No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutC15-364 Colorado ARES Memorandum of Understanding f D kitelk 0 � tuR.. 'toi4t) tift fit' A 0 R R 4" ilfWEs1 Memorandum Of Understanding Eagle County, Colorado September 1 , 2015 r is-3(d`-) I.Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the authorization and activation of Amateur Radio Operators when needed in an emergency and to define the procedures to be followed. H.Parties This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into between Eagle County,Colorado,a lawfully created county government under the laws of the state of Colorado and Colorado ARES Northwest Region, a Colorado non-profit corporation created pursuant to the laws of the state of Colorado. IIL Effective Date Although this agreement may be executed earlier in time,the effective start date shall be September 1, 2015. IV.Introduction to Amateur Radio and ARES The Amateur Radio Service - The Amateur Radio Service consists of radio operators who are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Amateur Radio Operators are required to take examinations and to maintain these licenses in order to operate their equipment. These examinations test the operator's technical skills and knowledge of telecommunications, including FCC rules and regulations. The American Radio Relay League(ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio, represents Amateur Radio Operators to federal agencies and international organizations with regards to emergency and other forms of communications. Amateur Radio Emergency-Service-Amateur Radio Emergency Service(ARES)is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to provide supplemental or emergency communications. Founded in 1935 as the Amateur Emergency Corps, ARES members have volunteered their equipment and capabilities in the event of an emergency. Although the primary responsibility of ARES is to provide communications, Amateur Radio Operators may also be called upon as observers. Because most Amateur Radio Operators have mobile radios in their vehicles, ARES members may be called upon to perform duties such as windshield damage surveys,weather spotting during severe weather, or search functions. Colorado ARES Northwest Region is a Colorado non-profit corporation. The corporation was formed in 2015 to provide a legal entity to enter into agreements and to facilitate fund raising. Although a corporation, Colorado ARES Northwest Region operates under the guidance and direction of the American Radio Relay League and Colorado ARES. V.Amateur Radio Operating Authority The frequencies used and the authority to operate emergency communications is authorized by the following federal laws: The Communications Act of 1934, Section 606 as amended Page 2 of 7 Executive Order 12472, Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Functions Amateur Radio Operators operate under Title 47 Code of Federal! Regulations, US Code 1511, 154(i) and (o); Chapter 11, Part, Subpart A, Sections 97.1, 97.105, 97115, 97.301, and Subpart E, Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations,Amateur Radio Service. VI.Definitions Activating,Official is defined as a member of the Eagle County Government, authorized to activate Colorado ARES Northwest Region in the public interest and to take responsibility for those who respond to the request. ARES Officials is defined as a member of Colorado ARES Northwest Region who can be contacted to request a response by its members. This includes the Emergency Coordinator, Officers and Team Leaders. These persons will take responsibility for calling as many Colorado ARES Northwest Region members as possible and necessary to facilitate an adequate response for the emergency or event. VII.ARES Organization Northwest Region Emergency Coordinator - Appointment to this position is by the ARRL Colorado Section Manager or the ARRL Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator. The Northwest Region Emergency Coordinator represents the ARRL at the local level and is responsible for all ARES activities. The Northwest Region Emergency Coordinator directs emergency operations of Amateur Radio Operators. District Emergency Coordinators - Appointed by the Northwest Region Emergency Coordinator, these officers help the Northwest Region Emergency Coordinator effectively manage ARES. These areas include Operations, Logistics, Training and Planning, and Administration and Finance. The Northwest Region formerly had six separate geographical areas but now is divided into the following five separate geographical districts: District 1: Eagle, Garfield,Pitkin Counties District 2: No longer applicable District 3: Grand and Jackson Counties District 4: Mesa County District 5: Rio Blanco,Moffat and Routt Counties District 6: Summit County Assistant Emergency Coordinators—Each District may have an Assistant Emergency Coordinator appointed by the District Coordinator with the advice and consent of the Regional Emergency Coordinator. The Assistant Emergency Coordinator is responsible for a specific county within a district. The Assistant Emergency Coordinator is responsible for assisting the District Emergency Coordinator for a specific assigned county. American Radio Relay League - Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim, ARRL (American Radio Relay League) is the national association for amateur radio in the United States. Today, with more than 161,000 members, ARRL is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the Page 3 of 7 world. ARRL's mission is based on five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. ARRL members have provided communications