Burbank CDV
BEARS Messages Archive
Older editions of the weekly messages
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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH BEARS .....
BEARS email address: BEARS@BurbankCDV.org
NEXT BEARS MEETING -- VISITORS WELCOME!
When: Wednesday October 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Where: Burbank Fire Training Center
1845 N. Ontario St.
Burbank, CA
(1/2 block north of corner of Victory & Ontario;
Ontario is between N. Hollywood Way & Buena Vista)
Subject: Last regular meeting of year! Program to be determined.
NEXT BEARS NET -- VISITOR CHECK-INS WELCOME!
When: Monday September 21, 2009
Freq: 446.860 MHz (KC6LOL/R), PL 123.0 Hz, negative offset
Operator: David Schoch KI6UCK
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M E S S A G E S F O L L O W
For Week of 9/14/2009:
((1)) LOS ANGELES COUNTYWIDE Disaster Communications Service (DCS)
((2)) DCS DISTRICT 12 - CRESCENTA VALLEY SHERIFF'S STATION
((3)) LOCAL (BURBANK) BEARS
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((1)) LOS ANGELES COUNTYWIDE Disaster Communications Service (DCS)
MESSAGES FOR WEEK OF 9/14/2009:
The LACDCS.COM email address is no longer valid. Please use
www.lacdcs.org or www.lacdcs.wordpress.com instead. DCS Quarterly
Training scheduled for Saturday August 1 has been delayed to Saturday
November 7.
You can view Countywide DCS messages at either www.lacdcs.org
or www.lacdcs.wordpress.com.
Routine: 09//2009, 1313 hours
To: All Members
From: Exec. Staff
The Exec. Staff would like to say Thanks and express our appreciation for
all the members who stepped up for the Morris, Station, and Rancho Palos
Verdes Fires. Once we finish assembling the staffing, AAR’s, sign-in sheets,
and such, we will release more information. We would also like to express
our Thanks and appreciation to the DCO’s who administered the Morris,
Station, and Rancho Palos Verdes Fires. Respectively, the DCO’s were:
Keith Prebble, W001, for San Dimas, Mike Farrell, M001, for Crescenta
Valley, and Diana Feinberg, T001, for Lomita. Congratulations to ALL on a
job well done.
[EOC1]
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Routine: 09/14/2009, 1327 hours
To: All Members
From: Exec. Staff
The Station Fire has been the longest continual activation in DCS history.
With over 60 members participating, and many on standby, we were able
to staff the EOB and the Command Post 24/7 for 11 days. The Catalina
Fire lasted for 12 days; six days were on standby. In 2007 DCS had over
850 on the books for membership and there were 41 members who
participated in that event. At this time we are substantially lower in
numbers, therefore it would seem correct to assume that the participation
would also be down. However, the participation from our membership is up by
over 15% when you compare the Catalina and Station Fires. This just goes
to show that our members will step up when we need the assistance. Again,
thank you to everyone who either submitted time for scheduling, assisted
with logging, ran the nets, staffed the EOB or CP, and loaned out equipment.
Your efforts, time, and participation are greatly appreciated.
[EOC2]
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Routine: 09/14/2009, 1357 hours
To: DCO’s
From: Debby Miles, Staff 10
Now is the time to check your Quarterly Reports. Remember, the report due
on October 5th will need to include a new column. This column will reference
the accumulated hours for each member from the beginning of their
membership to Dec. 31, 2008.
[EOC3]
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Routine: 09/14/2009
To: All Members
From: Exec. Staff
Thank you to all the members who assisted with the funeral on Thursday,
September 10th. We realize everyone was tired and worn out from the
Station Fire activation, but your willingness to assist with this detail is
greatly appreciated.
[EOC4]
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Routine: 09/14/2009, 1430 hours
To: All Members
From: Executive Staff
The following is a schedule of upcoming events:
September 14 Monday Night Net, 1900--2000 hours, District 15, Pico Rivera
September 15 Tuesday Noon Net, 1130--1300 hours
September 21 DCO/CRO Meeting, 1830--2100 hours
September 22 Tuesday Noon Net, 1130--1300 hours
September 28 Monday Night Net, 1900--2000 hours, District 16, Carson
September 29 Tuesday Noon Net, 1130--1300 hours
October 5 Monday Night Net, 1900--2000 hours, District 17, Lomita
October 6 Tuesday Noon Net, 1130--1300 hours
[EOC5]
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[End of DCS Countywide Messages]
((2)) DCS DISTRICT 12 - CRESCENTA VALLEY SHERIFF'S STATION
MESSAGES FOR WEEK OF 9/14/09:
To: All members
From: Mike Farrell
Please submit your commitment to assist with the Monday night net. Time
on duty at the CVS station is 1845 hours and you will be done by 2000 hours.
This is an excellent time to become familiar with the station and practice
communicating on the net. The time spent counts towards your hours
requirement. New members are encouraged to attend and become familiar
also. Please email Mike Farrell, M-001 at farrell075@aol.com.
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Routine: 09/14/09, 1200 hours
To: All members
From: Mike Farrell, M-001
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the District 12 members
who came out to support the “Station Fire.” We had 14 members who
stepped up to volunteer for this duty. It was intense at time and it was slow
at other times, but the Sheriff’s Department was very happy with our
performance. It was also a good learning experience for everyone as well.
We learned what had to be done to be prepared for such an emergency.
