PARTICIPANTS MUST CONSULT THIS PAGE FOR PLAN UPDATES,    AFTER ACTION REPORTS (FIRES, LOST PERSON SEARCH, POWER OUTAGES, SNOW STORMS, ...); PRACTICE NETS, DRILLS,   ETC..

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10/26/2021  1100 HOURS - Village Frontier LL now OPERATIONAL.

10/25/2021  Comms Failure - Village Frontier LL - no dial tone. (repairs scheduled for tomorrow between 1 and 5 PM - Per Frontier.

10/24/2021  Electrical Outage PG&E - Wilson Hill Area and SW from that location. We have been having Heavy Rain / Strong Winds

10/21/2021 Practice Net Simplex / Relay:  Tonight we did the SER net using 505 Simplex.  A Relay Station (East of the Village - Battle Creek) was used. Thank you Steve (KQ6CS). This was an exercise showing Simplex operations and the need for Relay. Due to the weather, we merely "silent monitored" the 760 repeater since its power source is Solar / Battery. Thus, saving battery power for emergencies. Our Net Agenda tonight was for situation reports only. The QWA procedure was not done due to the rain. Of course, if there was a fire and you were aware of it, you would report it.  Thus, the Agenda for a SER Net may vary based upon the conditions and circumstances. You need to therefore listen for the Activation Instructions. Summary Results: We had the  following reports (all QXA):  4 Divisions  7 Areas 21 Station reports       (Battle Creek - 1;        Starlite - 1 (non ham via e-mail relay since no Area Ham - but in emergency non ham would use the Ham         frequency);        Viola - 1;        Midway - 4;        Rest Area - 1;        Long Hollow - 1;        Village - 12).   Net time 21 minutes (which includes 9 plus minutes for activation, setting up net infrastruction, mapping boards, triangulation maps, and allowing neighborhood areas to conduct their individual nets on their Ch 1 and be repeared to relay into Ham Net.  Our SER Ham Net Infrastructure (i.e., Ham Operations supporting the Net While it is operating; and ready to respond), included this evening the following operations (some being conducted, with no TX unless needed):      Net Control      Relay East      160 TC (Last resort emergency communications plan for Emergency Services Contact  -                     when all normal communications have failed and no other ability to reach 911).      Cal Fire Monitor  (monitoring Cal fire Ch 20 for Divisional Impacts);      Mapping 1  (mapping all the reports and providing summary) (Triangulation on standby);      760 Monitor (silent running) - monitoring for emergency traffic on the repeater Scan Frequency;                                                     while the Net was conducted on 505 simplex. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE VITAL DURING THE WINTER. WE HAVE HAD LARGE STORMS WHICH, IN THE PAST, KNOCKED OUT ALL COMMUNICATIONS AND PG & E POWER FOR SHINGLETOWN.  AT THE TIME, SHINGLETOWN WAS WITHOUT ABILITY TO CALL 911 OR EVEN RECEIVE A REVERSE 911 CALL. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS IN SHINGLETOWN.  SOME PEOPLE HAD MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND WERE TRAPPED IN THEIR HOMES. IN ANOTHER SITUATION, NEIGHBORS USED SNOW SHOES  TO ENABLE TRANSPORT FUEL FOR HEATING TO A DISABLED PERSON SNOW BOUND.. PLEASE CONTINUE THE SCAN PLAN DURING THE WINTER - THIS IS A 24/7  AND ALL YEAR AROUND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.  Thank you. Nathan .

10/19/2021 - Comms Failure - Frontier LL 1025 hrs   FRONTIER LAND LINE FAILURE AGAIN  (Village and Starlite, ...)- NOT OPERATING.   TX Village Ch 1 &760. 0930  Village Frontier Land Lines now OPERATING. TX  Village Ch1   & 760. Per OES web site, power has been restored to all in Shingletown Core except for 1 customer in emigrant trail area. TX 760.

10/18/2021 - (1930 hours  update on PG & E Power outage) Area showing no power is now from just East of Lake McCumber Road & 44 (East of M line &44) continuing easterly past viola.  (per OES Web Site). Village still has no Frontier Land Line (no dial tone).  (no TX for this update) 10/18/2021 (update between 1725 and 1736 hours): PG & E Power RESTORED TO:  Starlite Pines; Battle Creek; Rest Area and Bible Belt.  Note for future reference: Internet Resource OES Power Outages has not yet been updated for this current information - still shows power out. This emphases that on site radio reports are  very important as Internet information may not be current and/or the internet may not be working. Village - Frontier Land Lines - still not operational - Failure - no ability to dial 911, or receive reverse 911 call, etc...  As of 1813 Hours Starlite also still has no Frontier Land Line. 1751 - OES web site shows power restored to previous areas near Manton - easterly and southernly. - 1 outage in North of Mill Creek. TX on 760

10/18/2021 (updated 1515  hours):  Village Frontier Land Lines BACK TO FAILURE - NON OPERATIONAL.   TX 760

10/18/2021 (updated 1500  hours):  Village Frontier Land Lines NOW restored and operational. Previously reported PG& E Power Outages (below) - still in effect.

10/18/2021 (updated 1045 hours):  Village - Frontier Land Line Failure (Frontier made aware of Area Outgage - No DIAL TONE. Frontier to be out on 10/19/2021. Following reported having Frontier Land Line: Midway, Long Hollow; Battle Creek.    ELECTRICAL - PG & E OUTAGE extending from just East of Shingletown / Wilson Hill Eastward (generally north and south of highway 44 - past Viola to Highway 44 and to Highway 89. Rest Area - per OES website).  Battle Creek,  Rest Area reported on Radio - no power). Following reported having Power: Village; Midway; Long Hollow. Manton PG & E power outage - extending from just south of Manton Easterly to highway 89 and southernly  below highway 89 (per OES web site). Suspected cause of PG  & E outages - weather / we had strong winds / rain / snow in some areas. Above was TX on 760 and Village 1.

10/17/2021: Afternoon into evening - Wilson Hill and SW from SWE QTH - Power outage (cause not known);   2245 hours - Village - Frontier Land line - no dial tone.

10/14/2021: Practice Net (Note: Practice Nets involve ACTUAL reporting. Thus, stations are actually conducting Brevity Fire Watch Reports (QWA), and We are still in FIRE SEASON.) Hams assisting:   KB6BZL (Village);  K6PDS. Practice  involved:     SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M) AND QWA PROCEDURE.. Net Activation:  SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M)   AND   QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505).   Net Infrastructure:  Shingletown Net Control; 505 Relay; 160 TC; Cal Fire Monitor ; Mapping;   K6PDS Divisions Reporting:  4 Areas Reporting 5:  (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway - 4; Rest Area - 1; Village - 17;  Digger Butte -1 (e-mail relay – outside antenna  in process and No Hams to assist); Starlite - 1 (e-mail relay - no hams to assist).   NOTE: IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY SITUATION (SEE SERCOM), NON HAMS CAN USE HAM FREQUENCIES  CH 55 AND/OR CH 58. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL STATIONS PRACTICE USING RADIOS. Report results:  QXA   QWA. Reports: 24 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 19 Minutes (approx).    Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  PLUS, Stations give Situation Report (e.g., ability to call 911, no electrical, earthquake level, etc… ).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !).

Village Drill - 10/9/2021 (evacuation preparedness):   At 1600 Hours drill was conducted in the Village. NO prior notice was given. This was spontaneous. Exercise scenario:  Tree blocking Shasta Forest Drive near Bambi preventing  egress from Village.  In the case of the Village, this means approximately 400 homes couldn't evacuate in the event of an evacuation order for wild fire (or other emergency). Request was made for Chain Saw Crews to report to clear blockage at the designated area.  The exercise was a "DRILL" and such was announced during the Drill Activation. Response:  The Village had two (2) radio operators ready to respond (SI and L3)  They were on Village Ch 1. Evaluation:  Very Good. Notes: Chain Saw Crews should have such items, including:     1.  chain saw (full of gas and oil);     2.  Heavy Chain / Rope for pulling;     3.  Pry Bar;     4.  gloves;     5.  eye and ear protection;     6.  First Aid Kit.     7.  Vehicle / Truck with ability to connect Chain / Rope for pulling debris off of road;     ALSO: Radio, Mag Mt Antenna on Vehicle; Water to drink; rake / heavy broom to clear debris off of road which could pop tires. GREAT JOB VILLAGE. Exercise Time: completed in less than 2 minutes. All Areas should be conducting similar real world drills.   Nathan

10/7/2021: Practice Net (Note: Practice Nets involve ACTUAL reporting. Thus, stations are actually conducting Brevity Fire Watch Reports (QWA), and We are still in FIRE SEASON.) Hams assisting:   KB6BZL;  K6PDS. Practice  involved:     SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M) AND QWA PROCEDURE.. Net Activation:  SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M)   AND   QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505).   Divisions Reporting:  4 Areas Reporting 5:  (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway - 4;   Long Hollow -1; Village - 10;  Digger Butte -1 (phone relay – outside antenna  in process and No Hams to assist); Starlite - 1 (e-mail relay - no hams to assist).   NOTE: IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY SITUATION (SEE SERCOM), NON HAMS CAN USE HAM FREQUENCIES  CH 55 AND/OR CH 58. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL STATIONS PRACTICE USING RADIOS. Report results from Areas: All reported   QXA   QWA. Reports: 17 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 19 Minutes (approx).    Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  PLUS, Stations give Situation Report (e.g., ability to call 911, no electrical, earthquake level, etc… ).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !).

10/7/2021: Inwood Area continues obstruction of SER Plan (Vital Murs backbone frequency allocation has been pulled). However,  SER unable to allocate to another Area to benefit all of Shingletown due to Inwood continuing to use for social talk. Inwood breached its agreement to follow and participate in the SER Plan for the purpose of benefiting all of Shingletown (including Inter-Area Relay and mutual assistance). The vital Murs frequency would not have been allocated to Inwood,  if Inwood had not misrepresented intentions.

10/5/2021  - Frontier internet failure  1957 hours (Village  B3, F1 L3 B6 F8 E1 T10);   2004 hours F1 cell failure;  internest failure still in effect as of 2225 hours.

9/30/2021- No Practice Nets.

9/23/2021:  observed "fire" indicator showing on Firemappers page.Lat Long  -122.062  40.603. plotted on Fmt Romeo 9. Estimated to be  approx 7 1/2 miles WSW of Whitemore and 6 miles SSW of Oakrun. Winds out of the NE at 9 MPH.  Plotted 10 Deg TRUE from Inks Ridge Camera; and  3 Deg True from Tuscan Butte camera - but views from Cameras showed nothing. As of 2122 hours item "disappeared" from Firemappers page. However, was still showing on Nat Fire Situation Awareness Mapp. However, Cameras still showed nothing.  Made Contact with Oak Run Prim Freq. - they advised Cal Fire had searched and was unable to locate the reported fire. It appears someone reported as fire, but they were viewing the Fawn incident.  All units cancelled.  No TX on SER Plan. Silent Monitoring deactivated 2139 hours. K6PDS.

9/19/2021 – Vehicle Fire – Highway 44/Brokeoff Meadows Rd. Area. Cal Fire tone out  approx 1818 hours.  SER Net monitoring then Advisory on 760.  Possible 1144 / Vehicle Fire / trapped in vehicle.  Follow up monitoring: Cal Fire (Meadows IC) eported fire out.  SER Advisory net deactived 1825 hours.  After Action:  Hams on 760    KB6BZL &  K6PDS.                          Non Hams: How much benefit was there to Non Hams (which is most of Shingletown)? After above incident, a few test calls were made (some on radio – Ch 1 for neighborhoods and some by Phone) to check on non Ham monitoring.   Result - favorable: Neighborhoods (Non Hams)  advised that they were monitoring Ch 10 and Heard the SER Advisory. Areas included:  Village; Starlite; Midway, Emigrant, Rest Area (via follow up e-mail); and Inwood.  Viola – phone call made, radio programming error fixed and test conducted afterwards to confirm working.  Long Hollow – monitoring Ch 9 – needs to also monitor Ch 10 (760 Repeater). Not all areas were called by phone since purpose to conduct a random test.. Remember: the SER Plan is focused upon ALL OF SHINGLETOWN ( NON HAMS and Hams).   A Non Ham  reporting a fire is critical (and may be the call that  saves your neighborhood and /or critical evacuation information) and the SER Plan provides for it.  Fires do not distinguish between those licensed and those who are not. We all burn the same.  Please ask others to join in.   CRITICAL INFORMATION REMINDER: Non Hams can transmit on the SER Plan 760 repeater and 505 simplex frequencies for Emergencies involving SAVING LIFE and when no other means available.  Follow the SER Plan and Documentations.  Have your radios on 24/7.  (See Shingletown Emergency Radio Communications Operations Manual).  Thank you.  Nathan Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

9/15/2021  0950 hours Cal Fire Smoke Check Dersch / 44. SER silent monitoring of Cal Fire traffic. Attempted contact on Dersch / 44 Ch 1 - no response.  1013  hours Cal Fire reported UTL. SER silent monitoring deactivated. QSY Scan.

9/12/2021  Shingletown - multiple areas - Frontier Land Line No Dial Tone. Village reported to Frontier on 9/11/2021 - Frontier will not be out until Monday.  Concern is increased risk of inability to report wild fires.  Frontier erroneously claims - not an area problem.

9/10.2021 - Shingletown Smoke Check (1900 hours). Cal fire Waterleaf / 44.  SER Net Silent monitoring. Cal Fire conclusion - Camp fire  in are of 40.51228   121.9776.  No activation. SER Net Silent Monitoring Concluded  1926 hours.

Several reports to be posted once I recover from medical.

8/6/2021  - Shingletown Fire     2109 hours Cal Fire Tone out. and Cal Fire Responding. Emerald Way and Jasper Rd. Area. Incident: Emerald. In area of   -121.7636   40.4940 Note: Incident didn't even show up on the Fire Mappers web page until at the very end when deactivated.   KB6BZL, KQ6CS, KE6POV (TAC 11) , K6PDS, AND VILLAGE F7 (RADIO ROOM MONITORING) MONITORED. Monitoring Net held on 760.   KQ6CS MOBILE  (Ground) AND DROVE TO INCIDENT LOCATION.   Formal FIRE NET activation held pending situation reports.   Per Cal Fire "controlled by locals:  Per Ground (KQ6CS) AT SCENE NO FIRE VISIBLE. Cal fire releasing / cancelling assets. LOCATION WAS APPROX 1.7 MILES SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 44 AND LAKE  MCCUMBER RD.   SER NET MONITORING OF INCIDENT DEACTIVATE 2133 HOURS. Ground (KQ6CS) reported arrived safely at home QTH.   THANK YOU STEVE (KQ6CS) FOR BEING MOBILE AND REPORTING FROM THE SCENE. NOTE: THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO CAL FIRE CAMERAS TO VIEW THIS FIRE UNTIL IT BECAME LARGE. Nathan

07/29/2021 Practice Net: Report: 4 Divisions; 7 Areas; 29 Station Reports; Net Time  19 minutes.

07/26/2021   0630  Internet Information: CA-BTU Dixie Fire: 197,487 acres timber, 22% contained. Evacuation Orders and Warnings in effect for multiple communities. Threat to critical water and power infrastructure and critical communications infrastructure for CHP, Cal Fire, Fish and Wildlife, high. Rail lines closed and remain threatened. Highways 70, 89 and 32 have closures. Unified command with CAL Fire IMT 1 (Truax) and Type 1 CA Team 2 (Minton).  Source: https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/news.php

07/22/2021  Practice Net (Note: Practice Nets involve ACTUAL reporting. Thus, stations are actually conducting Brevity Fire Watch Reports (QWA), and We are in FIRE SEASON.) Practice  involved:     SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M) AND QWA PROCEDURE.. Net Activation:  SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M)   AND   QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505). Areas Reporting (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway  4;   Village 15;   Rest Area  1;  Battle Creek 4; Digger Butte 1 (phone relay – outside antenna  in process). Report results from Areas: All reported   QXA   QWA. Reports:  25 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 21 Minutes (approx).    THIS NET WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE SHINGLE FIRE. After Ham Net: Each Area to relay Ham Net Summary with Net Control Recommendation into their Individual Area (and at that time include Plain English Meaning of QXA and  QWA for your Areas).  Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  PLUS, Stations give Situation Report (e.g., ability to call 911, no electrical, earthquake level, etc… ).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !).

