KY ARES Training Program Study Material

It is evident that there are areas in the U.S. that have few opportunities to train operators in disaster communication.  This program will provide consistency in technical training where ever the person lives. The added benefit comes in that it will be easier to insure the students understand the attitudes necessary to interface with the public service community in a manner which is beneficial to all.

There are many personality types in Amateur Radio, some of which lack the necessary knowledge to participate in a positive manner. These people simply need guidance and assistance to understand what the position of Amateur Radio is in public service.

The goal of this document is to provide consistently knowledgeable communication people who have a very positive, service oriented attitude.

We can see that during a large scale event it would be possible to have enough information (traffic) flow that the emergency service communications could become overloaded to a level that it would fail to function as required by the incident.

Many operators think of ARES/RACES as a simple extension of the "talk time" in the hobby. This is not true. ARES and RACES are organizations that continually need more trained operators that are willing to learn to communicate rather than just talk.

It is not that the trained operators are willing to learn to communicate. It is that the trained operators have learned to communicate accurately, in a timely fashion, regardless of the obstacles in the event. Unlike general amateur radio activities, emergency operations happen in real-time. Things cannot be delayed. Emergency communicators are looking for specific stations to contact NOW to pass traffic. Teamwork, not competition between stations, is imperative.

Emergency communications involves both amateurs and non-amateurs alike. Emergency communicators must have the equipment, skill and knowledge to improvise additional communications capacity in very short order. In all of this, leadership, teamwork and initiative are key factors to success!

The largest problem that Amateur Radio has is operators that go into an event and try to take over. Cowboy and "wanna-be" behavior WILL discourage the served agency from ever using Amateur Radio services again. In some cases it has resulted in the Amateur Radio operator involved being arrested and removed from the scene.

Most if not all Public Service agencies use some form of the Incident Command System (ICS) as the model for operations during an emergency. You will help your served agency and your ARES/RACES group if you understand how the ICS works (see the ICS summary, below).

Should you encounter some very persistent media people, the following statement may help. Please check with your served agency before you use this statement.

"ARES is Amateur Radio Emergency Service. These are volunteer Amateur Radio communicators who are aiding local law enforcement, fire, EMS and other agencies with auxiliary or supplemental communications due to the current overload or difficulties due to high volume of traffic or other unusual conditions. We currently have (XX #) operators in places like the EOC, communications centers, red cross shelters and other places where additional communications are required."

During an event do your best to maintain a courteous, professional image. You may be working with several agencies including police, fire, first aid squads, National Guard, etc. Extend every possible courtesy to members of these groups. Make sure they know who you are, and what your communications capabilities are. But remember we are there primarily to provide communications, not to provide other support. However, we will, in many cases, do more than "just" communicate. You as an ARES/RACES operator are free to do any work for the served agency that they request of you, so long as you are comfortable doing that work AND it does not hinder your ability to communicate.

Within Emergency Communication you will have TWO different levels of communication. The first is in passing traffic on behalf of a served agency. This is known as formal traffic. Under those conditions you pass traffic EXACTLY as written. You change nothing. In some instances you will not understand what the message means. That is fine. Your job is to get the message to the destination as quickly as possible, not to understand it.

When you receive a message from a served agency, read it. If there is any part you cannot read, ask for clarification before accepting the message. You can't accurately transcribe what you cannot read. When you transcribe a message from a served agency, MAKE NO CHANGES! It does not matter if you do not understand the technical meaning. It DOES matter that you pass traffic exactly as written.

Let's revisit the last sentence. PASS TRAFFIC EXACTLY AS WRITTEN!
If you are the author, make your corrections before you are ready to send.
If ANYONE else initiated the message, MAKE NO CHANGES!

The second type of communication is where YOU originate the message, it is not written and where a written response is not required. This is commonly known as informal traffic. In that situation you control what the text of the message will be. Therefore phrasing is up to you.

Plan your communications at least as well as you plan what you say when you know you will be quoted. When ever reasonable, write down what you will say before you say it.

In Emergency communication it is important to say as little as possible, yet convey all of the meaning. How can we do this?

In addition, the three or four second break between transmissions insures priority and emergency traffic can gain access to the net without requiring the largest signal on that frequency.

Communication is the - two way - exchange of thoughts, ideas or information. Two way. That requires listening. An old timer once told me "A ham has two ears and one mouth. Therefore he should listen twice as much as he talks". Makes sense. Communication will be acknowledged.

