Winter Sale Day at DX Engineering
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

  (Jan 5, 2020) - -

Updated 2020 Calendar of Events Posted
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

    (Dec 30, 2019) - -  The 2020 ARES Calendar of Events has been updated which includes a listing of our weekly ARES Nets including the dates of our normally scheduled public service events including the Hall of Fame Festival events. This year is also expected to include a multi-county Akron-Canton Airport Drill.

Additional events & activities will be added as needed for the year.

ARRL Self-Guided Emergency Communications Course EC-001-S is Now Available On-Demand
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

    (Nov 21, 2019)  ARRL’s EC-001-S online “Introduction to Emergency Communication” course is now available to students in an on-demand format, allowing students to register for the course and begin work at any time. This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer.

In response to the great course demand and to expand access to EC-001, ARRL developed a self-guided version of the course, EC-001-S, which launched in June. This version of the course is designed for those who prefer to work independently and who do not need guidance from an online mentor. EC-001-S was previously offered only during specific sessions along with the traditional mentored version. The course opened for general enrollment on November 6.

Visit the ARRL Online Course Registration page for more information and to register.

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Massillon Holiday Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

(Nov 5, 2019) - - (Dec 16, 2019) - - On Saturday Afternoon, November 23rd the club completed our last public service event for the year by assisting with the annual Massillon Holiday Parade, an event we have participated in for the last 44 years making it one of the longest public service events handled by the club.

Stark ARES Display
Terry Russ, N8ATZ - Emergency Coordinator

  (Nov 7, 2019) -- Stark ARES hosted an information table at the November 3rd Massillon Hamfest. The table was staffed by ARES Net Manager Mike Lackney - KB8MIB and Assistant Net Manager Mike Palmer - KD8ENV.

Our display included a PowerPoint presentation covering basic ARES & Skywarn operations, a display of several versions of Emergency Response or (Go-Boxes) and informational literature. New this year was literature provided by the Stark County EMA Office.

Many visitors stopped by with questions and comments covering our ARES & Skywarn programs here in Stark County. My thanks to both Mike's for staffing the booth during the hamfest !

Mike Lackney, KB8MIB at the ARES Display

Stark County Safety Expo
Courtesy of the Stark Co ARES

(Oct 6, 2019) - - The MARC  participated  in the 2019 Stark County Association of Realtors Safety and Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 28th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

The MARC  EComm Trailer was on display as we provide information to the public on how we provide community service in the event of a local or wide based emergency that could impact our community.

The following MARC members assisted with this event to provide information to the public. Terry, N8ATZ,  Jim - WA8GXM,  Vern - KE8VS, Bud - WA8KWD, and Don - W8DEA.  Dave Beltz - WD8AYE representing the Stark County EMA Office also participated in this event.

National Preparedness Month Program
Courtesy of the Stark Co ARES

    (Sept 11, 2019) - -  Continuing with our participation in National Preparedness Month, Stark County ARES participated in a two hour radio program hosted by the County EMA office and broadcast over local AM station WHBC that focused on plans our local our local government and public service organizations have put into place to serve citizens during a disaster, and on things the local populace can do in the event of a major emergency. The program was live streamed over the station facebook page,

Guests included both Canton Hospitals, EMA Staff, police and fire officials and city health departments. Our county ARES was represented by EC Terry Russ, N8ATZ, and Assistant EC David Beltz, WD8AYE our liaison to the EMA office. We briefly discussed how we interact with local civil authorities and how we provide support communications during emergencies and our local Skywarn program.

The program is available for replay on the Stark County EMA facebook page in the video's section.    Click Here for the replay....

September is National Preparedness Month
Courtesy of the ARRL

     (Sep 3, 2019) - -  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsors National Preparedness Month each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning throughout the year. The 2019 theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” FEMA is a long-time ARRL partner agency. This year, FEMA wants participants — which include Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers — to share their activities and success stories, as well as brief descriptions of their National Preparedness Month plans (include “NPM” in the email subject line).

An appropriate submission would be your ARES team’s planned or conducted ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) activity. The SET is designed to assess the skills and preparedness of ARES and other organizations involved with emergency/disaster response, and the 2019 SET is scheduled for the October 5 – 6 weekend. Guidelines and specific SET reporting forms for Field Organization leaders are on the ARRL website. Download and send completed forms to Steve Ewald, WV1X, at ARRL Headquarters. See page 71 in the September 2019 issue of QST for more information on the 2019 SET.