07/22/2021  1635 hours  Commercial Vehicle Fire reported in area of Ponderosa Way and Highway 44. Thank you W4LQL (ROB - Village) for announcing on 760.  Also,  KM6IQS (Jeff- Bible Belt)  transmitted on Frequency information on Fire Situation - Thank you to both of you. SER Fire Net Activated - Fire Control requested that All  neighborhood nets be advised of situation on Each Areas Ch 1 - (such can be done by Hams and/or Non Hams - such are non ham frequencies), and for all stations to monitor Ch 10 (760 Repeater)  and/or Cal Fire Dispatch - Ch 20.  Cal Fire Tactical for this incient  "Shingle",  and Tac 11.  Fire in vegetation  - moderate rate of spread.  There was no Cal Fire Camera view of of this Fire. Location in area of  121.9372   40.5097. Also, the Fire didn't appear on the Internet Fire Mappers web page for over 25 minutes into the Fire.  The Fire was approx 1.5 miles West by North West  of Shasta Forest Village Dr. (which is the only point for evacuation of  the Village) and Highway 44.   KB6BZL (Don- Village) was going to go mobile to Scene for ground reporting; however, KQ6CS (Steve - Battle Creek) was mobile and  reported he was at the scene (with mobile radio).  KB6BZL assumed TAC 11 monitor.  KQ6CS assumed Ground. K6PDS  assumed Fire Control, Flight Radar - internet, and Internet Winds, and mapping. W6MWM ((in Rest Area) reported into net and was on standby for Fire Net duties. During Fire Net,  progress reports and summaries were transmitted in real time into the Fire Net From TAC 11 monitor; Ground; and  Fire Control (for wind speed and wind direction per Internet at  fire location; and Air Radar reports as to Air Assets fighting fire from the sky, etc...).  Persons monitoring the SER Fire Net had real time up to date information as to the fire status, wind direction, Cal Fire Ground assets activity  (ground crews, Engines, Dozers, etc...), Air Attack Assets, Fire activity / behavior reports, Hose Lay status,  Cal fire reports of fire size (made during Fire Net), and ultimately releasing of Assets as fire controlled.  Fire was on south side of highway 44 and did not cross over highway 44. SER Fire Net deactivated 1736 hours.  All Station advised QSY SER Scan Plan. After Action Comments: we were unable to locate any Internet Camera with view of the Fire. Thus, having a Ground station reporting from the scene was vital.  Also, KQ6CS reported into Fire Net when he had returned home safely from acting as Ground.   Thank you and Thank God. Nathan  K6PDS

07/21/2021   2345 hours through  midnight and continuing thereafter .... - Frontier Internet Failure  -  Area Village (Figaro). No radio TX due to late hour.  LL still working. about midnight 06 hours called Frontier and reported Internet outage.  Per Frontier 374 customers impacted by outage  - Frontier advised that it has already been escalated.   Incident #  "1215019auto".  As of 0630  (7/22/2021) restored (time of restoration not known).

07/21/2021   2306 hours - Dollar General Shingletown - Commercial structure alarm. Cal Fire responding  CDF Tac 11. K6PDS - SER Fire Incident Silent Monitoring  (hold on  issuing SER Advisory or SER Fire Net Activation pending monitoring of situation) - No SER TX of situation as of yet pending Cal Fire Radio Reports.  2312 hours - no smoke showing per General IC; 2314 hours no smoke - Cal fire  trying to gain access. 1 engine continuing / cancel balance. General IC - Cancel 2nd Engine.   2340 hours -  SER Deactivated Incident Silent Monitoring for  "General"  incident.  QSY SER Scan and Cal Fire Radio Tone Outs  for Shingletown.

07/21/2021  1755 hours:  QWI - for Web - No TX.    CA-BTU Dixie Fire:  91,268 acres timber, 15% contained. Active fire behavior with crowning and long range spotting. Evacuation Orders and Warnings in effect for multiple communities. Threat to critical water and power infrastructure, critical communications infrastructure for CHP, CAL Fire, Fish and Wildlife and others remains threatened. State Route 70 remainis closed. Unified command with CAL Fire IMT 1 (Truax) and Lassen N.F. Type 1, CA Team 2 (Minton) is assigned.  Per:  Northern California Geographic Coordination Center  https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/news.php

07/20/2021  QWI - for Web - No TX.     1830  CA-BTU Dixie Fire:  61,376 acres timber, 15% contained. Active fire behavior with crowning and long range spotting. Evacuation Orders and Warnings in effect for multiple communities. Threat to critical water and power infrastructure, critical communications infrastructure for CHP, CAL Fire, Fish and Wildlife and others, rail lines, high value private timberlands, Feather River Watershed and Critical wildlife habitat, Pacific Crest Trail, Cultural and historical sites. State Route 70 is closed. Unified command with CAL Fire IMT 1 (Truax) and Lassen N.F. Type 1, CA Team 2 (Minton) in-brief today.     Per:  Northern California Geographic Coordination Center  https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/news.php

7/19/2021 - Vehicle Fire Manton - spread to vegetation.  Village S6 gave initial report (LL).  Winds out of South at 12 MPH.  K6PDS gave Information report on 760.  Fire in area of  -121.8990    40.513 (per Camera Mapping Incident  Easterly of that Lat / Long; Fire visible on Wilson Camera, approx. 2.8 miles SSE of Highway  44 and Wilson Hill.     Shortly thereafter, KQ6CS advised on 760 that  fire has been knocked down. Midway copied 760 TX and advised on Village Ch1. W6MWM copied on 760.  DOO copied on 760. No activation. QSY Scan  [note: this evening the Fire Mapping showed -121.8863   40.4499 which is closer to the AZ showing on Camera at Wilson Hill)  - prior location marked is no longer showing.

7/16/2021 - Bullskin Incident  approx -122.0232   40.7245. Oakrun Net  aware and monitoring. Fire is North of the Shingletown Core - no Shingletown activation - QWI isssued.  Thank you Village Sierra 6 for relay of information. QSY Shingletown Scan.

SERCOM - Manual updating. Link  http://www.shastadefense.com/1A-SERCOM.docx

7/16/2021:  Wilson Hill (Shingletown) Cal Fire Camera is not working (0842 hours) - last image date / time: 2021/07/16 time 04 49 hours).

7/15/2021  - Practice Net (Note: Practice Nets involve ACTUAL reporting. Thus, stations are actually conducting Brevity Fire Watch Reports (QWA), and We are in FIRE SEASON.) Practice  involved:     SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M) AND QWA PROCEDURE.. Net Activation:  SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M)   AND   QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505). Areas Reporting (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway  3;   Village 14;   Rest Area  1;  Battle Creek 4; Digger Butte 1 (phone relay – outside antenna  in process). Report results from Areas: All reported   QXA   QWA. Reports:  23 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 20 Minutes (approx).  We experienced malicious radio interference which interfered with the Neighborhood Nets, and Ham Nets. . After Ham Net: Each Area to relay Ham Net Summary with Net Control Recommendation into their Individual Area (and at that time include Plain English Meaning of QXA and  QWA for your Areas).  Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  PLUS, Stations give Situation Report (e.g., ability to call 911, no electrical, earthquake level, etc… ).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !).

7-15-2021. SER Plan Changes.  Previously telephone calls were made to  Ham operators when there was a fire near their home, and they were not responding on frequency.  As of 7/15/2021 each person can decide if they will make telephone calls. The purpose of the SER program is RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, not telephone calling as such disrupts emergency radio communications.  Hams and others need to decide if they  want to benefit from the SER Plan - that is their decision. If telephone, e-mail, social media, internet  is your focus for emergency communications, that is your decision. The SER program is for when all that doesn't work.  The Foxtrot 1 special alerting option procedure & Frequency is deactivated - not enough Hams.

7-12-2021  - PG  & E planned power outage for Village Area PLUS OTHER AREAS (repairs). Start 7/12/2021  1800 hours through 7/13/2021 0600 hours.  No other Areas reported such planned outage when requested over 760.  QWI issued on 760 - Monitor for any emergency traffic.  After 6 hours Village will have land line failure unless Frontier has placed generators in Village. Also, without individual generators, VOIP / Internet, etc... will not work.  Thus, potential for complete communication failure. Note:  PG&E Planned Outage Coordinator line returned phone call and advised that this is a Major Outage with over 1087 customers (plus another 148) impacted - he said it was a long list. Partial listing received over phone and TX on 760.  PG& E advised it is described as "all of Shingletown".  Areas should be prepared.

7-11-2021   FORMAT ROMEO 14 H - Ham Simplex 505 - Propagation and Map Section reference.  ALERT: As of July,  2021, most existing hams are not  involved with Shingletown wildfire emergency communications.  We need more Hams that have an interest in helping all of Shingletown as we are confronted by the HIGH LEVEL OF DANGER WHICH WE ALL FACE AT THIS VERY MOMENT.  WE NEED NEW HAMS.   Testing of propagation is critical to determine stations that can act as Fire Controls and Relays on Simplex 505 in the event the 760 repeater is not available (e.g., burned off the mountain, mechanical failure, etc...).  At this time there are only 4 Hams that are helping in our weekly practice drills. If HAMS are not available during an emergency, then non hams MUST be prepared to step up to the plate and help out (following the SER Plan)! There are Areas / Neighborhoods presently stranded without non-ham inter-area communications due to lack of Ham operators. View some of the fire burning at present. The  Salt fire - 12,650 acres; Lava Fire - 26,162 acres; Tennant Fire - 10,580 acres; Beckwourth Complex - 86,076 acres.  Imagine the impact of such fires if they hit Shingletown - most, if not all, of Shingletown would be gone! July 2021 comment: If there are emergency communications in process on a Ham frequency,  please use common sense, and do not interfere and obstruct by talking about FCC rules (e.g., requirement of Station ID, Non Hams using Frequency, etc...).   The Actual FCC rules have been addressed by the SER Plan.  A Ham operator recently interfered with an actual emergency communication and proceeded to talk over a 911 relay request, while the Ham injected his erroneous and false statement of the FCC "rule".   The Ham apparently didn't even know what the actual rule was.  The actual FCC rules were in fact being complied with. The blocking of a 911 relay request during an emergency situation is not responsible.  We can all work together in these matters.

7/8/2021 - Practice Net Practice  involved:     SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M) AND QWA PROCEDURE.. Net Activation:  SIT REP (FMT TANGO 9A / 9M)   AND   QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505). Areas Reporting (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway  3;   Village 15;   Rest Area  1;  Battle Creek 3; Digger Butte 1 (phone relay – outside antenna  in process). Report results from Areas: All reported   QXA   QWA. Reports:  23 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 19 Minutes. After Ham Net: Each Area to relay Ham Net Summary with Net Control Recommendation into their Individual Area (and at that time include Plain English Meaning of QXA and  QWA for your Areas).  Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  PLUS, Stations give Situation Report (e.g., ability to call 911, no electrical, earthquake level, etc… ).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !). Comments: If during your neighborhood net, your Lead has to leave to attend to other matters (e.g., a family urgent matter, radio failure, etc... ) another station is to merely step in and take over – say, for example:   “Village S1, taking over as lead”.  Don't explain, just step in. Relay of all reports taken up to that point in time may be necessary. Thus, each station should be recording reports to avoid having to recap reports up to that time. We must plan on things not going "perfectly". We need more Ham stations participating in addition to more non hams participating (i.e., not merely listening, please actively participate).  We have neighborhoods stranded because we don’t have enough Ham operators helping out. If you are not a Ham, then please consider becoming one. Emergency Communications is an important part of Ham Radio. By having more stations verbally participate this will help develop synergy. Unless you participate, then others don't know you care. Great Job Everyone ! SER Ham  Net Infrastructure Stations (Net Control; Cal Fire Monitor; Mapping 1; 505 Relay):  KQ6CS;  K6PDS. We need more Hams to help out). Nathan  K6PDS

7/5/2021 - Radio Relay (from KG6AFA , mobile) to 911 reporting  substantial smoke column in Trinity Alps area, adising, may be in Ripple Creek Area North of Coffee Creek.  Relay Call to 911 made. K6PDS.

7/5/2021 Update per:  https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/news.php 07/05/2021 0715 CA-SHF Lava Fire: 24,974 acres timber and brush, 70% contained. Minimal fire behavior reported. Evacuation orders and Warnings remain in place. Repopulation remains ongoing in the fire area. Highway 97 remains closed. Rail lines, critical infrastructure, private timberlands, agricultural lands, cultural and historical resources threatened. Fire is currently being managed under unified command between CALFIRE and CA Type 1, Team 1 (McGowan). 07/05/2021 0715 CA-KNF Tennant Fire: 10,541 acres timber and brush, 51% contained. Moderate fire behavior reported. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Threat remains to critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, private timberlands, agriculture, grazing allotments, rail lines and critical infrastructure. State Hwy. 97 remains closed with road and trail closures in effect. Fire is in Unified Command with CalFire and CA Type 2, Team 15 (Harris). 07/05/2021 0715 CA-SHF Salt Fire:  11,693 acres timber and brush, 20% contained. Firing operation continued overnight. Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in place. Interstate 5 is open and remains threatened. Additional threats include powerlines, communication infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, campgrounds, RV parks, historical sites, private timberland, and cultural sites. California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is in command. (emphasis added)

July 4, 2021: Late this evening, persons were using fireworks in  Shasta Forest Village. We are in a tinder box.  On Bambi, a house had children playing on the front wooden porch with debris and junk on it while waiving sparklers. One one of the children ran though the dry grass in the front yard with a sparkler as sparks landed in the dry grass.  Advice was provided that "you might want to consider not using sparklers" - at which time the "adult" male came out to the street and rapidly approached saying he was going to "smash your face in". As he rapidly approached the driver door,  the driver closed the car door, and started to drive away while the male ran along side the car attempting to reach the driver window.  The car increased speed sufficiently to create distance and left as the person continued running after the car.  911 was contacted.  The house went dark.  Sheriff followed up by phone and  stated - thank you for what you did..   Tonight, Shasta Forest didn't have a forest fire.  Context:  at this very moment, there are large fires burning - e.g., the Tennant Fire, Lava Fire , and Salt Fire with persons having lost their homes. Mobile Radio relay call  to 911 made.  Nathan 7/5/2021 status:  +Tennant Fire - off of Tennant Road and Pengrass Road, South of Mount Hebron in Siskiyou County is 10541 acres and 51%  +Lava Fire near Hotlum Road and Lumm Road, northeast of Weed in Siskiyou County is 24,974 acres and 70% contained.  +Salt Fire =- is 11,693 acres and is at 20%

7/1/2021 - Practice Net Practice  involved:     QWA  practice. Net Activation:  Stations to performed QWA Procedure.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505). Areas Reporting (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway  4;   Village 12;   Rest Area  1;  Battle Creek 3. Report results from Areas: All reported QWA. Reports:  20 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 23 Minutes. After Ham Net: Each Area to relay Ham Net Summary with Net Control Recommendation into their Individual Area (and at that time include Plain English Meaning of QWA for your Areas).  Purpose:  To simulate situation where there is a Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...).  Also, QWA is used as a periodic "check" for suspect smoke, fire or embers - we should all be doing this routinely (report if needed - always call 911 !). Comments: If during your neighborhood net, your Lead has to leave to attend to other matters (e.g., a family urgent matter, radio failure, etc... ) another station is to merely step in and take over – say, for example:   “Village S1, taking over as lead”.  Don't explain, just step in. Relay of all reports taken up to that point in time may be necessary. Thus, each station should be recording reports to avoid having to recap reports up to that time. We must plan on things not going "perfectly". We need more Ham stations participating in addition to more non hams participating (i.e., not merely listening, please actively participate). If you are not a Ham, then please consider becoming one. Emergency Communications is an important part of Ham Radio. By having more stations verbally participate this will help develop synergy. Unless you participate, then others don't know you care. Great Job Everyone ! SER Ham  Net Infrastructure Stations:  KQ6CS;  K6PDS. Nathan  K6PDS

6/30/2021: Advisory - Salt Incident.  NW of Salt Creek  (In area of I 5). 1,000 acres and 4650 people without electrical power. Evacuations.   Learning Points.  This is a combination of Wildfire,  Evactuations and no eletrical power. Additionally, during the Cow Fire - radio traffic from Cal Fire advised they had no cell phones at one point.  All Shingletown Stations should be monitoring the Scan Plan 24/7 and routinely conducting the  QWA Procedure. Issue Radio Report only if necessary and dial 911.

