AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE PLAN

FOR KANSAS ZONE 2 DELTA

SALINE, OTTAWA, LINCOLN AND ELLSWORTH COUNTIES

  1. INTRODUCTION
    2.
    1. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service is composed of radio operators who are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission after passing a written examination on their knowledge of telecommunications and technical skills in the operation of radio equipment.
    2. The Central Kansas Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is composed of FCC licensed Amateur Radio operators who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service communications duty.
    3. Under Federal regulations, Amateur Radio public service communications are furnished without compensation of any kind.
    4. The Central Kansas ARES functions under this emergency plan under the direction of the Zone 2 Delta Emergency Coordinator (EC) in consultation with the District Emergency Coordinator (DEC).
    5. The EC may select assistant EC’s as needed for the ARES to function efficiently.

  2. PURPOSE
    3.
    1. The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing the minimum information that would be needed in an emergency. Each emergency is different and flexibility to provide an adequate response to each is a necessity.
    2. The primary responsibility of the Central Kansas ARES is to furnish communications in the event of a natural of man-made disaster, when regular communications are inadequate or fail.
    3. All drills, training and instructions shall be carried out to insure readiness to respond quickly in providing effective Amateur emergency communications whenever an occasion may arise.
    4. The following agencies could be served during a communications emergency: Saline County Emergency Management, North Central Chapter American Red Cross, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina and Saline county government officials, Fire Department, Police Department, Salvation Army, and other agencies requesting assistance from ARES.

  3. DEFINITIONS
    4.
    1. Public Service – any non-commercial activity for which communications are needed to enable its safe conduct.
    2. Competent Official – any executive authorized to request assistance in the public interest and to assume responsibility for those who respond to his request.
    3. Communications Emergency – any situation in which a public agency requests supplementary communications.
    4. Emergency – any situation posing a threat to the safety of life or property. Examples include but are not limited to: tornadoes, earthquakes, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, floods, severe icing conditions, heavy snow, widespread fires, discharge of toxic gasses or nuclear radiation, widespread power outages, industrial explosions, mass casualty accidents, civil disorders, and any event declared an emergency by competent authority.

  4. ACTIVATING THE PLAN
    1. Any member of the Saline County ARES who, for any reason, suspects a communications emergency exists should monitor the assigned net frequency for activity.
    2. If local telephone service is available, the EC and/or assistant EC’s should be notified by telephone.
    3. In an emergency in which Amateur Radio might serve the community, Amateur Radio operators might be alerted by any City, Red Cross, Emergency Management, or similar official by contacting the EC.

  5. ARES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE
    6.
    1. If telephone service is available, the telephone tree is activated.
    2. Upon the awareness or notification that a communications emergency exists, members of the Central Kansas ARES will check into the Central Kansas ARES Net on 146.730/130 FM repeater with 146.730 FM Simplex as an alternate frequency, Secondary alternate is the 147.03/147.63 CKARC Repeater, or as directed. In the event the Emergency Communications Trailer is deployed, the 443.025 UHF Repeater (NØSLN) will also be activated.
    3. Mobile units are activated and dispatched as necessary.
    4. The EC will assume Net Control or delegate another station as Net Control Station (NCS). Net Control may be from the Saline County Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or as needed.

  6. DUTIES OF NCS
    7.
    1. The Central Kansas Emergency Net will be called to order by the NCS.
    2. Members of the Central Kansas ARES are checked into the net from their mobiles and home stations to await further instructions.
    3. Liaison stations to the following National Traffic System nets may be assigned:


      4. Central States Traffic Net (CSTN) 3920 Khz
      Kansas CW Traffic Net (QKS) 3547 Khz
      Kansas Morning Weather Net (KMWN) 3920 Khz
      Kansas Phone Net (KPN) 3920 Khz
      Kansas Sideband Net (KSBN) 3920 Khz
      Kansas Slow Speed Traffic Net (QKS-SS) 3547 Khz
      Kansas Weather Net (KWN) 3920 Khz
      Kansas Army MARS Nets

    4. Mobiles are dispatched as needed to the North Central Kansas Chapter Red Cross headquarters, Salina Regional Health Center, and any other agencies as required.

