Registration

Welcome and introductory remarks.

Session 14: Keynote -- Rising from the Ashes: Designing an Advanced Mobile Emergency Communications Vehicle

During the 2003 wildland-urban interface fire events in the interior of British Columbia, telecommunications lines and radio repeaters were destroyed by the fires, resulting in loss of critical communications links. In several cases, communities became isolated from the rest of the province – not because of direct physical impacts of the fires, but because of total loss of communications and power. This presentation will examine how these events contributed to the design and construction of a new Advanced Mobile Emergency Communications vehicle developed at Simon Fraser University to support British Columbia needs.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Peter Anderson is Director of the Telematics Research Lab and Associate Professor of Communication at Simon Fraser University. He has an international background in consulting, research and teaching in the fields of telecommunications, media, information systems, and communications policy. During the last decade and a half, he has participated in the design and implementation of electronic communications and information systems for disaster management in collaboration with the United Nations, NATO, scientific, government and non-government disaster management organizations and representatives. From 1996-2000, he served as a member of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction program.

Session 15: Emergency Communications for WA. State ARES/RACES/ACS

The Emergency Communications course overviews the basics. The course relates what you learn in all of the other courses at the academy. We cover a wide range of issues including Basic Communication Skills, Net Operation, Equipment Choices, Organizing for Emergency Response, Operations during an Emergency, and Training and Working in a Team Communications Environment. You will learn enough in this course to put all of your knowledge and skills into perspective, making you a more valuable resource to your team.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Terry Dettmann, WX7S, has been licensed for over 40 years. He's a Life Member of the ARRL and QCWA. He has an advanced degree in Physics and has done doctoral work in Astrophysics and Electrical Engineering. He spent 11 years as a Naval Officer and has been a consultant and System Architect ever since. He's worked with MARS, REACT, ARES, RACES, and a variety of clubs and organizations to provide amateur radio support for projects and events. He is a VE, OES and TS and serves as the Radio Officer of the Mike and Key Club.

Terry's main technical interests in Amateur Radio are Antennas and Low Power operation. He is an ARRL Certified Instructor and Online Mentor for all levels in the ARRL Emergency Communications Courses. In 2001, the ARRL appointed Terry as the Mentor Coordinator for online courses. Terry currently is mentoring courses in Antenna Modeling, Emergency Communications, Radio Propagation, and Radio Frequency Interference.

Terry has worked for SGC Inc. in Bellevue, Washington specializing in HF Communications and is now consulting on systems theory and design worldwide.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Jim Pace, K7CEX, is the Section Emergency Coordinator for W. WA. ARES. James (Jim) Pace K7CEX has been a ham since 1957. He is the Western Washington Section Emergency Coordinator and Assistant State RACES Officer. Jim coordinates the efforts of ARES/RACES in Western Washington as well as contracting to various government agencies to write Emergency Response Plans.

Session 16: Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) Overview

A look at the Amateur Radio APRS and where it's going in 2005

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Bob King, K7OFT, APRS Coordinator. Bob King currently serves as East Puget Sound APRS Coordinator. He is a retired (Boeing Co.) Engineering Aide in electronics. (Metrology, Saturn V, Minute Man, 777, AWACS). 45 years in Amateur Radio.

Session 17: Antennas 101

An introduction to basic antenna function and design. Target audience: any ham that wants to understand the basics of antenna function,

Ward Silver N0AX is an engineer, teacher, and writer. He has been a ham for 32 years, receiving his Extra Class license in 1975. He is the author of "Ham Radio for Dummies", published by Wiley Press in 2004, now in its second printing, edits the "Contester's Rate Sheet" email newsletter, and writes the popular "Hands-On Radio" and "Contest Corral" monthly columns in QST. Ward's main ham radio interests are emergency communications, contesting, and DX-ing. He is a member of the YASME Foundation's board of directors and President of the Vashon-Maury Island Radio Club.

Session 18: ICS in Incident Management – Large-scale Wildland Fires

The Incident Command System as used in advanced incident management in the United States, with an emphasis on large-scale wildland fire complexes.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Dave Johnson, Fire and Aviation Staff Officer, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest – US Forest Service. Worked for the US Forest Service for 36 years primarily in fire management. Graduated from the University of Washington Fire Science program in 1982. Began service as a member of incident management teams over 20 years ago. Currently a National Type I Incident Commander and the Incident Commander of Washington Incident Management Team #4. Much of the past couple of years teaching advanced incident management to leaders of the Government of India.

Lunch
Drawing for Door Prize and raffle prizes.

Session 19: Digital Communications – The challenge of reliable statewide connectivity

A review of digital communications in WA and where we would like to take it to support disaster events. RED HARM - Pilot Project Status Report -Inter-EOC High-speed Emergency Digital Communication Network.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Ed Bruette, N7NVP is a retired US Navy Submarine Communications Officer who was first licensed in 1988 and became active in emergency communications the following year. He served as Kitsap Co. ARES Emergency Coordinator for 4 years, Assist. State RACES Officer for 4.5 years, ARES WWA Section Emergency Coordinator for 5 years and currently is the State RACES Officer.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Mark Sheppard: Mark Sheppard, N7LYE is the Manager of Seattle ACS and Services as RO. He works for the City as Information Technology Director for Seattle Public Utilities. A priority goal has been to find a reliable, high speed digital communications solutions to help reduce the bottle neck characteristic of voice message handling during a disaster.

Session 20:Command And Control Communications in the Healthcare Environment – or, UH OH This is for real and I am the senior person

This is an advanced class for the experienced emergency and medical communicator. It is intended to demonstrate the decision making authority that occurs during an event, the lines of action and communication. It is based on the new NIMS model.

One goal of the class is for communicators to be familiar with the plan so that medical communications systems may be implemented statewide, or "on the fly" during wildfires, etc. The people, places, and communications paths will be revealed.

This class is not limited to Seattle, but will demonstrate the Unified Command approach in King County used for medical communications and how that is becoming the model for Washington and other states and healthcare communications.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Duane Mariotti, WB9RER holds a general class license and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. Currently he is employed by Harborview Medical Center where he is responsible for management of patient care medical technology. He is also Harborview MC's Emergency Preparedness Liaison and shares responsibility for emergency, medical and hospital planning, activation and response for Harborview Medical Center. Duane has a broad background in emergency management including being a firefighter, EMT, Paramedic and Hazardous Materials instructor. He has experience in consulting with hospitals and first responders on communications systems, emergency planning and medical technology. He is appointed to numerous committeess in Seattle and Washington State and most recently is serving on a hospital surge capacity planning committee at the Federal Level.

Session 21: BPL (Broadband Over Power lines) and EmComm – What's really Happening?

Broadband Over Power line – Where do we stand now? Come join us to see the latest BPL story in this PowerPoint Presentation.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Dan Miller, K3UFG, was born and raised in Erie, PA, where he received his first ticket in 1962 as KN3UFG. Following high school, he did a 4-year tour in Vietnam and Germany with the Army Security Agency as a communications center specialist. Skills learned lead him to a newspaper composing room apprenticeship and a career as a journeyman typographer. Thanks to widespread use of desktop publishing, a career move was necessary. In April, 1997, he assumed the position of Educational Activities Correspondent at ARRL HQ. Early in 2000, he was tapped to develop the Certification and Continuing Education Program. In summer of 2002, he became the Emergency Communications Course Manager. In his spare time, he instructs licensing classes at all levels including CW, and also VE Accreditation. An active VE, he coordinates a monthly session at ARRL HQ.

