Welcome to Colorado ARES District 10. District 10 is comprised of Jackson, Larimer and Weld Counties. We have weekly nets on Wednesday evening, at 7:00 PM. We meet on a frequency of 145.115, using a 100 Hz Pl. The D-10 backup frequency is 146.850, which also uses a 100 Hz Pl and the alternate simplex frequency is 146.565.

• What is ARES and what do we do?

ARES, short for Amateur Radio Emergency Services. We are a group of Amateur radio operators, who have registered their stations and agree to participate in training and providing emergency or alternate communications, when conventional communications are not working or become inadequate.

We also use as training, providing communications for public service events such as the MS-150, walkathons, bicycle events and many others.

We have many served agencies, such as the American Red Cross, National Weather Service, State, County and Local City fire, police and ambulance. We also work with other volunteer agencies such as VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) and m any more.

• What are the requirements to be a part of ARES?

To belong to ARES one must complete a registration form. This registers you as a person and gives the local Emergency Coordinator an idea of what kind of equipment capabilities, your license class, other useful training and or resources which may be helpful in an emergency. This enables us to make appropriate assignment in an emergency, or even for training purposes. A willingness to participate in training, and to make your station available to provide emergency communications for major events. Those events may include but not be limited to: Fires, tornadoes, floods, severe weather, civil unrest, other public events where fire police or emergency medical communications might be inadequate.

• Why ARES and not cell phones or CB Radio?

Cell phones have proven to be highly unreliable. In an emergency or major event it often becomes difficult if not impossible to get a phone line in or out. Everyone, it seems has a cell phone and wants to use it during an emergency. This was further evidenced in the Ft Collins Flood of 1997. The Red Cross was one of the agencies we served and if they had to rely on cell phones, very little could have been done to aid disaster victims in a timely manner. CB radio has been in many ways ineffective for many years. Many of the occupants of the 11-meter band have little regard for serious communications. As a result the effectiveness is greatly diminished. There are a lot of good operators there, but the majority does not seem to control most of the frequencies. Additionally Amateur Radio allows us to link several agencies together on common frequencies, unlike many of the agencies current capabilities.

ARES and Amateur Radio operators have the unique capability of utilizing several bands, modes and power levels. We have repeaters in the VHF-UHF spectrums or can utilize simplex. We have SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31, Amateur Television and many more modes on several bands. We can provide long distance links on HF or local links on more appropriate frequencies. In short our versatility makes us a good common denominator for our served agencies.

• How can I help ARES and what does it take for me to be of use in providing Emergency Communications?

It is imperative for new members to do exactly what you are currently doing, participate first in training. Without training there is confusion and disorganization. If we all start on the same page, with the same information, we can better and more effectively communicate the information our served agencies request. By becoming involved in training you add exponentially to your value as a communicator to our organization. Learning the art of message handling, net control duties, packet radio, severe storm spotting, how to set up an emergency communications station, antenna skills, etc will increase your value to our team.

Secondly is the availability of good basic portable equipment. Equipment such as portable antennas, power back-up (like gel cells, deep cycle batteries, and or generators), mobile or portable radios capable of more that just a few watts and a good go bag (well stocked with pens, pencils, paper and many other personal items). See the "GO Bag" list on the ARES D-10 Web Page for more information on what you should include.

Thirdly is the motivation to serve the public good. We do not need people who want to make ARES a para-military organization, but rather people who can interface in any environment, Para-military or civilian. Understanding the different kinds of environments is as important as having the radios and being willing to help. Often these agencies do not understand our capabilities or our flexibility. They do not understand how we can talk to several agencies using one radio or how we can provide communications that rivals the dependability of their systems.

In short, get all the training you can within our organization or outside. Have good working dependable equipment ready to go. Be motivated and versatile. Know our operating policies and be ready to go at a moment's notice.

• When something happens how do I know where to report or what I should do?