06/29/2021:  Advisory - Rest Area - no internet, no cell phone - station advised no communication ability. Stations (Ham and Non Ham) requested to monitor for emergency traffic - Any station Ham or Non Ham to Handle emergency traffic.   Note: Cow Fire (Cow Creek and 44)  760 acres 100% contained); Lava Fire  (only 20% contained)) NE  of Weed :  has grown to 13,330 acres as of 6/29/2021 (per Cal Fire) and 20 % contained. Fire started on 6/24/2021. We all need to be monitoring 24/7.

06/24/2021 - Ser Practice Nets cancelled.

Follow up observations for the Practice Net of 6/17/2021: Tonights net was 21 minutes with 22 reports from 4 Areas. As you know, the first 9 minutes of the Ham Net is devoted to advising of the activation type and allowing the Ham Net Control station to set up and establish Net infrastructure (e.g., mapping, Cal fire Monitor). Emergencies don't happen at a scheduled time.  Within that 9 minutes, the Area Neighborhoods are to have started taking their reports at  6 minutes. Now if we take 21 minutes (total Net Time) less 9 minutes (set up / Neighborhood net activations, Neighborhood Report intake, etc...) leaves  12 minutes (which is the time for receiving and processing ALL Area Reports by the Ham Net Control. Thus, in 12 minutes, AREA NEIGHBORHOOD  reports were all received BY THE HAM NET, mapped, reviewed, summarized and a Ham Net Control Recommendation made.   Great Job to all of those who are helping out. Nathan

6/17/2021 - Practice Net Practice  involved:     Drill    QWK (KNOWN FIRES)    Drill - Shingletown Fire  - Drill. Net Activation:  Stations to perform QWA Procedure Actual reports.  (Prim Ham Net on 760 with backup 505 Relay Net on 505). Areas Reporting (results of individual Area Nets - Murs):  Midway  2;   Village 13;   Rest Area  3  (total reports);  Battle Creek 4. Report results from Areas: All reported QWA. Reports:  22 reports - all mapped with Net Control Recommendation (No Action - due to the favorable reports): Ham Net Time 22 Minutes. After Ham Net: Each Area to relay Ham Net Summary with Net Control Recommendation into their Individual Area (and at that time include Plain English Meaning of QWA for your Areas).  Purpose of Practice Drill:  To simulate situation where there is a large Shingletown Fire and all Stations perform a rapid Brevity Fire Watch Procedure (QWA Procedure) to determine if there is any SUSPECT smoke, fire or embers (i.e,, - other fires starting / spot fires, etc...). Great Job Everyone ! SER Ham  Net Infrastructure Stations:  KQ6CS;  K6PDS. Nathan  K6PDS

5/31/2021: Incident Fire - Emigrant IC: Awakened by Cal fire Dispatch; K6PDS to radios monitoring Cal Fire Dispatch  0312 hrs.  / mapping / Triangulation.  Cal Fire TAC 11 - no RX at Village.   0328  hours Cal Fire reported  fire contained / mop up. 1/4 acre vegetation fire. Location 33863 emigrant trail  / approx long / lat  -121.788    40.523 [SER Div 4 N  Starlite Area (East Side)]. Internet wind out of NE 8 mph. Cause eq uipment work on property per Cal Fire Dispatch. Internet Cameras - no visual. Internet Fire Mapping - took time before incident showed up. SER 760 Alerting held off pending monitoring of situation. Targeted Areas Ch 1 advisories - not activated - due to distance and terrain). Unknown if close proximity Areas Activated their Ch 1.  K6PDS was about to issue advisory on 760 when Cal Fire advised fire contained / mop up / Tehama engine cancelled ... .   SER No Activation.   Continued Monitoring. Returned to SER Scan / Reset Cal Fire. Back to Bed 0410 hours.

Comment: During a Fire / Incident, all stations are to follow SER Procedures. Please don't make up things, or change procedures.  Tacticals are used for a reason, and also tie into the Resource Internet page. Debating procedures during a Fire Net is not appropriate. Any Fire Control is to take direction from the HQ station (K6PDS). Use of Tacticals - Source of this information is https://harriscountyares.org/training/NET/NET-105.pdf   Copy is HERE (with hilights). Many Hams do not understand the use of Tacticals during an emergency, and the related FCC rules.  Please read the above.

5/27/2021:  Grahm Fire - Manton Area - Read Report HERE Note: the evacuation radio DRILL  that was planned  FOR 5/27/2021  was cancelled due to the Grahm fire.

5/25/2021:  Frontier Internet Failure with reports of Cell Phone Failure:. LL contact with Frontier and update reports Transmitted on 760 and Village Ch 1: Outage due to: fiber cut; power equipment problem and connection problem; It is part of 3 other large area outages.  Periodic reports  transmitted and received on 760 and Village Ch 1. Outages reported in following Shingletown Areas:  Dersch / 44 (W6CCR / KD7KAT ) ; Village (K6PDS);  Starlite (AJ6KJ); Rest Area W6MWM); Battle Creek (KQ6CS). Advisory issued: monitor for emergency traffic as cell phones not working; VOIP not working. Outage lasted until after midnight (time of restoration not known). 24/7 Scan Plan monitoring.

5-20-21  SER Practice Net - conducted Drill Emergency Radio Evacuation  (no vehicles used for this, only Radio Traffic). Radio evacuation reports were conducted with  2 Drill fires in Shingletown. Drill reports were communicated on 760. Reminder: once out of Your Area / Neighborhood, change frequency to 760 and  505  (dual watch may be desired). Village, Midway and Battle Creek participated. Hams who assisted:  KB6BZL,   KQ6CS, and K6PDS. Drill Fires were at:   1.  Approx  1/4 Mile NE of Digger Butte. Wind out of SE at 25 MPH.                                    2.  Approx  1/4 Mile North of Black Butte. Wind out of SE at  20 MPH. Evacuation DRILL Road Reports were made as follows: 1.  Village Foxtrot 1 (Ham imitating a Non Ham Reporting): Reporting from Highway 44 at Viola Christian Camp: Road blocked and closed. Drill accident police on scene.  Travel restricted to WB. Visibility in front of vehicle 200 yards. Smoke level /NP. No fire near road. End Report. 2.  K6PDS: Reporting from Highway 44 at Wilson Hill Rd.  Wilson Hill closed - no SB traffic - do not use. From Wilson Hill / 44 WEST Bound, traffic moving slow towards Redding. Visibility to front of vehicle 100 yards. Smoke level Moderate. No fire near road. End Report. 3. Village Foxtrot 7 (Ham imitating a Non Ham Reporting): Reporting from Highway 44 at   Black Butte Road. Black Butte Road Closed - do not use. Traffic on Highway 44 WB towards Redding, moving steady & slow. Visibility in front of Vehicle 50 Yards. Smoke level  HVY. No fire near road. End Report. 4.  Battle Creek 1 (Ham imitating a Non Ham Reporting): Reporting from Highway 44 at  Dersch. Dersch Road is closed - do not use. Traffic on Highway 44 WB towards Redding, moving steady & slow. Visibility in front of Vehicle 20 Yards. Smoke level  /MOD. No fire near road. End Report. A follow up DRILLl, was being planned using Ham Operators who would give REPORTS WHILE ACTUALLY MOBILE. A "FIRE CONTROL" WAS NOT GOING TO BE  DIRECTING RADIO TRAFFIC TO SIMULATE A LARGE SCALE EVACUATION (EVERYONE LEAVING). PURPOSE WOULD BE TO EMPHASIS THE CRITICAL NEED FOR PROPER  RADIO PROCEDURES.  CONCEPT OF A "ROLLING NET"  ("MOBILE NET" ) TO BE PRACTICED. AFTER ACTION: 1.  ABOVE WAS A CONCEPT - INITIAL RUN THROUGH. JUST LAST YEAR, SHINGLETOWN  HAD TWO FIRES BURNING AT THE SAME TIME AT EACH END OF SHINGLETOWN. THIS WAS DURING A "safety" power shut off taking place during the fires. Hours of work went into developing the procedure concepts.  I am not aware of anyone else ACTUALLY DOING this type of procedure for a large geographic area.  2.  THE LACK OF PARTICIPATION BY HAMS AND NON HAMS IS DISAPPOINTING.  IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH EFFORT TO RESPOND TO A RADIO CHECK IN AFTER  EXERCISES.

KRCRTV News: Cal Fire reports large increase in wildfires this year … Fire officials are urging Californians to have an evacuation plan in place as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out. …   Article link here:  May 5th 2021  https://krcrtv.com/news/local/california-sees-alarming-increase-in-wildfires-compared-to-same-time-last-year

5-15-2021 – Mill Fire:  Shingletown fire in area of approx. -121.7984   49.5588, Approx. 3 miles north of Highway 44 and Ritts Mill Road.  No road access / heavy brush. Fire approx. 5.2 acres.  Great job to Village B1, who advised of the fire on Village Ch1.  Also, at the same time  KQ6CS was transmitting information about the fire on the 760 repeater.  The SER Fire Net was activated along with the Village Fire Net.  KQ6CS was mobile and attempted to get a visual on the smoke column. After several attempts he obtained a visual on the smoke column, and continued providing reports relative to the location of the fire, size of the smoke column, wind speed, and wind direction.  Further, while mobile, KQ6CS was at the landing zone where a ground crew was off loaded from a helicopter.  KQ6CS loaded up the ground crew and transported them in his pickup truck towards the fire so they didn’t have to walk as far.  A locked gate eventually prevented further vehicle transport and the ground crew continued on foot. KQ6CS continued giving ground reports and also monitored Cal Fire Tac 9.  KB6BZL concurrently provided reports into the Fire Net on 760, also monitoring Cal Fire Tac 9 and Cal Fire Dispatch. Village Foxtrot 7 was monitoring Cal Fire and providing reports to Fire Control (K6PDS) at the Fire Control HQ (radio room / triangulation / mapping).  W6CCR was also on frequency assisting with the Fire Net. Tacticals activated for this Fire Net included: Triangulation / Mapping;  TAC 9 monitor;  Cal Fire Dispatch Monitor; Internet Cameras Monitor; Internet Winds; Internet Radar, Fire Control (760), and Fire Control (Village). Live, up to the minute, reporting was provided to those monitoring the Fire Net on the 760 repeater, and the Village Fire Net (on Village Ch 1).  During the Mill Incident, another fire was reported (Silver Incident).  Reports were provided for both the Mill Incident and the Silver Incident.  Several very favorable after action reports have been received from people from all areas of Shingletown. They advised that the SER Nets are very informative, and invaluable. Great Job to everyone!  Again, thank you to:  KQ6CS;  KB6BZL; K6PDS; W6CCR; VILLAGE BRAVO 1 AND VILLAGE FOXTROT 7.  Thank you to all who were listening and prepared to alert their neighbors if necessary.  SER Fire Net (Ham – 760) Deactivated and Village Fire Net (Village Ch 1) Deactivated at approx  1646 hours.  After Action Comments:  1.  We need more help running the Fire Nets. Multiple functions are being performed concurrently, and we need help. The Fire Nets must be able to function when those who normally man the radio stations are not available. 2.  Having a station Mobile and making ground observations is critical.  The internet will fail, PG&E cameras may be monitoring other situations or broken, and ground stations can report as to status of fire, smoke column behavior, wind direction etc… . 3.  Ham and Non Hams need to practice.  You may need to step up to the plate, help out, and follow the SER Plan. 4.  All residents and neighborhoods should have radios, programmed with the SER Plan for community coordination.  Nathan

05-13-2021: Ham Net Agenda for the Practice Net (1900 hours) was as follows:  Sitrep (Tango 9A or Tango 9M); and all stations conduct QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch).  Village, Midway,  Rest Area, and Battle Creek  participated.  Total Net time: approx 18 minutes (Ham Nets and Neighborhood Nets)..

5/12/2021:  Emigrant Incident (Circle K Area):  approx 1445 hours Cal Fire tone out.  Incident on Echkert Ln.  approx. Lat  Long 121.8314   40.5200 (Circle K Area).  SER Silent Monitoring pending situation. Cal fire TAC 11. As of 1451 hours Engine 2463 reported 10' by 10' spot. Cancelled response for other resources. QSY Scan. We need more Stations monitoring Cal fire and participating.

5/11/2021: vehicle fire - lisa glenn / 44.  Advisory.  Village Ch 1; Village stations responded on Frequency and Village station  went mobile with fire extinguisher.  Also, other Citizens on scene with fire extinguishers. Fire Extinguishers helped contain size of fire. Cal Fire arrived and extinguished fire.  Village advised that fire out.

05-08-2021: Village - Partial Frontier internet failure - Figaro. Restoration.

05-06-2021: Ham Net Agenda for the Practice Net (1900 hours) was as follows:  Sitrep (Tango 9A or Tango 9M); and all stations conduct QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch).  Village, Midway, and  Rest Area,  participated.  PLUS, during the above practice, two Village Stations reported Emergency Drill Traffic for a Smoke Column - Vertical, East of Village.   The Village Triangulation station  mapped both bearings (triangulated), and then determined the approximate location (calculating both township, range and section;  and Latitude and Longitude.)  Next a Drill Supplemental call to 911 (Cal Fire) was then made by another Village station as the practice net continued working reports.  During this process, an Inter-Area relay was received on Village Ch 1 from Midway, and the Rest Area reported into the Ham Net (760).  You can see how coordinated radio communications is essential. Inwood, made an attempt to check in, but used the wrong frequency, and then merely transmitted into Village CH1 while Village stations were on frequency (running the Village Net). As a result, the Inwood report wasn't heard and not recorded.  I am again offering to provide brief training. As the above Drill Practice shows (smoke column), meaningful information is required - you can't determine the location of a fire by merely saying "all okay" The news is filled with warnings about this fire season.  Also, Cal Fire has been conducting extensive Air Practice over the last 2 days.  Thus, they are preparing for a serious fire season. Is your Area preparing? The opportunity for Shingletown Areas to Practice, inter-alia, emergency radio communications, reporting fires, and preparing for evacuation communications is available. But, more neighborhoods need to participate. Additionally, following proper radio procedures and following the Plan is critical.  Meaningful information is required. We are practicing emergency radio communications, and mapping stations, triangulations stations, Leads, Area Coordinators, and Net Controls, etc...,  are all involved, and more are needed. Professional radio communication is essential. Now is the time for proper practice to make it seamless for when the real deal happens.  We can either pretend it will not happen to us; worry about it and do nothing, OR take the bull by the horns. face the threat and  be prepared.  Great Job to  Village Stations;  Rest Area Stations; and Midway Stations.

05-06-2021 (APPROX: 1055 HOURS):  Village - Random Drill conducted (No advance notice):  F1 reported on Village CH 1: Drill,  Drill - Shasta Forest Drive Blocked by Tree preventing egress to Highway 44. Need crews with trucks, Chains Saws, and Ropes that can respond now and remove tree to allow egress by residents.  Purpose of above Drill was to simulate road blockage during fire situation. Response from Village stations:   S6, S7, and S1 all advised  (in under 15 seconds) that they can respond with trucks and Chain saws.  S6 and S7 reported ETA  5 minutes to location.   GREAT JOB VILLAGE!

05-06-2021:  Inwood area was offered a brief training session by Village Coordinator.. Response from Inwood station - didn't want training session (no other Inwood station responded).  The Area merely does check ins. No procedures. Need someone in Area to help out so Area can actually help locate fires / smoke, and prepare for potential emergency evacuations,  etc... .

05-05-2021:  Cal Fire Heavy Smoke Starlite Pines area: approx 2045 hours; Engine  2463 responding; Village attempted contact on Starlite Ch1 - no response; 2121 hours Engine 2463 UTL.  SER Incident Silent Monitoring Deactivated.

04-29-2021: Practice Net (1900 hours) - Smoke Check Format Tango 4. Village, Midway, Battle Creek, Rest Area,  participated.  21 Smoke Check Stations reported among the 4 Areas (3 Divisions).

04-22-2021: 0824 hours - report of Travel Trailer on Fire - spread to vegetation Wildcat Road / Black Butte Rd. TAC 11; Wildcat IC;    Cal Fire  - false alarm - Cal Fire Cancelled 0841.  SER steps: Incident Silent monitoring ch 20;  Wind internet E 1 mph; Internet Cameras - nothing visible; mapping on Format Romeo 9A of reported incident. SER: No Advisory; No activation. SER Incident Silent monitoring deactivated  0841.

