Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide

Have you seen this?  The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide?

"The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) is a reference for auxiliary communicators who directly support backup emergency communications for State/local public safety entities or for an amateur radio organization supporting public safety.

"This reference guide contains information about AuxComm best practices, frequently used radio frequencies, Mutual Aid channels as well as tips and suggestions about auxiliary emergency communicators integrating into a NIMS ICS environment to support communications for planned events or incidents. It can serve as a reference both for auxiliary emergency communicators and public safety communications professionals."

Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide

One Step Closer

We are all signed up and ready to go. My son starts on Jan 6th, at the beginning of the Spring semester.

One Step Closer

The Attack on Pearl Harbor - A Historical Guide

Interesting study ideas from the blog of Isaiah’s new school.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor - A Historical Guide

The Comm Log: Do you "Ham" a Problem?

n7fan:

This piece is from 1993, but it’s still true to this day!

Let’s face it, for the fact that it is: some governments don’t really understand about Emergency Communications Units; they don’t really understand how to work with and utilize volunteers, including hams, some of whom are…

Amateur Radio related.

The Comm Log: Do you "Ham" a Problem?

Top #SMEM Challenges for 2013: I Don't Have Time!

Interesting information on Virtual Operations Support Teams.

Top #SMEM Challenges for 2013: I Don't Have Time!

K9 Ronin, EOW 6/20/13

Bio & Incident Details
Age: 2
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Tour: 3 months
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Weapon: Handgun
Suspect: Shot and killed

K9 Ronin was shot and killed as he attempted a take down an armed subject who had fled from officers a short time earlier.

Patrol officers had initially responded to a business on Orangewood Avenue to investigate reports that a man was trespassing at approximately 6:45 pm. When the officer attempted to make contact with the individual the man fled on foot and jumped over a wall into a residential area. The subject was able to elude officers briefly and attempted to force entry into a home. Additional units were able to locate the subject hiding under a trampoline in the 5100 block of Morton Avenue.

K9 Ronin was deployed to subdue the subject, but the man opened fire, fatally wounding him and wounding his handler. Officers returned fire and killed the subject.

K9 Ronin was transported to a local animal hospital where he succumbed to his injuries overnight.

K9 Ronin had served with the Glendale Police Department for only three months and was the agency’s newest canine.

K9 Ronin, EOW 6/20/13

Natural Disaster & Emergency Preparedness | Disaster Recovery Plan

I have added this link to my Emergency Preparedness link list, even though it is from a commercial company, and has advertising links all over the page. It is still good information. Hat Tip to Sophie!

Discover how to be prepared for a natural disaster, whether fire, flood, tornado or hurricane. Create a disaster recovery plan for you and your family.

Natural Disaster & Emergency Preparedness | Disaster Recovery Plan

Oops

I finally decided that I didn’t really like the cramped web style that I had originally gone with.

So I changed it.  But, all of my header pictures were reset to stock.  So, now I need to go through the whole site and reset all of the photos.

Dang it.

Oops

Social Media in Emergency Management

Some key reasons on why Emergency Management needs to participate in Social Media, and take it seriously.

If the primary mission of government emergency management is providing service, achieving outcomes, and stimulating participation in emergency management efforts, then some of the key benefits that social media may provide towards this mission are:

• Saving lives through rapid communication.  

• Communicating (more) effectively and directly with constituents.


• Reaching a larger group of constituents.


• Building situation awareness.


• Responding to new, incorrect or conflicting information.


• Building community resilience through prevention, mitigation, and preparedness efforts by the promotion of government participation and building mutual trust in the community.


• Fostering transparency and accountability.


• Reducing call volume (wired and cell) to call centers (non-emergency and emergency).

Social Media in Emergency Management

ARRL Arizona Section Newsletter Available online

ARRL Arizona Section Newsletter Available online

Important Documents

In the daily scurry of life it’s easy to overlook a step that is vital to long-term family survival - organizing important records.

A major disaster, or a family member’s death, can create havoc for the family if important documents were not created and then duplicated in another location.

Those who have had to assist a family following the death of the person who was the family record-keeper know the difficulty of finding essential information. Sometimes it is not possible to reconstruct key records after that death. There may be funds on deposit in places now forgotten, a paid-up insurance policy misfiled, or other items not listed in accessible records.

In the aftermath of any major disaster essential records that were in a just-destroyed home or business may be irretrievably lost, resulting in a horrible family nightmare; i.e., insurance claims, disaster assistance, even physical access to the area denied for lack of essential records.

Here is a list of items, documents, and information to keep in accessible places: (1) in your house; (2) copy in safe deposit box; (3) copy in a remote location. It’s a protection that is used in business; that is, put copies of essential records in places remotely located from their main site. While this may sound like a chore, it really isn’t. The benefit you gain is an overview of your current situation, and a list of where key records are filed. Review this every five years as it can be surprising how family and personal information can change…

Important Documents

ARES E-Letter for October 2012 Released

ARES E-Letter for October 2012 Released

ARLB023 - FCC Seeks to Change Amateur Radio Licensing Rules, Allow Additional Emission Types

ARLB023 - FCC Seeks to Change Amateur Radio Licensing Rules, Allow Additional Emission Types

The Emergency Management Cycle

Emergency Management Theory is based on the concept of a cycle involving four basic stages. These can be summarized as Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.

The Emergency Management Cycle

Welcome To SkyWarn

SkyWarn is a program of the United States’ National Weather Service (NWS). Its mission is to collect reports of localized severe weather. These reports are used to aid forecasters in issuing and verifying severe weather watches and warnings and to improve the forecasting and warning processes and the tools used to collect meteorological data.

Welcome To SkyWarn

What is Amateur Radio?

Ham Radio, also known as Amateur Radio, is a popular hobby and a service in which licensed participants operate communications equipment with a deep appreciation of the radio art.  Most of the time, it’s the most fun you can have with a radio. It’s a way to talk with people around the world, or even orbiting the world; to send e-mail without any sort of internet connection and to keep in touch with friends across town or across the country.  But it is called the “Amateur Radio Service” because it also has a serious face.  It’s a very important emergency communications system too.

What is Amateur Radio?

What is the Incident Command System?

This section is designed to give you a brief overview of the Incident Command System and NIMS. It is not designed to teach you how ICS works, nor how ICS and NIMS work together.  There are much better resources that can take care of that.

 

What is the Incident Command System?

Welcome To SkyWarn

SkyWarn is a program of the United States’ National Weather Service (NWS). Its mission is to collect reports of localized severe weather. These reports are used to aid forecasters in issuing and verifying severe weather watches and warnings and to improve the forecasting and warning processes and the tools used to collect meteorological data.

Welcome To SkyWarn

Emergency Preparedness Planning For Pets

All too often when a disaster strikes, our four-legged friends are left to fend for themselves and sometimes end up lost, injured or killed. The best way to avoid this tragic scenario is to have a well-thought-out disaster plan that includes Fido, so you know where to go and what to take. 

For many, pets are more than just animals—they are a part of the family. As members of your family, they should be included in your emergency planning process. Make sure your disaster plan addresses what you will do when an emergency requires you to leave your home, leave your pet at home, or prevents you from returning home. A few simple steps to ensure your pet’s safety can go a long way when disaster strikes.

YOU NEED A PET PLAN! 

Emergency Preparedness Planning For Pets

Day 8 - We don't wanna leave!!!

Arriving back in Los Angeles and leaving the ship.

Day 8 - We don't wanna leave!!!