PSV-105 Marathon best practice

by

PSV-105
MARATHON BEST PRACTICES
Written by Earl Pack – AE5PA

Some amateur radio operators argue that working public service events is not worth it and that these events do not prepare you for helping Some amateur radio operators argue that working public service events is not worth the effort and that these events do not prepare operators for real emergency service situations. On the contrary, working public service events the size of a major city marathon provides excellent practice and valuable experience for handling emergency situations. In major city marathons, more than 25,000 participants and over 250,000 spectators gather. During these events, emergency conditions can arise unexpectedly and often require quick action to sustain life.

Handling these situations demands close coordination with multiple agencies, including police, fire departments, ambulance services, medical teams, local Emergency Operations Centers, homeland security, public transportation authorities, and others. Working alongside these agencies during public service events builds relationships, confidence, mutual respect, and important personal connections with the very organizations that amateur radio operators would support in a true emergency. It also demonstrates that amateur radio operators are professionals who can adapt effectively and remain successful amid unexpected challenges.

The following are some best practices for working a marathon event:

  • Prepare and coordinate with organizers, sponsors, and agencies well in advance.
  • Never assume that because radio operators have supported the event for many years, no further checks or adjustments are necessary. Course routes can change drastically, new buildings may block communication paths, roads may be under construction, the Unified Command location may have shifted in a way that affects radio operations, or the entire event may need rapid evacuation due to weather or other threats.
  • Verify the repeaters planned for the event ahead of time. Repeaters can and do fail, sometimes requiring last-minute changes to the repeater system in use.
  • Maintain additional qualified personnel who can fill key positions at a moment’s notice and relieve primary operators as needed.
  • Set up and thoroughly test redundant radios at critical positions, especially Net Control Station locations. Always bring spare equipment appropriate for the assigned role.
  • Carry spare fuses for every piece of equipment.
  • Keep extra cables, power supplies, coaxial cable, and antennas on hand in case of failure, damage, or to assist others.
  • Continuous, uninterrupted communication remains essential for every Net Control Station position.
  • Prepare for potential challenges such as power failures, equipment malfunctions, serious incidents, or the need to evacuate the operating location.
  • Establish redundant Net Control Station positions in different physical locations.
  • Provide sufficient personnel to cover the entire event effectively.
  • Perform the job so well that event sponsors feel extremely pleased with the amateur radio team’s participation. Aim for such a high standard that key event personnel specifically request their favorite operator by name or at least comment, “I want the same person I had last year.” (After all, nothing boosts morale quite like becoming the “celebrity shadow” of a marathon official.)
  • Provide course mapping and tracking information for mobile assets, including mobile medics, medical carts, ambulances, SAG vans, and similar resources.
  • Maintain the ability to communicate with and coordinate the movement of these assets efficiently.
  • Track the location of the lead event participant as well as the last event participant. The position of the last participant is one of the most frequently asked questions. Assign a radio-equipped bicycle rider or vehicle with GPS tracking to follow the final participant. (Just remember: the last runner may move slowly, but accurate tracking of that participant can still save the day—or at least prevent an anxious search party.)
  • Display the tracking of all assets, personnel, and participants on the same map. This level of integration requires cooperation from multiple agencies to share tracking device identities.

Quick, accurate communication and efficient handling of traffic and inter-agency coordination repeatedly save lives. Public service events are therefore well worth the effort to develop and train groups of amateur radio operators for potential emergency situations. Like any other skill, ARES amateur radio operators should maintain a professional standard and practice regularly at public service events to build the proficiency that proves invaluable when it matters most.

That concludes tonight’s training. Are there any questions, comments or suggested additions to this material?

Thanks, this is (callsign) clear to net control.




Send corrections, modifications, updates or suggestions to k5prs@aol.com