ARES
EMERGENCY PLAN
MARION COUNTY
FLORIDA
RON VIOLA, KS4SW
MARION COUNTY EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
EFFECTIVE 1 MAY 2015
THIS PLAN SUPERCEDES ALL PREVIOUS EDITIONS
Revision 6
Authored by Carl Berry, KC5CMX
ARES PLAN FOR MARION COUNTY FLORIDA
HTTP://ARESMCFL.ORG
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 2
II. PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
III. ACTIVATING THE PLAN ......................................................................................................................... 3
IV. ARES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE & DEPLOYMENTS .................................................................. 4
V. DUTIES OF THE NET CONTROL STATION ........................................................................................... 6
VI. OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 7
VII. DRILLS, TESTS AND ALERTS............................................................................................................... 9
VIII. ICS 205A ................................................................................................................................................ 10
IX. OTHER FORMS ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Activity Log (ICS 214) ................................................................................................................................ 14
Activity Log (ICS 214) ................................................................................................................................ 15
ICS 309 COMMUNICATIONS LOG ................................................................................................................. 17
ICS 213 GENERAL MESSAGE ................................................................................................................. 18
RADIOGRAM ................................................................................................................................................. 19
X. APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................ 20
APPENDIX I
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND DEPLOYMENT ROSTER .............................. 20
APPENDIX II
MEMBERSHIP ROSTER ............................................................................................... 20
see http://aresmcfl.org/geninfo/roster/ for the most current information ..................................................... 20
APPENDIX III SERVED AGENCIES..................................................................................................... 20
a. Municipal police departments .................................................................................................................. 20
APPENDIX IV DEFINITIONS AND TERMS ........................................................................................ 21
APPENDIX V
DRILLS AND TRAINING .............................................................................................. 25
APPENDIX VI PERSONAL READINESS REQUIREMENTS ............................................................. 26
Updates to this manual will be posted on the ARES website, http://aresmcfl.org. If
there is a major revision, there will be a new manual revision number. For minor
revisions, a pen and ink change will suffice. It is up to each member of ARES to print
and keep their manual up to date as needed.
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ARES EMERGENCY PLAN
MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
Written 7/1/80
Revision 6
April 16, 2015
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Marion County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is composed of amateurs
who have voluntarily registered their capabilities and equipment for public service
communications duty with the county ARRL Emergency Coordinator (EC).
1.2 Under Federal regulations, the contents of messages handled by amateur radio are not
divulged to unauthorized persons and such public service communications are furnished without
compensation of any kind.
1.3 The Marion County ARES functions under this emergency plan under the direction of the
Marion County emergency coordinator (EC), who is appointed by the North Florida Section
Emergency Coordinator, (SEC), ARRL.
1.4 The EC may appoint Assistant ECs sufficient to function effectively.
1.5 In the event the EC is not present within the county to implement this plan during any period
of emergency, the assistant EC designated as “In charge” may implement this plan until either
the emergency is over or the EC returns.
1.6 ARES and MERT will monitor 146.610 and other frequencies as designated on the ICS
205A Communications Plan.
1.7 Due to the history of MERT and ARES in Marion County, there are parts of the plan that
will be ARES specific and MERT specific. Marion County is unique in its management of
EmComm, so the normal ARES information has been modified to meet these requirements.
1.8 In the event of a conflict or omission in this manual, further guidance will be obtained from
the SEC, DEC or the NFLSEP.
1.9 Marion County SkyWarn will operate under the direction of the Marion County EC and
SkyWarn coordinator. It will command the same support from Silver Springs Radio Club as
ARES. The designated SkyWarn frequency is 146.610. Activation of SkyWarn during a
declared event for ARES or MERT will be on this repeater, then will be moved off frequency to
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repeater designated on the ICS 205A (147.210). Net control will announce every 10 minutes
during the SkyWarn event that the net is on an alternate frequency.
1.10 The official ARES website for Marion County Florida is http://aresmcfl.org. Silver Springs
Radio Club website is http://k4gso.us
II. PURPOSE
2.1 The purpose of this plan is to provide a written guide containing the minimum information
that would be needed in an emergency. Each emergency is different, and flexibility to provide
an adequate response to each is a necessity.
2.2. The primary responsibility of the Marion County ARES is to furnish emergency
communications in the event of natural or man-made disasters, when regular communications
fail or are inadequate.
2.3 All drills, training and instruction shall be carried out to insure readiness to respond quickly
in providing effective amateur emergency communications whenever an occasion may arise.
Preferred training method includes all ham radio support teams training together.
