SER  SYSTEM FOCUS IS THE SHINGLETOWN CORE  WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ACTIVE AND PARTICIPATING AREAS:  VILLAGE;  LONG HOLLOW;  MIDWAY;  REST AREA.  The Emergency Radio Operations Center TEAM approach in use (adopted 1/27/2022).

Volunteers are critical in order for this to work.  The CORE volunteers are doing a great job! 

9/2/2023: ANYONE CAN LISTEN (ASSUMING YOU ARE IN RANGE WITH GOOD PROPAGATION) TO:  CH 9;   CH 10 - 146.760  AND/OR   CH 13 - 146.505. JUST PROGRAM YOUR RADIO(s)  WITH NO TONES, NO OFFSET AND NO TX.

Attached Map Plotting of Location and Watch Duty - HERE

2023  09 21  Report of  Net Operations.

Agenda:  Mobile Evacuation Drill Exercise.

Stations checked in. An introduction to and explanation of the Mobile Evacuation Procedure was provided.  

Sounding of Car Horns procedure was also covered.

Next stations practiced Mobile Evacuation DRILL REPORTS (e.g., road conditions and traffic flow) and mobile DRILL NEEDS (e.g., car break down need transport for 2 adults and 2 children...) . We also had Stations go to Ch 10 (55) and listen to see how well they heard the 760 repeater. Also, on 760 we had a Drill Report done for illustration (using 3rd party communication Section 97.115(b)). We returned to EROC 9 for reports as to propagation on 760 (how well stations heard 760). Then on EROC 9  stations performed evacuation Drill Reports and Drill Needs.

Mobile Evacuation Drill 001 09 19 2023 (very simple - two specific ITEMS - EITHER A " REPORT"   OR A "NEED" (WITH A "RESPONSE")

practiced regularly with drill scenarios?         To Continue Reading - click  HERE

2023  09 14  Report of  Net Operations.

Agenda:  Mobile Evacuation Drill Exercise.

Stations checked in. An introduction to and explanation of the Mobile Evacuation Procedure was provided.  

Next stations practiced Mobile Evacuation DRILL REPORTS.  

2023 09 09 Mobile Evacuation Net – Drill next week.

 Please read the  below SCRIPT  and the DRILLS.  We will practice this next Thursday (assuming no actual activation).

 We will do a station check in first, with a brief introduction and then start the DRILL.  Please join in and actively participate. Each Station should do at least one drill.  

We haven't done this for a while, so the practice may be a little "rough". That is OKAY.  By practicing we will all improve.

 Thank you.

MOBILE  EVACUATION  NET SCRIPT   (VERSION:  9/08/2023) - use this version.

http://www.shastadefense.com/Mobile%20Evac%20Net%20Script%202023%2009%2008.pdf

Mobile Evacuation Drills 09/08/2023 VERSION

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (a Brevity Fire Watch Procedure following  specific procedures to check and report on either the absence of,  or presence of,  any suspect smoke, fire or embers)

Total Net time    9  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating   24   (with 14 reports)

See copy of Report HERE 

We will be practicing MOBILE EVACUATION NET PROCEDURES NEXT WEEK.

Water Company Notice: "This is an alert to notify you that on Friday, September 8th, we are performing repairs to the main line on Bambi Drive. Customers on portions of Shasta Forest Drive, Bambi Drive, and Thumper will be affected. We are sending an AUTOMATED PHONE ALERT to only those customers. PLEASE REFER TO THE HIGHLIGHTED AREAS ON THE MAP. Water supply will be interrupted from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Friday, September 8th. Please prepare by having a supply of drinking and cooking water on hand during that time. Potable water is available at the faucet located at the front of our office on Bambi Drive. Due to the nature of repairs we will be applying bleach to the lines upon completion. You may therefore experience a temporary chlorine odor or taste and air in the lines. Please flush your taps to remove residual tastes, odors, and air once service is restored."

Impact: water services to fire hydrants and yard hoses in those areas not available in the event of fire.

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (a Brevity Fire Watch Procedure following  specific procedures to check and report on either the absence of,  or presence of,  any suspect smoke, fire or embers)

Total Net time    9  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  4  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating   23   (with 15 reports - including e-mail from Circle K)

See copy of Report HERE 

Note: another Area is working on emergency communications and they may link into SERCAP. They are in the early stages of planning. Communications would involve repeater relay. This would be mutually beneficial to all our SERCAP participants as well as their Area. 

We do need some more Hams that are willing to follow the SERCAP procedures. If you can't wait to learn and become a Ham, that would be great. 

Thank you to all of you who are participating, monitoring 24/7, and helping out.

Also, thank you to Don (S1 / BZL) for supplying the new batteries (two 6 volt extreme duty) for the repeater. We spent all day Saturday at Latour with a Cal Fire representative who was very friendly, courteous, helpful and a pleasure to be with. He made sure we made it to the top of the mountain, and more importantly, made sure we didn't get lost coming back down the mountain.  

We installed the new batteries, worked on the repeater; installed a new (temporary) solar panel (looking to increase size); ran wiring, installed a mounting board for electrical; and installed a new Solar Charger. The other solar charger seems to have had an encounter with lightening.  I am working on the updated radio programming and will let you know when it is time to bring your radio in for an update. 

Also, special thanks to Charles Seevers (W6QWN) who has spent endless hours providing technical assistance and who provided assistance by radio while we were on Latour (in the clouds and rain).

Hopefully, other Shingletown areas establish  disciplined emergency radio plans for their Areas / Neighbors. Due to numerous factors, SER-CAP is working with only 4 specific areas.  

We understand other Areas / Neighborhoods have radios, but do nothing or use them for "chit-chat".

It is recommended that other Areas / Neighborhoods put in place substantive emergency radio communication plans.  That excludes mere  social "nice to hear you and okey dokey" meaningless chit chat.  Have your system be substantive and geared to many higher level operators who can assemble and get vital information out to everyone. They need to be community oriented (not just thinking about themselves). By gearing your net to substance, even the people who are too lazy can actually hear something meaningful. 

Warm and fuzzy won't work. Plan for Hawaii - Maui - Lahaina - Paradise. Think:  fire wiped out power, communications not working, roads blocked, water hydrants running dry, government warning systems not activating, no warnings provided, you look out your back door and see flames - and you need information about what roads aren't on fire so you can escape. And please don't bother with the excuse - " Gee I was relying on my neighbor Bob to alert me -  why didn't he?". Well Bob's house burned down and he is dead. ... etc...

The above may be blunt, but it isn't as blunt as what we may be facing.

In Lahaina, the wildfire traveled a mile every minute. That would would  overtake the Village Area in about 1 minute. Your "check in charlie net" will be useless.  We should all be preparing for:   the Sh*t has hit the Fan. By being prepared, you are taking steps to control stress. If you run into negative and destructive people - move on. You can' fix stupid.  Set your objectives and do it.

So, what are you doing?

We merely ask that other Areas and groups not  interfere with SER-CAP. 

Also, be careful programming radios. We have found people plug random frequency listings into radios.  Sounds "cool". Well, that is not a Plan. They also  program  frequencies improperly so that you can't even hear or transmit on a plan frequency. They don't practice. They don't have emergency communication plans. They also illegally set up radios to transmit on Cal Fire, etc ... . 

Be sure to comply with all applicable laws, including FCC regulations. Be careful as there are people who fancy themselves as "experts" and propound upon matters which they do not actually know. 

