Prince William County ARES

Quick Reference Guide

version: 7.0
Printable (PDF) Version
Return to PWCARES

Index

• Contact Information
• IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVATION
• Preprogrammed Memory Channels and PWCARES Frequency List
• Local Frequencies (Virginia)
• Local Frequencies (Maryland)
• Go-Kit Essentials
• Incident Command System Forms
• CSALTT
  • Resource Form
• Traffic Handling Quick Reference
  • Hotel Codes
  • Group One
  • Group Two
• Maps
  • Shelters
  • Hospitals
  • Other places of interest
• Templates and other tools
  • Clarence Box
  • Forms
    • ICS Forms
  • Misc
  • FT–8800 Quick Reference Guide
  • IC–2820 Quick Reference Guide

Contact Information

If a repeater goes off-line, monitor the OUTPUT for instructions on which frequency to turn to!

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVATION

1. Make sure your home and family are secure before responding to any request for help.
2. If instructed, tune to the frequency indicated by the phone call or email. Otherwise, tune to 147.240+ or 146.970– and check into the Net.
3. Add the last minute items to your “go-kit” and make sure you have direc- tions to your deployment location and the necessary identification.
4. Report as indicated. Remember that you may be the first operator on scene. Be polite and helpful and if possible, choose the best tactical loca- tion to set up the station.
5. If asked to move by a site manager, MOVE. If you can ascertain the rea- son for the move, please note it and pass it on to the EC for the after action report.
6. Always remember to get permission to “check-out” of a net, even if it is for a bathroom break. Never leave your radio without telling the NCS.
7. At the end of an activation, return the operating space to “normal.” Make sure the site manager knows you are leaving. Check-out of the net, unless you have already been instructed to secure.

Index

Preprogrammed Memory Channels and PWCARES Frequency List

Index

Local Frequencies

Virginia

Index

Local Frequencies

Maryland

Index

Go-Kit Essentials

Must Have Gear

• Identification (driver’s license, FCC license, hospital IDs)
• Radio (at least a 5w 2m/440 HT w/ batteries and a copy of the manual)
• Antenna (1/4 wave, magnetic mount preferred)
• Stationary Supplies (Paper, pen-cil/pen, TP/paper towel, ARRL message form, IC–213)
• Personal medications
• Appropriate clothing and foot-wear (including a hat and rain coat)
• Food and water (snacks, etc.)

Important Things

• Money (small bills, change)
• Extra power (spare dry cell battery case and batteries, “wall wart” charger, pig tails, power strips)
• Antenna connectors (SMA/BNC/PL259 and assorted others)
• Noise reductions devices (headphones/boom mikes)
• Reference material (frequency charts and repeater/net guides)
• Flashlight, multi-tool, duct/gaffers tape, loose wire, cable ties, work gloves
• First-aid kit

Index

Incident Command System Forms

As of 2013, FEMA has consolidated the forms into a single PDF book. Relvant forms are in the Forms if you need single forms.

The entire book is available at http://www.pwcares.org/html/ics.html

205 Incident Radio Communications Plan
205a Communications List
213 General Message
214 Unit Log

All ARES/RACES members should become familiar with the forms listed above. At a minimum, each member should have a copy of ICS–213 and ICS–214 with their kit at all times, in addition to the ARRL radiogram form.

AECs and NCSs should become familiar with all the forms, especially the work-sheets as they may be used to draft a communications plan that is beyond the current plan, as conditions warrant, or as part of an overall support function to the County in the event of a RACES activation.

Index

CSALTT

for ordering provisions, resources, or teams

C-capability being requested
S-size
A-amount being requested
L-location the mission/resources are being deployed
T-FEMA Type
T-time the supplies/resources are needed

Index

Prince William County’s Resource Form

Index

Traffic Handling Quick Reference

Hotel Codes

HXA (Followed by number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within [x] miles. (If no number, authorization is unlimited.)
HXB (Followed by number) Cancel message if not delivered within [x] hours of filing time; service originating station.
HXC Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station.
HXD Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered report date, time and method of delivery.
HXE Delivering station get reply from addresses, originate message back.
HXF (Followed by number) Hold delivery until (date).
HXG Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.

