FEMA ICS Training

2012 R.A.C.E.S. / A.R.E.S. ICS TRAINING DAY

Complete the required Incident Command System courses for your R.A.C.E.S. requirements in one day.

This training is provided by the following sponsors:

Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services, Inc.
Volunteer Muskegon
Muskegon Community College Criminal Justice Department

DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2012
TIME: 8:00 AM to approximately 4:00 PM. Classes start at 8:30 AM

LOCATION:
Muskegon Community College
Room 1100 Stevenson Center
221 S. Quarterline Road

COST: Free

Courses:
IS-22
IS-100
IS-200
IS-700
IS-800a.

A Computer Room will be available to take your test for each of the courses taken.

To reserve your seat, or for more information contact: Jim Duram, K8COP @ k8cop@arrl.net or (231) 638-7010

2012 February Meeting

Some notes about Thursday’s meeting.

We had our kick off meeting Thursday for the 2012 season. Beth was there and shared some insight on the County training that they are providing for the volunteers in 2012. We had a great meeting and covered lots of items, thanks if you were able to attend. If you want a packet there are some left in the EOC for future meetings.

I need to thank Megan and Jim Heyl for the hard work they have continually provided in support of me and OCEC. They have take care of tons of work so far this year and really stepped up to lighten the load on me.

Even with the load that has been taken off by other members of the group I am unable to continue in my leadership rol3 with the group. I have a ton of things coming up this spring/summer that are going to make it near impossible to devote the time I believe is needed to be a great leader of this group.

We have made lots of progress with the group, some of which was started when Jim Miller was the EC. He provided the reality check and kick in the pants some people needed to start the rebuild. After the reality check we needed, I have put in some new rules and ideas in place that the group members have been looking for. With the new rules and training requirements in place the membership level has improved.

I had hoped to be in the position as EC for many years, but it is not going to work out that way it seems. Life has changed and as we have always told the members…FAMILY COMES FIRST!!!

I hope that the group continues to grow and flourish with whomever takes the lead. I have had a great time working with and meeting new people. Thanks for all of the support over the past year.

I will remain in the leadership role until March 1st, 2012, unless Beth finds a replacement for me sooner.

Thanks for everything!!!

Jason MacKay-KC8OVS

Happy New Year 2012!

It’s a new year, full of hope and new beginnings.

It is also a good time to check your HT batteries to prepare for the coming year. Give them a good charge put them to the test, and don’t wait to replace them if they have lost capacity, or they may run out when you need them most.

Also, consider adding a AA-cell battery pack for your HT(s) so you can use common alkaline batteries if your NiCd, NiMH or LiOn pack runs out and you have no way to charge it.

Finally, put some extra AA batteries in your Go Bag for your HT, flashlight, GPS, Weather Radio, or just to share with others who are not as prepared…

Best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year

Ottawa County Emergency Communications team

***CANCELED – December Dinner Meeting***

The meeting and dinner scheduled for December 8, 2011 has bee canceled. We will try this again next year.

2011 October Meeting – SET

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather!

I just wanted to touch base before the meeting Thursday, October 13. As we move forward with the SET on the 16th, we will be working with the Kent and Muskegon groups as we likely would in a large scale disaster in our region.

We will be attempting to use Winlink2k RMS to send messages between counties. If you have experience with Winlink PLEASE let me know ASAP so I can fit you into the scenario in key locations.

From what I have gathered thus far from the Winlink web site, we should be able to use the system without having our computers hooked to a TNC.

Please check out the Winlink website, download the free software and bring your laptop along to the meeting Thursday. We will try to go over Winlink2k as a group, if we have some pros that would be even better.

Jason MacKay-EC/RO
Ottawa County ARES/RACES
616-212-8659

2011 October Meeting

DATE: October 13, 2011

LOCATION:
Ottawa County Fillmore Complex
12220 Fillmore
West Olive, MI 49460
EOC Training Room

TIME: 7:00pm start

TRAINING TOPIC: Simulated Emergency Test (SET) 2011
We will be discussing the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) and any other business that needs to be discussed.

*** September Meeting Canceled ***

The September Meeting was to feature National Traffic System training, but our presenter, Doc Strait, has been stranded out East due to weather effects of hurricane Irene.

We hope to see you all next month.

*** NEW MEETING SCHEDULE ***

Ottawa County Emergency Communications (OCEC) will now meet quarterly instead of monthly. Regularly scheduled meetings will be on the 2nd Thursday in March, June, September, and December

Rather than stick to a rigid, regular meeting schedule, the schedule will be adjusted to suit upcoming amateur communications events and published well in advance of the meeting date. Meeting reminders will also be distributed via email from our Yahoo Group so be sure you have joined this group.

Meetings start at 7:00 pm at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex at 12200 Fillmore in West Olive, Michigan unless otherwise detailed on the schedule.

We meet in the Emergency Operations Center conference room located in the basement of the Administration Building, or as detailed on the schedule or announced before the meeting.

Check into the Simplex Net on 147.520 MHz on your way to the meeting to get the latest information.

2011 February 10 MEETING – Utility Line Identification

OCEC February 10, 2011 Meeting

Utility Line Identification

Joe Kinnucan of Norton Shores Fire will present info on utility line identification and hazards that we as Skywarn spotters may be exposed to.

This will be a great training for those who venture out after storms, so don’t miss out!