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (a Brevity Fire Watch Procedure following  specific procedures to check and report on either the absence of,  or presence of,  any suspect smoke, fire or embers)

Total Net time    10  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating   25   (with 23 reports - including e-mail from Circle K)

Please note that  2 active stations in the Village are leaving California.  They have been a TREMENDOUS  help to our Emergency Communications Team and will be missed. They were not able to check in tonight. God Bless them on their relocation. 

Tonight we had inter-area relays (Village - Midway - Longhollow) PLUS a relay within the Village. This shows how propagation may vary and the impact of our rough terrain. So tonight, Village stations automatically stepped up and did the needed relay. It was smooth and they did a  fantastic job.  Procedures were followed and it was routine and clean.  

GREAT JOB DONE BY ALL !!

As a reminder, be sure to be acknowledged by CONTROL (I.E., by your Tactical - e.g., "F1"   then Control says  ..... "F1 go"... then give your report). That way we avoid doubling with stations that you may not even be hearing, but which are reporting to CONTROL.  If there is doubling both reports are lost and have to be taken again.

Thank you to all of you who are helping to make this Volunteer Emergency Communications Team a vital asset for Real Time life saving information. 

In the very near future, we will do another drill relating to FIRE NET Tacticals for wildfires. 

See copy of Report HERE 

Maui Wild Fire 8/16/2023:  (SOME: POINTS FOR SHINGLETOWN WILD FIRE PREPARATIONS).

Source of below information: https://w ww.cnn.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-wildfires-death-toll-tuesday/index.html

 Some Key points:  

1.  Death toll: in the Maui wildfires has risen to 106, Maui County officials said Tuesday, a week after the flames started sweeping through parts of the Hawaiian island. … death toll still could rise significantly (still searching);…

2.  Power and Communications wiped out:  The fires wiped out both power and communications for thousands. Hawaiian Electric announced it had restored power to about 80% of its customers on Maui.

3. Fire Hydrants ran dry: As the fires quickly advanced on the historic town of Lahaina last week, first responders encountered weak water pressure and fire hydrants running dry, …and the flames spread beyond firefighters’ ability to contain them….

4. Alarms did not activate: Hawaii’s network of about 400 alarms, meant to alert residents to tsunamis and other natural disasters, did not activate as the fire spread … authorities believe the sirens were “essentially immobilized” by the extreme heat … governor told CNN on Tuesday that some of the sirens were broken…  

5. "Lahaina wildfire traveled a mile every minute..." (SER COMMENT: CONSIDER - SUCH EVENT WOULD OVERTAKE THE VILLAGE (400 HOMES) IN ABOUT ONE MINUTE)

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

 PLUS DRILL - EXERCISE FIRE NET TACTICALS

Total Net time    14  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating   22  

 (with 23 REPORTS PROCESSED - 15  SIT REP / QWA;   PLUS

                                                            8 DRILL REPORTS).

See copy of Report HERE 

Shingletown Emergency Radio.  8/14/2023

URGENT - ALL RADIOS NEED TO BE UPDATED / RE-PROGRAMMED IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THE 760 REPEATER (if the Repeater is activated).  THIS IS FINAL NOTICE BEFORE CHANGE.

08/07/2023  - At about 2040 hours keying started on the 760 Repeater.  Periodic keying continued up to midnight, after midnight, pre-dawn, and up to 0755 hours (8/8/2023) . The number of  keyings was about 10+  (spanning over 11 HOURS) with some keyings having the PTT held for about 3 seconds.  This awakened volunteer radio operators all during the night. No call sign was given.  Malicious actions of this type have continued over a long period of time. Such have served to destroy the all volunteer larger Area Shingletown emergency communications plan for wildfire communications and other life threatening incidents which the 760 repeater previously provided.

8 /12/ 2023  wildfire in Hawaii – some key summary points:

 -“The death toll from a horrific wildfire in Hawaii climbed to 80” … [ people still missing]…

 - “Over 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed in the fire, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said, estimating that it would cost some $5.5 billion to rebuild affected communities …

 -"We underestimated the lethality, the quickness of fire," Hawaii Congresswoman Jill Tokuda told CNN… (emphasis added)

- Greenberg, FEMA's director of operations and for years a volunteer fireman himself, said the recent blaze was of a type "extraordinarily difficult" to control. "We talk about these types of fires moving as quickly as the length of a football field in 20 seconds or less," (emphasis added) …

- Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cellphones…

- Fears of looting were also on residents' minds…”

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hawaii-starts-probe-into-wildfire-handling-as-toll-hits-67/ar-AA1f6UR4

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    9  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  2  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating 26   (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

NEXT WEEK- practice Net will include additional element of Stations selecting and viewing a Tactical for Fire Nets at this link:   http://www.shastadefense.com/SER-Incident-Resources-Information.htm

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    9  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating 25   (with 19 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

Fronter Land Line service restored to village approx. 1528 hours (VL reports: S6  F7  B6)

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    8  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating 25   (with 15 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

Reprt. Initial 800 square foot structure fully involved, minimal spread to vegetation, other structures threatened.  Cal Fire responding....  Assets at scene,  Air assets over scene.... Col of smoke visible - Inskip camera, Internet winds out of SW 4 MPH. ..Staging at 44 and  Dersch ... Dozers...   medic en route.  Updated report: 600 Square Foot structure, spread to vegetation contained  1/4 acre,  possible 1 victim. SO notified.

...Air Assets released, dozers released.  Mop up / overhauling.

SER Net - Silent Monitoring deactivated 1350.

After Action:  Silent Monitoring only. Did not activate EROC Fire Net. Reason: deemed minimal exposure for the only participating areas (which are: Village, Midway, Long Hollow and Rest Area).  Activation on  EROC 9  would serve only to cause concern for Areas not impacted.  

The SER Fire Net activities included S6 going to another residence on Shasta Forest Drive which had a good view (at S8)- S6 reported no smoke or smoke odor. S3 (also on Shasta Forest Drive - North side of Shasta Forest Village) reported no smoke or smoke odor present.  S6 (internet Winds) reported winds out of NE at 3 MPH.   S1 was TAC 11;  F7 was Cal Fire 20; F1 was fire control / flight radar / triangulation); T10 was on frequency and ready to assist if needed. Midway and Longhollow were apparently QXX and didn't respond. There were No Cameras which showed smoke (no cameras have a good view of our area). Fire Net provided Bullet Point summaries on EROC 9 in real time as to Cal Fire search reports and status. During Net, Fire Control transmitted on 760 (10) requesting any hams to respond. Only response was from S1 (BZL) who was already conducting radio operations as part of  the SER Active Fire Net on EROC 9.  Radio operators from a distance may have been able to see the smoke column while those of us buried in the trees could not. Cal Fire was doing a very active search for the source of the smoke column.   Cal Fire - UTL.

As of  0909 hours the SER Fire Net was deactivated. Stations continued Silent Monitoring of incident. 0921 hours Engine 2463 released from Ponderosa Incident. ...

AFTER ACTION:

1.  The location of an Incident on the Fire Mapping Internet Sources (and other Internet sources), may NOT be the actual location of a Fire. 

2.  The Fire Cameras do NOT have good view of the Shasta Forest, Midway, Longhollow Areas.

3.  Cell Phone coverage was reported as none by Cal Fire during part of its search for the source of smoke.

4.  We did not have any Radio Operators go mobile to view Miller Lookout during this incident because Cal fire was very active searching Area. Thus, avoiding road traffic. Our radio reporting provided the information to those on frequency.

