06/08/2016
This is only a test? Amateur Radio is playing a major role in the largest FEMA
exercise of 2016, "Cascadia Rising[1]," which got under way on June 7 and
continues until June 10. In the exercise scenario, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake
and consequent tsunami have struck the Pacific Northwest, and the exercise
began with a blackout of all conventional means of communication - a natural
opening for Amateur Radio involvement. ARES/RACES organizations in Oregon and
Washington have been heavily involved, and ARRL Headquarters has been in the
loop as well. Participants include Maxim Memorial Station W1AW. In the exercise
scenario, all Oregon ARES teams have been activated, and an emergency net
convened on 20 meters SSB. A request was put out for a clear frequency.
As part of the exercise, a Winlink HF e-mail message from ARRL Oregon Section
Manager John Core, KX7YT, indicated that Seaside had been "severely damaged by
a tsunami wave" with "many missing persons." Among those unaccounted for were
ARRL staff, Directors and Vice Directors attending the Pacific Northwestern
Division Convention in Seaside (Sea-Pac - the actual convention ended on June
5).
ARRL Emergency Response Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, called a meeting of the ARRL
HQ Emergency Response Team on June 7. Corey said ARRL Headquarters is taking
part via Winlink and HF voice, adding that the exercise offers an opportunity
to exercise the ARRL Headquarters Emergency Response Team. "This team is called
up to support the ARRL Field Organization during a major disaster, when support
cannot be provided during normal business hours," he explained. Operators at
W1AW have been pressed into service to check into emergency networks.
According to FEMA, emergency operations centers (EOCs) and emergency
coordination centers (ECCs) at all levels of government and the private sector
are conducting simulated field response operations within their jurisdictions
and with neighboring communities, state EOCs, FEMA, and major military
commands. Both Washington and Oregon's military departments also have activated
for the drill.
FEMA announced it would activate the five discrete Amateur Radio channels on 60
meters for use during the interoperability exercise. The Amateur Radio Service
has secondary status on the band. FEMA also plans to use Amateur Radio call
signs based on an FCC arrangement in 1995, including KF0EMA and WF4EMA.
[1] https://www.fema.gov/cascadia-rising-2016
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