Aiken County EOC is currently manned with AIKEN ARES Ham volunteers. The Aiken County EOC will shut down at 2400L tonight.

SCHEART repeaters are currently linked state wide. K4EMD is the state NCS. PLEASE do not do radio check, etc on any of the SCHEART repeater while the emergency is in progress. Do not “checkin” unless you are a ?agency or have an emergency. Do not provide WX reports to this net.

Aiken Regional Medical Centers Radio Room is not currently activated, since all normal comms are operational.

The Columbia National WX Service is monitoring the CSRA SKYWARN repeater 145.49. Currently the CSRA SKYWARN net has NOT been activated.

Kent, KQ4KK

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FROM K4EMD-

After the storm has passed SCEMD and ARES will be looking for hams that can deploy to areas that are trying to recover from this storm. Deployment will be probably for up to 72 hours until we can get the South Carolina State Guard in to take over comms. We are really looking for folks who have taken the Auxcomm training (ICS training from FEMA) but we can put you to work if you haven't had that training. If you are interested AND YOU CAN DEPLOY please contact me...KK4F.?? PLEASE DO NOT SELF DEPLOY.

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The South Carolina ARES and RACES Auxiliary Communication Tactical Communications Guide is available for download on the? ?website.

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September 13, 2018 @ 5:30 AM? FROM ?

24 Hour Operational Response Plan for SC ARES, RACES and AUXCOMM

Twenty-four coverage at the SC ?EOC radio room began at 0800 on Thursday September 13, 2018.

the SCHEART VHF/UHF will remain linked for the duration of the storm.?? Periodic nets to brief field staff and/or confirm stations will happen at four-hour intervals.? The first net will be at 10:00AM Thursday.

SCHEART Analog VHF/UHF Scheduled Net Times are:

02:00 AM, 06:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 02:00 PM, 06:00 PM, 10:00 PM

SCHEART DMR system is in emergency mode which restricts PRN talk group to South Carolina and terminates all dynamic talk groups. ?ARES and AUXCOMM members are requested to monitor the PRN talk group for coordination information and instructions and keep the analog system open for tactical and emergency traffic.

Statewide Simplex Channel is 146.595 with PL of 156.7 Hz and can be used for relaying traffic to the SEOC.

HF operations will begin at noon on Thursday.? HF is a back-up to the statewide VHF/UHF network. The published frequencies for SC ARES nets are 3.990 or 3.995 +/- for nights and 7.232 +/- days bands permitting.

State EOC will monitor the SCHEART repeater networks, Simplex and HF? frequencies.? Field operators should follow guidance and frequencies listed in the South Carolina ARES and RACES Auxiliary Communication Tactical Communications Guide which is available for download on the? website.

Tactical Call Signs will be used during this response effort.? Operators are responsible for following FCC regulation on proper station identification.? Stations should call “State EOC” when calling the radio room.?? The State EOC will call County EOC’s by the county and healthcare facilities by name.? Stations not associated with with a partner agency will use their normal call sign. All operators are encourage to 1) Keep transmissions short, 2) Pass essential information as clearly as possible, 3) Follow Net Control Station directions? 4) When you check into a net indicating you are staffing a partner facility, or offering to assist in the response,? do not leave the frequency without obtaining a release from Net Control Station.? The only except is at an agency location where there’s multiple operators and the frequency is being monitor by another operator if you step away from the radio.

Field operators who observe a potential life-threatening situation, should immediately ?contact 911. If you are unable to reach 911, use your county tactical frequency (reference ARES/RACES Tactical Guide link above) to contact the county EOC.? If you are unable to make local contact, the emergency may be reported to the State EOC radio room.? Information they will need: Complete and specific information on situation location, name of the person making the request, your call sign, and facts about the emergency condition.? The State EOC radio room will attempt to assist but the process to get back to local emergency management take longer than making local contact.

All Operators are reminded to be polite and respectful as this situation is very stressful. Please be professional as possible. Field Operators do not self deploy and put yourself in harms- way.? ARES/RACES operators should follow direction provide by their field management and local emergency officials.

This plan will adapt as conditions change.? All amateur radio operators are encouraged to monitor the SCHEART network for updated information from the State EOC and listen to their county designated repeater for local information and reports .

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