Preparation and Training

Marty Woll N6VI

Personal preparation

Self and family: Have a Disaster Plan!

Where to meet, What to take

Exit Drills in the Home

Reserves of food, water & medications

Kits - first aid, PPE, toiletries & clothing

Files - grab ‘n go or remote back-up

Contacts, especially out-of-area

Personal Preparation

Radio equipment and power

Preprogram frequencies, tones, offsets

Make “cheat sheets” for key information

Have back-ups for radios and power

Reference material

Message forms, paper & pen / pencil

Personal PreparationPrepare to fend for yourself!Personal protective equipment- leather gloves, sturdy shoes, hat- weather protection (rain, sun, cold, heat)- hygiene & toiletries, toilet paper, soap- sunscreen, dust mask, eye protectionBasic camping / overnight gearWater & food for expected durationBasic first-aid kit and necessary medications

Personal PreparationCredentials

May be critical to your gaining access

Readily document your qualifications

ARES, FCC, Agency, Course completion cert’s

Personal PreparationVaccinations & general fitnessTetanus & DiphtheriaPolioPneumoniaMeningitisHepatitis A & Hepatitis B Typhoid, exotics (yellow fever, etc.)Know your medical limitations!

Personal PreparationLast but not least . . . TRAINING

. . . federal law enforcement, as well as leading emergency managers . . . are quick to praise our response, and usually point out that in the first few hours/days after a major event, we are often the only show in town---but in the next breath they will all recite horror stories of poor training, lack of preparation, and unprofessional behavior. (ARRL e-letter)

Personal PreparationTRAINING is essential to:

- knowing how to do our jobs

- knowing our “customers” (served agencies)

- meeting Federal mandates

Untrained volunteers can hinder, not help

Formal Training

ARRL On-Line Courses (ARRL.ORG)

- EC Level I: All ARES Members

- EC Level II: Team leaders, EC’s

- EC Level III: DEC’s, SEC’s, Other

Formal TrainingFEMA home-study courses

(TRAINING.FEMA.GOV) IS-100 Intro to Incident Command SystemIS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action IncidentsIS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An IntroductionIS-800 National Response Plan (NRP),

An Introduction - Revised

Formal TrainingAmerican Red Cross

Introduction to Disaster ServicesCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)First AidEmergency ResponseShelter OperationsLogistics Overview

Formal TrainingLos Angeles Fire Department

CERT program teaches the basics of:- fire suppression- triage- first aid- search & rescueAdvanced training is available

Meeting the Public

“Amateur” does not mean “unprofessional”

Put our best foot forward

Grooming, dress, neatness, posture

Inspire confidence in our services