2.4 The following agencies should be served during a communications emergency: American
Red Cross, hospitals, city and county fire departments and EMS, city Police Departments,
Salvation Army or any other agency requesting assistance. MERT will take care of staffing the
shelters. Points of distribution (PODS), when activated may be manned by either ARES or
MERT personnel, depending on manning availability. Hospitals are manned and operated HEC,
(Hospital Emergency Communications). The operators are badged and vetted by the hospitals.
The operations at the hospitals will conform to the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)
and any ARES members called from Marion County or outside counties will be trained in
hospital communications prior to deployment to the hospitals..
2.5 This plan will work in conjunction with the Northern Florida Section Emergency Plan
currently in effect. Mutual cooperation and coordination are necessary for the mission and
success of this Plan.
III. ACTIVATING THE PLAN
3.1 Any member of the Marion County ARES who for any reason whatever suspects a
communications emergency exists should monitor the Ocala primary repeater, 146.610. In the
event this Ocala repeater is off the air, ARES members should monitor the simplex frequency
for this repeater (146.610) or operate in accordance with (IAW) ICS 205A
3.2 If local telephone service is available, the EC or Asst. ECs should be notified by telephone.
3.3 In an emergency in which amateur radio might serve the community, amateur radio
operators may be alerted by any City, County, or similar official notifying the EC or any of his
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designated assistant emergency coordinators in the event of the EC’s absence. Amateur radio
operators should never proceed to the scene of the disaster without prior request or
notification from an official of any of the above agencies, or as directed by the EC.
Deployment or assistance to MERT will require a Constellation number and a
background check by the served agency.
IV. ARES MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE & DEPLOYMENTS
4.1 Local broadcast stations will be contacted by the EC or his representative, if possible, for
spot announcements alerting ARES members.
4.2 Upon awareness or notification that a communications emergency exists, members of the
Marion County ARES will call into the Marion County ARES Net on 146.610. If this repeater is
inoperable, the net will meet as defined on the ICS 205A for further net information.
4.3 Telephone tree concept WILL be utilized. The EC will notify the AEC, who will then notify
the other AECs. They will in turn contact the ARES members that they are designated to contact.
Primary ARES notification will be “on-the-air”.
4.4.1. The EC upon declaring a communications emergency will delegate Net Control to the
Asst. EC in charge of VHF emergency communications who will establish an operating net
from the Silver Springs Radio Club (SSRC) clubsite facility if possible, or from any other
location designated by the EC in its place. (e.g. ARES Trailer, Perry Field, etc.)
2. When necessary, the EC will request net assistance from a designated Asst. EC so
assigned, or from anyone else available and so equipped in the former’s absence.
3. When necessary, the EC will request the Asst. EC in charge of VHF communications to
activate a second VHF operating position at the clubsite facility to provide inter-county and
intra-district emergency communications.
4.5 MERT is integrated with the MCSO. In the event further amateur assistance is required, the
MCSO official will request assistance from the EC as outlined in the North Florida Section
Emergency Plan in the “Deployment Scenarios” section
4.6 ARES will operate in Marion County primarily on 146.610 or on other designated
frequencies per ICS 205A. 146.610 will be used as a general hailing frequency, with ARES
acting as the NCS, and used to make contacts with served agencies, and then they will be moved
off to another frequency. MERT will operate pursuant to its own guidelines. MERT is the
primary agency to serve the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Emergency Management
and will operate as such.
4.7 The SSRC, upon approval of its Board of Directors who concur with this emergency plan,
agree to provide club-owned facilities & equipment to support emergency communications in
the following manner:
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A. To provide an HF station at the clubsite facility, (Green Clover Hall, Perry Field Station,
etc.) to be operated and controlled by the Station Manager and/or the Asst. EC in charge of
providing a low-band traffic point .
B. To provide no fewer than two 2 meter operating positions at the clubsite facility, which
will be tasked to perform the following missions:
1. The first VHF mission will be to provide a NCS for all VHF communications
within Marion County for any emergency needs.
2. The second VHF station shall be provided for the purpose of providing intercounty and inter-district communications, to meet the west central Florida district emergency on
D-Star, Ref 046 or per ICS 205A
3. Operation of both VHF facilities will be under the direct chain of command of the
ARES division of the ARRL, with ultimate operations control being delegated to an Asst. EC in
charge of VHF communications.
C. The K4GSO repeater on 146.610 will be available for emergency communications at any
time at the discretion of the Emergency Coordinator, as specified in the current SSRC by-laws.
4.8 Other private stations with emergency power will be deployed as missions require under the
direction of the EC or designated AEC.
4.9 Primary and secondary operators must not only maintain the same equipment as outlined,
but are also required to develop simultaneous dual channel capability on VHF, UHF and D-Star,
if needed.
