Emergency Communications Team
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Served Agencies
The Villages Amateur Radio Club (TVARC) is a community service group, active in all aspects of Amateur Radio. The Villages Amateur Radio Club, Emergency Communications Team (TVARC ECT) provides community wide amateur radio support to The Wildwood Police Department and The Villages Public Safety Department (through CERT of The Villages) in times of emergency.
Activation of TVARC ECT Upon request of either of our served agencies for communication support, the TVARC ECT will interface with Sumter ARES and Sumter RACES and deployed locations as required to support the requesting agencies. Callouts may occur through COTV ReadyAlert, Text message from a board member, or via radio. TVARC ECT members are encouraged to monitor Sumter Emergency Management on 146.925 MHz. TVARC will announce activations on this frequency. The Hourly RACES 'Active Net' script will include activation information where ECT Members will be directed to tune to one of the other frequencies listed below to receive their assignments. Depending upon the Served Agency's needs, the TVARC ECT may establish formal nets, subnet(s), and station(s) responsible for inter- or intra-agency traffic as needed, and will operate on the set of predetermined frequencies listed below. Operating Frequencies TVARC ECT should be familiar with these frequencies and pre-program and test their equipment. The minimum frequencies that the TVARC ECT will use are:
Special Duties of Command Post Stations Stations assigned to command posts and operation centers will notify the NCS during check in of that special status and identify who at the site is authorized to approve messages for transmission. If possible, the member will post the Amateur Radio Communications sign at the operating position. TVARC ECT Standard Operation and Guidance Effective Communications Experience in formal message handling is not required but would be very helpful. For those members of the TVARC ECT that are not experienced in formal message handling the “The ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook”. ISBN: 0-87259-938-8, chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are highly recommended to understand the many functions of emergency communications. Depending upon traffic type and the preferences of the served agency, use either the ICS-213 form or the ARRL Radiogram Form. Both provide a consistent format and easy record tracking. The main focus is to get the message out no matter what format is used. It is up to you to assure that the unedited message was sent. If you are able to keep a log of the messages you send, just record the time/date and who it was sent to or received from. TVARC ECT Member Guidance Anytime there is the potential for a disaster to occur from an event such as a severe weather system, tornado, hurricane or anything else, members of the TVARC ECT should monitor the Sumter EmComm repeater as well as the local news and weather reports and SKYWARN if appropriate. They should take the necessary steps to assure their family and home will be secure if an activation of the ECT occurs. The call up could occur prior to a potential disaster or immediately afterward. Fill your car with gas and be sure that your emergency rations are adequate. TVARC ECT Member “Go Kit” A comprehensive list of recommended items (called a Personal “Go Kit” is provided upon sign up). Chances are you won't need everything on the list but there is a very good chance you will need many of the items. The circumstances you encounter will determine what you will need. It is better to be prepared to handle as many situations as possible. You may want to add other items to this list that you think would be helpful to you. You could keep it in the car or other convenient location but add the food items last. TVARC ECT Resource Management Resource management becomes a critical factor based on the duration of the event. Relief operators for the NCS and other assignments will be managed by a team selected by the TVARC Board of Directors. This “team” will take an overall view of the operation to determine what changes can be accomplished for greater efficiency. To sign up for the team:
Click Here.
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Emergency Communications Training
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