QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/races/1988.001

Text File | 1994-11-13 | 39KB | 698 lines

Subject: 1988 Bulletin
                             1 9 8 8

            S T A T E   R A C E S   B U L L E T I N S

TO:    ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES/OFFICES IN CALIFORNIA
       ALL RACES OPERATORS IN CA  (OFFICIAL)
       ALL AMATEURS IN CA  (INFORMATION)
FROM:  W6HIR/GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, SACRAMENTO

     The State RACES Bulletins are transmitted via the WESTNET
packet radio system throughout California and other areas.  At
the suggestion of the ARRL Headquarters, the State RACES
BULLETINS were entered into the nationwide packet radio mailbox
system in December of this year.  The BULLETINS are intended to
be delivered weekly to county and city emergency management
agencies by their RACES operators except, of course, in those
jurisdictions that do not yet have a RACES unit.  The WESTNET
packet radio system blankets most of California.  Mailing the
RACES BULLETINS to jurisdictions would be prohibitive and the
RACES is, after all, a radio communications system.  The WESTNET
packet radio systems blankets most of California.  We mail the
BULLETINS to those jurisdictions that are out of WESTNET range or
do not yet have a RACES unit, and to Amateur publications and
newsletters that use the material.  If you are not getting these
Bulletins or would like more information, please call the State
OES Telecommunications Division at 916-427-4281 and ask for the
RACES section.
     The following is a compilation of the 1988 Bulletins.  We
hope that one or more of them will answer a question or provide
some guidance you have sought.
Sgd/STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
State Amateur Radio Service Coordinator
Chief State RACES Radio Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

001  CALL WAITING TELEPHONE FEATURE           Jan  4, 1988
     Call Waiting is an inexpensive option that most telephone
companies offer that enables you to accept another call when you
are already on the phone.  You may answer the caller without
losing your first call. This enables you to receive alerts,
callouts and emergency calls, for example, without those callers
getting a busy signal from your phone.  It is recommended for
every emergency responder, manager or public safety worker.

002  RACES RESPONDERS                         Jan 11, 1988
     RACES personnel do not and should not self-dispatch
themselves to mutual aid incidents.  Every Amateur authorized to
respond should be provided:
1. Destination and mission; i.e., where, what to do, and the
resource request order number.
2. The name and/or title of the official and agency to which
he/she is to report.
3. A clear definition and understanding of what to take, what to
wear, how long the volunteer may remain on the mission, route of
travel, a safety and hazards briefing, and any other information
pertinent to the successful accomplishment of the mission.
4. Specific instructions on what communications is to be
provided.
5. Exact name, title and organization authorizing the response.
6. Enroute frequencies for subsequent instructions, reports,
redirection or recall.
     Note: State OES has a form for this purpose for use by any
jurisdiction.  Contact your OES Region office.

003  NEW RACES PATCH                          Jan 18, 1988
     The new RACES patch is available from KB6JHS. Contact Joe
for details.  It is a 3 inch multi-colored cloth patch that says
"EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS THRU AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS" and shows
a tower with beam, CW key, satellite, dish antenna and lightning
bolts.  Our thanks to State of Nevada RACES for the design.

004  BE WINTER WISE - PART 1 OF 6 PARTS       Jan 25, 1988
     BEFORE THE STORM: Keep first aid and critical medical
supplies such as prescriptions, insulin, etc. on hand.  Keep a
stock of food which requires little cooking and no refrigeration;
electric power may be interrupted.  Keep a portable radio and
flashlights in working order. Have extra batteries on hand; have
alternative batteries to replace radio NICADS.  Keep your
automobile fueled; if electric power is cut off, filling stations
may not be able to operate. Keep materials like sandbags,
plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency
waterproofing.