4.10 Shelter operators will be deployed as designated by the MERT staff under the direction of
MCSO.
Operational Deployment
Vetting by Local and State Agencies
Volunteers in many areas are being more highly scrutinized these days. This ranges from general or
criminal background checks through financial (credit scores, etc.) and personal character references.
Many people (not just hams) who have nothing to hide look upon this as a form of invasion of
privacy. In most cases however, the maximum degree of vetting for ARES participation is a
criminal background check. To qualify for official deployment requires you to provide your Florida
Driver’s License ID number when registering in the Northern Florida Section Database. Joining the
database does not trigger any form of background check. Those who are concerned should realize
however, that background checks can be made by the State without permission and that there may
be a background check made without an individual’s knowledge prior to an actual deployment they
agree to perform.
Deployment for emergencies directed by the Northern Florida Section will not be authorized unless
the amateur radio operator has voluntarily submitted the necessary information to be officially
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listed in the Northern Florida Data Base. This is the only way the section can maintain a list of
those willing and able to meet the needs of a deployment mission. Once the call for help comes in,
it is too late to accomplish the pre-vetting necessary to determine who can commit to a
deployment. The database allows us to get ahead of the storm so to speak.
Determining the protection of volunteers who provide service to the state and its political
subdivisions is a complex tour involving several Florida statutes. They can be found at the
following website.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0252/ch0252.h
tm
The Florida General Statute GS 252.41 (2) (c) is the enabling legislation giving emergency managers
the authority to do what is necessary. GS 768.1355 is the Florida Volunteer Protection Act and
identifies conditions under which protection can be afforded to individual members of nonprofit
organizations. And GS 768.12 the Good Samaritan Act pertains mainly to medical personnel but has
been held to protect people aiding in medical responses in some situations. Much depends upon the
volunteer responding to a specific, documented, call for assistance from emergency management.
The amateur radio operator should be prepared to take full responsibility for personal injury or
illness incurred in the performance of volunteer duties, and always act in a manner that is consistent
with commonly accepted good practices for amateur radio operations and FCC rules and
regulations, in order to justify his/her actions if they should ever need to seek a claim for
compensation or request indemnity from liability.
V. DUTIES OF THE NET CONTROL STATION
5.1 The Marion County ARES Net will be called to order by either the EC or an AEC who
is designated in charge in the event of the ECs absence.
5.2 Members of the Marion County ARES are checked into the net from their base or
mobile stations to await further instructions. Base stations, upon checking in, should also
indicate their emergency power capability.
5.3 Mobile liaison stations will be assigned to any or all of the following if required:
a. Municipal police departments
b. Hospitals (See section 2.4 above - HEC)
c. Salvation Army
d. City and county fire departments and EMS
e. Specific disaster scenes
f. American Red Cross
5.4 Liaison stations with two way radio capability will be assigned to any or all of the
following nets and/or frequencies, except those being specifically covered by the HF station at
the K4GSO clubsite facility (See 205A for county plan)
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a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
North Florida ARES Net
Florida Phone Traffic Net
Florida Midday Traffic Net
All-Florida CW Net (QFN)
Intercontinental Amateur Traffic Net
Maritime Mobile Service Net
Hurricane Watch Net
Gulf Coast Hurricane Net
Florida Races - Summer
Florida Races - Winter
3.950
3.940
7.427
3.651
14.300
14.300
14.325
3.935
7.254
3.990
5.5 Stations not specifically assigned to the frequencies listed in 5.4 above should also
monitor local radio and TV stations in addition to local ARES net on 146.610, if able to do so,
or as specified on ICS 205A
5.6 All operators acting as NCS need to know how to handle both ARRL and ICS 213
traffic. There is an ICS 213 NIMS compliant in Appendix E of the North Florida ARES Plan.
VI. OPERATIONS
6.1 All written message traffic must be in standard ARRL format, except when
communications are of a tactical nature and will be logged at both stations as to content. Use of
ICS 213, 214, 309 and other forms should be used and promoted as much as possible.
6.2 All written messages must be signed by the person who originates them with his title,
who takes responsibility for their contents. (NIMS)
6.3 Message precedencies of EMERGENCY, PRIORITY, WELFARE AND ROUTINE, as
defined by the National Traffic System. See North Florida Plan, Appendix E.
6.4 In a LEVEL I (full emergency), (see 6.5 below), VHF 2 meter stations do not transmit
unless invited to do so by net control. No station shall communicate directly with any other
station without first obtaining clearance from the NCS.
There will be two exceptions to this rule:
a. Sheriff’s comm center station (MERT) may activate on frequency and
communicate with any other station in the net for emergency or priority traffic without
NCS clearance.
b. Civil preparedness HQ station may activate on frequency and call any other
station without NCS clearance.
