Joe Safranek, K4JJS, VA Section PIC
July 3, 2008

With the signing of the historic new MOU between Virginia ARES and the Commonwealth of Virginia, now, when activated by an appropriate authority, ARES equals RACES in Virginia.

During activations requiring deployment of ARES personnel, a State RACES officer at the State EOC will direct the VA ARES SEC as to where emergency communications help is needed. The VA ARES SEC then will then assume the role of VA ARES-RACES Deployment Officer and will be responsible for the deployment of all VA ARES personnel and resources.

The MOU formally recognizes any REGISTERED VA ARES member as a registered RACES member in Virginia. Under the new MOU, a volunteer does enjoy limited protection from liability to the same extent as a state employee, provided they act within the scope of their training, the limits of this MOU, and the mission assigned by the agency.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management recognizes the ARRL Virginia Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service is an organization representing Virginia radio amateurs throughout the Commonwealth and because of its organized communications capability, can be of valuable assistance in providing critical and essential communications during emergencies and disasters when normal lines of communications are disrupted.

Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC, stated this about the new MOU: "This MOU now provides the opportunity for all of the independent RACES units operating within the Commonwealth of Virginia to join with ARES/RACES to complete the fabric of mutual assistance that will help us cooperatively cover the entire Commonwealth. We ask that they consider unification with us."

The Commonwealth is currently working with the federal government on a photo identification budging system that will result in state and federal recognition of credentials during deployments. As stated in the MOU "Until a Standardized Statewide Identification Credentialing System is established in the Commonwealth of Virginia for emergency responders, to include State activated VA ARES/RACES personnel, it is suggested that the ARRL/VA ARES provide a uniform picture identification card for all of its registered members in the State." More information pertaining to this ID badge system will be forthcoming.

Section Emergency Coordinator Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, opined "This is an exciting time for amateur radio operators in Virginia. We have come a long way in developing a partnership with the Commonwealth providing an emergency communications infrastructure for the Commonwealth through the hard work and dedication of many individuals over the past several years. This MOU is the basis of our commitment to serving our citizens and guests in Virginia during emergencies and we will strive to accomplish this important task to the best of our abilities.

The VDEM staff will be getting out copies of the MOU to all VA jurisdictions to assist in making a smooth transition.

Joe Safranek, K4JJS, VA Section PIC
July 3, 2008

A historic document went into effect 11:30 AM on Thursday, July 3, 2008, when Michael M. Cline, State Coordinator, Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), A. C. "Mac" McNeer, K4YEF, State RACES Officer, and Virginia ARRL Section Manager (SM) Carl A. Clements, W4CAC, and Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Ronald M. Sokol, K4KHZ, signed the Memorandum of Understanding between VDEM and VA Section ARRL at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center in Richmond. "It was a lot of work completed by a lot of people that made this significant event happen," stated SM Clements, "and we will continue to work together with emergency managers across the Commonwealth in support of their emergency communications needs in service to the citizens and guests in Virginia."

SEC Ron Sokol was extremely pleased that the signing of the document has come to fruition. He stated " The restoration of this MOU has taken a succession of ARES Administrations to accomplish. Both Carl and I are pleased to be in leadership at this time to see this MOU to conclusion. We are fortunate to have such viable and flexible VDEM leadership and staff with which to work. A special thanks to Terry Hebert, KG4GLS, of VDEM, for his tireless efforts of assisting in the accomplishment of this task. This document allows ARES/RACES to be as ONE in the best interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Others in attendance at the ceremony included EOC Director of Operations Harry Colestock, EOC Deputy Chief Operations Plans Section Terry Hebert/KG4GLS, VA Section ASM-Admin Christine Sokol/K4CES, VA Section PIC Joe Safranek/K4JJS and OES Joy Safranek/W2JMS.

More information pertaining to the MOU will be posted shortly plus copies of the final signed version of the MOU will be available soon on the website for downloading.

