Since the debut of the Lakeside Emergency Net in January we have been evaluating comments, and net traffic, to find a appropriate schedule based on community needs. From the feedback we have received the format of a monthly net overwhelmingly was the most popular pick from all other options.
So in April we will convert to the new monthly schedule. The Lakeside Emergency Net will be conducted on the first Sunday of each month at the same time as our current net. That schedule should remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
So the Lakeside Emergency Net will be conducted on the following dates in 2014:
March 2nd and 16th
April 6th
May 4th
June 1st
July 6th
August 3rd
September 7th
October 5th
November 2nd
December 7th
If you have any suggestions, or comments about the net, they can be sent to radionet@lakesidefire.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Attention Lakeside CERT Team Members.....
All Lakeside CERT Members,
For the last 10 plus years, Lakeside Fire Protection District’s participation in the CERT program has been equivalent to a train and release program. We have talked about additional training and refresher training but have not been able to deliver these to you so far. We are now in the position to take the program to the next level. We will be having two meetings in March that will go over the new plans and topics below. Please make every effort to attend one of the March meeting dates to learn some new information and reconnect with us all.
March meeting Topics:
1) Understanding the future of the Lakeside CERT program
2) Registering with the County Office of Emergency Services (OES)
3) Completing a county Disaster Service Worker (DSW) form
4) Certification renewal
5) Neighborhood CERT organization
6) Disaster Communications plans
7) Checking backpacks
8) New CERT assignments
March CERT Meetings:
Dates: March 8th and 15th (choose one to attend)
Time: 1:00 – 3:00
Location: Lakeside Fire Station 2
122016 Lakeside Avenue
Lakeside, CA 92040
Attire: Casual, bring your backpack to check and share
CERT Program Manager
Lance Buford (Eng./FF)
(619) 390-2364
CERT Lead Instructor
Chuck Palmore (Captain)
(619) 390-2364
March meeting Topics:
1) Understanding the future of the Lakeside CERT program
2) Registering with the County Office of Emergency Services (OES)
3) Completing a county Disaster Service Worker (DSW) form
4) Certification renewal
5) Neighborhood CERT organization
6) Disaster Communications plans
7) Checking backpacks
8) New CERT assignments
March CERT Meetings:
Dates: March 8th and 15th (choose one to attend)
Time: 1:00 – 3:00
Location: Lakeside Fire Station 2
122016 Lakeside Avenue
Lakeside, CA 92040
Attire: Casual, bring your backpack to check and share
CERT Program Manager
Lance Buford (Eng./FF)
(619) 390-2364
CERT Lead Instructor
Chuck Palmore (Captain)
(619) 390-2364
Lakeside CERT
Community Disaster PreparednessSaturday, February 8, 2014
Bob Robeson on the February 9th Net
On the Net Tonight.....!
Bob Robeson will be present at net control for the February 9th "Lakeside Emergency Net" to discuss the Fire Safe Council programs in the Lakeside area. Bob currently serves as the Liaison Officer to the Fire Safe Councils for the Lakeside Fire Protection District. Bob is a retired CalFire chief officer, and is extremely insightful when it comes to the defensive space program.
So if you have any questions about the Fire Safe Council activities, or defensible space, bring your questions to the net.
See you on the air.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
Bob Robeson will be present at net control for the February 9th "Lakeside Emergency Net" to discuss the Fire Safe Council programs in the Lakeside area. Bob currently serves as the Liaison Officer to the Fire Safe Councils for the Lakeside Fire Protection District. Bob is a retired CalFire chief officer, and is extremely insightful when it comes to the defensive space program.
 |
| Bob Robeson |
See you on the air.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Emergency Net Schedule and Format Change in March
Well after a successful launching of the Lakeside Emergency Net this month we have had an opportunity to better evaluate the format and schedule of the net. Starting in March the net will be conducted on the first and third Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. After receiving input from our net participants this schedule strikes a good compromise.
Also in March the format of the net will change to reduce the amount of time the net is in session. After the changes the net should be a more manageable 30 minutes or less. This should allow participants the ability to get important information, check-in, and get on with your Sunday evening.
We are always looking for input into the net at radionet@lakesidefire.com
Remember, these changes take effect in March. Till then we will see you on the weekly net....
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
We are always looking for input into the net at radionet@lakesidefire.com
Remember, these changes take effect in March. Till then we will see you on the weekly net....