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Alliance Carnation Festival Report
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -  Emergency Coordinator courtesy of the Alliance Amateur Radio Club

  (Sept 3, 2019) - - The Alliance Amateur Radio Club (W8LKY) provided Emergency Communications for the Greater Alliance (Ohio) Carnation Festival Grand Parade on August 10, 2019.

The Ten-Day annual festival concludes with the Grand Parade. The Parade stepped off at 11AM at Fernwood Blvd and West State Street and concluded 2.1 miles later at the intersection of Broadway Street and South Union Ave. This was the Sixtieth (60TH) anniversary of the Carnation Festival Celebration in Alliance. The Festival honor’s The Official State Flower of Ohio, the Scarlet Carnation.

A pre parade meeting was conducted at 9AM on the day of the event, and prior to each operator assuming their assigned location on the parade route. A packet was distributed at the pre parade meeting, the packet included the latest Parade line up, a parade map, a list of all the operators on the project (locations, tactical call sign to be used) and project’s SOP’s (standard Operating Procedures and overview of the project). One third (33%) of the club participated in the project and we had no problem filling the assignments for this project. The project is part of W8LKY’s Community Service agenda for 2019. W8lky will be providing Emergency Communications for the Alliance Rotary Clubs Annual Labor Day Castle Run event on September 2nd, 2019. Alliance Amateur Radio Club (W8LKY) is an ARRL Special Services Club. “Pride in the Carnation City” and 73’ from Alliance Amateur Radio Club W8lky.

Hurricane Watch Net Continue's to Monitor Dorian
Courtesy of the ARRL

    (Sept 1, 2019) - -  The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has been closely watching the progress of Hurricane Dorian and will activate on Saturday at 2100 UTC and remain in continuous operation on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz. 

Over the past 24 hours, the hurricane’s forecast track has shifted slightly, which will take the storm over the northern Bahamas before it strikes southeastern Florida.

As of 1500 UTC, Dorian was some 480 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas and about 660 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Maximum sustained winds were 110 MPH (making it a Category 2 hurricane) and moving to the northwest at 10 MPH.

“The new forecast track does not look good,” HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, observed. “The Bahamas are forecast for a direct hit late Sunday afternoon when Dorian is a Category 4 hurricane. Next stop is currently forecast to be near West Palm Beach as a strong Category 3 hurricane.” Graves said that after it makes landfall, Dorian is expected to turn to the northwest and move up Florida’s east coast.

“No matter the location of landfall, suffice it to say that unless something major changes, a huge area of Florida will be impacted by this storm,” Graves said.

According to the National Hurricane Center: 

• Life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane watch is in effect. Residents should execute their hurricane plans and heed advice from local emergency officials. 
• Life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the Florida east coast by early next week, but it is too soon to determine where the highest storm surge and winds will occur. Residents should have hurricane plans in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials. 
• A prolonged period of storm surge, high winds, and rain is likely in portions of Florida into next week, including the possibility of hurricane-force winds over inland portions of the Florida peninsula. 
• Heavy rains are expected over portions of the Bahamas, Florida, and elsewhere in the southeastern United States this weekend and into the middle of next week.

The ARRL Emergency Preparedness Department is sending two additional Ham Aid kits — one HF and one UHF-VHF — in response to a request from the West Central Florida Section ARES. 

ARRL Headquarters remains in monitoring mode and has been in regular contact with ARRL’s partner agencies.  

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Hurricane Watch Net Set to Activate on Saturday
Courtesy of the ARRL

    (Sept 1, 2019) - -  The Florida’s three ARES® Section Emergency Coordinators are collecting information from ARES volunteers in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian. The SECs have set up a volunteer form for Florida ARES members to express their desire to help in the areas of Florida affected by the impending hurricane. The volunteer’s information will be used to fulfill mission requests and allow SECs to match operators with the most appropriate assignments.

Florida ARES members are requested to complete the form, which is not a commitment, if they are willing to deploy if called upon to serve in a communication role. This is only a volunteer list, and prospective volunteers will be notified if they are selected to respond to an assignment.

Interested volunteers must have completed IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 courses and have undergone a background check. There are no exceptions to these requirements. Radio amateurs should not self-deploy.

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Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, add Resources
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -  Emergency Coordinator

  (Sep 22. 2019) - -  The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communications course — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

The course is now available at no cost to any ARES registrant, and a “tutor-less” format has been added as a parallel path for completing the course. Additional tutors were recruited to assist in handling the initial surge of interest. A “challenge” path directly to the final exam is also being implemented. An update and introduction of IS-016 — Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs — will follow in the next few months.

