IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications report Greg Mossop, G0DUB 12 th November 2012

Events of the year Turkey Earthquake - 23 October 2011 ( Use by TRAC of government frequencies outside amateur bandplans ) GlobalSET Italian flooding - November 2011 Norway storms - December 2011 London Olympics Italian Earthquake - May 2012 TRAC/University project with EU funding.

What didn't get so well reported The activity by groups like FNRASEC of France with a monthly international net. South Africa's recent involvement in a search and rescue mission across borders. With over 10,000 emergency communicators in Region 1 across 36 known countries there is probably much more !

Some good opportunities The activity by groups like FNRASEC of France with a monthly international net. South Africa's recent involvement in a search and rescue mission across borders. With over 10,000 emergency communicators in Region 1 across 36 known countries there is probably much more !

Some good support! Italy has a national HF network capable of linking the country through four key stations. 30 PACTOR stations and two Winlink RMS providing national data net. Six mobile units ( vehicles ) paid for by the Government. Italian amateurs can be on a disaster scene in around 60 minutes.

Cross-Border Links take time. European projects fund international networks for professionals and we are mentioned :-) The question is always asked – “Why? Our country can cope”. GAREC has proved that international co- operation is needed. Some contacts between Germany and France for Nuclear Power Plant exercise.

Building confidence This takes longer... I hope that groups are not afraid of failure because this is the only way we will learn. We do need to look at what groups do for training though. We are not 'first responders'. Can we deliver?

London Olympics Through GAREC contacts we knew that amateur involvement would be low. Tried to get a net formed to be prepared even if not called. Response was not as good as hoped. – Only around half the members polled thought it would be necessary. – Less than half saw the need for formal message handling.

GlobalSET No GlobalSET in 2012 Bigger event in 2013 ! World Amateur Radio Day April 18th 2013 'Amateur Radio – Entering its second century of Disaster Communications. GlobalSET as two activity periods. Message handing in both directions!

Training, training, training... GlobalSET should not be the only training for groups. We need more ideas on how to get members engaged. We need to overcome any 'fear of failure'

Information sharing GAREC is the only formal information sharing which takes place across all three regions. Each IARU Region has their own mailing list for Emergency Communications but the traffic is low :-( We are communicators so why can't we talk to each other? Latest ARRL Emergency Communications manual contains an 'international' perspective.

Region 1 information Information ( when I get it ) is posted to Up to date information is needed for publicity leaflets so we are still seen to be relevant.

Thank you!