Barnstable ARC Members Provided EmComm At Shelters

Barnstable ARC logoBarnstable Amateur Radio Club members were active with the Cape and Islands ARES call-up.  “They were the primary operators at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich,  and the Barnstable Intermediate School in Barnstable,” reports Barnstable ARC president Mark Petruzzi, WA1EXA. Both of the locations were opened to shelter individuals affected by the nor’easters that struck Cape Cod. The BARC members provided 90 hours of communication services during the storms.

ARES ending Stand-By and Active Service 1500 March 15th, 2018

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/15/ares-stand-by-ends-20180315/

*** EFFECTIVE AT 1500 THURSDAY MARCH 15TH ARES WILL END STAND-BY AND ACTIVE OPERATIONS ***

The ARES leadership would like to thank all the amateur operators who volunteered their time and equipment during this last major blizzard. Operations on Cape Cod covered 7 operators across the Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) and 3 active shelter locations. Operations included overnight operations as nearly 200,000 customers were without power, AT&T cell service was down, as well as numerous tree and wire damage. ARES would also like to thank the amateurs who volunteered for the ARESMAT to the Cape and provided your support to the operations. The HF net was active during the storm and was active from 0600 Tuesday through 2300 Tuesday on 75 meters.

Additionally everyone’s SKYWARN reports that made it to the SKYWARN operations center at the NWS Taunton office were of tremendous value and help give a broadened situational awareness across the region to this storm. Storm totals topped out at 25.5 inches in Dracut, MA. Snow fall rates hit 3-4 inches/hour in multiple areas. Wind gusts hit 88 MPH at Davis at Otis AFB, 81 on Nantucket, 76 at the Barnstable County EOC, and 75 MPH at Woods Hole, MA.

If anyone has pictures from this storm please send them to pics@nsradio.org to be included in the SKYWARN photo album and for damage assessment. Please include picture credit, date/time taken, and location.

Thanks again to all the amateurs who helped out and stood by on various repeaters to allow the ARES and SKYWARN nets to pass their traffic and to the clubs and organizations that maintain our repeater network in Eastern Massachusetts.

Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA ARES SEC
kb1ncg@arrl.net

ARESMAT Requested for Cape Cod Shelter Support for March 13th

*** ARES SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR SHELTERS ON CAPE COD ***

At the current time three shelters are being opened on Cape Cod and an ARES Mutual Aid Team (ARESMAT) has been requested for Cape Cod support. There are wide spread outages with AT&T cellular service, power outages covering approximately 125,000 customers, etc. Communications support is requested for the Sandwich, MA and Barnstable, MA shelters and it is possible a fourth shelter will open Wednesday that may also need ARESMAT support.

If you are available to help with the shelter in Sandwich, MA or Barnstable, MA for this evening’s overnight or possibly other locations on the Cape please email blizzard@nsradio.org, with your availability for tonight and tomorrow, what equipment you are able to bring, and what ability to travel to the Cape you have.

We are currently looking for volunteers for this evening overnight and planning for the possibility of continued operations Wednesday.

Do not self-deploy, please only respond to requests for support from ARES leadership. ARES leadership will tell you where to go and who to contact when you arrive.

Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA ARES SEC

EMA ARES on Stand-By for Coastal Blizzard Starting 2300 Monday March 12th

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/12/ares-standby-20180312/

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 2300 MONDAY, MARCH 12TH UNTIL CANCELED DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECAST COASTAL STORM AND BLIZZARD ***

*** BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2300 MONDAY EVENING THROUGH 2000 TUESDAY EVENING FOR EASTERN ESSEX, PLYMOUTH, BARNSTABLE, AND DUKES COUNTIES FOR 10-18 INCHES OF SNOW WITH ISOLATED 20+ INCH AMOUNTS WITH 30-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 65+ MPH ***

 

*** SNOW IN THE BLIZZARD WARNING AREA IS LIKELY TO BE HEAVY AND WET WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD RESULT IN ISOLATED TO SCATTERED POCKETS OF TREE AND WIRE DAMAGE AND SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***

 

*** WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS FROM 2300 MONDAY TO 2000 TUESDAY FOR 10-18+ INCHES OF SNOW WITH WINDS 20-30 GUSTING TO 50-55+ MPH ***

 

*** SNOW IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN ARES OF THE WINTER STORM WARNING COULD BE WET AND HEAVY WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD RESULT IN ISOLATED TO SCATTERED POCKETS OF TREE AND WIRE DAMAGE AND SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***

