Learning Unit 7

Introduction to Emergency Nets

ARECC

Objective:

This lesson contains information that is appropriate for net operations in a variety of settings, and is representative of nets around the country. Local procedures may vary slightly.

What is an Emergency Net?

The purpose of any net is to provide a means for orderly communication within a group of stations. An "emergency" net is a group of stations who provide communication to one or more served agencies, or to the general public, in a communications emergency. An emergency net may be formal or informal, depending on the number of participants and volume of messages.

Net Formats

Directed (formal) Nets:

In a directed net, a "net control station" organizes and controls all activity. One station wishing to call or send a message to another in the net must first receive permission from the NCS. This is done so that messages with a higher priority will be handled first, and that all messages will be handled in an orderly fashion. Directed nets are the best format when there are a large number of member stations                                                                       

Open (informal) Nets:

In an open net, the NCS is optional. Stations may call each other directly. When a NCS is used at all, he usually exerts minimal control over the net. The NCS may step in when the message volume increases for short periods, or to solve problems and keep the net operating smoothly. Open nets are most often used when there are only a few stations and little traffic.

Types of Emergency Nets

Emergency nets may have different purposes, and a given emergency may require one or more of each type of net. During a small operation, all functions may be combined into one net.

·         A traffic net handles formal written messages in a specified ARRL Radiogram format. Nets operated by the National Traffic System (NTS) are an excellent example of traffic nets. ARES or RACES traffic nets may be directed or open depending on their size.

·         Tactical nets are used for real-time coordination of activities related to the emergency. This is a faster-moving, often less formal operation. Messages are usually brief, and frequently unwritten. A tactical net usually has a NCS, but may be directed or open. The NCS may have other duties or responsibilities as well.

·         A "resource" or "logistics" net may be needed to acquire resources and volunteers and handle assignments. It is usually a directed net. Resource nets accept check-ins from arriving volunteers, who are then directed to contact an appropriate station or to proceed to a specific location. It might also be used to locate needed resources, such as equipment, food, water and other supplies for emergency communications volunteers.

·         An information net is usually an open net used to collect or share information on a developing situation, without overly restricting the use of the frequency by others. Net members send updated local information as needed, and official bulletins from the served agency may be sent by the NCS, an agency liaison station, or an Official Bulletin Station (OBS). The NCS and many of the participants monitor the frequency, but a "roll call" is seldom taken and stations may not be expected to check in and out of the net, however it is always a good idea to let others know you are leaving. The operation of an information net also serves as notice to all stations that a more formal net may be activated at any moment if conditions warrant. A good example is a SKYWARN weather net activated during a severe storm watch.

Checking Into an Emergency Net

There are two situations where you will need to "check in" to a net.

• When you first join the net.
• When you have messages, questions, or information to send.

If you are part of the organization operating the net, simply follow the instructions for checking into directed and open nets.                                                                                                To become part of a directed net, listen for the NCS to ask for "check-ins" and listen to any specific instructions, such as "check-ins with emergency traffic only." At the appropriate time, give only your call sign. If you have a message to pass, you can add, "with traffic." If it is an emergency message, say "with emergency traffic." The same is true for stations with priority traffic. Wait for a response before offering more information. Checking into a directed net when the NCS has not asked for check-ins is usually considered a bad practice. However, if a long period passes with no request, you might wait for a pause in the nets activity and briefly call the NCS like this: "Net control, W5RXU, with traffic."

To check in to an open net for the first time, briefly call the net control station as above. If there appears to be no NCS, call anyone on the net to find out if anyone is "in charge" and make contact with them. If you are already part of the net and have a message to send, simply wait for the frequency to be clear before calling another station.

If you are not part of the organization operating the net, do not just check in and offer to assist. Listen for a while. Be sure you have something specific to offer before checking in, (such as the ability to deliver a message close to your location when none of the regular net members can). If they really do seem to need help that you feel you can provide, you might check in briefly to ask if they have a "resource" net in operation, then switch to that frequency. If not, make a brief offer of assistance to the NCS.

Do not be too surprised if you receive a cool reception to your offer of help. It is usually nothing personal. Emergency nets are serious business. Most all emergency communications management prefer to deal with people with known training and capabilities, and with whom they have worked before.                                                                 

Passing Messages:

If you told the NCS you have traffic to send when you checked in, he will probably ask you to "list your traffic" with its destination and priority. After you send your list, the NCS will direct you to pass each message to the appropriate station in the net, either on the net frequency, or another frequency to avoid tying up the net. When moving to another frequency to pass the message, always check to see if the frequency is in use before beginning.

When you are asked by the NCS to send your message, the standard procedure is for the NCS to tell the receiving station to call the sending station.

"Breaking" the Net

If the net is in progress, and you have emergency traffic to send, you may need to "break" into the net. Procedures for doing this vary from net to net, but the most common method is to wait for a pause between transmissions and simply say, "Break, K5WTH." The NCS will say, "Go ahead K5WTH," and you respond, "K5WTH with emergency traffic."

Checking Out of an Emergency Net

Always let the NCS know when you are leaving the net, even if it is only for a few minutes. If the NCS believes you are still in the net, they may become concerned about your unexplained absence. This could result in someone being unnecessarily dispatched to check on your well-being.

There are three reasons for checking out of (leaving) a net.

• The location of your station is closing.
  
  If the NCS has given you directions to close the location, simply acknowledge the request, and sign with your tactical call sign, if you are using one, and your FCC call sign. If the order to close has come from a local official, state that your location has been closed, along with the name and title of the official who ordered it, and sign off as above. Long "goodbyes" only tie up the net needlessly, and do not sound very professional.
• You need a break and there is no relief operator.
  
  Tell the NCS that you will be away from the radio for a certain length of time, the reason, and sign with your tactical call sign, if you are using one, and your FCC call sign.
• You have turned the location over to another operator.
  
  Tell the NCS that you have turned the station over to (give the new operator's name and FCC call-sign), and that you are leaving. Sign with your tactical call sign, if you are using one, and your FCC call sign

There are two special situations to be aware of:

1.  If you are asked by someone in authority, such as a law enforcement officer, to move your station, then move immediately and without argument. Notify the NCS of the situation at the first appropriate opportunity.

2.  If you are requested by someone in authority to turn off your radio, or to refrain from transmitting, do so immediately and without question. Do not notify Net Control until you have permission to transmit again, and can do so safely. There is usually a good reason for such a request. It may be an issue of security, or it may be a potential hazard, such as an explosive devise that could be triggered by RF energy.

Review:

Large nets are usually directed (formal) nets with a NCS in charge. Smaller nets may be "open" (informal), and a NCS is optional. Nets can serve many purposes, including passing formal messages, handling logistics, or passing informal tactical messages. Large emergencies may require more than one of each type of net - small emergencies may have one combined net. Medium and long distance messages are often handled by the National Traffic System (NTS).