Standard ITU Phonetics
While it may take less effort to speak into a microphone and listen than to operate CW, it does take some care to quickly and accurately convey exact information. Speak distinctly at all times. If information is to be written, pace your speech accordingly. For critical information, or under noisy conditions, spell words with standard ITU phonetics. ITU phonetics were chosen so that each word sounds completely different from all others. A list of ITU phonetics is available in the ARRL handbook and the ARRL logbooks. A compressed copy follows.

• Who is requesting and from whom?
  • What is the requester’s full name/title/agency & location?
  • What is the recipient’s full name/title/agency & location?
• What are they requesting and how many do they want/need?
  • Is it a list or single item?
    • If it's a list, do all items come from the same place?
      • If multiple sources then multiple message
      • Is the subject the transportation of an item, or the acquisition of that item, or both?
• Where will it come from (not always the same as the location of the person receiving the request)?
• Where will it go to (not always the same as the location of the person requesting the item(s))?
• When is it needed?
  • Time/date as applicable

To improve communications you need to improve the difference between the signal and the noise levels (signal to noise ratio) to achieve reliable communications. For our purposes here, noise is defined as any impediment to transmission or reception of information (messages). What form can this "noise" take? Some of the more common ones are:

What can you do to maximize message throughput? Here are some of the more common ways to handle impediments.

Slow Down! Hams, in general, tend to handle communications as quickly as they can. This does NOT produce the maximum throughput during a net. While this may seem counterintuitive, it has been proven again and again that a three or four second break between transmissions will actually result in information being passed more quickly.

The following set of forms are suggestions for a starting point with information collection. If your group has their own forms, use them! These are for areas that have not developed their own and are a starting point only. Each served agency has unique requirements. Build your own forms to handle your served agency(ies) needs. The following are one line examples of logs. Full page PDF versions of these logs are available here if you would like to print them out.

1. Why standard formats

Examples As mentioned last, the primary purpose of a standardized format is so persons can send and receive formal messages briefly, with the minimum amount of explanation. The RADIOGRAM is a specific format that everyone follows. This allows for the administrative handling of messages without having to go into lengthy discussions about where the traffic originated and or how important it might be and where it's going. One could imagine if there were no standardized format, the following exchange might occur:

"Hey Bud, I have a message here from a local ham in Colorado Springs; he took it from a lady who isn't a ham. I took the message yesterday evening and I'd like to see if there's a way we can get it passed to Tulsa, Oklahoma. There's no real urgency, the lady just wants to let her brother know that she received his letter and will be sending one back in a couple of days...."

The preceding unformatted message consists of 76 words. And ... we still don't know where the message needs to go.

The same message in NTS format might read as follows:

Number 58, Routine, NØXXO, 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 18

Mark Smith
573 Glenside Lane
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74131
918 635 0227

BT

RECEIVED YOUR LETTER XRAY WE
WILL WRITE BACK SOON XRAY
LOVE

BT

MARY

Even counting the preamble (and the breaks), the message length is 35 words. Much more efficient use of time and spectrum. Also, the message has everything it needs to be delivered -- and to be traced back to its originator.

Abbreviations, Prowords, Prosigns

9.      Other NTS Information While attempting to keep the word count at a minimum, care must be exercised to keep from creating ambiguous messages.

Letter greetings such as Dear Mom and Dad, are bad form - they are redundant.

Reading speed versus regular sending speed. Transmitting station should trace over the words as you are speaking them to ensure you are not speaking faster than the receiving station can write.

NO XRAY needed at end of message.

RECEIVING station calls sending Station; NET controls should hand off to receiving station.

The standard way of indicating that you are finished sending is to say "END, NO MORE, or END 1 MORE.. (call sign, back to net).

Hams are not expected to spend money to deliver NTS traffic - toll calls, calls to directory assistance to obtain telephone numbers and stamps to mail locally all cost money.

ARRL operating aids for the traffic handler:

These items are available from the ARRL or any commercial establishment with an ARRL bookshelf.

The standing rule in fires is to always have two exits and should one of them become unavailable, use the one you have - IMMEDIATELY. If necessary, leave your equipment. Equipment can be replaced, people can't.

Workmens Compensation Insurance
During the briefing for the event you are about to go out on there should be mention about workmen's compensation insurance. If it is not mentioned, ask! Not every served agency will be able provide you with workmen's compensation insurance. If yours does not, feel free to decline the assignment if the lack of insurance bothers you. If you are willing to participate without workmen's compensation insurance that's fine but you must know in advance of going out, so you can make an informed decision.

