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American Radio Relay League
Western Pennsylvania Section Emergency Response Plan
General Provisions
Purpose -- The Western Pennsylvania Emergency Response Plan (WPAERP) is a simple
written system and guide to provide a uniform operating system within and among counties in Western PA. It is intended
to be simple and flexible yet being able to provide for your local needs and support. If followed it will guide
you as follows.
1. WPAERP is designed to assure an orderly and efficient communications system for each county and for communications
among counties and the state EOC and with other states if need arises.
2. WPAERP provides section wide notification/activation system to involve our section wide resources should the
need arise. This includes other ARES groups in your district, and in other districts plus the NTS system.
3. WPAERP includes information to activate the WPA section ARES and NTS to set up whatever operations an emergency
would require.
4. WPAERP provides names, telephone numbers, pager numbers and E-mail addresses and fax numbers for key personnel
to facilitate alerting and a phone list for major agencies in each county.
5. WPAERP is an operating outline that, when used for interagency communications, allows every involved agency
to keep abreast of what is occurring within their area.
6. WPAERP may be supplemented with other ARRL publications but please do not deviate from the system established
in the WPAERP.
7. WPAERP is a system for both large and small-scale operations when emergencies arise. It is not intended to be
complicated or specific. It is an operating system on which to base your local emergency plans. It provides a system
for obtaining assistance to local areas and for communicating with other counties, the state EOC, and access to
the National Traffic System (NTS).
Scope -- WPAERP is designed as an operating system
for all levels of the Western Pennsylvania Section ARES. It gives specifics for notification of District and Section
level officials plus County Emergency Coordinators and there assistant/s. County notifications systems for local
ARES personnel should be devised by each Emergency Coordinator to meet their local needs.
Distribution -- WPAERP should be copied and distributed
by DEC's and EC's as required. Every Assistant Emergency Coordinator and key personnel plus the Red Cross Disaster
Chairman of each Red Cross Chapter within the WPA Section and the EMA director of each county should have a copy.
Copies will be made available to the National Weather Service offices covering the WPA Section; State EOC and to
major served agencies.
Basis -- WPAERC is based on operating at the county
level. ARES Emergency Coordinators (EC's) are appointed at the county level with each EC responsible for one county.
For Administrative purposes groups of counties are grouped together to form districts. There are (5) ARES districts
in Western Pennsylvania. (South 1) (South 2) (North 1) (North 2) and (Rapid Response Team). Each District has a
District Emergency Coordinator (DEC). The responsibilities of the EC's and DEC's during emergencies are listed
in detail in the County Emergency Coordinators Guidelines (7-1) and the District Emergency Coordinator guidelines
(6-1).
Alerting -- When an emergency arises the first
knowledge of it is usually at the county level.
1. The immediate response to an emergency is to call up the local ARES members and begin establishing communications.
This may be accomplished by whatever system each EC has in place in their county. As soon as this is accomplished
the EC should inform their DEC and/or SEC of the situation who will notify the WPA Section Manager that ARES resource
has been deployed.
2. Your DEC and SEC should be contacted by phone or pagers if possible. In the event of any disasters all Counties,
the DEC and SEC should monitor 3.983 for updates and information if the local communications are out. For everyone's
assistance the WPASEC roster contains phone numbers, pagers, E-mail address, and Fax numbers and the "List
Serve" to facilitate communicating with them when the need arises.
3. In the event of any widespread communications emergency, every EC, DEC, and the SEC should have an HF station
monitoring 3.983 MHz. / 7.272 MHz.