5. We Need Hams who are community minded and willing to help out.  If you desire to be Ham, that would be great. For instance, a Ham mobile and 10 miles away may have a vantage point with vital information. 

6.  The NON Hams did a FANTASTIC JOB and are the backbone of the Emergency Radio Operations Center. Thank you to those community minded Hams that are helping out with vital assistance.

7.  The SER Net is about radio reporting in real time. So it is critical that all stations monitor EROC 9   24/7 and be ready to actively participate in radio communications.  All Stations should learn how to run a net and follow procedures because others may be out of town or otherwise not available. Just follow the plan - plug in and just do it. 

8.  Consider that during an emergency, you may be able to listen and participate in radio comms when all other systems are down and out.  

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    10  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  2  Shingletown. 

Total stations participating 26   (with 13 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

Fire Net Deactivated 1612 hours. Stations continued Silent Monitoring of incident.

Silent Monitoring:  ... 1651 hours - Cal Fire Commitment time 1 hour. 

Fire Net Tacticals were:  Fire Control (F1 / PDS) (also did triangulation);   TAC 11 (S1 / BZL);  Cal Fire 20 (F7);   S6 and S2 provided important radio reports.   These stations immediately responded and formed the Fire Net.

AFTER ACTION POINTS (PLEASE READ):

1.  USING TACTICALS DISTRIBUTES THE WORKLOAD AND MAKES THE NET MORE EFFICIENT (one person can't do it all).  S6 made the initial call out on EROC 9, and we had the Fire Net and Tacticals operating  in less than about a  minute. Once the Fire Net is activated, be sure to ID only with your tactical and wait for Fire Control to call you before giving your report.

2. The use of Radio provided the most immediate and up to date reporting of the incident.

3.  During Incident, Fire Control attempted to use the Internet Resources for information. Result: Frontier Internet was EXTREMELY SLOW AND ESSENTIALLY WORTHLESS ! Whether such was due to a lot of users being on line or not is not known, but, without Radio reporting we would not have had meaningful information. For a major event, we must plan on all resources being unavailable and use radio.

4.  The Internet resource - National Fire Situational Awareness didn't show the incident as of 1624 hours  (WHICH IS AFTER THE FIRE NET HAD BEEN DEACTIVATED). 

5. The internet resource Watch Duty Reported the incident.

6. Internet Cameras - no view of fire detected, BUT, SELECTING THE TOOL "IRWIN IGNITION POINTS" SHOWED FIRE. WE SHOULD USE THIS TOOL (B1 PREVIOUSLY  ADVISED OF THIS TOOL). This assumes the Internet if available.

7. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE LISTENING AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE STATIONS WHO WERE ON LINE AND IMMEDIATELY VOLUNTEERED AS FIRE NET TACTICALS.   GREAT JOB!

8.  PLEASE SENT COMMENTS TO:   zlaw@taxsos.com.

07/07/2023:  “Leaf” incident. Cal fire tone out approx 1412 hours.  Fire on Waterleaf.

SER Fire Net Activation: F7, S6, and F1 on EROC 9.  F7 acted as Fire Control. S6 provided information relay from Cal Fire and provided reports including Wind and other information.

 Tac 11.  2 engines responding, WT responding, 1 crew. …  F1 went mobile providing ground reports – observing from Highway 44 between Waterleaf and Shasta Forest Drive.  F1 reported Engine observed turning onto Waterleaf from Highway 44. Note: Internet mapping shows location being in the area of  -121.9145 (equal to approx. -121 deg. 54.864)    40.4946 (equal to approx. 40 deg  29.671) (this is about 2/10  to 3/10 of a mile SSW from Shasta Forest Drive and Highway 44.). It is worthwhile noting that this location had NO FIRE CAMERAS. So reporting was based upon radio traffic, Area observations, etc… .  

Reports included such matters as  Smoke being  SSW of Shasta Forest Drive and 44;  Ground report - Wind out of the SSW  (i.e., Village downwind of smoke source); ground reporting as to relative size / amount of smoke and ground observation reports continued to the point that the smoke substantially diminished and was no longer visible.  Cal Fire cancelling some resources (crew cancelled). Radio report from S6 wind 7mph.

 Stations reporting on EROC 9 included:  S6, F7, Midway, Long Hollow;  L3 (at Highway 44 and Shasta Forest Drive);  S1 also reported about size of smoke column, F1, and others.

 Fire net deactivated at approx. 1436 hours.

 S6 has provided the following summary from reviewing Cal Fire traffic:

  Leaf Incident – CDF Tac-11

      Traffic from CDF SHU Local

      Lat/Long reported as N 4029.671 by -12154.864

      First unit on scene at 14:19 E2463, reports 100 x100 large spot

         •         14:23   Cancel aircraft

         •         14:23   Still responding:  2454, 2478, 2561, crew 1, T DZ 2444 Training 2427,   

                                 WT21

         •         14:25   Keep 2 eng 1 crew, prevention (2454 2478, ship crew 1, Prevention),

                                cancel balance

         •         14:26   Prevention 2423 2421 responding

         •         14:30   Unreadable; Reading copy

         •         14:33   Lat/Long  N 4029.671 W -12154.864

         •         14:34   2478 continue / 2454 cancel

         •         15:19   Prevention 2221 at scene

         •         15:40   2478 avail

 Comment:

 After the Fire Net F1 went to Next Door to see what was written about the “Leaf” incident. This is what was written. A person (who didn’t have the SER Plan (Emergency Radio Communications) wrote:

        “Just heard sirens and can smell smoke!! Does anyone know what is going on???”

          There were  two responses on Next Door as follows:

                    “I heard that there is a fire on Waterleaf and 44”; and “Yes, fire on Waterleaf across from SFV”. That’s it. [Note:  such limited comments were able to be posted because the internet was working. When the internet is down what is the plan for those using Next Door?].  

Now, please take a moment to compare the above limited information to the amount of relevant fire information which was almost immediately available to those participating in the SER Plan.

Thank you to all of those SER Plan participating stations. Volunteers make this work. Great Job!  

06/23/2023 – Cal Fire Tone out – approx 1655 hours – multiple fires ( 14 spot fires, with up to 18 reported) along highway 44 between Midway Pines and East thereof  (just West of the Luge). All  times of this report are approximate. Incident:  “Midway”. CDF TAC 11. … Cal Fire responding. Air Craft requested.  SER FIRE NET ACTIVATED with emergency tone out. 

 Cal Fire reporting locals working fires and fires holding.  1708 hours VL L3 relays report that bystanders / locals viewed putting out fires along Highway 44. Cal Fire -  CHP requested for traffic control. SER Net  - No internet Camera visual of fires.   VL S6 goes mobile and reports: Miller area – spot fire south side of  road being put out by locals.    FIRE CONTROL requests all stations to conduct QWA procedure (i.e., go outside, do a  360 degree scan of ground, tree and sky level looking for any Suspect smoke, fire or embers). All stations thereafter reporting QWA included: VL:  F7  C6  L9  F13  T10 and  B1;  Long Hollow; Midway 3;  and Midway 1.  S6 mobile reports at 1714 hours: 100 road & 44  three (3) spot fires being extinguished.  Cal Fire reports another small fire below luge being worked by locals. 1715 hours  S6 Moble located at Bullalo Area on 44 …  WT 20 arrived.  VL T10 mobile on Foot Patrol along Highway 44 (south of Village).