005  BE WINTER WISE - PART 2 OF 6 PARTS      Feb  1, 1988
     WHEN YOU RECEIVE A STORM WARNING:
     Store  drinking water in closed, clean containers; water
service may be interrupted.  If flooding is likely, and time
permits, move essential items and furniture to upper floors of
your home.  If advised to leave your home, move to a safe area
before access is cut off by flood water. Leave a note telling
friends or relatives where you are going. Before leaving, cut off
all electric circuits at the fuse panel by pulling the main
switch, or disconnect all electrical appliances. Shut off the gas
service at the valve next to the meter, and turn off the water
service at the main valve.

006  BE WINTER WISE - PART 3 OF 6 PARTS       Feb  8, 1988
     DURING THE STORM:
     Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.  Do not try to cross
a flowing stream where water is above your knees.  Do not try to
drive over a flooded road; you could be stranded and trapped.  If
your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher
ground; many people drown while trying to rescue their cars.  Do
not sightsee is areas where flooding or snowfall is occurring; do
not try to enter areas closed by law enforcement agencies without
written authority.

007  BE WINTER WISE - PART 4 OF 6 PARTS      Feb 15, 1988
     DURING THE STORM (continued):
     Avoid unnecessary trips; if you must travel during the
storm, dress warmly and advise others of your destination.  Use
the telephone only for family emergency needs or to report
dangerous conditions.  Beware of downed power lines; report them
immediately to your local gas or electric utility company, police
or fire department.  Keep tuned to one of your local radio or
television stations for emergency information.

008  BE WINTER WISE - PART 5 OF 6 PARTS       Feb 22, 1988
     AFTER THE STORM:
          DO NOT TURN GAS BACK ON YOURSELF; rely on utility
company crews.  Do not use fresh food that has come in contact
with flood waters.  Make sure drinking water is not contaminated;
wells should be pumped out and water tested before drinking.  Do
not visit disaster areas without written authority; your presence
will probably hamper rescue and other emergency operations and
you might be in danger.

009  BE WINTER WISE - PART 6 OF 6 PARTS       Feb 29, 1988
     AFTER THE STORM (continued):
          Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas.
If electrical equipment or appliances have been in contact with
water do not use them until local authorities tell you they are
safe.  Use flashlights, not lanterns or matches to examine
buildings; flammables may be inside.  Report broken utility lines
to police, fire or other appropriate authorities.  Continue to
beware of downed power lines or broken gas lines.  Stay tuned to
radio or television for vital information.

010  STATEMENT OF MISSION                     Mar  7, 1988
     The primary mission of the State Office of Emergency
Services (OES) is the coordination of emergency activities to
save lives and minimize property damage during natural disasters
and other emergencies, and to expedite recovery from their
effects.  On a day-to-day basis, OES provides leadership,
assistance and support to state and local agencies in planning
and preparing for the most effective use of federal, state, local
and private sector resources used in emergency operations.
     The OES functions as the immediate staff and coordinating
organization of the Governor's Office in carrying out the state's
responsibilities under the Emergency Services Act and applicable
federal statutes.  The OES acts as the conduit for federal
natural disaster grants and other federal agency support.  The
OES also administers the state Natural Disaster Assistance Act
(NDAA) which provides relief to jurisdictions in the form of
grants to assist them in the repairing of roads, bridges,
municipal buildings, and other public facilities.
     The program areas administered by the OES are:
          EMERGENCY MUTUAL AID SERVICES:
               - Provision and coordination of Mutual Aid
(including RACES).
               - Development and utilization of emergency
communications systems (including the RACES).
               - Development and implementation of emergency
plans. The State, its 6 Regions, every county, and each city
using Amateurs should have a RACES plan in accordance with the
new model plan format.
               - Management and maintenance of state resources.
          ADMINISTRATION
          FIXED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PLANNING
          NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

011  POLICY AND PRACTICES                     Mar 14, 1988
     This statement is intended to clarify the confusion about
some Amateur Radio operators who have multiple public service
interests, activities or responsibilities.
     A jurisdiction's RACES Radio Officer, assistants, alternates
and their key management and operations staff accept their RACES
responsibility as their primary Amateur radio public service
activity by choice.  They are free, of course, to belong to any
organization, club, or allied activity that does not interfere
with or detract from their RACES function--again, by their own
choice.  Not all Disaster Service Worker volunteers, of course,
are key management or operational people as described above and
thus are not expected by OES to place RACES as their priority
activity of choice.
     Any jurisdiction has a right to reasonably expect their key
volunteer staff to serve and respond in a responsible manner; to
expect their volunteers to respond to them as their first
choice--by choice.