Veteran Ohio Section Manager Scott Yonally, N8SY, has been brought on board to assist in implementing ARES Connect and to field questions about the new software package from users. ARES Connect is a volunteer management system covering event signup, reporting, and roster management, to simplify managing volunteers and events.

Some modest revisions to procedures have been made to the Ham Aid program.

Most recently, the PSEWG has begun an extensive examination of the future role of the National Traffic System (NTS) in concert with ARES. It’s hoped that a brief survey of selected Section Managers, Section Traffic Managers, and Section Emergency Coordinators will provide a starting point for a more extensive analysis of the program.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board authorized the EmComm Manager Selection Committee to specify the position requirements for a new Director of Emergency Management at Headquarters. This individual will lead the team responsible for supporting the ARES program and will work with ARRL staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes to support the Field Organization. — Thanks to The ARES E-Letter 

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Canton Repository Grand Parade
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -  Emergency Coordinator

    (Aug 11, 2019) ...  The Canton Repository Grand Parade starts long before the seats along Cleveland Avenue are filled. Long before the first float begins its journey, when the sky has yet to change from starlight black to morning blue. High School Bands are still finding their positions and tuning up their instruments, parade balloon are slowly being filled with helium while their handling teams get last minute marching instructions and the dozens of classic cars that carry football legends and celebrities alike are lined up like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Among the thousands of parade volunteers, Amateur Radio operators  help to organize this vast ensemble of parade participants. These volunteers are members of the Stark County Amateur Radio Emergency Services and multiple other area radio clubs. For over 40 years, amateurs have provided communications services for this event that will total over 200 volunteer hours of service on this day alone. The parade has grown steadily in size over the years and now is the single largest public service event handled by amateur radio operators here in Stark County .

Again this year over 500,000 spectators watched the parade and behind the scenes lies a core of amateur volunteers many of which have over 25 years of experience assisting with the parade. This dedication is one reason that parade organizers have long realized the importance of effective communications that are necessary in organizing a parade of this magnitude. Also over the years, they have come to understand and appreciate the fact that it takes more than a radio to make an effective communicator. Parade General Chairman Drew Felberg realized the limited range of their commercial radio's and he was grateful to learn that our communications was solid throughout the parade route thanks to our wide area coverage ARES Repeater on 147.12 Mhz.  The Canton ARC's club repeater on 146.79 Mhz was also ready to use as our backup if needed. With the introduction of Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Technology, we also increased both our communications range and ability to cover the entire parade route this year.

The last several years, parade officials have used loaned commercial radio's to maintain communications with their committee members.. While this has worked for routine short range communications, parade organizers have relied on the discipline and experience of amateur operators to handle urgent communications needs and especially medical traffic that occurs throughout the nearly two and a half mile parade route.

Continuing this year, in a reorganization of parade communications, our responsibilities covered four separate areas, each with it's own control point. These were Staging, Route Communications, Dispersal and Medical Support.

Staging is where it all begins. Event organizers and radio operators setup and arrange the over 130 units that make up this years parade. Beginning at about 2:00 A.M., this job is like taking a 5,000 piece puzzle and assembling all the pieces to create the final picture in a little over five hours. This doesn't include the setting up of the Television Broadcast area, Parade Communications Center and the Balloon Inflations area, all included in our early morning duties. At exactly 8:00 A.M., the gun sounds and the parade starts down the route. Terry Russ, N8ATZ is stationed at the  television area to act as communications liaison to Parade Chairman Drew Felberg. As part of our new responsibilities, Dave Beltz, WD8AYE was assigned to the parade Communications Center to act as liaison with parade communications and public safety forces.

Route Communications then kicks in to help maintain the pace of the parade units. The pace of the parade is set by Canton Police Department motorcycle units. Each successive unit is to follow maintaining a certain spacing set by football helmets painted along the entire 2.5 mile parade route. Expected slowdowns occur during the parade in the TV area, where all units slow to perform for the crowd then speed back up to maintain proper spacing.  

Parade spacing and movement is a top priority for event coordinators, a role headed up another committee member who was in charge of all parade marshals positioned throughout the parade route. Shadowed by a ham liaison Mike Daughenbauch, KE8EHG,  he monitors the condition of the entire route thanks to our network of radio operators. As spacing became an issue, Mike relayed instructions to all marshals to get everything back in sync. A task that would not be possible without the support of ham radio. This continued to be a daunting task and thanks to amateurs disciplined communications experience, we were effective in minimizing unit gaps throughout the parade. 

