Paul Smith

DIS-103Planning effective exercises This material is adapted from ARECC EC003, Learning Unit 7. The learning unit is based inpart on a QST article by George Washburn, WA6YYM, District Emergency Coordinator andChief Radio Officer of Santa Clara County, California. IntroductionDrills, exercises, tests. By any name, periodic exercises are used to evaluate the effectiveness of training and … Read more

DIS-101DLesson 4RRT’s and Other Abbreviations EXCERPTED from District 14 Emergency Communications Plan (DIS-101)Prepared Oct. 7, 2017 by KE5JBWRevised 1/2017 Tonight’s training is taken primarily from Section 12 of the District 14 Emergency Communications Plan and from Appendix E of the Plan. RRT’s:Most ARES® units employ some form of rapid response team (RRT). In some areas … Read more

DIS-101CLesson 3An Introduction to theDistrict 14 Emergency Plan EXCERPTED from District 14 Emergency Communications Plan (DIS-101)Prepared Oct. 6, 2017 by KE5JBWRevised 01/2018 Tonight’s training is taken from Section 2 of the District 14 Emergency Communications Plan and is about our status and responsibilities as volunteers and also about the administrative structures regarding District and Unit … Read more

DIS-101BLesson 2Alert Definitions and Increased-Readiness Conditions Revised 1/2017EXCERPTED from District 14 Emergency Communications Plan (DIS-101)Prepared Oct. 6, 2017 by KE5JBW – EDITED Oct. 18, 2017 Tonight’s training is taken from Section 10 of the District 14 Emergency Communications Plan and will focus on the four levels of official alerts which are referred to as Conditions. … Read more

DIS-101.ALesson 1Mobilization Procedure Revised 1/2017EXCERPTED from District 14 Emergency Communications Plan (DIS-101)Prepared Oct. 6, 2017 by KE5JBW Tonight’s training is taken from Section 4 of the District 14 Emergency Communications Plan and will focus on terminology, protocols and instructions regarding a mobilization for District 14 or any of its individual units. Each Unit EC or … Read more

WEA-107Turn Around Don’t Drown® During a thunderstorm, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other storm related hazard. Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Most of these deaths are preventable but too many people … Read more

KNW-140Choosing a Radio for Emergency Communications Adapted and modified 12/2020 for the Gulf Coast area by Earl Pack, AE5PA. Base material from an 11/15/2008 article by “Disaster Radio in Hawaii”. Used with permission of Disaster Radio in Hawaii. This article offers criteria for choosing a radio for emergency communications. The most likely scenario for emergency … Read more

KNW-139GUIDELINES AND “GENERIC” PLAN FOR WIDESPREAD AND/OR EXTENDED POWER OUTAGES AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM FAILURES by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ BEFORE THE POWER OUTAGE: DURING A POWER OUTAGE AND/OR TELEPHONE SYSTEM FAILURE: 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 … Read more

KNW-138 Winterizing and MaintainingGas Powered Equip The winterization or preparation for long term storage of gas powered equipment is often overlooked. This oversight, along with poor maintenance, can be costly and very frustrating. Believing that new equipment will perform well after a year without care can lead to danger or even death if the food … Read more

KNW-137Amateur Operation In Other Countries Adapted from ARRL.ORG FAQ by Earl Pack, AE5PA Amateurs sometimes visit other countries and naturally want to operate their amateur stations. The three types of reciprocal operating authority are: Always follow all of the communications rules of the country visited. To operate under CEPT or IARP, the amateur must be … Read more