Ohio multi-county 911 outage

ARES volunteers in northeast Ohio were activated after the loss of 911 and other telephone service in six counties. A major AT&T center in Akron lost power and batteries causing the outage. The outage is being blamed on a burst steam pipe. Cell and MARCS radio systems were still functional. At 2200 Local time January 13, 2015, Medina County EMA activated the ARES and requested communications with surrounding counties and the Ohio EOC in Columbus as a backup. At the same time, EMA Directors in Stark, Summit, Portage, Mahoning and Columbiana counties were alerting their ARES units. The Ohio SEC requested activation of RACES station W8SGT at the OHEOC, and the station was soon on the air. Communication was established on 75 meters with several of the county EC’s. The OHEOC also was able to make contact on the Stark County two meter repeater, a distance of 135 miles.

Tactical communication was conducted reporting the status of systems and repairs as confirmation to what was reported via the MARCS radio system. The amateur radio station was active for four hours, and activity was terminated with repairs to the 911 systems. OHEOC staff were extremely cordial as we coordinated with them, and the various county EMA directors were quick to activate amateur radio to their communications during the event. 

The initial callout sounded very much like the Ohio SET last October, which theorized a statewide communication breakdown. As one would expect, these thing happen at unfortunate times. One EMA director was away on a honeymoon. The Stark County EOC had no antennas in place- their roof was being replaced. This morning a large generator was running outside that office, with advisories that there still could be some minor outages to phone or Internet service. 

My thanks to all who were involved! Our response was quick and professional, and was a great opportunity to show the value of amateur radio.



Stan Broadway, N8BHL
Section Emergency Coordinator – Ohio

SEC's monthly report for December 2014

Your MonsterMail form has been completed, following are the results:

Field	Value
subject	ARES Form FSD-96
State	Ohio
Month	December
Year	2014
Number_of_ARES_Members	1618
Change_In_Numbers	5
Number_of_DECs_EC_reporting_this_month	10
Number_of_ARES_nets_active	217
Number_of_nets_with_NTS_Liaison	7
DEC_EC_callsigns	WD8PNZ W8UY W8KKY N8TFD KA8RLC N8SUZ W8FHF N8AUC (SEC filled in for two vacancies)
Number_of_drills_tests_and_training_this_month	211
Person_Hours_for_drill_tests_training	1641
Number_of_Public_Service_events	8
Person_Hours_for_public_service_events	222.6
Number_of_emergency_operations_this_month	2
Person_Hours_for_emergency_operations	22
Number_of_ARES_RACES_Events_this_month	438
Total_Person_Hours	2545.2
Comment	Several counties in southeastern Ohio were activated or on standby as a natural gas well blew, causing the evacuation of 23 homes in a rural county. ARES communications was set up between the county EOC and a daytime shelter for several days. Fortunately the well did not catch fire, and after several attempts was contained.
Signature	Stan Broadway
mailfrom	broadways@standi.com

 

ARES December 2014 Activity Report:

I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year! Remember to keep your top priorities at the top!

Our December was active in southeastern Ohio, as a natural gas well blew its cap and caused evacuations with ARES communicators being activated. (Reports below). A big “Well Done!” to all who participated. This is what we’re all about- being ready on very quick notice to respond.

>>Form 212 review<<
I want to explain form 212 again. We did make one change to resolve some issues around net participation. There are spots in the 212 to report local ARES net activity (number of net sessions) and any digital net activity (number of net sessions).

I want to make sure we account for all the time our volunteers invest in these nets, so the next blank is “Total Net Time” - this is a tally of how many operator hours went into the nets you just listed. If there were 10 local nets, with 10 people checked in for one hour, no digital nets, then the total net time in that box would be 100 hours. This gives credit to all who participate!

The number of training/public service/emergency events is obvious (do NOT re-enter nets here) and the total ARES/RACES events is the addition of these three. Total Man Hours should be the addition of “total net time” plus the three categories Training/PS/Emergency.

It is very important on a wider level that we all complete our monthly reports. I urge you to include comments because I like hearing what you’re doing in your county! Those above (up to the ARRL) are reading these, so of course we like to look good! Please complete your monthly reports!