04-22-2021: Practice Net (1900 hours) - Smoke Check Format Tango 4. Village, Midway, and Battle Creek  participated. As a result, improvements were made to the Triangulation stations mapping tools.

04-21-2021:  Report of Flue Fire  (2213 Hours): Per Cal Fire at 35427 Redwood Dr.  Near Thatcher.  Redwood IC. Tac 11. Monitoring / Mapping  (north - Div 4 N Bible Belt). At  2235 hrs - cal fire rptd fire seems contained to chimney.  Some resources retained, others cancelled.  SER Nets: Silent Monitoring Cal Fire Disp (Ch 20); No Advisory: No Activation:   At 2250 hrs -  Redwood IC - remaining 1/2 hours. Cancel Engine 32.  SER Silent Monitoring Deactivated.

04-15-2021:  Practice Net - Smoke Check Format Tango 4. Village and Midway participated. Reminder:  NCS  AREA LEADS - use Ch 2 for running nets so you pick up ALL STATIONS trasnmitting, even those who don't have proper Tones in Radio ! Tonight a Station's radio had a glitch and wasn't transmitting the Tone - Area Coordinator picked up station on Ch 2.

04-11-2021:  Smoke Check Report Input Form - explanation and training on Village Ch 1.  Village participated and Midway monitored.

04-10-2021:  Vegetation Fire Shingletown - Per Cal Fire tone out  (at 1838 hrs) location 8006 Ponderosa Way.  Approx Long Lat 121.934  40.521.  Ponderosa Incident - showing on Web Site Fire Mapping at 1853 hours. 1853 hours  #2463 at address...  WT 20 at scene.  TAC 11.  1856 hours: Cal Fire reports 100 foot diameter circle around fire - contained with tractor line around fire.  Cal Fire Cancels balance. Approx rough distances (estimated):   1.9 miles NW of Village Center;  1.8 Miles NE of Midway Center;   9/10ths of mile SE of Inwood Center.  There was No SER Plan Advisory or Activation done pending situational monitoring. . Monitoring and mapping performed based on radio traffic and Internet Fire mapping resources. SER Monitoring of  Ponderosa Incident  deactivated. QSY scan.

04-7-2021: Smoke Column Reported:  (substantial - had grown in size over 10 minute period): Approx  1335 hours - Phone Relay on 760 to 911 - report of smoke column. Reporting location Millville Plains / 44 lookout - Smoke Column bearing apprx 95 Deg True. Distance: on such bearing, Column appears West of  Longitude of Power Lines and  East of Longitude for Black Butte.  Phone relay  to Cal Fire. Relay station advised Cal Fire aware of Burn at Anselmo Vineyards (in that area). 3 Hams responded on 760.

04-07-2021: Brief Presentation on Smoke Check procedures using Format Tango 4 (Ham) and Format Tango 4M (non Ham Neighborhoods).  Presentations done on Village Ch1; Midway Ch 1 and 760.  Areas Responding on respective frequencies during sessions: Village; Inwood, Midway, Rest Area.

04-06-2021: Vegetation Fire - Wengler Incident (in Area of 121.9479  40.5202); Advisory (QWI) issued on Village Ch 1 (Non Ham)  and 760 approx (Ham) 1040 hours. Unmanned burn fire approx. 10 to 15 foot spot - in vineyard.  Cal Fire Tac 3. Areas Responding:  Midway on Village Ch 1;  Village on Village Ch 1; Inwood on 760 (Ham). Fire Under Control. Advisory (QWI) deactivated 1107 hours.

04-01-2021:  Practice Net:  QXA  QWA Activations.  Shingletown Reporting:  3 Divisions; 4 Areas;  23 station reports. All completed in 19 minutes including NCS Summary and Recommendation (including Transmit of such into Village Murs Nets and Inter-Area Relay to Midway Area)  Hams assisting that NCS aware of  (at Ham and Neighborhood levels): K6PDS  KQ6CS W6MWM;  KB6BZL W4LQL. Others may have assisted at their Area Neighborhood level, but Shingletown Net Control does not receive  such Area / Neighborhood information at the Ham Net Level.

SER  3/25/2021:  Practice Net.

  SER 3/18/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE

  SER 3/11/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE

  SER 3/04/2021: PRACTICE NET - 4 Divisions; 6 Areas; 36 Station Reports (Sit Rep); 20 Minutes.

  SER 2/18/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE 35 STN RPTS

  SER 2/11/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE +

  SER 2/04/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE

     other weekly reports not yet posted.

  SER 1/28/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE

  SER 1/21/2021: PRACTICE NET REPORT - READ REPORT  HERE

  SER  1/18/2021  - FIRE NET ACTIVATED - READ REPORT HERE

   SER - 1/14/2020 - Internet and Cell Phone outage (at approx. 2210 hours)

        Village (K6PDS); Rest Area (W6MWM); and Starlight (AJ6KJ) reported Internet outage and Cell phone outage at approximately 2210 hours on 760. All Stations advised to monitor for any emergency / priority traffic as persons relying on voice over IP and/or Cell Phones would not have telephone capability.

  SER   1/14/2021: Practice Net   

   SER  - DRILL - EXPLOSION NET. THIS IS A DRILL ONLY.  OBJECTIVE IS TO LOCATE SOURCE AREA AND ADVISE 911 OF SUCH. THIS APPEARS BETTER THAN  CALLING 911 AND SAYING (AT 2:00 A.M.) THAT - "WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOMEWHERE". PLANNED DRILL- READ HERE.   Drill example, A LARGE PROPANE TANK EXPLODING, ETC... .

  SER   1/07/2021: Practice Net  -

     SER - 1/7/2021 POWER OUTAGE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE OF THE POWER OUTAGE IN THE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD, REPORTS WERE BEING TAKEN (AND RECORDED) AS TO THE LOCATIONS AND EXTENT OF THE UNPLANNED POWER OUTAGE. AS  A RESULT,  PARTICIPATING AREAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE SITUATION FOR ALL OTHER PARTICIPATING  / REPORTING NEIGHBORHOODS. THE REPORTS COVERED IN EXCESS OF 200 SQUARE MILES OF AREA.   SO, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, THE PHONES DON'T WORK, THERE IS NO INTERNET, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN DIAL 911 ... ?

      SER - 1/6/2021 - UPDATE Your Area Preparedness:

    SER - 12/31/2020 - NO PRACTICE NETS - NEW YEARS EVE.

     SER ADVISORY 12/27/2020 (Sunday)

    SER Activation:  12/26/2020

  SER 12/24/2020 - No Practice - Christmas Eve

  SER12/17/2020: Practice Net  - GREAT JOB SHINGLETOWN STATIONS!

   SER12/10/2020: Practice Net  - GREAT JOB SHINGLETOWN STATIONS!

  SER 12/10/2020:  SHINGLETOWN POWER OUTAGE (SOME AREAS)  - RECOMMENDED ON AIR THAT AREAS IMPACTED CONDUCT QWA  PERIODICALLY. NOTE: OUTAGES OVER 6 HOURS- FRONTIER BACK UP BATTERIES FOR LAND LINES RISK FAILURE OF LAND LINE COMMUNICATIONS. IMPACTS ABILITY TO CALL 911. INFORMATION ADVISORY MADE ON 760.

POWER OUTAGE STATUS (SOME AREAS WERE NOT AWARE THAT THERE WOULD BE AN OUTAGE):

  SER 12/10/2020: FORMAT ROMEO 15 UPDATED - SER NEEDS MORE HAMS TO ACT AS AREA COORDINATORS (E.G., RELAYS FROM NON HAMS TO/FROM HAM NET).

When we had the recent fire under the High Voltage Power Lines near Midway, Inwood and the Village (and extremely close to other homes), some of the Hams from the local Ham "club" listened to that SER Fire Net. They heard the requests by Fire Control for Ham operators to please assist - and they did not render any assistance.  As a result, a Non Ham had to agrain be used for a very short period of time by Fire Control.  

On the very positive side, there are  individual Hams who are helping the SER Plan. They include:  KQ6CS, KE6POV, KB6BZL, KE6PCR, K6PDS, and W6MWM. Their assistance is greatly appreciated!  Please let them know that you appreciate the service they are providing to Shingletown.   If I mistakenly left your call sign out, please call me so that I can correct this information. 

We need more Hams because not all of us may be available at the same time of an emergency.

  SER  12/3/2020: Practice Net  - GREAT JOB SHINGLETOWN STATIONS!

SHINGLETOWN EMERGENCY RADIO PLAN:    PRACTICE NET REPORT. DATED:  12/3/2020     TIME:  1900 HOURS
Type of Net:	Practice Net
Frequencies - HAM	Primary on 760	MONITOR: 505
Frequencies - NON HAM	Areas: CH 1
TONE ANNOUNCE TYPE:	NON EMERGENCY	NON EMERGENCY
Activations:	Full - all areas	QXA (Sitrep)	QWA - Brevit Fire Watch Procedure
Divisions Reporting	3
Areas Reporting	4
Station Reports	33
Ham Net and all Area / Neighborhood Nets Completed  SUMMARIZED AND NCS RECOMMENDATION in:	23 minutes
Tacticals Activated:	NCS        :  K6PDS	MAPPING  I:  KQ6CS	CAL FIRE MONIT: KQ6CS
	505 Monit:  K6PDS	MAPPING  2: K6PDS
	160 TC    :  K6PDS	TRIANGUL 1:  -------

 

11/19/2020 Practice Net:  7 Areas, 4 Divisions; 33 station reports; 26 minutes.

11-18-2020 - Shingletown had an unplanned Power Outage.

At approx. 1150 hours power went out.  At approx 1225 hours, power was restored.

The Following Areas/Neighborhoods were monitoring and reported on 165 for a quick situation report (both when the power went out and when it was restored):  

Village; Circle K; Rest Area; Starlite; Battle Creek; Bible Belt.

Midway was contacted on its Ch1 and reported both when power out and power back  on.

Dersch / 44 reported - their area / neighborhood power was never off during this event.  Great Job!

Reports were also provided during the above brief net, as to status of Cell phone (out in Starlite) and reports from PG&E as to estimated time for restoration  (which was to be at 1650 hours. But,  fortune was on our side and power came back on much sooner.

 The Village responded and reported on its Ch 1 within about 1 minute or less of  Village F1 requesting reports from Village stations when the power went off on Figaro.  There were 9 stations dispersed throughout the Village that immediately reported that Power was Out (others were monitoring and able to learn what was going on). Think about that  - stations from all over the Village, had an immediate situation report for the entire neighborhood within about 1 minute, or less !  The Village report was relayed into the above Ham abbreviated SITREP Net. Also, the Entire Power off and back on  situation reports for all of the Area / Neighborhoods which reported for all of Shingletown was also relayed into the Village on Village Ch 1.

Great job to all Areas/Neighborhoods which were on frequency and reporting.

Thank you.

Nathan, 

Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

11-14-2020 Shingletown Emergency Radio PLAN. What Shingletown has that others in California do not have.  Read HERE.  

Video Link is also Here (referenced in above)  https://youtu.be/F3OX1PR2SCM

11-13-2020. WE NEED MORE HAMS TO HELP OUT.  THINK ABOUT THIS HYPOTHETICAL.  LET'S TAKE TWO AREAS WITH CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM.  SO,  IF ONE THINKS THAT A FIRE AT DERSCH /44 IS NO BIG DEAL TO THE BIBLE BELT AREA, THINK AGAIN. IT'S CALLED MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.  NOW, LET'S REVERSE THE "NEED" CONTINUUM.  

THUS,  IF BIBLE BELT IS EVACUATING FROM A RAGING FIRESTORM, WORKING WITH BLOCKED ROADS,  TRAFFIC CONGESTION,  AND HELPING DISABLED PEOPLE...,  BIBLE BELT HAMS WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE RUNNING A HAM FIRE NET.  THEY WILL BE TRYING TO SAVE THEIR LIVES.    BUT, PEOPLE IN BIBLE BELT WILL STILL WANT  AND NEED TO GET A PICTURE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.  WHERE IS THE FIRE?  WHICH DIRECTION IS IT HEADING? WHAT ROADS ARE BLOCKED, ETC...?  IN THAT CASE, DERSCH/44 COULD ACT AS NET CONTROL (FIRE CONTROL), COORDINATING VITAL INFORMATION AND REPORTING.  IN THAT WAY BIBLE BELT (AND OTHER AREAS) KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, AND THEY HAVE A CENTRAL FIRE NET  LOCATION WHICH CAN DO MAPPING, TRIANGULATION, RELAY CAL FIRE REPORTS FROM DISPATCH AND TACTICALS, AND PROVIDE WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION AT THE FIRE LOCATION, ETC... .  ALL OF THAT WHILE YOU, FLEEING BIBLE BELT ARE MOBILE AND TRYING TO GET OUT. THAT IS PART OF THE SER PROGRAM.

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IS ESSENTIAL, AND THE SER PLAN PROVIDES IT.  THE SER PLAN HAS BEEN TESTED AND WORKS.  BUT, IT NEEDS YOU TO HELP OUT! 

WE ALL WILL ONE DAY NEED HELP.   SER.  73 

11-13-2020 at – Thumper Incident (Village) - limited Area Activation. 

 At approx. 0258 hours Cal Fire tone out for Shasta Forest Village. Fire in area of 30806 Thumper Drive –spread to vegetation. Village alerted on Village Ch 1 (Murs). Fire on fence, wood pile, vegetation, and pile of  grass.   Fire contained 10’ X 10’ approx. area.  Village Fire Net deactivated 0318 hours.

 Great job Village

Nathan, Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

11-12-2020 Practice Nets:   We had:

   Standard Tone / Announce on 760,  165,   505

   Net was held on 165. We did not use 760 because of pending storms and need to conserve battery power (solar).

   Area Nets on Each Areas  / Neighborhoods  Channel 1 (non ham frequencies).

   WE HAD (same as last week):
   4 Divisions Reporting

   6 Areas

  32 Station Reports

 Activations: Sit Rep QXA; and  QWA (Fire Brevity Watch procedure conducted by each station reporting)

 

We had the Following Tacticals on Frequency:

  Net control and 160 TC     K6PDS

  Cal Fire Monitor            KQ6CS

  Mapping 1                     KQ6CS

  TRIANGULATION 1          K6PDS

  505 MONITOR                   K6PDS

 

ALL NEIGHBORHOOD NETS, PLUS: REPORTING FROM AREA COORDINATORS RECEIVED; HAM MAPPING, HAM TRIANGULATION, AND NET CONTROL SUMMARY / RECOMMENDATION -- ALL COMPLETED IN  30 MINUTES.  Again, we were very short staffed this evening. Still, the SER system provided for efficient summarization and mapping procedures to be done. That is why areas need to follow the SER procedures.  It is all coordinated.

We also had a station report while mobile at Dersch/44 (heading east bound). Thank you. The SER Net reporting covered all the way from Dersch/44 )(mobile) to Battle Creek.

WE NEED MORE HAMS TO HELP OUT. PLEASE JOIN IN.

 

GREAT JOB.

Nathan  K6PDS     73
Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

11-11-2020 Forest Incident: Approx 1838  Cal Fire Toned out - Shingletown Fire - spread to vegitation - in brush. In Area of Power Lines.

Fire: Location Near Power Lines approx 2 miles Westerly of Village and 1 mile south of Highway 44.

ALSO:  CAL FIRE REPORTED - FLAMES VISIBLE FROM HIGHWAY 44 ( approx a mile from Highway 44). 

CAL FIRE ALSO REPORTED - POWER LINES DOWN.  FURTHER, THE VILLAGE (WITH ABOUT 400 HOMES)  IS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE FIRE  AND THERE IS ONLY 1 SMALL ROAD IN AND OUT OF THE VILLAGE. IF THAT ROAD IS BLOCKED BY FIRE, 400 HOMES WITH RESIDENTS WOULD BE TRAPPED WITH NO ESCAPE. OTHER HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NEAR THE FIRE LOCATION.

         Approx.  Long / Lat:  Approx  121.9435    40.4974  (Fire Mappers)

Screen Shot (Fire Mappers) showing location of fire and Neighborhoods of  Midway; Inwood; and Village - HERE.

In the area of 29788 CASSIE LANE

Estimates:  1 - 1/2  to  2 acres at one point.

Possible cause: KV lines (per Cal fire radio report) (I understand those are the bulk transport electrical lines).

