Shingletown residents create radio communication for a fire blackout

[mcjones2013]

Shingletown residents create radio communication for a fire blackout

When it comes to hot and dry days in the Northstate, Shingletown residents are particularly on edge.

The town was classified as Cal Fire's top priority this fire season. The layout is similar to Paradise, where the Camp Fire hit, and Shingletown residents worry it could happen to them. It is that fear that is causing residents to create their owns ways to stay protected in the event of a fire.

Shingletown residents create radio communication for a fire blackout

 

[mcjones2013]

The interesting part of the article is this quote:

"We are urging persons to buy a Baofeng radio UV-5R," said Zeliff.

 

[ladn]

I don't want to armchair quarterback, but just look at the complexity of their comm plan: CCW instruction Shingletown California

It's written in tactical language that many first responders and communication professionals would have problems following.

 

[byndhlptom]

Agree, with out a set of cheat sheets, you're pretty much hosed.

Did I miss the programming instructions? Most people have no radio operating experience, let alone programming.....

$.02

 

[phask]

I have a personal practice. If your website looks like an AOL page from the 80"s, I'll pass.

Maybe it's just me, but it screams WACKER.

 

[Stupidfatkid]

I don't want to armchair quarterback, but just look at the complexity of their comm plan: CCW instruction Shingletown California

It's written in tactical language that many first responders and communication professionals would have problems following.

I "FORMAT TANGO 4 FMT TANGO 9M" that..

 

[zerg901]

Outstanding effort by a civilian. This country needs many more like him.

 

[ke6gcv]

So... You have a bunch of unlicensed people operating on Amateur Radio frequencies? Plus, it wouldn't take much for people who are tech-savvy (like I am) to be able to "reprogram" the radio. Yes, I did see the MURS/FRS/whatever frequencies, but that wasn't my point!

Hmm... Seems legit... (Insert sarcasm here.)

Maybe it's just me, but it screams WACKER.

I agree!

 

[zz0468]

That's one of the stupidest things I have ever seen. It's WAY too complicated.

 

[ke6gcv]

So... Not only is this gentleman a CCW instructor, since that is obvious on his website, he's also a practicing attorney. But I digress.

Despite his saying on the news reel that not everyone will join, I feel he's kind of pushing it onto them. Yes, his intentions are very obvious. But his approach, however, is too much. Way too much! That could get a lot of people with good intentions into serious trouble. Both criminal and civil.

 

[buddrousa]

Just think this guy teaches concealed hand gun classes. Looks like he is very good at scaring people. Next he will start a citizen bucket brigade to fight out of control fires.

 

[f40ph]

ANY QUESTIONS CALL NATHAN AT: 530-474-3267

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

This just sounds like a mess waiting to happen.

 

[Australia4001]

Way too complicated for folks who have possibly zero radio experience,

Streamline it down to 1 page .

Go back to Basics ,


Frequency
Different call sign for each suburb,
Have a net / chit chat once a week ,


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[krokus]

So... You have a bunch of unlicensed people operating on Amateur Radio frequencies? Plus, it wouldn't take much for people who are tech-savvy (like I am) to be able to "reprogram" the radio. Yes, I did see the MURS/FRS/whatever frequencies, but that wasn't my point!

The programming info specifically states that the ham freqs are only for hams to transmit on, with penalties for non-licensed transmission. (He even gives the emergency traffic caveat, and examples of what does, and does not, qualify as an emergency.)

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[krokus]

I applaud the intent and effort, the formatting is not the best, and should have been proofread by someone that did type it.

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[phask]

I applaud the intent and effort, the formatting is not the best, and should have been proofread by someone that did type it.

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that did not type it.

 

[ke6gcv]

The programming info specifically states that the ham freqs are only for hams to transmit on, with penalties for non-licensed transmission. (He even gives the emergency traffic caveat, and examples of what does, and does not, qualify as an emergency.)

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Okay... That I did miss. Thank you! But I still think he's opening a can of worms that his law practice may not want. Written warnings or otherwise.

 

[krokus]

that did not type it.

Whoops... Yes, that was what I meant to type.

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[norcalscan]

This is an absolute mess for sure. I am aware of some of the ARES mindsets up here that tend to just over-complicate the simplest notion of communications. That comm plan took me quite a while to sort-of-understand, and I know their lingo. I have a 2m repeater that covers Shingletown. I really hope none of this hits that machine.

This is all about avoiding a repeat of Paradise. The ONLY thing Paradise needed more of was one direction - OUT. Nobody but highly trained professionals needed go to INTO Paradise. Now apply that to communications. NO evacuating citizen needs to talk. They just need to HEAR instructions of how to safely leave. Sort of a broadcast, done by 2-3 people in key areas that have eyes on the situation and can update routes and conditions. This is one method of doing it, pretty messy both technically and legally, as well as a very high risk of accidentally jamming public safety. Or CHP and CalFire can stick someone in the studio of a local FM radio station, sort of "ask" to take over the station, and broadcast official instructions based on official intel from their guys on the ground. Not a daily thing for sure, but in the case of another Paradise situation, for Shingletown or Placerville or Foresthill or Downieville, it should be something in the back pocket of the PIO's for CalFire and CHP or local Sheriff.

I can only imagine the evacuee who wants to be tuned on Band A to their Tango Foxtrot-Five Tactical evacuation channel, and on Band B be listening to 151.160 for SHU CalFire. Mash that PTT and start giving updates. 50/50 chance they'll get it right.