 

*** COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 0800 TUESDAY TO 1200 TUESDAY FOR EASTERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY, CAPE COD,  NANTUCKET, EASTERN ESSEX, AND DUKES COUNTY FOR MINOR COASTAL FLOODING DURING THE HIGH TIDE CYCLE ***

 

*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AROUND 0400 TUESDAY ***

A major storm will be impacting the region Monday evening through Tuesday evening. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a powerful coastal storm which will bring blizzard conditions along the coastal parts of Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Across the region 12-18 inches of snow is forecast with isolated amounts reaching 20+ inches. The snow may be wet and heavy causing additional strain on already weakened trees and infrastructure from the previous two Nor’Easters especially in the eastern and southern areas of the warning area. Some coastal flooding is expected during the Noon Tuesday high tide cycle. A high wind warning is also in effect for Nantucket for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 65 MPH.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; change over to snow; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The Cape Cod MACC (Multi-Agency Coordination Center) will be operating starting around 0600 Tuesday. Nets will be run on 146.955- PL88.5 Dennis repeater. The ARES HF net will also be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour starting at 0600 Tuesday. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4054

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime over the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) 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://ema.arrl.org/ares 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. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated blizzard. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to blizzard@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,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

EMA ARES Ends Stand-By Status

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES ENDS ITS STAND-BY STATUS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ***
The Eastern MA ARES staff would like to thank all the amateur radio volunteers who supplied their availability and for those who helped out during the back-to-back severe weather events that impacted the section. Everyone’s SKYWARN reports greatly helped expand the situational awareness for the National Weather Service, MEMA, the cities and towns, and media for coverage of these significant events.
At the peak of the first storm there were 450,000+ customers without power and various shelters and warming centers opened across the section. As of this note there remains about 66,000 customers without power but service is expected to be restored by the end of day Sunday at the latest.
SKYWARN operations were conducted at the National Weather Service office in Taunton, MA and photo albums have been made for both storms:
The ARES and SKYWARN staff are keeping an eye on a possible storm in the Monday/Tuesday timeframe. However it is too early to say what this storm might bring to the region.
Thanks again to all the operators and spotters who helped collect information and aid with communications during these severe winter storms.
Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
Eastern MA ARES SEC

ARES Stand-By Update for Wednesday Winter Storm

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/05/ares-standby-update/

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES CONTINUES TO BE ON STAND-BY FOR THE SECTION DUE TO LINGERING DAMAGE FROM LAST WEEKENDS STORM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR WEDNESDAY’S STORM TO INTERFERE WITH REPAIR CREWS AND HIGHER IMPACT TO WEAKENED INFRASTRUCTURE ***
*** WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING FOR NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES AND REGIONS NORTH FOR 6″+ OF SNOW ***
*** STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS UP TO 50+ MPH ARE POSSIBLE WHICH COULD HAVE HIGHTENED IMPACT ON WEAKENED TREES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ***
*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON ARE LIKELY, UPDATED SKYWARN MESSAGE WILL BE POSTED LATER THIS EVENING ***

A major storm impacted the region Friday morning through Saturday. As crews continue to repair the damage from that storm another storm will impact the region on Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Various shelters across the region have been closing as of Monday morning, however with the risk of increased damage from this upcoming storm it is possible more shelters and warming centers will be needed. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a significant snow fall event of 6-12″+ of heavy wet snow, especially in the northern part of the section. Trees and various infrastructure are still in a weakened state, with the possibility of heavy snow combined with moderate winds there is a higher risk for impactful damage. The location of the rain/snow line is still uncertain and will greatly affect how much snow impacts the region as well as where the maximum snow will hit.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; snow amounts; precipitation type; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The ARES HF net will be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4047

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime through the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) 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://ema.arrl.org/ares 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. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated storm. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to blizzard@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,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

Monthly EMA ARES Net 3/5 8:30pm

*** NOTICE ***
The standard RACES nets on the first business Monday of the month have been canceled due to on going operations supporting clean up after the severe coastal storm last weekend.

The monthly ARES net however will go on as scheduled. ARES remains in a stand-by operational state as clean up continues and another storm is predicted to impact the region on Wednesday. A separate stand-by update notice will be sent out later this evening.