  7. OPERATIONS
    8.
    1. All written messages must be in standard ARRL format.
    2. All messages MUST be signed by the Official who originates them, with his title, taking responsibility for their content.
    3. Message precedences of Emergency, Priority, Welfare, and Routine as defined on ARRL form FDS-3 shall be used on all messages.
    4. Stations do not transmit unless invited to do so by Net Control. The only exception to this is for a station having Emergency traffic.

  8. DRILLS, TESTS, AND ALERTS
    9.
    1. An annual drill may be conducted in October in conjunction with the nation wide ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET).
    2. The Central Kansas ARES will regularly supply Public Service Communications in conjunction with local events to test the effectiveness of the operation.
    3. The Central Kansas ARES Net meets on 146.730/130 Mhz at 8 PM local time on the first Tuesday of the month.
    4. At the discretion of the EC, ARES Stations may be activated unannounced via the telephone tree at least once per year.

  9. INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS
    10.
    1. Amateur Radio operators are trained communicators. When acting in that capacity, they are not interpreters, evaluators, or field commanders. Their purpose is to transmit messages given to them by responsible officials.
    2. By this plan, ARES members are prohibited from transmitting personal observations or opinions, UNLESS specifically requested by a responsible official. This avoids misinterpretations by citizens who may be listening in on scanners.

  10. INFORMATION FOR AMATEURS (FOR AMATEURS ONLY)
    1. To avoid confusion, tactical callsigns denoting your function or location will be used. You need only sign off at the end of your exchange of transmissions with your full FCC call sign to conform to FCC rules and regulations.
    2. Think about what you need to say before keying the mike. Time can be critical. Talk like a telegram, rather than like a long letter. Follow the NCS’s instructions explicitly and promptly.
    3. If you are directed to cover an official or agency, report directly to the person in charge, identify yourself, briefly explain the capabilities of the Amateur Net, and answer any questions that he may have.
    4. Never quit your post without authorization from the NCS. If relieved by the responsible official, you may be needed elsewhere.
    5. NCS will plan for additional and relief operators as needed.
    6. If using a repeater and it fails, move to the repeater output frequency in simplex mode.
    7. All traffic must be written and signed by the responsible official who originates the message. Use message precedences as defined by the originator. If you become aware of an unrecognized need, notify NCS. Never transmit on your own, unless asked by a competent authority.

  1. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
    2.
    1. The Emergency Coordinator shall:
    1. Assure compliance with FCC regulations.
    2. Coordinate activities within ARES.
    3. Coordinate ARES activities with the Saline County Emergency Management Director as well as with the ARES Section Emergency Coordinator.
    1. The Assistant Emergency Coordinator shall:
    1. Aid the EC in the performance of his duties and
    2. Function in the capacity of the EC in his absence

    1. The Training Coordinator shall:
    1. Establish training requirements for ARES members.
    2. Coordinate all training activities and
    3. Provide necessary training to assure backup support for designated key positions.

    1. The Net Coordinator shall:
    1. Provide net control operators for all nets and
    2. Be responsible for implementation of all net reports.

    1. The Membership Coordinator shall:
    1. Recruit a sufficient number of members to handle anticipated emergencies and
    2. Develop and maintain a current membership / equipment capabilities list.

  1. TRAINING
    2.
    1. The ARES group shall meet the third Thursday of the month at 8:00 PM Local time at the Saline County Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center Classroom.
    2. There may be more than two simulated emergency tests per year.
    3. Training functions may include ARES participation in local civic events and other functions that improve skills in communication, organization, discipline, and judgment.
    4. Preparedness classes may be called by the Emergency Coordinator or the Training Coordinator when it is felt that classes are the most effective means of training ARES members.

  2. MEMBERSHIP
    3.
    1. Membership in ARES is open to any individual who holds a valid Amateur Radio license.
    2. All new members are expected to register themselves and their operating capabilities with the EC and take part in the training sessions that will be provided.
    3. All members must keep the EC apprised of any changes in their equipment or their Amateur status that may affect the operation of ARES.

  3. LIMITATIONS
    4.
    1. The information contained in this plan is to be used as a guide. It is not the intent of this plan to limit the actions of an operator who is on site and best able to determine the prevailing conditions.
    2. Although a radio operator may report conditions as he observes them, such observations are to be considered those of a layman and evaluated in that context.
    3. This plan is subject to alterations and/or revisions as required
    4. This plan supersedes any and all other previous plans.