012   NEW 2-METER SIMPLEX PLAN AVAILABLE      Mar 21, 1988
     A new 2-Meter band simplex plan for California's 58 counties
was released this month.
     Local communications should be conducted on simplex wherever
possible during a widespread emergency.  A disaster may cripple
repeaters.  Commercial power may fail. Emergency power may fail
or not be available.  Emergency power fuel may be used up and
refueling may be difficult or impossible.  Repeater site access
roads may be impassable.  LPG systems may have only a large tank
with no provision for using more readily available LPG bottles in
an emergency.  Repeater racks may be toppled, cables snapped or
antennas downed by an earthquake.
     Where some repeaters fail and others survive, there will be
even greater contention among operators to use the surviving
repeater(s).  This can be compounded by undisciplined operators
and unnecessary communications.  Sheer volume of essential
communications alone may overload a repeater.
     The STATEWIDE 2-METER RACES SIMPLEX FREQUENCY PLAN divides
California's 58 counties into seven groups--Group A through Group
G.  The counties in any group are separated by many miles and
intervening terrain.  There are 13 simplex frequencies in each
group for every county.  Six channels are common statewide.  The
counties in Group A, for example, are Del Norte, Tehama, Sonoma,
Sacramento, San Mateo, and Inyo.
     The frequencies were carefully selected so as to minimize
interference with existing operations and systems.
     The simplex plan may be implemented immediately by all
counties north of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San
Bernardino counties.
     In all counties south of San Luis Obispo, Kern and Inyo
counties a special rule applies:  Each frequency in each
applicable group must be approved in writing prior to plans or
use by the State OES Southern Area RACES Coordinator, 2151 East D
St. - Suite 203A, Ontario, CA 91764; telephone [phone].  The
reason for this is that repeaters in Southern California
developed at a greater rate before present day band plans and
there can be conflicts between existing systems and the simplex
plan in certain areas.
     We wish to express our appreciation to Dave Tyler, N6DRT, of
the Pacific Division American Radio Relay League for his major
contributions in both the concept and preparation of this plan.
     Action required: (1) Obtain a copy of the plan from your
State OES Region office.  (2) Amend your county RACES plan to
include these new frequencies.  (3) Include your simplex
frequencies in your county RACES plans yet to be written.
(KH6GBX)

013   VOLUNTEERS DEFINED                      Mar 28, 1988
     It has become increasingly apparent that there are or should
be two levels of RACES operators.  A paper is now being written
on the subject of various levels of emergency management agency
volunteers.  It will go into considerable detail because the word
"volunteer" means different things to different people.
     Because some jurisdictions are having growing pains and
administrative problems, it is appropriate to disseminate
guidance in advance of the proposal now being studied.  The
proposal is to provide all volunteer Disaster Service Workers
with a receipt of such registration.
     There are two levels of RACES operators in California.  (The
RACES section in any local government provides emergency
communications support via Amateur radio in accordance with a
written plan.)
     LEVEL 1 volunteers are key staff with on-going RACES duties
for, and responsibilities with, the State or a local government
in California.  It is recommended that a local government photo
ID card be issued this category of volunteer.  A Level 1
volunteer chooses and agrees to respond to his/her agency when
called upon with a priority over all other volunteer activities.
For RACES, the State OES form 99 DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
REGISTRATION AND LOYALTY OATH (or equivalent local government
form) is required plus a local record check is required by most
jurisdictions.
     A LEVEL 2 volunteer may be all other Amateur Radio operators
choosing not to be a Level 1 volunteer.  This group should,
ideally, include every Amateur in a county that is not a Level 1.
Only the OES 99 (or local equivalent) is required.  No local
government ID card need be issued.  Level 2 RACES personnel have
no duties, on-going assignments or responsibilities, and are not
required to attend meetings or training.  The purpose and intent
is to register all Amateur Radio operators as Disaster Service
Workers so that their services may be utilized by governments
unprepared to register volunteers at or during a disaster or
emergency.  It is a State RACES policy not to use unregistered
volunteers.
     What is missing at this time is a standardized Disaster
Service Worker receipt that shows the bearer's name and with what
government he/she is registered in lieu of a government ID card.
Since a DSW is good for life, such a receipt will not be an ID
card or a special area pass.
     Questions and comments from jurisdictions should be directed
to State OES, ATTN: State RACES radio Officer.
(KH6GBX)

