The ARES E-Letter
April 19, 2006
=================                                          

Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor

<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,
<http://www.iaru-r2emcor.net/>

===================================
ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or
comments: <k1ce@arrl.net>; 
===================================

+ THE VIEW FROM FLAGLER COUNTY

For two years, Flagler has been the fastest growing county in the
country. We are getting a new EOC, with the grand opening scheduled
for April 29. ARES has been invited to send a representative. We are
grateful for the excellent relationship we have enjoyed with county
emergency services, effected by many good radio amateurs, the
emergency manager and his staff, including effervescent EOC worker
Bob Pickering, KB4RSY, who was recently selected as county employee
of the year. 
________

Fulfilling the other half of my promise of two issues ago, I passed
FEMA's on-line course IS-700 on the National Incident Management
System (NIMS). NIMS incorporates the ICS, and adds the component
"Multiagency Coordination Systems," "a combination of facilities,
equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications integrated into
a common framework for coordinating and supporting incident
management." The course is highly recommended and is becoming a
requirement across the country (see below). Get on board now:
<http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp>. The course took
me about two hours to complete.
_________

Titles Contest!

Let's have some fun: Send me an e-mail <k1ce@arrl.net>; with a list of
the emcomm-related titles you hold. I'll publish the winner with the
most titles. He or she will be the 2006 ARES E-Letter Titleist. The
only rule is that each title must be universally recognizable in the
ARES and/or emcomm domain!   

====================
In This Issue:

+ MIDWEST TORNADOES
+ "OPERATION TRIFECTA" IN NEW YORK CITY
+ NIMS COURSE REQUIREMENTS
+ FLORIDA EXERCISE MAY 22-26
+ ACS THANKS MERLIN WILLIS, N6OFY
+ ALTAMONTE SPRINGS (FLORIDA) ARES TESTS CAPABILITY 
+ NEW MEXICO FUNDS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION NETWORK
+ APCO AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR TASK FORCE 
+ AMATEUR RADIO SESSION AT NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE
+ HENRY COUNTY (VIRGINIA) EMERGENCY MANAGER STRENGTHENS
COMMUNICATIONS
+ MAYOR THANKS TENNESSEE ARES GROUP
+ TULSA AMATEURS SUPPORT HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS
+ EMCOMM PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE 
+ LETTERS: NO CB BEEPS PLEASE
+ APCO INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS USE OF PLAIN SPEECH 
+ LETTER OF THE MONTH: A NEW ARES MEMBER'S PERSPECTIVE
+ LETTERS: WORK WEEK AMATEURS
+ "EMCOMMWEST 2006" MAY 6-7 RENO, NEVADA 
+ PERSPECTIVE: EMBRACE TRAINING
+ PERSPECTIVE: EMERGENCIES VERSUS DISASTERS
+ A FINAL FROM K1CE
===================

+ MIDWEST TORNADOES

ARES was active in Tennessee and elsewhere on April 2 for tornadoes.
Two dozen died and many were injured. Tennessee SEC Jimmy Floyd,
NQ4U, stated SKYWARN volunteers relayed reports to the National
Weather Service Office in Memphis. "Several hams were active in the
Dyersburg-Newbern area Sunday night passing local traffic for the
area folks needing to let relatives know that they were okay," Floyd
said. 

In Illinois, Lawrence County EC Gary Auerswald, WB9UDJ, found himself
in the middle of "a horrendous storm" while returning home with his
family from Indiana. "Trees were coming down, and people were getting
blown off the road," he told SEC Pat Ryan, KC6VVT. "All electricity
in the area went out." Fallen power lines prevented Auerswald from
taking his usual route along Illinois Route 1. "We traveled by back
roads and oil field roads and made it home," he said. When he got
there, he found his antenna farm gone; it had been taken out by the
storms. 

The ARES Net on the Starved Rock Radio Club W9MKS repeater in Lenore
yielded to an ongoing weather-spotter net activated earlier by Jim
Morris, N9PLM, who served as net control. "Weather Net members
monitored for storm activity and, at one point, the LaSalle County
EOC was activated," Ryan said. One person died in Illinois.

