Tonight’s training item is Call Out Initial Response and Setup Procedures.

Much of this information can be found in the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level One Course.

There are many situations in which we as emergency communicators will be asked to assist in communications. Public events such as parades, or races as well as emergency situations such as search and rescue, forest fires, and natural disasters are just a few of them.

Our ability to respond appropriately and professionally will help establish and maintain our value as communicators. There are some simple guidelines that we can follow that will enable us to respond to all situations effectively and professionally.

Generally the first step required with any call out is to establish what our assignment and duties will be. In the case of a scheduled event such as public service events, this is often done through a logistics or staffing net. In the case of an emergency, it might be the general command activation net.

In some cases you may be asked to proceed to a staging or volunteer intake area and wait for an assignment. In any case, it is important that you know exactly where you need to be and what will be required of you.

After you have received your assignment, make sure that you are prepared with the equipment you will need before you go. Make sure that you understand the procedures required to check in to your assignment. In some cases this may mean that you check in to a specific net to let the controllers know that you are en route and then periodically report your progress, particularly if travel is hazardous.

When you arrive at your designated assignment, check in with those at the facility and introduce yourself as an emergency communicator to the person in charge. This person will be busy, so get right to the point.

After you identify yourself, find out if there are other communicators already on location. If you are the first person there, inform them that you would like to set up your equipment and get on the air. Make sure that you choose a location that is convenient for you to perform your duties and that you will not get in the way of the other operations at that location.

Your next task is to identify what your role as a communicator will include pertaining to this event. A quick briefing from the person in charge or from another communicator that you are relieving is important and there are some important questions you should ask.

First, Find out what means of communication you will be using. Find out if there are working telephones, faxes, internet or other means of communication.
Find out what the served agencies operations and immediate needs are.

Identify possible alternative message paths

Find sanitary and bathroom facilities

Determine water and food sources and eating arrangements.

Review the overall conditions at the site, and how they will effect your operations.

Find a place to get some occasional rest if required.

Find out what the critical needs are of the agency or group you are supporting.

Who do they need to communicate with.

What are the frequencies, and in the case of public service radios the channels that will be used.

What are the station names and functions of the other groups with whom communications will be given and received. Make a list of stations within simplex range that can be contacted if repeaters fail or can not be contacted.

Find out what kind of information will need to be transmitted.

Will the messages be short and tactical or consist of long lists or text.

Will any messages be confidential and how should they be handled.

In summary… Who will you be communicating with and what will you be communicating.

Keep a log of this information as well as all traffic that you are asked to handle. Also keep a list of important events happening locally within the agency.

Be prepared to pass on this information to others who may later relieve you and to those in charge after the event has been completed so that an effective review of procedures can be made.

By following these basic guidelines, we will be able to quickly and effectively step in to our roles as communicators and help those agencies we have been asked to serve.

This concludes this evenings training topic.

Are there any questions.