John Galvin – N5TIM

“Amateur Radio is a National Resource”

n5tim@arrl.net

Presented at HamCom 2009

Resource Typing is the categorization and description of response resources that are commonly exchanged in disasters through mutual aid agreements

There are over 120 NIMS response resources

June 13, 2009 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 1

Resources are named for specialty (Amateur Radio Communications) and are classified by

Category which refers to function Kind to include teams, personnel, equipment, and

supplies Type refers to the level of capability which is a

measure of minimum capabilities to perform the function

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Resource Typing provides emergency officials with the information and terminology they need to request and receive the appropriate resources during an emergency or disaster

Its intent is to help make the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient

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To create a standard across all amateur radio EmComresponse groups

To provide Emergency Managers, Staging Managers, and Event Coordinators with the information they need to request and receive resources they need during an emergency, incident or event

To identify and match communications tasks amateur radio operators typically perform at events and incidents with a set of standards

By knowing your resource function when signing-up for an event, its a lot easier for the coordinator, staging manager, or emergency manager to make assignments

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In the urban environment there are 3 key and 1 unique short range function typically used Shadow, Base, Mobile, and Digital Messaging These are the key Urban Tactical Resources

In rural and large scale operation areas, long range Tactical and Strategic functions are needed

Included are specialty functions for unique communications Digital, Tracker, Networking, HF, and Video

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Amateur Radio functions typically utilized for Public Service include

Shadowing key event or incident personnel on foot Setting up a base station as net control, at a rest stop, aid

station, shelter or CP Operating mobile from a vehicle such as a SAG, supply

truck, Police Car or aircraft Message Handling

These are the same function performed during a disaster or incident and form the basis for amateur radio resource standards

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A CRF-S communicator facilitates “walk about” communications for a key official during an event or incident providing timely communications

A shadow operator is generally foot mobile and remains with the person being shadowed at all times

The shadow may operate other radios as well The operator should be in good physical condition (Lots

of walking) A hand held radio is usually used for this function

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A CRF-B communicator facilitates radio communications from a base or stationary location. This may be in a building, a tent or in the open

The station can be set up to support a net control, shelter, aid station, command post, camp, EOC or hospital

The communicator needs to always be available to the site leader and be cognizant of site operations without interfering with normal operations

This position may require a second communicator or a “runner”

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A CRF-M communicator facilitates radio communications from a mobile environment. This may be in a vehicle, aircraft, boat or train to list a few

The communicator accompanies the mobile official providing constant radio contact

The communicator may be called upon to assist the driver with map reading, observing road conditions and other tasks as needed

The communicator can be a roving set of “eyes” for the event or incident leaders

June 13, 20089 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 9

A CRF-H communicator facilitates HF radio communications from a field location providing strategic radio contact

The communicator may be assigned to an isolated location with minimal necessities

The communicator may be co-located with local VHF communicators and become the gateway station to the “outside”

The communicator may handle an abundance of detailed traffic in and out of their location

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A CRF-D communicator is proficient in facilitating the use and operation of digital and computer based equipment providing readable or graphic information to/from radio transmissions

There are a number of CRF D sub functions each defining a unique tool in the communicators toolkit

These digital tools are not intended to replace the voice communication, but to supplement and enhance the emergency communications responder

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CRF-DA – Provides a system for tracking assets, personnel, information and “short messaging” based on APRS

CRF-DM – Provides a system for traceable messaging and “radio Email” Winlink and packet are two such systems

CRF-DT – A deployable system for use with assets needing to be tracked

CRF-DN – Provides a sophisticated 802.n field system for networking and internet access

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Each Communications Resource Function utilizes a slightly different equipment complement to support that task

Equipment details are in your handout Careful selection and planning may allow a

single radio to serve several CRFs

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CRF-M

CRF-D_(A&M)

CRF-B

MobileTransceiver

A well plannedsetup

can supportmultiple CRFs

Communications Resource Functions are considered mobile assets

Those Communications Resource Functions that are “home” stations or permanently installed in a vehicle or elsewhere should have the modifier “/F” affixed to the CRF Designator, i.e. CRF-M/F