*** Standard monthly notice continues below with RACES net information removed. ***

Hello to all…

We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in March. The monthly ARES Net for March is Monday the 5th, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator

EMA ARES on Stand-By for Major Costal Storm Starting 0900 Friday March 2nd

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 0900 FRIDAY, MARCH 2ND UNTIL CANCELED DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED COASTAL STORM ***
*** COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR EAST COASTAL MASSACHUSETTS INCLUDING CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO 3 AM SUNDAY FOR THE POTENTIAL OF MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING OVER MULTIPLE HIGH TIDE CYCLES ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM SATURDAY FOR NORFOLK, BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES FOR 20-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 70+ MPH ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM SATURDAY FOR CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS FOR 30-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 75+ ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM SATURDAY FOR MIDDLESEX AND ESSEX COUNTIES FOR 25-35 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 65+ ***
*** THESE WINDS WILL CAUSE SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS TREE AND WIRE DAMANGE WITH POSSIABLE POWER OUTAGES ***
*** A WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 4 AM SATURDAY FOR NORTHERN MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR 4-7″ OF SNOW, WITH AMOUNTS TO 10″ POSSIBLE ***
*** ANY SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AND WET AND COUPLED WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD DOWN SCATTERED TREES AND POWER LINES CAUSING SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***
*** THE AMOUNT AND CHANGE OVER TO SNOW REMAINS LOW CONFIDENCE AND SNOWS AMOUNTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO REVISION ***
*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AROUND 0800 FRIDAY ***

A major storm will be impacting the region Friday morning through Saturday. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a powerful and long duration coastal storm which will bring during multiple high tide cycles significant major coastal flooding to East Coastal Massachusetts along with the potential for strong to damaging winds including hurricane force wind gusts for Cape Cod and the Islands, heavy rainfall (up to 3-4″) that could lead to urban, poor drainage, and potentially river and stream flooding, and rain changing to snow with the potential for significant snow accumulations in portions of interior Southern New England. The potential for heavy snow remains the lowest confidence portion of the forecast.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; change over to snow; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The Cape Cod MACC (Multi-Agency Coordination Center) will be operating starting around 0900 Friday. Nets will be run on 146.955- PL88.5 Dennis repeater. The ARES HF net will also be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4045

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime over the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) 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://ema.arrl.org/ares 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. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated blizzard. 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,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

MEMA Hosts Unified Command Center (UCC) for Both Marathons

Hello to all….

The following announcement came from Massachusetts State RACES Radio officer, Tom Kinhan-N1CPE from MEMA Public Information Officer, Peter Judge:

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
_____________________________

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
400 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702-5399
Tel: 508-820-2000 Fax: 508-820-2030
Website: www.mass.gov/mema

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Judge, MEMA PIO
April 18, 2008 (508) 820-2002

MEMA HOSTS UCC FOR BOTH MARATHONS
SEOC To Be Activated For Olympic Trials & Boston Marathon

FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Headquarters in Framingham will be the site of the Unified Command Center (UCC) for Sunday’s U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials and Monday’s 112th running of the Boston Marathon. The UCC, located at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), will be activated and fully operational on Sunday, April 20th at 7:00AM for the Olympic Trials and again on Monday at 7:00AM, remaining operational until at least 7:00PM on Monday, April 21st. This is the seventh straight year that these extensive steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of participants and spectators along the 26.2-mile course.

The purpose of the UCC is to bring together key organizations for decision-making, communication and support. Medical issues are a key focus again this year, as demonstrated by the detailed planning of this year’s Boston Marathon Medical Subcommittee with extensive outreach to the Commonwealth’s medical community, area hospitals and private ambulance services. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Boston Athletic Association Medical Team and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health helped raise medical preparedness and its coordination to an unprecedented level by again co-sponsoring the annual Boston Marathon Medical Seminar, which was held at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Over 200 volunteer medical personnel attended this year’s event.

Over 80 individuals from the local communities involved with the Boston Marathon, as well as State and Federal Public Safety agencies, organizations and departments are expected to be represented at the SEOC on Patriots’ Day. The UCC monitors the ‘Big Picture’ and rapidly and efficiently responds to situations as they arise. The UCC, through MEMA’s WebEOC technology has the capability of displaying real time messages, weather data, maps, and logs, exchanging information to users both inside and outside the UCC. The UCC had dedicated hard-line telephones and access to 800 MHz, Public Safety radios, backup amateur radios (RACES) and numerous types of wireless communication to support the event and ensure immediate two-way communication. The Incident Command System (ICS) will again be utilized to organize and coordinate activities in the UCC and the field.

