TDEM Homeland Security Conference April 2012

Background Information: Field Organization consists of:  15 Divisions  71 Sections  Texas has 3 sections (North, South, West) ARES

 There are four levels of an ARES organization ARES Background Information continued:

ARES Exercise Total Coverage ARRL West Gulf and Delta Divisions Participating

May 5 th Exercise Scenario  A large solar storm has occurred resulting in widespread power outages and a failure of the Internet and cellular networks.  Two days have passed since the solar storm allowing for restored HF conditions but RF-only conditions persist.  Providing situational awareness to the state operation center from all areas is critical. ARES

 Voice – Local (VHF/UHF) and Distant (HF)  Radio – Local (VHF/UHF) and Distant (HF)  Radio and Internet Linked repeaters  Other ◦ High Speed Multimedia (HSMM) ◦ APRS - GPS location /Tracking ARES

ARES Services / Capabilities:

Texas ARES Winlink – Before the outage Texas ARES Winlink – Before the outage Texas Winlink Local VHF/UHF Servers ARES

Texas ARES Winlink – Before the outage North American EMCOMM Winlink HF Servers

Texas ARES Winlink – Before the outage Texas EMCOMM Winlink HF Servers

Texas ARES Winlink – After the outage Central Texas HF Server designated as overall Texas message hub

South Texas ARES Winlink South Texas ARES Winlink Regional Hubbing Strategy ARES HospitalEOC POD Shelter VHF Winlink server in RF only mode Local agencies can exchange using RF only mode.

South Texas ARES Winlink South Texas ARES Winlink Routing Mail outside the local Area – the Direct approach ARES SOC VHF Winlink server in RF only mode HF Forwarding capable Direct HF forwarding requires PACTOR capability Central Texas central backup server with VHF and HF capability

South Texas ARES Winlink South Texas ARES Winlink Routing Mail outside the local Area – through local liaison ARES HF Liaison can use other digital technique or voice as last resort. SOC VHF Winlink server in RF only mode Central Texas central backup server with VHF and HF capability HF Liaison

South Texas ARES Winlink South Texas ARES Winlink Routing Mail outside the local Area – through local MARS liaison ARES MARS liaisons can send directly to SOC MARS station or through another MARS operator SOC VHF Winlink server in RF only mode Central Texas Central Backup server with VHF and HF capability HF MARS liaison

ARES Linked Repeater System

May 5 th Exercise Objectives  County level: ◦ Bring up local voice net per their plan ◦ Activate or simulate activation of local agencies. ◦ Exercise county Communications Response Teams with simulated local deployments. ◦ Establish liaisons to other participating areas. ARES

May 5 th Exercise Objectives  County level continued: ◦ Send ICS-213 SITREP to State Operations Center via DDC or directly if necessary. ◦ Receive reply from SOC via DDC or directly if necessary. ◦ Establish HF Texas Emergency voice net liaison. ◦ Establish VHF Linked repeater liaison if possible. ARES

May 5 th Exercise Objectives  County level continued:  Complete After Action Report: ◦ Name of county participating ◦ Number of participants ◦ Agencies participating ◦ Were you able to submit an ICS-213 to the SOC? ◦ SOC ICS-213 reply received? ◦ HF Exercise net liaison established? ◦ Liaison to Saltgrass or Armadillo networks established? ◦ Summary of local operation ◦ What went well? ◦ What did not go well? ◦ Lessons learned ◦ Suggestions for future exercises. ARES

May 5 th Exercise Objectives  Larger exercise objectives ◦ Sections outside Texas doing independent exercises ◦ Sections will generate assistance requests for Oklahoma and Delta Division sections. ◦ High level SITREP exchanges and HF voice liaisons established ARES

Tom Whiteside N5TW South Texas ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Assistant South Texas Section Manager Questions