Safety - Summary
Remember, an incident scene is not about radios and being a Ham, it's about the incident and YOU will either be part of the problem or part of the solution. Keep your eyes open and do your best to anticipate unsafe conditions before they happen.

For a lot of us, the equipment is a major contributor in the fun of Amateur Radio. To those that are not as technical as we would like to be, it is still a lot of fun to get new equipment (a.k.a. toys) and learn to use it properly. Equipment is but one third of the equation.

Training ourselves, not just to be able to operate the equipment, but to handle messages expeditiously and with minimal impact to our surroundings is also a challenge.

The item that many overlook is the physical conditioning that we really need to be able to handle the stress of emergency operations. Does that imply that each of us must be ready to run a marathon? Hardly. There are a few simple guidelines we need to follow to be better prepared to physically support ARES operation.

• Eat properly - this means eat the foods that will help keep us healthy.

  • Minimum "junk" food. The "Mickey D" three basic food groups of sugar, salt and grease do not help our health.
  • Appropriate amounts of protein, vegetables and complex carbohydrates (this varies with the individual).
  • Drink a LOT of water. Most of us forget that the recommended minimum amount of water is 4oz. every hour (not coffee, not soda pop, etc). Very few people consume that much.
  • Moderate amount of alcohol (or none, if you prefer).
• Get enough rest, Regularly! - Some people think that four hours of sleep will suffice. Most of us do better with six minimum and the really intelligent understand that seven and one half to eight is better yet.The other half of that equation is *regularly*. That means virtually every night. The occasional night with minimum sleep is not a problem, as long as it is occasional.
• Exercise - Get regular exercise, appropriate in duration and type. Appropriate for someone twenty-five is probably not correct for some one sixty. A good source of reasonable exercise for all of us is to walk for at least thirty minutes each day.

Many will whine that there is "not enough time". If you are planning on being dead in six months or a year, I agree. Go for it. For the rest of us, take the time. Plan on a slow, steady, evolutionary change in how you make yourself ready to support the life style you have chosen. If you are physically active, properly rested and have eaten properly, you are better prepared for the stress of emergency operation.

Emergency communications is a very challenging assignment. There's a lot of need being placed on people in a short amount of time. For this reason, stress can build upon the operators. As these demands wear down the individual's capacity for tolerance, flexibility and creativity, the person shows signs of stress. People show it as varying levels of irritability and emotional outbursts, which affects the ability to work well with others. The best time to deal with stress is before it presents itself. Learn coping mechanisms before responding to an event.

Some of those mechanisms are:

You may be exposed to experiences that are unique and unpleasant. A healthy person is able to withstand the emotional experience of high stress well enough until the impact of the immediate need passes, then begin processing the experience to accept the situation rather than reacting to it. Members of the team should learn to work with the stress rather than reacting to it.

To adequately handle this discussion the subject has been divided into three portions:

Tactical Debriefing:

Most of us view tactical debriefing as something done as an after thought or something we do to get it out of the way. If you instead look at debriefing as a learning tool that will improve your effectiveness and that of your unit, it will serve you well.

One approach to debriefing is to answer the following questions in as much detail as is reasonable:

It is very important that every ARES operator in the event have input to the debriefing. The reasons are simple. First, many times one persons comment sparks yet another thought from someone else. Second, no one can observe everything that happens, you need everyone’s observations to be complete.

If you are unable to attend the formal debriefing or if the incident is multiple day and you wish to capture your input a sample online debriefing input form has been created. Contact your EC or DEC to see about implementing this process.

Emotional Debriefing:

The American Red Cross has some thoughts on stress induced during disasters that are included here for your information.

Police psychologists talk a lot about "critical incidents," but what exactly is one? A critical incident is an occurrence that is one or more of the following: (a) Sudden and unexpected (b) perceived as life-threatening (c) overwhelming (d) disrupted sense of control (e) disrupted basic assumptions and beliefs (f) resulted in physical and/ or emotional loss

Physical reactions to critical incidents can include: (a) headaches (b) exhaustion (c) sleep disturbances (d) appetite disruptions (e) "nervous stomach"

Behavioral reactions to critical incidents can include: (a) hyperactivity (b) being easily startled (c) withdrawing or isolating oneself (d) periodic underactivity

Psychological reactions to critical incidents can include: (a) anger (b) self-blame (c) fear (d) anxiety ea) depression (f) over sensitivity (g) emotional numbness (h) having a heightened sense of danger (i) flashbacks (j) preoccupation with the incident (k) feeling that these emotions are "wimpy"

To minimize the effects of event related stress we need to provide emotional debriefings. These debriefings must be an organized, open discussion that takes place after a serious and emotionally taxing event. Its purpose is to provide a forum in which emergency workers can release their stress. This is not an investigation or an interrogation, nor is it a tactical debriefing. Rather, it is an open, constructive means by which emergency workers can openly express their emotions. When appropriate, trained professionals may take part. They can offer concrete suggestions for ways of overcoming the stress related to the incident.

