Medical Reserve Corps MRC Units and Ham Radio

During Times of Crisis Communications Becomes a Dilemma. Many Departments, Agencies All Vying for Time on Frequencies.

 During an MRC activation, our units will also be vying for the same communication channels and Frequencies that are allocated to emergency service organizations.

MRC COMMUNICATIONS  MULTIPULE MRC SITES  Local Stock pile site  Hospitals  Transportation vehicle(s) from local SNS site’s  Emergency operation center  Emergency Services (EMS) units  On and off site security forces (police agencies)

Common Predicament  Single dispatch center for county.  Two dispatch operators on duty only during peak hours.  Answer both 911 and non emergency calls.  12 volunteer fire departments.  Sheriff's deputies  5 local small police departments  All sharing a single frequency.

Common Predicament  Normal channels of communications will be overwhelmed.  Not enough radios and cell phones to go around.  Cell towers/systems will become overwhelmed and unstable.  Total normal communication failure if event is wide spread.

Amateur Radio/hams

Role of Ham’s  Provide vital communications for emergency operations.  Pass on non emergency information between units.  Capable of sending still pictures over the radio air waves.  Able to send real time Television Pictures over the air waves back to EOC, using cable channels 57 through 61.

Role of Hams  Each MRC/CERT team should develop a minimum number of operators each unit will need available at all times.  Train MRC/CERT team members to become licensed operators.  Vital part of emergency operation centers.

MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS Advantages of hams  Communication can be established easily and quickly at multiple sites.  Frees normal emergency communication systems.  Needs no fixed power supply.  Mobile/ Portable  Inexpensive to purchase by volunteers  Compared to Emergency Service Radios  Not hampered by frequency limitations.

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)  Provides communications assistance to civil defense organizations in time of need.  Must be registered with civil defense organizations  Active ONLY during periods of Local, Regional, or National civil emergencies.  Races members CANNOT communicate with other amateurs when activated.

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)  Presents a way for local amateur operators to provide emergency communications while working with emergency response groups  American Red Cross  Local emergency operation centers  Sponsored by the ARRL (American radio relay league).

Amateur Requirements For license

Ham Radio Operator Testing  Tech license – 35 word multiple choice written test. NO Morse code required at entry level.  Tech license/+- 35 word multiple choice written test with 5 word minute Morse code test  These are the minimum levels required to begin in ham operations.  NO age limits on who can become a ham.

Licensed Hams USA  As of March 15, 2005 Novice - 29,098 Tech/ ,387 General - 137,334 Advanced - 77,035 Extra - 106,238 Total All Classes - 668,163

Questions/comments ?

CONTACT INFORMATION  CLINT WAGSTAFF KE5DLX  Fannin County Texas Emergency Management Coordinator/MRC Director  210 S. MAIN STREET  BONHAM, TEXAS  OFFICE 