I am pleased to announce the formal signing of a local Statement of Cooperation between the ARRL East Bay Section and the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. This is a significant step as we rebuild the ARES® program in the Section. We now have a served agency that recognizes ARES locally and that is recognized by ARES.

The local Statement of Cooperation supplements the national Memorandum of Understanding between the American Red Cross and the ARRL that has been in effect since March 2010 and anticipates increased local familiarity and cooperation between the two entities. This document is available for review.

It is now more important than ever that we be able to exhibit that we are professional-quality, well-equipped, and well-trained Amateur Radio operators. To this end, we will be implementing online local ARES registration so that we will have an up to date listing of the Section’s members and leaders. We will also be implementing training and education programs sponsored by the Section to ensure a common, minimum level of training for members and leaders alike. Look for additional changes and progress as we organize and build the ARES program in the Section.

Jim Latham, AF6AQ – ARRL Life Member
Section Manager – East Bay
Emergency Communication Advisory Committee Representative – Pacific Division
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™

The ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communication Course (EC-001) is now available in the ARRL Continuing Education Program. This course includes basic knowledge expected of emergency communications volunteers, and is one of the requirements for Full Member status in the East Bay Section ARES® program. EC-001 can be completed in several different ways: on line, in the classroom, and by studying the course transcript in book form. A final examination is required. Details are available on the Emergency Communications Training page of the ARRL East Bay Section’s Web site.

Registration is now open for the new online Introduction to Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Course information, including a description, pre-requisites and instructions on how to register are available on the ARRL website (http://www NULL.arrl NULL.org/online-courses).

The new Introduction to Emergency Communications course includes updated content from the previous Basic Emergency Communications Level 1 course, as well as some content previously included in the former Level 2 course. The EmComm training program has been restructured to offer two courses: This enhanced basic course for EmComm volunteers who want to serve as part of an ARES® response team and the management course — Public Service and Emergency Communication Management for Radio Amateurs (EC-016, also available on the ARRL website) — for those who are serving in ARES® leadership and management roles.

More information is available in the original ARRL news release (http://www NULL.arrl NULL.org/news/view/new-online-introductory-emergency-communications-course-now-available) dated June 15, 2011.

Completion of EC-001 is one of the requirements for Full ARES Member status in East Bay Section ARES.

Gentleman,

I have been told that all amateur operator slots have been filled up until June 10, 6:00 PM EDT. We have everyone we need thanks to the surge of support from ARRL/ARES operators.

When the ARRL brings its full weight to bear to assist us, it is not only dynamic but inspirational.

Thanks for helping The Salvation Army in its quest to assist those in Joplin who suffered through this ordeal.

Your help is significant.

Best regards to all and God bless you.

Sincerely,

Patrick E. McPherson
Major (R)
National Director
SATERN

June 3, 2011

In accord with our Memorandum of Understanding with The Salvation Army, we are looking for volunteers to aid them in their work in Joplin, Missouri at this time.  There is a specific process to be followed in doing this, so please read this information carefully.

The Salvation Army continues to provide food, drink and other items of basic care to survivors and rescue workers in the impacted areas of Joplin, MO.  While cell phone coverage is no longer much of a problem in Joplin, amateur radio continues to be important in certain operations such as those of the Salvation Army where the ability for several persons to hear what is going on at the same time is an asset.

As a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) operator, if deployed, you will be asked to go out on Salvation Army vehicles into the areas impacted by the Joplin tornado to supply logistical support.  The Salvation Army vehicles supply basic human needs (particularly food and drink) and you will play a big part in the operation.  You will relay information as to inventory, requests for food and drink, maintenance problems that develop, etc.   It may surprise you, but at certain periods of the day the radio traffic has been almost constant.  The Salvation Army Disaster Response Operations are now running from 7 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m.

DO NOT SELF_DEPLOY!

Wait to be contacted for possible deployment and assignment.

The qualifications for being assigned are:

ü  Technician or higher Amateur Radio license.

ü  Good health – you will encounter 100 degree heat, exertion and long hours.  You need to be in good shape!

ü  Ability to take on a 3 to 5 day deployment in the field.

ü  Have an HT and a mobile (VHF/UHF) radio – also having APRS is a big plus.

ü  Experience with disaster responses.  ARES leadership experience a plus.

ü  NIMS/ICS training with a minimum of IS-100, IS-200 completed.

The process to volunteer is:

1.  Send an email to emergency@arrl.org (http://us NULL.mc810 NULL.mail NULL.yahoo NULL.com/mc/compose?to=emergency null@null arrl NULL.org) (Include name, call, contact information (phone & email), location and specific information on how you meet each of the criteria above)

2.  Your information will be checked against the current needs

3.  If cleared, your contact information will be sent to our liaison with SATERN field leadership.

4.  If assigned, you will be contacted by SATERN directly and given further instructions.

The Salvation Army will try to supply you with some type of lodging, if available.  If deployed, you should consider bringing a sleeping bag or make other sleeping arrangements should you need to be housed at the Salvation Army.

SATERN operations in Joplin are being held on the 147.00 (positive offset) repeater.  If you are deployed, you will need at minimum a 2-meter handheld radio with a spare battery pack (or cigarette lighter adapter) and a magnetic mount antenna.  Due to some communications problems experienced on 2-meters within the impacted area, a 2-meter mobile radio with magnetic mount antenna would be desirable.  Additional information will be furnished to you.

No reimbursement for travel or any other expenses has been authorized at this time. Therefore, I would recommend that you record your mileage and save your receipts.  You may be able to deduct your mileage from your taxes (consult your tax preparer). The Salvation Army will of course provide you food and drink while on duty.

=========================================

Thank you!

73,

Steve Ewald, WV1X

Supervisor, Field Organization Team

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™

860-594-0265

sewald@arrl.org (http://us NULL.mc810 NULL.mail NULL.yahoo NULL.com/mc/compose?to=sewald null@null arrl NULL.org)