Medical Reserve Corps

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Medical Reserve Corps

• MRC Units and Ham Radio

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• During Times of Crisis Communications Becomes a
  Dilemma .
• Many Departments, Agencies All Vying for Time on
  Frequencies.

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• During an MRC activation, our units will also be
  vying for the same communication channels and
  Frequencies that are allocated to emergency
  service organizations.

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MRC COMMUNICATIONS

• MULTIPULE MRC SITES
• Local Stock pile site
• Hospitals
• Transportation vehicle(s) from local SNS sites

• Emergency operation center
• Emergency Services (EMS) units
• On and off site security forces (police agencies)

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Common Predicament

• Single dispatch center for county.
• Two dispatch operators on duty only during peak
  hours.
• Answer both 911 and non emergency calls.

• 12 volunteer fire departments.
• Sheriff's deputies
• 5 local small police departments
• All sharing a single frequency.

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Common Predicament

• Normal channels of communications will be
  overwhelmed.
• Not enough radios and cell phones to go around.
• Cell towers/systems will become overwhelmed and
  unstable.
• Total normal communication failure if event is
  wide spread.

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Amateur Radio/hams
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Role of Hams

• Provide vital communications for emergency
  operations.
• Pass on non emergency information between units.
• Capable of sending still pictures over the radio
  air waves.
• Able to send real time Television Pictures over
  the air waves back to EOC, using cable channels
  57 through 61.

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Role of Hams

• Each MRC/CERT team should develop a minimum
  number of operators each unit will need available
  at all times.
• Train MRC/CERT team members to become licensed
  operators.
• Vital part of emergency operation centers.

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MEDICAL RESERVE CORPSAdvantages of hams

• Communication can be established easily and
  quickly at multiple sites.
• Frees normal emergency communication systems.
• Needs no fixed power supply.

• Mobile/ Portable
• Inexpensive to purchase by volunteers
• Compared to Emergency Service Radios
• Not hampered by frequency limitations.

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Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)

• Provides communications assistance to civil
  defense organizations in time of need.
• Must be registered with civil defense
  organizations
• Active ONLY during periods of Local, Regional, or
  National civil emergencies.
• Races members CANNOT communicate with other
  amateurs when activated.

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Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)

• Presents a way for local amateur operators to
  provide emergency communications while working
  with emergency response groups
• American Red Cross
• Local emergency operation centers
• Sponsored by the ARRL (American radio relay
  league).

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Amateur Requirements

• For license

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Ham Radio Operator Testing

• Tech license 35 word multiple choice written
  test. NO Morse code required at entry level.
• Tech license/- 35 word multiple choice written
  test with 5 word minute Morse code test
• These are the minimum levels required to begin in
  ham operations.
• NO age limits on who can become a ham.

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Licensed Hams USA

• As of March 15, 2005 Novice       - 29,098    
  Tech/      - 318,387   General      - 137,334
    Advanced    - 77,035   Extra          -
  106,238    Total All Classes - 668,163

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Questions/comments
?
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CONTACT INFORMATION

• CLINT WAGSTAFF KE5DLX
• Fannin County Texas Emergency Management
  Coordinator/MRC Director
• 210 S. MAIN STREET
• BONHAM, TEXAS 75418
• OFFICE 903-640-8484
• EMAIL fcmcem_at_cableone.net