Training Opportunity for RACES Members

In an effort to share training resources and opportunities, I’m forwarding this to you for RACES/ARES.  I’m told the class is filling up quickly.

Dawnette

Dawnette M. Chadwick, Coordinator
Whatcom County Medical Reserve Corps
Whatcom County, WA

Hi everyone, Just a quick email for a SAVE THE DATE  August 22 & 23 for
the FREE Field Traumatology Workshop for CERT, MYN, MRC, School
Counselors, Clergy, Hospital, Mental Health, CISM team members and other
who are interested in learning how to work with people who have been
impacted by disasters or other events.  We are bringing a nationally
recognized trainer from Minnesota, Dr. Dan Casey, to teach this 2 day
workshop.

I’ve attached the flyer and will send more information in a day or so…
but I didn’t want to wait any longer to get the word out.  I am still
looking for a location and will get that to you as soon as I know.
Please send this email out to your larger network to let everyone know.
We intentionally scheduled with one day during the weekend and the
second day on Saturday.  We recognize that some of our volunteers may
have to take their own time and couldn’t make it for 2 week days.  This
was the best scheduling we could do to accommodate those who want to
come.

If someone is interested in registering or wants more information,
please have them contact me.  Thanks… this is a wonderful opportunity
for us and we are looking forward to it.  Thanks
Mary

Mary Schoenfeldt
Public Education Coordinator
City of Everett
Office of Emergency Management
425-257-7965 0ffice
425-330-7326 Cell phone
2811 Oakes Avenue, Everett Wa 98201

–
Dawnette M. Chadwick, Coordinator
Whatcom County Medical Reserve Corps
Whatcom County, WA

Help Needed for RAGNAR July 26

The RAGNAR relay is a foot race that will start in Blaine at 8 am on the 26th and will wind south through Whatcom County during the day.  WC RACES will be providing communications at checkpoints along the route and several more volunteers are needed.  Please contact KC7UHN or KC7GX to sign up.  Blaine ACS is covering the start and north checkpoints.  The race continues through Skagit and Island Counties.  Comms will probably be on Mt Constitution 2 meter repeater.

Whatcom County #2 in SET 2007 for WWA

Thank you W7RE for compiling all of the paper work and to all of the hams in Whatcom County that participated in the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) September 29.  While “points don’t matter” in disaster exercises, it is one measure of the level of participation.  Whatcom area amateurs should be proud of their contribution and performance.  -KN0N

 

From Jim Pace’s email bulletin:

 

The 2007 SET results were posted in QST for July.  Congratulations to the Western Washington ARES program, which finished in the top ten in the Nation.  The various Counties participating finished as follows:

 

1.  Pacific County

2.  Whatcom County

3.  Kitsap County

4.  Thurston County

5.  Clalam County

6.  Lewis County

7.  Island County

8.  Grays Harbor County

9.  San Jaun County

 

I’m sure that these and other Counties will ‘kick it up a notch ‘ for this coming SET.  Let’s see if we can get into the top 5.

 

Many thanks to SEC Ken Dahl K7TAG, for his leadership in the 2007 SET.

 

 

73 and have a Great Field Day!!

 

Jim Pace K7CEX

Section Manager

Western Washington

 

CERT Classes at BTC 2008-2009

CERT (Citizen’s Emergency Response Team) training will be offered by Bellingham Technical College for three sessions in the coming year.  Bob Jacobson of Whatcom Co DEM is the CERT coordinator for this area.  CERT provides basic (27 hours I believe) search and rescue and first aid training.  My daughter amd I took the classes last summer and found them very informative.

-KN0N

From the CERT newsletter:

For the 2008-2009 school year, Bellingham Technical College (BTC) will host three CERT classes.  The Fall class will begin on Thursday September 25 from 630 to 930 PM with Bob Jacobson coordinating.  A second evening class will begin in April.  It will be held on Tuesday evenings and Amy Woodfin has volunteered to coordinate.  The third class will be held in July and will run three afternoons a week for three weeks. 

 

This is the first time we have been able to actually pre-schedule classes.  Because BTC is administering these classes, the cost will be a bit higher.  Also, BTC can arrange for students to get college credit.  Contact Therese Williams at the BTC Continuing Education Office for information.

 

CERT 37 is currently being arranged.  The Northwest Regional Council is in the final stages of developing a class for this summer.  A few slots may be available so if you know of people interested, contact Bob (398-9707) as soon as possible.  This will be an afternoon class. 

 

 

Send-off for Kloes June 13

Dale Kloes N7KWD, is leaving DEM. There will be a “Do for Dale” at the Whatcom County Courthouse in room 513 beginning at 3pm on Fiday, June 13.  Dale was instrumental in establishing the CERT volunteer program and has been a strong supporter of RACES and Amateur Radio involvement in the County.

Ski to Sea Amateur Radio Ops

Bob WA7ZWG is organizing the Amateur Radio volunteers for the 2008 Ski to Sea race on  May 25, 2008. If you would like to participate and have not already done so, you need to contact him ASAP as the volunteer list has to be turned in shortly.  Planned operations will be on VHF/UHF voice and VHF packet.  There will be NO Amateur Radio ops for the Junior race on the 17th.

 

Q-Forms Shrinks Formal Messages

Packet radio is a very slow method of data transmission by modern standards (1200 baud primarily).  Creating a message with proper formatting in an ICS-213, Radiogram, or other format results in an unwieldy large file in an Office “DOC” format.  One solution is the Q-Forms program from QED Software.

Basically, you use the Q-Forms program to create a message using an included template like the ICS-213.  The message is saved in a compressed XML format and sent via packet AS AN ATTACHMENT.  The receiving station saves the attachment to the Q-Forms folder and opens it with the program.  The properly formatted message can now be read in the program, or sent to the browser for printing.

It is important to remember that the Q-Forms software must be installed at BOTH the sending and receiving station to take advantage of the compressed file size.  Every station involved in the handling of packet traffic should have this program installed on their computer(s) and be familiar with its operation.

Thank you to W7RE and W7SSO for bringing this program to my attention.  W7SSO has also created a guide to integrating Q-Forms and AirMail that can be downloaded here: using-qforms-with-airmail1

Disaster Drill Tuesday May 6

The Friday Bellingham Herald ran a story about the disaster drill that will run from 8-5 this coming Tuesday May 6th.  RACES participation will be coordinated on Mt Constitution UHF repeater; 444.050  t103.5

ICS 100/ NIMS 700 Training April 19 Pt. Roberts

This is short notice but I just received the info.  There are a few openings left for a ICS-100/700 class at Point Roberts Saturday April 19 from 9-5. The class is organized by the Medical Reserve Corps but is open to RACES/ARES members and there is no fee.  If you are interested, send me an email and I will forward the contact info for the coordinator.

Ham Classes and Exam Notices

I added a link to the banner called “CLASSES & EXAMS” that will bring up a list of upcoming Amateur Radio license classes and exams. I have taken on the job of being the Contact Person / Session Manager / Team Liaison for ARRL-VEC exams that we will be giving at the end of scheduled license classes.  These exams are not replacing the W5YI-VEC tests that are given in Ferndale every other month by W5NYT.  Due to space restrictions, some exams may require pre-registration and not allow “walk in” testers.  All of this information will be posted on the page. There will be a Tech class in Sudden Valley on May 3 and 10 with the exam given on the 10th at the end of class. Details on the class & Exam page.

If you have a VE testing team in the region or are holding your own classes and would like to have the information posted on this site, please send me an email with the details.

-KNØN