ONTARIO NEWS
Submit your news items to: contact@emergencycom.ca
New Emergency
and Disaster Radio Operations Manual (Jan. 22)
The purpose of this document is to
establish an Amateur Radio emergency communication plan for Emergency Communications
in “your area”, and to describe how Emcomm Groups should respond to activation
requests from various agencies. In case of a disaster affecting “your
area”, emergency management communication links to the surrounding communities
and to the regional and provincial EOC’s may have to be established using
amateur radio.
This plan is for the emergency management
of communications. Routine traffic such as displaced persons registration
and inquiry can be handled when time permits using the facilities described
in this plan or on other frequencies as personnel and equipment are available.
The document provides direction for
the organization, but any written word plan cannot possibly cover all situations.
The Emcomm command structure exists to offer maximum flexibility to respond
to each situation uniquely so we can provide the optimum level of service.
Our new EMCOMM manual can be downloaded
here.
NOTICE OF
OWNERSHIP AND OPERATIONS CHANGE REFLECTOR 9030 (Jan. 5)
Effective January 1, 2012.
The ownership and operations of the Ontario Public Service Reflector
# 9030 has been transferred to the care and control of ECOA
registered as Emergency Communications Ontario Association Incorporated.
This Province-Wide resource has become the exclusive property of ECOA on
the above date and will be used for Emergency Communications and the associated
Networks that are Registered and Authorized to provide EmComm activity
and operations throughout the Province of Ontario.
The Ontario Public Service Reflector
will remain at its current location in Haliburton County unless an agreement
to relocate is requested by ECOA. Please continue to support and use the
Reflector with courtesy and proper conduct and direct any comments or questions
to the ECOA Director Team or the administrator of this website.
ECOA Director Team
contact@emergencycom.ca
Emergency
Preparedness Planner....A Newsletter for the Health System
Emergency Management Branch, Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care Spring 2011
A New Season with the Planner..............................1
Extreme Heat Events........2
Ontario: Climate Ready.....5
Flooding Risks in Northern Ontario..............................5
Radiological Emergencies…who’s on
first?..................................5
Continuing a History of Interagency
Collaboration in Ottawa...............................7
2011 Emergency Preparedness Week..........9
Agency Update.................10
What’s New at the EMB?.12
Training and Exercises.....13
Download Ministry of Health News
Letter: planner_20110531.pdf
IMS
213-R: General Message Form (Posted May 21 2011)
Within the IMS for Ontario, specific
forms are used to assist with incident management processes and procedures.
These forms are designed for all-hazard
use and are applicable to both site-level and EOC-level response. They
are consistent with standard ‘Incident Command System’ (ICS) forms, which
are already in use by many disciplines throughout Ontario and within the
United States. Each form is accompanied by detailed instructions and a
brief overview of the form’s purpose, preparation and distribution.
Persons using these forms should
have a basic understanding of IMS, through training, and familiarity with
the IMS Doctrine. For additional information on the use of IMS forms, please
see relevant sections of the IMS Doctrine and the Introduction
to IMS Forms [PDF].
Many municipalities are now using
the IMS213 message form during operations, the current Radio Gram now being
used by most ARES Groups do not conform to the IMS model and it is recommended
that ARES personnel become familiar with the new IMS 213-R message form.
A new message form IMS 213-R has
been created specifically for ARES use and can be downloaded here: IMS213-R
[Word Doc.]
More information about IMS Forms
can be found on the Emergency
Management Ontario Website.
Jim Taylor VA3KU
Amateur Radio Program Coordinator
Emergency Management Ontario
Ontario Public
Service Reflector News (Posted May 21 2011)
To better serve and coordinate EmComm
activity in the Province the Ontario Public Service Reflector now offers
Echolink/IRLP crossover on Channel 8 #9038. The North Western Region links
that include: Thunder Bay, Kenora, Dryden, Pinawa, Sioux Lookout, Sioux
Narrows, Ignace, Fort Frances and Atikokan have migrated over to the permanent
and exclusive use of channel 1 #9031. These changes complete an important
phase to expand and improve the operational flexibility of the Ontario
Public Service Reflector.
Bob Gammon VA3RX
Ontario ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Ontario
Public Service Reflector adds Echolink Service (Posted May 20 2011)
The Ontario Public Service Reflector,
located in Haliburton, has added a Echo Link/ Irlp crossover channel 8.
This will enhance EmComm operations, where multiple Echo or Irlp nodes,
can link in when situations arise that only one or the other will work
in certain operations. This is the second only reflector in Canada other
than Vancouver , that can do this crossover.
Ontario now will have one of the
largest systems for emergency communications that will cover us province
wide, using IRLP and Echo Link. This system is battery backed up and with
an emergency generator coming on when the hydro goes off.
