GAREC '07

GAREC-07

IARU International Coordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann, F5VKP/HB9AQS. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

Almost 100 people interested in Emergency Communications attended GAREC-07, third global Amateur Radio conference focusing on Emergency Communications and the first one held in the United States. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

Army MARS Chief Stuart S. Carter, AAA9A, gives a presentation at GAREC. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

The third event of its kind, and the first ever held in the United States, the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference (GAREC-07) took place August 16-17 in Huntsville, Alabama, just prior to the 2007 ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest.

Almost 100 people from all over the world came to Huntsville, making this truly a global event. GAREC's prevailing theme, how to apply advanced technologies to emergency communications, was echoed throughout the two-day event. From presentations to discussion groups to emergency vehicle displays to information about the latest in hardware, GAREC attendees had a sampling of just about everything pertaining to the Emergency Communications arena.

According to IARU International Coordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann, F5VKP/HB9AQS, "Compared to the first two GAREC conferences [held in Tampere, Finland], the number of international participants was considerably lower. Region 1 [Europe, Africa, the Middle East], was represented by Ireland, France, Bulgaria, Finland, The Netherlands and South Africa. Region 2 [the Americas] had representatives from Brazil, Canada, the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. Region 3 [Asia and Oceania] submitted a detailed report, but sent their regrets due to a collision of dates with a major regional event."

ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, said many large and essential organizations that work with Emergency Communications sent representatives to GAREC. "We saw representatives from the IARU, ARRL, Army MARS, American Red Cross, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Department of Homeland Security, The Salvation Army, industry and others." Sarratt said that organizations weren't the only attendees. "Many Section Emergency Coordinators (SEC), District Emergency Coordinators (DEC) and Emergency Coordinators (EC) from the ARRL field organization attended GAREC."

In addition to those ARRL volunteers and Southeastern Division Director Frank Butler, W4RH, CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ; Chief Technical Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI; Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, and Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, attended GAREC on behalf of the ARRL.

Both Pitts and Dura gave presentations. Pitts spoke about the need for a Public Information Officer (PIO) to be in the Joint Information Center (JIC) at any ARES deployment. "We lose far too many good stories because no one is in the right place speaking to media at the time of the incident. With a 24 hour news cycle, even a few hours later is too little too late. This idea was well received, and while many of the region's groups have recently added this to their action plans, approximately a dozen other groups stated that they will be adding this component to their activities. This information was also well received by some of the international representatives who asked for copies of our PR materials and permission to translate and modify them for use in their home countries," Pitts said.

Dura presented the topic of using VoIP, EchoLink and IRLP for establishing and maintaining communications during hurricanes. The session discussed the methods of combining RF links to the internet to establish a cohesive network. The VoIP Hurricane Net is another tool that Amateur Radio operators, the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center and emergency managers use to gather detailed information on local conditions.

Other presentations included the use of new technologies and modes in Emergency Communications, such as ALE, EchoLink/IRLP, D-STAR, Winlink 2000 and TSSG, an advanced system being developed in Ireland.

Outside of the conference venue, various Emergency Communications agencies brought their vehicles. Sarratt said, "An impressive fleet of emergency communications vehicles added a perfect hands-on hardware feel to GAREC. The vehicles were on display and tour for visitors to learn about serious mobile communications." These vehicles, hosted by Alabama Homeland Security, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Tennessee Emergency Communications Association, were very popular, drawing large crowds. "Luckily, no emergencies occurred to take the vehicles away from us this weekend," Sarratt said.

Lunch was served both Thursday and Friday at GAREC. This lively bunch was from Texas. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, presents a copy of the July issue of QST (featuring the ARRL 2007 National Convention and GAREC) to Huntsville, Alabama Mayor Loretta Spencer. She said she was pleased that Huntsville was chosen for this global event. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

One of the many Emergency Communications vehicles on display at GAREC. This one belongs to the Alabama Regional Incident Support Unit. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

Conference Recommendations

While GAREC is not a decision-making body, its ideas and proposals will be submitted to the IARU to be included for discussion at their next Administrative Council meeting, scheduled for June 2008. These ideas may also be discussed at each of the three IARU Regions' upcoming meetings.

The conference made the recommendation to introduce the call sign suffix "/D." This suffix would be used by those in the Amateur Radio Service who handle traffic related to emergency and disaster situations. According to Pitts, this recommendation, made by Willem Visch, PG9W, would let anyone listening immediately know there was emergency traffic and lessen the chances of someone unintentionally breaking in on an emergency net.

