Operation Wildfire Message Information

This exercise is designed to improve skills with message handling in a simulated emergency settings.  Traffic will be created for each person, group or agency participating.  This means that you would receive a number of messages prior to the exercise that will be outgoing from your area.  A number of messages are designed to flow into your area.  For these messages that you receive, you will generate a response based on the simulated conditions at your location.  If you have an agency representative present please have that person to give you the reply to the traffic.

The following are some examples.  Your have reported "Fire is now toping the mountain to the west of my location.  Should I hold my observation position which is about 1/4 mile from the advancing fire.  You may then get a reply, "Fall back to Route 826.  If the fire approaches Chances Creek Road notify the EOC."  You may send out a request from firefighters to Red Cross,  "We need the following items at stagging area; 22 lunches at this location by 1300 hours,  4 cases of 16 oz water bottles (24 bottles per case) with this delivery.  Advise if unable to meet this delivery schedule."  You may receive a message, "When you need relief for ham operators, contact the EOC and advise.  Advise if relief will need handheld radios to support their efforts?"  You may reply, "Send relief by 1400 hours.  I have one TK280 Handheld that I can leave but the relief operator, should bring two fresh batteries or a rig with charged batteries and a spare battery pack."  This kind of traffic can and should be handled by voice.  Long list such as a shelter list or a number of items required should be sent by Winlink if possible.  Traffic to out of the region or out of state location could also be sent via Winlink to a conventional email address.

For Skywarn reports, you will be sent a description of simulated weather events that would occur in your area and the time sequence.  If the Skywarn net needs weather information from your area, base your report on what is in the scenario. 

Example, "we are experiencing 30 to 35 MPH winds, (estimated) from the NW.  The fire is beginning to crown and moving rapidly up Beamers Knob to my south.  I am safe in my position but those on the south slope of Beamers may be at risk".   Please advise of any expected changes in wind speed and direction within the next hour for this location."  This is a message that should be sent to NWS and to the (EOC) Emergency Operation Center.   Part of this message concerns weather and the other part contains risk factors for those working the southside of Beamers Knob.  This message would mostly like be given to you from the fire crew chief.

Try to use all modes available to you.  For long haul voice use HF SSB, CW, and  broad-coverage repeaters.  For longer digital messages that require precision, use Winlink.  For local and regional traffic use VHF/UHF FM through repeaters and simplex were possible.    If you have messages that require a long haul and you do not have Winlink or HF privileges, take your traffic to a local net and someone will pick it up and move it to the distant location.

Remember to place at the head and ending of messages, "THIS IS A DRILL, THIS IS A TEST"

If you have questions contact me at W4GHS(AT)ARRL.NET or call 276-398-3548