 1724 hours:  Cal fire reports 14  fires from Midway pines  to bottom of  luge; forward spread stopped.  Air Attack 1750 hours no other smoke.

 Cal Fire releases both dozers (staged  44 / Dersch).  VL T10 (foot patrol on Highway 44 sourth of village) reports no suspect smoke along 44. During incident VL S6 drove up to Shingletown and reported no further fires East of Miller Area / 44.  

 SER Station relayed report by unknown persons who viewed a vehicle of interest at bottom of luge area who claimed to have observed a person spraying ignition fluid (this is unconfirmed as to what person was actually spraying); that the vehicle had been stopped in area near bottom of  the luge (by unknown persons), and there was an attempt to call 911 by such persons but reporting parties cell phone failed.  Report received via radio relay and land line relay call was then made to 911 of reported information.   1734 hours  another relay to 911 was made (via land line)  of radio report that a vehicle matching the vehicle of interest was viewed traveling west bound on Highway 44 from Lisa Glenn Court). [The key point is that information was relayed to Cal Fire; they have the information; and can determine facts and what to do with it or not do with it].

 TX of update: fires contained; aircraft returning to Redding.

  VL T10 advised he completed foot patrol and was now located at the end of thumper – and will advise when at home QTH and safe.  VL S6 mobile reported no fires East of Miller Ranch area other than previously reported at the bottom of Luge. Thereafter,  VL S6 reported at home QTH and safe.  1743 VL T10 reported at home and safe.

 During incident Cal Fire had (per Flight Radar) 3 aircraft over incident. One aircraft proceeded to Viola – no additional fires spotted.  Air assets left area. Also, during incident Cal Fire reported that there was no cell phone reception when they attempted to contact a unit.  

1745 hours SER FIRE NET deactivated.  

After action Notes:

F1 (K6PDS) continued Silent Monitoring after Fire Net Deactivation.

1748  hours Midway IC … things looking a lot better …  releasing engines. E 2561 released, returning to Tehama;

1750 hours training 2424 available. 

1804 Cal Fire is patrolling.

Per Cal fire reports -18 fires, but some merged. Approx 14 (in this regard, the mapping later showed 16).  (See Here).

1810 hours all 44 units available.

1846 Cal Fire closes out incident advises of meeting at station.

SER Silent Monitoring Deactivated.  

During incident, PDS made TX on 760 (10).  During this time, SER Village hams S1 and S2 were QXX;  and Rest Area Ham MWM was QXX.  No other Shingletown  Hams responded.  Hopefully this changes. The SER FIRE NET was conducted on EROC 9 with periodic reports sent out on 760 (10).  

 When reporting, Station operators need to identify the channel they are on. Example:  “SIERRA 6   on   55”;  “TANGO 10    ON    EROC 9”. THE REASON IS THAT FIRE CONTROL HAS BETWEEN 4 AND 5 RADIOS WHICH ARE BEING WORKED  AT THE SAME TIME DURING A FIRE NET (in addition to monitoring the computer and maps). YOU CAN SEE THE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE “VOICES” ARE COMING FROM.

 THE EROC  (Emergency Radio Operations Center) TEAM MEMBERS DID A GREAT JOB! YOU WERE THERE AND HELPED OUT WHEN IT MATTERED. IT WAS THE NON HAMS who were the primary operators who made this FIRE NET a success! Thank you!  

K6PDS.

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    8  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3 (includes report from VL S6 from Pizza Restaurant in Shingletown). 

Total stations participating 23   (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

Thereafter at approx 1945  hours all of  the Village Area lost power. Stations reporting included:  F1(HAM)  F7 B6  I1  F13  L3  F8  L9 L10 S1(ham)  S6  S7  C1 (some stations on generator). 

Midway reported text from PG & E estimated restoration of power by 11:00.

REPORT REQUESTED FROM OTHER AREAS ON 760  10 - no Shingletown Hams Responded.

Per PG & E outage map, outage extends from Long Hollow and the Far West side of the Village (Echo 1 area)  through Inwood, Midway to approx Dersch / 44. 

VL  i1 reported (via phone relay) Sites Area without power. Also on 760 a station reported power out in the Airport Area.

Ham (MWM) was monitoring home security cams (back up power activated) and observed power out in the Rest Area. Thank you Mike for the e-mail report.

Thus, large area Power Outage:  No Power from Airport (circle K area), Sites, Rest Area, Village, Midway, Long hollow to approx Dersch / 44. (per PG & E outage map - outage includes Inwood).

Approx 1950 hours  VL S6 reported smell of smoke out of the East. Also, VL F7 DETECTED Smoke odor out of East. Action: request made for all Village stations to conduct QWA procedure. Results of  QWA PROCEDURE - Reports: All QWA - INCLUDING    L3  L9 B6 S1  I1 F8 C1 F13 S3.   Shortly thereafter, VL S6 and VL F7 BOTH reported smoke odor dissipated.  Recommendation: No Action. No station disagreed.  i1 agreed.   QWA procedure Deactivated approx 1957. 

VL S6 REPORTED PG& E COMMUNICATIONS ESTIMATED POWER RESTORATION BY MIDNIGHT.

ALL STATIONS UNDER HIGHER ALERT FOR EMERGENCY RADIO TRAFFIC DUE TO POWER OUTAGE.

As of 2232 hours power is still out.

.

QWL issued on 760 (10) AND EROC 9 - WITH PLAIN ENGLISH EXPLANATION.

"QWL - SHINGLETOWN MULTIPLE STRIKES".

QWL MEANING:  “LIGHTENING strikes observed and/or expected [over area]. All
stations go to higher awareness level. Make frequent SMOKE OBSERVATIONS. REPORT AS/ IF
NECESSARY.” (i.e., MAKE QWA OBSERVATIONS AND REPORT IF NECESSARY).

Following Lightening Stikes, a fire may develop over the course of a short time, up to approx. 2 weeks. Thus, if station operators are driving, they should have a higher level of alert during
such times. Have your radio, cell phone and a compass to give bearings, etc... .

Midway and Village stations acknowledged QWL (Stations were also monitoring 10 and responded on EROC 9).  GREAT JOB!  Several stations will be QXX during June,  so it is important that as many stations as possible keep up the great work.

Reference:  http://www.shastadefense.com/A-FmtMIKE-7Qcodes20190518.pdf (Note: a few conforming changes need to be made to this prior version).

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    10  minutes;    Divisions reporting 2;     Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 26    (with 20 reports).

See copy of Report HERE 

Power went off at approx 2309 hours. Power restored approx  0525 hours on 5/27/2023. 

Agenda: Situation Report (FMT Tango 9A or 9M); and QWA Procedure (Brevity Fire Watch Procedure)

Total Net time    8  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  2;  

Total stations participating 25 (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

2102 hours  outage detected Internet and cell phones.  Areas Reporting outage: Village; Midway; Starlite (Aj6jk -on 760 it was also impacting him).

Stations reporting included:  VL: F1  S1  T10 I1 F2 C1.   MW3  MW1 

F1 called Frontier (2126 hours) - Frontier denied any outage existed and person refused to give a case number because she said there was no outage. Total run around.  Finally reached supervisor  (2150 hours) who advised - yes, there is an outage -a lost of customers impacted -  at least 1324 customers. She advised she would request immediate action. Gave incident number 2080943AUTO.

as of 5/25/2023   0700 hours internet and cell phones now operating.