RACESBUL.014    SUBJECT: RESPONDERS CHECKLIST
Date: 4/4/88
   Dave Larton (N6JQJ), principal coordinator of the 1988
Emergency Response Institute seminar in Cupertino, March 26-27,
presented a checklist of 10 items for any fireground
communications unit responder.  These can well apply to other
major incidents requiring RACES and ARES personnel to
be self-supporting in the field for an extended or indefinite
period:
   1. Map(s) of the area(s).  Ability to read and interpret maps
is essential.  Ability to interpret topographic and township
information on forest fires is important.
   2.  Compass.  Ability to use the compass is, of course,
important.  Known directions are necessary to orient directional
antennas usually required for packet radio terminals.
   3.  Flashlight with extra batteries.
   4.  Extra food and water for 72 hours.  You can get by without
food but not without water.
   5.  Extra clothing, preferably wool and never synthetics.
Wear proper footwear.  Wear long sleeves on fire incidents.
   6.  Sunglasses. Carry eyewash (2-3 bottles).
   7.  Pocket knife.
   8.  Matches in a waterproof container.
   9.  Candle or other firestarter such as superfine steel wool.
  10.  First aid kit with snake bite kit, personal medications
(allergy?), and aspirin.
   Summary:  Be prepared mentally and physically.  Don't
overextend your capabilities.  Recognize and possess the wisdom
to say "No".  Do not become a problem to yourself and others.
   ---Stan Harter, KH6GBX, Chief State Radio Officer

RACESBUL.015    SUBJECT:  RADIO OFFICER'S DATA BASE
Date: 4/11/88
   RACES personnel helping out on incidents outside of their
jurisdiction is a common occurrence.  This is part of MUTUAL AID
operations and procedures.  It is not necessary to be registered
as a Disaster Service Worker in more than one jurisdiction.  This
practice is, in fact, improper.  A Volunteer should have only one
ID card and should surrender an old card when transferring to a
new jurisdiction.
   As a part of the Communications classification of Disaster
Service Workers, all RACES personnel are a part of the CALIFORNIA
MASTER MUTUAL AID SYSTEM.
   To access additional Amateur Radio resources through this
system, a jurisdiction contacts the next level up of government.
For example, a City Radio Officer would contact the County Radio
Officer with the request.  The County Radio Officer will
coordinate with other city RACES organizations and his own
organization to fill the needs.  If the County Operational Area
organization cannot fill the need, the County Radio Officer
contacts their State OES Region RACES Coordinator, who will work
with the other counties in the OES Mutual Aid Region to obtain
the needed resources.  This system does not prohibit the
establishment of AUTOMATIC AID AGREEMENTS between the Emergency
Management Organizations of two (or more) adjacent jurisdictions;
the Regional RACES Coordinator, however, should be advised when
an Automatic Aid situation is in progress, so that OES Region
staff is aware that resources in those jurisdictions are not
available.
   Accurate records are a prerequisite for Radio Officers at all
levels --- city, county and OES Region.  Every new Radio Officer
needs to develop and maintain a roster of names and telephone
numbers for their counterparts in neighboring jurisdictions.  If
yours is not complete and current, we urge all emergency
management agencies and Radio Officers give this top priority.
Another bad fire season is predicted.  A major earthquake could
happen at any time.  Your jurisdiction could receive a request
through channels to provide RACES operators for an incident
hundreds of miles away or even in an adjacent state.  This
happened in the 1987 fire season and, because RACES was still in
the formative or non-extant stage in many jurisdictions, RACES
mutual aid response was slow, disorganized and inefficient.
   Region Radio Officers need to know how to contact every
participating county in their Region and, in some cases, cities.
Every county Radio Officer should know the names and telephone
numbers of their Region, cities, and adjoining county Radio
Officers.
   It is a common practice for jurisdictions to equip their Radio
Officers with a radio pager.  We recommend this practice.
(Continued in RACESBUL.016)

