QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/files/races/opsprep.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 12.9 KB | 242 lines

Page 1

    OPSPrep   Version 1. 3     3/1/92



Subject: PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONDERS and the RESPONDERS FAMILY
[Category: OPS]

WHAT COMES FIRST IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES?
A question was raised at a RACES seminar. If we are called out on
an emergency should we take care of our family first? The answer
to this is "Yes". It is always assumed that family and job
requirements will come before volunteer service. We are all well
advised, however, to preplan with our families so that they may
take care of themselves without us if and when necessary.  RB86 -
18.

FAMILY PREPAREDNESS
One of the least discussed subjects in most public safety
agencies is what you should do, what you could do, what you are
expected to do, or what you should not do in regards to your
family in the event of a major emergency or the threat of one.
Perhaps this is because it is an unpleasant subject to some, not
worthy of consideration by others, or simply "no contest" by yet
others. Volunteers who are committed to an emergency response
function are grouped with public safety employees in this
discussion. RACES personnel, for example, are government
employees whenever they are working, training or serving with
their state or local government. By the way, there are no "right"
answers although, once a discussion gets started, there can be
some strong feelings on what should or should not be done. What
is important is that emergency public service responders
recognize that individuals feel differently on this subject and
that every agency should define a policy of what it expects of
its employees (and volunteers) before the crisis develops.
While being interviewed for my first civil defense position I was
told that its employees and volunteers may put in long and
unscheduled hours, may respond to incidents never knowing when
they will be released to go home, may be called to duty at odd
hours to respond immediately, and that by my not accepting these
conditions could be sufficient and understandable grounds for my
seeking employment elsewhere. Having had fourteen years prior
volunteer SAR and firefighting experience where the same ground
rules applied, I personally had no trouble with this. It was
stressed during the pre-employment interviews and post-employment
policy by that agency that its employees should make whatever
plans were necessary to assure that their family knew what steps
to take and where to go. If necessary, by themselves and without
you. It required a state of mind acceptance, if you will, by the
employees, spouses and other dependents.
Having served as a volunteer emergency responder for so many
years prior to being paid, it certainly helped to prepare me for
the frame of mind that the employer sought. I later learned that
it also made the difference who was hired among equally qualified
people. I thus started my career thinking that this was a
standard operating practice among all emergency agencies. Nothing
could be further from the truth.
All emergency workers, paid or otherwise, come to the job without
any prior experience and exposure to emergency plans for the
family. Each probably had training, but did it include what your
family should do if you are not there to be with them?

The nature of the crisis has a lot to do with whether or not
communications between and your family is or may be possible. All
such families should be briefed on what can happen to the
telephone system in time of crisis. We take the phone system too
much for granted. A sudden knowledge of an event, or the threat
of one, can render the telephone system inoperative. The phone
system is designed to handle just so many calls. Too many callers
at one time and the system collapses. This is why Emergency
Broadcast System announcements should always include the
admonition to limit the use of the telephone only to emergency
calls or emergency calls for assistance.
Emergency responders should have a preplan and know what to do
and where to go in the absence of a telephone callout. By the
same token, our families should know what to do and where to go
if they do not hear from us. Better yet, they should be
conditioned not to hear from us, that we are involved with the
preservation of life and property of many people, and that we are
confident in the fact each of the adults in our family knows,
understands and accepts that fact. To be sure, there are
exceptions and extenuating circumstances.
Chiefs, managers and supervisory personnel first should know that
there are several categories of crisis reactions among employees
and volunteers. These reactions should be discussed at the rank
and file levels prior to arriving at a plan or policy.

Some of these personal responses are: - "I will stay on the job
or report immediately to work; my family knows what to do and
where to go." - "I really don't know what I would do. It would
depend on the circumstances. This has not been spelled out in our
department. I guess that I will play it by ear." - "I'm not doing
ANY work until after I have taken care of my family. Even then I
might not report for duty. Would you?"
It is interesting to note that in an unscientific survey I have
found that most respondents fall into either the first or the
last category, and that most firmly feel that the opposing
position is "absolutely incongruous." I will make no effort to
predict what successes can be achieved, for example, in changing
anyone's beliefs from the "head for home" category to the "duty
above all" school.
Be that as it may, it does behoove managers and planners to
discuss the matter with their people and adopt an official
position. Employees and volunteers should not be left in the dark
"because we have never talked about it."