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Short Four to 12 hour operation (shifts)

Medium 12 to 24 hour operation (shifts)

Long 72 hours or greater Usually an away assignment

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The Management process is critical in maintaining an accurate picture of resources and includes Identifying and Categorizing Ordering and Acquiring Dispatching and Mobilizing Tracking and Reporting Recovering and Disposition

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The resources discussed herein are considered Tactical Resources

Tactical Resources are classified as one of the following Assigned – On the Job Available – Ready for immediate assignment Out of Service – Not ready (R&R)

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You have an event that needs 5 shadows, 12 rest stops, 8 trucks and a net control

You can just post this information and take pot luck on operators with the correct equipment or spend a lot of time asking each operator what equipment he/she has

By using CRFs the equipment is specified in the definition of the communications resource

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* Public Service Event

For the previous example the coordinator would make a request for 5 CRF-S which would fill the shadows needs 8 CRF-M which would fill the truck (mobile) needs 13 CRF-B which would fill the 12 rest stop and net

control needs

Now the coordinator is assured that his/her communication team comes prepared

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* Public Service Event

Via emergency management channels you receive a request from a near by state which also uses CRFs requesting help

In the IS-213 message there is a request for 12 CRF-Bs for staging, shelters, command post and net

control duty 8 CRF-Ss for duty at the command post and with state

officials 17 CRF-Ms for trucks, airborne, MICUs, maritime, etc 2 CRF-Hs for communications with state agencies With an assignment duration of “Long”

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* Incident

By having a standard system of identifying amateur radio resources you can see in the previous example the request is specific and there's no doubt in what to send

The standard works regardless of an EmCom’sgroup’s affiliation

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* Incident

There will be times you as the EmCom group leader will receive requests in various formats and descriptions. You will then be tasked with converting these requests into the CRF format and getting the requests out

This means you need to be familiar with the CRF functions and train in using them

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RREESSOOUURRCCEE:: AAMMAATTEEUURR RRAADDIIOO EEMMEERRGGEENNCCYY CCOOMMMMUUNNIICCAATTIIOONNSS ((RR..AA..CC..EE..SS..//AA..RR..EE..SS..)) CATEGORY: Communications, Tactical, VHF/UHF, Emergency Management Support KIND: Team MINIMUM CAPABILITIES: Component Metric TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV OTHER

Personnel Staffing 5 radio operators, 1 unit leader

5 radio operators, 1 unit leader

3 radio operators and 1 unit leader

2 radio operators

Equipment Communications 1. 4 CRF-M Units (Mobile)

2. 1 CRF-S Unit (Shadow)

3. Portable VHF/FM repeater

4. Portable UHF/FM repeater

5. Portable Power sources

6. Portable Mast or Tower

7. Cell Phone

1. 4 CRF-B Units (Base)

2. 1 CRF-S Unit (Shadow)

3. Portable VHF/FM repeater

4. Portable Power sources

5. Cell Phone

1. 2 CRF-DA Units (APRS)

2. 1 CRF-DM Unit (PaclinkMP)

3. Cell Phone 4. Portable Power

sources

1. 2 CRF-S Units Cell Phone

Availability Duration Available for extended operations (greater than 72 hours)

Available for extended operations (greater than 72 hours)

Available for short duration operations (72 hours or less)

Available for short duration operations (72 hours or less)

Management Support

Coordination Capabilities

Unit Leader capable of managing the communications unit

Unit Leader capable of managing the communications unit

Team management only

Self management only. Add to Type I and II Teams

COMMENTS: Availability does not require continuous availability of specific personnel, only that teams are available to those specifications. Personnel may be rotated in and out of specific team positions.