Michael M. Cline, State Coordinator, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (bottom left) signs the new MOU with Virginia Section ARRL. Next to Mr Cline is A. C. "Mac" McNeer, K4YEF, State RACES Officer Back row left to right - Terry Hebert, KG4GLS, EOC Deputy Chief Operations Plans Section, Joe Safranek, K4JJS, VA Section PIC

Michael M. Cline, State Coordinator, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (bottom left) watches A.C. "Mac" McNeer, K4YEF, State RACES Officer sign the new MOU between VA Dept of Emergency Management and VA Section ARRL. Next to Mr McNeer is Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, VA SEC, Carl Clements, W4CAC, VA Section manager. Back row left to right - Terry Hebert, KG4GLS, EOC Deputy Chief Operations Plans Section, Joe Safranek, K4JJS, VA Section PIC, Ass't SM-Admin Christine Sokol, K4CES and Joy Safranek, W2JMS,.

Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, SEC
June 30, 2008

Sometime during the next two weeks, depending on individual schedules, ARRL and ARES leadership will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).

There are several aspects of this MOU that I must tell you about and request your cooperation to complete specific tasks.

• Aspect 1 - The VDEM, through the MOU, requires the ARES leadership to provide to VDEM a list of all ARES members. You must be named on the list prior to a communication emergency to be considered for deployment during that emergency;
• Aspect 2 - VDEM, upon receiving this list, will be responsible to provide for each named ARES member "limited protection from liability to the same extent as a State employee" during an activation. (You must be newly registered with ARES to receive this protection--prior registrations don't count).
• Aspect 3 - Therefore, it is necessary for all ARES members to register anew. To accommodate this a new short form has been placed on the ARESVA.org web site. To assure that no ARES member is mistakenly left off the list, I ask the ECs to supervise the registration of their units. The ECs are free to use any method they wish for this registration. But, I task them to make sure 100% of their unit is registered.
• Aspect 4 - When each ARES individual has registered for ARES they will automatically be registered as part of the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) as well. For the first time, due to the work of many administrations we will be known as ARES/RACES.
• Aspect 5 - We cannot all register at the same time--it would place too much strain on the system as it now exists. So, the registration will be done by calling select ASECs and DECs to register their region. We will do this one region at a time until all regions one through fifteen are complete.

The ASECs and DECs will work cooperatively to assure their ECs are registering all their members and welcoming any new members that wish to participate.

Follow this link to find the new, simplified registration form. The registration schedule* is as follows:

1. July 4 - 10 - Districts 2 and 4. Bruce Freund, Howard Cunningham, and Tom Lauzon.
2. July 11 - 18 - Districts 5, 7, 8, & 9. Bill Sprague, Verlan Hall, Joe Imburgia, and Terry Buzzard.
3. July 19 - 25 - Districts 6, 10, & 11. Earl Moore, Anthony Harbour, Christopher Hanslits, and Steve Clary.
4. July 26 - August 1 - Districts 1, 3, & 15. David Damon, Ed Krom, and Mac McGrath.
5. August 2 - August 8 - Districts 12, 13, & 14. Mark Jackson, Geep Howell, and John Ellington.

*If by chance you miss registering a member, feel free to go back any time after August 8 to register them. After these dates there will be open registration for anyone who gets the word late or has reconsidered their position.

Important Note - Any amateur radio operator who does not register will not be ARES/RACES and will not be covered by the State liability insurance. You do not have to be ARRL to register. All amateur radio operators are welcome to join now if you have not joined before. To be a member you must hold an FCC amateur radio license and never have been convicted of a felony. We welcome all amateur operators from all groups within the Commonwealth of Virginia. All ARES appointees are to register as well, and please expedite this new registration process.

As soon as the MOU is signed, it will be placed on the web site for you to view.

73

Ron Sokol, K4KHZ
ARRL / ARES VA SEC

June 23, 2008
Carl Celments, W4CAC
VA Section Traffic Manger

This is my first report since assuming office on April 1st. I can say that the first two months have been hectic. We expanded the ARES program to include ASEC’s. Then we brought all of the ASECs together in Charlottesville for a weekend to help plan the future of ARES in the Section. Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, (our SEC) and I are excited about the ideas and energy at that meeting. We are working on the SOP for the Section, an MOU with VDEM, and liability insurance for our ARES members. Stay tuned to our ARES VA web page for the announcements as these parts of the ARES program progress.

