This SOG, is written for any amateur radio operator who takes part in any disaster communications, with the ARES or RACES and C.E.R.T. groups.  This is a guide line, a starting place for the disaster communication group, it is not written in stone, if it works use it! This SOG  is to be given to all Amateur radio operator who have joined the C.E.C. disaster communication group.  Any improvements to this SOG should be brought to the attention of the disaster team leader or to any of the other members of C.E.C.

   Since 1992, the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society group, under the name Clarksville Emergency Communications, (C.E.C.) has organized  a group of trained licensed amateurs to help support the areas we serve with communications,  and other special needs, during times of disaster.
 The C.E.C. will support a communications link with the Emergency Operation Center, (EOC) to the American Red Cross, and their shelters, to include mobile spot reporting.

 With many operators,  the C.E.C. group can also provide a weather link, during sever weather fronts. This activity known as SKYWARN, links important weather information to the National Weather Center, in Nashville, as well as informing  local EMA and Red Cross, of any weather related problems .

 All  radio operators are volunteers, using their time, and equipment, to support emergency communications. We are to act professionally.

 All nations allocate valuable space in the radio spectrum to the Amateur Radio Service because of its ability to immediately respond in a time of need and quickly establish communications where none existed or to supplement existing emergency radio services overload with disaster communication.

SKYWARN

TO HELP YOU RUN A SKYWARN NET CLICK HERE.

 ARES is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League to provide supplementary and emergency communications for the public service purpose other than Civil Preparedness agencies. Agencies served include Red Cross, Salvation Army , The Federal Emergency Agency Management, and the National Weather Service.

  Qualified radio operators from the Clarksville Emergency Communications group provide supplementary and emergency communication in the immediate north-middle Tennessee area on an as requested basis. The C.E.C. group can be reached by contacting one of the Emergency Coordinators or Assistant Emergency Coordinators noted in Appendix 1  . The C.E.C. group is a part of CATS (Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society ), a  non-profit organization .

 The CATS group currently has amateurs with current identification cards. This list of amateurs that are currently registered are show in Appendix 2 and made available only to the Montgomery county Office of Emergency Management.

 This SOG shall conform to the Emergency Operations Plan of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management Communications Annex  and Tennessee RACES Plan.

 The propose of this plan is to provide guide lines for the authorized obligation of volunteer amateur radio operators when needed in communications emergencies and to define  procedures to be followed.  All drills , training and instruction shall be carried out to ensure readiness to respond quickly in providing effective amateur emergency communications whenever an occasion may arise

 The following agencies could be served during a (communication) emergency: State and local governments; Montgomery County Chapter of the American Red Cross; Clarksville Gateway Hospital; Clarksville Public Health Dept.; Fire Departments; Police Departments: Salvation Army; Clarksville Dept. of Electric; and any other agencies requesting assistance.

 Public Service means any non-commercial activity for which communications are needed to enable its safe conduct.

 Communication Emergency means any situation in which a public agency request supplementary communications.

 Emergency means any situation posing a threat to safety of life or property.. Examples include, but are not limited to: tornado's, severe thunderstorms , hurricanes , floods , earthquakes , severe icing condition , heavy snow , widespread fires , discharge of toxic gases  or nuclear radiation , wide-spread power outages , industrial explosions , mass casualty accidents , civil disorders , and any event declared an emergency by competent civil authority.

 The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), has written agreements with the American Red Cross , the National Weather Service , the Salvation Army , the Federal Emergency Management Agency . The Montgomery county EC or AEC will in time of need , will mobilize amateurs with current ARES/RACES cards to provide communications for the above agencies when requested by competent authority.

 Competent Official means any executive authorized to request assistance in the public interest and to assume responsibility for those who respond to his / her request.

 Shadow means a radio operator who is assigned to an official , to provide quick access to the disaster communication system.

Amateur Radio networks may be organized to accommodate any need:

1. Amateur Coordination Net: A communications circuit among various officials , agencies , or services not normally in contact with each other.  Shadows are used to link officials  to command posts.

2. Amateur  Relay Net: Direct communications between competent local officials and the local commercial broadcast station ,  to relay emergency information or program material for rebroadcast.

3. Amateur Point- to-Point Communications: Direct communications between any two or more points , even in remote areas not served by other communication facilities.

4. SKYWARN Net: Spotters may be positioned in strategic locations to report observations of local conditions back to public officials.

5. Back-up and Supplementary communications: Where a public safety communication may be lost or overloaded, radio operators may be capable of providing necessary communications , literally replacing the primary system.

 Notification

1. ARES.  If telephone service is available, the Emergency Coordinator (EC) will notify the Assistant ECs and they will notify C.E.C. by the alert phone number tree, or by radio.