in major national disasters such as Hurricane Katrina as well as small local emergencies such as floods, power outages and fires. Through this vast emergency experience,ARRL has developed training, and methodology for all hazards. VIII.Training Members of Colorado ARES Northwest Region are well trained and have continuing training requirements. Each member participates in at least 40 hours of continued training each year. Training exercises are held at least four times a year and cover local exercises such as local floods, power outages and multi-agency responses as well as major national incidents. Training sessions are also held six times per year at face-to-face meetings. Field Day,held in June each year,is used as a multi- day deployment exercise to test ARES ability to operate under unusual conditions for several days. Also, Colorado ARES Northwest Region is called upon throughout the region to provide communication for community events. These events are also used as training opportunities employing the FEMA Incident Command System and message handling. In order to make training exercises most effective,joint training and exercises between Eagle County and Colorado ARES Northwest Region is encouraged as often as practical. IX.Liability The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, US Public Law 105-19 protects volunteers from liability as long as they are acting within the scope of their training and responsibility. Colorado Revised Statues also provides certain protection under the Volunteer Service Act (CRS 13-21-115.5). This statute, similar to the Federal law stated above, further protects volunteers. Each member of Colorado ARES Northwest Region must evaluate the risk for responding to the request from Eagle County and may refuse should the risk be deemed too great. Members of the Colorado ARES Northwest Region operate as outlined in the Colorado ARES Emergency Plan.This guide is distributed to all members. X.Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service(R.A.C.E.S.) Eagle County Office of Emergency Management hereby designates Colorado ARES Northwest Region as the official R.A.C.E.S. organization in Eagle County and as such, Colorado ARES Northwest Region is a registered Civil Defense organization. In the event of a national emergency where the President of the United States would invoke his War Emergency Powers, Amateurs Radio Operators enrolled in the local civil preparedness group would be limited to certain frequencies, while other amateur operations would be silenced. These include but are not limited to Natural Disasters and the following type of events: •Technological Disasters •Nuclear Accidents Page 4 of 7 •Nuclear Attack •Terrorist Incidents -Bomb Threats;and •Weapons of Mass Destruction XL Mobilization and Activation Colorado ARES Northwest Region will provide a current list of individuals authorized to activate ARES members. This list also provides the specific information needed for an appropriate response. Eagle County will make this list available to all personnel authorized to activate ARES, including dispatch personnel. Colorado ARES Northwest Region will coordinate other recognized auxiliary and emergency communications groups when Colorado ARES Northwest Region resources are inadequate to meet the needs of Eagle County during an emergency or event. When activated by Eagle County during a declared emergency, Colorado ARES Northwest Region members will serve under the direction and control of the Eagle County Director of Emergency Management or its designee. XII.Workers'Compensation Colorado ARES Northwest Region members, acting in response to activation by Eagle County will be covered under the Eagle County Workers' Compensation plan when required by C.R.S. 24-33.5- 824 or other applicable statute. XIII.Identification Eagle County will provide or assist in obtaining proper identification for access to the Eagle County Operation Center, Communications Center (Dispatch) and other areas as required. These ID cards, will identify ARES to officials during joint drills and emergency deployment. Although ARES members have/will submitted) to background checks performed by the Sheriffs Office, additional checks may be performed as required for admission to sensitive areas such as the Communications Center(Dispatch)or the Eagle County Emergency Operations Center(EOC). XIV.Immunity Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a waiver by either party of any immunity at law including immunity granted under the Colorado Governmental Immunities Act. Page 5 of 7 XV.Other Operating Stations Amateur Radio operators may also be asked to provide supplemental communications, including but not limited to Voice, Amateur Radio Television (ATV) and digital communications (packet) and Slow Scan Television(SSTV). XVI.Summary This Memorandum of Understanding shall take effect upon signature by authorized officials of the Colorado ARES Northwest Region and Eagle County. This memorandum may be amended by mutual agreement of both parties, and shall remain in effect until terminated. Colorado ARES Northwest Region and Eagle County will periodically review and coordinate such revisions as may be necessary.Upon thirty(30) days written notice, either party may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding. [REST OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] Page 6 of 7 a , This Memorandum of Understanding is dated and signed this / day of ,2015 by: "� �� l� !`< / ' ) ame/Title, Colorado ARES Nortlhwest Region Date 4/1///17 1 C-044/7 AA,yz-v---- Name/Title, Eagle County, Colorado 7/2.2'// ,r Date Page 7 of 7