After Action:  if smoke column had increased / higher winds, etc..., advisory to be issued  (EROC 9 and 10).  If it had become an incident of concern, then a fire net would be activated.  Thus, the levels are:  Silent Monitoring; Advisory; and Fire Net Activation. 

The Random monitoring checks clearly show that NON HAMS need to monitor 10 to be able to hear out of  Area Emergency Traffic.  There are only 4 SER Hams. If we are gone, Non Hams must be ready to act.

THUS,  if there is an emergency on 10, and no ham responds, then NON HAMS MUST  go to Ch 55 (for transmit) and HANDLE THE EMERGENCY LIFE THREATENING TRAFFIC.   This could be a major accident involving great bodily injury, or the start of a raging wild fire. Just follow SER Procedures and be professional as you are during our weekly practice sessions. Just do the same type of radio traffic handling  that we do during our regular practices. That is why all of us should be practicing.

Total Net time    9  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 13 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Conclusion: it is imperative that SER NON Hams be prepared to use the 760 Ham repeater for emergency communications since Shingletown local "club" Hams continue in not responding and not helping out. Thus, if the few SER Plan Hams are not available, then the 760 is a wasted asset which could be vital to save life during a fire or other life threatening emergency.

Total Net time    8  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 13 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Action  Point::  In the event of an emergency alert through Alert FM, those who have such devices should relay the information out on EROC 9 so everyone is aware of the situation. 

Total Net time    9  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  2;  

Total stations participating 20 (with 13 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

We conducted a Situation Report Net with QWA Procedure, which at the end was "interrupted" by a Drill Cal Fire Tone out of a vegetation fire just west of Digger Butte.  

Total Net time    23  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 22 (with 18 reports - PLUS additional reports were done during the Drill Fire Net phase).

See copy of Report HERE         SEE FIRE INPUT AND BULLET POINT SUMMARY    HERE.

Exercise   HERE  (Exercise Versions will be updated as we do more practices)

Thank you to everyone who participated. You did a fantastic job.

VILLAGE S1  (KB6BZL) RECOMMENDATIONS AND CRITIQUE AS TO DRILL FIRE NET CONDUCTED ON 4/27/2023:

1.   STATIONS MUST SPEAK DELIBERATELY, CLEARLY AND SLOWLY.  YOUR  REPORTS ARE BEING RECORDED BY OTHER STATIONS AND THEY NEED TIME TO TO WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU REPORT. THESE STATIONS WRITING REPORTS DOWN INCLUDE:  TRIANGULATION, FIRE CONTROL,  BACKUP AND MAPPING. 

2.  PRESS THE PUSH TO TALK AND THEN WAIT FOR A SECOND BEFORE YOU START TO SPEAK. IF YOU DON’T DO THIS, PART OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS CUT OFF AND NOT HEARD BY OTHER STATIONS.

THANKS TO DON (KB6BZL) FOR THE ABOVE CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS.

 ALSO:

IF YOU ARE NOT RECOGNIZED BY CONTROL, YOU MUST CONTINUE TO KEEP TRYING UNTIL YOU AREA HEARD ! WAIT FOR A PAUSE AND GIVE YOUR TACTICAL.  REPEAT THE PROCESS UNTIL SOMEONE PICKS YOU UP. 

IF YOU HEAR A STATION THAT CONTROL DOESN’T RECOGNIZE, THEN PLEASE STATE “RELAY” AND THEN GET THE REPORT FROM THE STATION AND RELAY IT TO CONTROL.

Note: during communications with Midway 3 there were active attempts to block the communications (person holding PTT with loud TV in background with person making loud obnoxious noises. This was able to be detected on another radio system). 

Total Net time    8  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  2;  

Total stations participating 22 (with 15 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Next week agenda will include a DRILL FIRE NET PRACTICE 

Reminder: Any station can tone and announce. You don't wait for someone else. Just follow the plan.   Great Job ! 

FROM: Doug Young –  FIREWISE EVENT 4/29/2023

Shasta Forest Village

Hello Shasta Forest Village Firewise Property Owners/ Residents, We have our annual Preparedness Day FREE BBQ on April 29th at Black Butte Middle School. This year we have combined efforts with the newly formed Firewise Communities of Inwood and Whispering Woods. Come on out for up-to-date information on our firesafe efforts as well as listen to several preparedness speakers we have scheduled. Bring your favorite dish and a chair. If you plan on attending, please respond in comments or PM Doug Young or Dennis Bebensee here for our planning purposes. Remember Official Preparedness Day is May 6th. Thanks

7946 Ponderosa Way, Shingletown, CA

 Note: SER Net works with the SHASTA FOREST VILLAGE FIREWISE COMMUNITY.

Total Net time    9  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Total Net time 11  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 17 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Total Net time 16  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 22 (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE    GREAT JOB!

Drill based on following Drill - PDF VERSION   of EARTHQUAKE DRILL 

2023 03 30  (SCHEDULED)  DRILL EMERGENCY TRAFFIC RELAY –DRILL- HANDLING EMERGENCY TRAFFIC DURING NET OPERATIONS – PROCEDURE –DRILL- HANDLING EMERGENCY TRAFFIC DURING NET OPERATIONS – PROCEDURE DESCRIBED BELOW.

 Next Thursday our practice net will include a DRILL involving passing of emergency traffic  PLUS, this will be combined with

DUE TO THE SUBSTANTIAL SNOW, YOU DON'T NEED TO ACTUALLY PERFORM THE QWA PROCEDURE. THIS IS AVOID PERSONS SLIPPING ON ICE, ETC..   THE QWA RESPONSE WILL STILL BE  PART OF THE DRILL REPORTING.

A designated station during the Net will make a "DRILL EMERGENCY" call into the Net.

We will need another station (any station which is not a control station - i.e., a station that is not acting as  Control, Mapping, Cal Fire Monitor, 760 relay,  etc...) to advise  Control that they can make the call (after Control makes the request).  

STATIONS CAPABLE OF MAKING 911 RELAY CALL(S) NEED TO RESPOND AND HELP. OTHERWISE, ENTIRE NET IS SLOWED DOWN (WHICH COULD RESULT IN REDUCED RESPONSE TIME FOR OTHER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS).

 During this DRILL Net Practice, no actual call to 911 will be made since this is a drill.  While the volunteer 911 relay station makes the DRILL call  to 911 (No actual call made)  the Net will continue, and the 911 relay station will at some point report back to  Control that the Drill 911 call was made. Cal Fire Monitor is to also report to  Control that the Drill 911 call was transmitted by Redding (there will be no actual transmit by Redding).  The purpose of this is that during an actual event, we want to make sure the call was acted upon.

 Thus, during this next Practice, we will be handling "drill" emergency traffic while we are simultaneously taking reports (e.g., drill earthquake, drill QWA).  

During a future actual Shingletown  Fire, we may have emergency traffic, while we are concurrently taking situation reports, taking QWA reports (to determine if there are any other suspect fires, embers, smoke),  while conducting mapping of all reports and additionally running the  FIRE NET (with triangulation on the location of the fire, Cal Fire Monitor, winds, measuring distance from neighborhoods, have reports by mobile radio operators viewing fire, receiving Camera reports,  etc...).  We need the Level 2 radio operators to step in and be able to function in all of these positions.   I will practice with each of you, just give me a call at 530-474-3267.

PLEASE HELP OUT AND PARTICIPATE (I.E., report into the net and provide the requested information).

