Mike,

This is the future of AR Emcom.  In the past 15 years or so there has been literally billions of dollars spent on hardening infrastructure and purchasing multi-million dollar response vehicles. These vehicles can respond to communication needs of public safety literally in hours and put comms back on the air.  We saw this in Hurricane Harvey and likely to a large extent even with Laura.  Hell, commercial cell carriers now even have flying cell repeaters built on drones that can circle an affected area up to 16 hours providing cell and data services. 

While there will always be some Maria type exceptions, ARES will need to start thinking in terms of Force Multiplier, Disaster Intelligence and Situational awareness versus "When all else fails" backup communications as our prime mission. It is becoming a different world and we will need to have a different mind set on how to train and prepare to be of service to our served agencies. 

Lee


Lee H. Cooper, PMP, CKM, CKF, CSM, ITILv3, LSSGB, W5LHC
Vice Director, West Gulf Division
ARRL - National Association of Amateur Radio
w5lhc@arrl.org
(512) 658-3910

"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat" - N.B.





On Tue, Sep 15, 2020 at 1:13 PM Michael Ritz <w7vo@comcast.net> wrote:
This is mostly for the members of the upcoming new EmComm Standing Committee. FEMA is looking for help in the Oregon wildfires, but only COML and COMT, and ITSL trained. (See below)

As far as I know no ARES units have been asked to help in Oregon despite cell towers being destroyed and fire comms infrastructure being disrupted. Here may be one of the reasons why:  

https://www.kptv.com/news/how-firefighters-restored-communication-after-wildfire-destroyed-equipment-in-santiam-canyon/article_7912c26c-f711-11ea-b316-b7d1b1851117.html

73;
Mike
W7VO
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)" <fema@service.govdelivery.com>
To: w7vo@arrl.org
Date: 09/14/2020 6:06 PM
Subject: OREGON WILDFIRE - COML, COMT, ITSL


NEW INFORMATION REQUEST FOR OREGON:

Region 10 RECCWG members, as you know, Oregon is currently under a State of Emergency for significant wildfires burning thousands of acres and damaging and destroying many communications sites. Numerous people have been evacuated and the Oregon Governor states they are preparing for a mass fatality incident based on the number of structures that have been lost.

Oregon is looking at the availability of Communications Unit Leaders (COML), Communications Unit Technicians (COMT) and Information Technology Service Unit Leader (ITSL).  Prefer “red carded” but not required.  Looking at fire positions AND all-hazards positions.  Should be trained, able to meet “light” physical fitness level and able to handle some work near the fireline (smoke in the area).  There is not a specific need at this moment, but the Oregon ESF-2 lead anticipates there may be in the near future.

The RX RECCWG is supporting the state of Oregon in seeking information on any agency that COML, COMT and/or ITSLs that could potentially EMAC them to Oregon for this fight. This is only an inquiry, please follow the guidance below.  To avoid added traffic by those coordinating EMAC, please follow the guidance below.

If you can support in any way please reply to fema-r10-recc@fema.dhs.gov with the following:

  • Your name
  • Contact Information
  • State and agency/jurisdiction
  • Certification (COML, COMT, ITSL)
  • Red card? (yes or no)
  • Training source (NWCG, DHS, other)
  • Date could be available
  • Deployment duration limitations (# days you could deploy)

Region 10 RECCWG appreciates any assistance you can provide or forwarding this message to anyone you know that may have radios available to support.

Please DO NOT DEPLOY unless contacted specifically by the State of Oregon.

Thank you for your consideration and help with this request.

This email was sent to w7vo@arrl.org using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 GovDelivery logo
_______________________________________________
arrl-odv mailing list
arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org
https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv