EMERGENCY EXERCISE - FLATHEAD SHAKE OUT

On October 23, 2013, the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services (OES) will sponsor an emergency exercise centered on responding to a 7.5 earthquake with an epicenter along the faults under Flathead Lake. The exercise will start at approximately 1023 hours (10:23 AM) and end at 1430 hours (2:30 PM). The goal of this exercise is to evaluate critical transportation, operational communications, operational coordination, public & private services and resources, and situational assessment. It is mostly a functional table top exercise.

This exercise presents an excellent opportunity to test ourselves and our equipment, as well as demonstrate to the OES the value of amateur radio as a source of communication services and information.

With that in mind, Jon (WA7VNP) and I will attend the exercise at the Emergency Operations Center and provide our 2 cents for the Amateur Radio community. Meanwhile, Les (N7CMJ) will operate a check-in net utilizing the Blacktail repeater on 146.76 (-, 100hz). The primary purpose of the net is to log as many check-in’s from as many different parts of the county as possible for the duration of the exercise (10:23 AM – 2:30PM.) In addition, Les will establish an HF link with operators in Helena, simulating a link to state emergency managers. The information gained from this net will give hams and the Flathead County OES a better idea of the amateur radio resources that might be available should a real emergency occur.

All amateur operators are requested and encouraged to check-in when the net is called and monitor the net frequency for as long as possible.

Here is a recap of the exercise details:

EXERCISE NAME: Flathead Shake Out
DATE: October 23, 2013
TIME: 1023 – 1430 hours (10:23AM – 2:30PM)
SCENARIO: 7.5 Earthquake centered on the Mission Fault under Flathead Lake
PRIMARY REPEATER (VHF): 146.76, -, 100hz
SECONDARY REPEATER (VHF): 147.38, +, 100hz
HF Frequency: 3.880 Mhz
NET CONTROL: N7CMJ (Les)

Thanks for your assistance in making this a valuable exercise.

Sincerely,

Chris Amyes
Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Flathead County, Montana