Kentucky SEC Ron Dodson, KA4MAP, reported nets up and running the
evening of April 2. Dodson says the storms decreased in severity by
the time they reached his state. "Trees, power and phones lines went
down," he said, "but there were no major structural incidents or
injuries." - Rick Lindquist, N1RL, ARRL Letter

[At press time, reports of tornadoes in Iowa have circulated and
we'll try to cover ARES responses there in the next issue. - ed.]

+ "OPERATION TRIFECTA" IN NEW YORK CITY

New York City District ARES and SATERN participated in a mass
casualty disaster drill March 26, dubbed "Operation Trifecta." The
scenario: A mock explosion in Queens of a chemical bomb aboard a
freight train that occurs just as a commuter train passes, with 100
people dead or wounded. The elaborate simulation involved 1500
emergency workers. ARES supported the American Red Cross.

"We were an integral part of the Red Cross response, and they were
duly impressed with our capabilities and deeply grateful for our
participation," said NYC ARES DEC Mike Lisenco, N2YBB. ARES supported
the Red Cross EOC, its on-site command vehicle, and a shelter set up
to care for area residents affected by the incident. ARES also
maintained liaison with SATERN, Lisenco said, "and we had additional
volunteers standing by had there been a request for more operators."

Operation Trifecta referred to the fact that, during the seven-hour
drill, responders not only had to deal with the explosion and
hazardous materials but potential saboteurs hiding in the railroad
freight cars.

Roger Rischawy, who directs The Salvation Army's Greater New York
Division-Emergency Disaster Services with assistance from Carlos
Varon, K2LCV, reports the division assembled two canteen crews, three
staff vehicles and a SATERN emergency communications van. Greater New
York SATERN Amateur Radio Liaison Officer Jeff Schneller, N2HPO,
managed communication activities for The Salvation Army's response.

Emergency responders once again are looking to ham radio volunteers
as "a resource that is desperately needed in a disaster situation,"
Lisenco said. "To that end, the Red Cross here in New York City has
redoubled its efforts to maintain a strong working relationship with
ARES." He said NYC District ARES also has strengthened its
relationship with The Salvation Army. - ARRL Letter

+ NIMS COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In Pennsylvania, NIMS [National Incident Management System] training
is now a requirement for ALL first responders by decree of the
Governor.  There is also a requirement from Homeland Security to put
NIMS in place (or lose federal funding opportunities). Currently in
Pennsylvania the requirements are the IS-100, 200, and 700 courses.
See <http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp>. IS-800
(National Response Plan Intro) will also be required soon.
Pennsylvania's requirements can be found on the PEMA web site
<http://www.pema.state.pa.us/>.  It's of note that the Pennsylvania
requirement explicitly applies to volunteers. -- Donald D. Cripe,
KE3MM, Western Pennsylvania DEC, New Galilee, Pennsylvania 

As of last year, just before I departed FEMA HQ, all FEMA employees
are now required to complete the following EMI courses within one
year of being on board:  IS-100 (Intro to ICS), IS-200 (ICS for
Federal Disaster Workers), IS-546 (Continuity of Operations
Awareness), IS-700 (NIMS Intro), and IS-800 (NRP Intro). - Bart
Bartholomew, N3GQ

NIMS has been required for all of us in Prince William (Virginia)
since last year (about 80% of my ARES team have it now) and IS-100
and IS-200 are required by the end of the year (2006).  I am signed
up for 200 and 300 next weekend.  ECs and AECs are also required to
have the NRP Intro course (IS-800). It looks like the League needs to
embrace these as requirements for all ARES members sooner rather than
later. -- David A. Lane, KG4GIY, EC/RO Prince William County
ARES/RACES <http://www.qsl.net/pwcares/>  

I keep seeing statements from various areas about FEMA course and
ARECC requirements for ARES appointees. However, here in our Section
I got flak for suggesting it. If the ARRL takes a stand, then I can
enforce the practice in use around the county. -- David Pifer, N9YNF

NIMS compliance for volunteers - CORRECTION: In the March newsletter,
I had passed on a response from the NIMS Integration Center
concerning how NIMS and ICS applies to Amateur Radio volunteers.  Due
to editing for brevity, the letter gave an incorrect impression that
NIMS and ICS training is required for all Amateurs.  This was
incorrect.  The NIMS Integration Center response related to FEMA FAQ
399 that indicated NIMS and ICS training was not required for
Amateurs.   