6.5 This local ARES EmComm plan shall include the uniform LEVELS OF ACTIVATION
system described in the NFLSEP, common in application to both FL ARRL sections which
specifies: (Taken directly from NFLSEP and modified for Marion County.)
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Levels of Activation
No Alert is the normal situation for Ham Radio communications. No state of alert or emergency
exists. When a disaster strikes or threatens any Northern Florida community, affected ECs and
DECs may declare any of four levels of alert of their organization:
Level III -Monitoring Phase notifies ARES operators in a specified area (such as a County or
District) or functional unit (such as a net) that their services may be needed on short notice in the
next 24-48 hours. It is typically issued by the SEC or, occasionally by DEC, or EC. The alert may
apply to the entire Section or to specific Districts or Counties. Omission of any area does not
prohibit others from taking appropriate precautionary steps. The SEC usually does not issue a
follow-up order raising the alert level but leaves that step to the ECs or DECs in the affected areas.
The declaration of Level III Monitoring Phase signals DECs to alert ECs, "deployment team"
coordinators, Net Managers, and other key emergency communications officials to prepare for
short-notice calls. All ARES personnel in the alerted Districts or Counties should monitor
designated net frequencies and keep closely in touch. Marion County ARES will meet on 146.610
or as specified on ICS 205A
ARES operators who are alerted should prepare to be en route to duty posts within two hours or
less of being assigned. Preparations may include updating "go-kits," arranging to take time off
from work, fueling vehicles and power generators, charging batteries, obtaining stocks of
expendable batteries and testing emergency-related portable equipment
Nets operating in Level III Monitoring Phase customarily run ad hoc (i.e., they are not directed.)
Radio operators and officials should monitor the appropriate frequencies for information and for
possible increases in or cancellation of the alert status. See the 205A for Marion County.
Level II Partial Activation is descriptive of operational status. It is usually issued by DECs or
ECs and designates nets, Gateway activations; jump teams, and such, to perform specific
tasks. The alert level becomes Partial Activation in a County or District when specific duty
posts are staffed and become operational. A net typically "goes Partial Activated" when a net
control operator opens the net.
A DEC may place the District or local nets or other operating units (such as a deployment team or
County EOC ARES staff on Partial Activated alert. Most emergencies, even severe ones, can be
handled without ever going beyond Activated.
Level I is the highest possible level of alert in an emergency communications operation. It is
useful for maintaining tight control over HF circuits where heavy traffic and large numbers of
stations may increase channel load on nets.
When distress traffic is being handled on any emergency net or frequency, the
activated level is automatically Level I Operational and remains so until all distress
traffic has been cleared. Full Scale Activation can be declared at the Section level
only by the SM.
Full Scale Activation is declared by issuance of a Priority bulletin to be transmitted on all active net
frequencies. It applies solely to nets and geographic areas designated in the formal order. A District
EC can put the District on Full Scale by declaration, but the SEC or SM must be notified in
advance or, if this is not possible, as soon as possible after taking the action.
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The Full Scale Activation bulletin specifies the date and time the activation operation is to begin.
It should designate the net or nets and/or the geographic area (County or Counties, District or
Districts, Section, etc.) to which it will apply. Nets or areas NOT designated in the bulletin will
continue at whatever level of alert prevailed before the Full Scale Activation.
Stand Down Phase authorizes DECs and ECs to begin the stand-down phase of the activation.
Stand Down is permissive only; it does not require that operations be shut down in the specified
area. It simply advises the designated DECs and/or ECs that no apparent reasons exists for
continuing operation unless they have local requirements. The DEC and EC then may reduce
operating hours, restrict operations or close down designated nets as the emergency passes and
traffic loads subside.
Only the SEC or SM may declare a Stand Down Phase for a Section net or for a District net when
more than one District is involved in the emergency operation.
The DEC can declare a Stand Down Phase in the District net if the emergency operation
involves the District and no Section net is in operation.
Any portion of the NFL Section Plan can be activated in support of any incident in the State
of Florida and/or whenever the FLEOC is activated, and specifically when mid-state relay is
necessary to support operators in other ARRL sections requiring relay to/from the FEOC.
VII. DRILLS, TESTS AND ALERTS
7.1 An annual test will be conducted once each year during October (or any other ARRL
designated month) in conjunction with the nationwide simulated emergency test (SET)
sponsored by the ARRL.
7.2 The Marion County ARES Net meets each Wednesday evening throughout the year at
8:00 PM Local on 146.610. The SkyWarn net meets just before the ARES net at 7:30 PM Local
on 146.610 or as specified on the ICS 205A.
