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In order to help prepare the community for an unexpected natural disaster or loss of communication, many people have invested in HAM radios and other radios designed to be used as part of a network. These people have signed contracts to assist in emergency situations when needed to provide communication around the area and across wide distances.
There are several rules that are associated with joining the HAM radio association in order to make sure that order prevails so that the communication network runs effectively during an emergency situation. The first rule is that you should never act on your own to begin emergency communications.
There are designated people who are trained to begin the communication when needed. As a result it is very important that this hierarchy is maintained so that important messages are not hindered or lost.
The second rule that should be followed is that you should only join the communication network when you are invited to by those in authority. This makes sure that too many people do not join the network and hinder communications.
If everyone started panicking and calling for help, nothing would or could be done because of the confusion. It is critical that everything occurs in a straightforward, organized manner so that help can be sent to the areas that need it the most.
However, if you suspect that your help may be needed, you should listen in and be ready to assist, but you should not join until asked to. If you think you may be the first to be aware of an emergency situation in which communication is needed, you should contact the local Emergency Coordinator or Assistant Emergency Coordinator to let them know what is going on.
They can then get things started in the appropriate fashion if it is deemed necessary. As a result, the proper hierarchy and organization patter will be followed.
Those who are called on to assist in a certain situations should have been preregistered and trained in advance of the situation. As always, the minimal number of qualified operators should be called on to help in order to keep communication channels clear.
Under normal circumstances, the Emergency Coordinator will designate a NCS who will control the local net. This NCS should become the “key station” for that area as it will coordinate the efforts locally.
This station will be key to the effective delivery of messages and some of the most talented and experienced personnel should be posted here. In addition, this station should have been equipped with emergency backup power and enough personnel to take care of all of the incoming messages all day long.
During the emergency situation, this station should be running 24/7 in order to meet the needs of the area. The person assigned to be the net control in the station is the ultimate authority for the area and all of the other operators should follow his or her direction exactly.
Hesitation or disagreement could negatively affect the flow of communication seriously. If order cannot be maintained, then this system will only hinder the efforts of those trying to help those who need it.
The net control will let you know when you should talk and why. You should never use the radio unless he or she tells you to. If the emergency area is quite large, then several nets may be put into operation.
In addition, all of the messages transmitted should be in the proper format. The format that is currently being used is the standard NTS Radiogram format.
This format is idea because it provides a written version of the message that is signed and dated. Later on, this information could be critical to intelligence operations.
Of course, in some cases it will be more important to simply get out the message that a tornado is heading a certain direction and a radiogram will not be necessary, but it should be created later. In addition, all emergency and priority messages need to be signed by the overseeing officer of the station.
Each message should include a statement about whether it is an emergency, how much of a priority it is, how it affects the welfare of local citizens, and the routine suggested. In addition, the amount of time it takes to file these messages will also be very important.
These tasks should be carried out quickly and accurately. However, as you follow these and many other rules, the network will be very effective in assisting those in the surrounding areas who were affected by the disaster.