Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC) Weekly Net: Thursdays at 8 pm on 145.250 MHz. Web Site: www.qsl.net/w8oak General Membership Meeting Minutes for 7 May 2003 On 7 May 2003 at 7 pm, Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Oakland County ARPSC called the meeting to order in the County E.O.C. The order of business included: (1). Comments from Joel Goldberg, EC: The proposed new UHF 444.325 MHz. frequency for W8OAK is currently in question and its status is being checked. Our repeater is not on the air and there is interference from an uncoordinated Canadian Station. Another MICOR repeater is available to convert to a new UHF frequency when approved. The two-meter W8OAK repeater is now almost fully operational. There is weak reception in the Milford area, and the County is in the process of putting up a new tower where an additional antenna could be placed. Channel 3 interference is being worked on at this time. Keep in mind that when one keys up on the initial conversation over the repeater, please take a deep breath before talking. After this, quick responses should not be a problem. ARPCS Members need to fill out the Sheriff's background check sheet for (1) front door access to County E.O.C. (2) when new RACES cards are issued, and (3) access to assigned areas. Pictures for the RACES cards will be taken at the meetings. Ken Barnes, N8COQ and Ralph Greenberg, K8CAR will help on training. Len Wanetik, K3QMU, will be working with Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM on sirens. The other night when Sky Warn was in operation, weather reporting was excellent. Appreciation by the staff goes out to everyone's support. (2). Comments from Steve Iannucci, Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness: Siren tests took place last Saturday, 3 May 2003. All the volunteers monitoring the sirens were most helpful and are very much appreciated. Background checks for the State are needed for ARPSC members so that they can be sent to assignments. This is also necessary for liability reasons. (3). Notice of Disaster Training Exercise: On Thursday, 25 September 2003, Oakland County will be having a major disaster exercise with many departments of government, which include the ARPSC. Communications will have our people go to various sites during this exercise. At least two sites will be presented with problems. Hospitals will be involved. Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield is currently putting in a ham radio station. Once they are finished, the ARPSC will check out their station. (4). Demonstration of Web-EOC Display program to members: Steve Iannucci, Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness demonstrated the Web-EOC display technology now at the EOC to the ARPSC members. There are now four LCD projectors linked to a computer which are connected to two servers. The display goes to a 27 foot long screen allowing separate images to be projected. Links now exist to highway cameras, Oakland County Sheriff's helicopter cameras, internet, weather and radar websites, and to various county services. This allows exchange of information with hospitals, fire, law, and various agencies and also keeps a time record of interactions. A photo-map of Oakland County was projected on a screen, whereby an operator could hand-touch a location to enlarge the image to a single house, and at the same time bring up the address and other information. This map can also display fire, police, and other service agents assigned to specific sites on the screen. (5). ARRL Video of Emergency Operations by Amateur Radio: A 6 ½ minute promotional video - Amateur Radio Today, 2003 - produced by the ARRL was shown the ARPSC members. This video shows amateur radio emergency operations and is available to groups and clubs to show their members. (6). Introduction of the ARPSC Training Program: The following ARPSC training program has been adopted for the Oakland County ARPSC. The Oakland County ARPSC operates under the auspices of Oakland County Office of Emergency Response and Preparedness. The objective of this training program is to better prepare Amateur Radio Operators for utilization by government agencies in times on any emergency or need for auxiliary communications within Oakland County or in the adjacent areas. Organizational components include RACES, ARES, Skywarn, siren test reporting, National Traffic System. Objectives are to develop incremental training levels, including basic ARES membership, Skywarn training, RACES membership, FEMA trained member and FEMA trained manager, and key station manager. LEVEL ONE requirements are to (1) be registered with Oakland County ER&P, (2) hold valid FCC Amateur License; (3) be age 18 or older for full membership, (4) have operational 2 meter FM radio with adjustable frequency and adjustable pl capabilities, (5) pass criminal background check. LEVEL TWO requirements are (1) to hold valid Skywarn card, (2) participate in Thursday evening ARPSC net at least once a month, (3) to practice and use T.E.L. system for reporting severe weather, (4) have operational vehicle mounted 2 meter FM mobile radio system with variable frequency and variable pl capabilities with a minimum of 35 watts output. LEVEL THREE requirements are to (1) successfully complete FEMA's "Emergency Preparedness USA IS-2 class," (2) possess a valid RACES card, (3) participate in one or more public service events annually. LEVEL FOUR requirements are to complete and pass each of the following FEMA courses: (1) IS-3 Radiological Emergency Management, (2) IS-5 Hazardous Materials, (3) IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather. LEVEL FIVE manager requirements are to complete and successfully pass each of the following FEMA courses (1) IS-7 Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance, (2) IS-120 Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises, (3) IS-195 Basic Incident Command, (4) and to perform duties a minimum of one time annually as net control for the following nets: general weekly net, Skywarn, and Siren (net or subnet). LEVEL SIX key station manager requirements to successfully complete training on (1) VHF Radios, (2) UHF radios, (3) HF radio, (4) packet system, (5) Grab and Go, (6) APRS system. Additional Information: Due to the current merging of FEMA into the Homeland Security Agency, some of the courses may be identified in the future with another title or number. Credit will be recognized for those courses previously completed. Qualification requires submission of a FEMA certificate or e-mail confirming success in the course. Recognition will be given as applicable to similar training programs. (7). Miscellaneous agenda and comments: The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Emergency Operations Center has developed their own training programs which are very helpful. Their website is http://www.aresva.org/ Gary Sklar, K8IKW, announced a Lighthouse Weekend Special Event 15-17 August 2003 at the Tawas Point Lighthouse. Needed are hams to help or want to be on the operations staff. For more information and signup, please contact Gary at 248-592-0604 or e-mail k8ikw@aol.com Jim Thompson, N8USP, DEC and Training Instructor, announced the following members who volunteered to assist in training: (1) Rich McKibben, KC8KTW, (2) Ralph Greenberg, K8CAR, (3) Ken Barnes, N8COQ, (4) Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM, (5) Ted Davis, N8ZSA, (6) Lloyd Suter, N8NGQ, (7) Bill Wallace, KC8JAY. (8) Len Wanetik, K3QMU. Jim Murphy, N8SML Secretary, Oakland County ARPSC, 12 May 2003