As in many emergencies, a good way to find out if ARES is active is to LISTEN on our primary repeater. Its frequency is 145.115 MHz. The backup, if for some reason the primary is down, tune to the 146.850 repeater. A net is likely in progress or soon to start if the event is just getting underway. If you are able to be deployed or assist in the event, first have your things together and be ready to go before getting on the net. Radios, antennas, masts, power sources, go bag, personal items, et al. Make sure your vehicle is ready to go or that you have lined up transportation.

When you do check in, let the net control know your Call sign, what your basic equipment capabilities are, transportation limitations, and the duration that you are available. An example would be as follows:

W0ABC is the net control for the initial net and the person clearly in control of the net and the frequency. Listen first for details! He asks for stations that are available to check-in as he has assignments that need to be filled. You have collected your things and prepared yourself and are now ready to check in. It should resemble something like this.

(You) W0ABC this is KC0RRR.

(NCS) Go Ahead KC0RRR

(You) This is KC0RRR, I am in Windsor, and I have 50 watts on VHF and 35 watts on UHF, with capability of packet on VHF. I have batteries for emergency power. I currently have a vehicle with a full tank of gas and am ready to be deployed. I am available until midnight, as I do have to work tomorrow.

If the net control doesn't have a current assignment, do not just proceed to a location, where you think you might be needed! We have specific protocols that dictate how many folks we have at each location. Usually not more than two! We as an organization, need to exemplify the highest level of professionalism. Agencies that we serve want the highest level of service and we try to accommodate them. If we have an over abundance of folks at any location, other than our own staging area, practices tend to get sloppy and lack efficiency. We strive to be sharp and look sharp!

• How long will my assignment be?

We strive to keep assignments to 8 hours but never more than 12 hours. Never more than 12 hours in 24. Safety is our first consideration. Never work beyond your physical capabilities. If you are too tired LET SOMEONE KNOW! Preferably the NCS (net control station) on the resource net. We will find a replacement if needed.

• On the topic of SAFETY.

Safety is #1 !!!!!! ARES D-10 has a good record for safety. If you do not feel safe about something you are asked to do, tell the person you received the request from and inform them why you feel it is unsafe. DO NOT DO ANYTHING YOU FEEL UNSAFE WITH!

Check connectors on coax, battery charge levels, microphones, power connectors or any other electrical connection, which might have flex or wear points. Make sure they work before you pack them in your go bag. Test your batteries to insure they do not have weak or shorted cells. If it says 12 or 13 volts on a volt meter, does it hold up for as long or nearly as long as the amp hour rating? If not it probably needs to be replaced. If you lack knowledge about batteries or equipment maintenance, go to the folks who do it for a living! We have a purchase arrangement with the folks at Batteries Plus, they would likely be a good source of information for battery conditioning, testing and ultimately replacement when required. That is but one of the resources that would be helpful to aid you in knowing that you are ready for a true emergency!

• What else can I do to ensure I am ready to provide emergency communications?

Participate in simulated emergency tests, conducted by ARES. Participate in any training that is available to you, particularly if ARES sanctions it. We usually have only one or two exercises a year, so stay loose and get involved! We also periodically have workshops or classes to help you improve your skills in a given area. Take advantage of these! Normally we only have one Severe Weather Class a year. Listen to the Wednesday night nets; look on our web site or sign up on our e-mail reflector to receive the latest information on classes or workshops or training of any kind!

We sometimes have limited time, space, and or instructors for a given subject and are unable to offer classes or workshops at multiple times. Take advantage of them the first time they are offered whenever possible. If you do sign up please make sure you can and do attend. There have been instances where folks were excluded because other people signed up then did not attend. Slots are generally limited in an effort to provide quality training, therefore limits are set. If you are slotted for a class make sure to attend. Dependability is an important quality that ARES members must have! If you sign up for a class or volunteer to do something DO IT! People are counting on you within the organization and in our served agencies! WE NEED DEPENDABLE PEOPLE!