The concept behind these debriefings is to encourage free expression of thoughts, fears, and concerns in a supportive group environment without losing status among one's peers. In fact, debriefings are much more successful and the feedback more positive when peer support personnel are more active. The debriefing process allows individuals to gain insight and reframe the event in a different perspective. As short-term initial intervention, it often aids in preventing some of the long-term cumulative effects caused by traumatic incidents.

All debriefings must be confidential and provide an opportunity for educating emergency service workers on stress responses, as well as letting those involved know that they are not alone in their thoughts and feelings.

What can I do?
Stress reduction begins with an evaluation of one's life. Taking a close look at your life and the things that you can control will help with your evaluation. Here are some ways you can reduce stress in your life:

Most of us aren't able to get rid of all the stress in our busy lives. However, by finding ways to cope with and reduce stress and keeping your life simple, you can begin to start sorting out what really matters in your life.

Family Briefing:

One item that few of us remember is that our family will be affected by our experiences during emergencies. The easiest way to minimize adverse effects on our families is to insure they understand before the event that we will need their help and understanding after major traumatical events we may be called upon to work.

A good source for information they can easily understand is the American Red Cross. They have extensive amounts of helpful information you can get. The most important information for your family is included here.

Specific things the family can do to help are:

Definitions:

Please take a moment to study the NCS definition. During an emergency the NCS does NOT control the event! NCS is there simply to control information flow. The Incident Command System (ICS) provides a coordinated system of command, communications, organization and accountability in managing emergency events.

Net Types:

An ARES/RACES - Tactical - net is an ICS - OPERATIONS - net, and an ARES/RACES - Resource - net is an ICS - LOGISTICS - net.

Please understand that the name you use for any given net IS a local option. The same holds true for tactical identifiers. Use the name for your nets and locations that convey the most information to the largest number of people at your event.

Please listen to the net before joining. Customary protocols will easily stand out.

Tactical Calls - when and how to use them
Tactical calls are used to identify a location during an event regardless of who is operating. This is an important concept. The tactical call allows you to contact a location without knowing the FCC call of the operator there. It also virtually eliminates confusion at shift changes and when a person takes a break from operating. Think about that. Do you answer a call from the sound of a persons voice or from the identified location. Obviously from the identified location.

Tactical Calls
Tactical calls should be used for all Emergency nets once there are more than three participants and most public service nets if there is more than minimal traffic.

Net control will assign the tactical call as each location is opened. It will normally be some unique identifier that indicates which location or function this is. Some examples are:

NET - for net control
FIRE-BASE-1 - for the first fire base established or the fire basein a particular region
CHECK-POINT-1 - for the first check point in a public service event
CP - for the event command post
AID-3 - for the third aid station on a route etc.

Proper use of tactical calls can best be explained by example.

Initiating a call
If you were at aid station three during a directed net and wanted to contact Net Control you would say "NET, AID3" or, in crisper nets, simply "AID3". If you had emergency traffic you would say "AID3, emergency traffic" or for priority traffic "AID3, priority traffic".

Notice how you have conveyed all information necessary without using any unnecessary words or taking any unnecessary time.

If you had traffic for another location, such as check point five, you would say "AID3, traffic for CHECK POINT 5". This tells NCS everything needed to handle the traffic. NCS will then call check point 5 with "CHECK POINT 5, call AID3 for traffic", if there is no other traffic holding.

Notice that there have been no FCC issued calls used. At this point none are necessary.

Traffic during a call
Tactical calls will normally not be used in the contact unless a separate location is mentioned in the message.

Completing a call
To complete the call from AID3, after the message/traffic is complete you would say "(your call), AID3". This fulfills your identification requirements and tells NCS that you believe the call to be complete.

If the Net Control Station believes the exchange to be complete, and the member station has not identified, then the NCS should say, (completing this example) "AID3, do you have further traffic?" At that point AID3 should either finish with the traffic or identify and clear.

