- Objectives of the Exercise
- Bring all gear online and convey information from the EOC to ARES/RACES members using:
- Amateur Radio Repeaters (HAM)
- General Mobile Radio Service Repeaters (GMRS)
- Send/Receive Radio Mail Messages over the air (WINLINK VHF Packet)
- Review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and interactions with other County Stakeholders during an activation.
- Bring all gear online and convey information from the EOC to ARES/RACES members using:
- Accomplishments
- Successfully activated a Resource Net and communicated with ARES/RACES members on 147.390 Leonardtown Repeater
- Updated programming on Icom-910 with UHF/VHF Repeaters in accordance with STMA ARES ICS-205
- Successfully transmitted and received Radio Mail messages via WINLINK VHF Packet
- Reviewed Calvert Cliffs Response SOP and witnessed stakeholder actions during an activation.
- Areas for Improvement
- Attempt to contact ARES/RACES members via GMRS unsuccessful due to a faulty microphone connection.
- Radio was removed from service, bench tested, repaired, and will be returned to service end of September 2023
- Maintaining situational awareness of events within the EOC is impossible from the COMM Room.
- Further review of the SOP is needed, and training must be conducted with ARES/RACES members well in advance to ensure a smooth activation/shift change.
- Resource Net activation script needs to be drafted and practiced by ARES/RACES members.
- Attempt to contact ARES/RACES members via GMRS unsuccessful due to a faulty microphone connection.
- Summation
- Overall, this event was a success. Most objectives were met and ares for improvement have been identified.