For more information the website
is www.Ontarioreflector.ca
Russ Hemphill VE3FI
Emergency Preparedness
Week May 1-7 (Posted April 30 2011)
Toronto (April 29 2011)
Emergency Management Ontario
EP Week Launch Event
EMO coordinated the EP Week/Challenge
launch event in cooperation with Toronto Hydro and Insurance Bureau of
Canada. More than 20 other organizations took part.
The event created a “festival” environment
in Yonge-Dundas Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The main program took place
between noon and 1 p.m.
DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS
– visitors learned how responders would communicate in a disaster and how
they can be better aware of emergency messages
• EMO – information on the
Red
Alert system and laptops with large monitors allowed visitors to sign
up for alerts
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service
– demonstrated how amateur radio operators support communications in an
emergency.
• Eton Canada – leading manufacturer
of weather and shortwave radios explained how to be aware of tornado and
other hazard warnings
• Office of the Fire Marshal
–
demonstration of satellite telecommunications using its mobile vehicle.
Pictures
and full report are available here.
Toronto (May 5 2011)
City of Toronto Office of Emergency
Management EP Week Survivor Event
In 2009 the City of Toronto, Office
of Emergency Management (OEM) in partnership with Emergency Management
Ontario (EMO), successfully piloted “Emergency Preparedness (EP) Survivor”
– an overnight in-school (RH King Academy) emergency simulation for secondary
students. While each “EP Survivor” event is unique to its host school and
city, the program always requires that students survive only on the contents
of their emergency kits and the presenters always teach students about
basic disaster survival skills.
Breakout stations – 15 to 20 mins
each (students travel between stations in family/team units)
• Disaster First Aid (St. John Ambulance)
• Military (709 Communications Regiment
• Dry House - Survivor 72
• Emergency Communications (Toronto
EMCOMM VA3EOT) Please listen for us on the Ontario Public Service
Reflector 9035 around 7:30 PM
• Emergency Food Services and NGO
Sector or Haiti Response – (Salvation Army)
Is your ARES/EmComm Group participating
in EP Week? Please send in your news items to contact@emergencycom.ca
For more information about Emergency
Preparedness Week visit www.getprepared.ca
Inter-County
CANWARN Network (Posted April 23 2011)
During severe weather events that
generate watches and warnings the Inter-County CANWARN Network will be
activated on the Ontario public service reflector #9030, to co-ordinate
severe weather information between adjacent counties and to provide a direct
link with the Ontario storm prediction centre using the online meta page.
For more information about Ontario
CANWARN visit: www.emergencyradio.ca/canwarn.shtml
Alberta
Satern Group Experimental Digital HF Network (Posted April 23 2011)
The Alberta Satern Group is experimenting
with a digital net at Zero Zulu on 14.065 MHz and 7065 at 0030Z.
To participate you should have the fldigi program as well as flwrap and
flmsg. The latter allows you to send ARRL Message and ICS forms digitally
and print as a usable form on reception. There are instructions here.
The net will use Olivia 8/500 for chat and sending files and MT63/500 for
bulletins.
For more information visit the Alberta
Satern Group website: http://saternalberta.wordpress.com/digital-new/evening-digital-net/
Development
of A Canadian Field Organization (Posted April 17 2011)
I am pleased to announce that changes
are taking place from the national level down and RAC has agreed on a new
structure for field services. Please read the bulletin below for details.
As your Section Manager for Ontario
I am looking for key individuals that are interested in volunteering your
time in making a change. I am hoping to put together a new team of key
people who together we can and will make RAC a better organization filling
the needs of every amateur in not only Ontario but across this great nation
of ours. Working with my fellow Section Managers across Canada we are hoping
to bring about a renewed sparked interest in RAC that gains the trust,
respect and pride by all amateurs.
I ask that you contact me personally
if you are interested in working on this team. Let's make Ontario the example
for all of Canada to follow.
I thank you for your continued support
as all your efforts are truly appreciated.
73
Allan Boyd
VE3AJB
Section Manager Ontario
Radio Amateurs of Canada
RAC Bulletin 2011-008E – Development
of A Canadian Field Organization
2011-04-03
Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 2, 2011
In RAC Bulletin 2010-032 – Vision
Statement 2010-11-14, RAC committed itself to the "education and elmering
of new Hams", and supporting "the training and coaching of RAC volunteers
to achieve exemplary results, at the municipal, provincial and national
levels." The new RAC Field Training program is the recognized tool leveraged
by our ARES groups.
On December 9, 2010, Vice President
Field Services with the support of the Section Managers formed a "Vice
President Field Services Council". The Council made the commitment to develop
a Canadian "Field Organization". A major part of the new Field Organization
will be the existing Field Service, which is key to providing services
to the public and the Amateur Radio community. It will also incorporate
new functions to better represent our interests to governments at the provincial
and municipal levels, provide a strengthened public relations capability,
expand the Affiliated Club program with a view to improving the input of
Canadian Amateurs with respect to RAC policy development, and bring focus
to promoting technical developments. On 24 March, 2011 the RAC Board unanimously
approved implementation.