>>New Ohio District Boundaries<<
PLEASE READ THE SEC ARTICLE IN SCOTT’S SM NEWSLETTER or in separate emails! We are adjusting the district boundaries to better associate counties with their population centers. The new map is on the SEC page of the Ohio website! New reporting for January 2015 should go to your new DEC if you’re one of the few counties who got moved. Let me know your thoughts here! I would also like to welcome Danny Bailey, KB8STK who has agreed to take on duties of District EC for the new District 6. He will continue his county level responsibilities for now, so give him some applause! Also, I am looking for a District level EC for District 5. If you have someone with good abilities, good temperament, background in safety/emergency services, PLEASE tell me about them! Jim’s shoes are very difficult to fill, so we need to keep District 5 going strong!

>>Important events coming up<<
DATES: April 11 is our OHIO SECTION ARES CONFERENCE! This is OPEN TO ALL ARES MEMBERS, and will be held at the Ohio Fire Marshall’s Conference Center. We are combining the spring and fall conferences to this, so PLAN TO ATTEND! There will be a registration form online soon (not there yet!) We’re doing all we can to make this very worth your while with some great training!!

April 25 is the OHIO NVIS ANTENNA DAY. You should be working now on antennas to try out during the event! (And, put your very best BBQ hamburger recipe’s to the test!) More to come from our event organizers, Ashtabula County.

** District 1
SENECA”: EC Scott Rosenburger KE8JC Report submitted by AEC Steve Tarbert KC8ZKC

HURON: EC Clay Benner KB8DNA

SANDUSKY: EC David Gierhart W8DAG

HANCOCK: EC Darl Deeds NA8W Quiet month.

ERIE: EC Bob Heim K8HLH 3 Skywarn events Memorial day parade Many nets Severe thunderstorm warning but no damage to Erie County. Siren test, Ohio EMA nets.

WOOD: EC Bob Schumann W8NYY None

LUCAS: EC Brenda Krukowski KB8IUP No Report

OTTAWA: EC James Garber KB8TTR None

-Brent Stover, WD8PNZ

** District 2
WILLIAMS. reports that all of their members completed ICS-100(b),200, 700, and 800 this month. We began classroom sessions in the fall the in December all members completed the courses/test online. The classroom sessions helped motivate completing the courses online and get their FEMA certificates. The next objective is to test communications skills and equipment on January 28 with NWO Hospital Council in Toledo. Expecting to use members' equipment for DStar, 2 meter repeaters, and HF NVIS. will also begin developing our Williams County ARES operations plan, and begin using FLDIGI.

-Terry Habeggar, W8UY

** District 3
DISTRICT 3 SUMMARY: Eight of eight counties reporting, 323 Members, 56 Events (38 Voice Net Sessions, 8 Digital Net Sessions, 1 Public Service Events, 0 Emergency Operations, 9 Other Events. Fewer events this month because of holidays.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY: Four weekly net sessions.

CLARK COUNTY: Two weekly net sessions, one other event.

DARKE COUNTY: Five weekly net sessions.

GREENE COUNTY: Five weekly voice nets, five weekly digital nets, five weekly Hamnet Mesh discussion nets, one public service event (29th Annual Beavercreek New Years Eve Resolution Run) with 35 hams (from Greene and several surrounding counties) providing communications support and using vehicle headlights to light the 5-K course for over 600 runners. GCARES/Miami Valley Mesh Alliance monthly meeting—included initial discussion and planning for a significant Broadband Hamnet MESH presence at the 2015 Hamvention® (May 15-16-17).

 MIAMI COUNTY: Four weekly voice net sessions, two weekly digital net sessions, EC liaison with one Preble County net session, one RACES training session.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Five weekly voice nets, one digital net.

PREBLE COUNTY: Four weekly net sessions. Annual Christmas party with many members and family attending--much fellowship and fun was had for all. Work was done on the K8YR Preble county repeater to increase the profile--it was determined that a new duplexer will need to be acquired. Also, a new Motorola MTR2000 repeater was purchased.

SHELBY COUNTY: Four weekly net sessions, four other events including training, installation of a digital repeater and Christmas Dinner activity.