The Department of Public Health will again coordinate the use of an innovative ‘runner/patient tracking system’, utilizing barcodes on the runner’s bibs and scores of hand-held devises along the course to track everything from the location of any runner or spectator receiving medical assistance or transport to the number and severity of medical issues that are occurring along the course. The Boston Marathon offers a first ‘real-life’ event utilizing this technology that presents numerous potential benefits during a Mass Casualty Emergency.

Key liaisons in the UCC will represent Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Service and Emergency Management departments from the municipalities which host the event – Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston. The various other agencies and organizations in the UCC, under the leadership of MEMA Director Don Boyce, include the Executive Office of Public Safety, Boston Athletic Association, MA State Police, MA National Guard, MA Department of Public Health, MA Department of Fire Services, MA Bay Transit Authority, MA Turnpike Authority, MA Highway Department, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, American Red Cross, RACES/ARES (amateur radio volunteers), local hospitals and private ambulance services.

WHAT: 2008 U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials UCC
WHEN: Sunday, April 20, 2008, 7:00AM to at least Mid-day

WHAT: 2008 Boston Marathon UCC
WHEN: Monday, April 21, 2008, 7:00AM to at least 7:00PM
WHERE: The SEOC located at MEMA Headquarters, 400 Worcester Road (Rte. 9) Framingham, MA

WHY: To ensure the safety & security of Marathon participants & spectators

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and All Hazard Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

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Eastern Mass. ARES Stand-By Activation Sunday into Monday

Hello to all….

….Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Activation Requested due to Major Nor’easter and some localized requests for Amateur Radio support for the Nor’easter and with large Amateur presence for the Boston Marathon for Monday…
….Stand-By ARES Activation to start Sunday Morning and last into Monday Afternoon/Evening with the time frame to be better defined Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning and updated through the ARES web site….

It is hard to believe as I write this request on Saturday 4/14 that we are expecting a powerful nor’easter. It is a beautiful Saturday with temperatures around 50 degrees and its one of the nicer days we have had in some time in our region.

Nonetheless, a major nor’easter is expected to bring a variety of weather threats to the region Sunday into Monday with the worst of the conditions Sunday and some level of residual impact on Monday. Please refer to Storm Coordination Messages that are posted on the NWS Taunton SKYWARN web site for the weather details at the following link:

http://www.wx1box.org/

While the worst of the storm seems centered around Sunday and we would typically wait a bit longer to go into stand-by mode, with many Amateurs preparing to support the Boston Marathon Monday and the fact that there have been a couple requests for support from served agencies for the nor’easter, now seems a good time to alert people to the storm and place ARES in stand-by mode in case a worst case scenario storm occurs and the storm causes a lot of problems while the Marathon is taking place.

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 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, Given this is a weather situation, ARES folks are asked to support the SKYWARN program with reports per the reporting criteria and monitor SKYWARN frequencies. The wx1box.org web site has the reporting criteria and frequencies available for review.

Any general Amateurs assigned to volunteer for the Boston Marathon should fulfill their commitment unless their safety/health/physical condition will be affected by the rainy, raw conditions. Any ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Amateurs assigned to volunteer for the Boston Marathon should fulfill that assignment unless called back by their ARES EC or DEC, RACES Radio Officer or EMA Director or if you feel your safety/health/physical condition will be severely affected by the rainy and raw conditions that are expected.

Given the race is expected to go on and conditions will be less than ideal but not as bad as initially thought at this time, the role of Amateurs in the marathon is even more important to protect the runners and be ready to do ambulance requests. The ARES stand-by mode is to get Amateurs that will not be at the Marathon monitoring to support storm operations for SKYWARN and ARES mobilization with little impact to the Amateurs already assigned to the Boston Marathon.

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.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Eastern Mass ARES/RACES Groups Monitoring Danvers Major Chemical Explosion

Hello to all….

Eastern Massachusetts ARES and RACES has been closely monitoring the situation in Danvers, Massachusetts concerning the chemical explosion. At this time, no requests for assistance have been received and an informal net continues on the 145.47 NSRA Danvers Repeater. ARRL Headquarters has been notified and has posted an article and the link is posted below:

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/11/22/100/?nc=1

Please monitor the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site, http://ares.ema.arrl.org for further updates and changes as required. Thanks to all for their continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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