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Emergency
Radio Comms -
The
"Shingletown Emergency Radio" Plan ("SER")
Here are a few
of the positive community service procedures and activities
conducted by Ham Radio Operators using the SER PLAN:
(examples of
some our accomplishment are further down on this page)
1.
Smoke Ham Radio Reporting system to facilitate locating unknown
sources of smoke / fire in our hills / mountains by using radio
reports from station operators. The reporting system is for the
purpose of triangulating on potential sources of smoke /
fire using wind speed, wind direction, Station QTH, odor
level, smoke / haze concentrations, etc..., and then reporting
results to CalFire.
2. Earthquake Ham Radio Reporting system to record levels
of earthquake severity by geographic area. Standardized
reporting information to be provided to CalFire and other
emergency responders so resources can be dispatched to
areas likely having higher levels of damage / injuries.
3. Brevity Ham Radio Situation Reporting system to provide
information on such matters as: severe snow storms, trees
down, electrical power out, phone services not working, internet
not working, 911 services not working, families in need of
food, water, blankets, medical, etc... .
4. Tone alert activation system procedures for different
levels of activation (including an alert frequency and procedure
for participating stations).
5. Frequency plan, and prioritization to address
repeater failures due to lack of power, mechanical failure, busy
frequencies, etc... . Stations are to merely follow the specific
frequency plan and rotation (and SCAN THE PLAN 24 /7 as best
they can). VHF, HF and Digital are part of the plan. CW is
in process.
And here are a few
examples of items we have done with the above system:
July 7, 2018 Relay
Information during Search for Missing Person:
Radio traffic (on 760) from K7TDK advised that the
Sheriff’s Office and volunteers were searching for a lost
youth in the area of Long Hay Flat Rd., and Highway 44.
Resources were exhausted and request was made for more
volunteers. A
name was provided for the missing person, but
the description of the missing person was not available.
K6PDS called the Sheriff’s Office (non emergency
number) and obtained a detailed description of the missing
person (Autistic juvenile, age 15, male, blond hair, 5
feet tall, weight 100 pounds, wearing: a black T shirt, blue
jeans, green hoody with orange writing on it). K6PDS
transmitted this information on the 760 and 640 repeaters. KM6IQS
relayed information from Sheriff dispatch.
KQ6CS advised that
he was preparing to join the search. Subsequently, K7TDK advised
that the youth had been located and was safe.
KM6IQS transmitted on the 760 and 640 repeater that the
youth had been found.
June 28, 2018 - Smoke: SER
operator (PDS) in Shasta Forest Village was awakened by the
smell of “light” smoke at about 3:30 A.M. He
went outside and took the wind direction (azimuth) and odor
level(s). He walked
his street and another street mindful of wind direction and
attempted to locate the source (and to determine that it
wasn’t merely a fire in a fireplace). At this time no smoke
was visible in the street or from any property. He finally
narrowed the search area down (by smell and wind direction) and
alerted a resident (who was working outside) as to the smell of
smoke near the person’s property – the resident advised that
he didn’t have a fire in his fireplace. At
about 4:15 A.M., PDS called Cal Fire since had not found any
homes with smoke coming out of a chimney. Shortly
thereafter, the smoke level increased and intensified to where
it was now blowing across the street and became visible (use of
a flashlight reflecting high particulate matter in the air
showed the source being on the opposite side of the wooden
fence). PDS looked over the 6 foot wooden fence and saw a fire
burning with flames 2 to 3 feet in height emanating from a
burning stump next to the wooden fence. Dry leaves and debris
were on the fence line (opposite side). The resident of the
house with the fire claimed he didn’t start the fire, he was
trying to “burn ants” earlier. He
apparently thought the fire was “out”.
The fire and flames were extinguished. The
burn was illegal. If the wooden fence and yard debris had
ignited, both homes close to the fire may have ignited. A
potential forest fire was averted. No neighbors appeared to even
know what had happened as they slept.
Arson Watch Radio teams set up on patrol in the woods
late at night. There was an arsonist starting fires in the
wooded areas. Radio Plan included (using a sub net procedure):
scheduled check ins, reporting, and Net Control Station (home
base).
Vehicle accident on highway 44 during icy road
conditions - truck with trailer lost control, hitting
tree. Radio call from vehicle made. Home base station
relayed accident information to 911. Home base station
went to scene, set up flares and directed traffic until Highway
Patrol arrived.
Vehicle accident on highway 44, person ejected from
vehicle rollover (person went through the air about 30
feet). Radio relay made to 911. Station
operators directed traffic, and station operator (with medical
training) (who heard the report on the radio) drove to the
scene and assisted before paramedics arrived.
4. Elderly lady was being followed home by suspicious
individual to remote area. Radio call made and home base
station relayed to 911. The suspect vehicle was pulled
over by the Sheriff before he got out of Shingletown.
Arrest made on outstanding warrants.
2017, summer, multiple fires (along side of road)
in downtown Shingletown. Radio operators arrived,
helped direct traffic. Station operators drove from Viola to
Shasta Forest Village (and other areas) being on the look out
for a specific suspicious vehicle, and looking for any other
fires. Additionally, station operators drove back roads.
2017, approximately 7 suspicious fires started in the
woods near homes in Shingletown. Cal Fire responded with ground
and air support. Radio station set up Field Radio Station
Net near fire, and provided information on fire status. Other
stations relayed reports into the Field Radio Station Net
(e.g., information from Cal Fire dispatch etc... ).
Residents monitoring were able to know factual information on
scene as well as heard the relayed reports on the status of the
fire.
Developed and placed in use a Q Code monitoring
report system for smoke reporting which can be done
periodically and randomly from home base stations as well as
mobile stations who give reports from or near lookout points and
anywhere they may be. Purpose is to provide very short
report formats, providing specific information, so as to
facilitate monitoring by operators who are working and can't
listen to a lot of radio talk. Reports may be while a
station is mobile and traveling on Highway 44, traveling
on Highway 5, or traveling and/or located in: Redding,
Millville, Palo Cedro, Manton, Cottonwood, Whitmore,
Mt. Lassen National Park, etc... ).
We conduct
weekly drills for earthquake, situation
reports, and smoke / fire.
Actions taken by radio
operators in using this radio communication plan are the
responsibility of the individuals personally.
You don't
have to "join" or become a "member".
Just turn on your radio, follow the PLAN, and help out.
Help stop
disasters before they happen.
Call
474-3267 for information.
73
K6PDS
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