Newly called Stake Emergency Communications Specialist - looking for help

[KD8JRC]

I was just called as the Stake Emergency Communications Specialist for the Cincinnati North Stake, other than the one item on Provident Living, I have been given no direction.  I got my technician class less than a year ago, so I was surprised when they extended the assignment to me. The stake presidency member knew less about the responsibilities than I do, which is scary. So any help in getting started, direction, experiences, other examples, would help greatly.  Thanks.

[wb7sgl]

I've been in my calling for a year now as a Stake Comm Specialist. Prior to that I was a Ward Preparedness Specialist/Comm Specialist and assisted the Stake Comm Specialist during our communications tests.

I offer you my suggestions below. These are mostly based on my personal observation, others will have different suggestions and observations. Before you get too worried about how you'll do the calling, I will tell you this... The Church doesn't have much in the way of specific instruction. Your Stake Presidency may offer direction but may not know where to start. Your calling is one that is very spiritually and self guided calling. Keep tabs on the concerns the priesthood leadership have and work on a plan that encompasses those concerns.

You need to do a few things to start...
1) Get the lay of the land...

• Does the Stake have a radio?
• Do any the Wards?
• Do the Wards have called Comm Specialists?
• Is there a list of Hams in the Wards and do they have radios?
• Is there an existing preparedness and communications plan?

2) Meet with your priesthood leadership. Start with your High Councilman over Preparedness. He attends a lot of meetings you don't have to. He has a lot of insight into the concerns and priorities of the Stake. Ask about their specific concerns and direction.
3) Keep asking questions on this website. We all are happy to help, we just need to know what help you need!  
4) Start evangelizing Amateur Radio. Research and develop your 'reasons' why the members should get involved and help them when they get interested. Find local classes that are being put on by clubs or put on your own. Find nearby test sessions or organize your own team of VEs to administer tests yourselves.
5) Study up on ICS. FEMA has classes on ICS that are free and they will even certify you as you complete the training. You can start with IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System. ARRL also has Emergency Communications classes you can take. This aspect is important incase you ever actually have to cooperate with relief agencies in real emergencies or drills. They are likely all using ICS, you should know it.

Then... After you're oriented and progressing, start planning, preparing and practicing.
1) Assemble a new or update an existing communication plan for your Stake. Be careful not to dictate too much for the Wards, it's best to define their responsibilities and allow them to determine how to accomplish them best.
2) Prepare by sharing your plan with the Wards. Then, train the specialists in the Wards. I impart two types of training, the simple communications training should encompass all of the specialists so they know the Stake plan, priorities and their collective responsibilities.  The advanced training is specific to the Comm Specialists and specifically imparts the plan, procedures, forms, etc. so they know what their job is from a Stake perspective. You will also need communications gear. If the Stake doesn't have their own, you'll need to fill the gap. You'll need a portable radio, coax, quality antenna and power source. I have a Diamond X50N antenna I suspend from a surplus fiberglass net support system, a Yaesu VX6r handheld, an amplifier with preamp, 50-100 feet of coax, etc. I use my vehicle for emergency power (12v deep cycle battery).
3) While coordinating with your High Councilman, plan emergency communication tests. Change things up with each test.  You can hide one or more messages in each Ward (with specific ward members) to test if, and how accurately, the messages get returned to the Stake. You can unplug the phone at the Stake Communications center (ours is the Clerks office) after advising everyone that the Ham Radio will be available during the test.

If you don't have an established communications plan, let me know if you'd like a copy of my Stake and Ward plans. They may offer you a good start.

Go get to work! 
-Rob

[WA7ZBO]

I'm sure your area is much larger than mine. Here the Salt Lake Valley there are Stakes wall to wall. My stake is one square mile with 7 wards and a Spanish Branch within. I set each Ward up with eight FRS/GMRS handhelds in a bag with extra batteries. I choose the Midland 555 from Cabela's because it has not beeps, bleeps or PL Tones. It's called the Bubba Radio because even Bubba can operate it. The first time I tried FRS everyone was so confused about the PL we lost half the people.
So each Ward is assigned an FRS channel. The bishop or Ward ERC specialists then contact the Stake on MURS. If you are not aware of this service, it is five channels on VHF that do not require a license as GMRS and HAM do. I picked up 10 used Kenwood commercial five watt handhelds with chargers on ebay for $400.00. Each Ward clerks office has one in its charger with extra large batteries that will keep them running for 24 hours at least. They will rapid charge in one hour so even though they are very large, they are well suited for ECOMM.
At the Stake clerks office I have an FRS/GMRS 50 watt base and a 2 meter/MURS base on deep cycle batteries. These feed into a VHF/UHF isolator which feeds one large VHF/UHF base antenna on the roof.
With this set up we have coverage Stake wise on MURS, FRS, GMRS, and Ham VHF. This also gives us access to the church VHF repeater which links us to the Bishop's Store House.
I'm still working the kinks out but at least we have a plan.

[WA7ZBO]

Just a follow up on the antenna we are using. It is a Comet GP-6NC with a Comet Duplixer. For our purposes we wanted a single antenna to cover 155 Mhz. MURS and 465 Mhz. FRS/GMRS. This is a special antenna but it is in stock at Comet and was only two days away via UPS. They also carry this antenna in a 146/465 model for two meters and FRS.