The above is the same for all participants under virtually all traffic examples.

Participating in a net

• Enjoy yourself - Amateur Radio public service is fun!
• Prepare your self. Are your batteries charged? Are you on your best antenna for the frequency/repeater you will be on? Do you have pencil paper and other items you think you will need?
• Listen. If you are there at the start of a net or join one in progress, LISTEN for several minutes before you check in. NCS will announce/ask-for what they want.
• Check into the net in the mode being used by the net. This should go without saying but we still see people who cannot follow directions.
• Follow NCS Instructions. NCS will ask for specific people/categories-of-people as they are needed. Follow instructions!
• Slow Down! Hams, in general, tend to handle communications as quickly as they can. This does NOT produce the maximum throughput during a net. While this may seem counterintuitive, it has been proven again and again that a three or four second break between transmissions will actually result in information being passed more quickly.
• Do not editorialize. "This is Phred in the North East portion of the county at 9300 feet where it is snowing, but it was sunny five minutes ago when I came in from feeding the birds, geese and hamsters, but its cold right now and it looks like it could rain in the next day or so - just checking in....." is unnecessary AND unwanted. This ties up the net and does nothing to add usable information. Check in with your CALL. Add name and other information as requested by NCS.

Plan your transmission. If you have more information than just your Name/Call then jot it down. You can, if necessary, just read your note. **** This promotes clear concise communication.

Check in ONLY if you are going to be part of the net. Do NOT check in as "in & out" or "for the count". You are joining the net or you should only listen.

Checking in with "This is" then a pause or un-key followed by the call may work on a few nets, but causes delays and potential problems on most. (Local net option)

Unless your transmission is longer than ten minutes, you need only identify at the end of the transmission/exchange of information.

Let NCS know when you leave or if you need to leave early. Do not go into details of why you need to leave.

During an event, if the authorities ask you to move; do so immediately and without comment, then notify the NCS of your change in status as soon as you can.

If an on-scene authority requests that you shut your radio off, or that you not transmit, do what they ask immediately and without question. This is one circumstance where you do not notify the NCS of a change in your status. This deserves a little explanation. This would normally occur only if there is a presence of explosives or explosive chemicals or vapors, and there is the possibility that a spark producing electronic device is present which might be triggered by an RF Signal.

Be patient with the NCS. An NCS operator is under high stress. His questions and requests should be clear and crisp; but as he/she begins to tire, there may be a tendency to become rather terse. Typically, there is a whole lot going on at an NCS that the field operators never know about.

Hams are patriotic, independent people and they are volunteers. The attitude among a few hams is that 'Volunteers don't have to take orders.' That's absolutely correct. We don't have to take orders. But if you are not ready to follow instructions, you may want to do something outside of ARES/RACES

Leaving a net
You will leave a net for one of three reasons:

Don't over identify
There is normally nothing that will expend more time, needlessly, than over identification. Someone that uses their FCC issued call in every transmission is usually a person that is unsure of themselves or, worse yet, someone that is more interested in having their call known to everyone at the event. In the latter situation, help them find work elsewhere.

The FCC tells us that you need only identify at ten minute intervals during a conversation (NOT during a net unless you talk for more than ten minutes) and during your last transmission.

If you end each exchange with your call, that tells everyone that you are of the opinion the exchange is complete and you fulfill all FCC requirements.

• NCS

  • The NCS is in charge of the net while the net is in session. He/She is responsible for controlling who uses the frequency and when they pass traffic. This needs to be balanced with the fact you will be dealing with volunteers.
  • Slow Down! The pace of the net is controlled by the NCS. If you leave three or four seconds between transmissions, you will actually pass more traffic in less time.
  • Net Control shall have a commanding signal, i.e. clear, crisp signal with good audio characteristics.
  • NCS must keep track of which resources are on the net and who has cleared the channel. NCS is also responsible for knowing what traffic each person is capable of dealing with (sending HF traffic to a Tech. will not work).
  • In medium and large operations you need to have a backup NCS and a person to log.
  • Keep a written record of the incident and all traffic passed. This does not mean a copy of all formal traffic. Simply an overview of the message.
  • Make ALL instructions clear and concise, using as few words as possible.
  • Use tactical call signs. If participants do not follow your lead, only recognize those using tactical calls (obviously all bets are off if it is emergency traffic).
  • Different nets handle different traffic. Should someone try to pass traffic that should be on another net, refer them to the correct net.
• NCS backup
  There are two types of NCS backups. The first is located in the same room/area as the NCS and acts as relief for the NCS at regular intervals. The second type is a person that maintains a duplicate log of everything happening at the event and is available should there be a failure at the primary NCS location. Whenever there are enough people working an event, an offsite backup NCS should be maintained. This person must be operating with the knowledge and consent of the NCS station and should be known to the entire net.
• Loggers
  People to handle the keeping of an operational log for the event are a very important to the smooth operation of the event. These people free the NCS from having to split their time/effort down to a level that is neither efficient nor productive. Every net will be enhanced by a good logger.
• Site communicators
  Site communicators have the responsibility of listening to everything that happens on the net and maintaining contact with the served agency people at the site. They need to produce formal traffic as applicable, maintain a log of activity at their location and be responsive to the needs of their served agency people.