Following the SER Procedures, we should be done in less than 17 minutes.

The  TV News has stated that CAL FIRE recommends people have a communications plan for their community.  Well, you have one that actually works. So, please continue stepping up to the plate. CORE AREA stations (Village, Long Hollow, Midway, Rest Area)  are doing a great job following the plan and helping out.

 Fire Season will be fast upon us.

Areas without power include (per PG& E   2,174 customers without power) :

        Reeds Market and Post Office - in Shingletown - per visual

        Village, Midway, and Long Hollow.

Power Restored at approx 1512 hours to: Village, Midway and Longhollow

Stations reporting:  Village  F1  F7   i1  F8   T10  S6  B6 

                                 Midway and Long Hollow.  Rest Area - QXX.

CORE SitRep deactivated upon power restoration (above).

As of 1517 hours,  Village i1 advised Sites area still no power.

0730 hours F1 detected Internet and Cell Phone failure.  0803 hours (approx)  TX report  (since non emergency, waited until after 0800 hours). Village and Midway responded  - all stations reported Frontier Internet Failure and Cell phone Failure).  Two (2) Village stations had Star link operating.

1051 Hours Internet and cell services returned and operational.  All Stations QXA.

Stations Reporting during above situation:  Village:  F1  F7 S6  B6  B1  L3  C6  S9 B6  S1 S2   T10.     Midway (2 stations)

Total Net time 11  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  2;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 14 reports).

See copy of Report HERE   WE WILL REPEAT DRILL NEXT WEEK.  GREAT JOB!

Drill based on following Drill - PDF VERSION   of EARTHQUAKE DRILL - please open and review before DRILL    

Total Net time 11  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 21 (with 15 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  

Total Net time 11  minutes;     Divisions reporting 2;      Areas Reporting  4;  

Total stations participating    28     (with 25 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  (Still testing procedure of starting net after net infrastructure is set up - seems to work well. Also, added BACKUP seems to be working well.. 

PLEASE REVIEW THE REPORT.  IT FOLLOWS THE SITREP TANGO 9A AND 9M ITEMS. YOU WILL SEE THAT YOUR REPORTS ARE COMMUNICATING A LOT OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION. Your simple  "QXA"  report  is stating that NONE of those problems  listed ( i.e., over 30 specific situations) DO NOT EXIST. 

 GREAT JOB!   Thank you to everyone on frequency and helping to make this work.

Total Net time 8  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;  

Total stations participating 20 (with 17 reports).

See copy of Report HERE  (Testing procedure of starting net after net infrastructure is set up - seems to work well. Also, added BACKUP. 

BACKUP  has been added for the purpose of relaying  net activations from CONTROL, as well as summaries and net deactivation.  This is needed so that we have greater propagation in order to reach Midway, Long Hollow and other stations that may not (do not) hear CONTROL. BACKUP and CONTROL must be able to clearly hear each other but should be a considerable distance from each other to achieve the objective.  For stations that hear both CONTROL and BACKUP, this will sound like a lot of duplication, but you must remember we are seeking to reach other stations that can only  hear  BACKUP (they can’t hear CONTROL) so that the Net receives and sends reports to as many participating stations as we can on EROC 9 (simplex).

 PLEASE REVIEW THE REPORT.  IT FOLLOWS THE SITREP TANGO 9A AND 9M ITEMS. YOU WILL SEE THAT YOUR REPORTS ARE COMMUNICATING A LOT OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION. Your simple  "QXA"  report  is stating that NONE of those problems  listed ( i.e., over 30 specific situations) DO NOT EXIST. 

 GREAT JOB! 

The Drill conducted was DRILL - TRAINING SMOKE CHECK VERSION  DRILL #2  2023 02 13 - Instructions and DRILL Reports are HERE

Here is a photo of the actual mapping results for the DRILL: HERE  Pre-planned reports were done (as above) so that stations practice what they are to say and how they are to say it. You will see that all reports fill in each of the columns on Format Tango 4 (Here).   The station posting reports to the Map (Triangulation) was budgeted 10 seconds to post each report to the map and determine patterns while posting so as to activate tacticals  / actions  that  may be advisable. (Budget is being revised to 5 seconds). Examples of Actions may include activating  a radio operator to conduct a mobile search (Thumper Search),  etc... .

We had  2 Areas Reporting: Midway and Village.  Midway had 4 stations reporting: Village had 11 stations reporting (F1  F7  F2  F8  S1  S2   S6  S7  T10  B1  B6); and Stations which were QXX included:   i1  C1 L3, L4  AND MWM (REST AREA) FOR TOTAL PARTICIPATING OF 20.  Net Time total (including brief training explanations was 17 minutes).

During Drill  Village stations reports indicated a  source of smoke originating from the South West of  the Village (or beyond in that direction) (with Moderate smoke odor reported by T10). Observe that along this same approx azimuth, (mapping above) other stations further down wind reported only light smoke odor.   Also, drill "Spots" (concentrations of smoke) were reported to the South East of the Village (see reports of B1 and B6). Such  "spots" may indicate smoke concentrations.   Upon receiving reports indicating smoke source direction and "spots", Tactical Rover (F7 volunteered) was activated (which is a radio operator who is prepared to go mobile if a mobile reporting station fails to report / respond.  We then activated Thumper Search (S1 volunteered - DRILL) who would go to Shasta Forest Drive and Thumpber (Report in and set trip odometer to ZERO at such point) and then drive West of Thumper to 44 and then East Bound to Shasta Forest Drive making reports of smoke fire or embers.  We Activated  44 Search (S6 volunteered - DRILL)  which would go to Highway 44 and Shasta Forest Drive (Report in and set trip odometer to ZERO at such point) and then go East bound on Highway 44 making reports of smoke fire or embers (advised to not go past Wilson Hill and 44). 

NOTE: No actual vehicles were dispatched tonight as this was a training / Drill exercise.  Triangulation confirmed that both 44 Search and Thumper Search returned to their respective QTH B and were secured.  The non Village reports (e.g., Midway) together with the Summary of the Village reports, would also be posted to the Shingletown Map - Format Romeo 9A. By doing this, a mapping summary is achieved for those areas participating with the objective of locating sources of smoke which may be outside of a specific Area.  In an actual situation, once a suspect area is CONFIRMED, a supplemental call to 911 would be made to Cal Fire advising them of the suspect area.  This way, Cal Fire doesn't have to drive an entire neighborhood searching for the source(s) of  smoke. A quicker response means getting the fire out sooner.

TX (F1 / PDS)  made on 58 Relay (505) asking for any Draft Smoke Check Tango 4 reports - but no Ham reports received from other areas. 760 (10) was not used (Silent running) due to snow storm and need to conserve batteries for emergency communications. 

AFTER ACTION: 

   Midway did not hear Control (B1 in Village). 

1. Consideration is being given to  a Tactical  "Relay" which would TX key information. This station should be located far enough away from Control so that a different propagation pattern is achieved.. Thus, a Station with good propagation (and good outside antenna) must relay major communication summary points out so that Midway, Longhollow etc..., are aware of the summary situation (including deactivation of the Smoke Check Net). This would apply to all activations.

2.  Stations must all work to improve their outside antenna situation. If other stations can't hear you then raise / move your antenna. If you can't hear other stations, then raise / move your antenna. Rubber duck antennas are NOT recommended. Outside antennas are recommended. You are preparing for emergencies when  you can expect stress with nothing going well and everything is going wrong. Emergencies are not going to happen when everything is "perfect". By following procedures we help stabilize and get into the routine. 