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Disaster Power Management
One of the most fragile commodities in a regional disaster is the power grid. Power directly affects our ability to maintain communications as power drains away from our old reliable sources. Often overlooked as we prepare for disasters is our ability to stay on the air. With the grid down it’s very unlikely that you can recharge the batteries your hand-talkie came with. And even if you find a power source…..how long will it take to recharge the batteries?
Power, power, power will be the main concern during these emergencies. So how do we manage our communications to keep us on the air? Well the question has more than one answer, in fact our ability to stay on the air requires a number of actions.
AA Battery Inserts: So when you purchased that band new radio did you consider buying the AA battery insert? I guess the first question we should have asked, does your radio accept an AA battery insert?
These cheap little inserts replace the original battery that came with the radio and allows the use of ordinary AA batteries. But not all radios have this option, so it requires some research before you make that purchase.Check with your local amateur radio supplier and see if it's available.
Another point is the fact that these inserts are cheap compared to other accessories, so consider it your number one priority when buying a portable radio. Keep a stockpile of batteries at home, and rotate through that stock.
Cigarette Outlet Adapter: Another option to consider is the plug-in power cord for your vehicle. But one needs to remember that we are drawing power off your vehicles battery, which can leave you stranded if not recharged, so keep it in mind every time you plug in.
Output Wattage: So now were back to that owner’s manual we previously discussed. Do we know how to adjust the output power on our radio? As a general point of good operating procedures we should only be using enough power to maintain communications. But in a disaster this becomes imperative.
If we can access the repeater with one watt then why are we using 5 watts. The output power will directly affect the power drain on all of your energy sources, so be ready to turn it down to the lower wattage settings.
Conserve Usage: Your radio uses the least power when receiving. But keep in mind, it is still using power. So manage the time that you plan on monitoring. Many nets update situations at the top of the hour, thus allowing people to use their radios for shorter periods.
Report Those Things that need Reporting: Reporting that you have “no power” five hours into a blackout is probably un-necessary. Reporting the odor of natural gas in the area is probably a good use of that radio. Construct your transmissions in your mind before you hit the transmit button. The shorter the transmission the better. Don’t consume power on usage that has no direct benefit to you, or your community.
Solar: Many stores carry smaller, portable, solar panels that can be rolled out in an emergency. Most of the smaller ones can be used in the recharging of batteries. A solar panel large enough to directly power your radio is going to be much bigger. But hey, it’s a consideration.
If you have other ideas let us know in the comment section on our Facebook page.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
Power, power, power will be the main concern during these emergencies. So how do we manage our communications to keep us on the air? Well the question has more than one answer, in fact our ability to stay on the air requires a number of actions.
AA Battery Inserts: So when you purchased that band new radio did you consider buying the AA battery insert? I guess the first question we should have asked, does your radio accept an AA battery insert?
These cheap little inserts replace the original battery that came with the radio and allows the use of ordinary AA batteries. But not all radios have this option, so it requires some research before you make that purchase.Check with your local amateur radio supplier and see if it's available.
Another point is the fact that these inserts are cheap compared to other accessories, so consider it your number one priority when buying a portable radio. Keep a stockpile of batteries at home, and rotate through that stock.
Cigarette Outlet Adapter: Another option to consider is the plug-in power cord for your vehicle. But one needs to remember that we are drawing power off your vehicles battery, which can leave you stranded if not recharged, so keep it in mind every time you plug in.
Output Wattage: So now were back to that owner’s manual we previously discussed. Do we know how to adjust the output power on our radio? As a general point of good operating procedures we should only be using enough power to maintain communications. But in a disaster this becomes imperative.
If we can access the repeater with one watt then why are we using 5 watts. The output power will directly affect the power drain on all of your energy sources, so be ready to turn it down to the lower wattage settings.
Conserve Usage: Your radio uses the least power when receiving. But keep in mind, it is still using power. So manage the time that you plan on monitoring. Many nets update situations at the top of the hour, thus allowing people to use their radios for shorter periods.
Report Those Things that need Reporting: Reporting that you have “no power” five hours into a blackout is probably un-necessary. Reporting the odor of natural gas in the area is probably a good use of that radio. Construct your transmissions in your mind before you hit the transmit button. The shorter the transmission the better. Don’t consume power on usage that has no direct benefit to you, or your community.