In addition, amateurs watched for trouble spots, assisted with broken down floats, crowd control, seating assistance, media relations, and medical support, these being only a few of the responsibilities handled by amateur radio operators. Net Control, under the direction of Justin Corner,  N8JKC, helps to ensure orderly parade radio traffic and maintains overall communications with all parade operations. Justin also monitored weather radar, another benefit provided by radio operators.  Nearly 30 radio operators were positioned along the entire parade route to handle this facet of parade operations.

Medical Support has continued to remain one of our most important parade responsibilities as thousands of participants and spectators crowd the route each year and brave a myriad of changeable weather to watch the grand parade. In recent years, county medical squads have updated their communications equipment to provide for better interoperability between the many emergency medical service units called in to assist with the parade. Due to these advances, amateurs' role in this area was decreased although operators along the route were prepared to assist should emergencies arise.  Again this year several minor incidents did occur and radio operators again were called upon to support the EMS in providing communications assistance with this ever present problem area. 

As in previous years Emergency Coordinator Terry Russ - N8ATZ maintained communications with the Parade Chairman in the Parade Communications Center. This provided a link to both Emergency Medical Service and Police personnel.  

Parade Dispersal continues to be an increasingly complex segment of the Grand Parade in recent years. This years responsibility as  Dispersal Communications Coordinator was Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU a role he has held for nearly 25 years. 

An important part of the parade, dispersal has had to handle numerous situations and problems including reuniting participants and parents and general disassembly of the entire parade. For the twelfth year in a row, additional volunteers were assigned to this area.  With local amateurs running in short supply, volunteers were obtained from the Akron area including members from the Summit County Amateur Radio Emergency Service and several other area radio clubs including both the Canton and Alliance ARC and the Portage County ARC. A special thanks for these additional volunteers, provided through our Mutual Aid pact with neighboring county ARES.   

The 2019 Enshrinement Grand Parade was another great success thanks to the many volunteers including the amateur radio operators who assisted us again this year. Parade General Chairman Drew Felberg and Communications Coordinators Wade Huthmacher – WD8MIU and Terry Russ - N8ATZ want to thank all the volunteers for their help and assistance during this years parade. Their tireless efforts, although largely unnoticed by the general public, have proven their worth time and time again over the years.

Parade Officials were very appreciative of the ham operators assistance in the parade each year, "I really don't think we could pull this thing off every year without ham radio assistance." County EC Terry Russ agreed: For over thirty years, ham radio operators have been the backbone of the parade, providing the bond that keeps it all running smoothly for the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Committee."  

Volunteers for this year’s parade include the following operators:

STAGING/COMMUNICATIONS Center:  Terry Russ - N8ATZ and Dave Beltz - WD8AYE, and Mike Daughenbauch, KE8EHG. General Net Control - Justin Corner - N8JKC.

DEMARSHALLING  COORDINATOR:  Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU.

ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS:  Steve Simon - KD8SPF,   John Wagner - W8JJW,  Vern Sproat - KE8VS.

North Route:  Perry Ballinger - W8AU,  Pat Quinlan - KA8DAL, Jeff Gortney - K8JAG,  Ted Faix - KB8PRK, Igor Nikishin - K8INN, Tom Gill - KC8QOD,  Roger Grey - W8VE, Perry - N8VXQ, Mike - N8COM, Don - N8IVJ, Dan - N8DZM, Rick Arborgast - KE8LNJ,  Tom  - KA8MNT, Dennis - AI8P, and Deb - KD8DEB.

DISPERSAL Team Leader:  Wade Huthmacher - WD8MIU,   Tom Gill - KC8QOD, Denise Gill,  Keith - KE8DTS, Adam - KE8IEM and Jon - N8ZXB.   

Congratulations to everyone on another great Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival !

Community Parade Wrap-Up
Terry Russ, N8ATZ -  Emergency Coordinator

    (July 24, 2019)  - -  With a picture perfect day for an opening day parade, members of the Stark Co ARES, Canton & Massillon ARC's once again assisted in the opening events of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival by providing communications support for the Community Parade held this year on Sunday, July 21st.

Again this year amateurs provided both logistical support communications for parade staging as well as medical support covering the EMS units assigned to the parade route and TV Production assistance.

