1. SCHEART Network Emergency Operations
SCEMD Training
February 17, 2018

2. SCHEART Network Operations
Objectives
Define SCHEART emergency communication network
Configuration/s can be expected during an emergency
Who is responsible for changes in configuration?
How do you integrate different types of traffic?
The objective of this presentation is to provide a common understanding of the SCHEART network elements and how it will be used during most emergencies. SCHEART is very flexible and depending on the emergency, adjustments will be made to ensure communications success. Management of the Network is handled by SCETV while coordination of changes are through SCEMD / ESF-2.

3. SCHEART - More than one Network
VHF /- UHF
DMR
Three Statewide Independent Communications Systems
Main analog Conference Audio Bridge (VHF/UHF repeaters)
Back-up analog Conference Audio Bride (VHF/UHF repeaters)
C-bridge (Digital Mobile Radio DMR repeaters)
Network Differences
The analog network bridges support dynamic repeater configuration by users
The digital C-bridge has a set talk group configurations
Microwave connection
Most repeaters are connected via ETV microwave network
Can operate if commercial Internet is down within SC
SCHEART consists of three networks that can operate independently or be partially integrated. The analog system has two conferences bridges allowing unique combinations of repeaters to support regional or statewide coverage depending on needs. The digital system has one conference bridge and one stand by bridge that is only used if there is a failure. It has predefined talk group paths that support local regional or statewide coverage

4. SCHEART Historical Summary
Concept to link hospitals via ham radio -Charleston HEART
Developed to support natural disaster communications
Partnership between healthcare facilities and local hams
Statewide SCHEART analog system created with grant support from HHS/DHEC
Built on success of HEART in Charleston
Response to communication issues during hurricane evacuation
Statewide DMR system created with grant support from DHS/SLED
Integrate more resilient technology for command and control
Add data features with robust commercial grade hardware
Network equipment and repeaters are owned by SCETV (*partners)
The beginning of SCHEART started in 2004 when ARES, USC Center for Public Health Preparedness, SCEMD and amateur operators in the Charleston area worked together to develop a linked repeater system to support local hospitals. This early project was called HEART for Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team and only supported the Charleston area. As an outgrowth of this early demonstration project, SCETV joined the effort to expand the capability statewide. John Crockett, W3KH was instrumental in designing and building out the statewide system. A unique partnership of hams, state and federal agencies came together to help create a functional and flexible emergency communications network. When not dealing with emergencies, the entire network is available for amateur use. SCHEART is an evolution of HEART network Primary build out of SCHEART analog system occurred from 2006 to 2016 with grant from Health and Human Service/ Department of Health and Environmental Control. In early 2014, the network was expanded by adding a digital component to support command and control. This effort was supported by grants from Department of Homeland Security / State Law Enforcement Division. South Carolina Educational Television and South Carolina Emergency Management provided full support for the program.

5. SCHEART Analog System 2 Analog conference bridges supporting >
15 VHF/15 UHF repeaters
Emergency Configurations
Option 1: Simulcast- all repeaters tied together.
Best coverage but highly restricts amount of traffic.
Option 2: Two separate networks, generally a VHF and UHF
VHF for County -State and UHF for DHEC - ESF8 facilities
Option 3: User connections via DTMF
Allows users maximum control but provides no common understanding
Option 4: Mix of 1, 2 and 3 based on nets and traffic levels
Most likely Option 1 or 2 with VHF supporting County/State and
UHF supporting DHEC/ESF8
Most amateur communications occur on the analog system. With two bridges the system can provide two channels for statewide communications. Generally, VHF for County EOC to State EOC and UHF for Hospitals to DHEC or ESF-8. One concept used during exercises has been to schedule statewide nets at fixed times during the day. Then unlink the system between nets to allow DTMF connections. However, some county/hospitals complain they lose situational awareness outside their area between statewide links. In many activation responses, it has been unnecessary to link the system statewide since the emergency is not affecting the entire state