It's pretty simple actually and goes much like this:

Terms which you may have read, heard or not even heard of yet can get confusing. Most are pretty straight forward. Some however, could confuse you if you didn't understand their purpose. Below you will find some of them and a description of how and why they are used.

1. Resource Net: This is a net where resources are managed. It is your first point of contact for most events. It is a place where people, equipment and other resources can be pooled and assigned as required. It is important in the course of making assignments and to insure that we have a handle on where who or what is. It is an essential tool used by the Emergency Coordinator or the Assistant Emergency Coordinators, to insure that resources are available, without interrupting the normal operations of the emergency at hand.

 

This is where you will check in, as a rule, first. Be ready to answer the net control's questions or even report as to your availability and readiness. Always listen before joining any net in progress. This avoids un-necessary interruptions in its operation, duplication of announcements of needs or situations. Listening first is a key!

 

2. Operational Net: This net is just what it says, an operational net. It is directly in support of whatever the event is. Unless assigned, or directed to go to this net, do not transmit on it! Unless you have traffic which is life threatening and related to that incident, go to another frequency. Do not ask this net control for information about the event, unless you have been assigned and are not up to speed. You will find as a rule that if you listen first for a time, your questions will be answered. We attempt in our Net Control training to insure that net controls put out information regularly, as needed to keep our people (who are involved) updated. This is not CNN so don't expect that kind of reporting! We have serious business to conduct so lets keep it germane to the event and on an as needed basis.

 

3. Tactical Frequency: These are frequencies used within an event for special purposes. They are assigned by a net control for specific tasks in mind. They are also intended for those involved stations to produce the intended support uninterrupted. Do not follow folks to those tactical frequencies, thinking it is less formal and just jump in. These folks have work to do and do not need stations to suddenly appear and distract them from their task. As always you are free to listen, but listening is far from injecting comments or input not required.

 

4. Tactical Calls: Tactical calls are often as simple as the suffix of your call or may relate to the assignment where you are. They are commonly used when events are "long term" but not usually for short duration events (expected to be less than a few hours). They may be such things as "Command", "Chapter house", "Loveland shelter" etc. Things that identify the location or the function they have within the event. Often they are implemented because there are operators coming and going within that assignment. Such changes might include, shift change, someone that is temporarily at site providing logistical support, answering for someone on site.

 

5. AEC or Assistant Emergency Coordinator: Is the coordinator for specific disciplines. However, in the absence of the Emergency Coordinator, one of the AEC's will assume the duties of the EC (Emergency Coordinator).

 

6. EOC: Emergency operations center. This is a location, usually within municipalities where managers from many if not all of the essential functions of local government or volunteer agencies meet and make the decisions about how an operation will be conducted. It is the "nerve center" if you will for all essential operations. Information continues to come in, request for services come in, resource information is collected and decisions about deployment or assignment of resources are made in these centers. Often its how we know where we are needed and how we are to be used, as is the case with other agencies within the overall structure.

 

7. STATE EOC: The state EOC is located in Camp George West. That is in the east Golden area. It is a location where our state official coordinate resources within the state and direct, as appropriate those which are better utilized elsewhere, to their destination. For instance, if there were an over abundance of busses in the City and County of Denver, but there was a shortage in the Larimer County area, but they were needed to do massive evacuations from Larimer County, the State EOC could direct them to be deployed to Larimer County. Another example might be the re-deployment of Hazmat teams from one jurisdiction to another. Frequently the resources available through the state EOC are at the discretion of the Governor. This is a central clearing house for those requests. We as communicators may be requested to relay information from point A to point B but will not be the initiators of the requests. We are but the messengers!

 

8. NCS: Net Control Station. This is the station that is responsible for the maintenance of order on the frequency. If there is a net in progress, you should direct ALL traffic through net control unless he directs otherwise.