Group One—For Possible Relief Emergency Use

Emergency/priority messages originating from official sources must carry the signature of the originating official.

Group Two—Routine Messages

Index

Maps

Prince William EOC: 3 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA

Shelters

Battlefield High School: 15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket, VA

Unity Reed High School: 8820 Rixlew Ln., Manassas, VA

Freedom High School: 15201 Neabsco Mill Road, Woodbridge, VA

Hospitals

Novant Prince William: 8700 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA

Sentara Potomac: 2300 Opitz Blvd, Woodbridge, VA

Novant Heathcote: 15225 Heathcote Blvd, Haymarket, VA

Sentara Lakeridge: 12825 Minnieville Rd, Lake Ridge, VA

Other places of interest

Eastern District Police Department: 15948 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191

Western District Police Department: 8900 Freedom Center Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110

Central District Police Department: 5036 Davis Ford Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Index

Templates and other tools

Clarence Box

In the early part of 2000, Clarence Meese, K4CNM (SK) showed up with an interesting kit. It was a self-contained radio kit housed in an audio rack case. This idea caught on in the cadre and several others created boxes of their own, using a variety of things from ammo cans to tool chests. Clarence may not have originated the idea, but he did spur a whole new wave of go-kit creation. In 2018, Prince William County Office of Emergency Managment purchased a number of radios and associated gear for a radio cache. These radios are housed in 6U Gator cases. In honor of our friend Clarence, we refer to these, and similar cases as Clarence boxes. These instructions are only applicable to the Clarence boxes in storage at the EOC/Radio Cache. They do not apply to other variations.

Power Up from Storage

1. Make sure the box is right side up. The Gator case logo should be on the bottom right hand side.
2. Remove the covers by undoing the clips on each cover. Careful, there is an inverter, and several cables in the rear cover.
3. The front of the case has the radio face, the rear has a six unit grill. Open the grill. If you are using commercial power, you will find the power cord for the power supply under the shelf. It is about six feet long, pull it gently out of the box. It should be attached to the power supply. Do not pull it out of the supply!
4. Attach the antenna cable to the radio once you have attached it to the antenna.
5. Plug in the power supply and turn it on with the switch in the front.
6. Inside the box, on the top rear, you will find a PowerGate. When you switch on the power supply, a solid green light and a blinking green light should be visible. Press the red button on the PowerGate (labled Suspend in the picture) for about five seconds. When you release, the flashing green light will likely turn to a flashing blue light. It may go solid blue depending on when the battery was last charged.
7. Press the grey On-Off button on the RigRunner. It should indicate watts and Amps.
8. You should be able to make room in the bottom right corner of the rear to close the grill. Close the grill.
9. Turn on the radio. Complete your set up.

Power Down for Storage

1. Turn off the radio.
2. Disconnect the antenna cable from the radio. Leave all other connections in place.
3. Press the grey On-Off button on the RigRunner until the LEDs go out. Should take three seconds.
4. Press the Suspend button on the PowerGate. In about six to ten seconds, the charge light (usually blue, could be flashing) will turn green.
5. Turn off the power supply (if you turned it on).
6. Pack the power cable into the space under the shelf.
7. Put the inverter and cables into the cover that will go over the back part of the case. Attach the covers to the case, logo down.
8. Pack up the antenna, stand, and cables.
9. Deliver to pick up location as indicated in the demobilization instructions.

Forms

ARRL Radiogram

ICS Forms

ICS 205 Radio Communications Plan

ICS 205a Communications List

ICS 213 General Message Form

ICS 214 Unit Log

VOAD Request for Volunteers

Misc

Band Plans

FT–8800 Quick Reference Guide

• FT–8800 (PDF)
• FT–8000 QRC Page Images

IC–2820 Quick Reference Guide

• IC–2820 (PDF)
• IC–2820 QRC Page Images

Index