hope you will join us. In the meantime, please discuss participating at your next club meeting next month. Please also consider participating as an ARES member in an ARES team. We are also looking for team leaders, so sing out! Please follow up with your EC or DEC for any additional questions you may have.

For your convenience, we’ve broken down the [EMA] club list by EMA ARES District [below on the district directory webpage].

EMA ARES Emergency Communication Workshop, October 26th

Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (ARES) will put on its Emergency Communication Workshop Saturday October 26th, 2002 from 9 AM-4 PM at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts. It will be held in the Sturdy Memorial Rice-Webb Auditorium which has an outside entrance from the rear parking lot behind the Emergency Room. The workshop is being hosted by the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio Club, its Emergency Communications Team and Sturdy Memorial Hospital working in conjunction with Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Amateur Operators from both Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are welcome to attend this workshop.

This Emergency Communications Workshop will provide the background and information to serve Amateur Radio Operators when they need to respond to a communications emergency. It will feature an Introduction and Conclusion to Emergency Communications, and five 1-hour training sessions on topics including:

Introduction
Net Operations I (Tactical Message Handling for ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Nets)
Net Operations II
NTS Traffic Message Handling
Basic ICS
Go Kits

This training will also feature a 1 hour lunch that will be provided at no coerced cost to any Amateur who attends the session.

The presentations will be given by other Amateur Operators well versed in the topics listed above. The training will be a worthwhile endeavor not just for emergency communicators but for anyone who is an amateur radio operator, and wants to learn more about the hobby.

Preregistration is requested but is not required in case anyone would like to attend at the last minute. If you preregister, please try to do so by Monday October 21st, 2002 so that we can get an approximate head count. We will, however, accept any preregistrations after that day or any walk-ins as long as space permits.

Directions to the Sturdy Memorial Hospital as provided by the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Web Site: [Read if desired ]

From the Boston Area:

Route 95 south to Exit 5 (North Attleboro). Left and follow to lights on North Main Street (Route 152). Right on North Main and follow to traffic light/Park Street. Left onto Park Street (Route 118). Straight on Park to HOSPITAL.

From the Providence Area:

Route 95 north to Exit 3 (Attleboro). Right to South Avenue (Route 123). Left at second lights onto County Street (Route 123). Follow County to Park Street (Route 118). Straight on Park to HOSPITAL.

From Interstate 295:

Follow Route 295 north to Route 95 south to Exit 3 (Attleboro). Follow Providence area directions above.

From Interstate 495 (North or South):

Follow Interstate 495 to Exit 10 (Norton). Follow Route 123 west to Attleboro Center. Follow signs around island to Park Street (Route 118). Straight on Park to HOSPITAL.

From Rehoboth:

Take Route 118 north to Emory Street (one way intersection). Follow Emory to Brook Street. Left on Brook to Park Street (Route 118). Left on Park to HOSPITAL.

From Route 140 (North and South):

Turn onto Route 123 (Norton Center). Follow Route 123 west to Attleboro Center. Follow signs around island to Park Street (Route 118). Straight on Park to HOSPITAL.

From Seekonk:

Take Route 152 north to Attleboro Center. Right onto Park Street (Route 118). Follow Park straight to HOSPITAL.

Signs will be posted directing you to the Auditorium. Talk-in will be on the 147.195/147.795 PL: 100.0 Attleboro W1SMH Repeater.

For any additional information and to preregister for the workshop, please contact:

W1MPN/SEC, Mike Neilsen by email w1mpn@arrl.net
W3EVE/DEC-Training, Steve Schwarm by email w3eve@amsat.org
KD1CY/DEC-South-Shore, Rob Macedo by email rmacedo@rcn.com

or your local DEC

This training should be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone interested in learning more about emergency communications and amateur radio in general.

Announcement contributed by Rob, KD1CY

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail

NYC Recovery Retrospective

On the occasion that is the eve marking the anniversary of the most deadly
attack on our nation, September 11, 2001, I want to take a moment to
recognize the heroes in our community. Before I continue with that message,
however, I believe it is important that we not forget the death and
suffering of the victims and rescuers, and to recognize those of you reading
this message that have suffered the loss of friends and family one year ago
in NYC, or the Pentagon… Much has been said about the heroic efforts of professional public safety
personnel, individual citizens, and our public officials on that day. More
eloquent voices than mine have documented the monumental efforts of the
rescue crews, and the sacrifice and contribution of the thousands of
volunteers who helped with the recovery. I will not try to add to that
chorus.