RACESBUL.016    SUBJECT:  RADIO OFFICER'S DATA BASE (cont.)
Date:  4/18/88
   Any level calling for mutual aid assistance usually requests a
specific number of personnel, the personal skills required, and
the type and quantity of communication equipment required.  A
Radio Officer or agency should not put out a call for "all
available Amateurs report to --- ."
   Whenever possible we will try to pre-alert jurisdictions to
the possibility of a mutual aid callup so that you will be better
prepared with an answer if and when you are called.  In major
incidents that are common knowledge, you should survey your
resource availability before you are called for mutual aid.
Then, if possible or appropriate, report to the next higher
echelon Radio Officer what you have willing and able to respond;
i.e., city to county, county to State OES Region, Region to OES
Headquarters.  Many mutual aid requests may come direct to State
OES Headquarters (from CDF, USFS, etc.);  it helps us a lot when
we have heard from those Regions that have RACES resources
available to respond.  Those Regions with hams ready to go will
usually get the nod.
   There are increasing requests for ATV (Amateur TV).  Radio
Officers should develop who and where they are on their data
base.  We also request that all ATV teams be reported now to your
State OES Region Office so that we may build an ATV data base.
What is required are the principal contact names and
telephone/pager numbers.
   All Radio Officers (at all levels) should include all ARRL
EC's (Emergency Coordinators) in their resource data base.  There
are many hams whose services are available only in a crisis or on
an infrequent basis and choose not to be a member of a RACES
unit.  This is why we urge all hams to register as Disaster
Service Workers so that they can serve without any administrative
delays.  By the same token, we expect ARRL EC's to keep RACES
officials posted with any information necessary to achieve and
maintain close coordination.
---Stan Harter, KH6GBX, Chief State Radio Officer

RACESBUL.017    SUBJECT:  CALTRANS                        Date:
4/25/88
       THE IMPACT OF AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY
                               by
                      James J. West, N6AAD
Assistant State RACES Radio Officer for California Department of
Transportation.
    Each day the over 60,200 licensed Amateur radio operators in
California make a significant contribution to the public as they
travel the roads and highways of our state.
    Many people are misled by the designation of "Amateur".  It
denotes that the FCC license for the Amateur Radio Service is not
for commercial use.  Although the Amateurs have equipment that
could easily compete with the best commercial service, this is
not permitted.  He is even restricted from using an Amateur radio
telephone phone patch to phone ahead for a hotel reservation.
    At any moment in time, hundreds, if not thousands of these
operators are traveling on the roads and highways of California.
Many of them have varied skills that make them anything but
amateur.  Their ranks include doctors, lawyers, firemen,
policemen and their fraternity includes skills as varied as a
high school student to the position of King to his country.
    Each day these radio operators use their skills and equipment
to summon aid to a location, to aid in fighting fires, calling
police to handle accidents, alerting police dispatchers as to the
needs of injured traffic accident victims.
    Because of new technology available within the Amateur Radio
Service many city, county and State government agencies have
begun to take advantage of the billions of dollars of equipment
within the Amateur Radio Service.  At long last,  these operators
are being allowed to support emergency management programs with
the encouragement they deserve from government.
(continued)