It will be far easier to handle all of the tasks at the location if there are at least two people there (this presumes an emergency situation).

• General communicators
  • Report to the NCS promptly as they become available.
  • Ask clearance from NCS before using the frequency.
  • Answer PROMPTLY when called by NCS.
  • Use tactical call signs.
  • Follow established net protocol.
• Listeners - LISTEN!
  The most helpful listener, during an emergency, is one that listens and stays quiet! NCS does not care that you are there listening unless he asks for assistance from listeners. Normally there will be enough people working the net to handle anything NCS needs.
• Liaison Stations

  • Liaison stations provide the communication link between two nets. They will generally be limited to two nets so they can maintain good communications between the nets.
  • Liaison stations will need to have at least two radios, each with their own antenna. These antennas must be separated sufficiently to NOT interfere with the other radio when the operator transmits on either frequency
  • Liaison stations will be appointed by NCS or the staffing officer, usually from trained operators.

During such times, CW can be an effective means of passing traffic.

On-the-air speed is not an appropriate measure of effectiveness. The timely and accurate passing of messages is. Since accuracy is very important, it may be prudent to slow down the sending speed to make up for adverse conditions. The key is to send at a speed that the receiving station can pick up comfortably, and with heavy interference and poor signals, 10 WPM may be appropriate.

• Receiver stability, bandwidth, dynamic range and operator skill
• Interfacing requires special care - RF/audio lines.
• Each mode requires operator understanding of TNC commands and how to monitor/operate point to point or with a BBS and accepted conventions on how to turn over the link.
• HF net frequency specifications are unique Like CW, skill in HF digital operation comes with practice.

Controlling a digital net is more daunting than a voice net.

• Typing skills
• Know essential commands
• Use ARRL QN signals
• Higher data throughput
• Less prone to scanner-listeners
• Many new operators

• Standard Frequency: As part of your local emergency plan, there should be some reference to your local and section nets and their operating frequencies and times. A standard operating frequency is important, as this where everyone will congregate on when an emergency occurs. Alternates to this frequency are also important if the frequency should become unusable for some reason. Make sure you keep a current list of nets, their frequencies and times, and any emergency frequencies that may be called into service if the need arises.
• Net Control Stations and rotation: Emergency nets need net control stations, usually abbreviated NCS. Most major emergency nets keep a rotation list of net control operators. It is the responsibility of these net control operators to make sure that the nets run smoothly and efficiently. They CONTROL the net. You should follow the net control's lead in understanding how a particular net is operated by LISTENING first. It is important for a net control station to designate an alternate NCS during the operation of any nets, because of the potential of the loss of a NCS station due to equipment failure or other problem.
• Traffic for the net: The goal of all nets is to transfer information (which we call traffic). Important things to remember here are that each net has its own priority for differing kinds of traffic. The normal priority is Emergency, Priority, Routine and Health and Welfare traffic, in that order. Some nets will not take Health and Welfare traffic, preferring to send amateurs with such traffic to other nets specifically set up for that traffic. ALL nets should take priority and emergency traffic if there is not a better net available to handle such traffic. If you have any traffic, when you check in, make sure you state this information to the NCS.
• Regular participation: Regular participation in emergency nets is the best way of staying current and understanding the operations of a particular network. In addition, it makes sure your equipment is operating properly and helps you to understand your station's propagation coverage in a particular net.
• Checkins/checkouts: All nets have particular procedures for checking into the net. LISTEN to the net preamble to learn about the proper way to check in to that net. Otherwise, you can announce your call during a pause in communications (not during traffic or if instructed to stand by) and, if acknowledged by NCS, go ahead and check in.
• Relays: SSB nets and FM Simplex nets will require relays if there are weak stations trying to check in with traffic. Many nets have established policies in dealing with relays, sometimes alternating NCS to widen the net's reception due to propagation. (Note: Nets on FM Repeaters will require relays if someone is trying to get into the repeater and cannot maintain a full quieting signal. A station closer to that unreadable station can sometimes relay the request by listening to the unreadable station's transmission directly on the repeater input frequency and relaying the request to the net on the repeater.)