-Fred Stone, W8LLY

**District 4
***DEC note -- got only two of the reports in this month, and one was relayed from a recovery room at Christ Hospital!!!*** December was a quiet month in District 4. We have started to lay the groundwork for the marathon, Diabetes ride, bikeMS (which will now span THREE ARES districts), the marathon, and Market2Market Relay in 2015. I hope everyone got a lot of opportunity to test radios, antennas, digital modes, and operating technique as part of the Centennial QSO Party. It is precisely these "leisure time" activities that drive readiness for "crucial times".

 –Steve Lewis, N8TFD

**District 5
PORTAGE: I'm looking to have more Portage County ARES members volunteer in 2015 to help with public events.

COLUMBIANA: No comments

MAHONING: No comments

STARK: No comments

SUMMIT: NO comment

**District 6
RICHLAND: No comments

KNOX: No comments

WYANDOT: The Wyandot County Hams met at the Corner Inn restaurant in Upper Sandusky for their annual Christmas Dinner Party Meeting this month. They had a great meal that was served family style, followed by a brief meeting where we elected officers for the year 2015. After the meeting we had a white elephant gift exchange that was enjoyed by all.


**District 7

Delaware: Delaware ARES recorded a total of 1827 hours of training and service for 2014. Lots of training, event communications, EMA drills, and fun. Looking forward to more of the same in 2015 and the addition of training and working with the Red Cross.

Fairfield: No Report

Fayette: No EC

Franklin: COARES worked 2 public service events this month. Jingle Bell Run on 12/06, and the Dublin Snowflake Run on Dec 14th. In addition, on Dec 13th, we had a joint Holiday Party for the first time with the Franklin County CERT group. Things are slow now until our busy season begins with the Arnold Classic March 6 - 8. This year, venues will be located both at the Columbus Convention Center and also at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, so many volunteers will be needed all 3 days to cover this event.

Hardin: No EC

Licking: Licking County ARES had a busy December. We continued our usual nets and support activities for the CERT communications system for the new CERT trailer. The discussion with Denison University students and the Licking County Red Cross has led to a grant which will be used to upgrade the ham radio equipment at the Red Cross. The Denison students also will augment the grant with a fund-raising activity. We have now completed the Statement of Cooperation between Licking County Red Cross and Licking County ARES. A number of our members already have signed up for the Red Cross Disaster Services Technology (DST) One-Shot Training Program on January 31, 2015. Fortunately, weather has been mild for December, except for a Severe Weather Alert on Christmas Eve! Nevertheless, the Holiday S! eason for 2014 has been a good one. Many thanks to all the people who have supported our activities throughout the year, both in Licking County and elsewhere.

Logan: No EC

Madison: With holidays and all December was a very quiet month. All ARES members do keep in close contact via email. Some exciting news, after working with our local hospital where our county radio club has their repeater and antenna, we were able to get a grant through COTS for some new equipment including new antennas (and a tower climber), some new radios and several other nice pieces of equipment which will help us out tremendously. We now have ARES stations at both the county EMA and county hospital with digital communications well in the works. 2015 will be a good year for us.

Perry: Holiday Activities didn't permit for activities

Pickaway: No Comments

Union: No Report

-Kal Dworkin, KA8RLC

**District 8
Counties reporting: Athens, Hocking, Lawrence, Scioto EC comments:

Athens: Athens County ARA Tech licenses classes will be held Mondays, January 5 to March 9, 7-9 PM at the Athens County Red Cross. Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation will hold their annual SCARFfest at Tri-County Career Center, SR 691, Nelsonville on Sunday, January 18, 8 AM to noon.

Hocking: The Hocking Hills State Park Winter Hike is coming up on January 17th at Old Man's Cave in Southern Hocking County. While this event attracts in the neighborhood of 5000 hikers annually the Amateur Radio Community has never been asked to assist with the hike. It is well supported by ODNR personnel from all over Ohio who are stationed all along the five mile hike. Their Communications are well covered by the park personnel who also work and train frequently with the Hocking EMS. While it is very unlikely that our services would be needed I encourage any ham operators who participate to carry an HT and feel free to use our local repeater. 147.345+ with a PL tone of 114.8. Please keep in mind RF signals are greatly limited while down in the gorge.