7.3 ARES members will participate in no less than semi-annual drills with both MERT and
the hospital teams in Marion County to hone communications skills.
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VIII. ICS 205A
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ARES OFFICIALS
SUPPORTED AGENCIES
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IX. OTHER FORMS AND INFORMATION
The forms included below should be printed out by each operator prior to actively
leaving the point of origin and will be collected by EC/AEC at the conclusion of the
event. ICS 205A is a living, breathing document and MAY BE CHANGED just
before or during an event.
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ACTIVITY LOG (ICS 214)
1. Incident Name:
2. Operational
Period:
3. Name:
8. Prepared by:
ICS 214, Page 1
Date To: Date
Time From: HHMM
Time To: HHMM
5. Home Agency (and Unit):
4. ICS Position:
6. Resources Assigned:
Name
7. Activity Log:
Date/Time
Date From: Date
ICS Position
Home Agency (and Unit)
Notable Activities
Name:
Position/Title:
Date/Time: Date
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ACTIVITY LOG (ICS 214)
1. Incident Name:
2. Operational
Period:
Date From: Date
Date To: Date
Time From: HHMM
Time To: HHMM
7. Activity Log (continuation):
Date/Time
Notable Activities
8. Prepared
by:
ICS 214, Page 2
Name:
Position/Title:
Date/Time: Date
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ICS 214
Activity Log
Purpose. The Activity Log (ICS 214) records details of notable activities at any ICS level, including single resources,
equipment, Task Forces, etc. These logs provide basic incident activity documentation, and a reference for any afteraction report.
Preparation. An ICS 214 can be initiated and maintained by personnel in various ICS positions as it is needed or
appropriate. Personnel should document how relevant incident activities are occurring and progressing, or any notable
events or communications.
Distribution. Completed ICS 214s are submitted to supervisors, who forward them to the Documentation Unit. All completed
original forms must be given to the Documentation Unit, which maintains a file of all ICS 214s. It is recommended that individuals
retain a copy for their own records.
Notes:
 The ICS 214 can be printed as a two-sided form.
 Use additional copies as continuation sheets as needed, and indicate pagination as used.
Block
Number
Block Title
Instructions
1
Incident Name
Enter the name assigned to the incident.
2
Operational Period
Enter the start date (month/day/year) and time (using the 24-hour clock) and end date and time
for the operational period to which the form applies.
 Date and Time From
 Date and Time To
3
Name
Enter the title of the organizational unit or resource designator (e.g., Facilities Unit, Safety
Officer, Strike Team).
4
ICS Position
Enter the name and ICS position of the individual in charge of the Unit.
5
Home Agency (and Unit)
Enter the home agency of the individual completing the ICS 214. Enter a unit designator if
utilized by the jurisdiction or discipline.
6
Resources Assigned
Enter the following information for resources assigned:

Name
Use this section to enter the resource’s name. For all individuals, use at least the first initial and
last name. Cell phone number for the individual can be added as an option.

ICS Position
Use this section to enter the resource’s ICS position (e.g., Finance Section Chief).

Home Agency (and Unit)
Use this section to enter the resource’s home agency and/or unit (e.g., Des Moines Public Works
Department, Water Management Unit).
7
Activity Log

 Date/Time
 Notable Activities

Prepared by
 Name
 Position/Title
 Signature
 Date/Time
Enter the name, ICS position/title, and signature of the person preparing the form. Enter date
(month/day/year) and time prepared (24-hour clock).

Enter the time (24-hour clock) and briefly describe individual notable activities. Note the
date as well if the operational period covers more than one day.
Activities described may include notable occurrences or events such as task assignments,
task completions, injuries, difficulties encountered, etc.
This block can also be used to track personal work habits by adding columns such as
“Action Required,” “Delegated To,” “Status,” etc.
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ICS 309 COMMUNICATIONS LOG
ICS 309 COMMUNICATIONS
LOG
MARION COUNTY FL
1. Incident Name and Activation Number
(CONSTELLATION or TASK)
From:
3. Radio Net Name (for NCOs) or Position/Tactical Call
5.
Time
(24:00)
FROM
Call Sign/ID
Msg #
6. Prepared By (Name, Call Sign)
2. Operational Period (Date/Time)
To:
4. Radio Operator (Name, Call Sign)
COMMUNICATIONS LOG
TO
Message
Call Sign/ID
Msg #
7. Date & Time Prepared
8.
