Fresno ARES/RACES

April 25, 2010- May already!  Countdowns are in place for all of this year’s projects and events.  Here and in other parts of San Joaquin Valley the March-of-Dimes leads the way, and there are other civic opportunities for training.  We are starting a new era with a New ARRL website, a new Advanced EmComm Course and a new leader as Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager at ARRL.  New outlooks from the agencies we serve are allowing more comprehensive responses.  I see a better vision for EmComm in the future, although still in the concept stages.

The March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon was in total competition with the DX Convention on 17 April.  Spearheaded by the Clovis Pioneers, the whole operation went very smooth.  Some new faces, I am happy to say, as well as the dedicated regulars.  This was an excellent opportunity for training in a tactical environment.  The checkpoints and patrolling carts were all 2M simplex and very successful.  Also, there were APRS tracking units on the critical carts marking the beginning and end of the walkers and “The Bus”, a multi passenger cart used to convey stragglers and personnel.  It is of note that Bakersfield had their walk the same day and Tulare the following week.  This is a very successful public service event for Amateur Radio EmComm.

ARRL exploded with “New and Improved” oozing from Newington in April.  Totally focused on the fancy website, ARES and EmComm in general had enhancements.  First, the “Advanced Emergency Communications Course” will be tied directly to the New ARRL website.  This, like the site itself, is a long time in the making.  All the intricacies are still to be completed, but the result will be an attempt to offer a professional and concerted effort resembling the state of the art credentials being recognized by FEMA/DHS.  To lead all this is Mike Corey, W5MPC as ARRL’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager.  This will fill the vacancy created by the departure of Dennis Dura K2DCD.  All this and the resolution of the MOU with the American Red Cross and the training waivers program granted by the FCC establish a solid foundation for EmComm and Amateur Radio.

Events:  EmCommWest is May 1st.  Field Day comes next, in June; SATERN will be running 2F again at the Citadel.  Skywarn will operate in Hanford.  The Statewide drill, “The Great Shake-Out”, will be in October.

Projects:  Kings ARC, SJVARS, CARP and FARC all have repeater improvement, repair or installations planned.  Weather permitting.  Fresno SATERN will be formalizing their plans for a permanent EOC installation.  Grady K6IXA is tweaking his newest packet install on Bear Mountain.  He was also instrumental in having the Turlock SATERN VHF antenna installed.  Ken WA6OIB got the QCWA repeater operating again on 146.850.

Served Agencies: The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, County OES and a number of volunteer organizations are being, for the lack of a better word – “Regimented” by governmental agencies for disaster purposes.  Here in California, they are being centralized and the result is all volunteers are being “Typed”.  When you are typed, you are recognized statewide and you are given credentials that reflect your job description and authorizations.  This allows a volunteer DSW (Disaster Service Worker) from Crescent City to travel to San Diego, be Identified, verified and put into service without the doubt involved with off the street volunteers.  Qualifications are required, so we will all need to meet the standards.  This is new, but I think it is a good thing.  Implementation could be challenging.

73 de Dan AE6SX

NET:  Monday 1930 hrs local on 147.150+, PL 141.3
Monthly Meetings: the 4th Thursday of each Month, Salvation Army Citadel, 1854 N. Fulton 1900 hrs
EmComm and Coffee:  0830 hrs, 3rd Friday Yosemite Falls Cafe on Blackstone and Shaw
Web: www.fresnoares.com or www.fresno-races.net.
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