3. Triangulation posting to Map(s): Change is to reduce budged from 10 seconds to 5 - and place slips on map with proper azimuth without drawing colored line (unless needed for finer adjustment). This saves time. The objective is to quickly recognize patterns so that plans of action can be made.

4. Consider starting the taking of  Smoke Check reports right after setting up tacticals and request for emergency traffic. However, stations must be sure to actually do the reports by going outside.  Expect some stations to come in sooner and others later due to each stations situation.

5. We need more stations participating. Ask other responsible persons to join but they must follow the procedures and be serious. We have a great Radio communications TEAM.

6.  If you have an outside antenna inside your house (or even your HT with rubber ducky) be careful when you move bookshelves, change the room that the antenna is in, change the location of the radio,  etc...,  because such can CHANGE your ability to send / receive from other stations.

7. Improvements being made to Fmt Tango 4 Triangulation map slips (used by Triangulation station).  

8. Remember - reports by stations that smell no smoke may be CRITICAL in determining source of smoke. You don't know the impact of your report until mapping is pulling together all reports.

GREAT JOB TONIGHT !

SER Silent Monitoring Activated,  elevated to ADVISORY ON 760 (CH 10) , Periodic Bullet Point Summaries transmitted on CH 10 ...Multiple engines, training, Water Tenders responding, breathing support  ... SER Estimated Fire to be approx. 1.5 Miles North by North East of  McCumber Dam in the approx. Area of -121.721   40.559 per internet mapping. Round Mountain Camera viewing towards Incident, but PDS unable to detect fire or smoke on Camera (blocked by hills). Internet Winds showing Winds out of Norh apprx 9 MPH.   Additional Water Tenders requested and breathing support. ... PG&E requested. ... 

Updated: Two Residential Fires - 9371 Mountain Meadows Road (3/4 involved); and 9425 Mountain Meadows Road (Fully involved) - possible power lines down ... . Water Tenders ... 21 and 547 staged ...   subsequently  staged Water Tenders cancelled ... 2 structures have good water supply on properties ....  Cal Fire Commitment Time  3 hours ...

1826 hours - SER Advisory Deactivated.

2 Hams were on Frequency and Responded to the Meadows Incident:   KB6BZL and K6PDS. THANK YOU DON (KB6BZL). ALTHOUGH THESE FIRES (TWO STRUCTURE FIRES) WERE NOT NEAR HIS HOME, DON RESPONDED AND WORKED EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. GREAT JOB DON!

This was an opportunity to practice the procedures to be used during an Advisory (e.g., mapping;  determining Lat / Long; determining Internet Wind Direction and Wind speed  near fire location;   Monitoring Cal fire on Dispatch and TAC 11; determining if any Internet Cameras had visual on fires (non did in this case); and also the difficulties on monitoring TAC 11 from the Village Area when the Fire is as far to the East as these 2 were.  We need more Hams to help out. If you are thinking of becoming a Ham, please do so, as your help is needed.

Remember the Camp Fire:  Its "most significant growth period was early (on a) Thursday afternoon, when it grew 10,000 acres in about 90 minutes – burning the equivalent of more than one football field every second during that time. ( https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/09/us/california-wildfires-superlatives-wcx/index.html  )

NOTE: No TX was made on EROC 9 due to the location of the Fires and the deemed low risk to Midway, Village, Long Hollow and Rest Areas.  Advisory was done on CH 10 for a general advisory for Shingletown.

In Area of -121.979  40.501 and being approx .61 miles west by south west of Midway; and 3.82 miles westerly of Center of Village. Winds out of West 11 kt (rouned 13 mph)..

Cal fire on scene -  1609 hours controlled burn under control. Cal Fire cancelling units. SER silent monitoring deactivated 1610 hours.

Total Net time 9  minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  2;  

Total stations participating 24 (with 17 reports).

See copy of Report HERE

Cal Fire tone out - Flu Fire 31360 Whispering Meadow Court (Cross Emigrant Trl). "Meadow Incident" / Tac 11.  In appr area of  -121.884   40.495. Approx  1.34 miles  E by SE from Center of Village. SER Net silent monitoring activated.

Cal Fire Call outs:  E 2463,  Bat 2411,,  E 2453 (responding 0856 hours);  Prevention,  Stn 21 Equip., Stn 20 Equip.,  WT 21 ... .    Report: ... Single Family Dwelling smoke in chimney ... Follow up report: No stove fire  Hot stove pipe ... Cal Fire cancelled approx 1002 hours.  SER Silent Monitoring deactivated approx.  1003 hours.

The above hopefully will  allow the repeater to be placed back into service by those AREAS which are actively participating in the SER Program. Active participation includes: radio reporting during weekly practice nets, doing your best to monitor  24/7, and radio response to SER radio activity, etc... . At present, we have not been able to  use this Large Area Asset due to the malicious interference. 

Evidence indicates that a Ham operator is one of the persons involved in causing the malicious interference and destruction of this emergency communications plan asset.

Total Net time 12 minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;   total stations participating 23 (with 16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE

Also, Advisory / Information from Village B1:  Village Firewise seeking grant money for free Tree removal (dead /dying ...). People must go to link provided to show interest, otherwise monies will go to other Areas.  

Village Reports: S6  F1  I1  F8  B1 T10.

Midway reported - never lost land line or internet during above period.

Thank you Charlie 6  - Great Job! 

01  26 2023  DRILL SMOKE CHECK   (1900 HOURS)

Frequency:  EROC 9  (alert Tone Out)

Tacticals  Activated:  Net Control (B1);  Triangulation (PDS);  Cal Fire 20 (F7);  160 TC (PDS); and ROVER (S6 / S7). (also 58 Silent  (PDS))

STATIONS PROVIDING SMOKE CHECK REPORTS (FORMAT TANGO 4):  

[ We used these Sample Drill Reports (starting at second page of document)- HERE]

VILLAGE  (QTH B REPORTS):  F1 F2  S6  S7  E1 F2 F8  S1  S2  B1     = .   10

MIDWAY  AREA SUMMARY (QTB N REPORT)  

                           (neighborhood summary / average).                                        4

Long Hollow                                                                                                  --

QXX:  VL  C2     MW: MW-1;                                                                     =    2

TOTAL PARTICIPATING STATIONS                                                         16         

During drill a brief lesson plan explanation was given  - introduction of  "ROVER".

More stations gave Tango 4 reports this week.  That is good.  This allows stations to practice the format of their reports and how to give the reports. Every station needs to do this so it become "second nature".

After Action / Plan improvements:  Triangulation is to FIRST request stations with visual fire smoke or smoke odor reports. These Mapping tags are to be  marked in red (Fill in ARROW on side of slip from which wind is sourced). Triangulation is to IMMEDIATELY post such slips to map. If area of concern is indicated then immediatley dispatch  search team (e.g., Bambi Search,  Thumper Search, etc...). While the Search Team(s) is / are working, Triangulation continues taking all other reports and mapping.

Triangulation could not copy  Midway report. S6 provided relay of report from Midway to Triangulation. Great job S6 (any station should step up and help with relays).

What if you don't smell smoke? Remember:  the reports of stations that do NOT smell any smoke, etc.. are  CRITICAL to the process of seeking to locate a suspect area which is the source of the smoke (fire).

TOTAL SMOKE CHECK NET TIME:  12 MINUTES.

Great Job.