Voice relay communications were utilized to synchronize the nearly 90 parade units making up this years parade. A voice relay is normally used to relay the exact line up and was provided by Dave Beltz, WD8AYE to Tom Gill, KC8QOD in the Comm Trailer. This is then relayed to Evan Rankle, KD8IDH  inside the Television Production truck. This system allowed parade officials to make any last minute lineup changes and accurately convey this to the TV producer.

Our other parade responsibility and perhaps our most important, is medical support. Amateurs were stationed along the route to provided a common communications link to the medical command center in demarshaling area.

A special thank you to the following volunteers who assisted with this years event. The TV Production and logistical support crew included packet operators Tom Gill – KC8QOD and Dave Beltz - WD8AYE, and Evan Rankl - KD8IDH in the TV Production Van. Net Control was handled by Terry Russ - N8ATZ. Igor Nikishin - K8INN, was positioned along the Market Avenue Route.

A terrific job from a great crew, thanks again for your support of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival !

Ohio ARES Active in Wake of Tornadoes that Badly Damaged Hara Arena
Courtesy of the ARRL

   (Apr 28, 2019) - -  Hara Arena, in Trotwood, Ohio, which served as the home for Dayton Hamvention® for more than six decades, was among the structures damaged when tornadoes swept through the Dayton area on Memorial Day. According to a report from WHIO TV, Hara Arena suffered extensive damage. Drone video showed that the roof and side of the structure had been blown off in several places. Hamvention relocated to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center in 2017, after Hara Arena shut down the previous year.

The Hara Arena damage apparently resulted from what CBS News called “a large and dangerous tornado” that struck Trotwood. Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL, said ARES counties and districts activated last evening after nearly 40 tornado warnings were issued across the state.

“Our state EOC Auxcomm station has been on the air since early last evening,” Broadway told ARRL. “We are still active, and it look like ARES will be active for several days during the recovery. The situation is rapidly changing.” As of Tuesday morning, state and local emergency management agencies are handling damage issues. “Because of lack of power, the entire Montgomery County (Dayton area) water system faces depressurization,” Broadway said. “Dayton Children’s Hospital is on complete generator power.”

Ohio ARES remains active on HF (SSB and digital modes), as well as on DMR and VHF repeaters.

“This appears to be a long-term activation while different areas begin the recovery process,” Broadway said. “Counties and districts involved are urged to maintain liaison with the state through one of these nets.”

The severe weather caused widespread damage in and around Dayton and elsewhere in the Miami Valley. The National Weather Service (NWS) has said it will take several days to survey the damage. The tornadoes struck after dark, and damage assessment is still under way. Multiple injuries and one fatality have been reported.

It appears that at least two tornadoes were responsible for most of the devastation, which has been termed “catastrophic.” Some residents were trapped under debris. Residents of the City of Dayton are being advised to conserve water and to boil it before consuming. Electrical power is out in several areas, and water pumping stations are relying on emergency generators. The NWS office in Wilmington, Ohio, estimated that at one point, storms and tornadoes left some 5 million people without electrical power.

Snow plows were being repurposed to remove debris from Interstate Route 75, and the American Red Cross has set up shelters to accommodate displaced residents.

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“It is the reason many new hams enter the hobby today — to support their communities and our served agencies during emergencies, disasters, and community events,” he said. “I want to thank the thousands of Amateur Radio operators who continue to provide this valuable service. It shows the great value Amateur Radio plays in providing an army of communicators in times of need. I’m proud to be associated with such a fine group of volunteers who commit their time and effort to help others.”

National Volunteer Week is sponsored by Points of Light, an ARRL partner through National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Points of Light called the week-long observance “an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world.”

“We could do this safely from our homes, and integrate our reports (remotely) into the state’s WebEOC management system, which could be read by the Ohio Watch Office and any other emergency official around the state,” Broadway said. “We had never tried this, and it seemed like a great way to promote the Amateur Service’s ability to provide situational awareness on a wide scale.” Broadway said conditions generated by the storm “could have resulted in an emergency” and warranted a statewide ARES response.

A statewide net was convened on Saturday, January 9, as conditions deteriorated. Amateurs quickly began checking in and reporting their local conditions with specific details. The reports were compiled by Ohio’s AuxComm Team station W8SGT, which was operated from Broadway’s residence on 80 meters, and the VHF/UHF Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) network (the Ohio Talk group), simultaneously.

By nightfall, storm conditions had stabilized, and reporting slowed to the point that the statewide net could be closed. Many county-level nets were also in operation.