Another recommendation included the extension of "EmComm Party on-the-Air." These are Emergency Communications exercises already in place in Region 1. Seppo Sisatto, OH1VR, Region 1 representative, proposed holding two annual international drills, lasting only 4 hours, beginning November 11. This, he said, recognizes that major calamities can and do cross international borders, and hams need to practice for such times.

GAREC suggested that the IARU initiate studies in cooperation with its Member Societies and with specialized emergency communication groups. These studies would focus on the development and possible introduction of standard codes for use in international emergency communications, as well as on the need for the development of a list of standard resource types.

The conference announced its support of the IARU's Administrative Council decision to collect information from all Member Societies about the status of implementation and application of the revisions to Article 25 of the ITU Radio Regulations (RR) resulting from WRC-03. The part of Article 25 concerning Emergency Communications says "Amateur stations may be used for transmitting international communications on behalf of third parties only in case of emergencies or disaster relief. An administration may determine the applicability of this provision to amateur stations under its jurisdiction" (RR 25.3), and "Administrations are encouraged to take the necessary steps to allow amateur stations to prepare for and meet communication needs in support of disaster relief" (RR 25.9A).

GAREC appealed to all of the IARU Member Societies, as well as specialized emergency communications groups, encouraging the accession to and ratification of the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Response Operations by their respective national authorities. The US has not yet ratified this document, but word was received during GAREC that Ireland announced their accession to Tampere. There are currently 37 countries that have adopted Tampere.

The conference also appealed to the IARU to "further encourage the development and the application of new modes and technologies in emergency communications," and to support the development of training aids. This includes the handbook on emergency communications, initiated by the 2005 and 2006 GAREC conferences, "and the development of a handout to inform the public, in particular during major conferences such as the forthcoming WRC-07, as already decided by the IARU Administrative Council in 2005." GAREC also asked the IARU to "continue its support to the continuation and further development of the GAREC concept and process."

GAREC also asked Amateur Radio contest organizers to include a provision in their rules that contest participants avoid frequencies in the immediate vicinity of the Center of Activity frequencies (as proposed at GAREC-05); these frequencies are 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz. According to Pitts, "This would minimize interference to weak or distant stations which may be passing emergency traffic, but not heard in the contest din." Region 2, of which the US is a part, has not adopted the Center of Activity frequencies, but they will be discussed at the next Region 2 meeting in Brazil next month.

Conclusions

Zimmermann said, "With the conference in Region 2, GAREC has established itself in a major event in the field of Emergency Communications. What started in Region 1 as an independent event, has in 2006 found wider attention due to its combination with the International Conference on Emergency Communications (ICEC-06) and now with the ARRL National Convention in 2007. It is, however, only thanks to the hosts of these conferences, that they can fulfill the purpose set out from the beginning.

"Only the actual implementation and application of the recommendations made by GAREC can be the ultimate criteria for the success of these conferences, as a tool for the further development of the role of the Amateur Radio Service in the provision of emergency communications. The appreciation expressed by numerous participants following each one of the so far 3 events, and the increasing interest demonstrated by the number of participants must be taken as an obligation to work even harder on the subject, rather than being considered a cause for satisfaction with what has been achieved. The statement of GAREC-07 shows, that much remains to be done. In addition to new proposals, it reiterates some still pending issues raised in 2005 and 2006."

Sumner said GAREC stressed interoperability. "In explaining how they are applying specific advanced technologies to emergency communications, speaker after speaker identified interoperability with other technologies and networks as a key objective. It was a joy to share the GAREC experience with nearly 100 dedicated, committed Amateur Radio volunteers who were as intent on cooperating as on explaining and advocating their favorite technologies. This spirit of cooperation and the recognition of the need to preserve our interoperability bode well for the future of Amateur Radio emergency communications, and for our ability to continue to serve our local, national and global communities."

Sarratt agreed. "This was truly a successful conference. The knowledge gained on technology, networking, organizations and hardware exceeded our expectations. This knowledge and the relationships developed will pay many dividends during disaster relief efforts."

Tying it all together was a call that came in right as GAREC was closing. Beepers went off, text messages were received, radios echoed throughout the hall as the National Weather Service and SKYWARN issued an alert to North Alabama due to high winds and oncoming storms. Pitts said, "The alert and call for ham radio help underscored the dedication and need for those volunteers better than any final speech could have done. It was like, 'The party's over -- we go back to work!'"

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