FM Simplex

Repeaters
Repeater Etiquette:

Emergency communicators are part of an adaptive team that can rely on and support one another. All members must function as a cohesive unit. Individuals may possess great operating skills but will perform inadequately if they cannot work as part of a team.

What you need to do:
Find an organization active in developing emergency communicators. Find an ARES, RACES or similar program in your community. You may ask at your local amateur radio club meeting if you do not know of any organization in your area.

When you go out on a real emergency there are several things you need to understand. The first four listed relate to expectations and attitude while the remainder deal with specific actions that your group will need to handle.

Simulations and how they help
One key to the success of emergency communications is the amount of education, training and preparedness prior to the event. By learning, practicing and evaluating prior to the emergency, the overall level of proficiency is raised.

During activation and operation, the time to develop one's skills and knowledge is limited or non-existent, yet this is the time when having that knowledge and experience makes the most difference. Practicing emergency communications is best approached as a team effort scheduled on evenings or weekends and not while the actual emergency is happening.

There are a number of ways to develop knowledge and practice. The best way is to learn from the experiences of other emergency communicators, taking the best practices and avoiding pitfalls that can occur in any setting.

Skill is needed for handling simultaneous multiple activities that can arise during emergencies. The very nature of responding to an emergency affords very little in the way of on-the-spot education and training. Hence it is vital that the education, training and practice occur ahead of time. Coping with equipment problems, people requesting attention and a response, listening for a station with a weak and distorted signal, all the while trying to absorb the situation and direct a team effort on and off the air are real-life situations that can occur. Fortunately, there are ways to learn and practice in a broader setting that are enjoyable. Simulations, exercises and practice nets are proven ways to bring together these elements in a non-threatening and fun environment, developing the composure and skills, provide analysis and feedback and gain new confidence to rise above any situation.

Amateur radio operators are always in search of new knowledge, equipment and operating opportunities. The learning and training sessions leading up to the simulations and exercises are excellent ways for specialists to introduce the rest of the team to new modes or techniques. There are a number of things you can arrange to try out and practice before the exercise, then test the team's proficiency during the event. Try alternate frequency and communications modes, such as simplex (non-repeater) operations, SSB where FM modes are prevalent, Near-Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) for local HF coverage, satellite for reliable long-haul coverage, packet and digital modes for passing message text. See the section on Communications Technology for more information.

Simulations offer a safe environment for being an NCS or liaison/relay station. Other operators are trying out their skill and just as in practicing for team sports, an occasional procedural error or two offers an avenue for review, learning and improvement. Practice removes the fear, uncertainty and anxiety of doing something you have not done before. Just that calming effect you feel afterwards with that sense of accomplishment is worth the experience. You have attempted an operating skill that few amateurs venture.

The National Traffic System is an excellent vehicle for practicing relaying large volumes of messages in a timely and coordinated fashion. NTS stations practice originating, relaying and delivering messages (collectively called traffic) quickly and efficiently. The skills honed with NTS experience removes the hesitation and mishandling that can happen when faced with having to pass traffic.

Public Service Events
Public service events are another setting where emergency communicators can practice teamwork and build their confidence. Many public service events involve operators supporting and coordinating outdoor events such as parades or community fun runs communicating between each other using handie talkies. These outdoor operators are typically supported by Net Control Stations and/or relay stations using portable/mobile stations. Public service events are excellent settings for practicing and refining skills on passing informal traffic, juggling amongst multiple operating frequencies, outfitting oneself with radio and personal equipment to comfortably operate in the field for a sustained period -- all while enjoying and participating in a community event.

In summary, training activities and community service participation allow you to try new methods for all communication activities in a non threatening environment with the added advantage of having fun while you work at them.

Lessons Learned on Past Events
Debriefing sessions should be held after each operation to exchange lessons learned to be used for future operations. Since each event typically features a new set of operators, the lessons learned are frequently the same material being conveyed to a new audience. It is a wise use of time to learn from the experience of others and work towards mitigating potential gaps and obstacles rather than repeat their past mistakes.