 

HAM NET:

FIRE CONTROL:                      K6PDS  (NATHAN)

BACK UP FIRE CONTROL:    VILLAGE

INTERNET :                              KK6SWE (LARRY)

CAL FIRE MONITOR              KE6PCR / KB6BZL (PEGGY AND DON)

TAC 11                                      KE6PCR / KB6BZL (PEGGY AND DON)

THANK YOU LARRY, PEGGY AND DON!

 

FIRE CONTROL HAD TO USE A NON HAM TO FILL IN FOR FIRE CONTROL AS BACK UP (NECESSITY).

DURING THE FIRE NET (760, 165 AND 505 WERE TONED)  MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WERE MADE FOR ANY HAM TO PLEASE HELP OUT (THIS WAS ON 760).  NO RESPONSE. FIRE CONTROL HAD TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM ONE NON HAM.

 

FIRE CONTROL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: RUNNING FIRE NET (TONING AND ACTIVATING ON ALL SCAN PLAN FREQUENCIES);  REVIEWING INTERNET RESOURCES THAT MAY BE REQUIRED; MAPPING THE FIRE LOCATION AND PLOTTING ON TRIANGULATION MAP; DETERMINING WIND SPEED AT FIRE LOCATION AND DIRECTION; MONITORING VILLAGE TRAFFIC (after activating Village on Village Ch1 (Murs Freq)); ACTIVATING INWOOD AND MIDWAY.

FIRE CONTROL USED MURS TO ACTIVATE INWOOD  AND MIDWAY ON EACH OF THEIR CH 1 (THUS USED BACK UP FIRE CONTROL WHILE OFF FREQUENCY).  . BOTH AREAS RESPONDED AND ACTIVATED..

GREAT JOB INWOOD!

GREAT JOB MIDWAY!

VILLAGE HAD AT LEAST 10 STATIONS ON VILLAGE CH 1 (I.E., THEY RESPONDED TO CHECK IN). GREAT JOB VILLAGE! THERE ARE AT LEAST 46 RADIOS IN THE VILLAGE ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO LISTEN TO THE EMERGENCY NET AND CAL FIRE DISPATCH FREQUENCY - MANY ARE ELDERLY / DISABLED AND ONLY LISTEN..

Great Job to Bravo 1 - Village Lead on Village Ch #1.

 

FIRE NET DEACTIVATED  1936 HOURS.

SUPPLEMENTAL:  2 HAMS ADVISED THEY WERE OUT OF AREA, BUT WOULD HAVE HELPED IF AT HOME. THANK YOU.

 2 HAMS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE LISTENING, ON FREQUENCY, BUT DIDN'T HELP.  OTHER HAMS - UNKNOWN.

FIRE CONTAINED AT 2 ACRES.

NATHAN  K6PDS

SHINGLETOWN EMERGENCY RADIO

  11-11-2020 QWI - INFORMATION: Fire NW Whitmore. NO SER ACTIVATION.

Incident within WASP (WILDFIRE ALERT SAFETY PERIMETER).

No activation.

Monitored Cal Fire. Fire confined to property. Cause: discarded ashes.

NW of Whitmore.  Approx Lat/long   40.637  121.902   (RESOURCE: Fire Mapping)

Thank you to Village Sierra 6 - who was also monitoring and made contact with me.

No SER Net activation done since Fire Incident did not meet criteria for SER Net Activation.

Nathan  K6PDS    DIRECTOR (TACTICAL: "ADVISOR")

Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

  11-8-2020: The Village (Division 3 North  - T31N  R1E Section 31) has updated its Area Map with each Station Tactical being posted to the Village Street Map (this shows the location of each station). There are 46 Tacticals in the Village. Great Job Village.  Each area should update its Area Map.

  11-7-2020:  760 backup plan.  The 760 may go down during winter (solar power).  Consideration is being given to setting up a backup 760 repeater when the main 760 is off line.  This back up would not have as good of footprint, but would be useful for emergency communications.   BACK UP ID:   K6PDS /R7.  NOTE:  /R7 BEING CONSIDERED  INSTEAD OF  /R2, BECAUSE 165 USES /R2. THUS, FACILITATES REPEATER ID WHEN YOU ARE MOBILE AND ONLY CATCH PART OF THE REPEATER ID. THIS WILL TAKE A WHILE.

11-7 and 11-8,  2020 (interference with emergency communication plan):  From about 11:30 P.M. (11-7-2020), and continuing until about 1:30 A.M. (11-8-2020), someone repeatedly activated the 760 and 165 repeaters and also keyed 505.   Repeater activation results in repeater ID and tail signals to be transmitted. These are the SER Scan Plan Frequencies.  If you know who this person is, please ask them to stop. This type of activity results in residents turning off their radios because they don't want to be awakened for mischief. In that case, if there were to be a fire or other emergency activation, they would not hear any activation. This could result in loss of life.  The SER Plan covers about 150 square miles of area.  This is a serious matter. Thank you.

    11-7-2020:        The Official SER Plan continues to operate. 

Use the Scan Plan 760  165 and 505 (as has been done for years), and your neighborhood frequencies (Ch 1).  Such are programmed into your radios.  As under SER procedures, Net Control will advise of  the Ham Net Frequency upon Net Activation, just as has been done for years (even before the neighborhood Murs system was added by me).  Of course, Neighborhoods would go to their Ch 1 and can listen to the Ham Net.

Many people have written that they appreciate the SER Program, have found it very helpful during the many wildfire threats that we have been faced with this year,  and want it to continue.

The SER Plan is fully operational. Any Ham can assist. But, SER procedures are to be followed.

Hopefully, enough Hams will step up and help out so we aren't faced with having to make decisions that some may find disagreeable. The primary purpose of the SER Net is emergency communications to provide vital information, at a time when it matters to safeguard the residents of Shingletown. Wildfires can cover large distances in a matter of seconds.

 

For this to work participation by all is necessary, since this is a volunteer effort.

Emergency use of non hams is very rare, but, as during the recent double wildfire emergency such use was necessary, and legal, as determined by Fire Control (an Attorney at Law) in accordance with FCC rules. So, non hams are fully aware that they are not to use any Ham Frequency unless it is an emergency. The criteria for this was previously sent out. .

Last Thursday's Practice Net went very well, and was able to be completed in the normal Net Time because of the SER Procedures. 

Thank you.

Nathan

Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan

http://www.shastadefense.com/ShastaEmergencyRadio.htm

 

http://www.shastadefense.com/SER-Incident-Resources-Information.htm

 

http://www.shastadefense.com/SER-REPORTS-AFTERACTION.htm

 

  11-5-2020 Practice Nets:  Tonights Practice Net - We had:

  10-30-2020 - NEED MORE HAM OPERATORS!

10-28-2020 - SER FIRE NET ACTIVATED - LOW LEVEL ACTIVATION.

 KF6JAQ ALERTED ON 760 OF FIRE IN AREA OF LAKE MCCUMBER AREA. OFF OF WESTWARD HO -  BIG TREES LANE.  INCIDENT: PONY.  

FIRE NET ACTIVATED  ON 760 (KE6DHO - FIRE CONTROL).  RECOMMENDED THAT LOCAL AREAS BE ALERTED ON THEIR CH 1 AND NEARBY STATIONS CONDUCT QWA PROCEDURE AND REPORT IF HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT.  DETERMINED THAT FIRE WAS APPROX. 10 x 10 AREA- CAUSE ASH ;PILE.  FIRE PUT OUT. FIRE NET DEACTIVATED. THANK YOU TO ALL ON FREQUENCY. TACTICALS ACTIVATED INCLUDED:  FIRE CONTROL; FLIGHT RADAR; TAC 11 MONITOR; CAL FIRE MONITOR.  LAT / LONG IN AREA OF 121.756   40.529 (APPROX).

CONCERN:  THE FIRE WAS IN THE EMIGRANT  AREA WHICH IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN SER PROGRAM. WE NEED ALL NEIGHBORHOODS TO PARTICIATE. 

10-24-2020 – SER FIRE NET ACTIVATED – MODERATE LEVEL ACTIVATION.

 CAL FIRE TONE OUT FOR FIRE IN AREA OF 33595 CEDAR VIEW LANE, SHINGLETOWN (STARLITE AREA – DIVISION 4 NORTH).

FIRE NET ACTIVATED AT APPROX 2209 HOURS.  FIRE CONTROL SET UP CAL FIRE MONITOR AND CAL FIRE TACTICAL MONITOR.

 FIRE NET REQUESTED ALL PARTICIPATING AREAS BE ACTIVATED /  NOTIFIED AS FOLLOWS: ASH CREEK DERSCH; FISHER; DERSCH / 44; INWOOD; MIDWAY; VILLAGE; CIRECLE K; REST;  STARLITE;  BATTLE CR.;  BIBLE BELT; WILSON HILL.  ALL SUCH AREAS REPORTED ACTIVATED / NOTIFIED (SEE FMT ROMEO 15).  

CAL FIRE ADVISED PG&E 45 MINUTE ETA.  STARLITE STATION REPORTED PG&E POWER STILL ON IN STARLITE.  

FIRE INCIDENT:   STRUCTURE FULLY  INVOLVED; VEIGITATION ¼ ACRE SLOW RATE OF SPREAD. WATER TENDERS BEING GIVEN DIRECTIONS ON WHERE FIRE HYDRANTS WERE LOCATED.  

DURING NET, BEFORE DEACTIVATION; CAL FIRE CANCELLED DOZER, CANCELLED ADDITIONAL CREW, FIREMAN WITH EYE INJURY, ETC… .

 FIRE NET DEACTIVATED AT APPROX. 2333  HOURS.

STATIONS ON FREQUENCY AGREED TO DEACTIVATION AND FIRE CONTROL DEACTIVATED NET. ALL AREAS REPORTED AS DEACTIVATING.

 SUMMARY: SHINGLETOWN AREAS ALERTED / ACTIVATED  DURING NET WERE :  6 DIVISIONS; 12 AREAS (COVERING OVER 100 SQUARE MILES).

 AFTER ACTION COMMENTS:

 1. AREA LEADS MUST USE OUTSIDE ANTENNA AND TONE. YOU ARE RUNNING AN AREA NET AND EVERYONE IN YOUR AREA MUST HEAR YOU.  EVERYONE SHOULD  GET OUTSIDE ANTENNAS. THE SHORT ANTENNAS ON YOUR RADIOS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT!  

2.  ADDRESS NET CONTROL STATIONS BY THEIR TACTICALS (NOT CALL SIGN – USE FCC CALL SIGN ONLY FOR LEGAL ID. DO NOT OVER ID). THE TACTICAL DESCIBES WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO PEOPLE LISTENING. ALSO, DIFFERENT OPERATORS MY GO AND COME FOR A PARTICULAR TASK.  EXAMPLES:   FIRE CONTROL;   CAL FIRE MONITOR;  CAL FIRE TACTICAL  MONITOR,  ETC…

 3.  WHEN YOUR AREA IS ACTIVATED AND YOU HEAR A REPORT, THEN NOTIFY YOU NEIGHBORS WHO DON’T HAVE RADIOS BY PHONE AND OR GOING TO THEIR HOME (DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF CONCERN).  BETTER YET, HAVE THEM GET RADIOS, AND JOIN IN. 

 4. ALSO,  IF  YOU HAD TO EVACTUATE, THEN NEIGHORHOOD LEADS SHOULD ADVISE ALL STATIONS TO BLAST CAR HORNS LOUDLY AND REPEATEDLY TO GET PEOPLES ATTENTION.  IF YOU HAVE A BETTER SYSTEM IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN PLEASE SHARE IT WITH US.

 5.  ALL AREAS SHOULD HAVE AREA MAPS AND AREA TELEPHONE TREES.

 7.  WHEN YOU CALL “FIRE CONTROL”, MERELY STATE “FIRE CONTROL, [THIS IS] CAL FIRE MONITOR”,  THEN WAIT.  DO NOT START GIVING A REPORT UNTIL FIRE CONTROL ADVISES YOU TO “GO”. WHY?  FIRE CONTROL IS WORKING 3 RADIOS, TAKING AND REVIEWING NOTES, AND (IF AVAILABLE) LOOKIN UP INFORMATION ON THE SER INCIDENT / RESOURCE PAGE ON THE INTERNET (AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE), AND OTHER TASKS.

 8.  IF YOU WERE NOT ON FREQUENCY, THEN WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN?

  GREAT JOB!

 THANK YOU.

 NATHAN   K6PDS

SHINGLETOWN EMERGENCY RADIO NETS

10/22/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in approx.  27  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 10 Areas (each having  conducted its own neighorhood net) and 38 station reports (including supplemental) ,  all mapped and summarized (i.e., all neighborhood net report results) and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  In excess of 115 square miles covered. 

All Divisions reporting in reported  (except Dersch /44 and Fisher) 

                  as follows:  QXA                                                     QWA

Dersch  44 as follows:                 QXi D  / A2                /Y        QWA

Fisher as follows       :                  QXi D / A2   /B  /E     /Y         QWA

                                                              "/A2" means no PG&E power, stations using generator power.

                                                                        "/B"    means no Telephone land line.

                                                                              '"/E" means no internet

                                                                                        "/Y"  (for area report QTH N ) means "I am okay, my area okay, and any assistance needs in my area are being taken care of by my area, no out of area assistance needed at this time." (See Format Tango 9A definitions)

Net Control Recommendations: no action required; but, due to high fire dangers (Red Flag) , all operators should conduct QWA procedures routinely during night and day, reporting only if have situation to report; and, Due to use of generators for electrical power (Dersch/44 and Fisher Areas), all generators should be routinely checked to ensure safe operation; and due to lack of PG&E electrical power (Dersch /44 and Fisher Areas), stations  to monitor the scan plan at high level (people may not have phone use to make emergency calls (Fisher also without PG&E power, using generators, and has no landline and no internet).

Great job. 

Hams and/or Non Hams relayed Ham Net Summary and recommendations into Neighborhood Nets immediately after SER Ham Net

10/16/2020  - Below Areas reporting Power Restoration after PG&E Power Shutoff because of High Fire Danger. Power reported as back on via Radio, allowing all Areas to have immediate situational awareness during continuing High Fire Danger period. Areas reporting with Power Restoration Times were:

Wilson Hill      1301 hours

Dersch / 44    1314 hours

Circle K         1345 hours

Rest Area       1346 hours

Bilble Belt       1354 hours

Battle Creek   1402 hours

Village             1402 hours

Starlite             1420 hours

Midway           1615 hours.

Thank you to the above areas.

Note: Lack of  PG& E power has in the past resulted in lack of ability to call 911 and receive reverse 911 calls (e.g., Feb, 2019 - massive storm and power outages, no 911, no reverse 911, no cell phones, no landlines, no internet, etc...  total communications blackout). Only operating community communications plan was the Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan. Also, during 10/2020 PG&E Safety Shutoff, there was a fire in Shingletown caused by a home generator exploding. Many people are running generators to supply power during "safety" power shutoffs. This may be considered a potential risk of wildfire with thousands of generators running in high fire danger areas. The Shingletown Emergency Communications Plan allows everyone to have access to vital information when it is happening.

10/15/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in approx.  30  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 11 Areas (each having  conducted its own neighorhood net) and 39 station reports,  all mapped and summarized (i.e., all neighborhood net report results) and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  In excess of 117 square miles covered. 

QXI D/A2 /Y and  QWA. 

Net Control Recommendations: no action required; and, due to high fire dangers, all operators should conduct QWA procedures routinely during night and day, reporting only if have situation to report; and, Due to high use of generators for electrical power, all generators should be routinely checked to ensure safe operation; and due to lack of electrical power, statoins to monitor the scan plan at high level (people may not have phone use to make emergency calls).

Great job. 

Hams and/or Non Hams relayed Ham Net Summary and recommendations into Neighborhood Nets immediately after SER Ham Net

10/15/2020: SER NET – MODERATE LEVEL SER FIRE NET ACTIVATION:

 APPROX 0445 HOURS -  GENERATOR EXPLOSION, STRUCTURE FIRE WITH SPREAD TO VEGITATION.  MODERATE LEVEL SER FIRE NET ACTIVATION: TX INTO STARLITE AREA CH 1. LOCATION: 34037 Highway 44. LAT / LONG:  approx. -121.783   40.513,  JUST EAST OF STARLITE PINES ROAD. PINE IC. LAND LINE CALL TO AREA LEAD.

 TX  ON 760 AS TO STATUS.   TX AS TO FOLLOW UP:  FIRE IN SHET  KNOCKED OUT, SPREAD TO VEGITATION STOPPED, MEDICAL UNIT CANCELLED (APPROX 0518) (SMOKE INHALATION), CAL FIRE CANCELING ASSETS (APPROX. O525 HOURS).

