IOWA ARES LEADERSHIP MEETING

MARCH 12, 2011

JOHNSTON, IOWA


Dan Miller AC0OF, called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Introductions and announcements were made. There is a new radio here at the State Emergency Operation center and everyone is welcome to view the operations center.


Tom Brehmer, N0LOH, SM, let everyone know he had a lot of brochures set out for anyone who wants them during break times.


Overview of Section ARES; how it all fits together and what is expected. Where does RACES fit in? Presented by Dan Miller AC0OF, SEC. (See power point presentation at www.iowaares.org.) Your “Public Service Field Manual” has a great deal of information that you should know. All counties should have an Emergency Operation Plan. A template for a plan can be found on the ARRL web site. RACES is not ARES. RACES is VERY restrictive. It’s regulated by Part 97 and is restricted to certain frequencies. Drills are limited to 72 hours, no more than twice per year. ONLY RACES stations can communicate with each other on RACES nets. RACES is for governmental support communications.


Break


Traffic Handling Basics; Presented by Dan Miller AC0OF, SEC. (Power point is available on www.iowaares.org.) Remember format and form are two different things.


Lunch


Tiered ARES Membership; what it is and how it works. Presented by Brian Krum, N0MXK, ASEC. NIMS training is being asked of us by all governmental agencies and other organizations we do public service events for. Since everyone does not have the required training or an interest in getting the training, we need to come up with a system of tiered membership so everyone that wants to help will have a place.

  1. Basic Members; willing to help but not take the training-will use these people in the background.

  2. Associate Members; the people who have taken the IS 100 and 700 and ARRL Level one (or equivalent)- this level will be on the front lines.

  3. AEC’s and EC’s; these people should have the IS 100, 200 and 700 and ARRL Level 1 & 2.

  4. DEC’s; these people should have the IS 100, 200, 700, 800 and ARRL Level 1, 2 and 3. Also strongly suggest that they consider ICS 300 and 400.

  5. ASEC’s and SEC; these people should have the IS 100, 200, 700, 800 ICS 300 and 400 and ARRL Level 1, 2, and 3. Also strongly suggest that they consider the EC-016.


This is just a work in progress for now, but the NIMS training for everyone is coming from all of our served agencies. Clint Miller made a motion that all the AECs, ECs and DECs have the ICS 100 and 700 by one year from this date, March 12, 2012. If these people fail to complete this training, they will be removed from their office. Scott Kristein, seconded this motion. It was passed by a majority of the members present. If we don’t take the required training that the served agencies want us to, we will not be allowed to participate with them.


Dan Miller, AC0OF, explained to the group that Homeland Security and Region One don’t think too highly of the amateur radio community right now. Our creditably is in question since some of the equipment they funded for us, is not up and working and likely to remain that way.

Comments and Questions from the Round Table Discussion:

  1. Mary Keener, K0YL, Section Traffic Manager, is asking all net managers to report their monthly total to her for her reports to ARRL. Use form FSD 125.

  2. Several repeaters are being built by private funding.

  3. There is more activity in Dallas County since a new EC took over. Great!

  4. ARES nets are not reporting their numbers to Mary, K0YL. The ARRL uses these numbers when they go before Congress to keep our frequencies.

  5. Repeater problems came up from several of the members at the meeting.

  6. With all the training being required, some of the membership said, “It’s like having a full time job.”

  7. There is a common struggle for all of us. It’s to get more people involved with the public service activities.

  8. When you have a public display, have cards ready to handout to teenagers with the ARRL web site on them. Grant Olsen made the suggestion.

  9. Communication between the various EC’s is lacking. If they would let their DEC or Dan know who they want to be in touch with, the information will be provided. Also contact information is on the Iowa ARES web site.

  10. Skywarn is training amateur radio operators and others for the upcoming storm season.

  11. The Midwest ARRL Ham Fest will be held in Cedar Rapids the first weekend in August 2011.

  12. The gentlemen from MARS, just wanted to point out, they are a great back up for ARES.

  13. The repeater in Wright County is being privately funded, and is not up and operational yet.

  14. There is a four County area in north central Iowa, working together to get a repeater set up and operational. They will all benefit from the repeater and benefit from working together.



When and Where 2012. The majority of those attending voted to have the meeting March 10, 2011 at the State EOC in Johnston, IA.



Respectfully Submitted,


Roxian Miller KC0LLB