-------- Original Message --------
Subject: FYI: FEMA & FCC Unveil New Tip Sheet For Consumers On How To
Communicate During Disasters
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:48:53 -0500
Please pass on......

FEMA & FCC Unveil New Tip Sheet For Consumers On How To Communicate
During Disasters

Release Date: September 26, 2011
Release Number: 1603-947

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS – As part of National Preparedness Month, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission
today released new tips for consumers aimed at preparing them for
major disasters when communications networks are more likely to be
compromised or damaged. Nearly one month ago, a 5.8 magnitude
earthquake and Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast. In the minutes
and hours that followed, mobile networks experienced significant
network congestion, temporarily making it harder for millions of
people to reach loved ones and emergency services. This tip sheet aims
to help prepare Americans about how to communicate with each other,
and loved ones, in the event of another disaster.

“Between the East Coast earthquake, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm
Lee, and wildfires in Texas and California, we have had a lot of
powerful reminders lately that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere
- and can often make it difficult for the public to communicate with
friends, loved ones or emergency personnel,†said FEMA Administrator
Craig Fugate. “An important part of preparing for disasters includes
getting ready for potential communications challenges, whether caused
by power outages or heavy cell network congestion. These simple tips
are easy for anyone to follow and could make a world of difference
when it matters the most.â€

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “When disaster strikes, the
ability to communicate is essential. However, power outages and other
issues can interfere with the way people ordinarily communicate,
making it harder to reach loved ones or emergency services. The FCC is
committed to ensuring the public's safety through the reliability of
our nation's communications networks. But there are also simple steps
that consumers can take to prepare for a disaster as well as practical
ways to better communicate during and after an event. I encourage all
Americans to become familiar these tips and share them with friends
and family.â€

To read a joint blog post by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and FCC
Chairman Julius Genachowski, click here.

The Tip Sheet for How to Communicate During Disasters is below, or
check out www.ready.gov/tech or fcc.gov.

Consumers with questions about their particular mobile phone devices
should contact their wireless provide or equipment manufacturer.

TIP SHEET

When disaster strikes, you want to be able to communicate by both
receiving and distributing information to others. You may need to call
9-1-1 for assistance, locate friends or family, or let loved ones know
that you are okay. During disasters, communications networks could be
damaged, lose power, or become congested. This fact sheet provides two
important sets of tips. The first will help you prepare your home and
mobile devices for a disaster. The second may help you communicate
more effectively during and immediately after a disaster.

Before a Disaster: How to Prepare Your Home and Mobile Device

1. Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your cell phone and
in or near your home phone.
2. Keep charged batteries and car-phone chargers available for back-up
power for your cell phone.
3. If you have a traditional landline (non-broadband or VOIP) phone,
keep at least one non-cordless phone in your home because if it will
work even if you lose power.
4. Prepare a family contact sheet. This should include at least one
out-of-town contact that may be better able to reach family members in
an emergency.
5. Program "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) contacts into your cell phone
so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are
unable to use your phone. Let your ICE contacts know that they are
programmed into your phone and inform them of any medical issues or
other special needs you may have.
6. If you are evacuated and have call-forwarding on your home phone,
forward your home phone number to your cell phone number.
7. If you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card to use
if needed during or after a disaster.
8. Have a battery-powered radio or television available (with spare batteries).
9. Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments to
receive alerts in the event of a disaster. Parents should sign up for
their school district emergency alert system.