9/24/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in approx.  22  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 10 Areas (each having  conducted its own neighorhood net) and 42 station reports,  all mapped and summarized (i.e., all neighborhood net report results) and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  In excess of 100 square miles covered. QXA and QWA. Great job. Hams and/or Non Hams to relay Ham Net Summary and recommendations into Neighborhood Nets immediately after SER Ham Net.

9/17/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in approx.  24  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 10 Areas (each having  conducted its own neighorhood net) and 39 station reports,  all mapped and summarized (i.e., all neighborhood net report results) and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.   QXA and QWA. . Hams and/or Non Hams to relay Ham Net Summary and recommendations into Neighborhood Nets immediately after SER Ham Net.

9/13/2020  SER – Activation – Search for Missing Person – Viola Area

 This evening, Cal Fire radio reported a missing person in the Viola area (was last seen at about 1730 hours).  K6PDS copied the traffic and K6IZY (from Redding, on the other side of the Valley) immediately called out on the Scan Plan to advise of the situation.  Great job K6IZY.   K6PDS called the non emergency number for the Sheriff and obtained a detailed description of the person (white female, approx age 24, curly dark blond hair, wearing shorts and tank top, and had a redish and white dog with her. She was hearing impaired, autistic and her name was provided.  The detailed description was announced on the 760 repeater. Ham operators were ON FREQUENCY, MONITORING and copied the description. K6PDS took two bites of his dinner, 2 sips of Dr. Pepper, and loaded up 2 radios, spare batteries, compass, first aid supply kit, two large flashlights (with spare batteries), water, jackets, and left for the VIOLA area accompanied by Village Foxtrot 7.  Upon arriving in Viola, the Sheriff advised that Highway 44 heading West bound did not need to be searched (as they had arrived via that route, just as we had). He advised that we could search Highway 44 heading East bound, which we did. The Sheriff and Cal Fire were fanning out in various directions.

As we searched, HAM OPERATORS WERE ON FREQUENCY AND PROVIDED RELAY REPORTS AND  INFORMATION. THEY WERE MONITORING CAL FIRE AND THE SHERIFF FREQUENCIES AND PROVIDED UPDATES. AJ6KJ provided supplemental information that the mental age of the person was about 5.  At one time, our mobile search had questions and requested that a relay telephone call be placed to the Sheriff.   W6BEN and  KF6JAQ, responded and called the Sheriff and reported back with the requested information. AJ6KJ, W6CCR, W6BEN, KF6JAQ, KB6BZL, KE6PCR,  ?? VXW, W6IO  K6IZY AND KE6DHO AND OTHERS WERE ALL ON FREQUENCY. They all participated and helped out. Being on Frequency is critical.  Radio traffic was concise, disciplined and effective.   As we were returning back to the Christian Camp staging area (having completed searching approximately 5.4 miles each way of highway 44 in both directions) K6IZY advised on the radio that the missing person had now been found, and had been returned home safely.  We stopped at the staging area, and the Sheriff’s deputy made it a point to say thank you to ALL OF THE HAMS that helped out. That means each of you!!  At 2020 hours, returning to home base.

 This turned out very well (the young lady was found safe and returned home). The Ham operators were on frequency and monitoring. They were at the ready and took action.  Great job!

 GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU.  

 Nathan   K6PDS    73    Shingletown Emergency Radio Plan  

9/10/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in approx.  27  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 11 Areas (each having  conducted its own neighborhood net) (plus one out of Area - Redding); and 39 station reports,  all mapped and summarized (i.e., all neighborhood net report results) and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  QXA and QWA. Great job. Hams and/or Non Hams to relay Ham Net Summary and recommendations into Neighborhood Nets immediately after SER Ham Net.

  9/7/2020 SER NET - FIRE NET ACTIVATION:

This evening we had 2  (TWO) FIRES AT THE SAME TIME. 

The Bear Incident and the Buffalo Incident. 

 The SER Fire Net was activated, and stations helped out by monitoring the Cal Fire Tactical, Cal fire Dispatch, and Internet Fire Mapping and other resources. Hams and Non Hams were advised to contact their neighborhoods on Ch 1 and advise of the situation. Stations were advised to monitor the Fire Net on the 760 repeater and / or Cal Fire Ch 20 for information and to relay information into their neighborhoods (anyone can do this – Hams and/or Non Hams).  The Fire Net was deactivated at 1954 hours.

 Thank you to all Hams and Non Hams that were on frequency and helping out!

 Background:

 1.  Village Bravo 1 (non ham), was the first radio report which alerted as to the fire. This transmit was done into Village Ch1.  K6PDS heard  Village Bravo 1 give the Village Alert, and  K6PDS in turn activated the Ham Fire Net on 760. Great job Village Bravo 1!  This is an important point. Specifically, here a non Ham neighborhood’s action (alerting) resulted in activating the Ham Net for all Shingletown areas.  That is the SER PLAN in action. Great Job by the Village! So, that was the first incident.

 2.  Next, as the above was taking place, I received a phone call advising of the 2^nd fire. I didn’t catch the name of the person who called. Thank you to that person!  Now we had two active fires. 

 3.  Everyone did a great job.

 COMMENTS / AFTER ACTION (this is done so that we can improve):

 1.  During nets, we should use tacticals. Example, the net control tonight was “Fire Control”.  We don’t call for his call sign (K6PDS), we call for “Fire control”.  Why?  Because, the FCC call sign is not relevant to the job being done.  If a different station takes over, that station then becomes “Fire Control” and we don’t waste time asking who is running the net. “Fire Control” is running the net (in this case). Fire Control ID’s with his FCC call sign to comply with the law, but that is only every 10 minutes, and on last transmit. Don’t keep saying your call sign.

 2.  I made an error in giving the channel number of the frequency to be monitored by another station.  My mistake (K6PDS).  In this regard, it is perfectly proper for another station to come back and say –  “Fire Control, please confirm channel – there is an error”.  Correcting an error made by any of us is not personal. This is urgent business and we need to correct any errors and move forward. Also, unless an explanation is relevant and material, don’t explain.

 3.  The STARC net was scheduled for 1900 hours tonight. W6IO cancelled the regularly scheduled Net because the Fire Net was active when the STARC net was to start.  That was an excellent decision by W6IO. Why?  Because, the Ham Radio Operators, who have been practicing , are a vital asset, and must be on deck during the Fire Net.  Thank you W6IO.      

 4.  During an incident is not the time to start asking how to program your radios. Fire Control is not going to spend time advising a station how to program a radio during an active fire (in this case 2 fires near us burning at the same time).  Also, other Ham Operators need to be ready to assist with the Fire Net, not dealing with programming radios. So, such requests are to be ignored. We have persons who will help program radios before emergencies.  During an emergency, operators who have actually practiced must devote their skills to the emergency.

 5.  Also, please don’t be asking stations to respond to you on another SCAN PLAN FREQUENCY during an event, unless it is urgent. Why?  Because, Fire Control is monitoring the SCAN PLAN FREQUENCIES  (760, 165, 505)  while running the Fire Net.  Non relevant talk is a Major distraction.  Also, Emergency Communication Nets, under the SER PLAN are to be held only those Scan Plan frequencies.  If someone is chatting on a Scan Plan frequency, this can result in stations (who heard an activation and are searching for the net) hearing you and listening to non relevant traffic before recognizing that you are not helping them. If you must chit chat go to 030 (unless it becomes activated for an event) . or the simplex chat frequency.  

 6.  If you like what was done tonight, then join into the SER PLAN and help yourself, your family and your community.

 7.  We had out of the area Hams helping with information. That was fantastic! Thank you!

 Thank you to everyone for the great job you did! This is Community in action, when the action is happening.

 Nathan    K6PDS   73

 P.S.   PG&E called tonight and advised the power shut off would be between 10:00 P.M. and Midnight. Shortly after that call, the power went off at about 9:35 P.M.  Sure am glad they didn’t turn it off during the Fire Net. But, I wonder if they even gave it a thought? (i.e., cutting off power and adversely impacting communications during active wildland fires)

  9/6/2020: Some positive comments by those on Frequency. 

I am sharing some of the positive comments the SER Plan has received. Again, thank you Roy (W6CCR) for the great job he did on September 3, 2020, and all those who were on frequency.

These comments apply to every Ham and Non Ham that are actively participating and helping with the SER Plan. YOU are what makes this happen. Each of you are helping your families, neighborhood, and Shingletown.  Here is what people are saying:

-“Great job, I listened to the reports. Your service provides safety that is unparalleled in this north state – perhaps the whole state. Robert”.

-“Thank to our great network for keeping us informed”, (Jan).

 -“Thank you for keeping us posted.” (Ron).

 -“Wow, Good job.  The SER will eventually gain quite a reputation up here. I'm glad I am part of the SER......” (W6IO).

 -“Great job” (Dawn)

 Thank you.

 Nathan   73

                               Remember:  Having your radio on may save a life. It may be yours.

INCIDENT: 9/3/2020  Cal fire tone out approximately about 1441 hours. Fire reported area of Dersch / 44  just past passing lanes. Cal Fire responding. Village F7 (Village non ham) advised K6PDS of situation.  Dersch /44 area contacted. Since right in that area. First attempts on Area Ch1 follow up via telephone. W6CCR responded, advising going to scene (close to home). 1458 hours W6CCR at scene - reported Fire now out. Here is W6CCR'S Report:

 

"On Thursday September 3rd at 2:46 p.m. I got a call from Nathan K6PDS stating there was a fire near me on Dersch and 44 and asked if I could get eyes on it (my radios were down due to moving them to a new location at the ranch). I got in my truck and was on the scene within a few minutes. Caltrans was sitting eastbound on the shoulder and had his lights on. A young man was on the north side of Hwy 44 with a shovel throwing dirt on some hot spots. I asked if he needed help and he informed me that a couple of men had helped him put out the fire before it got to the heavy brush on the side of the road. Once he found out that I was a HAM he asked if I could make sure that Cal Fire was still in route since the fire was out and he was concerned about hot spots. I reported this on 165 because we had no cell service at the location. He smiled and said “you gotta love HAMs!”. Approximately 5 minutes later a Cal Fire engine was on scene. As I left a Cal Fire employee was taking pictures of the scene and some debris that was on the side of the road.

Thanks again Nathan for the heads up. My radios have since been restored to operating condition.

Roy   W6CCR "

THANK YOU ROY FOR THE GREAT JOB!   Also, thank you to those on frequency.

8/27/2020 - Practice net: All nets competed in 32  minutes, with 5 Divisions, 12 Areas and 39 stations reporting, mapped, summarized and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  This included A DRILL report for an area reporting: a total communications failure (no electricity,  no landline telephones, no cell phones, no internet, no ability to call 911, etc) (/F); with water services not working (/J); AND reporting QWA (no suspect smoke fires or embers detected); and with an earthquake of MikeMmike 7 (furniture broken,  cannot stand, chimneys fall - /M7). the Earthquake Drill Report level (/M7)  resulted in activation of a DRILL rapid needs / damage assessment team to conduct damage assessments using Format Uniform (no actual Team deployed to area of Highway 44 and Shasta Forest Drive since this was a drill activation).   After nets, stations (any Ham or any Non Ham) to transmit net control summary and recommendations into all area neighborhoods (on each Neighborhood Ch 1).  Great Job!

8/20/2020 - INFORMATION: SER IS dropping the SATELITE PORTION of the plan.  No satelite stations report in. Instead we will focus on the Shingletown Divsions and the areas who are working with us and following the plan. Of course, we desire  to work with Hams outside the Shingletown Area, so please join in.

PRACTICE NET: [8/20/2020] we had a station which didn't follow the plan and interrupted the 505 Monitor, the 165 Primary and at least one neighborhood net. In addition to not following the plan, the station made childish spitting noises on frequency and was talking during the time any emergency traffic would be calling.  A neighborhood net had stopped its net, because of concern about "emergency traffic" on the primary net (it was the interrupting stations noises).  As a result, the 165 primary net had to be delayed and stopped,  so that the backlog at the neighborhood process could catch up.  Those working the plan are doing multiple tasks at one time. There are reasons why the primary net reporting starts in 9 minutes, the 505 in 5 minutes and the neighborhoods in 6 minutes.  It is sad that we are practicing emergency communications for such matters as wild fires, power outages, relay of emergency medical, potential evacuation warnging, etc...., and have such conduct.

It is really simple, just follow the plan and don't make up stuff. Also, this is not a social net, or talky net. It is an emergency net and our nets are practicing for emergencies. 

Even with the problem, we completed the all nets in 25 minutes, with 4 Divisions, 9 Areas and 31 stations reporting, mapped, summarized and recommendation(s) issued by Net Control.  There was an additional station that attempted to check in (had radio issues) - which would have placed us at 5 Divisions, 10 Areas and 32 station reports. By practicing we learn how to use our radios. Great Job!

  8/18/2020  HERE IS W6CCR'S REPORT FOR THE WILD INCIDENT (8/18/2020):

8/17/2020 Village Net Activation – Lightening Strike Fire

8/17/2020  at about 2333 hours, Village Net activated on Ch 1.  Activation limited to Village Ch 1 based on facts and circumstances.  Activation of larger area on standby. Report of lightening fire in area of Withrow Road and One Hundred Road (121.8945  40.5163). Cal fire responding. Possible spread to vegetation. Subsequently, Beaty Patrol advised single tree on fire, large embers, and concerned about winds. 

 Location: less than 1 mile from Shasta Forest Drive to the North East. Winds in area of Tree hit by lightening – out of the East at approx. 5.7 MPH (per Internet Resource).

 Lead activated on Village Ch 1 (1^st radio for emergency net);  Monitoring 165 (2^nd radio);  Monitoring Cal Fire dispatch 151.160 (Ch 20) (3^rd Radio); and Monitoring Cal Fire Tac 11 (151.445) (4^th radio).  F7 monitoring Cal Fire on 5^th radio. Additionally,  Lead was monitoring Internet Resources including:  Winds (item 9), 2 Cameras,  Fire Mappting (items 3 and 23), lightening tracker (item 11); and physical mapping on Formats ROMEO, ROMEO  9 and Quadrangle for Inwood.

 Village Radio Operators responding / assisting in monitoring Cal Fire: F1, F7 T1, T3, S3, S6, S1, S2. S3 made report from his location – UTL. Thank you!

 As first strike (tree) being extinguished, reports of 2 more strikes potentially in Section 17.  Cal Fire advised of access problems, rough roads.  End result – the two additional reports were determined to be - unable to locate and may have been light from across the valley.  The tree hit by lightening extinguished.

Cal fire responding units available at approx.  Midnight 50 hours.

Village net deactivated Midnight 53 hours.

Thank you to all on frequency and helping out.

Nathan   Village F1,  K6PDS,    73 

PS. We need all stations to report in during these events! Don’t just listen, we need active participation.   Also, all stations need to practice using their radios.

8/14/2020 - Approx. 0922 hours  QWI (Information)  TX on 165 (no formal net activation):  major traffic accident in area of Highway 44/near KOA, East bound lane blocked ... helicopters responding ... medical responding ....recommended persons avoid area ... . 

8/13/2020 Practice Net Results:  8/13/2020 Practice Net Results:  5 Divisions Reported;  10 Area Neighborhoods; 33 station reports; 2 inter-area report relays; all reports mapped, summarized and NCS recommendation; Sitreps were conducted using Fomats Tango 9A and 9M; and All stations performed QWA (fire brevity watch) procedure.  

Total Net Time included:

 Ham Nets (primary 165 repeater net and 505 simplex-monitor net);

PLUS 10 individual neighborhood area nets; and  

ALL of the above reporting COMPLETED AND SUMMARIZED IN 25 minutes.  

AFTER Ham net, any station (Ham or non Ham) to TX Ham Summary and NCS recommendation into their own neighborhood (at that time use Q codes PLUS give the plain english meaning - use the official SER meanings don't make up stuff or change anything.

Great Job Shingletown Radio Operators (HAM AND NON HAMS). 

Remember: when attempting to contact another area, call them on THEIR CH 1. (SEE FMT YANKEE 5A FOR FREQUENCY LISTINGS BY AREA). After contact, go back to your neighborhood Ch1, or hold the "Scan" button on the uv5r for the Scan Plan (which means you are scanning your neighborhood Ch 1, Ch3 Plus the Ham Freq. 760, 165 and 505.