Since that response, FEMA FAQ 399 has been withdrawn, and FAQ 313 has
been updated twice.  FAQ 313 now states, in part, "The NIMS
Integration Center strongly recommends that volunteers with a direct
role in emergency and incident management and response take NIMS and
ICS training."  

For additional history on these FAQs and the updates, see
<http://ares.rf.org/dist6w/e_letter.htm> -- Ron Breitwisch, KC0OX,
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Iowa District 6 West

+ FLORIDA EXERCISE MAY 22-26

The State of Florida Emergency Exercise will be held from May 22 to
May 26. ECs will contact their Emergency Managers to participate in
this exercise. Working with these personnel in exercises and drills
is the best way to build their confidence in ARES capabilities when
the real thing hits.
 
Each group will be sending at least one formal message announcing
their participation to the Northern Florida SEC, promoting
message-handling training. The SEC will reply to each message
received. June 1 is only a month away. -- Joe Bushel, W2DWR, Northern
Florida SEC, Assistant Section Manager

+ ACS THANKS MERLIN WILLIS, N6OFY

California's Auxiliary Communications Service, part of the state's
Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, has made an
official "Thank You" award to Merlin Willis, N6OFY.  Willis is the
long-serving ARES District Emergency Coordinator for San Francisco. 
He has been instrumental in fostering emergency response capability
and readiness among San Francisco Amateur Radio operators, including
management of the weekly ARES net.  Willis has also assisted ACS in
various drills and exercises including its recent Operational
Readiness Inspection.  He has also taken part in, and facilitated
ARES participation in, ACS drills involving San Francisco hospital
readiness. 
 
ACS also made "Thank You" awards to its volunteers Adrian Wadley,
KG6MRC, and Larry Bernard, KG6VOM, for their extraordinary
contribution to the ongoing success of three weekly Amateur Radio
emergency drill nets in San Francisco: the  Siren Net, the ACS Net
and the Department of Public Works Net. 
 
The "Thank You" awards were publicly presented at the last ACS
meeting as a lapel or safety-vest pin, and will be certificated as
well. -- Bart Lee, KV6LEE, San Francisco ACS (OES) Liaison Officer,
ARRL government liaison officer, <KV6LEE@gmail.com>; ARECC-III,
IS-200, Medic I, ARES 

+ ALTAMONTE SPRINGS (FLORIDA) ARES TESTS CAPABILITY

Altamonte Springs, Florida, March 10, 2006 - In preparation for
hurricane season, ARES members here operated from each shelter site
in the city during a drill. Antennas had been installed in 13 county
disaster shelters at public schools. The goal was to test voice
operations from each school over several VHF and UHF repeaters as
well as simplex frequencies. The county EOC radio room and our backup
EOC, were staffed and handling net control duties.

For this activation, enough volunteers were available to operate each
and every station requested for this half-day event. The response was
excellent. Packet stations, operating on the Winlink system, were
also tested for message-handling capability. 

Participants agreed this was the most productive and successful test
event. Since Hurricane Charlie, each activation, either for emergency
response, testing or public service, has improved. Critiques, or
after-action reports, and atually publishing and acting on lessons
learned have begun manifesting themselves with more successful
operations. -- Keith Kotch, KF4BXT, Seminole ARES/RACES Group, AEC
(former EC)

+ NEW MEXICO FUNDS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION NETWORK

New Mexico has allocated $500,000 to design, construct and install a
statewide Amateur Radio emergency communication network. Rep Tom
Anderson (R-Bernalillo), KB5YSG, sponsored the funding bill in the
2006 New Mexico legislative session. 

"After hurricane Katrina, we've seen firsthand just how valuable
Amateur Radio can be in a disaster," Anderson said. "The Gulf Coast
hurricanes destroyed communications infrastructure and overwhelmed
government resources. It was Amateur Radio operators who helped to
save the day." 

The state Department of Public Safety will pay for the equipment for
Amateur Radio volunteers to use in disasters and emergencies. All of
the equipment will be state-owned. Early plans call for the
installation of strategically located, interlinked VHF and UHF
repeaters to handle both voice and digital communication. 

