Know Before You Go

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Know Before You Go
Maine ARES

• The things you need to know before you deploy
• Prepared by Bryce Rumery, K1GAX
• Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

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Know Before You Go

• You need to know a great deal of information
  before you deploy for ARES
• This applies to both disasters and exercises
• Just deploying with some radio equipment and
  vague instructions wont cut it
• The more information you know about your
  deployment, the better you are able to operate
  and accomplish your mission

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Know Before You Go

• The very basics you need to know are
• Who
• What
• Where
• When
• How

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Know Before You Go

• Lets explore each of these five items

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Know Before You Go

• Who
• Who do I report to?
• Name
• Agency
• Title
• Do they know I am coming?
• If they do, they will be expecting you
• If they do not, best report to security at the
  deployed location first
• In all cases, present your credentials upon
  arrival and reporting

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Know Before You Go

• What
• The Incident name
• The nature of the emergency
• Is this an ARES or RACES deployment
• What is my function?
• What do you want me to do?
• Get specifics
• You may have more than one job

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Know Before You Go

• Where
• Where am I to report to?
• Get a location and address
• Get directions if you are unsure how to get to
  the location
• Get specifics
• For example
• Maine Medical Center is general (its a big
  place)
• Maine Medical Center Emergency Room is specific

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Know Before You Go

• When
• When am I to report?
• Get an exact time
• They may not be expecting you earlier
• There may be no one there before your reporting
  time
• They may not be ready for you before your
  reporting time
• They may need you at a specific time

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Know Before You Go

• How
• This is the essence of how you are going to
  operate
• What equipment do I need?
• What equipment is there?
• Is there commercial power available?
• What are the operational frequencies?
• What is my tactical call sign?
• Are there personal support items there?
• How long will I be on duty?

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Know Before You Go

• Lets look at these items

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Know Before You Go

• What equipment do I need?
• Be sure you have the equipment required before
  deploying
• If you dont have the required equipment, let
  someone know
• For example
• If you are required to have a 50 watt dual band
  radio, 50 feet of coax, portable mast and an
  outside antenna and all you have is a 5 watt two
  meter handheld and a rubber duck antenna, you may
  not be able to effectively communicate

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Know Before You Go

• What equipment is there?
• If possible, find out what communications
  equipment is already in place
• There may be radios, and antennas already in
  place
• Knowing what is there already may enhance your
  ability to operate
• This information is not always available

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Know Before You Go

• Is there commercial power (110 VAC) available?
• Is it commercial power?
• Is there backup power if commercial power fails?
• If there is a generator
• Is the generator capable of carrying the power
  drawn from the communications equipment?
• Should I carry my own power?

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Know Before You Go

• What are the operational frequencies?
• Primary Net frequency
• Backup Net frequency
• Other frequencies
• It can take you a while to find out where
  everyone is operating if you dont know

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Know Before You Go

• What is my tactical call sign?
• The tactical call sign is used in most disasters
  and exercises
• It identifies a location no matter who is
  operating
• Use your tactical call sign if they are being
  used in an incident
• Remember to identify properly when operating (per
  FCC regulations)

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Know Before You Go

• Are there personal support items there?
• Food and water
• Comfort items
• Sleeping accommodations
• Do I need to provide for myself?

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Know Before You Go

• How long will I be on duty?
• Get specifics
• It will help you plan for your deployment
• If you are unable to deploy for that period, let
  someone know before you deploy

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Know Before You Go

• Where do I get this information?

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Know Before You Go

• Information is usually given out at
• The location where you are checking in for
  assignment
• The staging area where you are assigned to before
  deployment
• From your supervisor where you are assigned

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Know Before You Go

• Get as much information as possible
• It will help you complete your mission
• Ask questions if you are unsure of anything
• Dont be afraid to ask
• Do not deploy if you are unable to fulfill the
  requirements of the assignment
• Inform someone if you are not capable of the
  assignment
• Ask for another assignment that fits your
  capabilities

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Know Before You Go

• Write everything down concerning your assignment
• Dont depend on your memory

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Maine ARES

• Know what you are getting yourself in for
  before you deploy!
• Know Before You Go
• Presented by Maine ARES