RACESBUL.018    SUBJECT:  CALTRANS (continued)
Date: 5/2/88
    The low power walkie-talkie is a powerful communications tool
when its signal is received and boosted to high power through a
mountaintop repeater.  While walking down a street with his hand
held radio, he is able to talk to radio stations over a hundred
miles away with the sound clarity of his home or office
telephone.
    The computer has been married to the Amateur Radio equipment
to greatly increase its message handling capability.  With a
program called "packet" his station is almost fully automated,
giving him a wide range of receiving, storing, transmitting and
hard copy printing services.
    With appropriate software programs, he can set up his own
electronic mailbox system, call an on-line bulletin board system
for information or news items, or send messages several thousand
miles to a specific Amateur Radio computer station.
    Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) is one of
the latest agencies to begin the procedures necessary to utilize
the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), a program that
is outlined in the Federal Communications Commission regulations
and coordinated by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
    The FCC regulations do not make a RACES program.  It is the
contributions of Caltrans employees who will provide the energy
required in our department.  A successful program will save
lives, protect property, and aid in deploying the appropriate
people to face the task of making California a safer place to
live.

RACESBUL.019-022  SUBJECT:  ORGANIZATION   Date: 9-30 May 88
     Every RACES unit is comprised of Amateurs committed to
serving State and local governments by planning, preparing for
and providing emergency communications in the Amateur Radio
Service.  Judging from the reports I am receiving, there are
several reasons some state, county and city jurisdictions around
the country do not have the RACES.  Most of the reasons are based
on their being misinformed or their rejecting the program for a
variety of personal reasons.  An acceptable reason, of course,
can be that there are no Amateurs in the jurisdiction.  Let us
review some of the reasons:
     1.  The local civil defense/emergency services agency has a
limited understanding of the RACES.  Briefly, there are four
broad roles for the RACES in any jurisdiction in the nation:
          a.  Supplement.  The RACES is used to supplement the
existing government radio systems by carrying the overload
communications traffic, and to be in place and operating in the
event of a partial or total failure of regular systems.
          b.  Augment.  The RACES provides radio communications
between the EOC and operational government elements not equipped
with radios.
          c.  Replace.  Adequately staffed and equipped RACES can
replace government two-way radio systems when they fail.
          d.  Vertical communications.  RACES systems should link
the Emergency Operations Centers of cities with their county EOC
and county EOC's with the state EOC.  In California, counties
should link to their State OES Region office/EOC, and the six
Regions link to the State OES Operations Center.
     2.  One of the most common excuses for having no RACES is
"We have good radio systems so we don't need anything else."
Every experienced public safety and telecommunications manager
knows that there are never enough communications in major
emergencies -- even when none of the day-to-day systems fail.
     3.  Another excuse a jurisdiction can give the hams (or
other organized volunteer groups such as MARS, Civil Air Patrol,
C.B., ARES, etc.) is "Yes, we will call you out if all other
communications fail."  Think about that one for a minute.
Unfortunately, some variations of this theme are more prevalent
than we would like to think.  Their use of hams never gets off
the ground because of some government managers' belief and
misunderstanding that the volunteers should be called in only if
all else fails.  In other words, "a doomsday resource."  To those
administrators we would point out that:
          a.  the hams and other volunteers won't be available to
you if you call on them only once -- you will have been too late.
          b.  volunteers are of little value without prior
training to understand your mission, your organization, your
procedures and their role.
     4.  An unsatisfactory experience.  An unpleasant episode or
individual in the past may have "turned off" government towards
volunteers.  You know the old saying, "One bad apple spoils the
barrel."  One emergency services administrator reportedly had an
unpleasant experience with an intoxicated volunteer and has been
against volunteers ever since.
     5.  Other administrators complain that "volunteers cannot be
expected to do the job."  This type of statement is frequently
made by someone who has no experience in, or is unfamiliar with,
personnel management and -- more importantly -- managing
volunteers.  Volunteers are only as good as their government
managers equip them to be.  They cannot be left to their own
devices and be expected to perform as may be expected.  Criticism
of volunteers comes easy after the fact.  It can be generally