 

9. Formal Net: This is a net being conducted to control the frequency, stations on it and the resources and or situation. ALL TRAFFIC MUST GO THROUGH NET CONTROL!

 

10. Informal Net: A net usually established to start gathering resources. To establish who might be on frequency and so the Net control has an idea as to the resources he might be able to utilize if the situation escalates. Stations are generally free to use the frequency, but should keep traffic to a minimum and all transmissions should be kept short. It is also very important to leave breaks, in case emergency traffic requires the use of the frequency.

 

11. Emergency Traffic: Emergency traffic is that traffic which is life threatening or where life or property are or will be placed in jeopardy if the situation continues. Fires, tornado, flood, traffic accident (with injuries) are some examples of emergency traffic. Traffic which would not qualify, are such as," Mary needs a gallon of milk before you come home. Jim needs to see "how I'm hitting the repeater". Those are not emergencies for our definitions.

• General Policies For ARES

• Listen first and then check in if you are available and think you have capabilities that can help.

• Proceed only as assigned. Do not make assumptions on or off the air.

• When you are in position, do not repeat what you "overhear" only those things which you are asked to communicate. If you are asked for information from the agency, ask them for the answer. Do not assume that because you heard it in a room coming from someone that it is the answer they want communicated.

• Do not speculate about conditions or spread rumors. We are there as communicators. When a net control asks for a report of conditions you should report on those things which you know to be true, correct and accurate. It may be information that you have gathered at the request of the NCS.

• When your shift is over, go home! Take a break and get the much-needed rest. You may be requested to be back on duty later. We want you to be rested and operating at 100%!

• SAFETY is #1!!! In whatever operation you are endeavoring to complete, be safe in your operation. Injured communicators usually are no good to us! They also require attention from our resources and others, which detracts from the overall operation. Do not become a part of the event. Look ahead and think of the safest way to do a task and do it that way! If you need help ask for it. Either from within our ranks or from people around you!

• Follow the instructions you are given by Net Control. There are often reasons he/she is giving you those specific instructions. If you have questions, ask them. If you do not have the information you need to complete an assignment, you are responsible to ask for the information or direction to make it happen!

• Think about what you want to say and whom you need to direct it to. Nothing is more frustrating for someone to start a transmission and not clearly and distinctly state what it is they are attempting to communicate. We have all heard people like this and I am sure, shared in the frustration. STOP, LISTEN, THINK, KEY YOUR MIC AND THEN SPEAK!

• Log your traffic! Keep track of any transmissions, which specifically pertain to your assignment. Questions asked, replies sent, who they are from, who they are to, time received, time sent. In addition it is a good idea to monitor the air and take notes or log the information being shared on air. You may be the next Net Control and will need to know what is going on!

• Brief your relief. It is important for you to brief your relief regarding radio traffic, who the players are in your assigned area, what your assignment is and of other facilities in operation in that operational frequency and others. Give them all the information you have available and make sure it is also in writing for easy reference. No chicken scratch please!

As a member of ARES, you are charged with a great deal of responsibility. That responsibility is to, as efficiently as possible, transfer information for served agencies. In addition we need to be efficient and effective in our set up, conduct, and record keeping. We hope you see that it is much more than showing up with a radio and saying, "Can I help"? That is a part but only a small one in the overall picture. Being alert, conscientious, resourceful, organized and effective in your ability to communicate and interface with the agencies we serve are paramount.

As the Emergency Coordinator for this district, I put a lot of faith in your abilities to communicate and work shoulder to shoulder with other communicators and agencies within the public forum. Be flexible to accommodate the changing needs and requests from our served agencies. We are working to insure that you are as well prepared to meet those challenges and responsibilities as we can. The rest is up to you! We hope that you will enjoy emergency/public communications as many of us have through the years. It is rewarding and satisfying to know that you have helped others. I personally hope you receive as much from performing these services as I have.