Status and resources

ACTIVATION PLAN

Any member of the DARC ARES, who, for any reason, suspects that a communications emergency may exist, should monitor the 147.030 +600, PL 103.5 MHz repeater for instructions and assignments. If this repeater is not in service, 146.520 MHz simplex frequency will be utilized, in that order. Members will notify the EC immediately by whatever mode necessary if a suspected communications emergency exists. 

During an emergency, the EC will activate the Alert Plan to alert ARES members. Members should notify the EC or AEC, as soon as possible, to establish their availability. 

In the event of an emergency, during which the ARES may be of service to the community, any responsible official of RDVFD or any other agency listed in para 2.D above, may alert the Alaska State ARES by notifying the EC or AEC and in their absence, their designated replacement. The EC or AEC, in turn, will notify Alaska State Regional EC and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) as necessary. 

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS

DARC ARES members, upon becoming aware that an emergency exists involving ARES, shall monitor the following frequencies: 

1.  147.030 +600, (PL 103.5) MHz repeater to receive instructions or assignments. This is the primary net frequency for DARC ARES communications during an emergency. 146.760- (PL 103.5) MHz will serve as a secondary input for DARC ARES emergency communications for those amateurs without UHF capabilities. 
2.  146.520 MHz simplex is the secondary net frequency during an emergency and as a supplemental frequency when all DARC repeaters are out of service or assigned for additional traffic by the EC or AEC. 
3.  HF SSB. 3.920 MHz will be the primary Alaska HF SSB frequency in accordance with the current Alaska Emergency Net listing (ICS 205). Other secondary HF SSB frequencies to be used during an emergency are 5.187 MHz (Alaska only) or 7.093 MHz (Alternate). Additional SSB voice frequencies are 5.330.5, 5.346.5, 5.357.0, 5371.5, 5403.5 and 5167.5 MHz (Alaska only) respectively. 
4.  DMR, Packet, APRS, IRLP. (Use is TBD).  

NOTE: DARC ARES Net Control (and EC) will direct all HF SSB communications of an emergency nature. The above frequencies should be kept clear of routine traffic or voice communications of a routine nature during an emergency. The Delta Area EC will designate a specific operator and/or location for HF SSB communications during the emergency. 

DARC ARES Net Control will normally operate from one of the following locations: 

1.  During minor, localized emergencies, EC, AEC or other designated ARES member, acting as net control, will operate either from their home station or their mobile communications unit, when activated and assigned. The LEPC or other local agency, including City of Delta Junction, RDVFD or Division of Forestry may designate an Incident Command Post (ICP) at a specific location. DARC ARES Net Control may be asked to respond to this location to set up emergency or alternate communications. 
2.  During area-wide or State / regional disasters when the Alaska Office of Emergency Management is in command, is the primary agency being assisted, or the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Anchorage is activated for a specific emergency, the SEOC or Fairbanks-Northstar EOC will be the base of operations in support of Delta area emergencies (Southeast Fairbanks Census Area). DARC ARES will coordinate all area communications with ARCS or KL7KC in Fairbanks, operating from locations in para. a. above. Mutual repeater frequencies are TBD and will be published as an Annex to this ECP. 
3.  The EC will normally be the Net Control Station (NCS) unless another station is designated. During 24/7 operations the EC will designate at least two other NCS operators to provide continuous communications capability. 
4. Information concerning the nature of an emergency and the extent of ARES involvement, will be transmitted to all active members as it becomes available and updated, when possible via SITREPs.
5.  Mobile and portable ARES units will be dispatched, within the limits of personnel and equipment, as needed, to locations throughout the Deltana area. These locations may be designated shelters, clinics, schools, rural fire stations, or other locations necessary to support emergency communications for the duration of the event. 
6.  ARES members will report enroute to, and upon arrival at, their assigned locations. Members will continue to monitor, but notify the NCS, if it is necessary to leave or if relief is needed. Otherwise, transmissions will be made only at the request of the NCS, or for emergency or priority traffic, initiated by the official in charge at that location. 
7.  All formal traffic shall be in the standard ARRL message format, unless the NCS directs otherwise. All formal traffic shall be signed by the official who originated the traffic, including the official’s title, and by the person who takes responsibility for the traffic. Third parties must give their name and official title. Message procedures of EMERGENCY, PRIORITY, WELFARE, or ROUTINE, as defined by ARRL directives, shall be used for all formal traffic. In addition, the NCS may authorize informal handling of tactical traffic. 
8. Liaison contact may be maintained on the HF SSB frequencies listed above at the direction of the EC. 

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