avoided by training and a clear definition of expectations before
the fact.
     6.  Inadequate staff.  This is a legitimate concern,
particularly in a small jurisdiction that has a one person OES/CD
office.  Such a person may feel that there is no way they can
take on a RACES program.  If there is no experienced RACES Radio
Officer already attached to such an office, it would indeed be an
overwhelming task to startup a viable RACES program.  It has been
done, but we can appreciate those not willing to assume such an
undertaking.  That doesn't automatically mean, however, that
there cannot and should not be a RACES unit -- not at all.
     What such jurisdictions (and even much larger ones) may not
know is that the RACES function may be delegated by the
CD/Emergency Services director (coordinator, administrator,
manager, etc.) to another agency in the same government.  This
usually makes the difference of that jurisdiction having a RACES
unit or not.
     CD/Emergency Services may delegate the RACES function to a
department willing to accept the program management.  The agency
most widely delegated the RACES function in a county is the sheriff.
Other county and city departments delegated the RACES include
communications, general services, police and fire.
     Delegating the RACES to the jurisdiction's law enforcement
agency is the most widespread practice where it is not directly
administered by the CD/OES.  There are several reasons this works
well:
          a.  The law enforcement agency is a primary response
agency in all civil defense/emergency services operations.
          b.  The RACES requires volunteers who are comfortable
functioning in a disciplined, cohesive organization; serving as
directed, both alone and as a team.  Law enforcement agencies
perform in just such a manner.
          c.  Law enforcement agencies have and appreciate the
need for highly effective and responsive communications.
          d.  An active, professional RACES unit reflects
favorably upon its parent organization and is an excellent public
relations tool for the jurisdiction.  The value of these benefits
is not lost upon elected officials.  In short, the RACES can make
an agency look real good.
     There is a caution we must make when considering the
delegation of the RACES from CD/OES to another department.  The
Federal Communications Commission authorizes the RACES only to
the civil defense support mission.  The RACES and Amateur Radio
must not be used for or in place of day-to-day non-emergency
communications services.  Since virtually all elements of any
government are a part of the civil defense (emergency services),
the CD/ES director may delegate the RACES to one of these
elements willing to accept the responsibility.  By the same
token, any delegated department must not consider or use RACES
solely as its own.
     For example, if a sheriff accepts the delegation of the
RACES from the county civil defense coordinator, the sheriff's
department is assuring that the RACES shall support all county
departments equally.  In other words, the RACES shall support the
public works, parks, health, airports, roads and any other county
department.  The RACES shall also provide mutual aid, if capable,
to requests from other jurisdictions.
     We hope this answers some of your questions in this regard.
Send us more if there is any aspect of the RACES program that is
unclear.
STANLY E. HARTER,  KH6GBX
Chief State RACES Officer
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Sacramento, CA
May 5, 1988

RACESBUL.023    SUBJECT: LEVEL 1 AND 2 VOLUNTEERS
Date: 6 June 1988
The following exchange is designed to clarify the differences and
answer some questions that have been raised.
Q. "I read the new definitions of the Level 1 and Level 2
volunteers and how it applies to the RACES. Some of us hams have
questions. Does Level 1 mean you are nailed down to only the
activities of their own RACES unit?"
A. "No, not at all. Let's say that you accept an assignment or
responsibility on the Alpha County RACES staff. This means you
are a Level 1 volunteer who has chosen to be a part of the Alpha
County emergency communications effort. Alpha County will issue
you an ID card."
Q. "OK, but let's say there is an incident in Bravo County and
they have asked for my assistance. I can't do that if I am a
Level 1 volunteer with Alpha County, right?"
A. "Wrong! Of course you can go where you want to, but common
organizational courtesies and procedures should be observed. You
should contact your Alpha County Radio Officer and tell him what
you'd like to do if there is no objection. Your Radio Officer,
you see, may be gearing up to provide official mutual aid and you
may already be a part of those plans. On the other hand, you may
be released to do as you please. Remember, however, that your
volunteering to assist Bravo County is not an official Alpha
County RACES mutual aid unless the Alpha County Radio Officer
says so."
Q. "Then those Amateurs who choose not the be a part of a
specific agency are not Level 1 volunteers in the RACES, do not
have a government ID card, but can be Level 2 volunteers?"
A. "That is correct."
If you have any questions, please send them to us.
---KH6GBX

