Seattle ACS & King County MST New Member Orientation Revised 9-23-09
Agenda Overview & Introductions Purpose and Mission (ACS & MST) Authority and Structure Expectations Operations Training and Development
Purpose and Mission (ACS & MST)
Why Hams are Important Own and Operate their own equipment Have hill-top repeater systems in place with backup power Can operate independent of infrastructure Have electronic know-how, if it breaks, we will fix it Train and practice for worst case communications disasters have a bring it on attitude Care and want to help their communities Can call on Hams from across the country and they will come and help
About Seattle ACS Team of approximately 100 trained Volunteers serving the City of Seattle Program sponsored by the Office of Emergency Management Seattle Police Department Licensed Amateur radio operators Registered State Emergency Workers Program initiated in 1993
The ACS Mission We provide communications support to the City of Seattle in times of disaster and emergency
What ACS Does in a Disaster Provides communications links to neighborhoods - supports Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) Teams and Communication HUBs. Operates the communications function at the City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Provides communications support to various City agencies Communications support to the City s field response and recovery operations
Seattle ACS Member Locations
About KC MST The Western Washington Medical Services Emergency Communications (WWMSEC) team was created in 1990, following the Loma Prieta earthquake in California. The organizers realized that western Washington was as susceptible to large damaging earthquakes as is California. Since then, teams in multiple counties in western Washington have been started, and more are joining in. The King County team has approximately 75-80 amateur radio members. There are about 24 hospitals and support agencies in King County. King County MST is a program sponsored by the Seattle Office of Emergency Management Seattle Police Department
MST Mission The role of the Medical Services Communications Team is to provide vital emergency communications between medical facilities and suppliers in the community, local governments, and other emergency management agencies during disaster situations, when normal communications are inoperable or disrupted, utilizing Amateur Radio voice or digital networks, and other appropriate communications media.
What MST Does in a Disaster
MST Supports Hospitals and major Medical Centers (Public, Private, Military) Blood banks Medical and Pharmacy suppliers Public Health Departments NDMS system - DMAT Team- US Public Health Service/Military
Healthcare Communications Hospitals talk primarily to hospitals! Hospitals talk to pre-hospital agencies and hospital suppliers Hospitals must be able to communicate 7x24x365 Communications redundancy is a necessity!
Disaster Medical Hospital Control HOSPITAL DOH HEALTH EOC/EMD DEACONESS ST. JOES BELLINGHAM SECONDARY PROVIDENCE EVERE TT PRIMARY CENTRAL WA WA EOC HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER SW WAM C GOOD SAM WA DOH DESK OHSU PROVIDENCE ST. PE TE WA DOH EOC
WWMST Teams (Reg. 6) King Co - 22 hospitals, multiple service agencies, clinics, suppliers, blood bank, Regional Medical Net Control (Reg. 1) Snohomish Co - 4 hospitals, several clinics; Whatcom, Skagit, Island Cos 4 hospitals (Reg. 2) Kitsap Co - 3 hospitals, multiple clinics; Clallam, Jefferson Cos 3 hospitals (Reg. 3) Thurston Co - 2 hospitals, one clinic; Mason Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific Cos 7 hospitals (Reg. 4) Clark Co - two hospitals, clinics; Cowlitz Co one hospital 2 campuses. (Reg. 5) Pierce Co 6-8 hospitals, multiple clinics, blood bank And growing.
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 2003 PHI Protected Health Information Any medical or personal information that can be directly connected to a patient is protected. It cannot be repeated, copied, transmitted, or otherwise transferred to others without written permission from the patient. There is a BIG fine related to this!
Amateur Radio & Public Service Use of Radio Spectrum is a Privilege Hams are granted conditional use Expectation of Service to the Community Hams have been there and will be there for every disaster Floods Earthquakes Terrorism
Authority and Structure National Authority Included in DHS/FEMA & FCC National Disaster Communications Plans Local Authority - Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan Appendix 1 - Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) under revision State Emergency Worker Law WAC 118-04
Workman s Compensation for Emergency Workers In Washington WAC 118-04 - Emergency workers are eligible for compensation when they are participating in a mission, evidence search mission, or training event authorized by the emergency management division and are under the direction and control of an authorized official. Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides immunity from liability for volunteers in services to government agencies or non-profit organizations if acting in scope of official duties.
Expectations (two way) What ACS, MST and the agencies we serve expect of you as a volunteer What you as a volunteer should expect of ACS, MST and the agencies we serve. Why do you want to want to volunteer? - what is in it for you?
