The Auxiliary Communications Service held its quarterly meeting on February 25, 2006, at the Delridge Community Center in West Seattle. After an introduction of those present, ACS Director Mark Sheppard, N7LYE, recognized the work of QRV? Editor Peter Smith N7BYP, Net Coordinator Bill Ehler K7NZV, Webmaster Paula Weir KC7FAB, Digital Wizard Steve Monsey N0FPF, Saturday Net Coordinator George Boswell K7YHB, and overall ACS coordinator, planner, and helper Bill Dockstader K7LSK.

Seattle Emergency Management

     Barb Graff, Director, and JoAnn Jordan, Public Education Coordinator of Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management spoke on new directions in emergency preparedness and response.

     Director Graff began by explaining the functions and organization of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) within the Seattle Police Department. She described the overall mission of the OEM as developing and maintaining emergency preparedness plans, programs, education, and training for the City of Seattle and for its citizens.

     Seattle has an emergency plan which has been tested through a number of exercises including TOPOFF, a high level disaster simulation conducted in cooperation with the federal government. Director Graff emphasized the importance of continuing assessment of emergency preparedness. She explained how the National Assessment Review helps OEM identify strengths and direct resources to areas where improvements are indicated. The direct involvement of state and county emergency management professionals in assessment processes gives strength and credence to program reviews.

     Because Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) are the essential single point of coordination for information and plans of action during disasters they must be adequately staffed and equipped to meet the needs placed upon them. Because of increasing demands placed on emergency management services, a new and more functional facility is being planned.

     Changes are being contemplated for neighborhood disaster teams as well as the ways through which ACS participates with those teams in disaster relief. The goal is to offer existing neighborhood SDART teams continuing support and to offer new neighborhood teams a variety of ways to organize themselves. Neighborhoods will then be encouraged to use those methods that will work best for their particular situations. Although ACS will continue to provide a key role in disaster communications, its current SDART/community center emphasis may change. One plan under consideration is to incorporate ACS teams within city governmental teams. These teams would provide emergency services for city government and citizens during times of disaster. Emergency service centers would be established at various locations throughout the city to minimize disruptions caused by geographical isolation. As new plans are being considered, ACS members are encouraged to share comments and suggestions with the planners.

     Public Education Coordinator Jordan commented on the nature and scope of emergency preparedness education. She mentioned four specific areas for focus: (1) city employees, (2) citizens, (3) businesses, and (4) schools, including preschools. Specifically, with regard to the current neighborhood-oriented Seattle Disaster Aid and Response Teams (SDART), Coordinator Jordan suggested changes in the offing, starting with a new name more descriptive of the roles and functions of the SDART program. More than merely a name change, however, the overall aim will be to help neighborhoods develop ways to empower themselves to organize, train, conduct exercises and assess their level of preparedness.

     In a concluding question and answer session the following points were brought up.

OEM is responding to the backlog of people awaiting further information for organizing neighborhoods.

There is a continuing need for kits containing materials for self-help drills and exercises.

Retirement communities must not be overlooked.

Value of backup facilities for the emergency operations center.

Potential help from retired persons.

Importance of training and communication of emergency preparedness plans and emergency response organization to city employees.

Hurricane Katrina Experiences

     Mat Marcus recounted his experiences as an emergency ham radio operator in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. He showed photos of the devastation caused by Katrina and explained the organization of amateur radio-related emergency communications in the area.

     Mat emphasized the importance of knowing the context and structure of emergency operations and suggested ACS members avail themselves of training opportunities to learn local, regional, and national incident command systems. He also noted the value of flexibility in finding various effective means of communications, including such commonly used means as cell phones, in addition to ham radio.

     His experience taught him that ham operators are often needed for non-communications tasks and that hams should be ready to offer their assistance. Since returning home, Mat has continued to complete courses in emergency management and communications. He concluded by noting the value in continuing education building emergency communication skills.