6. SCHEART DMR System
DMR was designated for statewide command and control
32 repeaters in statewide (including communication trailers)
Emergency Operational Mode maintains link to Raleigh from Columbia and restricts links outside of the state
Supports notification and alerts to radios
Supports short text messages
More expensive gear supports GPS unit location and dispatch messaging
Can be used for tactical traffic if analog systems are not available
Provides increased capacity and automatic unit identification
32 repeaters include several partner repeaters: Bluffton, Hilton Head, Clemson, Pickens, Anderson. Also the state has 3 mobile trailers with satellite uplinks ( Anderson, Aiken, SCHEART). These units contain DMR repeaters which can linked via the satellite and re-establish DMR communications within minute of the trailer arriving on site

7. SCHEART DMR Standard for Increased Capacity
Graphic shows that a normal FM channel carries only 1 conversation while DMR support two simultaneous conversations. Each time slot is 30 milliseconds and the radio and repeater provide error correction to improve performance.

8. SCHEART DMR Primer
Each repeater frequency supports two simultaneous conversations based on time slots (time slot 1 and time slot 2)
Talk groups are pre-associated with a time slot
Voice and text can occur on same talk group
Expect about 3 to 5 dB increase in receiver capability based on digital error correction
In Emergency Operations Mode:
Time Slot 1: Local, Chat 1, Chat 2, SCCALL, and data/gps
Time Slot 2: Statewide, and Command Mutual Aid 1
Allowing both local and statewide traffic on a single repeater provides significant benefits and ½ the cost.

9. SCHEART Network Configuration Management
Network configuration is established based on communication tasking from primary served agencies (SCEMD/ESF2-DHEC)
Configurations may change as a response evolves.
During a full activation, Field configuration change requests should be directed to the SEOC radio room. They will coordinate any change
Changes may require coordination with EMD, DHEC, ESF-2, and ETV. It may take a while to effect a change, if it is approved.
Digital network talk group are predefined and will not change. DMR will either be in normal operational mode or emergency mode
Under normal operation, configuration management is handled by SCHEART volunteers or ETV engineers. Request for special configurations can be made via the SCHEART website by contacting one of the volunteer control operators. However, during emergency mode operation, all requests are filter at SCEMD.

10. Traffic Integration Discussion : THE GOOD
County/State looking for reports about damaged structures, road conditions, power conditions, communication outages, etc.
DHEC/ESF-8 looking for information from hospitals, nursing care facilities, shelters and healthcare providers.
Comply with NCS directions exactly!
Use Tactical Call Sign and comply with FCC rules for identification.
General ham field observational reports may be helpful but can be redundant. Try not to duplicate traffic and keep each transmission short (under a minute).
Ensure you have a good signal into a repeater. On analog if your signal is week, NCS will need to have you repeat over and over.
Life safety reports should only come over SCHEART if you can not access 911 and report them locally. Ideally each county will have a local repeater for reports.
Listen to NCS and follow their directions. Use standard phenetics and provide information in the order requested. Use tactical call signs. Provide opportunity to discuss good operating behavior during emergencies.

11. Traffic Integration Discussion : THE BAD
During emergencies SCHEART is not available for hams to check health and welfare on friends and family in another part of the state.
It is not for checking into an net and then disappearing. When you check in as being available in an area, you need to request a release and not just disappear.
SCHEART doesn’t work well for a statewide SKYWARN. SKYWARN is best served with regional nets.
SCHEART provides hams a very unique infrastructure and during non emergencies is open to all traffic. During emergencies, please give priorities to those handling traffic for served agencies. They are paying the bill to keep repeaters available.
Funding and support of the statewide system is predicated on community support during emergencies. Amateurs need to understand that served agency traffic takes precedence during these periods. SCHEART supports the basis and purpose of ham radio defined in FCC Part 97.1(a). During emergency operations normal ham conversations will receive lower priority for frequency use than traffic supporting the emergency activity. Based on experience, some hams do not understand the concept and demonstrate very poor over the air behavior. Provide opportunity to discuss issues:

12. Support Resources South Carolina ARES/RACES Tactical Guide located on
SCHEART Web Site
Top slide SCHEART trailer stage for activation with state assets. Bottom slide bottom to top: Roger Mul, KD4JQJ; Bill Dease, WD1A, Jim Boehner, N2ZZ; Charlie Miller, AE4UX during an exercise.