QRV - Are you Prepared? Most Important Are you and your family prepared and trained to survive a disaster? The first rule of EmComm you and your family must be safe and provided for before you can consider volunteering. You must be secure, have the basics e.g. shelter, food, water, etc. OEM provides general preparedness training and ACS/MST will offer advanced courses.
What makes a good EmComm volunteer Variety of backgrounds, broad-range of skills and experience Desire to help others without personal gain Ability to work as a member of a team and take direction from others Ability to think and act effectively, under the stress and pressure of an emergency
Where do we fit in?
Where do we fit in? Amateur Radio operators have proved to be essential resources in emergencies since the invention of radio. Ham radio operators have the equipment, skills and frequencies to create emergency communications networks under poor conditions. Just having the technology is not enough, specific emergency communications skills and understanding of emergency management protocols are essential. We want to be part of the solution and not contributing to the problem.
What we are not As important as what we are, is what we are not. There are limits to our responsibilities as an emergency communicator. We are not first responders hams have little usefulness at the onset We have no authority we make no decisions, other than to participate and about our own health and welfare. We are not in charge we are there to help and must expect to take and follow orders.
Attitude - it matters EmComm volunteers are unpaid employees of the served agency. This attitude on both sides of the equation e.g. employee/employer relationship is essential to foster a positive sense of professionalism. This can work so effectively that people from the outside wouldn t know who is career service and who is volunteer. EmComm leadership should work with served agency management to breakdown these barriers allowing volunteers to perform their jobs and realize the recognition for their efforts.
What a served agency will expect of an EmComm Volunteer That you are of good character: that they can trust you in their facilities and as a volunteer employee that you won t do anything to get them in trouble or cause embarrassment. Seattle will conduct a vetting and registration process: this will likely require fingerprinting, a criminal background check and completion of a basic application and a photograph. The registration will also include registering you as an Emergency Work: under the Authority of the Washington State Emergency Work Act. (more on this later)
Expect of you (cont.) The agency will expect that you understand the chain of command: that you understand and follow their operational policies and procedures and don t act without authorization. They expect that you understand your assignment and are or will become proficient in it. This means that you will participate in training and drills to maintain and advance your skills.
Tips for Success Willingness to participate in the training and drills don t expect to be called out if you haven t Understand the chain of command and follow it when on assignment Learn about your team and provide what they need most. Volunteer for projects and special assignments but don t over extend your self. Develop your skills as Emcomm professional Don t talk to the press when on assignment refer them to the agency PIO
What you should expect from the served agency and EmComm leadership: Clear understanding of mission, purpose and role Agency/Team master plans Written job descriptions for roles you are performing A training plan and a skills training program to develop An opportunity to practice and learn An opportunity to significantly contribute.
You are needed for more than radio Communications is important but there are other support opportunities here. Seattle is looking to ACS as volunteer support teams Variety jobs that may included data collector, field observer, AV system operator, analyst and logistics clerk Most agency activations are not communications disasters Ham radio per se may not be needed but our people are
You need to ask yourself why do I want to do this? Need to understand and be clear about your motivation what do you want out of volunteering? Need to look inside and outside yourself. Is this right for you? Where do I want to go and How? How does this fit in with your life
Operations How we fit into Emergency Management during an emergency. What does ICS have to do with it. Our operating model for the EOC, DOCs, Hospitals and the Field.