The Ohio “Snow Net” received 131 reports from 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties, split evenly between HF and DMR. The short-notice net was entered into the ARES Connect system and more than 50 amateurs signed up for the net event. Several other local snow nets entered for county events also. The statewide reports were logged and submitted every few hours to the state Homeland Security/Emergency Management Agency Watch Desk through WebEOC.

Broadway said emergency managers around the state were impressed that Amateur Radio could furnish reports with such detailed information. He said HF capability to reach across the state was a proven asset, with effective communication in all directions. The DMR system functioned much like Ohio’s public safety radio system, connecting nearly 80 repeaters across the state through the internet. This service had been untested and this event created the perfect proving ground, Broadway said. “We needed dependable statewide communication where all stations would benefit by hearing reports as they were filed,” he pointed out. “The Ohio Talk Group was used with great success, with no known problems with dropout or system faults. Communication proved reliable even with the severe weather threatening power loss and antenna corruption.”

Ohio ARES operators provided a broad range of information including snow depths, wind speeds, and “Level 3” declarations, closed airports and more. Under Level 3 in Ohio, non-essential motorists on roadways are subject to arrest.

Broadway conceded that more aggressive alerting of District and county Emergency Coordinators would have given them more time to prepare. More guidance for local nets might have contributed to more realistic expectations and efficient operation — the specific weather information sought and time frame of operation anticipated, he added.

“Winter storms are part of the Ohio landscape, and we don’t propose ramping up a net for every snowfall. But when the forecasts call for extreme conditions, ARES operators have now proven we can be a true asset for our served partner agencies. — Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL

“If we didn’t address these issues, such as training standards and organizational management, ARES faced the very real possibility that it would no longer be viewed as a valid and valuable partner in emergency and disaster relief situations,” Williams said.

With input from ARES members and a peer review team, and the assistance of emergency response officials with some partner organizations, the PSEWG came up with a plan that provides guidelines to ensure that ARES remains a service of organized, trained, qualified, and credentialed Amateur Radio volunteers who can provide public service partners with radio communication expertise, capability, and capacity, Williams added.

A drafted ARES Plan was circulated among ARRL Section Managers (SMs) and Section Emergency Coordinators (ECs) to gather feedback. During the comment period from August through October 2018, the PSEWG heard from 55 ARRL Sections, representing 40 states — more than 125 pages of feedback in all. The PSEWG expressed appreciation to all who submitted comments and ideas.

The PSEWG reviewed every comment and suggestion, identifying about a dozen key items commonly cited by those in the Field Organization to improve the plan.

Based on input from ARES participants, the training requirements in the final ARES Plan consist of the free FEMA Professional Development Series. The series comprises these independent study (IS) courses: 120.c, 230.d, 235.c, 240.d, 241.b, 242.b, and 244.b (as they may be amended), as well as the ARRL’s EC-001 and EC-016 emergency communication courses. As part of adopting the ARES Plan, the ARRL Board approved a proposal to make the ARRL EC courses free for ARES members.

The plan highlights some additional training programs that ARES participants are encouraged to consider taking, but that are not required, such as AUXCOMM and training courses like ICS-300 and ICS-400.

The ARES Plan outlines a three-tiered membership structure based on increased responsibility levels and accompanying training requirements. Although the tiers are not a required path, they serve to define three distinct ways to participate in the ARES program; it’s up to the participant to determine his or her level of involvement.

The ARES Plan points out that public service events such as parades and marathons are within the realm of ARES activity and are, in fact, a key part of it, because such events are an integral part of effective training.

In recognizing the local and regional nature of emergency communication needs in disaster response activations, the Plan notes that training requirements are ultimately the responsibility of the Section Manager, with each SM approving training for local ARES teams, as local conditions and needs dictate.

The ARES Plan also highlights the relationship between ARES and the National Traffic System (NTS). The PSEWG indicated that it will continue moving forward with efforts to find ways to refine and strengthen that relationship.

While the intent of the ARES Plan is to align the ARES organizational structure with the NIMS and ICS systems, Williams noted that, within the ARES structure, the Emergency Coordinator (EC) will continue to lead the ARES team locally during an incident, while the District and Section Emergency Coordinators will continue to serve as resources and support for the EC. (The emergency preparedness staff at ARRL is in the process of updating the EC manual.) The ARES Plan stresses that ARES participants are not first responders, and it encourages ARES leaders to develop and grow their group’s partnerships with state emergency management agencies and officials. Williams said the adoption of the ARES Plan is not the end of this process.

During the next several months, Stark Co ARES will begin reviewing the plan and how we can interface it into our local emergency response plan.