During and After a Disaster: How to Reach Friends, Loved Ones &
Emergency Services

1. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. Remember that
you cannot currently text 9-1-1. If you are not experiencing an
emergency, do not call 9-1-1. If your area offers 3-1-1 service or
another information system, call that number for non-emergencies.
2. For non-emergency communications, use text messaging, e-mail, or
social media instead of making voice calls on your cell phone to avoid
tying up voice networks. Data-based services like texts and emails are
less likely to experience network congestion. You can also use social
media to post your status to let family and friends know you are okay.
In addition to Facebook and Twitter, you can use resources such as the
American Red Cross's Safe and Well program (
www.redcross.org/safeandwell).
3. Keep all phone calls brief. If you need to use a phone, try to
convey only vital information to emergency personnel and/or family.
4. If you are unsuccessful in completing a call using your cell phone,
wait ten seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion.
5. Conserve your cell phone battery by reducing the brightness of your
screen, placing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps you are
not using that draw power, unless you need to use the phone.
6. If you lose power, you can charge your cell phone in your car. Just
be sure your car is in a well-ventilated place (remove it from the
garage) and do not go to your car until any danger has passed. You can
also listen to your car radio for important news alerts.
7. Tune into broadcast television and radio for important news alerts.
If applicable, be sure that you know how to activate the closed
captioning or video description on your television.
8. If you do not have a hands-free device in your car, stop driving or
pull over to the side of the road before making a call. Do not text on
a cell phone, talk, or "tweet" without a hands free device while
driving.
9. Immediately following a disaster, resist using your mobile device
to watch streaming videos, download music or videos, or play video
games, all of which can add to network congestion. Limiting use of
these services can help potentially life-saving emergency calls get
through to 9-1-1.
10. Check www.ready.gov regularly to find other helpful tips for
preparing for disasters and other emergencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to
ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and
improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to,
recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Wilson
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 10:02 AM
Subject: Radio Scouting Update

Radio Scouting Committee ----

Action Items:

* Write up needed from Committee --- message to Council International
Representatives to spur them to generate interest in setting up a JOTA
station and/or provide support to any planned station(s) in their council.
* Provide feedback/comments on Radio Scouting graphic options that are
attached.

I see that my last update was in mid-July. Here's an update from mid-August
as we head to the Top Hands meeting next week.

JOTA Promotion. A tweet went out from the BSA National Office twitter
account in July that carried our JOTA message and link to the website. I've
also been monitoring a weekly Google search on JOTA terms. That has revealed
a few council postings around JOTA. In a few cases I've contacted the
council and suggested that they link to the new JOTA information site and
that they register their planned station. There are now 13 JOTA stations
registered. Traffic to the JOTA site over the past month has been 2,068
visitors, with 400 showing up around the Twitter announcement. In my last
message I'd asked for a draft message to Council International
Representatives. This would be a good time to remind them about JOTA and to
activate their councils around supporting planned operations and/or to
activate new operations. Could one or more of you please draft a brief
message that would work for this audience? Any other thoughts around
promotion that should be happening in September for JOTA?

Radio Scouting Graphics. I appreciate and value the feedback that was
received around the Radio Scouting graphic options that were provided in
June. We went back to the drawing board and asked a few more designers to
pitch in with their thoughts. The results are attached. Please provide me
with your comments and feedback on what options would work best to provide
an identity around Radio Scouting that endures over the years and outside
the realm of JOTA. I feel that we have some winning designs in this batch.
Take some time to give me your considered opinions.

QST Article. I hope you saw the cover article in the August issue of QST
Magazine. It was all about Radio Scouting in the outdoors using geocaching
and foxhunting. It provided fantastic photos and super information on a
great Radio Scouting activity. We've posted the article here
http://www.scouting.org/jota/JOTA_in_news.aspx

I also note in the September issue of QST Magazine a full page write up on
the 2011 JOTA from the perspective of the Girl Scouts. It also includes
information about WOSM's approach to JOTA this year and provides a link to
our online JOTA information.

K2BSA. The K2BSA website is now up and running at http://www.k2bsa.net The
site offers online reservations for use of the call sign for Scouting
events. It also offers a great deal of historical information thanks to Mike
Brown arranging the transfer of substantial content from the site he was
hosting. The 2013 Jamboree Chairman has not been named yet. I expect
something there within the next few weeks.