Page _______ of
_______
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ICS 213 GENERAL MESSAGE
GENERAL MESSAGE
TO:
POSITION:
FROM:
POSITION:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
MESSAGE:
SIGNATURE:
POSITION:
REPLY:
DATE:
TIME:
SIGNATURE/POSITION:
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RADIOGRAM
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X. APPENDICES
I – Emergency notification and deployment roster
II – Roster of ARES members serving in Marion county
III – Served agencies
IV – Definitions and terms
V – Drills and training (from NFLSEP)
VI – GO KITS
APPENDIX I
ROSTER
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND DEPLOYMENT
A. Notification: In the event of an actual emergency requiring ARES members to assist in
communications, Marion County officials should contact and notify the following persons in
order of priority listed: See Appendix VII
B. Deployment Roster: The following persons will be notified by the EC or an AEC (Served
agencies should keep this roster in pencil and change designated names as required upon
notification of the EC.)
Primary Op.
Secondary Op
______________
____________
b. VHF 2m In-county station
______________
____________
c. VHF 2m/D-Star Inter-county station
______________
____________
d. VHF 2m Packet station
______________
____________
______________
____________
1. K4GSO Clubsite or Perry Field
a. HF station
2. Red Cross
NOTICE: Shelter management is solely a MERT/MCSO function. ALL ARES members
deployed to the shelters as required for support to MERT, from in or out of the county, WILL
BE VETTED PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT.
APPENDIX II
MEMBERSHIP ROSTER
SEE HTTP://ARESMCFL.ORG/GENINFO/ROSTER/ FOR THE
MOST CURRENT INFORMATION
APPENDIX III
SERVED AGENCIES
A. MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS
b. Hospitals (See section 2.4 above - HEC)
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c. Salvation Army
d. City and county fire departments and EMS
e. Specific disaster scenes
f. American Red Cross
g. Other NGOs (Nongovernmental organizations)
APPENDIX IV
DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
Primary operator: This will be the first called amateur to proceed at once to man a specific
location needing VHF comm in an emergency he will be notified by either the EC or an ADC.
Primary operator has the responsibility of developing and maintaining equipment readiness.
Secondary operator: To be notified by the primary operator whenever an emergency exists
which will require radio operators at any designated location. Both the primary and secondary
operators names go on the official emergency notifications roster. Secondary operator assists the
primary operator with equipment readiness needs,. Also, secondary operator relieves the
primary operator in any extended duty emergency operation.
Backup operator: Responsibility of the primary operator to locate a radio operator to back up
primary and secondary operators if extended operations requires a 3rd operator. Backups name
does not go on the emergency notification roster.
Shelters (omitted – MCSO)
Net Control Point or Net Control Station (NCS): In the event of a condition three emergency,
NCS will be operating from a fixed control station as defined in 4.4 and 4.7 above.
Woodwork operators (WOs): (may be an obsolete reference) Radio operators with good
intentions & good equipment readiness capability who do not sign up for ARES participation,
do not come to club meetings, do not participate in weekly nets or annual SETs, but who do
volunteer in an appropriate manner in times of genuine emergency. (They come out of the
woodwork – ARRL definition)
[Strongly edited] …They can be deployed as needed in mobile units under the definitions in
5.3 and 5.4 above. Due to an otherwise limited complement of trained operators, judicious use
of this viable resource will probably be necessary in a full scale, extended emergency operation
in Marion County. What the lack in training, they usually make up in dedication and intentions,
as we ask that you cooperate as fully as possible when working with them as the situation
requires. It is suggested and recommended that they be assigned to PODS or other areas where
vetting is not required.
FROM THE NFLSEP
“ADEC” – Assistant District Emergency Coordinator. AD ECs are field appointed ARRL
positions by the DEC and require approval from the SEC and SM.
“AEC” – Assistant Emergency Coordinator. Appointed by local EC with approval of DEC.
“APRS ” – Automatic Packet Reporting System – A digital system that transmits and displays data
on maps on computer screens. Highly effective as a parallel to voice circuits.
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“ARES ” – ARES and Amateur Radio Emergency Service are registered service marks of the
American Radio Relay League, Incorporated, and are used by permission.
“Administrative communications” support network and incident management purposes.
“CEM” – County Emergency Manager or County Emergency Management
“Communications emergency” as defined the FCC occurs when oral communications
systems are disrupted in a specified area.
“County” – Any geographical jurisdiction assigned to an EC. A county.
“County Warning Point” – A county public safety site, such as a Sheriffs dispatch office that
functions 24
hours a day. It is a principal contact point for the State Warning Point.
“DEC” – District Emergency Coordinator, an ARRL field an appointment in charge of activities in
a cluster of counties comprising a District.