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Resource Information

Additional ResourceInformation

Dallas Area RACES

Call:

Last Name: First Name:

Qualifiers:Lic Class: Type:

Cell No:

Winlink Email:

@winlink.org

Pager No:

Home Email:

Circle All That ApplyRadio 1

Radio 2

Radio 3

Power

Mast

Feed Line (Ft: ___________ )

(Ft: ___________ )

Antennas

GENERATOR ---- SOLAR ---- BATTS (A/Hrs ______ )

NVIS ---- MAG MOUNT ---- GAIN

Please checkany eqptyou can lend or leave in place

Circle Your Resource Types (if you know)

(Ft: ___________ )

S M B H DM DNDA DTS M B H DM DNDA DT

License Class

Qualifiers toThe resource type

ResourceType

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

W2K ---- APRS ---- DSTARBASE ---- MOBILE ----HT

HF ---- 2m ----70cm ---- 1.2 GHz

Collin County ARES

June 13, 2009 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 26

As systems are implemented across the nation, D* is becoming a new tool in the EmComCommunicators kit

D*’s digital capability is significant for low and high speed data in support of served agencies

Currently D* equipment when substituted in a CRF is ordered as a Type III of that CRF

CRF designation under review

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It’s up to each amateur radio EmComcommunicator to determine their Communications Resource Function, gather all the equipment, and inform their Emergency Communications group leader of their CRF

A well planned approach in equipment allows one radio to support several VHF CFRs

Practice with your equipment

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U.S. Coast Guard ICS Handbook – P3120.17A IS-703 NIMS Resource Management

(recommended for all Staging Managers)

http://www.nimsonline.com/resource_typing_system/ Public Service Events – HamCom 2007 presentation ARRL ECOM Courses Various FireScope Job Aids The Internet http://www.garlandraces.net/graces/resourceTdata.html Your Emergency Manager

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“Google is your friend”

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THE END

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Hand-held, 2 Meter (2M/440 preferred) FM transceiver with a minimum of 2.5 watts of output power and CTCSS encoder. CRF-S1 if less than 2.5 watts

Earphone or Headset attachment (VOX disabled) Standardized cigarette lighter power cord and clip lead

adapter power cables Mini-mag mount antenna for temporary vehicle duty

while shadowing

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2 Meter (2M/440 preferred) Transceiver capable of at least 25 watts into the antenna ( HT / amplifier combination is a viable alternative)

Gain antenna (dual-band preferred) with mast and support, coax with PL259s at each end, (25' minimum) and PL258 coupler. Extra coax cables with connectors (RG8X or better preferred)

External speaker with 1/8" phone plug and/or earphones or headset attachment with VOX disabled

Optional chair and table

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2 Meter (2M/440 preferred) Transceiver capable of at least 25 watts into the antenna ( HT / amplifier combination is a viable alternative)

Gain antenna (dual band preferred) with magnetic base and 15' of coax with PL259 connector

External speaker with 1/8" phone plug and/or earphones or headset attachment with VOX disabled

Cigarette lighter adapter and clip lead adapter power cables

June 13, 2009 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 34

CRF-B radio equipment Computer system capable of displaying and running

current amateur radio software and suitable for portable operations

Printer highly recommended Terminal Node Controller or interface along with

necessary accessories to implement station configuration Software for digital messaging or APRS

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Self contained “802.11 repeater” unit which functions as a Bridge/Router/Access Point including antennas

Wired and/or wireless access point unit Minimum of 50’ CAT5 cable and POE interface Associated support equipment

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All mode SSB Transceiver with tuner suitable for portable operation. 100 watts minimum. Most operations are on 20, 40, and 80 meters

Antennas, masts, and support accessories and lots of coax cables

NVIS capability helpful for tactical situations General Class license or higher required

June 13, 2009 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 37

Copy of amateur license and Badge/ID Photo Drivers License Portable power source providing at least 12 hours of typical

operation All connectors standardized! (Current RACES/ARES) Writing material - pen, pencil, writing pad, and forms Short duration personal support gear - (rain gear/comfortable

footwear) Transceiver operating instructions or summary guide Duct Tape, misc. adaptors and comfort items

June 13, 2009 HamCom 2009 – N5TIM 38

General items common to all Resource Functions

This guide is for radio equipment and does not include general personal or 24/72 hour kit items.

Up to now we have referred to our Resources as Type such and such

Type actually refers to a level of capability So, lets make a big change and replace Type with a

new adjective Are you with me so far? Lets replace Resource Type with Resource Function,

add Communications and use Communications Resource Function or CRF in its place and define our functions

June 14, 2008 HamCom 2008 – N5TIM 39