Welcome! And Thank You!!

In an emergency situation, which of the following is the most appropriate response that you as an emcomm group member can make to an inquiry from the press?

• In an emergency situation, which of the following is the most appropriate response that you as an emcomm group member can make to an inquiry from the press?

• Answer any question that you are asked.
• Volunteer information and make yourself helpful to them.
• Refer all inquiries to the served agency's public information officer (PIO).
• Ignore them and hope they will go away.

Which of the following will most affect your relationship with a served agency?

• Which of the following will most affect your relationship with a served agency?

• Your radio and electronic equipment.
• Your knowledge of FCC regulations.
• Your attitude.
• Your radio skills.

Reference links:

• Reference links:

• American Red Cross - www.redcross.org
• The Salvation Army - www.salvationarmy.org
• SKYWARN - www.SKYWARN.org
• Military Affiliate Radio Service (Army) - www.asc.army.mil/mars/default.htm
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - www.fema.gov
• ARRL MOUs (SOUs) with various agencies - www.arrl.org/Fand ES/field/mou/index.html
• ARRL -- Served Agencies - www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec1-ch7.html

Study of information transfer between multiple points

• Study of information transfer between multiple points

• During an emergency

• Messages vary greatly in terms of length, content, complexity, and other characteristics
• Available communication pathways vary in how well they handle messages having different characteristics

Broadcasting and one-to-one (exclusive) communication channels

• Broadcasting and one-to-one (exclusive) communication channels

• Some messages are for one single addressee while others need to be received by multiple locations simultaneously

This is the same as Simplex, except the transmitter is on a hilltop or other high object

• This is the same as Simplex, except the transmitter is on a hilltop or other high object

Transmit and Receive on different frequencies

• Transmit and Receive on different frequencies

Remote or satellite receivers are used in addition to regular repeater receivers to pick up relatively weak portable and mobile signals

• Remote or satellite receivers are used in addition to regular repeater receivers to pick up relatively weak portable and mobile signals

• Audio from these receivers is routed to a central voting comparator or voter where the best received audio is selected

• The strongest signal is not always selected; that with the highest signal-to-noise ratio is typically best

• Selected audio may come from multiple receivers during a single transmission

• Some systems are configured to lock on to a single receiver, once chosen, for a transmission

• Selected audio is routed to the ultimate receiving locations, such as consoles or repeaters for retransmission

Precision is not the same as accuracy

• Precision is not the same as accuracy

• All messages must be received accurately
• Sending a list of names or numbers requires precision at the "character" level
• A report that "the lost hiker has been found" does not require precision at the character level
• Over low-precision communications channels (such as voice modes) even letters of the alphabet can be misinterpreted
• Unless a phonetic system, feedback, or error-correcting mechanism is used
• Typing out a low precision message that "the delivery van containing the coffee has arrived at this location" on a high-precision packet link = more time consuming (and inefficient) than a simple voice report

Precision is a point of confusion in message handling

• Precision is a point of confusion in message handling

• Not all messages need high precision
• Sending a message that needs low precision using formal high precision methods will waste time and tie up the communications channel
• Tactical messages generally do not need high precision
• Formal message traffic generally needs high precision

• ICS-213 forms

• May be high or low precision depending upon content

Which of these is a more complex message?

• Which of these is a more complex message?

• A doctor at a hospital may use a radio to instruct an untrained field volunteer how to splint a fractured leg
• A shelter manager may report that he is out of water

• Long and complicated messages

• Recipient cannot remember or comprehend the entire message upon its arrival
• Detailed maps, long lists, complicated directions, and diagrams
• Hard copy or electronic storage for later reference
• Fax, email, and packet radio provide this