ALSO, FIRES DON'T HAVE A SCHEDULE. SO IF YOUR RADIO IS NOT ON, THEN WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?  SOMEONE (HOPEFULLY MULTIPLE STATIONS)  IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD MUST BE SCANNING THE HAM FREQUENCIES TO BE NOTIFIED OF HAM ACTIVATIONS).

8/10/2020:  Oakrun Satelite contacted Shingletown on 760 rpter., advising of Fire in Manton area - near Wildcat and Manton Road.  This was approx 6 1/2 miles SW Wilson Hill SER Lookout.  Thank you Oakrun!   K6PDS requested Village B1 to provide update and Village B1 subsequently reported  "forward spread stopped". A QWI Information report was TX on 760 by K6PDS (NO formal Fire Net Activated).  Subsequently, KK6SWE went to Wilson Hill Lookout - UTL. Also, K6PDS subsequently went to Wilson Hill Look and Wilson Hill Short Lookout  (which had view towards azimuth where fire reported)  - UTL.  Illustrates mutual communication capability between Village Neighborhood stations resources  (Village Ch1), SER Ham Scan Freq. 760, and Oakrun primary frequency 146.475.

8/09/2020: Whitmore Fire - approximately 1720 hours Village B2 inquired about fire in Whitmore area. Village B1 advised  on Village Ch 1 of 15 acre fire near Fern and Whitmore Rd off of Notta.  Spring IC.  View of AirRadar showed Lat Long of Aircraft circling fire area to be approximately  -121.9512    40.6328 (West of Large Power Lines which run north / south along ridge). Cal Fire Camera (HighlineTrail) - smoke visible.  Shingletown contacted OakRun on Oakrun Primary 146.475 to confirm Oakrun aware of incident. Oakrun aware and monitoring. SER net not activated. Village Area Coordinator Monitoring. 1750 hours Springs IC reported forward progress stopped; 1821 hours air attack returning to Redding loaded. Great job to Village B1 (Doug) and B2 (Ron) for providing the information on Village Ch1. 

After - Action Comment: in future, similar situation recommend QWI on Scan Plan - but not necessarily a formal activation (informational). Advise stations to monitor Cal Fire and report  / activate if necessary.

8/6/2020 Practice Net Results:  6 Divisions Reported;  10 Area Neighborhoods; 37 station reports; 2 inter-area report relays; all reports mapped, summarized and NCS recommendation; Sitreps were conducted using Fomats Tango 9A and 9M; and All stations performed QWA (fire brevity watch) procedure.  

Total Net Time for Ham Nets (primary 165 repeater net and 505 simplex-monitor net);

PLUS 10 individual neighborhood area nets; and  

ALL of the above COMPLETED AND SUMMARIZED IN 26 minutes.  

Great Job Shingletown Radio Operators. 

7/30/2020 SER Practice Nets:

  SER - FIRE NET ACTIVATED 7/12/2020

 0918 HOURS SER FIRE NET TONED AND ACTIVATED BY K6PDS ON 165 ONLY.

(Further activations pending situation progress.  Full activation would be for very serious situation. 165 is part of the SCAN PLAN).

Approx 0918 hours, Cal Fire reported 2 to 3 acre fire in grass, moderate rate of spread, 1 (one) structure involved.  Reported location 30485 Battle Creek Bottom Road.

Net Control used Internet map to determine  location and lat and long [Map Viewer:  https://maps.co.shasta.ca.us/ShastaCountyMap/.  

Net Control used Lat and Long to post to Format Romeo 9A. (see photo of mapping here).  

Net Control estimated Fire to be approximately 3 miles  SW  of Wilson Lookout, bearing  218 True; and approximately 4 miles South of Village.

Net Control Estimated wind speed at location of fire – 6 MPH (corrected) determine from this link   [ https://www.windy.com/?40.502,-121.807,9  ].  See Format Romeo 9A, above, for presentation on map.

Periodic brief reports made by Net Control  on 165 based on Cal Fire radio monitoring. Example: forward progress stopped, copter cancelled… .  During event, assets being cancelled by  Cal Fire.  At 1022 Cal Fire advised remaining resources will be committed 1 hour. Net Control recommendation  -  deactivate Fire Net, no station had contrary recommendation, and monitoring station agreed.

 Fire Net deactivated at 1024 hours.

 Thank you to all on frequency, which included:   K6PDS, KE6DHO, W6IO, AJ6KJ, KQ6CS and another station  which  Net Control did not copy call sign. Telephone contact with KK6SWE.

 ADDITIONAL NEW RESOURCE – thank you Larry:

Cal Fire Camera – viewing South of Wilson Hill.

Thank you Larry  - KK6SWE for providing information about this camera).

http://www.alertwildfire.org/shastamodoc/index.html?camera=Axis-Shingletown&v=81e003f

 WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OUT – FOR ALL APSECTS, NET CONTROL, MAPPING, TRIANGULATION ETC… .  Any station needs to be able to step in and help out and follow the PLAN.  If those presently running the Nets are not available, we need others to be able to step up.  K6PDS  - 73  

Practice Net July 9, 2020 - RESULTS.  Another Great Job!

Sitrep (Tango 9A / Tango 9M) conducted along with QWA procedure; PLUS drill smoke column Triangulation.  

Ham and Individual Neighborhood nets conducted Situation Reports (all areas which reported into nets: had electricity, had ability to call 911, had internet, no earthquake activity, no need for inter-area welfare checks,  etc...; and 

all areas reporting into nets had conducted Brevity Fire Watch procedure and reported no suspect smoke, fire or embers; PLUS  

DRILL triangulation on smoke column with Drill report to Cal Fire. Drill smoke reporting stations used combination of Highway 44 mileage marker; while the other station "wasn't sure of where he was on 44 - advising was  "near Viola", but had phone GPS Lat / Long.  Both sources used to triangulate on Map Format Romeo 9A and estimate Smoke Column Location. Drill call placed to Cal Fire.

5 Divisions, 11 Neighborhood Areas reported; plus 2 drill smoke column reports and total of 30 station reports (including call to specific Neighborhood Area Frequency). Total net time 35 minutes.  After nets, TX  Ham Net Summary (Format Kilo) into neighborhood nets by Hams AND/OR non hams. When TX to neighborhoods, Q Codes AND PLAIN ENGLISH USED. Nets routinely cover all of Shingletown (and over 140 square miles).  A very efficient and rapid procedure to find out what is actually happening during fire season. PLUS, in this drill we also triangulated and reported a Drill smoke column location. Thank you to all you actively participated. 

  Practice Net July 9, 2020 - Agenda:

Practice Net will involve  Sitrep (Tango 9A / Tango 9M) and all stations conduct "QWA Procedure"  (when announcing agenda, including neighborhoods, use the SER terms, please don't change or make stuff up).

 

PLUS WE WILL TRIANGULATE ON A DRILL SMOKE COLUMN.  ONE STATION WILL REPORT ITS LOCATION USING MILEAGE MARKER ON HIGHWAY 44  AND THE SECOND STATION WILL USE GPS (LAT / LONG) TO REPORT ITS LOCATION.   The smoke column drill script is here:
FMT-KIL0-22-SER-DRILL-smoke colum-Ver2020.07.09.pdf Drill Script - Smoke Column / Triangulation - with one station reporting using GPS - Lat / Long as reporting location.  PLEASE USE DECIMAL DEGREES UNDER THIS PROCEDURE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL AREAS USE THE STANDARD SER PROCEDURES. PLEASE DON'T MAKE STUFF OR CHANGE THINGS BECAUSE SOMEONE THINKS IT IS "COOL" OR "BETTER". Why? BECAUSE THEN OTHERS WILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WE WILL NOT HAVE A COHESIVE SYSTEM. YOU NEIGHBORS MAY HAVE TO RUN THE NETS IF OTHERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE - SO WE MUST FOLLOW THE PLAN. OUR SER NETS (AND ACTUAL EVENTS) SHOW THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS.

We should put our energies into working the plan as written and designed. 

Thank you.

 

Nathan   73  k6pds

Missing 11 Year Old Boy found safe - July 3 2020:  Thanks to KF6JAQ for the great job in advising of the active search (Sheriff, CHP, Cal Fire) for an 11 year old boy in Shingletown  (in a remote area) .  The Sheriff's Office was contacted and a complete and accurate description of the boy was obtained. Such information was then sent out over  the 760 and 165 repeaters for station operators to be on the look out.  Several operators were on frequency (24/7 monitoring, which is what the SER program is about). Thank you KK6SWE, KF6FAQ, AJ6KJ, K6PDS, W6IO, KQ6CS,  W6MWM*, and others).  Radio Operator (K6PDS) was loading up his 50 watt radio Go Box, and necessary outdoor equipment, water, supplies, maps, etc...,  to report to the search area when news was received that the boy was found, and was safe.  Learning points from this event for those who desire to assist in these type of activities:  1.  have your 50 Watt Radio Go Box and field equipment ready; 2. If  you  (or anyone) receives an alert about an event from your phone,  text, etc..., please TX over the SER plan (actual facts only). This Lost Person Report was sent out by public officials only to certain areas (not all of Shingletown) - so you can't assume everyone received notice (thank you AJ6KJ for this comment); 3.  Other radio operators outside your specific area / neighborhood may be able to assist; 4.  Base stations (with good outside antennas) should be at the ready  24/7 (with back up power supply - battery, generator, etc...) to act as Net Controls for field operations (including Simplex operation) even during complete communication failures and power outages.  This type of situation may also present itself as to wild fires. This may involve field radio station operators reporting actual observations concerning a local fire from lookout locations and/or ember patrols.  Stations should have the Format Romeo 9A Map at the ready.

Form - Fire Ember Observation Report is Here (for those who desire to assist): http://www.shastadefense.com/A-FmtTANGO6-FireEmberObservationReport20190910.pdf

     *7/4/2020 - ADDED W6MWM AS ANOTHER STATION ON FREQ. THANK YOU.

RESULTS (condensed) of SER Practice Net on July 2, 2020 : 

Great Job! Ham and Individual Neighborhood nets conducted Situation Reports (all areas which reported into nets: had electricity, had ability to call 911, had internet, no earthquake activity, no need for inter-area welfare checks,  etc...; and all areas reporting into nets had conducted Brevity Fire Watch procedure and reported no suspect smoke, fire or embers  Total net time 24 minutes. Nets routinely cover all of Shingletown (and over 140 square miles).  A very efficient and rapid procedure to find out what is actually happening during fire season. 

AND  - When all communications have failed - what other system do you have to find out what is going on in your neighborhood, and other nearby neighborhoods (e.g., that forest fire 5 miles away)? 

Reminders:  System only works if people have their radios on and help out. 

                     Outside antennas are needed for best propagation.

                     We must all test our systems with the weekly drills.

                     If  you are able, upgrade to Alinco Radio. Boefang has reliability issues. 

                     Each Area / Neighborhood should have its own Area Map with streets and radio station

                                     operator locations marked.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!  

CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY, AND

 THE EXCEPTIONALISM THAT IS THE USA!

  7/1/2020 Update - Shingletown Murder suspect dead after auto accident in Southern California. 

Thank you W6IO for announcing this update on the SER Scan Plan and the Village Ch1.  https://krcrtv.com/news/local/shingletown-murder-suspect-dead-after-crash-in-southern-california

  ALERT  ALERT - 6/27/2020 -SUSPECT IN SHINGLETOWN DOUBLE HOMICIDE IDENTIFIED.   BE ON LOOK OUT. CALL 911. DO NOT ENGAGE - CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS - MORE HERE

  ALERT 6/27/2020 - REPORTS  MADE ON 760  AND 165 AS TO SHOOTINGS NEAR DERSCH / 44.  DERSCH CLOSED (ROAD BLOCK) NEAR DERSCH / 44.   STAY AWAY FROM AREA FOR SAFETY.  AT 1820 CHP WAS REMOVING ROAD BLOCK AND TX WAS MADE ON FREQUENCIES AS TO SUCH STATUS.  

THANK YOU W6CCR, WHO WAS IN THE AREA OF THE SHOOTING AND MADE A QST ON 165 SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT - THEREBY ALLOWING PERSONS TO KNOW ABOUT THE DANGEROUS AREA AND TO STAY AWAY FOR THEIR SAFETY. THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE VERY FIRST PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION (I.E., BEFORE ANY NEWS BROADCAST, INTERNET POSTING, ETC...). GREAT JOB W6CCR AND ALL THOSE ON FREQUENCY AND MONITORING.  WHEN DRIVING, RADIO OPERATORS ARE VITAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR FIRES, EMERGENCY SITUATIONS,  STATUS OF ROAD CLOSURES, ETC... . 

RESULTS of Practice Net on June 25, 2020:   5 Divisions and 9 Areas Reported  (Fisher, Village,  Circle K, Rest Area, Wilson Hill South,  Bible Belt, Ash Creek Dersch,  Dersch 44, Starlite).   27 Station Reports (Tango 9A, Tango 9M; and QWA procedure). Net Stations assisting included:   Hams, Neighborhoods nets (hams and non hams); Ham NCS; Ham  505 MONITOR; Ham Mapping 1 and Ham Mapping 2 (mapping Fmt Tango 9a and QWA reports on Fmt Romeo 8); and Triangulation 1 (mapping QWA reports on Fmt Romeo 9A -Township, Range and Section Map - no suspect smoke, fire or embers); Ham Cal Fire Monitor, 160 TC, and Alpha Control. Total Net Time  24 Minutes (approx 150 square miles covered).  Summary Mapping, information and NCS recommendation relayed by Hams or ANY STATION (E.G., NON HAM)  into Areas / Neighborhoods (i.e., their Area Ch 1)  immediately after close of Ham SER Net.

 Please ask other Areas / Neighborhoods to join in. Early detection of Fire, helps Cal Fire and all of the Shingletown Area.  

  6/18/2020  1900 Hours: Ham Net (on Prim Repeater and 505 Simplex) coordinated with Individual Neighborhood nets (each on their own frequency). All stations conducted Situation Reports and Brevity Fire Watches (to determine no suspect smoke, fire or embers). Nets routinely cover over 140+ square miles. All Nets tonight were  completed in approximately 23 minutes.  

6/15/2020  1900 Hours on 760 repeater: Radio On Air class - was done.  HAMS AND NON HAMS WERE ASKED TO  LISTEN TO TRAINING ON NEIGHBORHOOD SMOKE TRIANGULATION OVERVIEW:

IT WAS REQUESTED THAT ALL RADIO TEAMS JOIN IN.      FIRE SEASON IS HERE.

K6PDS gave a brief 10 minute training class on  760 covering:  Sample report intake form; sample posting of reports to neighborhood map; Identification  by way of triangulation of potential source location of smoke; critical importance of stations not smelling smoke to provide report; supplemental call would be made to Cal Fire with results; delivery of mapping results to Cal Fire Engine responding to neighborhood..

 SIMILAR PROCEDURES ARE USED FOR THE HAM NET.

All Neighborhoods were asked to have their Area/Neighborhoods maps ready. They can be used for smoke checks, welfare checks, evacuation assistance, and other uses.

Sample Area Map is shown (for Village)  Training Example 001 - Village Mapping. Smoke Check Format Tango 4M

Report Format Neighborhoods - http://www.shastadefense.com/A-FmtTANGO4M-SER-NeighorhdSmokeCheckAbreviatedRpt20200613.pdf

 

  June 14, 2020 – Village Smoke Check Net Activated (Shingletown Emergency Radio):

Cal Fire Radio reported a large blanket of smoke in the Village.  Village Ch 1 Smoke Check was activated.

Within about 7 minutes (or less) the Village Radio Team  had 9 Station reports from stations located at various locations throughout the Village, AND  ALL STATION REPORTS WERE MAPPED ON FORMAT ROMEO 21 - VILLAGE. With the Lead Station conducting the Net, that was 10 Radio Stations participating on Frequency.

It is fair to say that the Village Radio Team had completed mapping and had a situation analysis completed before Cal Fire had arrived at the Village  [read more]

  6/13/2020 - 1400 hours: Village (F1) conducted brief 12 minute training class on Village channel 1 covering:  Sample report intake form; sample posting of reports to neighborhood map; Identification  by way of triangulation of potential source location of smoke; critical importance of stations not smelling smoke to provide report; supplemental call would be made to Cal Fire with results; delivery of mapping results to Cal Fire Engine responding to neighborhood.. [8 Village Stations checked into Radio Class on Village 1].  Training Example 001 - Village Mapping. Smoke Check Format Tango 4M

Triangulation Mapping Tools - Plotting Triangle (e.g., locating source of smoke from forest fire).

