can lead to issues in certain situations, especially for complex messages.

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1 1 Relying on normal Public Safety communications systems requiring a local infrastructure can lead to issues in certain situations, especially for complex messages.

2 Slide 1 1 This slide speaks for itself. It should be put up while people check into the teleconference. Steve Waterman, 2/20/2017

3 FEMA R IV RECCWG AuxComm Committee Optimizing the utilization of auxiliary communications volunteers working with Civil authorities and their critical infrastructure partners Fourth Meeting, February 23, 2017

4 AuxComm Committee (agenda) 1.Welcome Committee Members and Guests. 2. Presentation by Ross Merlin, Project Manager, NCC SHARES. 3. Agreement on where we proceed next. 4. other?

5 In today s World, we cannot predict the size, nature or location of disaster areas! We be must prepared, regardless. Local? Regional? National?

6 SHAred RESources (SHARES) High Frequency (HF) Radio Program ROSS MERLIN DHS NCC SHARES Program Manager office mobile main number ROSS.MERLIN@HQ.DHS.GOV

7 Where is SHARES

8 What is SHARES Provides an additional means for users with a national security and emergency preparedness mission to communicate when landline, cellular satellite, and public safety systems are unavailable. No longer FED ONLY. (New for you) Now set up for all hazard voice/data HF contingency communications systems for most levels of civil authorities and their critical infrastructure partners.

9 Why SHARES? Proven components (HF SSB, Winlink radio ) Provides multiple HF channels for any distance True emergency service that promotes volunteer participation. (Ham spectrum not an emergency service, rather, a public service with FCC Part 97 restrictions) Requires no external infrastructure Interoperable among civil authorities and their NGO partners The SHARES mission is to support to your mission by providing various transport layers over dedicated NTIA HF Channels.

10 NCC SHARES Components: Interoperability Working Group meets monthly Data Working Group monthly teleconference Operations Working Group monthly teleconference HF Operations: National & Regional Voice Nets Wed. & evenings Use of SHARES frequencies for emergencies CUSEC Net (Tuesday, 1PM CT multiple channels) Winlink Hybrid HF Radio Network System (for partial or complete Internet outages)

11 Role of the Agency Register station and personnel (SHARES Form 1) FCC Part 90 or Fed. Govt. station call sign ok SHARES can help get call signs issued no Ham call signs. Participate keep equipment ready & operators Trained Expand the service for Interoperability Enlist other related civil authorities/ngos Coordinate and manage qualified volunteers Fund equipment FCC Type Accepted not required. Cost per station is less than a P25 handheld if modified ham equipment is used. NTIA allows this and volunteers know how to use. (Many Hams already have equipment for such use.)

12 The Role of the Volunteer Volunteers may be used to operate the SHARES station, freeing staff to do work that can t be done by volunteers. GROL or Ham license not required member agency is responsible for determining qualifications. Many ham radio operators have EmComm & HF experience. Volunteers must be willing to obtain the necessary NIMS training (online, classroom). Volunteers are managed by the member agency. The price is right!

13 More about the volunteer Role It s all about building relationships with volunteers that have needed skill sets! About volunteer organizational management: First of all, I'll state my premise for volunteer usage in the State EOC. It is simply that anyone, regardless of affiliation, professional or volunteer, who works in the SEOC during an emergency, works for us. Their parent organization has no operational control once they set foot in the Ops center. The parent organization has the responsibility to train and provide communications personnel to the agency. That is where their job ends. They are a functional unit, and do not command operationally in any manner. This avoids any ambiguity in the chain of command. Hank Koebler, Chief, Operations (Ret), Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

14 The Expanding NCC SHARES Winlink Hybrid Radio System

15 TN EMA (TEMA) TEMA TEMA Williamson County ECC The ability to provide e mail where summoned, and without local communications infrastructure does not occur often but when it does, this is a cost effectve solution.

16 Cell, Land line or Fax? NO! Air Card? NO! VHF/UHF/800/700 Public Service, NO! Satellite/Microwave? NO! SHARES HF SSB? YES SHARES Winlink Radio E Mail? You are looking at the results of the pix sent by Winlink during TEMA recon to KY during ICE Storm.

17 HF Tranceiver & Tuner: $1,200 PACTOR IV Modem: $1,200

18 NCC SHARES QUESTIONS?

19 Thank you, Ross! What s Next? Adjustment of previously Distributed Common Elements for a successful AuxComm alternative? How to disseminate information (States to Counties, etc.) Final Report? (Open to Committee)

20 Thank you, Donnie, Joanna

The Winlink Radio Network

The Winlink Radio Network The Winlink Radio e-mail Network E-mail with or without the Internet Phil Sherrod, W4PHS Developed by The Winlink Development Team Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warns of Cyber Pearl Harbor. What is Winlink