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American Radio Relay League
Western Pennsylvania Section Emergency Response Plan
Western Pennsylvania ARES Operating System
County System -- The basis for this system is at the County Level. During an emergency,
the EC (Emergency Coordinator) or assistant EC or his delegated appointee will establish a County ARES Net station
from which amateur operations will be controlled and administered. Next, the EC/AEC will assign each served agency
and/or individual area an Field ARES Net station to communicate to the county ARES net and serve as a control for
local operations. These Scene ARES net stations would utilize (2) or more frequencies and operators, one for communications
with the County ARES net and the other(s) for communications with amateurs working for the served agencies. For
organized handling of formal traffic, each county should use one or more Official Relay Stations. These station(s),
a part of the National Traffic System are appointed by the WPA Section Traffic Manager and will operate on the
traffic nets as the ONLY stations(s) to handle traffic for their County and will interface with the County Net
and the Field Net stations. For all operations within the county all "Nets" will utilize one frequency
for inter-station communications, while using separate frequencies for operations on behalf of their served agencies
or groups. The EC/AEC for each County will assign ALL frequencies used in his/her county and will notify the DEC/SEC
of these assignments. In case of conflicts with adjacent Counties, the DEC/SEC will act as a Frequency Coordinator.
Simplex VHF and UHF frequencies should be used for these operations whenever possible. This will keep the area
repeaters available for use by amateur's shadowing officials or providing wide area coverage for an agency requiring
the use of autopatches. All ARES operations within the County will operate under this system.
District System -- The next level to this system
is the District. The DEC of each district will maintain operations on the District ARES net frequency (VHF / UHF)
or on HF (3.983 / 7.272) during all communications emergencies within the district. The DEC and /or SEC will be
in contact with the County Net in each county and also with the SEC and SM at Section Level. All tactical inter-county,
inter-district frequencies will be assigned by the DEC/SEC. All NTS frequencies will be assigned by the NTS Net
Manager or WPA Section Traffic Manager. Any EC needing help from outside his county will contact his DEC/SEC giving
a complete list of the number of operators required, how they should be equipped, where to send them and how long
they will be needed. The DEC/SEC will then decide where to get help from and will contact EC's/AEC's in these areas
to get the required personnel and route them directly to there operating assignments. The DEC/SEC will oversee
operations intra-district communications and aid the EC's where needed. At the Section level the SEC and SM will
oversee operations Section-wide and coordinate the Districts. All intra-section and inter-section frequencies will
be assigned by the SEC or SM. Interaction from Section to Section will be at the Section level unless it is designated
by the SEC or SM to District or County level. All Section Communications for the SM, SEC and DEC's should be taken
to (3.983 / 7.272) or routed via their instructions.
Section System -- The above System is Section-wide
and will be followed during ALL emergency operations involving ARES personnel. All EC's, Assistant EC's and ARES
personnel should be familiar with this System and capable of operating as it prescribes.
Personnel Notification -- The following criteria
should be observed for all call-ups of ARES personnel. Please be sure to notify ALL the proper people as soon as
possible. In the event that a person is not available notify either the alternate or the immediate superior of
that person. This is vital to insure proper operation of Amateur Radio during an Emergency.
| Occurrence |
Notify |
| Public Service Events & Local Drills |
Local ARES personnel |
| Emergency in your County |
Local ARES personnel. DEC and or SEC |
| Emergency Spreading to adjacent county |
DEC and/or SEC and adjacent county EC |
| When you need assistance |
DEC and/or SEC* |
(*) When requesting assistance you will need to know the following information:
1. Number of Amateurs required.
2. How long will assistance be needed (you can estimate this).
3. What kind of equipment will they need?
4. What kind of conditions will they be operating in? |
Logging -- ALL STATIONS WILL MAINTAIN COMPLETE
LOGS
1. All fixed stations operating during an emergency must maintain a complete log of their operations. This log
will contain the TIME of each message, the CALL of the contacted station, MESSAGE CONTENT of the message and the
DATE(s) of operation. A Copy of all FORMAL TRAFFIC will be kept and become part of the log. Each log sheet will
contain the OPERATING CALLSIGN, the location of the station, the call of the operator and be signed by the control
operator.
2. All logs will be kept as part of the ARES records. If an operator requires copies for his/her own log, copies
should be made and the originals remain with the ARES records.
Station Requirements -- County ARES net stations
should if possible, be an existing station that meets the following requirements.
