March Section Emergency Coordinator's Report

ARRL Ohio Section - FSD-96
Month: March
Year: 2018 Total Number of ARES Members: 1783
Change since last month: 22
Number of DEC's / EC's reporting this month: 10
Number of ARES Nets active: 560
Number of Nets active with NTS Liaisons: varied
Call-signs of DEC's / EC's reporting: (All)
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 785
Person Hours: 6216
Number of Public Service Events this month: 57
Person Hours: 2249
Number of Emergency Operations this month: 8
Person Hours: 114
Total number of ARES/RACES Events this month: 850
Total Person Hours: 8579
Comments: Numerous nets were staged for the Ohio Tornado Awareness drill. Skywarn training is taking place all over the state.
Submitted by and call-sign: Stan Broadway N8BHL
Email: stan@standi.com
Files to upload?:

Hi all!  Thanks again for your enthusiastic support of our Ohio State ARES Conference!  It’s great to see so many attend, and I have head really good feedback so far. If there was something you thought should be changed, or if you have any ideas or suggestions for next years’ conference please don’t hold back!!  The whole idea is to provide information YOU can use.

Here is the activity report for March. I always used to enjoy reading them, and now I really like putting them together from your monthly reports. There are always little mentions that reveal a lot of work!  For instance, John mentions in a sentence or two that Franklin County worked the Arnold sporting event- this is the largest athletic event in the world, and all EMS is handled with a ham radio communicator as part of the many teams. Planning goes on the entire year. Well done!  District 1 has undertaken a large project in placing amateur radios into their regional hospitals. This, too, takes tons of planning and volunteer time. It’s worthy of note how many different ARES groups are involved with siren testing- it’s a great and simple way to assure your community’s safety and show off amateur radio.

Amateur radio was in service for Ohio River flooding, in several river areas it was “get ready here it comes!” as levels climbed. Fortunately, everything turned back around at the last moment with only a minimum of shelters.

And for all, Skywarn training is underway!  Remember to check into your local weather net!  It might be easier, but you can’t provide an accurate report from your couch. Get somewhere safe that provides a good view of oncoming systems. Remember proper net etiquette…the public is listening, and that’s just another reason we need to sound professional! Keep your transmissions short, and if you don’t ~need~ to say something, DON’T.  The most effective weather net is a quiet one- where only severe reports or other necessary traffic happens.  But the most important thing (next to keeping your family safe) is to PARTICIPATE!!

Be active, be safe, and be professional!!  We appreciate ALL you do!

 Ohio ARES Activity report for March, 2018

District 1

Totals include figures for Northwest Ohio Traffic and Training Net and District 1 Skywarn and ADEC and DEC hours. Work continues on obtaining hospital and non-hospital amateur radio to help facilities comply with new Federal Regulations concerning back up communications capabilities.

District 2

Paulding Co EC resigned.

District 3

DISTRICT 3 SUMMARY:  100% of Nine Counties reporting: 294 Members (-1 change), 124 Total Events (65 Voice Net Sessions, 13 Digital Net Sessions, 46 Meetings-Drills-Training-Tests, 0 Public Service Events and 0 Emergency Operations for 1092 Total Man-Hours.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY:  (22 members, 0 change):  5 weekly voice net sessions and 1 other ARES events for a total of 4 events and 60 man-hours.

CLARK COUNTY:  (33 members):  3 weekly net sessions and 4 other ARES events for a total of 7 events and 108 man-hours.

DARKE COUNTY:  (14 members, 0 change):  4 weekly voice net sessions, 0 Public Service Event, 0 Emergency Operations and 2 other ARES events for a total of 6 events and 26 man-hours.

GREENE COUNTY:  (55 members, 0 change):  20 weekly voice net sessions, 4 weekly digital net sessions, 0 Public Service Event, 0 Emergency Operations and 16 other ARES related activities for a total of 40 events and 270 man-hours.

     Comments:  Weekly Net participation: GCARES, GCARES/MVMA Mesh Discussion, BARC, UVARC, GCARES Digital, Dayton East Emergency Response Net (DEER), OHDEN & OH EM. PREP, D3. Other activity: Continuing Mesh and Winlink maintenance, demonstrations, testing & training, license classes, served agency training, CERT training.

LOGAN COUNTY (RACES UNIT):  (10 members):  4 weekly voice net sessions and 1 other RACES activity for a total of 5 events and 27 man-hours.

MIAMI COUNTY:  (25 members):  13 weekly voice nets, 4 weekly digital nets, 0 Public Service, 0 Emergency Operations and 1 other ARES events for a total of 18 events and 61 man-hours.

