Seattle ACS

&

King County MST

New Member OrientationRevised 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!

ST. JOES

BELLINGHAM

SECONDARY

PROVIDENCE

EVERETT

PRIMARY

HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER

PROVIDENCE

ST. PETE

SW

WAM C

GOOD

SAM

OHSU

WA DOH EOC

WA EOC

DEACONESS

CENTRAL

WA

WA DOH

DESK

HOSPITAL

DOH

HEALTH

EOC/EMD

Disaster Medical Hospital Control

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

PIO Supervisor

EOC Director

Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section Administration Section

Public Safety

Branch

Infrastructure

Branch

Health & Human

Services

Branch

Audio-Visual

Unit

WebEOC

Administrator

Situation

Unit

Resource

Unit

Documentation

Unit

Contracting Support

Unit

Telecomm Support

Unit

Transport Support

Unit

Call Center

Group

Check-in / Security

Group

Facilities Support

Unit

Facility

Group

Auxiliary

Communications Unit

Personnel Support

Unit

Communications

Director

February 2008

Cabinet

Law Dept.

Advisor

EOC Director

Barb Graff

Incident Comm Mgr

(INCM)

Joel Ware

Radio Operator

(RADO)

West Net

Radio Operator

(RADO)

East Net

Message Runner

(RADO)

Command Staff

Communications Unit

(ACS)

Mark Sheppard,

Comm Leader (COML)

City of Seattle

Emergency Operations

Center

Command

Operations Chief

Laurel Nelson

Plans Chief

Grant Tietje

Logistics Chief

Steve Marten

Administration Chief

Mark Howard

INCM Trainee

Mark Hagler

Tech Specialist

(THSP)

Steve Monsey

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Hospital Net

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Interagency

Radio Operator

(RADO)

AirMail

Field Command & DOC

Incident Comm Mgrs

(INCM)

Incident Commander

Sara Stormforth

Incident Comm Mgr

(INCM)

Chris Osburn

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Message Runner

(RADO)

Command Staff

Services Division

Karen Orderly,

Director

Support Division

Seattle Public Utilities

Dept Operations Center

Command

Operations Chief

Karl Spenser

Plans Chief

Hector Forwardthought

Logistics Chief

Roy Harms

Finance Chief

Prudence Spenthrift

Seattle Public Utilities

Madison Valley

Command

Incident Commander

Chuck Waterfall

Operations Chief

Mike Ford

Incident Comm Mgr

(INCM)

John Witt

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Radio Operator

(RADO)

Message Runner

(RADO)

Plans Chief

Frank Clark

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

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

Position: A-RADO

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

Readiness Qualifications

OBJECTIVES MINIMUM

FREQUENCY

TYPICAL VENUE COMPLETION

Date/Comments

201 Ability to perform ACS

basic message

handling

Two year update -ACS meeting

202 Maintain 72 hour go-kit Semi-annual inventory

203 Ability to operate on

ACS frequencies

RADO 2Xper/mo

S-RADO 3X

INCM weekly

COML weekly

-ACS weekly net

204 Ability to operate in a

field location

RADO 1X per/yr

S-RADO 2X

INCM 2X

COML All

-ACS meeting

-ARRL Field Day

205 Ability to comply with

HIPAA (Health Ins

Portability/Accountabi

lity Act) privacy reqs.

One time -ACS meeting

-Annual CommAcademy

206 Ability to operate

within the ICS

One time -Online ICS course

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/

IS200A.asp

Position: RADO

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

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

Position: S-RADO

Seattle ACS Member Training and

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

Position: S-RADO cont.

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?