I would, however, like to talk about some of those recovery volunteers;
Amateur Radio operators. They came from all over the nation, but
particularly from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Most came from the
ARES community, but also individuals and teams from Amateur Radio clubs
participated. Subtle, but important support for their efforts was also
garnered from family and employers. We (EMA) proudly sent two teams of
volunteers to the New York City recovery area (a.k.a “ground zero”), after
it was certain that we would not be needed in our home community. It is my
distinct honor to acknowledge the efforts of our volunteers in that mutual
assistance team effort.

Within an hour after the attack, ARES volunteers and key club individuals
help activate every important repeater and network throughout EMA, as we
tried to ascertain if the attack was extended to Boston. Phone and cell
phone service was crippled at the time, but as we were to learn that
afternoon, from the public overwhelming it and not from battle damage.

Once the situation had clarified itself, the ARES DEC staff and other key
ARES members swung into action. We had assistance from several clubs,
including a complete Emergency Radio Team from the Boston Amateur Radio Club
(BARC). The situation was chaotic down there, and it took the better part
of two days to get it figured out. My able partner was in this early effort
was Paul Vanasse, W1PEV, of RI. Paul assumed “command” of the RI effort and
worked together with me to send a contingent of MA and RI hams to the area,
once the particulars of logistics and security could be worked out. We
shared information, intelligence, and honed our strategy until the winning
one was arrived at. Those of you, who know Paul, know that he is man of
energy and determination, as well as having a pleasant and positive
attitude.

On our end, I needed someone to lead our team to the area. He had to be an
ARES “professional”, and available. That was Steve Schwarm, W3EVE, thanks
in part to his employer, EMC, and his family. Steve has years of public
service experience as a ham, and has held various positions in the ARRL
field program. Steve also has experience working with such groups as his
church and the Boy Scouts, and has such understands how to motivate support
in clubs etc. Steve organized a superb team of experienced hams, including
such veterans as Middlesex DEC Ed, N1VSJ, and former Norfolk/Bristol DEC,
Lou, N1UEC. Lou brought his formidable technical talents to bear in the
face of what was originally characterized as “electronic hell” by the LI/NYC
SEC. I also had a most able logistic assistant, Bob Salow, WA1IDA, in
obtaining much needed safety supplies for our deploying volunteers.

It is just as important the note the dedication (“courage”) of the other DEC
’s to remain in our home area. All wanted to go, but they realized that
they might be needed to respond to any possible additional attack in our
home area. Since the attack occurred in the zenith of the hurricane season,
Rob, KD1CY, was needed to respond to any weather exigency. Since the most
vulnerable area to hurricanes is Cape Cod and the Islands, Frank’s WQ1O,
continued presence there was crucial. This was all happening just a few
days after the attack, and we did not know if Boston was next. That is why
it was important to have Bill, N1VUX in place in the city, and he also
worked tirelessly on the website keeping everyone informed.

Finally, I want to again thank those ARES members who went to the NYC area,
performing so well that I received several phone calls and emails praising
our effort. Your readiness, preparation, and dedication were amply evident
to those we served. We even had a complete team in reserve, ready to deploy
to the area for a period in the October timeframe, headed by Carl,N1FY.
Although they were ultimately not needed, their effort to get ready and
remain in standby is very noteworthy.

For those who have been ARES members for years, and those of you who have
just joined us, thanks for being there! My best to you and your family.

73.

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail

July/August EMA ARES newsletter

The July/August EMA ARES newsletter is posted to
http://www.emaares.com/Newsletters/Newsletter-Latest.html *July/August Headlines*
ARES at Boxoboro Convention 8/23-25
— No ARES Net 8/25
Homeland Security Grant Training Set to Start September 1

Hurricane Season * Cape Cod Drill #9, #10
Skywarn Training Session at MIT a success (2002-07-28) Skywarn
Activations — July 23rd Outbreak included a Tornado/Downburst NWS
Taunton Now Has WX1BOX Call-Sign to be Used in All Future NWS Ham Ops

* ARES News from ARRL Letter*
Homeland Security Grant Training Set to Start September 1
Bulletin listings of ARES/RACES Responses nationwide

* Every Month*
Calendar: PSE, Training, Drill
Website updates

Bridgewater Town of Selectmen Proclaim “MARA Day”

The Massasoit Amateur Radio Association was recognized by the Bridgewater Town of Selectman in a special proclamation on March 20.  Noting the club’s “technical and communications expertise” to the emergency management department, police, and fire departments, they declared March 20, 2001 as “MARA Day.”

image of Bridgewater Town of Selectmen Proclaim "MARA Day"