“DEM” also FDEM – The Florida Division of Emergency Management
“Deployment Team” – A group of experienced Amateur volunteers selected and trained to mobilize
on very short notice to operate in an incident area for an unspecified period of time—
usually three to seven days.
“Disaster” – An event causing death or serious injury to humans or a major loss of property.
“Distress traffic” – Any traffic relating to an acute, immediate threat to human safety or property;
i.e., SOS, MAYDAY, or EMERGENCY traffic.
“District” – Two or more contiguous counties assigned to a D EC.
“EC” – Emergency Coordinator. An ARRL field appointee who supervises emergency
planning and operations in a specified geographical area. Reports to the DEC.
“Email” – Electronic messages exchanged over the Internet or local computer network.
“Emergency” – any situation in which human life or property is threatened. The emergency ceases
when
relief agencies have no further need for our services. (See “Disaster”)
“Emergency Net” – A group of Amateurs using the same frequency and associated side
frequencies to support emergency relief measures.
“EOC” – Emergency Operating Center; an emergency logistical and communication headquarters.
“ESF” – Emergency Support Function. Each of the 16 ESF’s is a group of people in an EOC
dealing with
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specific kinds of problems.
“FDEM” – Florida Division of Emergency Management (See DEM).
“FSWO” – Florida State Watch Office
“FEMA” – Federal Emergency Management Agency “Formal traffic” – is written using a
designated message form. It is used when Amateur Radio operators relay information
between third parties.
“FCAT” - Forward Command Assistance Team – A forward deployment management team
that travels into an incident area where AREC members are affected by a high impact
event that produces trauma.
“Formal Traffic” is formatted in a standard message format and transferred between two ham
radio stations over Ham Radio frequencies or using electronic means such as e-mail or
FAX.
“Gateway Stations” – Fixed stations providing liaison between two nets.
“GPS” – Global Positioning System
“HAZMAT” – Hazardous Materials
“HEC” -- Hospital Emergency Communications
“HICS” – Hospital Emergency Command System
“Informal communications” – Radio exchanges between two people not requiring verbatim
relay to any third party. Classified as non-traffic, not handled on emergency nets.
Level I – Maximum level of activation in the Northern Florida AREC Plan.
Level II – Partial activation.
Level III – Monitoring Phase notice to members to prepare f or deployment on very short notice.
“LGL” – Local Government Liaison is an appointment made by the State Government Liaison
(SGL) for
any specific task.
“MARS” – Military Auxiliary Radio Station (May be Arm y, Navy/Marine Corps or Air Force)
“MERT” – Marion County Emergency Radio Team
“NFL” – Northern Florida – The Northern Florida Section of the State of Florida.
“NFLDB” – Northern Florida Data Base containing voluntarily submitted information
identifying and attesting to the operating capabilities of amateur radio operators willing to
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assist in emergencies.
“NM” – Net Manager
“NOAA” – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Home agency for the National
Weather Service
“NTS” – National Traffic System
“NWS” – National Weather Service
“RACES” – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service – RACES organizations, where they exist in
Florida; operate at the County level under direct control of the County Emergency
Management Director. NOT APPLICABLE IN MARION COUNTY, AS THEY HAVE
MERT TO PERFORM SIMILAR DUTIES.
“Record Traffic” is Formal Traffic in which the information is sent or received on behalf of a nonham radio licensed “third party.” Third parties include individuals, EMA’s and served
agencies.
“Section” – Administrative unit headed by elected Section Manager (SM). Florida has three
sections, Northern, Southern, and West Central.
“SEC” – Section Emergency Coordinator – ARRL appointed field position by the SM. Official
responsible for all emergency communications activities within a section.
“Secondary Net” – A communications channel associated w it the primary emergency net used
for traffic handling and other time-consuming net business.
“SEOC” – State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee
“Service Information” – Handling notes attached to a message form.
“Service Message” – Radiogram relating to handling of another message.
“SET” – Simulated Emergency Test. (See page 21)
“SGL” – State Government Liaison is an ARRL field appointment made by the Section Manager.
The role is that of interface between amateur radio and all facets of state government.
“Side Frequency” – Secondary Net
“SITREP” – Situation Report – message reporting status of emergency related activities.
“SM” – Section Manager
“Stand Down” – Notifying status allowing officials at their discretion to shut down operations
when they
complete their emergency related duties.
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“STM” – Section Traffic Manager
“SWO” – State Watch Office – Communications center at FDEM. Operates 24 hours a day, every
day.
“SWOAS” – State Watch Office Amateur Station – An amateur station located at the State Watch
Office in
the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. It is activated by the SEOC
Operations Officer when needed. It is staffed by amateurs recruited by the LGL who has
that role, and serves the roles given to it by the SEOC Operations Officer. Usually that will
include receiving input from the Tallahassee Gateway, including SITREP’s and the SEC’ s
and transmitting traffic for county Emergency Managers from the SEOC. It will NOT
usually include receiving or transmitting messages to individual amateurs unless they are
serving County Emergency Managers or SEC’s.