In New Mexico, the potential exists for disastrous wildfires,
tornadoes and floods. This year, when range fires broke out near
Hobbs, ARES provided communication support. Over the past several
years, radio amateurs in New Mexico have been called upon to support
communication during fires, for severe weather spotting (SKYWARN),
during public service events and to assist Albuquerque with Hurricane
Katrina refugees. - Rick Lindquist, N1RL, ARRL Letter

+ APCO AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR TASK FORCE

The Associated Public Safety Communications Officials International
(APCO) is appointing a formal "Amateur Radio Task Force" that will
consist of four APCO members appointed by the APCO Board of Officers.
The task force will use the existing APCO Ham group, which consists
of more than 130 members, as a resource to develop formal projects to
support the role of the Amateur Radio operator in public safety
response. -- APCO

+ AMATEUR RADIO SESSION AT NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE

On Tuesday, April 11, ARRL and Amateur Radio operators hosted an
informational session at the National Hurricane Conference in
Orlando, Florida. Amateur Radio operators, including representatives
from the ARRL Field Organization and Headquarters, planned to discuss
their experiences and lessons learned during the unprecedented 2004
and 2005 hurricane seasons. The forum expected to address current
issues in Amateur Radio emergency communications and provide a chance
to highlight best practices. [We'll have a full report in the next
issue - ed.] 

+ HENRY COUNTY (VIRGINIA) EMERGENCY MANAGER STRENGTHENS
COMMUNICATIONS

Henry County Emergency Manager Steve Eanes, and ARES EC Mark Jackson,
AI4LI, met recently to promote a communications agenda. Eanes
immediately installed the Henry County ARES Unit in the Henry County
Emergency Operations Plan.  He gave ARES space at the EOC in the
county Administration building. 

They tested the new capabilities: Eanes developed a simulated
emergency test around a mock mass casualty disaster. The Martinsville
Speedway served as the site. Eanes shared the scenario with volunteer
organizations, public safety and military groups, who were to work
with Henry County and ARES.  The Air National Guard, National Guard,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Virginia State Police,
Virginia Department of Emergency Service, Henry County Public Safety
(the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue), as well as a myriad of mutual
assistance units from public safety organizations in surrounding
counties, participated. Dates were March 31, April 1, and April 2.

ARES objectives included providing supplemental communication for the
Henry County communication system; a communication line to the state
EOC at Richmond; and to train operators in specific procedures and
message handling. -- Ron Sokol, K4KHZ

+ MAYOR THANKS TENNESSEE ARES GROUP

"Please extend my thanks on behalf of the Williamson County,
Tennessee, Government to the Williamson County Amateur Radio
Emergency Service volunteers for their excellent work this Saturday,
March 4, 2006.  As a part of the drill, I am sending you this message
from the Winlink 2000 system. In addition, having witnessed other
types of communications support as well from WCARES, it is certainly
comforting to know that our County is prepared should any need arise
for the use of these volunteers and their communications systems." --
Roger Anderson, Mayor, Williamson County, Tennessee

+ TULSA AMATEURS SUPPORT HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS

Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 11, 2006 - A drill of the Tulsa Area Amateur
Radio Hospital net was conducted in partnership with the Tulsa Area
Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA), Metropolitan Medical Response
System (MMRS), and ARES. The Tulsa Chapter of the Red Cross also
participated. 

Tulsa area hospitals have dual band VHF/UHF mobile radios permanently
installed, and ready for use in a communications emergency. Amateur
Radio is an important part of the Tulsa emergency communication plan.

The drill was successful, with a few equipment issues discovered at
two hospitals. The hospitals will be working hard to address them. --
Mark D. Conklin, N7XYO, Assistant SEC for Northeastern Oklahoma
<n7xyo@arrl.net>;

+ EMCOMM PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE 

Go to <http://www.arrl.org/pio> for a 30 second public service
announcement (PSA) on Hurricane Katrina operations. (To download,
right-click once on the above link and choose "save target.") The 30
second PSA was made possible thanks to Johnny Donovan at WABC-AM and
Howard Price, KA2QPJ, of WABC-TV in New York who is Acting President
of the Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio Society, a member of the ham
organization at WABC Radio and TV in New York and also the BEARS.
More audio PSAs will be coming out - about one every 8 weeks in 2006.
 
