Tag: #skywarn

Hello to all from your EMA ARES SEC.

There are a number of activities coming up in the next few weeks so I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of them.

1) Our neighbors in NH are having a SET exercise on November 5th from 0800-1300 and are interested in out of area stations on HF, and VHF/UHF if you can reach them to simulate ARESMAT activities.
Details: http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/733
ARES NH web site: http://www.nh-ares.org/

2) Our military counterparts, MARS, will be having an exercise from 10/30 – 11/1.
Details: http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/734
Webinar (11/25 2000 ET): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4300481724544982273
Facebook Event for Webinar: https://www.facebook.com/events/111916665942194/

3) During the NH ARES SET the Eastern MA hospital net will be happening at its usual time on 11/5 at 1000. Details will be posted on these lists.

4) The monthly ARES net on the MMRA system will be on 11/7 at 2030. We will be continuning our added traffic passing of infrastructure reports (including all okay reports) and ATIS/aviation weather data relayed from stations that can hear their local airport weather stations over RF. This information will be relayed to MARS and Skywarn as a practice of passing situational awareness traffic. More details will be in the ARES Net reminder, or see last months ARES net reminder.

Thank you.
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
Eastern MA ARES SEC
kb1ncg@arrl.net

Hello to all…

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 10:00AM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8 THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED WINTER STORM/BLIZZARD ***

*** BLIZZARD WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR PLYMOUTH COUNTY, THE CAPE AND ISLANDS, AND A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE REST OF EASTERN MA AND RI ***

*** PRIMARY AREA OF CONCERN IS SOUTH OF BOSTON, HOWEVER RESOURCES MIGHT BE NEEDED FROM OTHER AREAS TO SUPPORT THE SOUTH SHORE ***

*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AROUND 6:00AM MONDAY ***

With 8700 still without power in eastern Massachusetts and the effects of storm weakened utility lines and trees from last Friday’s storm there exists the potential of major power outages and additional damage across the region on Monday. There is a high confidence of blizzard conditions across southeast MA and the Cape/Islands and of at least scattered power outages in southeast MA. The greatest uncertainty currently is snow amounts west of the I-95 corridor into central MA, as a westward shift in the storm path could bring significant snowfall to the area.

Northeast wind gusts to 50–70 mph possible across Plymouth county, and the Cape and Islands with gusts to 35 mph further inland across the I-95 corridor. Pockets of moderate coastal flooding likely during late Monday morning high tide along the coast south of Boston to Nantucket. Minor costal flooding possible north of Boston through coastal Essex county.

Snow will develop along the south coast and Cape/Islands well after midnight, reaching Boston to Providence before daybreak. Heaviest snow Monday morning into early afternoon with rates of 1–2 inches per hour at times.

For further meteorological updates, including the latest Storm Coordination Message, 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 (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 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. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section (specifically East Coastal and Southeast Mass/Cape Cod) as this area looks to be particularly hardest hit by 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 – KC1DAB – kc1dab@gmail.com

Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net

Bristol County – KA1RSY – ka1rsy@comcast.net

Plymouth County – KA1RSY – ka1rsy@comcast.net

Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.net

A special mobilization of EMA ARES personnel who are not involved with the operation of the event.  Details are in the document via the link below:

Many thanks in advance for your help

******************************************************************

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 6:00PM MONDAY, JANUARY 26 THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED BLIZZARD***
***BLIZZARD WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN MA COAST AND CAPE COD/MARTHAS VINEYARD FROM 7:00PM MONDAY THOUGH 1:00AM WEDNESDAY.  WINTER STORM WARNINGS/HIGH WIND WARNINGS UP FOR NANTUCKET***
***COASTAL FLOOD WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN MA COASTLINE INCLUDING CAPE AND ISLANDS FOR THE TUESDAY MORNING HIGH TIDE.  POCKETS OF MODERATE-MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING POSSIBLE.
***WIND GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE POSSIBLE ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST***
***SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AT 6:00PM MONDAY***

Models have begun to consolidate on a trend which brings a period of heavy snow and strong winds to the region starting late tomorrow afternoon/evening and continuing through Tuesday.  Snowfall accumulation of 24-30 inches is possible across much of Eastern Massachusetts with 10-18 inches possible across the Cape/Islands.  Isolated higher amounts are possible depending on where the heaviest snow band set up over the area.