Teamwork and Attitude
As the first segment in this course said, the attitude you bring with you will do more to determine the success of your effort than anything else. You must, therefore, bring an attitude of helpful cooperation to every event you participate in. If that is a problem for you, then I suggest you try something outside of ARES/RACES.

Move the Message Forward
The mission for emergency communicators is to use any available communication technique available to forward the message to it's final destination. Whether it's via regular telephone, fax, amateur radio, commercial and government radio, Citizens Band, Family Radio Service, bicycles; the method is immaterial. What counts is that the message got delivered in usable form to the recipient in a timely and accurate fashion that the recipient could take action.

When you are handling traffic, be sure you do not become myopic with your effort. The classic example is during a practice session in Packet, NCS should have one station pass a simulated emergency message to one of the other packet stations (something like the time on your watch at that instant). You will be amazed at how many people will spend the time to format the message in packet to send it rather than using the microphone to send a voice message that would be followed up with a packet message.

Creating an Operating Environment
You will learn to create a new environment where none previously existed -- and chances are that it won't happen seamlessly on its own. Recognize and accept this reality. Do not rely upon someone else to do your own preparation and the time prepare personally for emergency and disaster situations is now while there is time to think it through, purchase what you need with no lines at the store, and assemble things into kits and checklists. Your single most important item in the field is fresh water (not beverages such as coffee or soda that will dehydrate you). There is much written about the topic of personal emergency preparedness, so further discussion will be deferred.

Don't worry and be distracted by the condition of someone else's equipment and operational readiness. Since you're already at your site (or heading to your assignment or evacuation shelter), focus on your situation first, then deal with other situations as conditions permit. The better you prepare and the faster you arrive at your destination (without speeding), the faster you'll handle your immediate situation.

While we would like to see everything go smoothly in an emergency, Murphy tells us that nothing will. Do not wait for someone else to do your preparation. YOU make it happen. YOU provide for your education and results. YOU make it go right.

Here are a few hints to help you during an emergency:

• Remember you are emergency communicators, not emergency rescue personnel
• Keep your Civil Defense ARES/RACES ID with you at all times.
• Do not impede the work of professional responders such as fire fighters, police and emergency medical personnel.
• Stay out of the "hot zone" unless instructed. You don't want to endanger yourself and add yourself to the casualty list. Follow the directions of your lead operator or the chain of command.
• You may be required to perform duties beyond just emergency communications. Remain flexible to respond to the needs of the situation.
• Test your techniques before an exercise or an event.
• If you want to experiment with a new technique or method, test it before you have a major exercise or event. You don't need more frustration or embarrassment, so why compound that chance when the stakes are higher?

Operating Skills

• Once you've learned the basics, gain as much on-the-air experience possible. Practice before the event. Publicize and hold practice sessions. Plan for them.
• One cannot anticipate all the possible problems that can come up in the field, or on-the-air during such a spontaneous event. By engaging in on-the-air activities, you practice solving problems spontaneously while continuing to communicate.
• Don't be overly concerned with the problem solving during the exercise. What's important is that you experience and learn to cope with fielding multiple, unexpected situations which will help you in future activities. Problem solving will be developed simply by attempting to handle the message traffic and situations.
• There is a very good reason for training in advance. You do not want to deploy into the field with any form of uncertainty or hesitation. You want to work out your "butterflies in your stomach" ahead of time in a comfortable and safe environment, such as an afternoon or evening net or on simplex with a couple of your buddies.
• Practice being efficient with your time and the use of other people's time (like cutting out excessive chatter and getting immediately to the point) -- because during an emergency, time on the radio channel is of the essence.
• Make your transmissions sound crisp and professional like the police and fire radio dispatchers and the air traffic controllers. Do not use any more transmission time on the radio than absolutely necessary.
• Someone IS waiting to use the channel. (That's why frequencies are busy and congested during an emergency.) You don't like it when someone is hogging the channel when YOU need it, so you should be considerate and reciprocate similarly and keep your time on

Staging of Resources
Please see the section on Incident Command for a full overview of ICS. A staging area is exactly what it sounds like. It is a location where resources are staged and managed prior to being sent into the field. Separate staging areas might be needed for many reasons:

• Lack of space at the base camp (because it is set up at the trail head parking lot, and is short on space for heliports, parking, etc.).
• The mission might be geographically spread out over such a great distance that it makes more sense to marshal some people at a separate staging area.
• The mission might use unique transportation systems