Weems & Plath 101 Protractor Triangle with Handle ( I purchased a set on E-bay).

https://mdnautical.com/plotting-tools/1574-weems-plath-101-protractor-triangle-with-handle.html

Video on use:

It can be used on the Ham Net AND your Area / Neighborhood Net maps to triangulate on sources of forest fire smoke.

  Cal Fire - and the SER Plan: Yesterday (6/7/2020), I had discussions with Cal Fire regarding the SER program. I was advised by the Cal Fire Captain, Shingletown, that they like what we are doing. The Captain said that the SER program provides situational awareness for participants during events and is beneficial to the community.  We also discussed our Smoke Triangulation procedures (Tango 4) which seeks to locate the source of smoke (e.g., at night, etc.... The Captain said that if the location of the fire is not known, they too have to smell the air and many times have to get out of the truck for such purposes while searching areas. The value of the SER procedure was clearly recognized when the Captain advised that he would like to have a neighborhood team member provide the results of the smoke mapping when they arrive in a neighborhood (e.g., the Village). This way they can use the mapping results to aid them in locating a fire.

June 8, 2020  (Monday) at 1900 Hours:  Practice  Live Radio Class  on 760 (non hams Ch 10). Both Hams and Non Hams should listen. The following exercises will be conducted:

1.  Area Coordinator’s TX of Situation Reports, EQ and QWA reports (Format Tango 9a) (different area reports illustrated).

2.  Mapping station summary of mapping (Romeo 8) (all stations to record on Format Kilo).

3.  Illustration of how Non Hams and Hams transmit the format Kilo summary into their area / neighborhood nets after the Ham Net (purpose is to make sure areas receive summary report information – any station is to do this on their Area Ch 1).

  6/5/2020  Comment:  Neighborhood nets are to start taking reports at the 6 minute mark.  The Ham Net is to start taking reports at the 9 minute mark.  Why? Because there is coordination of the Neighborhood Nets and the Ham Nets. Further, those behind the scene are running the nets and doing work.  NCS and Leads are to use a timer and do an actual count down - eg., "...reports in 5 minutes.  reports in 4 minutes, reports in 3 minutes, etc...  This avoids dead air. 

This is an emergency net.  Please do not welcome guests, etc..., as it distracts other stations while they are setting up (e.g., 505 relay net, 505 monitor,  Mapping 1,  Mapping 2,  Triangulation 1, etc... ).  We must all follow the scripts. Nets are to be conducted as we would during an emergency.  

If people in your neighborhood and other neighborhoods are not helping out by giving reports then they are not helping the rest of the community (including you and your family) in determining the location of a fire, status of stations not being able to call 911, downed power lines that can cause a fire (remember the Paradise fire, etc...), or helping to relay your families emergency need to relay a call to 911, etc... . If  your neighbors are not actually transmitting and reporting during our Practice Nets (unless elderly / with disabilities, etc...),  because they are "too busy" to spend 15 minutes a week for their neighborhood, then you must assume that they will not be there to help you.  Talk is cheap.  We need to work with those who are participating and helping out.  If no one in your neighborhood is helping, then you should work to be able to relay to another area. 

  6/4/2020  Practice Net SET FOR  JUNE 4, 2020 -  Agenda: 

  RESULTS of Practice Net on May 28, 2020:   6 Divisions; 2 smoke column reports (drill); and 9 Areas Reported  (Village, Inwood, Circle K,  Wilson Hill South, Battle Creek, Bible Belt, Ash Creek Dersch, Dersch 44, Starlite).   39 total Station Reports processed and mapped (Tango 9A,  Tango 4, and drill smoke columns).  

Operations included: Situation reports Fmt Tango 9a / 9m (all stations);  QWA procedure - Brevity Fire Watch (all stations); Smoke Check - Tango 4 (some stations). PLUS: Drill Smoke Columns reported from Millville Plains/44 lookout (mileage marker 10.77), and Rock Creek/44 (mileage marker 40.60).

The drill Smoke Column Reports were mapped / Triangulated on Format Tango 9A and the estimated location of Drill Fire was determined to be at   T30N   R2E   S29 (Digger Butte Area).  Such is about 6-1/4 miles south of  the Starlite Area; about 5-1/2 miles South East of  the Wilson Hill South Area; and 5 miles SSE of the Rest Area Neighborhoods.   A Drill call was made to Cal Fire while Net Control concurrently requested that all stations transmit the estimated location of the Drill fire into their participating Area / Neighborhood Nets. The Ham net was on standby for this to take place.  If a neighborhood wasn't participating, then they would not be aware of the fire (drill in this case). 

Winds were reported by Tango 4 reports as none. Winds are very important. A point for consideration is that during the Camp fire it was reported  that the fire was growing, during its first burning period, at “one football field per second. A clear illustration of the need for early detection.

A SPECIAL THANKS goes out to all participating Area and Neighborhoods (hams and non hams).  We are making very positive progress!

Net Stations assisting included:   Hams, Neighborhoods nets (hams and non hams); Ham NCS; Ham 505 MONITOR; Ham Mapping 1, Ham Mapping 2 (mapping Fmt Tango 9a) and Triangulation 1 (mapping Fmt Tango 4 and fire / smoke aspects from Fmt Tango 9a); Ham Cal Fire Monitor, 160 TC, and Alpha Control. All coordinated with a Total Net Time  36 Minutes.  

Net Control (and 505 monitor) requested that the Summary of  Mapping, Summary report, NC recommendation, Triangulation report, and Drill Fire information be relayed by all stations into their Areas / Neighborhoods immediately after close of Ham SER Net.  

How large of an area was covered in 36 minutes?   Taking into account the Drill reporting from the Millville Plains Lookout, and Rock Creek / 44 report,  the exercise covered over 300 square miles of area.

Here is a photo of the Format Tango 9A mapping summary prepared by Triangulation 1. 

Great job to all those who are helping out.  Each individual report (Ham or Non Ham) is essential. The System allows all of your individual reports to be summarized, relayed, mapped, and reviewed in a very short period of time. That is why following the system is critical.

Not all Shingletown  Areas / Neighborhoods are participating.  Some are only dealing with their immediate neighbors while others are doing nothing at all.  Coordination of all neighborhoods is needed to avoid a "flames are at the back door" situation. 

Please ask other Areas / Neighborhoods to join in. Early detection of Fire, helps Cal Fire and all of the Shingletown Area.  

5/28/2020 Practice Net SET FOR May 28, 2020 -  Agenda: 

    * ALL STATIONS (HAM AND NON HAM) - Sitrep (Tango 9a / 9m); and  QWA procedure - Brevity Fire Watch;  AND 

    * FOR HAMS AND THOSE WANTING TO HELP OUT MORE:  Smoke Check Format Tango 4.   

    * PLUS: WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE A - DRILL SMOKE COLUMN  / TRIANGULATION EXERCISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF A DRILL FIRE SOURCE (SEE SCRIPT). 

TRIANGULATION IS TO BE DONE ON FORMAT TANGO 9A (MAP FILE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE DESIRING IT.  PRINTING CAN BE DONE AT ELLIS IN REDDING FOR ABOUT $14.00).

 Radio Station Operators include: Neighborhood Nets HAMS AND ON HAMS; Hams; Area Coordinators;  Ham Mapping Stations 1 and 2; Ham Triangulation Station; Ham NCS; Ham Cal Fire Monitor; Ham 160 Tango Charlie;  Ham Alpha Control.  AND HAM 505 Monitor.

 For this to work, all neighborhoods and Hams need to participate. Please help out.

 IF YOU KNOW OF AN AREA THAT IS NOT HELPING OUT, PLEASE ASK THEM TO JOIN IN.  NONE OF US ARE IMMUNE FROM A SHINGLETOWN  FIRE!

 Please monitor frequencies 24/7 - early detection means cal fire can respond sooner. Remember, if you see a fire or smell suspect smoke - call 911.  THANKS. NATHAN    73     K6PDS

  5/23/2020: PG&E is installing (May, 2020) a site at Reeds in Shingletown. In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff event, a mobile generator will be transported to the site to provide electricity to about 80 PG&E customers... in the event of other Power Outages, a mobile generator is to likewise be transported to the site to provide electricity (per  owner of Reeds). ... . It is important to note that during these power outage events (planed or otherwise), the generator must be transported to the site at Reeds ...READ MORE HERE

Village Ch 1 Activation:  5/22/2020, Cal Fire call out for flu fire / residential structure fire at 30542 Figaro Dr.   Village Ch 1 Activated. Foxtrot 7 provided report from scene.   Cal Fire arrived on scene.  As of 1905 hours (approx) Fire out per homeowner, Cal Fire investigating and cancelled response.  We had several Village Stations that were on frequency.  Great Job Village stations.   73

  RESULTS of Practice Net on May 21, 2020:   6 Divisions and 10 Areas Reported  (Village, Inwood, Circle K, Rest Area, Wilson Hill South, Battle Creek, Bible Belt, Ash Creek Dersch, Dersch 44, Starlite).   39 Station Reports (Tango 9A,  and Tango 4).  Operations included: Situation reports Fmt Tango 9a / 9m (all stations);  QWA procedure - Brevity Fire Watch (all stations); Smoke Check - Tango 4 (some stations); Drill Fire reported by Cal Fire Monitor (PG E lake area) – later reported as “contained – drill”. Net Stations assisting included:   Hams, Neighborhoods nets (hams and non hams); Ham NCS; Ham 505 MONITOR; Ham Mapping 1, Ham Mapping 2 (mapping Fmt Tango 9a) and Triangulation 1 (mapping Fmt Tango 4 and fire / smoke aspects from Fmt Tango 9a); Ham Cal Fire Monitor, 160 TC, and Alpha Control. Total Net Time  31 Minutes.  Summary Mapping, Summary Triangulation, and Drill Fire information relayed by Hams into Areas / Neighborhoods immediately after close of Ham SER Net.

 Please ask other Areas / Neighborhoods to join in. Early detection of Fire, helps Cal Fire and all of the Shingletown Area.

  Why the SER Plan  and YOU are essential: Reflect on the fact that you, as part of the SER Net Plan, are helping in the immediate and rapid reporting and review of  critical factual information and reports over a large geographic area (in excess of  140 + square miles; and with location lookouts being used - in excess of 600 square miles).  "Buried amongst the trees", this information is simply not available to you, me , or  other individual residents.  This SER Plan reporting is all done in a very short period of time  (approximately 30 minutes).  In addition to providing vital information to residents, this information can be provided to emergency services. I submit that such information is not otherwise available to Cal Fire or the Sheriiff  in the event of a large geographic event as it unfolds. For example, summary of earthquake damage reports immediately following an earthquake; what areas have the ability to dial 911, and who can't?; and  reporting of a fire when there is a total communication failure of cell phones, land lines, reverse 911,  internet, etc...).  Such information can be vital to limited resource allocations.  Please ask others to help out. Community participation (i.e., reporting and communicating) is essential for successful implementation. All residents need to do is report in - The SER plan is designed to process your information.

  Practice Net SET FOR May 21, 2020 - Agenda:  Sitrep (Tango 9a / 9m);  QWA procedure - Brevity Fire Watch; and Smoke Check Format Tango 4.  Radio Station Operators include: Neighborhood Nets; Hams; Area Coordinators;  Ham Mapping Stations 1 and 2; Ham Triangulation Station; Ham NCS; Ham Cal Fire Monitor; Ham 160 Tango Charlie;  Ham Alpha Control. 505 Relay Net - suspended. For this to work, all neighborhoods and Hams need to participate. Please help out.

RESULTS  FOR VILLAGE CH 1 PROPAGATION TEST ON MAY 18, 2020 (SEE FMT ROMEO 24 - VILLAGE)       

KEY SUMMARY POINTS - AREA (VILLAGE) CH 1 (MURS):

-AVERAGE READABILITY FOR OUTSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS TO HEAR OTHER OUTSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS = 4.63  GOOD

-AVERAGE READABILITY FOR INSIDE ANTENNA (RUBBER DUCKY) STATIONS TO HEAR OUTSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS = 3.8 NOT ACCEPTABLE

-AVERAGE READABILITY FOR OUTSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS TO HEAR INSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS (RUBBER DUCKY) = 3.3 (NOT ACCEPTABLE)

-AVERAGE READABILITY FOR INSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS (RUBBER DUCKY) TO HEAR OTHER INSIDE ANTENNA STATIONS (RUBBER DUCKY) = 2.6  (FAILURE)

CRITERIA - READABILITY: X = Nothing heard 5= Q5 Perfectly Readable 4= Q4 Readable with practically no difficulty 3= Q3 Readable with considerable difficulty 2= Q2 Barely Readable, occasional words distinguishable 1= Q1 Unreadable

  Village CH1  Propagation Testing SET FOR MAY  18, 2020 AT 1900 HOURS. Preparing for wildfire season.

RESULTS of Practice Net on May 14, 2020: 4 Divsions and 8 Areas Reported  (Village, Inwood, Circle K, Rest Area, Wilson Hill, Battle Creek, Bible Belt, Emigrant). 40 Station Reports.  Operations included: Situation reports Fmt Tango 9a / 9m (all stations);  QWA procedure - Brevity Fire Watch (all stations); Smoke Check - Tango 4 (some stations); Triangulation Mapping of 2 reports of DRILL smoke columns with Drill call to Cal Fire Reporting estimated location of Drill Smoke Column (providing Township, Range and Section of smoke);  Inter-Area relay of Neighborhood reports; 505 Relay Net. Stations assisting included:   Hams, Neighborhoods nets (hams and non hams); Ham NCS; Ham Relay Control; Ham Mapping 1 (mapping Fmt Tango 9a) and Triangulation 1 (mapping Fmt Tango 4 and fire / smoke aspects from Fmt Tango 9a); Ham Cal Fire Monitor. Total Net Time  36 Minutes.

  Comment: Neighorhoods need to relay reports into the Ham Net. If neighborhoods only keep information to themselves then there is no overall sharing of information. Logic tells us that if no one is sharing information then by definition we will not receive reports of smoke, fire or other emergencies from other areas. (5/17/2020).

  Comment: We need more stations to help out and be able to run net operations (Neighborhoods and Ham) when others are absent.  Hams and Non Hams need to step up and help run nets so that anyone can run the nets during emergencies. "let Joe do it" doesn't work when Joe is out of town. So we all need to become proactive and  step up to the plate. (5/17/2020).

  Comment: 505 Relay Net (suspended - lack of use):  This has been developed and the procedure works well. Thank you to KK6DOO, AJ6KJ AND K6PDS FOR RUNNING THIS BACK UP RELAY NET during primary net operations.  The 505 Relay Net was set up for when repeaters fail and simplex operations will be needed with relays (which should be practiced). Also, some stations may not be able to reach the repeater being used for the Primary Net.  However,  there has been a lack of support / use by other Hams for the 505 relay net and those who are presently running the nets can only do so much. At this time, we are working to do Triangulation for locating sources of smoke  (and that is a position requiring a station to only perform that task).  Relay Control attempted to also perform the  Triangulation  function. Such is not a workable situation.  Accordingly, the 505 Relay Net  is suspended. We need more people who are willing to help out. (5/16/2020)

  Village Safety Drill Results

    Village Safety Drill - Evacuation ALERTING exercise for Wildfire Risk (Drill only - no actual evacuation) 3-14-2020

  SER ACTIVE FIRE NET ACTIVATION 11-12-2019 SER ACTIVE FIRE NET ACTIVATION 11-12-2019       Shingletown Fire

  SER STATUS REPORT 20190829: Sitrep and Brevity Fire Watch Reports (no suspect fires / smoke); plus Drill House Fire Relay to 911; 33 Station reports (neighborhood Areas and Ham) transmitted / relayed, mapped and plain english summary by Division provided. Net completed in 20 minutes. 

  SER STATUS REPORT 20190822 Sitrept, Brevity Fire Watch - Net completed in 16 minutes . 24 reports mapped.

  SER ACTIVE FIRE NET ACTIVATION 8-14-2019       Shingletown Fire 

  SER STATUS REPORT 20190815  Sitrept, Brevity Fire Watch, Drill Emergency Traffic, NCS radio failure during net.

  SER STATUS REPORT 20190808 Earthquake Drill Communications Blackout.

SER STATUS REPORT 20190801