ICS Organization in the EOC Mayor Cabinet Communications Director Law Dept. Advisor PIO Supervisor EOC Director Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section Administration Section Public Safety Branch Situation Unit Contracting Support Unit Call Center Group Infrastructure Branch Resource Unit Telecomm Support Unit Check-in / Security Group Health & Human Services Branch Documentation Unit Transport Support Unit Facility Group Auxiliary Communications Unit Audio-Visual Unit Facilities Support Unit WebEOC Administrator Personnel Support Unit February 2008
City of Seattle Emergency Operations Center Command EOC Director Barb Graff Command Staff Operations Chief Laurel Nelson Plans Chief Grant Tietje Logistics Chief Steve Marten Administration Chief Mark Howard Communications Unit (ACS) Mark Sheppard, Comm Leader (COML) Incident Comm Mgr (INCM) Joel Ware INCM Trainee Mark Hagler Tech Specialist (THSP) Steve Monsey Message Runner (RADO) Radio Operator (RADO) Hospital Net Radio Operator (RADO) West Net Radio Operator (RADO) AirMail Field Command & DOC Incident Comm Mgrs (INCM) Radio Operator (RADO) Interagency Radio Operator (RADO) East Net
Seattle Public Utilities Dept Operations Center Command Incident Commander Sara Stormforth Command Staff Operations Chief Karl Spenser Plans Chief Hector Forwardthought Logistics Chief Roy Harms Finance Chief Prudence Spenthrift Services Division Karen Orderly, Director Support Division Incident Comm Mgr (INCM) Chris Osburn Message Runner (RADO) Radio Operator (RADO) Radio Operator (RADO)
Seattle Public Utilities Madison Valley Command Incident Commander Chuck Waterfall Operations Chief Mike Ford Plans Chief Frank Clark Message Runner (RADO) Incident Comm Mgr (INCM) John Witt Radio Operator (RADO) Radio Operator (RADO)
Hospital Incident Command (HICS) Hospital Incident Command System HICS Compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Flexibility for use during any hospital situation (not limited to emergencies) Available at: www.emsa.ca.gov/hics/hics.asp
HICS
Training and Development
ACS Job Descriptions Descriptions are based on expected skills and accomplishments Clear statement of performance and outcomes Five primary jobs
Associate Radio Operator (A-RADO) This classification is for new members of ACS, even those without a ham radio license. Has completed personal, home, and family preparations for emergencies and disasters likely in the Seattle area. Has a basic awareness of emergency management practices and ICS. Understands the Seattle ACS mission, safety rules, activation procedures, training pipeline, and organizational structure. Has completed fingerprinting, background check, and badging. Is a registered Washington State Emergency Worker.
Seattle ACS Member Training and Position: A-RADO Readiness Qualifications OBJECTIVES MINIMUM FREQUENCY TYPICAL VENUE COMPLETION Date/Comments 101 Understand the mission and history of ACS One time -ACS New Member Orientation meeting 102 Understand the basics of personal/family preparedness One time -ACS meeting -Annual CommAcademy 103 Maintain ACS profile Semi-Annually Website update to be provided 104 Understand the basics of the Incident Command System (ICS) One time -ACS meeting -Annual CommAcademy -Online ICS course http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/ IS100a.asp
Radio Operator (RADO) This classification is for entry level radio operators who are: In training to become senior radio operators SNAP Team Communicators that seek to have an affiliation with Seattle ACS. Members of other agency communications teams that seek to have an affiliation with Seattle ACS. Is in training to staff a radio position at the Incident Communications Center. Provides support to communication operations including field resource tracking, message transcription and logging as well as message intake and distribution. Works as a partner to a Senior Radio Operator, or as a member of a larger communications team. Licensed as amateur Technician or higher, and able to serve as Control Operator for VHF/UHF operation.
Seattle ACS Member Training and Position: RADO Readiness Qualifications OBJECTIVES 201 Ability to perform ACS basic message handling MINIMUM FREQUENCY Two year update 202 Maintain 72 hour go-kit Semi-annual inventory TYPICAL VENUE -ACS meeting COMPLETION Date/Comments 203 Ability to operate on ACS frequencies 204 Ability to operate in a field location 205 Ability to comply with HIPAA (Health Ins Portability/Accountabi lity Act) privacy reqs. 206 Ability to operate within the ICS RADO 2Xper/mo S-RADO 3X INCM weekly COML weekly RADO 1X per/yr S-RADO 2X INCM 2X COML All One time One time -ACS weekly net -ACS meeting -ARRL Field Day -ACS meeting -Annual CommAcademy -Online ICS course http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/ IS200A.asp
Senior Radio Operator (S-RADO) Able to serve as a senior level radio operator on an incident communications team. Can work without assistance if necessary, and can deploy unsupported to provide communication support outside the EOC. Has an active Winlink 2000 system account, and is able to operate installed Winlink 2000 station under EOC conditions. Able to serve as mentor for new ACS members. Staffs a radio position at the Incident Communications Center Three possible communication unit venues: EOC Communications Center. A Departmental or Agency Operations Center (DOC). A Field Incident Command post or Field Base Camp. Provides support to communication operations including field resource tracking, message transcription and logging as well message intake and distribution. Responsible for documenting incoming radio and telephone messages. Understands Seattle ACS policies, procedures, and protocols, and has a basic understand of emergency management practices and ICS. Works for the INCM.
