The Bedford, New Hampshire Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) (http://www.bedfordnhcert.org) includes members trained as ham radio operators. To be a ham radio operator a person must pass an Amateur License exam conducted by the Federal Communications Commission Universal Licensing System. Upon passing the Operator Technician exam a person receives their unique call sign, such as KC1BJI.
An amateur radio net, or simply ham net, is an “on-the-air” gathering of amateur radio operators. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency, and are organized for a particular purpose, such as the Bedford CERT hams use a directed net to maintain and practice their radio communication skills. A formal, or directed net, has a single net control station (NCS) that manages its operation for a given session. The NCS operator calls the net to order at its designated start time, periodically calls for participants to join, listens for them to answer (or check in ) keeps track of the roster of stations for that particular net session, and generally orchestrates the operation of the net.
Tonight I was the NCS person under the tutelage of Ric, Communications Officer of Bedford CERT.
Each week's agenda has a check-in with each person using their Federal Communication Commission assigned call sign. They also identify the type of power used (such as fixed station commercial power, fixed station emergency power, mobile or Handheld). Announcements and training education are part of this exercise. The announcements are items of interest to the CERT members (for example upcoming CERT training sessions and meetings).
Tonight's training session was conducted by Steve. The training focused on two related search and rescue (SAR) topics of particular importance in rural New Hampshire:
The Hiker Responsibility Code, was developed in 2003 as a joint program between the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG). The Hiker Responsibility Code was needed when the number of WMNF search and rescue occurrences were increasing because of negligence and ignorance on the part of wilderness hikers. The costs of air searches and rescues, along with the safety risk to SAR volunteers, were unacceptable.
An amateur radio net, or simply ham net, is an “on-the-air” gathering of amateur radio operators. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency, and are organized for a particular purpose, such as the Bedford CERT hams use a directed net to maintain and practice their radio communication skills. A formal, or directed net, has a single net control station (NCS) that manages its operation for a given session. The NCS operator calls the net to order at its designated start time, periodically calls for participants to join, listens for them to answer (or check in ) keeps track of the roster of stations for that particular net session, and generally orchestrates the operation of the net.
Tonight I was the NCS person under the tutelage of Ric, Communications Officer of Bedford CERT.
Each week's agenda has a check-in with each person using their Federal Communication Commission assigned call sign. They also identify the type of power used (such as fixed station commercial power, fixed station emergency power, mobile or Handheld). Announcements and training education are part of this exercise. The announcements are items of interest to the CERT members (for example upcoming CERT training sessions and meetings).
Tonight's training session was conducted by Steve. The training focused on two related search and rescue (SAR) topics of particular importance in rural New Hampshire:
The Hiker Responsibility Code, was developed in 2003 as a joint program between the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG). The Hiker Responsibility Code was needed when the number of WMNF search and rescue occurrences were increasing because of negligence and ignorance on the part of wilderness hikers. The costs of air searches and rescues, along with the safety risk to SAR volunteers, were unacceptable.
The Hiker
responsibility code is intended to ensure that hikers are equipped with the
gear, knowledge and experience they need to have a safe journey into the
wilderness.
Knowing the Hiker Responsibility Code and the essential equipment and knowledge (Ten Essentials of Hiking) may save
your life in the wilderness, it could also save you being charged thousands of
dollars for YOUR search and rescue. The
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is authorized to sell voluntary Hike
Safe Cards for $25 per person and $35 per family. People who obtain the cards
are not liable to repay rescue costs if they need to be rescued due to negligence on their part in the wilderness. The card is valuable for anyone hiking, paddling,
cross country skiing or engaging in other outdoor recreation. An individual may
still be liable for response expenses if they are deemed to have recklessly or
to have intentionally created a situation requiring an emergency response.
People who possess a current New Hampshire Fish and Game hunting or fishing license, or a current registration for an off-highway recreational vehicle, snowmobile or boat, are already exempt from repaying rescue costs due to negligence.
People who possess a current New Hampshire Fish and Game hunting or fishing license, or a current registration for an off-highway recreational vehicle, snowmobile or boat, are already exempt from repaying rescue costs due to negligence.
Follow the Hiker Responsibility
Code
(http://hikesafe.com/)
(http://hikesafe.com/)
You
are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
- With
knowledge and gear. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain,
conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
- To
leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails
you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
- To
stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group,
end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
- To
turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue
and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations
and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
- For
emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an
injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening.
Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
- To
share the hiker code with others.
Voluntary Hike Safe cards are available at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/safe/index.html.
Ten + 2 Essentials when Hiking
1. Map
2. Compass
3. Warm Clothing
4. Extra Food and Water
5. Flashlight or headlamp
6. Matches/fire starters
7. First aid kit/repair kit
8. Whistle
9. Rain/wind gear
10. Pocket knife
11. Contractor type 40-
gallon trash bags
12. Duct tape
Notice the above Ten + 2. Most discussions deal with the ten essentials to carry, but personally, I also carry two trash bags and duct tape.
The below two White Mountain National Forest signs say it all when it comes to relating the Hiker Responsibility Code and the Ten Essentials.
The below two White Mountain National Forest signs say it all when it comes to relating the Hiker Responsibility Code and the Ten Essentials.
For those interested in more Search and Rescue information, see my Blog post Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) Search and Rescue Training http://tiny.cc/wa8e7x,
KC1BJI. 73 (e.g. "73" is hamspeak for "best regards" when signing off).
References
- For more information on Bedford NH CERT http://www.bedfordnhcert.org
- Blog: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Search and Rescue Training http://tiny.cc/wa8e7x
- Follow the Hiker Responsibility Code (http://hikesafe.com/)
- Ten Essentials of Hiking http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/hiking-gear.cfm
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/safe/index.html
- Federal Communications Commission Universal Licensing System http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home
- Amateur Radio Net https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_net
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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"
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