RACESBUL.024    SUBJECT:  ACCIDENT REPORTS BY RADIO
Date: 13 Jun 88
Here is a checklist on how to report accidents and other
incidents to the Highway Patrol or other law enforcement
agencies.  Thanks to Lolly Craig, CHP dispatcher, and the Kern
County-Central Valley Amateur Radio Club "Communicator".
REPORTS_OF_ACCIDENTS:
1. Exact LOCATION:
     a.  If a freeway, confirm which freeway by comparing name
and route           number.
     b.   Distance and direction from crossroad or major
landmark.
     c.   Direction and travel and lanes involved if blocked.
2. Are there any INJURIES?
     a.   If yes:
          (1)  Is an ambulance needed?
          (2)  Is anyone pinned inside a vehicle?
3. Roadway CONDITION?
     a.   If blocked, can vehicles be moved?
     b.   Spillage?  Fuel or load?
REPORTING_OTHER_INCIDENTS
1. Vehicle or Suspect Description:
     a.   Color and Size of vehicle if make and model are
unknown.
     b.   Location, as specific as possible.
     c.   Moving suspect or vehicle:
          (1)  Time frame.
          (2)  Direction of Travel.
          (3) Do you or can you still observe the vehicle or
suspect from a               safe location?
 ---KH6GBX

RACESBUL.025    SUBJECT: EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
Date: 20 Jun 88
     We have received several questions about the Emergency
Broadcast System (EBS) and its alert tones.  California is
divided into 29 EBS Operational Areas by the FCC and the State
Emergency Communications Committee.  Unless they specifically
request  otherwise, every AM, FM and TV station is a
participating member of the EBS.
     There are four levels of EBS priorities: #1 is Presidential,
#2 is local, #3 is State, and #4 is region wide.  All broadcast
stations in the U.S. are required to have an EBS receiver tuned
to a primary radio station specified by the FCC.  These EBS
receivers have a decoder that "opens up" the receiver upon
receipt of the EBS alert tones.  These special tones are 853 and
960 Hz sounded simultaneously for over 10 seconds.  These tones
are purposely different from DTMF (TouchTone) frequencies.
     Every radio and TV station is required to broadcast an EBS
test once a week during daylight hours.  These tests must be
logged (both those sent and received).  The FCC says that the
tests must be straight forward and not have any music or other
production embellishments.  We ask that you let me know should
you ever hear a "jazzed up" EBS test by date, time and call
letters.
     One common misconception and question is "What is the EBS
station serving this area?"  The correct answer is that every
radio and TV station serving your area is an EBS station.
--- KH6GBX

RACESBUL.026    SUBJECT: FERRITE BEADS AND RADIO INTERFERENCE
Date: 27 Jun 88
     There is an excellent handout on "Using Ferrite Beads to
Keep RF Out of TV Sets, Telephones, VCR's, Electronic Equipment,
Burglar Alarms and Other" available with a SASE from the
Stanislaus Amateur Radio Association, P.O. Box 4601, Modesto, CA
95352.  Many of us have been bedeviled with HF-SSB interference
on EOC telephone lines from RACES, CAP, MARS and other
transmitters.  If you have or have had similar problems, this
handout has a wealth of information for serious troubleshooters.
(Thanks to the SARA, N6OCV, and Palomar Engineers. ---KH6GBX)