Session 22: Tsunami Warning Systems on the Washington Coast

A discussion of the various communications systems in place to warn coastal inhabitants and visitors of impending tsunamis. These include NOAA Weather Radio; AHAB (All-Hazards Alert Broadcasting); and the NWR Emergency Information Network. Also a short overview of how tsunamis are generated and the destruction that they can cause.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: George Crawford is the Earthquake Program Manager for Washington State Emergency Management Division. He is responsible for managing the seismic safety efforts in the state through the earthquake, tsunami, and volcano programs. He staffs the Seismic Safety Committee that is charged with providing policy recommendations to the Washington State Emergency Management Council on seismic safety issues related to hazards presented by earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. He serves as the Chair for the State/Local Tsunami Work Group which is developing the approaches for tsunami preparedness and mitigation efforts in tsunami hazard zones; Washington State representative to the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program; and Chair of the Western States Seismic Policy Council's Tsunami Committee. He has also concentrated his efforts in partnerships with United States Geological Survey, National Forest Service, and local county emergency managers in developing mitigation, preparedness, and planning strategies for the many communities that surround the state's five volcanoes.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Ted Buehner is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle, a key customer liaison position. He works toward enhancing the "end-to-end" forecast and warning system by more closely tying the agency's mission of protecting lives and property, and enhancing the region's economy, with its customers, such as emergency managers, the media, and the marine community. Ted has been with the NWS since 1977, this position being his third tour of duty in Seattle. Ted also served one year in Boise as a forecaster, six years in Portland as a Lead Forecaster, and two years at the NWS Western Region Headquarters in Salt Lake City as the Western U.S. marine, public, and aviation program manager. Ted has a Bachelors of Science degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Oregon State University. Go Beavs!

Break

Session 23: HF 101

HF 101 is an introduction to HF operation and characteristics. It is targeted at Technician-class licensees considering whether to upgrade, or those wanting to know more about long-distance radio communication.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Ward Silver N0AX is an engineer, teacher, and writer. He has been a ham for 32 years, receiving his Extra Class license in 1975. He is the author of "Ham Radio for Dummies", published by Wiley Press in 2004, now in its second printing, edits the "Contester's Rate Sheet" email newsletter, and writes the popular "Hands-On Radio" and "Contest Corral" monthly columns in QST. Ward's main ham radio interests are emergency communications, contesting, and DX-ing. He is a member of the YASME Foundation's board of directors and President of the Vashon-Maury Island Radio Club.

Session 24: Safety-At-Heights

Overview and discussion of safety issues, processes, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for work at heights. Target audience: Anyone intending to work 6 or more feet above the ground

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Carlos Smith AA7SB, Asst. Radio Officer, W. WA. Medical Services Communications. Carlos Smith has been working and playing with radios for over 30 years. Safety-at-Heights experience working on both ship-based multi-band and land-based air-to-ground systems. Former radio officer with NOAA, and currently a project manager for the FAA, Seattle office.

Session 25: SOPs - Creation and Review

Standard Operating Procedures / Operational Guidelines can help your response keep on track and ensures you don't forget anything. But how do you ensure your SOPs will work when you've never had a disaster? This workshop will help give you some tips and suggestions for running your SOPs through the wringer.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Tom Cox, VE6TOX, is the Emergency Coordinator for the Edmonton Region ARES. With 15 years of emergency volunteer work, ten years as a licensed amateur, Tom has had experience in both Alberta and British Columbia, including training the Vancouver Disaster Assistance Team, creating the TOPHAT emergency communications contests and volunteering with the Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization (VECTOR). He is currently running a two year training program for amateurs in the Edmonton region on disaster characteristics, incident command and emergency communications for both events and emergencies. He also writes on various aspects of emergency communications. You can find most of his material at www.amateurradio.ca

Session 26: Skywarn Weather Spotter Training

An overall description of the Skywarn Weather Spotter program and material on how to observe and report significant weather to the NWS. Designed for those who want to sign up and become weather spotters, particularly in rural areas where more spotters are needed. This class will be open to anyone who is interested. You do not need to be registered for the Conference to attend this class only.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Ted Buehner, KD7PWK, is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle, a key customer liaison position. He works toward enhancing the "end-to-end" forecast and warning system by more closely tying the agency's mission of protecting lives and property, and enhancing the region's economy, with its customers, such as emergency managers, the media, and the marine community. Ted has been with the NWS since 1977, this position being his third tour of duty in Seattle. Ted also served one year in Boise as a forecaster, six years in Portland as a Lead Forecaster, and two years at the NWS Western Region Headquarters in Salt Lake City as the Western U.S. marine, public, and aviation program manager. Ted has a Bachelors of Science degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Oregon State University. Go Beavs!