1. They should be located on high ground, be capable of emergency power operations, and have sufficient space to
allow at least (2) operators to operate simultaneously. Again, the use of existing station where possible, will
save setup time. These stations must be able to operate 3.983 / 7.272 and at least 2 uhf/vhf frequencies and are
encouraged to make use of other bands as needed. The EC shall be in direct control of the County ARES net and use
it to control all amateur operations within his jurisdiction. Other equipment at these stations should include
a complete set of maps and adjoining areas plus emergency supplies deemed necessary. County ARES net stations should
be located outside of the disaster area to facilitate access and insure the safety of the operators.
2. Field ARES net stations will be set up at the headquarters of each served agency and at local command posts
in affected areas. These stations shall be capable of operating on at least (2) VHF/UHF frequencies. One of these
frequencies will be used as a link to the county net and other field nets while the other one will be used to communicate
with operators assigned to that served agency (additional frequencies may be added if needed).
3. Official Relay Station should be existing stations that are not in the immediate disaster area. These stations
should be adequately staffed and be able to operate on emergency power and must be capable of operating on 80/40
meters and VHF/UHF frequencies. They will maintain communications with the County Net and other agencies as well
as other local amateurs who can handle Health and Welfare Traffic. One of the main purposes of the Official Relay
Stations is to act as direct links to the SECTION TRAFFIC NETS. During communication emergencies these stations
will handle ALL incoming and outgoing formal traffic.
4. Section and District Level Stations should be existing stations if possible. These stations will be operating
on all HF/VHF/UHF frequencies in their area. Whenever possible there should be back-up equipment for all bands
and modes. These stations should be manned as each situation requires and capable of 24 hour operation for extended
periods if required.
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American Radio Relay League
Western Pennsylvania Section Emergency Response Plan
Health and Welfare Traffic Policy -- Incoming
1. In the first 24 hours following a disaster that interrupts normal communications, WPA Section will observe a
total moratorium on incoming Health and Welfare traffic.
2. County ARES nets should enforce the moratorium on their net session(s) by refusing to list traffic bound for
the disaster area if it bears "Welfare" (w) precedence. It is the responsibility of each Net Manager
(NM) to see that all of their NCS operators understand this policy.
3. NCS should periodically announce on the Net that the moratorium is in effect so that all Net participants are
aware of this policy
4. Any WPA station that receives an H & W message bound for the disaster area should immediately service the
message back to the originating station, with the explanation, "NO OUTLET IN WPA UNTIL (date)". H&W
traffic should not be stockpiled in WPA during the moratorium.
5. The Section Traffic Manager (STM), the Section Manager (SM), or the Assistant Section Manager (ASM) may lift
the moratorium on incoming H & W traffic during the initial 24 hour period if each of three conditions are
met:
a. The STM, SM or ASM judge that the WPA Section Nets are capable of handling the additional traffic
load imposed by incoming H & W traffic without adversely affecting their ability to efficiently move messages
with higher precedence ("Emergency" or " Priority").
b. In consultation with the local EC and traffic handlers in the disaster area, the STM, SM or ASM
determine that resources are available to receive the incoming H & W messages, deliver them and originate messages
in response, all without adversely affecting higher-priority communications in the disaster area.
c. The STM, SM or ASM advises all Section Net Managers of lifting of the moratorium and of the proper
routing of incoming H & W traffic, as determined in consultation with the local EC (or his assignee) or the
DEC/SEC and the traffic handlers in the disaster area.
6. After the initial 24 hour period, the STM (or SM or ASM), the local EC, DEC or SEC and the Net manager of any
local NTS Net will jointly decide whether the moratorium should be continued. This situation will be reviewed at
12-hour intervals until the circumstances allow lifting of the moratorium. Only the Section Traffic Manager, Section
Manager or Assistant Section Manager may officially lift the moratorium and they will do so by advising each Section
Net Manager by radio or telephone.
7. Any incoming H & W traffic, which cannot be delivered within 24 hours of its acceptance in WPA, should be
serviced back to the originating station.