It is envisaged that each Section
will form a similar council to oversee development of the Field Organization
concept, taking into consideration its unique relationship with provincial
governments, geography, relationships with existing regional associations,
and the requirements of the individual clubs.
At its second meeting held on 13
January, 2011, the Council approved in principle an ARES Training Management
System with the following six objectives:
Create a just-in-time training programme
that delivers task-related skills and knowledge needed by the radio operator
or team leader on the first day in a new assignment;
Develop the radio operator's abilities
through a structured programme of practical training under the supervision
of a mentor;
Standardize qualifications through
a family of control documents that identify job tasks, skills and knowledge,
to specified standards, and supplies trainers with prepared course materials;
Promote ARES and NTS interoperability
with emergency management authorities by embracing the Incident Management/Command
System philosophy and exploiting provincially approved IMS/ICS courseware
and certifications whenever possible;
Institute training quality control
and continuous improvement mechanisms; and, Incorporate a professional
development approach designed to groom the leaders of tomorrow.
The Council, through a working group,
is developing an updated mission statement for the ARES. A second working
group under the chair of the Ontario Section Manager has begun development
of a "Specification", the foundation document in a training management
system. While the focus is initially on modernizing the ARES in order to
stay in step with rapidly developing national and provincial emergency
management initiatives, ultimately this document will be expanded to include
all roles within the RAC Field Organization.
The President and Vice President
of Field Services extend an open invitation to all Amateurs with expertise
in any aspect of developing the Field Organization to make contact with
their Section Manager. Contact information can be found at http://rac.ca/en/rac/public-service/section-managers/
Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW
President, Radio Amateurs of/du
Canada
CANWARN
TRAINING SESSIONS SCHEDULE 2011 (Posted March 22 2011)
April 12th - 7 PM - Sarnia
- Kinsmen Centre Oakroom Room 656 Lakeshore Road
April 13th - 7 PM - London
- 4 Points Sheraton Hotel 1150 Wellington Road
April 16th - 9 AM - Hamilton -
Nash Auditorium Wilcox Building Chedoke Hospital on Sanatorium Road (free
parking available across from the Wilcox building)
April 18th - 7 PM - Leamington
- Kinsmen Recreational Complex 249 Sherk St (parking lot access off of
Ellison St.)
April 27th - 7 PM - Kitchener
- Bingemans Conference Centre - Ballroom E - 425 Bingemans Centre Drive
April 30th - 9 AM - Orillia/Rama
- Rama Community Hall 5896 Rama Road (across the street from CasinoRama)
May 5th - 7 PM - Peterborough
- Peterborough Public Library (boardroom on lower level) 345 Aylmer St.
North
May 7th - 9 AM - Toronto -
Environment Canada Headquarters 4905 Dufferin St.
May 7th - 9 AM - Ottawa -
Nepean Sailing Club - 3259 Carling Ave. Nepean
May 12th - 7 PM - Dufferin County
- Dufferin County Museum at the corner of Highway 89 and Airport Road
May 14th - 9 AM - Renfrew
- venue to be determined
May 28th - 9 AM - Sudbury
- Lionel E. Lalonde Centre 239 Montee Principale in Azilda (15 km west
of Sudbury)
May 29th - 1 PM - Espanola
- Pinewood Inn 378 Centre St
May 30th - 7 PM - Sault Ste. Marie
- Venue to be determined
May 31st - 7 PM - Timmins
- Venue to be determined
June 1st - Timiscaming Shores
- time/venue to be determined
June 2nd - 7 PM - North Bay
- OPP Communications Centre - 877 Gormanville Road
June 13th - 7 PM - Thunder Bay
- McIntyre Building Rm. 195, Confederation College, corner of William and
Edward Streets
Note: Other Northwestern Ontario
venues (Fort Frances/Emo, Kenora, Dryden)…training to take place June 14
to 17…exact dates and venues to be determined.
Geoff Coulson
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Emergency Communications
Ontario Association Inc. Incorporation(Posted March 6 2011)
The Ontario Government Business Centre
has confirmed that an incorporation patent has been registered to the the
named:
Emergency Communiciations Ontario
Association on March 1 2011
ARES Ontario
IRLP Net & Procom Net Merger (Posted March 4 2011)
Effective Sunday March 6th the ARES
Ontario Net will combine with the Procomm Network to become the new Ontario
Provincial Communications Network. Net operations will be on Sunday and
Thursday evenings at 20:00 HRS, a new format using EMO District names will
be introduced to expedite added station check-ins and increase net activity.
Please continue to support this multi-mode linked network and help expand
this porvince-wide EmComm resource.
Bob Gammon VA3RX
Ontario ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
(end news)
