Buffalo Co. ARES
Emergency Preparedness Plan
July 16 2007
1. Summer weather watch.
A. When a weather watch is issued for the area, the weather message will be on the KA0DBK repeater 147.390 P/L 123.0, all amateurs should monitor the KC0WZL repeater 145.235 PL 123.0 .
B. When a weather warning is issued, a Special Weather Net will be called on 145.235 PL 123.0 repeater 147.390 PL 123.0 is back up repeater. The back up repeater has battery Emergency power.
The EC or AEC will announce the Net and ask for a N.C.S. and he will make a list of all check-ins and there QTH. A.R.E.S. spotters should have their equipment ready to go. ARES of Buffalo Co. will do weather spotting, Not Storm Chasing. This is not our function.
All A.R.E.S. members are under the A.R.E.S. E.C. and A.E.C. authority and should follow there instruction, Removal of your ARES membership can be taken by the EC of Buffalo Co.
N.C.S. will appoint a station to relay information to NWS if needed, on 146.820. Appointed station must be able to monitor 145.235 and 147.390 and 147.820. There will be N.C.S. on Freq. at all times during a alert. Back up N.C.S. can take over for the N.C.S. If they need to leave the Freq. we will try to have two N.C.S. when possible for alerts to help things go smoother.
All stations report severe weather to N.C.S. Report hail, strong wind, heavy rain, direction of travel and speed if possible. KEEP MESSAGES SHORT. If the Freq. is busy use the back up repeater. Time is important.
The E.C. or A.E.C. can dispatch an Amateur to the Kearney Fire Station and/or EOC if needed.
In the event a tornado should do damage to Kearney or Buffalo Co. area, the EC or AEC will find out if we are needed for communications in any areas such as search and rescue, shelters, Red Cross and Salvation Army. AEC will keep track of Amateur on duty and shift change. All 5 repeaters may be needed.
C. Proper ID will be needed on this operation, so have it with you when you leave home. Supplies should include HT Extra batteries, message paper, pens pencil, and emergency antennas.
When the emergency is over, E.O.C. and N.C.S. will account for all Amateurs that have helped in this alert.
2. Winter Storm Watch and Warning.
A. If a blizzard is forecasted, monitor 145.235 PL 123.0 repeater the 147.390 PL 123.0 is the back up repeater it has emergency power. Simplex 146.520 if power is off. We may also use other Repeaters in the area.
When a blizzard is in the area, a net will be activated.
When E.O.C. is operational, we will need E.C. or A.E.C. and one other operator at the center to set up communications. One or two at the Fire Stations, one or two at Good Sam Hospital as N.C.S. station. Or a A.R.E.S, O.E.S., home station.
If the Red Cross opens shelters, we will need one or two Amateurs for communications from the shelters to Good Sam Hospital.
B. E.O.C., Fire Station, Good Sam, or Shelter will need to keep a paper copy of all important messages that may be needed to be relayed to other people or Agencies.
After blizzard warning is over. N.C.S. and E.O.C. will be sure all stations are accounted for before closing the Net.
3. Search and Rescue
A. If Amateur Radio Operators are needed to search for a missing person, an alert will be called on 145.235 PL 123.0. Amateurs will report to the command center of the emergency. E.O.C. will let EC or A.E.C. know what is needed and how many Ham’s.
Simplex may be used 146.520 146.535 146.550 446.000 446.025 446.050 446.075
4. Public Service Events.
A.R.E.S will try to have communications when needed for the event.
A. Walk- a- thon communications at start and finish lines and water and rest stops.
B. Parades, work with Kearney Police Dept. for traffic control on parade route.
C. Bicycle- a- thons, communications at start and finish lines and water and rest stops.
D. A.R.E.S will try to fill the gap where communications are needed for Kearney, Buffalo Co. if it is possible. We are a small group of volunteers with knowledge and equipment of Amateur Radio operations and should be able to help in area emergencies.
5. Loss of Normal Communications.
A. Amateur’s will be instructed by E.C. or A.E.C. to set up radio communications where needed.
B. When the E.O.C. has been activated, E.C. or A.E.C. will be at the center to supply communications to the N.C.S. to supply communications for other agency.
C. Kearney Fire Station(s) will be provided a Ham Operator if needed and/or requested.
D. Good Sam Hospital Base station would be activated and could be used as Net Control Site if needed.
6. Emergency Communication for other area communities.
A. A.R.E.S E.C. or A.E.C. will check with the E.C. of the other towns or countries to see if help is needed before any Ham’s are sent out. Information as to how may Ham’s, what kind of equipment and approximately how long the disaster is expected to last.
B. All Ham Operators are volunteers and most have employment, commitments and as such, are not available 100% of the time. Availability varies with the time of day, and day of the week. Most Hams are available in the evening and on week-ends. National Holidays could bring our numbers down a lot.
C. Amateur Radio Operators are there to provided communications, NOT to provide labor.
D. A.R.E.S members will be trained in the followings.
Wx Spotting "NOT STORM CHASING"
Traffic handling (taking messages on paper reports)
Traffic control for parade and fire.
Setting up Emerg. Communications in shelters.
7. A.R.E.S Equipment needed.
Ham HT VHF or VHF-UHF Radio.
Extra Batteries, extra mag. Antenna, & coax.
Proper ID, County or A.R.E.S card or ARRL Badge, club cap & jacket.
Message forms, paper, pen pencil.
1 flashlight, 2 or 3 D cell, extra battery.
Red traffic control wand.
Possible rain gear, boots, coveralls.
Water & Snacks.
Bag for Equipment.
8. Amateur Radio Repeater Use.
A. Be friendly to all amateurs that you talk to, help those who need information in our area. Keep transmissions short and informative.
A.R.E.S - Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
E.O.C.- Emergency Operations Center, Buffalo Co. Communications center or where Emergency management puts it.
N.C.S. - Net Control site. - Location of coordinating Amateur Radio Operator.
Note: All frequencies listed on this paper are in Megacycles.
N.W.S - National Weather Service - in Hastings, NE.
E.C. - Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinator -- Danny Baer
A.E.C. - Assistant Emergency Coordinator -- Pat Kistler, Eddy Baer and Matt Emel