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American Radio Relay League
Western Pennsylvania Section Emergency Response Plan
Rapid Response Team Operations Plan
Purpose -- This plan provides formal guidance
for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Rapid Response Team in the Western Pennsylvania Section of The American
Radio Relay League (ARRL). The purpose of this plan is to implement Part 97.1 of the FCC regulations:
§97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose
as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial
communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. |
Concept of Operations -- It is recognized that widespread
emergencies within WPA Section and in neighboring sections can quickly overwhelm the organic ARES resources. ARES
members in the affected areas will be preoccupied with dealing with their own personal situations, and will not
be able to respond in ARES operations. Under these circumstances, communications support must come from ARES resources
outside the affected areas. This plan establishes a mechanism to provide such support from within WPA Section's
ARES resources.
Mission
1. The initial mission is to support emergency operations within WPA during emergencies of a widespread nature.
"Widespread" is defined as encompassing two or more counties in a four-hour period.
2. The on-going mission is to provide training support to county EC's and local ARES organizations within WPA Section.
3. The Rapid Response Team will act as the cadre force for activating additional teams when such activation is
required.
4. The secondary mission is to support, within capabilities, adjacent Atlantic Division Sections. The primary mission
will continue, under all circumstances, to be support of WPA Section emergency response Plan.
Command and Control -- The channel of control
will be:
1. Section Manager & Assistant Section Manager (ARES) (planning only)
2. Section Emergency Coordinator
3. Team Leader
a. Under all circumstances, control of the WPA team will remain with the WPA Section Manager and his
staff as indicated above.
b. The deployed Team Leader will exercise on-site control of the team, insure mission accomplishment,
and maintain team integrity. Team members will not be assigned to any agency for use in non-communications roles.
c. The WPA Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator, and Team Leader will be responsible for
coordination with supported Section Manager (or his appointed representative) during all phases of the emergency
operation.
Planning -- The Section Emergency Coordinator,
with the assistance of the Assistant Section Manager (ARES), will adopt the following principles:
1. Pre-disaster planning and coordination with other Section Emergency Coordinators in Atlantic Division. Where
possible, a written agreement should be concluded between the sections detailing the extent of cooperation.
2. Development of the team personnel structure based on the following criteria: (DEC's and EC's will not be eligible
for team assignment)
3. Team manning maximum of 10, exclusive of Team Leader.
4. Prerequisites for team member selection
a. General Class license or above for at least 2 years.
b. Demonstrated ability to copy Morse Code at a minimum rate of 10 WPM
c. CPR/First Aid certification.
d. Damage Assessment training (can be completed after selection)
e. Physically fit as determined by a certified medical examination.
f. Available for short-notice deployment.
g. Official Observer training to provide in-depth knowledge of Part 97 and other pertinent regulations.
h. Sufficient equipment immediately available to accomplish mission.
i. Complete training at one of the Section-level leadership seminars for EC's.
j. Complete the Emergency Coordinator's Qualification examination.
k. Reasonably proficient in digital operating techniques.
l. Recommended by the local EC and DEC.
m. Appear before a qualification board consisting of the Section Manager, Assistant Section Manager
(ARES), Section Emergency Coordinator, and the District Emergency Coordinator (Team Leader).
Administration and Logistics -- The ARRL has written
instruments of cooperation with these agencies:
1. American Red Cross
2. The National Weather Service
3. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
4. The National Communications System
5. The Associated Public Safety Officers, Inc.
6. The Salvation Army.
Priority -- The priority of support in WPA Section
is to The American Red Cross and The National Weather Service, in that order. Other agencies will be supported
as time and resources permit.
1. These written instruments of cooperation assume the nature of directives in governing WPA Section ARES support.
2. Copies of these documents are appended to this plan.
Net Operations -- The following general principles
of net operations will prevail:
1. Emergency nets are traffic nets. Personnel of the regular WPA Section nets of the NTS are considered vitally
important to the Section's emergency nets.
2. Emergency nets operate in continuous session for as long as the situation demands.
3. WPA Section Emergency Net (HF): 3983 KHz (+\-) (Primary) 7272 KHz (+\-) (Alternate)
4. The WPA Emergency Net (HF) will be the primary vehicle for alerting DEC's and EC's to activate ARES plans during
widespread emergencies. The Rapid Response Team Leader will designate a member(s) of the team to be responsible
for monitoring those frequencies.