     Comments:  MCES ARES/RACES Net 145.23(-): 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 147.21 (+): 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22 Four Digital nets using MT63-2KL on 145.23 on 2/4, 2/11, 2/189, 2/25. Held two nets using Wires X on 2/11, 2/25

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:  (81 members, -1 change):  4 weekly voice net sessions, 3 weekly digital net sessions, 0 Public Service Events, 0 Emergency Operations and 3 other ARES related events for a total of 10 events and 183 man-hours. 

     Comments: MoCo ARES held its Community Meeting on 2/27. Program was on FLDIGI and its various sub software. Several members brought in their radio go kits. March and April will be busy with Skywarn training and several PSE.

PREBLE COUNTY:  (15 members):  4 weekly net sessions; 0 Public Service Event, 0 Emergency Operations and 12 other ARES events for a total of 16 events and 144 man-hours.

     Comments:  No Activity this month. Winter schedule.
 

SHELBY COUNTY:  (39 members):  4 weekly net sessions; 2 digital net sessions; 0 Public Service Event; 0 Emergency Operations and 5 other ARES event for a total of 11 events and 92 man-hours.

     Comments: Feb. 21 SCARES introduces Cub Scout Pack 355, Ft. Loramie, Ohio to amateur radio and Emer Comm Vehicle. Feb. 25 SCARES Monthly meeting and training. 4 weekly voice nets and 2 bi- monthly digital nets

DISTRICT 3 ACTIVITIES:  4 District 3 ARES weekly voice net sessions and 1 District 3 EC Meeting for a total of 5 events and 120 man-hours.

District 4

Highland County: EC is very active on MARS (traffic count 97). Clinton County (and others) had many e-ops hours committed to NWS/Skywarn.

Butler County: Training continues toward obtaining tier 1 operator status. Continued participation with the EMA & 911 center monitoring the operation of the 68 severe weather sirens countywide. When the program started 4 years ago only 30% of the sirens actually worked. Now an average of 1 or 2 may be reported as not functional and only if we have had lightning in the area. We have discussed via email some lightning protection that could be added to better surge protect their equipment. Three sites that "normally" get struck have worked well after several severe storms. They are listening and taking our advice. We also record the paging sequences in case of problems. In the beginning we could hear background voices mixing with the digital sequence of tones that was traced to a faulty dispatch console module not silencing the operator’s headset.

Hamilton County: Ohio River flooding and WX incident hours. Operators checked into several local, state and national nets. Prep hours for Findley Market Parade (Reds) and Flying Pig 2018.

District 5

Summit County, Ken Dorsey KA8OAD Setup and manned an ARES table at the Summit County Skywarn Training session. We had radio demos as well as several ARRL handouts about, Amateur Radio, Amateur Radio in Emergencies and ARES. We had a lot of interest and many questions about ARES. Pictures attached.

Stark County, Terry Russ, N8ATZ Stark County ARES completed 4 public service nets for the month of March that totaled 110 check-ins. There were no public service events during the month. In conjunction with the Stark County EMA office we hosted our annual Skywarn Spotter training at Jackson High School with 85 attending. Additional operators have signed up for the ICS-200 training class on April 18th.

District 6

DMR Net is averaging 100 + checkins a week now and every District is represented thats great. yearly tornado siren test this month

District 7

Marion County: KE8AFF initiated a NET for the Statewide Tornado drill on March 20th. We had 7 members check in without prior notices. We hosted a Skywarn with the National Weather Service to educate local residents on what to watch for and report during severe weather. There were about 75 people in attendance. We conducted a test of the County Special Operations vehicle built and maintained by the First Consolidated Fire Department and the Marion County Sheriff which includes an Amateur Radio operator position and has UHF, VHF and DMR capability. We should have it at the Statewide Conference for display. Well wishes to members recovering at home: KD8CUU W8MLL KD8KCH Look forward to see you all April 7th at the Statewide !!!!

Licking County: We were invited by the EMA to help with the Tornado Siren Testing. This meant that we were calling in each individual siren to Licking County 911 Center and the plan was to operate out of the EOC but that quickly changed when we asked if we wanted to operate with MARCS radios and we jumped at the chance. This gave Licking Co. EMA a chance to see how well we are able operate these radios if called upon to do so. Bret KD8SCL got positive feedback from the EMA as well as the members that helped out, looking forward to next year. Our Weather Spotter Class is coming up next month.

Franklin County: In March ARES took part in the Arnold Sports Festival and NWS Skywarn Spotter Training accounting for significant man hours. Planned for April is additional on-hands training on public safety radio systems and NWS Skywarn Advanced Weather Spotter training sponsored by the Central Ohio Severe Weather Network and hosted at Mt. Carmel Hospital.