One city is a few hours downstream of a potential dam failure
that would inundate the city and hundreds of square miles around
it. The city feels it is reasonable to expect all of its
essential duty employees to have a contingency plan for their
families to evacuate themselves to distant safe havens. This
leaves the essential employees to continue uninterrupted the
business of relocating essential services, records, personnel,
prisoners and other wards of the government, etc. Several
agencies use some form of the "buddy" system. Those reporting
from home stop off at the homes of other employees to see that
they are OK; patrol duty personnel may make similar checks if
time allows. One county communications department says that, in
the event of an earthquake, if you can make it home and back
inside of one hour, you may go ahead and do so; if you cannot,
stay on the job.
Too few agencies have adopted a policy in concert with adjacent
jurisdictions: if you cannot get through to your duty station,
report to the nearest similar facility and offer your services.
That facility may have intercommunications with your own and your
whereabouts can thus be made known.
Too many agencies have not addressed this subject at all. How
about yours? Have you? RB068-72

BE WINTER WISE -
BEFORE THE STORM: Keep first aid and critical medical supplies
such as prescriptions, insulin, etc. on hand. Keep a stock of
food which requires little cooking and no refrigeration; electric
power may be interrupted. Keep a portable radio and flashlights
in working order. Have extra batteries on hand; have alternative
batteries to replace radio NICADS. Keep your automobile fueled;
if electric power is cut off, filling stations may not be able to
operate. Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting
and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing.
WHEN YOU RECEIVE A STORM WARNING:
Store drinking water in closed, clean containers; water service
may be interrupted. If flooding is likely, and time permits, move
essential items and furniture to upper floors of your home. If
advised to leave your home, move to a safe area before access is
cut off by flood water. Leave a note telling friends or relatives
where you are going. Before leaving, cut off all electric
circuits at the fuse panel by pulling the main switch, or
disconnect all electrical appliances. Shut off the gas service at
the valve next to the meter, and turn off the water service at
the main valve.

DURING THE STORM:
Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.  Do not try to cross a
flowing stream where water is above your knees. Do not try to
drive over a flooded road; you could be stranded and trapped. If
your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher
ground; many people drown while trying to rescue their cars. Do
not sightsee is areas where flooding or snowfall is occurring; do
not try to enter areas closed by law enforcement agencies without
written authority.
Avoid unnecessary trips; if you must travel during the storm,
dress warmly and advise others of your destination. Use the
telephone only for family emergency needs or to report dangerous
conditions. Beware of downed power lines; report them immediately
to your local gas or electric utility company, police or fire
department. Keep tuned to one of your local radio or television
stations for emergency information.
AFTER THE STORM:
DO NOT TURN GAS BACK ON YOURSELF; rely on utility company crews.
Do not use fresh food that has come in contact with flood waters.
Make sure drinking water is not contaminated; wells should be
pumped out and water tested before drinking. Do not visit
disaster areas without written authority; your presence will
probably hamper rescue and other emergency operations and you
might be in danger.
Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas. If
electrical equipment or appliances have been in contact with
water do not use them until local authorities tell you they are
safe. Use flashlights, not lanterns or matches to examine
buildings; flammables may be inside. Report broken utility lines
to police, fire or other appropriate authorities. Continue to
beware of downed power lines or broken gas lines. Stay tuned to
radio or television for vital information. RB 004 to 009

EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
We have received several questions about the Emergency Broadcast
System (EBS) and its alert tones. California is divided into 29
EBS Operational Areas by the FCC and the State Emergency
Communications Committee. Unless they specifically request
otherwise, every AM, FM and TV station is a participating member
of the EBS.
There are four levels of EBS priorities: #1 is Presidential, #2
is local, #3 is State, and #4 is region wide. All broadcast
stations in the U.S. are required to have an EBS receiver tuned
to a primary radio station specified by the FCC. These EBS
receivers have a decoder that "opens up" the receiver upon
receipt of the EBS alert tones. These special tones are 853 and
960 Hz sounded simultaneously for over 10 seconds. These tones
are purposely different from DTMF (TouchTone) frequencies.
Every radio and TV station is required to broadcast an EBS test
once a week during daylight hours. These tests must be logged
(both those sent and received). The FCC says that the tests must
be straight forward and not have any music or other production
embellishments. We ask that you let me know should you ever hear
a "jazzed up" EBS test by date, time and call letters.
One common misconception and question is "What is the EBS station
serving this area?" The correct answer is that every radio and TV
station serving your area is an EBS station. RB 025

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS LIST FOR HOME AND FAMILY
1. Pre-disaster family plan.
2. First aid kit.
3. Food (i.e., canned or dehydrated foods, soup starters, peanut
butter, puddings, etc.)
4. Bottled water.
5. Flashlight with extra batteries.
6. Transistor radio with extra batteries.
7. Non-electric can opener, crescent wrench, fire extinguisher,
whistle, tissues, plastic spoons, paper cups.
8. Special family needs.
9. Pet needs.
10. Secured heavy objects such as: water heaters, book cases,
china cabinets, and the like. RB86-29

THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM AND AMATEUR RADIO
EBS stands for Emergency Broadcast System. Every operational area
in the state has designated AM, FM and TV stations to carry
emergency information for the public. Amateur radio can be used
to provide the link between civil authorities and the broadcast
stations when other links are lost. All broadcasting stations
must test their EBS equipment weekly. The FCC is now fining
stations that fail to receive and listen to the test messages.
The reason is, of course, that they could miss a real EBS
activation.
Progressive operational areas test their EBS once a month from
the EOC to all broadcast stations. Amateur Radio operators
attached to their local OES offices monitor the stations and
report the results to the EOC. Such areas have an EBS that really
works. Does it work in your area? RB85-21