An Emergency Communications video PSA is available:
<http://www.arrl.org/pio> for a 30 second mpeg of Katrina operations
video. -- Allen Pitts, W1AGP, ARRL Public Information Office

+ LETTERS: NO CB BEEPS PLEASE
 
Re: Suggestion for end of transmission beeps discussed in the last
issue. We don't need CB beeps during emergencies. They cause
unnecessary delay and can result in beep ping pong on quick
transmissions where people get covered up by the preceding beep.
That's why we have the word "over" and "go ahead" like every other
professional uses. This is a rotten idea. -- Matt Cassarino, WV1K,
Level 3 ARECC (and nine FEMA courses)

+ APCO INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS USE OF PLAIN SPEECH
 
The Associated Public Safety Communications Officials International
(APCO) has agreed with the NIMS Integration Center that the use of
plain speech in emergency response situations is a matter of public
safety, especially the safety of first responders and those affected
by the incident. To best assure the use of common, universal language
during a major event, its daily use is required.
 
APCO said the entire Incident Command System (ICS), an effort of NIMS
to provide a common organizational structure for the immediate
response to emergencies involving the coordination of personnel and
equipment on-site at an incident, requires resources to be managed
and functioning under a planned approach that diminishes the risk
created by unclear, unfamiliar or misunderstood codes and signals.
Using plain speech is a simple remedy to reduce communication
failures. This common approach is essential to achieving functional
interoperability across all jurisdictions and disciplines. 

+ LETTER OF THE MONTH: A NEW ARES MEMBER'S PERSPECTIVE

I am a new ARES member. I read my first ARES E-letter with interest,
especially the section entitled:  "Opinion: Stigma of 'Amateur'". 
This in no way is a criticism of the writer, but I have observed the
described phenomenon for years and I believe that we amateurs may
have created our own credibility problem. 

I once asked a non-ham coworker to give me his impression of ham
radio operators (he was a fellow engineer who went to the
Gaithersburg, Maryland hamfest to shop for electronic parts). His
answer shocked me deeply. He said that from outward appearances we
hams looked like "a bunch of slobs!" He cited the obvious lack of
personal grooming that was evident in a large percentage of hamfest
attendees: poor personal hygiene, dirty clothes and soiled baseball
caps which presented an exceedingly poor image of ham radio to
non-hams. He was also quick to point out the many unusual things that
we've all seen at hamfests: the hams who carry four HT's on their
belt (each with its own speaker/mike clipped to a t-shirt) or
multiple vertical antennas protruding from a hardhat.
 
Admittedly, a hamfest may not be the best place to sample the ham
radio population. I was quick to remind my friend that most hams were
decent family people, and that the eccentric minority was very
visible at hamfests.  
 
The point that I'm trying to make is that we need to be cognizant of
our appearance when dealing with non-hams, especially those in the
media or in positions of governmental authority. The contact should
be treated as a business meeting, with appropriate professional
appearance (i.e., a tie and jacket). Some time ago, I saw a photo of
a ham speaking to a government official (regarding an antenna issue).
The official was in a suit; the ham was in shorts and T-shirt. Not
good. -- Paul Akimov, W2RIA 

+ LETTERS: WORK WEEK AMATEURS

In past newsletters, I've noticed comments about disaster drills
being held on weekdays that resulted in various numbers of personnel
not being able to get time off from work to respond. Folks need to
keep in mind that this factor mimics the number of personnel who
might be stranded, injured or even killed in an incident. Teams need
to be prepared to function with as little as 25% of their total
response capability.

Like the man said: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong! Every team
member needs to be cross-trained and ready to do multiple jobs for
undetermined periods. -- Jeff Sabatini, KI6BCX, Redlands Emergency
Communications Group

+ "EMCOMMWEST 2006" MAY 6-7 RENO, NEVADA
 
Reno, Nevada - Preparation for the 2006 edition of EMCOMMWEST is
underway. This year the conference will be held at the Atlantis Hotel
and Resort in Reno. Many new and exciting themes will be added this
year, much of which will center on response to large-scale disasters,
such as Hurricane Katrina, and how Amateur Radio is there when all
else fails!
 