Radio Merit Badge. Based on discussions with Mike Brown around the history
of the Radio Merit Badge, I've been able to dig up some interesting numbers.
A chart of the number of Radio Merit Badges earned each year since 1949 can
be seen at this link http://www.k2bsa.net/radio-merit-badge/ Scan to the
bottom of the page. It's been simply staggering growth in the number of
badges earned each year since 1984 when the 5 word per minute Morse Code
requirement was dropped and the three options added of amateur radio,
broadcast radio, and shortwave listening. I was also able to obtain the
number of Radio Merit Badges that have been earned in 2010 separated by
council.

2010 Council # City Radio MB
Ranking / Name #
1 250 Northern Star St. Paul, MN 281
2 591 Utah Nat'l Parks Orem, UT 258
3 571 Circle 10 Dallas, TX 245
4 576 Sam Houston Houston, TX 238
5 49 San Diego San Diego, CA 152
6 39 Orange County Santa Ana, CA 132
7 101 Northeast GA Jefferson, GA 123
8 560 Middle TN Nashville, TN 117
9 47 Golden Empire Sacremento, CA 100
10 10 Grand Canyon Phoenix, AZ 93
11 133 Illowa Davenport, IA 92
12 590 Great Salt Lake Salt Lake City, UT 91

Apart from the size of the council, do you see anything that would account
for this ranking? Are there some best practices that could be captured and
shared with other councils? I do note that the Circle 10 Council here in
Dallas runs a Radio Merit Badge class during HamCom that helped I believe at
least 100 Scouts earn their Radio Merit Badge.

JOTA Vision 2015. The World Scouting Organization has just launched what
they are calling JOTA Vision 2015. The goal is to achieve 10% of membership
participation in JOTA by 2015. Looking at the last JOTA report we submitted,
the BSA is currently at something like 0.04%. I'm sure it's actually much
higher, just not captured, but certainly not at 10%. WOSM is conducting some
online webinars around the effort this fall. I'll keep you posted on what I
learn. It sounds like a great focus in an area of Scouting that is near and
dear to our hearts!

That's the update from here. Please look over the action items and get me
your responses.

73,

Jim, K5ND

Jim Wilson | Director, Communication Services

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
National Council

1325 West Walnut Hill Lane | P.O. Box 152079 Irving, Texas 75015-2079 P
972.580.2010 | C 469.713.7301 jim.wilson@...

--- On Wed, 7/6/11, J C Smith <n5rxs@...> wrote:


From: J C Smith <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 11:47 AM


 



Yes, I will have a memory stick with a power point presentation.

J C
----- Original Message -----
From: David Espinoza - W5QS
To: W5SC@...
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions

Hey JC

Are you up to doing a Tech Talk at the next SARC meeting? If so, I will have Bob Rod bring in his computer, projector and screen.

David - w5qs
San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing
RACES District 32-029E
Bexar County ALT CLO
Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Mon, 5/30/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
Date: Monday, May 30, 2011, 7:25 PM

It should be good. I'll check the schedule when I get home later this week.

J C

---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:

What does your schedule look like for July?

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Sun, 5/29/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 5:48 PM




























Yes, we need a projector.



I'm out of town the day of the June meeting. What month would you like to have this program.



J C Smith



---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:

Sounds good,,, lets do a traffic handling talk,,,,, Its been a while since I handled traffic...

do we need a projector and screen? I believe Bob has such things....

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Sat, 5/28/11, J C Smith <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: J C Smith <n5rxs@...>

Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions

To: W5SC@...

Date: Saturday, May 28, 2011, 10:49 PM

David:

I have a copy of Jo Ann's power point on traffic handling. I also have some handouts.

J C Smith

----- Original Message -----

From: David Espinoza - W5QS

To: W5SC@...

Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 12:51 PM

Subject: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions

Hi all,,,, I'm looking for tech talk ideas,,,,, Bob Rod has talked on a couple different subjects and brought some pretty neat builds to the meetings,,,

Who's next to present,,, ?