  * Inwood was invited to join into the Smoke Check exercises - however, didn't do so this week. Hopefully, they will relay through their Ham next week.

01  19 2023  DRILL SMOKE CHECK   (1900 HOURS)

 Frequency:  EROC 9  (alert Tone Out)

Tacticals  Activated:  Net Control;  Triangulation;  Cal Fire 20; and 160 TC.

 STATIONS PARTICIPATING (CHECK INS): 

Village:  F1, F7  F8  F2  T10  C1  B6  B1  S6  S7  S3 = 11

Midway:                                                                      3

QXX:  MW: MW-1;  VL:  S1  S2.    RA:  MWM     =    4

TOTAL PARTICIPATING STATIONS                    18

 STATIONS PROVIDING SMOKE CHECK REPORTS (FORMAT TANGO 4):

VILLAGE  (QTH B REPORTS):  F8  F2;    C1;  B1;  B6;  AND  F1  F7.

MIDWAY  AREA SUMMARY (QTB N REPORT)  (neighborhood summary / average).                 

 During drill a brief lesson plan explanation was given.  Scripted smoke check reports were provided for this session to allow stations to “refresh” themselves on how to report, and the specific procedures. Also, the Triangulation station and Net Control were testing a revised mapping system. This is part of the background work being done that people don’t hear.

 Also, a brief overview of the response to the Midway Emergency Medical Situation was given. Monitoring Cal Fire 20 allowed alerting of situation – male, age __, non responsive, [address]. Midway neighbors (Radio Operators) made an all hands on deck response.  This included:  a nurse going to the scene; another person responded with a Defibrillator; and another person positioned himself on the street to guide Cal Fire and the Ambulance to the exact location. All of that was done BEFORE Cal Fire and the Ambulance arrived.  Please keep Ron and his wife in our prayers and may he make a full recovery!

 RESULTS OF SMOKE CHECK TRIANGULATION: 

The Drill identified a potential area to search for Drill Smoke. It was located in the South Easterly  Corner of  Village (and extending south Easterly from such area).

 SEE   Image of Triangulation Station Mapping  - here: http://www.shastadefense.com/Drill%202023%2001%2018%20Version%20Smoke%20Check.jpg

 TRIANGULATION RECOMMENDATIONS:

 1. REQUEST VOLUNTEER TEAM*  TO DRIVE TO BAMBI AND DO A SEARCH (TACTICAL  “SEARCH 1”);

  2. REQUEST  A  SECOND VOLUNTEER TEAM* TO DRIVE TO HIGHWAY 44 AND DO A SEARCH HEADING EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 44  (TACTICAL  “SEARCH 2”) (50 WATT HAM RADIO PREFERABLE DUE TO DISTANCE … ); 

 3.  MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL CALL TO 911 (CAL FIRE) AND ADVISE OF POTENTIAL SOURCE AREA OF SMOKE SO CAL FIRE CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE POTENTIAL THREAT AREA;  AND

 4.  REQUEST STATIONS ON BAMBI NEAR THE WATER COMPANY TO  GO OUTSIDE AND DO A SEARCH.

 *MOBILE TEAMS ARE TWO PERSON TEAMS, A DRIVER (FOCUS IS ON DRIVING, WATCHING OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS);  AND A #2 PERSON WHO IS THE OBSERVER AND RADIO OPERATOR.   SEARCH TEAMS TO MAINTAIN RADIO CONTACT AND USE THEIR ASSIGNED TACTICALS (E.G., SEARCH 1;  SEARCH 2).  ALSO, WHEN A SEARCH TEAM RETURNS HOME, THEY MUST  CHECK IN WITH NET CONTROL TO CONFIRM  THEY ARE HOME AND SAFE.

 ALL OF ABOVE COMPLETED IN APPROX. 16 MINUTES.  GREAT JOB!

 1010  HOURS - INTERNET FAILURE REPORTED ON EROC 9 BY S6.  VILLAGE STATIONS CONFIRMED OUTAGE: T10  F1  F7  F8  S3 B6 (REPORTED 200 plus customers impacted). Cell phone services not working combined and/or on and off - not reliable F1  F7  ...

 1522 hours: Internet / cell services returned to operational Reporting   F7  S3  S2  S9. B6   F8    S6  B1 (in person).

Midway reported intenet operational. Long Hollow - no report.

1 /15/2023   1120 hours - no dial tone

1/15/2023   1825 hours - FRONTIER LAND LINE - STILL NO DIAL TONE

1/16/2023   0915 hours  through  2227  hours  - FRONTIER LAND LINE - STILL NO DIAL TONE

1/17/2023   0515 hours   through 0923 hours   -  FRONTIER LAND LINE - STILL NO DIAL TONE

1/17/2023   1042 hours  F4 advised his Frontier Land Line now Operational (via phone message).

1/17/2023  1410 hours  F1 confirmed with other Village Stations Frontier Land Line now Operational - reporting S6  F8  S1 no stations reported otherwise..

ACTION DURING SUCH OUTAGES: STATIONS UNABLE TO DIAL 911 - REPORT ON EROC 9 AND REQUEST 911 RELAY. ANY STATION SHOULD IMMEDIATELY HANDLES EMERGENCY TRAFFIC RELAY REQUEST. 

FRONTIER LAND LINE FAILURE - NO DIAL TONE.  Stations responding on EROC 9:

    VILLAGE (ALL STATIONS RESPONDED NO DIAL TONE):  F1  F7  B6  S6  S1  S3  S9  I1.   LATER:  E1

    MIDWAY:  MW 3 - responded land line operational.

    LONG HOLLLOW:  - responded land line opertional 

IMPACT - AREA OUTAGE APPARENTLY LIMITED TO VILLAGE: No ability to call 911 for those who only have Frontier Land Line.  Any station with emergency traffic, use EROC 9 and request relay call to 911.

Also, K6PDS Used EROC 58 (HAM - (high power) in attempt  to reach other Shingletown Hams as to status of their areas - no response (at the time seeking more information to provide to Frontier).

NOTE:  F1 / K6PDS Contacted Frontier - 3 calls about 1 1/2 hours. ... this included my giving  Frontier a phone number for another village resident, as they requested.   But, the Supervisor at Frontier then lied to me about the status of other areas having outages (he claimed a large amount of outages in our area - other than the Village). When I requested that he actually check Shasta County, he then came back and said there were none. The Supervisor at Frontier then falsified the Frontier reporting documentation and stated there was no area outage for my Area.  A prior Frontier representative stated that there was an Area Outage, and apparently the Frontier Supervisor went in and modified and falsified the Frontier records to show no Area outage (in my final call the reference to an Area Outage had been removed from the Frontier system).  I spent about 1 1/2 hour on this with Frontier.

I understand that at least 4 Village stations called Frontier and reported the NO DIAL TONE.  Frontier denied there was an area outage for them also. Unknown how many others contacted Frontier and reported Area Outage..

Status updates: 

1/15/2023   1825 hours - FRONTIER LAND LINE - NO DIAL TONE

1/16/2023   0915 hours  1142 hours  - FRONTIER LAND LINE - NO DIAL TONE

see running status report - above (i.e., next entry).

Total Net time 12 minutes; Divisions reporting 2;  Areas Reporting  3;   total stations participating 19 (16 reports).

See copy of Report HERE

Total Net time 12 minutes; Divisions reporting 3;  Areas Reporting  4; total stations participating 23 (17 reports).

See copy of Report HERE