5. Standard practices of NTS net operations will guide all ARES net operations. Traffic handling exercises will
be conducted periodically to ensure that all team members are proficient in the recognized procedures.
6. The primary WPA Emergency Net (HF) operations will be limited to traffic of an operational nature. Message traffic
will be diverted to the established CW Net (3585 kHz) and/or WPA Phone Traffic Net (3983 kHz). The emergency net
frequency should be kept free of routine NTS message traffic to allow rapid, efficient passage of tactical traffic.
7. District and County nets are established on assigned VHF/UHF frequencies. The Rapid Response Team should be
aware of these frequencies when operating in those areas. Liaison should be established between the Rapid Response
Team and County nets.
Inter-Sectional Coordination
1. If the emergency is widespread, but contained within WPA Section, the SEC will alert the WPA SM and SEC's of
adjacent sections of the nature and extent of the emergency. At this time, assistance may be requested from non-affected
sections if required.
2. If WPA and another section (or sections) are involved, Section level officials of all involved sections, after
consulting, will agree on liaison procedures and the frequency plan best adapted to the circumstances.
3. WPA Section will cooperate fully with other sections in Atlantic Division upon request, providing assistance
with Section net operations or dispatching the Rapid Response Team.
Rapid Response Team Organization -- Circumstances
sometimes arise where organized, self-supporting mobile teams of Amateurs are the most effective way to respond
to an emergency. They can be quickly sent to a distant location to assist ARES operations or to be the first responders
where no local amateurs are available.
1. It is the responsibility of the Rapid Response Team Leader, assisted by the Section Emergency Coordinator, to
recruit a pool of team participants from the Amateurs in the Section and to manage their training and deployment.
2. A database will be established containing the qualifications, availability, and equipment information of each
team member and potential team member. It should include pertinent personal information such as next of kin, address
and telephone numbers, type of vehicle and registration number, etc.
3. The Team Leader's responsibilities include getting all team members to the correct site and keeping in touch
with them while they are on duty. Liaison should be established between the team and the SEC. A reliable circuit
should be established to provide team members with the ability to remain in contact with their homes.
The "READY KIT" -- The Rapid Response
Team should be self-supporting in transportation, food, water, emergency power, and sleeping accommodations in
addition to their communications equipment. Each member should prepare his own ready kit and keep it in his vehicle
or at a specific place at home where it can be picked up without delay. The kit should include:
1. Two changes of comfortable old clothing including socks, shoes, underwear, trousers and shirts.
2. Outerwear appropriate for the climate and time of year.
3. Toilet kit of razor, shaving cream, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, bars of hotel soap, small bottle of shampoo,
and an anti-perspirant.
4. Extra pair of sunglasses and prescription glasses and a durable drinking cup (such as a camper's "Sierra
Cup").
5. Small first aid kit containing normal first aid supplies. Also include sunblock, aspirin, and any prescription
drugs required. An electronics tool kit is an essential part of the ready kit. It should contain:
a. 12 volt and 120 volt soldering iron and a small supply of solder.
b. Long-nosed pliers, slip-jaw pliers, diagonal cutters, and a small pair of vise-grip pliers.
c. Several sizes of screwdrivers of both slot-head and Phillips-head variety.
d. Spare fuses, small spool of hookup wire, and a pocket-type multimeter.
e. A pre-cut wire antenna that will work on both 40 and 75 meters. 200 feet of braided nylon cord.
f. Basic radio kit should include H-Ts, packet equipment, mobile rigs, portable rigs. Spare batteries
References -- Each team member should be familiar
with the Section, District and County emergency communications plans. The following ARRL publications provide in-depth
information applicable to emergency communications operations:
1. The Emergency Coordinator's Handbook
2. Public Service Communications Manual
3. Special Events Communications Manual
4. The Western Pennsylvania Section Emergency Plan
5. The FCC Rule Book
6. The ARRL Operating Manual
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