Solar: Many stores carry smaller, portable, solar panels that can be rolled out in an emergency. Most of the smaller ones can be used in the recharging of batteries. A solar panel large enough to directly power your radio is going to be much bigger. But hey, it’s a consideration.
If you have other ideas let us know in the comment section on our Facebook page.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, CVG Coordinator
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Taking a Wrinkle Out of Net Operations with Phonetics
Net operations under emergency operations can be a place of collective chaos. The net controllers are tasked with the almost impossible job or organizing information being received from a number of independent sources. Mixed within this job is the formidable job of correctly identifying the call letters of the reporting stations.
Departing from the world of “words” call letters are a random mix of letters and numbers, each unique to the person checking into the net. But probably the most commonly mis-communicated piece of information during a net is the call letters. This can cause the net to come to a screeching halt as net operators try to decipher the mash of information. In emergency situations this can cause un-necessary delays and transmissions.
To defeat this problem most nets have adopted the amateur radio operators “phonetic alphabet”. Using this known series of words to clearly convey your call letters can be the key to passing information correctly the first time. Every amateur should know their call letters phonetically, and use it when checking into the net.
Next time you check into the Emergency Net give it a shot, you will probably be surprised how well it works.
Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow CVG Coordinator, Kilo Golf Six Lima India
Departing from the world of “words” call letters are a random mix of letters and numbers, each unique to the person checking into the net. But probably the most commonly mis-communicated piece of information during a net is the call letters. This can cause the net to come to a screeching halt as net operators try to decipher the mash of information. In emergency situations this can cause un-necessary delays and transmissions.
To defeat this problem most nets have adopted the amateur radio operators “phonetic alphabet”. Using this known series of words to clearly convey your call letters can be the key to passing information correctly the first time. Every amateur should know their call letters phonetically, and use it when checking into the net.
Next time you check into the Emergency Net give it a shot, you will probably be surprised how well it works.
Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow CVG Coordinator, Kilo Golf Six Lima India
Monday, January 27, 2014
Emergency Preparation Starts with most Basic Step
Being prepared for an emergency can start with the most basic steps. In fact preparation can start the moment you open the box to that new radio you just purchased. How many of us really study the manual that is included with our radios? Really don’t we get to the point that we can program the repeaters that we want and then the booklet is tossed into the drawer with the manual from our Betamax we purchased in the 80’s?
On September 8th, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. the San Diego area was cast into an eleven hour blackout that originated in Arizona. During this time communication links were stressed to the max as public service agencies struggled to keep their radio systems functioning. In some situations amateur radio repeaters dropped off the map when emergency generators failed.
In the San Diego North County CERT Team scrambled to help with the few remaining repeaters. In all this mayhem would you be in a position to reconfigure the channels in your radio? Are you prepared to program simplex channels as amateur radio operator’s move to line-of-site communications?
Often hams have become reliant on software packages to program their complex radios, but in time have lost skills that might be needed in the darkness of a prolonged emergency situation.
In actuality our ability as amateur radio operators to function in “real world” situations is dependent our understanding of the radios we own. Don’t fall into a mindset that your radio won’t fail you if you don’t understand the complexities of these microchip driven radios.
Break out the owner’s manual on occasion and review the operation. At the very least know where that prized manual is located. Remember that “on-line” version you downloaded won’t be available.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow (KG6LI) CVG Coordinator
On September 8th, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. the San Diego area was cast into an eleven hour blackout that originated in Arizona. During this time communication links were stressed to the max as public service agencies struggled to keep their radio systems functioning. In some situations amateur radio repeaters dropped off the map when emergency generators failed.
In the San Diego North County CERT Team scrambled to help with the few remaining repeaters. In all this mayhem would you be in a position to reconfigure the channels in your radio? Are you prepared to program simplex channels as amateur radio operator’s move to line-of-site communications?
Often hams have become reliant on software packages to program their complex radios, but in time have lost skills that might be needed in the darkness of a prolonged emergency situation.
In actuality our ability as amateur radio operators to function in “real world” situations is dependent our understanding of the radios we own. Don’t fall into a mindset that your radio won’t fail you if you don’t understand the complexities of these microchip driven radios.
Break out the owner’s manual on occasion and review the operation. At the very least know where that prized manual is located. Remember that “on-line” version you downloaded won’t be available.
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow (KG6LI) CVG Coordinator
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