-Jeff Slattery N8SUZ

**District 9

BELMONT CO: We did have one Emergency Operation for December. The Stalder Gas Well Incident in Sardis Ohio. We evacuated about 30 homes around the area and set up a shelter at the old school for residents to receive meals and information about what was going on. After the initial plan failed it was decided a longer and more dangerous approach must be taken to cap the well. This approach involved actual cutting of the well casing and placement of a new well head. The operation was estimated to last 7 additional days. I decided communications were needed for what we anticipated to be one of the busiest days for the shelter. I only needed two guys for a one day 8hr operation period to provide a communications link between the Incident Command and the shelter. Big thanks to my local operator Zach Bolin "KD8MTE" and the EC for Belmont County John Green "K8JRG" for helping out. Also a big thank! s to Sonny and all that stood by incase they were needed. The operation period was 12-18-14 10:00am to 6:00pm with the primary frequency 146.520 and the backup the 147.240 Hannible Repeater. All communications were easily established and went smooth. Since I Work for the EMA Office having operators on scene allowed me to focus on things I had to take care of. Great job to all who were involved your help is appreciated. Jeremey Taylor EC.

COSHOCTON CO: Coshocton County ARES® was called upon this morning Dec 17 to be prepared to assist in communications at the Monroe Co EOC and a shelter. The call came from the the District EC, W8FHF, for District 9 of which Monroe is part. The calling tree was used which resulted in 6 Coshocton County ARES members volunteering for various shifts to travel to Monroe Co if needed Thursday through Sunday. After a few hours enough ARES from the surrounding area responded ,so our group stood down but continued to prepare to have ARES available that following Monday if needed. We received a good job and help with anything we might need from the Coshocton Co EMA Director, Rob McMasters. KL7RF continues being active on OHDEN and traffic on the OSSBN. Good Job. Steven Wheatcraft EC.

GUERNSEY CO: Guernsey County ARES members supported the Cumberland Christmas parade. Members used two meter FM handheld simplex communications to coordinate the parade. On December 16th ARES members were alerted to a possible deployment to Monroe county to support evacuations resulting from a gas well blow out. No Guernsey county ARES members were required to deploy but the alert clearly demonstrated the need to be ready for the call whenever it comes. The alert did give ARES the opportunity to communicate by phone, email, and radio with all members during the time of alert and eventual stand down on December 20th. Dick Wayt EC.

MUSKINGUM CO: District 9 DEC called me for help for Monroe County, Muskingum County had offered to send our ARES Trailer over to Monroe County, and was in direct contact with Monroe County EC, if needed. We also had a few members who had said they would also help Monroe County if needed . Kathleen Frederico EC..

DEC...During Emergency in Monroe county, I contacted various counties in district 9 to obtain radio operations to assist with the Sardis event. Was able to enlist 16 ARES members if needed. As the event was put under control quickly, the need for ARES operation was not required.

-Sonny Alfman

**District 10
ASHTABULA: December was a fun month. It provided a bunch of decent weather to batten down the hatches on our radio/antenna setups for the coming winter weather. Congrats goes out to Bob- WD8PVB, on the adoption of his NVIS drill into a statewide event for this upcoming year. Over all we had a ton of fun at our Christmas dinner. Took a while to compile the numbers from it in fact, had quite a few extra members make appearances for the occasion. Happy New Year all!! Now if those of us with the horrible flu bug that is going around can beat it and get back on the air we'll be cooking with gas!

CUYAHOGA: None

GEAUGA: Slow time for public service event. Geauga county has the Ohio Winter Rally the first weekend in February and are looking for volunteers in Lake and Ashtabula Counties since it goes through those ! counties. LAKE: Lake Health TriPoint Hospital has installed a Amateur Radio cabinet/operating position next to their emergency command room. ARES has worked with them for a year to make this happen. As soon as the cabinet locks are installed radios will go onto the cabinet and a site test will be conducted.

LORAIN: It was a fairly quiet month. Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays!

-Eric Jessen, N8AUC

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