“Tactical Traffic” – Spoken instructions or consultation on the air. No third party communication
occurs.
“Tracking Number” or “Constellation Number” – A number
Operations
Center for each restoration activity.
issued by the State Emergency
“Traffic” – Any exchange of information between two or more Amateur Radio stations.
“Traffic Log” – A list of incoming and outgoing traffic at an Amateur station.
APPENDIX V
DRILLS AND TRAINING
EMCOMM Training for First Responders
In an established policy with the FLEOC in Tallahassee, Florida, it is required of the Northern
Florida Section to maintain a list of amateurs who have completed the required courses,
availability, correct home address, contact information and driver’s license number. The NFLDB
was created to provide a source for this and other data required for a moments request.
The county governments whom we support are required by FEMA to ensure all participants,
employees and volunteers, be trained in the National Incident Command System and the National
Incident Management System, in order to receive reimbursement funding for the costs of recovery.
Consequently, deployable individuals at the State or Local level must take these training
requirements seriously.
The on-line courses listed below are appropriate for ARES members to take to obtain certificates in
order to be prepared to participate in modern EMCOMMs supporting Emergency Management
Authorities (EMA.) As a minimum, all ARES members should be familiar with ICS 100 and ICS
700. DECs and ECs must develop and document requirements for ARES members’ participation in
local and District incidents. Such should be coordinated with the appropriate EMAs. The NFL
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ARRL Section requires that ARES members in order to meet the requirements of the FLEOC who
are deploying outside the home ARES District, NFL Section, or outside the State of Florida, must
have certification for ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700, and ICS 800. Those deploying must also be
certified through and a member of the NFLDB. ARES members wishing to be deployed outside the
home ARES District with WinLink 2000 E-mail over Ham Radio must be certified through the
WL2K Certification process.
ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses Main link – http://www.arrl.org/online-courses
Course catalogue – http://www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog
o Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (EC-001)
Advanced Emergency Communications (Combined L2 and L3 from before.) Requires SM recommendation
and approval. For DECs and above.
National Incident Management System Courses Main link – http://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.asp
IS-00100 - Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100)
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100A.asp
IS-00200 - IS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is200a.asp
IS 00700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS) an Introduction (ICS 700)
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is700a.asp
IS-00800 - A National Response Plan (NRP,) an Introduction (IS 800)
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is800b.asp
IS-00802 – Emergency Support Function (ESF-2) -- Communications
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is802b.asp
APPENDIX VI
PERSONAL READINESS REQUIREMENTS
Types of Go-Kits
Your Go-Kit should be tailored to your needs, your equipment, your expected assignments, and the expected
length of assignments. Go-Kits should be broken-up into different types of kits, depending on function and
location:
Type by Function
Types of Incident
Type of Assignment or Mission
Length of Assignment
Type by Location
Carried on Person
Carried in Vehicle
Cached at Fixed Location (Home, Office, Shop, etc.)
Non-Cached Equipment—gathered as needed (Home, Office, Shop, etc.)
Modular Concept
Ideally, your Go-Kit should be divided into small, easily-transportable modules, based on expected Type
of Assignment, Length of Assignment, and Storage Location.
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Go-Kit modules should supplement each other with additional equipment and supplies, to extend your
capabilities and endurance.
Basic Kits
Day Pack—Items needed for a short-duration or mobile/foot assignment. Keep in vehicle for
immediate access.
24-Hour Kit—Supplemental items needed for an overnight assignment.
72-Hour Kit—Supplemental items needed for an extended assignment of up to 3 days.
Specialty Kits
Office Kit—Paperwork and operational references that may be useful for setting-up and
maintaining a portable or base communications station.
Portable Radio Kit—the classic “Radio in a Briefcase”—for voice or packet.
Computer Kit—Notebook computer and interface equipment for packet.
Personal Go-Kit for Emergency Communications
Tool Kit—Tools and equipment needed to set-up and maintain your radio station.
Antenna and Mast Kit—Portable antenna, mast, and tripod or guy lines, for setting-up an
outdoor antenna.
Emergency Power Equipment—Batteries, Generator, Cables and related gear.
Miscellaneous Kits
Additional Gear—Sleeping bag, tent, shade canopy, etc.
Vehicle Tool Kit—Equipment needed to keep your vehicle going.
Evacuation Kit—Food, water and equipment needed if it becomes necessary to evacuate from
your current location.
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