Wind speeds in the blizzard warning area are forecasted to increase to 25-35mph sustained with gusts possibly reaching hurricane force (60-70mph), especially along the immediate coast per the latest forecast.  Winds of this magnitude combined with the weight of the snowfall may cause power outages along with pockets of scattered damage.  Travel during the storm is not recommended.  For further meteorological updates, including the latest Blizzard Coordination Message, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org

A coastal flood warning is also in effect for pockets of moderate to potentially major coastal flooding along the Eastern MA coastline.  High tide is anticipated at 5am Tuesday morning, and another high tide at 5pm Tuesday evening.

Preparations should be completed by early this evening based on the latest forecasts, and again to repeat, travel is not recommended once the storm has begun.

Storm pictures and video of snowfall measurements, wind and coastal damage will be very helpful for situational awareness/disaster intelligence purposes benefiting the National Weather Service, Emergency Management, the media, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). They can be sent via the WX1BOX Facebook, Twitter feed, or to pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter for the pictures unless otherwise noted. Pictures can be sent during and after the storm. Please do not compromise safety to get these pictures and video.

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime over the weekend. 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. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section (specifically East Coastal and Southeast Mass/Cape Cod) as this area looks to be particularly hardest hit by 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,

Steve Telsey – N1BDA
Acting Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator
North Shore SKYWARN Coordinator

Hello!

We will be holding an all hands meeting, which includes anyone in the Metro-Boston and surrounding areas interested in supporting Metro-Boston ARES, on May 17, 2014 at 10 am.  Current ARES membership is not required! The meeting will be held in the Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 125 Antwerp Street, Brighton, MA.

This meeting will have a slightly different format. The main meeting will start at 11 am, and we will be doing a presentation for the community about what amateur radio is all about from 10 to 11. Anyone from that presentation will be welcome to stay through the main meeting if they’re interested.

A map with parking and bus information can be found at http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/Metro-Boston-ARES-Meeting-Parking.jpg
There is also street parking available on Harvard St.

Please RSVP to myself so we can estimate how many people to prepare for to kb1ncg@gmail.com.

If you have not yet done so our Metro-Boston ARES survey is still open and can be found here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8V26FBB

Our meeting agenda will be:

1.) From 10 – 11 am we will be presenting an introduction to non-hams about what amateur radio is all about. Topics will include basics of the hobby, equipment, getting licensed, emergency, and skywarn operations.
2.) The main ARES meeting will start at 11 am.
3.) Are you prepared for an emergency? We will discuss best practices for your home readiness kit.
4.) So you are an amateur radio operator, what else beyond the standard kits will you want? We’ll discuss radio-centric aspects to prep-kits and go-kits.
5.) Open discussion about future plans, training, and other topics of interest.
6.) Discussions on next meeting dates and topics.

We will be serving coffee and will provide pizza for lunch.

Look forward to seeing you all at the meeting!

Marek Kozubal
Metro-Boston District Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
kb1ncg@gmail.com

Hello to all..

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 21st. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is likely to be the only coordination message on the Marathon unless a significant change in the weather forecast occurs. See information below:

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 21st from 12 AM-8 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 300 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. There will be two backup communication centers including the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net Control Center at the town of Bridgewater EOC.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

With all of the significant security provisions and additional resources being provided for 2014, this should greatly reduce the chance of an issue along the Boston Marathon route. Nonetheless, being one year after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the fact that even more resources are being deployed to the Boston Marathon route, placing Eastern Massachusetts ARES on standby for any possible significant issue along the Boston Marathon route or any issue within the Eastern Massachusetts section outside of the Marathon route is prudent given the situation.

The weather outlook for the Boston Marathon is one that should be favorable for volunteers and slightly warm for the runners. The Weather Forecast across the Boston Marathon is for mostly sunny conditions throughout the day. There will be a 5-10 MPH breeze with isolated higher gusts. Temperatures will range in the mid 30s across the inland portion of the Boston Marathon route to mid-40’s in the Boston area early in the morning warming to the 55-60 degree range by mid to late morning to the mid to upper 60s by afternoon. This means that conditions for the runners should be reasonable with an ‘average’ amount of ambulance requests along the route versus some prior years where warmer weather conditions resulted in some of the highest amounts of ambulance requests since Amateur Radio Operators have handled the event. It is noted that conditions this year are slightly warmer than last year but still fairly comfortable for the runners.

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. No rain is expected at this time so there should be no need for rain gear.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators given the tragedy that occurred at the 2013 Boston Marathon:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/mema/baa-spectator-and-participant-information.pdf

Barring a significant change in the weather forecast, this will be the only coordination message on the Boston Marathon. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

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
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