2. RACES.  Upon notification or determination of an emergency condition or situation posing an extraordinary  threat
to life and/or property, the Montgomery county  Director of Emergency Management or his representative will contact
the RACES Officer.(REF. Appendix 1 Telephone call out roster)

 A. Upon the awareness or notification that a communications emergency exist, or server weather is approaching,  members of the C.E.C. group, will  monitor the local 147.39 repeater, or  call into the Emergency Net, on the 147.39 repeater .  Simplex operation on the same frequency should be used when the repeater is inoperative.  An alternate  2 meter frequencies to be used are,  146.58 , 146.60  simplex.

B. For those amateurs with HF only, an Emergency Net is also activated on 10 meter at or near the frequency of 28.450 MHz .

C. One HF station to link the Montgomery  county to Nashville, on the Tennessee Phone Net frequency of 3980 MHz

D. Packet stations will assemble on 145.07.

E. RACES operator(s) when requested, will report to EOC and activate the required voice links.

F. All other agencies with liaisons will  also man their positions at the EOC's.

G . Mobile units may be activated and dispatched as necessary.

H. The  Emergency Coordinator (EC) will not assume Central Net Control, but wiill delegate another station as Central Net Control station (NCS).

I. Those stations that are designated as "Key Stations" and will be extensively utilized during a communication emergency.  Key stations have full emergency power capability with relief operators assigned to ensure continuous operation.  Key Stations relay through  Net Control on 147.39 which is also emergency power capable and shall remain operational throughout the communication emergency. Key Station help control areas of the county, to help the NCS with any weak station that are trying to send traffic to either the 147.39 repeater or on 146.58 simplex.

           1. ARES Identification Card

           2. Races Identification Card

           3.  C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) that are Amateurs, green CERT vest and/or green hard hat.
           4. And always have your Driver License

           5. Copy of your Amateur Radio License

A. The CEC Emergency Net will be called to order by the appropriate NCS. This is a directed net.

B Members of the CEC; ARES/RACES are to check into the net from their mobiles or home stations and await further instructions.

C.  NCS will plan for additional and relief operators as needed.

D  Mobiles are dispatched as needed to the various agencies and locations as required.

E. Operators of home stations not on emergency power are coordinated to effectively
support the "Key  stations"  if necessary.

 F.  Upon completion of the emergency, authorized officials initiate roll call from Net Control and EOC using any one or more of the previously listed simplex and/or repeater frequencies.  Members will then acknowledge and confirm receipt of termination message.

A .All written messages will use ICS format.

B .All messages must be signed by the official who originates them, with his title, taking
responsibility for their contents.

C .Message precedence of Emergency, Priority, Welfare and Routine.

D. Stations do not transmit unless invited to do so by net control.  The only exception to this is for a station having EMERGENCY traffic.

E. All station will have a minimum of  2 meter FM voice link with each other.

 1. When checking into the net, to report in on station, give only your callsign and location.

  2. Think about what you are going to say before you key up. Time is critical . Talk direct and to the point. Follow NCS's instructions explicitly and promptly.

 3. All traffic must be logged and written down.

 4. All traffic must be written  and signed by the responsible official who originates the message. Use message precedence as defined by the originator. If you  become aware of an unrecognized need, notify the AEC's, or the disaster team leader on duty.  Under no circumstances pass informal queries of information. Never transmit your own observations or opinions, unless asked by competent authority. Everyone has a scanner!

 5. Never quit your post without authorization form the NCS. If you are relived by a responsible official, report to the NCS for further instruction.

 6. All amateur radio operators must have there own gear ready to accomplish the communication task. Keep the gas tank at least half full, and separate power  source to run your radios.  This jump kit , must  stay readied and support the amateur with food , water , and tools for up to 72 hours.  ( REF. Appendix 3 for a list ) (follow this list as close as possible.)

  7. Carry all ARES and RACES cards and your drivers license and your Amateur Radio license.

 1. To activate the CATS group , a telephone call to the EMA of Montgomery county EOC , or his or her designed or in the event the EC dose not response,  a telephone call to the Assistant Emergency Coordinator.  (REF. Appendix 1 Telephone call out  roster.  )

 2. The requesting official , or his/her delegate, must define the communications needs.

 3. Messages must be written and signed by name and title of the responsible official.

 4. Amateur radio operators are trained communicators. When acting in that capacity, they are not interpreters, evaluators , or field commanders. Their purpose is to transmit messages given to them by responsible officials.

 5. By this plan , amateurs are prohibited from transmitting personal observations or opinions , unless requested by a responsible official. This avoids misinterpretation by citizens who may be listening in on scanners.

A. An annual ARES test may be conducted, if possible in conjunction with the nationwide ARRL Simulated Emergency Test in October.  RACES tests and exercises are done at the discretion of Emergency Management Officials.

B. The C.E.C. will regularly supply public safety communications in conjunction with local events, to test the effectiveness of the operation.

 C. The C.E.C.

  ARES/RACES Net meets every Wednesday at  7 PM Local on the 147.39 repeater.

D. At the discretion of the RACES Officer or ARES EC, the ARES/RACES phone tree will be activated at least annually.