Seattle ACS Member Training and Position: S-RADO Readiness Qualifications OBJECTIVES MINIMUM FREQUENCY TYPICAL VENUE COMPLETION Date/Comments 301 American Red Cross first aid, CPR certified Two year update -AMR certification courses are offered through employment or community groups -Online AMR info http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/ courses/aed.html 302 Understand urban survival procedures Three year update -ACS meeting -Annual CommAcademy 303 Understand urban navigation techniques Three year update -ACS meeting -Annual CommAcademy 304 Certified in 4X4 transportation Two year update Special ACS endorsement in development
Seattle ACS Member Training and Position: S-RADO cont. Readiness Qualifications OBJECTIVES MINIMUM FREQUENCY TYPICAL VENUE COMPLETION Date/Comments 305 Understand basic EOC operations One time -Seattle EOC basic training 306 Ability to perform an EOC role One time -Seattle EOC intermediate training 307 Ability to use EOC web account One time (maintain access) -Seattle EOC WEBEOC training 308 Understand NIMS (Nat. Incident Management Sys.) One time -Online ICS course http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is 700a.asp 309 Understand theory and practice of basic radio emergency communication procedures One time -Instructor led ARECC (Amateur Radio Emerg. Comm. Course) Level I aka EmCom I
Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Works as ACS Communications Team Supervisor Manages the operational aspects of the Communications Unit at one of these venues: EOC Communications Center. A Departmental or Agency Operations Center (DOC). A Field Incident Command post or Field Base Camp. Supervises the Radio Operators and Support Staff. Establishes and maintains the Incident Communications Center. Able to set up and operate an HF radio station under field conditions, using emergency power and portable antenna, and communicate using Phone mode on any assigned frequency. Continued
Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) - continued Able to set up and operate a Winlink 2000 radio station under field conditions. Able to supervise mentors of new ACS members. Licensed as amateur General or higher, and able to serve as Control Operator for any ACS frequencies and modes. Able to serve as instructor for FCC license or ARECC courses. Thorough understanding of emergency communications practices; comprehensive knowledge of ACS policies, practices, and protocols; and a solid knowledge of emergency management practices and ICS. Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise. Organizationally, works for and assists the COML as required, but may be under the direct supervision of an assigned manager within the ICS structure at a venue outside the EOC.
COMMUNICATIONS UNIT LEADER (COML) and Deputy COML Manages the technical and operational aspects of the communications organization and function. Develops the Incident Radio Communications Plan, ICS Form 205 to support and achieve incident objectives. Actively participates in the operational and planning meetings. Assists proactively with preplanned events. Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and organize. Understands the realities of deployment communications personnel and equipment to support emergencies and events in the EOC and at field locations. Develops and maintains ACS policies, practices and protocols and has an advanced knowledge of emergency management practices and ICS. The COML is under the direction of the EOC Operations Section Chief.
Training Opportunities Weekly nets Monthly training meetings Annual Comm Academy EOC Drills & Activations EmComm Drills On-line & Classroom ICS related training Local EmComm Classes Large Scale Drills simulation Monthly EOC comm Training EOC Operations Training Hospital procedures Training
We All Deserve a Safe and Supportive Work Environment
Safety 1st Our first priority is safety We need to take personal responsibility for safety in our actions and our concern for others. If you see something un-safe you need to do something fix it or tell someone who can. Ignoring a potentially hazardous condition is wrong we always have time to be safe.
Nondiscrimination It is the policy of the City of Seattle to provide a work environment for its volunteers that is free from discrimination and promotes equal opportunity for and equitable treatment of all volunteers. Harassment of an individual is illegal conduct and a violation of this Rule. The City of Seattle will not tolerate harassment of its volunteers by co-workers, supervisors, managers, officers of the City or from non-employees conducting business with the City.
Reporting Harassment Volunteers shall promptly report to any management representative any allegations or complaints of harassment. Reporting a harassment complaint to or discussing a complaint with a management representative will result in an investigation.
Workplace Violence Prevention Policy The City of Seattle shall not tolerate workplace violence by or against its employees or volunteers, its customers or clients, or by visitors to its workplaces. Those who violate this Rule shall be subject to prompt and appropriate disciplinary action and may be subject to additional penalties under the laws of the City of Seattle and the State of Washington.
Report Work Place Violence Volunteers are encouraged to promptly report any threat or act of workplace violence whether or not any physical injury has occurred. Such reports shall be taken seriously, dealt with appropriately, and, except as required by law, treated as confidential to the extent that it does not hinder the investigation or resolution of the report.
Questions So when do we get to play with radios? Other questions?