Dave - W5Qs

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

----- Original Message -----
From: David Espinoza - W5QS
To: W5SC@...
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions



Hey JC

Are you up to doing a Tech Talk at the next SARC meeting? If so, I will have Bob Rod bring in his computer, projector and screen.

David - w5qs
San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing
RACES District 32-029E
Bexar County ALT CLO
Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Mon, 5/30/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
Date: Monday, May 30, 2011, 7:25 PM



It should be good. I'll check the schedule when I get home later this week.

J C

---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:
> What does your schedule look like for July?
>
> David - w5qs
>
> San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing
>
> RACES District 32-029E
>
> Bexar County ALT CLO
>
> Texas Division of Emergency Management
>
> --- On Sun, 5/29/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:
>
> From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
> Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
> To: W5SC@...
> Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
> Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 5:48 PM
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> ---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:
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> > Sounds good,,, lets do a traffic handling talk,,,,, Its been a while since I handled traffic...
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> > do we need a projector and screen? I believe Bob has such things....
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> > Bexar County ALT CLO
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> > Texas Division of Emergency Management
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> > --- On Sat, 5/28/11, J C Smith <n5rxs@...> wrote:
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> > From: J C Smith <n5rxs@...>
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> > Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
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> > J C Smith
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> > ----- Original Message -----
>
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> > From: David Espinoza - W5QS
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> >
>
> > To: W5SC@...
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> >
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> > Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 12:51 PM
>
> >
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> > Subject: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
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> > Hi all,,,, I'm looking for tech talk ideas,,,,, Bob Rod has talked on a couple different subjects and brought some pretty neat builds to the meetings,,,
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--- On Mon, 5/30/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:


From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
Date: Monday, May 30, 2011, 7:25 PM


 




It should be good. I'll check the schedule when I get home later this week.

J C

---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:

What does your schedule look like for July?

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Sun, 5/29/11, n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: n5rxs@... <n5rxs@...>
Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions
To: W5SC@...
Cc: "David Espinoza - W5QS" <w5qs@...>
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 5:48 PM
















 











Yes, we need a projector.



I'm out of town the day of the June meeting. What month would you like to have this program.



J C Smith



---- David Espinoza - W5QS <w5qs@...> wrote:

Sounds good,,, lets do a traffic handling talk,,,,, Its been a while since I handled traffic... 

do we need a projector and screen?   I believe Bob has such things.... 

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

--- On Sat, 5/28/11, J C Smith <n5rxs@...> wrote:

From: J C Smith <n5rxs@...>

Subject: Re: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions

To: W5SC@...

Date: Saturday, May 28, 2011, 10:49 PM

 

David:

I have a copy of Jo Ann's power point on traffic handling. I also have some handouts.

J C Smith

----- Original Message -----

From: David Espinoza - W5QS

To: W5SC@...

Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 12:51 PM

Subject: [W5SC] Tech Talk Suggestions

Hi all,,,, I'm looking for tech talk ideas,,,,, Bob Rod has talked on a couple different subjects and brought some pretty neat builds to the meetings,,,

Who's next to present,,, ?

Dave - W5Qs

David - w5qs

San Antonio Police Department - Volunteers In Policing

RACES District 32-029E

Bexar County ALT CLO

Texas Division of Emergency Management

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom
To: W5SC@...
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 8:48 PM
Subject: [W5SC] Equipment List for Field Day 2011



I've posted an equipment list for the W5SC 2011 Field Day operation at Shavano Park.

Please review the equipment list and be prepared to help fill in the blanks (who has it, who will bring it, etc.), at the Thursday club meeting.

If you do not plan to attend the Thursday meeting, please email me (tpobrienjr@...) and tell me what you have (or will bring) for the Field Day operation.

If you know of some item that should be added, let me know. Please note that there is NO FOOD OR DRINK on the equipment list - that is being handled separately.