Union County: Amateur Radio Club finished up the technician class. We had 15 test, 1 person upgraded from tech to General and 2 people did not pass. There are a couple new amateurs that are interested in ARES. The weekly UCARC net was logged once this month so the net numbers are a little lower than usual. I am looking forward to the ARES Conference. We started going over material for the EC01. I am looking forward to hear about the changes that are being made to the ARES program. I still need to schedule a time for a simplex training traffic net with Tony, KC8PZ.

Fayette County: Welcome to the new EC James E Scott N8ORJ

Delaware County: Worked with county EMA on functional training Exercise and had great results.

District 8

Counties reporting: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto EC Comments:

Athens: Had a successful VE session at the conclusion of the ACARA Tech license classes. Gained two new Techs and Two new Generals. All started with no license and also joined as entry-level ARES members. EC/DEC attended FEMA training on bio-terrorism awareness at public events and BCI class on meth labs and fentanyl awareness. ACARA on standby for possible shelter opening for last flooding event.

Gallia: This is the first report I am sending in as EC for Gallia County. Any questions please let me know. Hope to see you at the Ohio EC Conference. A new net for ARES net and meeting will be happening soon. The meeting will be separate from the MOVARC club meetings. Any advice on what to start training this new group would be of appreciated. See you at Marion.

Lawrence: Tim Nicely, AC8VQ; Greg Henry, W8DUQ; Mike Hatten, N8JHJ; Fred Herr, W8DUQ; and Mike Love, WB8YKS attended the National Stop the Bleed Day and were awarded certificates from the American College of Surgeons.

Pike: Preparation is underway to support this year’s Southern Ohio Forest Rally (SOFR) in May along with the Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club (SVARC). A temporary repeater and all radio equipment for operation will be set up in Zaleski State Forest and Tar Hollow State Forest. Plans are underway to also support the Dogwood Pass 5k & 10 mile run at Beaver, Ohio in June.

Ross: Completed class and test session for technicians.

Scioto: Sky Warn Spotters Network Training from NWS and EMA and additional security provisions added to tower site which is at the highest hill in Scioto County.

DEC comments: We have a new EC for Gallia County, Patrick O. Day, KC8OYQ. Thanks for taking this important position. Several PS events coming up - Iron Furnace Trail Run at Lake Hope on Saturday, April 7, Athens Marathon on Sunday, April 15, ACARA Athens Hamfest of Sunday, April 29, Lake Hope Bicycle Race, Saturday, May 5 and Thunderbunny 50 K on Saturday, May 12. Upcoming training available on Saturday, April 21 at Jackson Fire Department, Resources in Amateur Radio for EMA managers and public safety officials. SEC Stan Broadway will be one of the instructors.

District 9

COSHOCTON C0: County LEPC meeting attended by EC. We had participation of over a dozen in the statewide tornado siren test, with reports given to the EMA and Sheriff. We held a monthly ARES meeting, which is right before the club meeting the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the EOC.  Participation by several ARES in various national, state and county nets is good. Of note during March was Warren, WX8OH, who was on many nets: 4 W8SGT nets, 3 OHDEN, OSSBN 9 times, 3 Ohio 3139 DMR nets, 12 Saturn nets, 3 Saturn digital nets, net control station Wed. for Sunbelt service net, ISBN traffic net twice a week, 5 days a week on Southcars, 60m ARES net run out of TN. plus local nets. Good job! Steve,.AA8BN, EC .

GUERNSEY C0: The monthly ARES training covered Weather radios and the PBZ web site. A sky warn net was conducted to support the annual Weather siren test. The EC presented a program to the county Long Term Recovery committee on "What is Amateur Radio and How Can it Help Your Agency". EC Dick WD8SDH

WASHINGTON CO: Gave a 1 hour talk about ARES and handed out ARES Applications at Marietta Amateur Radio Club March Meeting also sent letter to Washington County EMA planning meeting with local EMA director later this summer per there schedule. Also looking into possibility of Field Day setup from Washington County EMA/EOC office. EC Joe W8JTW

District 10

District 10: NVIS Day coming up on April 28! Like a mini Field Day almost. Loads of fun! Don't forget the burgers!

Ashtabula County: No comments submitted.

Cuyahoga County: In March Cuyahoga County ARES sponsored a CPR/AED training. All members have been invited to attend the statewide ARES Conference on April 7th.

Geauga County: No comments submitted.

Lake County: No comments submitted.

Lorain County: No comments submitted.

Medina County: Five new hams licensed and one is eleven years old.