Are you ready for Field Day? Many clubs and groups get together and turn Field Day into a radio, fun, and food event. Maybe you will participate with a club or your ARES group. Perhaps you are just going to work Field Day with a few friends. Or even work the weekend from the comfort of your own shack. However you plan to play, I hope you have fun. For the groups that wish to send the Section Manager a message for their bonus points, send the message to my winlink address at w4cac (at) winlink (dot) org . Thanks to our ASEC for digital operations, Earl Moore, KR4MA, my winlink account is set up and working.

Follow this line to read more ...

June 23, 2008
Joe Safranek, K4JJS
VA Section PIC

The Virginia Section gained national attention through the July 2008 edition of QST Magazine. A story was printed relating to severe tornados touching down in Virginia on April 28, 2008. Additionally, high rankings in the 2007 Simulated Emergency Test standings with very good scores listed in the ARES Activity and Section/Local Nets listings, plus listings in the Field Organization reports show the amateur radio world how the commitment to the "can do, will do" positive approach to supporting our communities is done here in the Old Dominion.

Eight Tornados Ravage Eastern Virginia (page 59)
A prominent story relating to tornado activities in the eastern part of the commonwealth described a total of eight different tornados that stuck that day. An EF-3 tornado touched down in the the City of Suffolk which powered its way into Norfolk, plus other tornados touched down in the City of Colonial Heights (EF-1) and the Counties of Brunswick (EF-1), Gloucester (EF-0), Mathews (EF-0), Halifax (EF-1), Surry (EF-1), and Isle of Wight (EF-1). Hundred of injuries were reported as well as numerous homes were destroyed, damaged, or declared uninhabitable.

2007 Simulated Emergency Test Top Ten (page 63)
ARES Virginia continued to score extremely well in both the ARES Activity and the Section/Local Nets portions of the standings. For several years now, the Virginia Section has lead the Roanoke Division in overall scores. Nationally, the section has placed repeatedly in the top five scores for ARES Activity, this year placing second among all entrants, being kept out of the lead only by the Michigan Section. In the Section/Local Nets standings, Virginia also placed extremely well ranking ninth among all sections. Very impressive scores were obtained by Virginia Hams again in 2007, but with that SET being on the national schedule for the weekend of October 4-5, 2008, although locally groups may utilize other dates, that goal of first place bragging rights is not out of reach. All members are strongly encouraged to participate, submit their reports, and show the nation that the best hams in the ARRL are here in Virginia.

Even the Leadership Submits Reports (page 65)
Several classifications of ARRL appointees are required to submit monthly reports to account for the activities worked by the men and women in their jurisdictions. While not the "glamorous" part of the job, it is necessary to show the leadership, served agencies, and even the public media, the achievements and effort put forth by our group of dedicated amateur radio operators. Every month there is a listing in QST showing which sections senior leaders submitted monthly reports to ARRL headquarters. As usual, Virginia is listed in both categories for having submitted the required reporting. The Section Traffic Manager and Section Emergency Coordinator, or their assistants, continue to submit all of their monthly reports in a timely fashion. In reviewing the listings for the April 2008 Section Traffic Manager and the Sections Emergency Coordinator Reports, note that not all sections are listed there and see how the traffic reports far outnumber the SEC reports. Hats off to our leaders who insure that Virginia is always represented well.

June 9, 2008
Bill Farmer, KI4GWC
VA Section Traffic Manger

The May, 2008 STM report is availoable here.I have noticed by the recent reports and the amount of stations reporting PSHR and ORS / SAR activities that either stations do not participate in public service events or they don’t feel it is important enough to report or they are under the impression that their report numbers don’t count for anything or it is a waste of time.

Well let me set the record straight. Your report does count and this is how, first off this is not a competition it is simply to let the ARRL know who is participating. Second in the event of a disaster ARRL knows the areas that are active and will have an idea where to look and who to call upon if needed.

All of the hours you spend and traffic you send and I know there is a lot of folks in the Virginia Section that do much more than is reported.

Don’t waste what you do by not reporting.

Thank You For Your Participation.

73,
Bill Farmer, KI4GWC
Section Traffic Manager