The event is once again sponsored by the ARRL, and will feature
exhibits and presentations, including keynote speaker Dave Patton,
NN1N, Manager of ARRL Field and Educational Services, from Newington.
Emergency Communication Vehicle displays, ARRL Forum, data and
digital communication forums will be held. 
 
For conference registration, banquet and special room rates at the
hotel, log on to <http://www.emcommwest.org/> today. Additional
contacts: Don Carlson, KQ6FM <kq6fm@charter.net>; and Dee Arnold,
KA7LOZ <deearnold@charter.net>;
 
+ PERSPECTIVE: EMBRACE TRAINING

The responses to recent tornadoes in Alabama, Tennessee and other
states are continuing examples of the worth of Amateur Radio.
Operators logged hundreds of hours assisting multiple served agencies
before, during and after these tragic events.  These localized
disasters drive home the need for operators to continually train,
prepare, practice and test so we can provide the best and most
valuable public service. 

We are doing that. For example, the American Red Cross has improved
its training and is focusing more on Amateur Radio. I was recently
invited to attend the Red Cross Response Technology Training in
Austin, Texas. This was an informational and intense seven-day
classroom and hands-on training workshop that taught the attendees
about trends in technology.  State of the art technology is being
used in networking, servers, routers, computers, databases,
communications, and IP technology. Wireless and satellite technology
is being used to connect all of these systems together. Several
amateurs attended this training.
  
In the evenings, Red Cross volunteers taught an amateur license class
for interested training attendees. At the end of the week, the local
VE team tested the candidates and we now have 11 new amateurs.  The
previous class session produced 25 new amateurs.

Many amateurs are now embracing training, preparing, practicing and
testing more than ever before to be better organized, equipped and
ready when needed.  I challenge you to take all the training you can,
and gain experience by participating in public service and emergency
events.  I also challenge amateurs that worked in the Katrina relief
effort last year to pass on what you learned and share your
experiences: Put on a presentation at your club or teach a class.
  
June 1 is the start of hurricane season and we must be ready, but we
were reminded last week that other threats exist, and are real and
constant. We must be prepared for all emergencies large or small. --
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Alabama Section Manager <http://www.arrl-al.org/>

PERSPECTIVE: EMERGENCIES VERSUS DISASTERS

Tom Cox, VE6TOX, in his Communications Academy paper, recently helped
me to a new understanding about the important differences between
emergencies and disasters.  Amateur Radio resources are seldom called
upon for "emergencies," and nearly always called upon for
"disasters."

In emergencies, conventional communications systems remain intact and
available, although perhaps overloaded or unable to connect all
responders.  In disasters, conventional communications systems are
destroyed.  Emergency services train and respond to "emergencies"
every day; it is what they do, and they usually become very good at
it.  No one becomes very good at disasters because they are
infrequent events and do not repeatedly happen in the same areas
(except Florida).  Look at an incident and ask yourself "will
applying more emergency services (fire, police, EMS) to the problem
quickly make it better?"  If it would, then it is an emergency
incident; if not, it is a disaster. All the king's horses and all the
king's men could have done little in South Mississippi last season. 
Disasters are incidents that exceed the ability of emergency services
to make an effective response.

We are seeking recommendations to prepare us for rare, perhaps
once-in-a-lifetime, events, not the common. -- Jerry Reimer, KK5CA,
South Texas SEC; ARRL National Emergency Response Planning Committee
member

+ A FINAL FROM K1CE

A few weeks ago, I handled a radiogram on one of the local VHF nets
routed via a major HF net in the Northern Florida section. The
message had a simple preamble, address, text, and signature, and yet
it was garbled significantly from the original. If there is one thing
that we must do right ARES operators, it is to send a message
accurately. It is more important than timeliness, or any other
feature of message-handling. Take the time to send it right. We hang
our hats on that. 
_____________

The hundredth anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Fire, and the
recent spate of tornadoes in the Midwest remind us that it's not just
hurricanes that rip up lives and property. Natural and man-made
disasters are pan-continental, and we must be prepared to deal with
all of them. And, by judging from the ARES reports received, we are.

See you next month! - K1CE