This site contains documents, forms, and various items for the Pottawattamie County ARES organization. If anyone visiting the site can use any of these resources, feel free to download whatever you like.

HAPPENING NOW

NWS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

FROM TERRY LINDSLEY KS0L:

ARCHIVED FROM 2011 FLOOD EVENT

July 1, 2011 -

For all of your information

Also, I wish you all a great and safe Holiday weekend

Mike KU4ZD Pott County ARES EC

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We have received the following from:

Bob McCoy, NB0B

Operations at the (Red Cros) DOC (disaster operations center) in Council Bluffs are winding  down.  Many of the "national" volunteers are leaving today.  This is transitioning to more of a local operation.  Shelters have been identified and are on standby.  However, there are currently no shelters open at this time in Iowa or Nebraska.  So the "ops tempo" has dropped considerably.

Of course all that could change quickly.  We continue to see levee breaches and whole communities affected.  And this shows no signs of going away anytime soon. Simultaneously, there has been a reorganization within the Red Cross which is combining many chapters into district-type operations.  This is in an attempt to reduce operating costs.  The change is effective today and does affect the Omaha area.  More details to follow as they become available.

What does that mean to amateur radio?  I will continue to be the amateur radio liaison to the operation.  The operations manager will continue to be John Young, the Disaster Services Director from the Heartland Chapter, and he knows how to get hold of me, Rob Buchholz or Mary Joseph.  In the mean time we're standing by with a heightened sense of awareness and readiness.

Message to potential communications volunteers?

- Never self-deploy.  In case of a catastrophic event, tune to the frequency you would normally monitor for EmComm.

- Take this time to evaluate your go-kit.  What would you take with you to a site?  Do you have a radio, power supply and antenna you could grab on short notice and operate?  Could you survive on your go-kit for 24-72 hours?

- Does your EC have your current contact information?

- Would you be willing to go to a shelter that is outside your county or state?  It probably won't be necessary, but it's nice to know in advance. That's all I have for now.  Thanks for your patience and support.

Bob McCoy, NB0B

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June 26, 2011-

There is some preliminary planning going on in the event of evacuation for flooding in Pottawattamie County by the Red Cross. The potential need for radio communications would be between the Disaster Operations Center (DOC), the reception center, and shelters. The DOC is currently located at the Loess Hills Chapter of the Red Cross in Council Bluffs, IA (705 N 16thStreet). I just wanted to make you aware of this possible need.

Also, will you please check your ARES Pott. County ID badge, make sure you know where it is and email me with the experation date on it,

Thank you

Mike  KU4ZD

Pott County ARES EC

miked2000@cox.net

For more information click on the links below:

Iowa Road Closings

Pott. County Info Site

Council Bluffs Info Site

Council BluffS TV - CBTV

Council Buffs Evacuation Plan

Red Cross Flood Safety

Award Presented to Terry, KS0L

Here are a few of the accomplishments of the Pottawattamie County ARES under Terry’s leadership:

1. Pott County EOC has a radio communications area with permanently installed equipment.

2. We have an up to date operating procedures manual for our organization including detailed maps of county communities with contact information.

3. We have written procedures for Net Control operators for a wide variety of scenarios.

4. We have net control check-in and traffic tracking logs.

5. All of the documentation as well as other training articles are available on our website, www.pottcoares.org.

6. Our Red Cross facility has dedicated room/space with permanently mounted antennas.

7. Both of our hospitals as well as the EOC are equipped to network with the OMMRS organization.

8. We have provided communications support for community service events including but not limited to:

   1. Year 2000 transition.

   2. Olympic Torch run.

   3. Annual pride week parade.

   4. Black Squirrel marathons.

   5. Bike rides and walks.

   6. RAGBRAI starting point at least twice.

   7. Ft Calhoun Nuclear power plant excercises.

   8. Katrina victims’ shelter.

   9. A myriad of severe weather events.

   10. Grain elevator explosion.

And probably the most significant accomplishment was to mold us into a coherent communications support group at the same time making us known to and desirable to our served agencies.