Know Before You Go The things you need to know before you deploy Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX...

Know Before You GoKnow Before You Go

The things you need to know The things you need to know before you deploybefore you deploy

Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAXMaine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Maine ARESMaine ARES

Know Before You Know Before You GoGo

You need to know a great deal of You need to know a great deal of information before you deploy for ARESinformation before you deploy for ARES

This applies to both disasters and This applies to both disasters and exercisesexercises– Just deploying with some radio equipment Just deploying with some radio equipment

and vague instructions won’t cut itand vague instructions won’t cut it– The more information you know about your The more information you know about your

deployment, the better you are able to deployment, the better you are able to operate and accomplish your missionoperate and accomplish your mission


The very basics you need to know The very basics you need to know are:are:– WhoWho– WhatWhat– WhereWhere– WhenWhen– HowHow


Let’s explore each of Let’s explore each of these five itemsthese five items


WhoWho– Who do I report to?Who do I report to?

NameName AgencyAgency TitleTitle

– Do they know I am coming?Do they know I am coming? If they do, they will be expecting youIf they do, they will be expecting you If they do not, best report to security at the If they do not, best report to security at the

deployed location firstdeployed location first

– In all cases, present your credentials In all cases, present your credentials upon arrival and reportingupon arrival and reporting


WhatWhat– The Incident nameThe Incident name– The nature of the emergencyThe nature of the emergency– Is this an ARES or RACES deploymentIs this an ARES or RACES deployment– What is my function?What is my function?

What do you want me to do?What do you want me to do?– Get specificsGet specifics

You may have more than one jobYou may have more than one job


WhereWhere– Where am I to report to?Where am I to report to?

Get a location and addressGet a location and address Get directions if you are unsure how to get Get directions if you are unsure how to get

to the locationto the location Get specificsGet specifics

– For exampleFor example Maine Medical Center is general (it’s a big Maine Medical Center is general (it’s a big

place)place) Maine Medical Center Emergency Room is Maine Medical Center Emergency Room is

specificspecific


WhenWhen– When am I to report?When am I to report?

Get an exact timeGet an exact time– They may not be expecting you earlierThey may not be expecting you earlier

There may be no one there before your There may be no one there before your reporting timereporting time

They may not be ready for you before your They may not be ready for you before your reporting timereporting time

– They may need you at a specific timeThey may need you at a specific time


HowHow– This is the essence of how you are going This is the essence of how you are going

to operateto operate What equipment do I need?What equipment do I need? What equipment is there?What equipment is there? Is there commercial power available?Is there commercial power available? What are the operational frequencies?What are the operational frequencies? What is my tactical call sign?What is my tactical call sign? Are there personal support items there?Are there personal support items there? How long will I be on duty?How long will I be on duty?


Let’s look at these itemsLet’s look at these items


What equipment do I need?What equipment do I need?– Be sure you have the equipment Be sure you have the equipment

required before deployingrequired before deploying If you don’t have the required equipment, let If you don’t have the required equipment, let

someone knowsomeone know– For example:For example:

If you are required to have a 50 watt dual If you are required to have a 50 watt dual band radio, 50 feet of coax, portable mast and band radio, 50 feet of coax, portable mast and an outside antenna and all you have is a 5 an outside antenna and all you have is a 5 watt two meter handheld and a rubber duck watt two meter handheld and a rubber duck antenna, you may not be able to effectively antenna, you may not be able to effectively communicatecommunicate


What equipment is there?What equipment is there?– If possible, find out what communications If possible, find out what communications

equipment is already in placeequipment is already in place There may be radios, and antennas already in There may be radios, and antennas already in

placeplace Knowing what is there already may enhance Knowing what is there already may enhance

your ability to operateyour ability to operate This information is not always availableThis information is not always available


Is there commercial power (110 VAC) Is there commercial power (110 VAC) available?available?– Is it commercial power?Is it commercial power?

Is there backup power if commercial power Is there backup power if commercial power fails?fails?

– If there is a generatorIf there is a generator Is the generator capable of carrying the Is the generator capable of carrying the

power drawn from the communications power drawn from the communications equipment?equipment?

– Should I carry my own power?Should I carry my own power?


What are the operational What are the operational frequencies?frequencies?– Primary Net frequencyPrimary Net frequency– Backup Net frequencyBackup Net frequency– Other frequenciesOther frequencies

It can take you a while to find out where It can take you a while to find out where everyone is operating if you don’t knoweveryone is operating if you don’t know


What is my tactical call sign?What is my tactical call sign?– The tactical call sign is used in most The tactical call sign is used in most

disasters and exercisesdisasters and exercises– It identifies a location no matter who is It identifies a location no matter who is

operatingoperating– Use your tactical call sign if they are Use your tactical call sign if they are

being used in an incidentbeing used in an incident Remember to identify properly when Remember to identify properly when

operating (per FCC regulations)operating (per FCC regulations)


Are there personal support items Are there personal support items there?there?– Food and waterFood and water– Comfort itemsComfort items– Sleeping accommodationsSleeping accommodations

Do I need to provide for myself?Do I need to provide for myself?


How long will I be on duty?How long will I be on duty?– Get specificsGet specifics

It will help you plan for your deploymentIt will help you plan for your deployment

– If you are unable to deploy for that If you are unable to deploy for that period, let someone know before you period, let someone know before you deploydeploy


Where do I get this Where do I get this information?information?


Information is usually given out atInformation is usually given out at– The location where you are checking in The location where you are checking in

for assignmentfor assignment– The staging area where you are The staging area where you are

assigned to before deploymentassigned to before deployment– From your supervisor where you are From your supervisor where you are

assignedassigned


Get as much information as possibleGet as much information as possible– It will help you complete your missionIt will help you complete your mission

Ask questions if you are unsure of Ask questions if you are unsure of anythinganything– Don’t be afraid to askDon’t be afraid to ask

Do not deploy if you are unable to fulfill Do not deploy if you are unable to fulfill the requirements of the assignmentthe requirements of the assignment– Inform someone if you are not capable of the Inform someone if you are not capable of the

assignmentassignment– Ask for another assignment that fits your Ask for another assignment that fits your

capabilitiescapabilities


Write everything down concerning Write everything down concerning your assignmentyour assignment– Don’t depend on your memoryDon’t depend on your memory

Maine ARESMaine ARES

Know what you are getting Know what you are getting yourself in for before you yourself in for before you

deploy!deploy!

Know Know BeforeBefore You Go You Go

Presented by Maine ARESPresented by Maine ARES

Date post:	21-Jan-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	adam-parks
View:	218 times
Download:	0 times

Know Before You Go The things you need to know before you deploy Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX...

Documents