1. TDEM Homeland Security Conference April 2012

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

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

4. ARES Exercise Total Coverage ARRL West Gulf and Delta Divisions Participating

5. 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

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

7. ARES Services / Capabilities:

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. 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 email server in RF only mode Central Texas central backup server with VHF and HF capability HF Liaison

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

16. ARES Linked Repeater System

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Tom Whiteside N5TW South Texas ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Assistant South Texas Section Manager n5tw@arrl.netARES Questions