Here is a list of those who participated:
M-127 David Bassett
M-179 Kathryn Bassett
M-199 Randy Branson
M-221 Eric Christensen
M-109 Dean Cohen
M-041 John Cooper
M-001 Mike Farrell
M-076 Gary Jaeger
M-077 Mearl Jaeger
M-032 Chuck Lambert
M-071 Wanda Penner
M-075 Rick Penner
M-049 Terry Priesont
M-122 Joe Young
This was the longest DCS activation in DCS history. Again, thanks to all.
[CVS-1]
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Routine: 09/14/09, 1230 hours
To: All Members
From: Mike Farrell, M-001
This is a special request; we have been asked to make our best “guess”
on the number of hours each member has accumulated since joining DCS.
Please give it your best, but no “pie in the sky” guesses. There is not right
or wrong guess and it means nothing towards this year’s hours. The number
should be all your years plus this one to date. This will be a part of the
program at the next semi-annual meeting. Please send this to M-001 at
farrell075@aol.com ASAP.
[CVS-2]
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Routine: 09/14/09, 1235 hours
To: All members
From: Mike Farrell
There is a County/District net tonight. Do not forget to get your hours in
including the Station Fire hours. There will be a Tuesday noon net
tomorrow (09/15/090. Due to the DCO-ADCO meeting on 09/21/09, there
will be NO Monday night on that night.
[CVS-3]
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Routine: 09/14/09. 1415 hours
To: All Members
From: Mike Farrell
Please do not forget we are still in the grips of fire season. Please have
your go bags ion order, HT’s ready and batteries charged. We could be
called out again at any time.
[CVS-4]
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[End of DCS District 12 messages]
((3)) LOCAL (BURBANK) BEARS MESSAGES FOR WEEK OF 9/14/09:
Upcoming BEARS Net Control Operators:
09/14/09 BEARS Net - Alex McGregor K9AKM
09/21/09 BEARS Net - David Schoch KI6UCK
09/28/09 BEARS Net - Wanda Penner KG6GTA
10/05/09 BEARS Net - Rick Penner W6RJP
10/12/09 BEARS Net - Operator Needed -- Please Volunteer
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It was fantastic having Fire Chief Ray Krakowski visit the September BEARS
meeting. He is very supportive of BEARS and CDV. He also surprised
BEARS members when he announced that he is also an amateur radio
operator: KF6ESB. He is not presently active, but we hope to get him
active again and to upgrade from Technician to General soon. We made the
Chief an honorary BEARS member. He plans to visit the CDV meeting also.
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Great drill courtesy of our drill master Wanda Penner KG6GTA. Exercises
like these provide experience that helps us grow as amateurs and
emergency volunteers.
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Please make sure you have the N6MQS/R 448.540 R 123.0
encode/decode (BEARS Alternate repeater) programmed into your radios.
The N6MQS repeater is atop Verdugo Peak and has much larger coverage
than the BEARS machine does. As a result, we plan to utilize both
repeaters in the future. Bill Smith N6MQS is a long standing BEARS
member. As soon as possible, he will respond to the repeater site and
repair the very loud tone (PL tone) on the repeater. We are assembling a
list of volunteers that would be willing to assist with site maintenance, ie:
weed removal, building clean up, trash clean up, etc. Please volunteer on
net or send an email to Eric Christensen at k6ejc@att.net.
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Thank you to the BEARS members that assisted DCS at the Station Fire
command post at Hansen Dam. Eric Christensen worked Friday 09/04,
and Rick and Wanda Penner worked Sunday 08/30 and Saturday 09/05.
Several Burbank CDV/BEARS members also assisted as CERT volunteers:
Alex McGregor, Debbie Novick, Thom O'Shaughnessy, Erik & Jenny Day.
Thank you for all your help. This is what we do! Eric Baumgardner and Mike
Rogers were also seen there in their official capacities for the City of Los
Angeles and County of Los Angles Public Health. Thanks again for all your
hard work!
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Station Fire update: As of Sunday 09/13, the fire is at 160,557 acres burned,
84% containment. It is now considered as the 10th largest fire in California
since 1933. For more information and to view the Mt. Wilson camera, go to
www.inciweb.org.
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Due to the Station Fire, the AC-100 (Angeles Crest 100) race on September
17/18 has been CANCELLED. Thank you to those that volunteered to work it.
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LA Sheriff and DCS have formally stood down from Station Fire operations.
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Update from DCS: The Mt. Disappointment repeater is now back on the air
and Edison Power has been restored. Mount Disappointment sustained
MAJOR damage and many radio systems were completely destroyed as
well as some of the buildings. While the 145.30 repeater (DCS Primary)
survived, the 147.270 WA6ZTR repeater (DCS Secondary repeater) did not
fare so well and will be out of service for some time.
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For incredible photos of the Station Fire, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/GoldStarPosting
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Fire season is here with a vengeance. Please check your GO BAGS and
make sure you are prepared. That includes having your uniform, identification,
and more than a half tank of gas. Also make sure your HT is fully charged
and you have spare batteries and a magnetic mount antenna. Make sure
you also have a working flashlight with spare batteries.
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Check your CDV membership card; if it is due for renewal, call the City
Live Scan office at 818 238-5340.
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Remember to keep hydrated (DRINK WATER!!) on warm days. An
emergency responder is of no use when they become the victim.
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Don't forget to join us at BEARS Coffee Social at Starbucks next to Bob's
Big Boy on Riverside Dr. from approximately 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays.
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As we transition to the Fire Corps Program in January and become
"Burbank ACS -- Auxiliary Communications Service," we are working on
creating a "BEARS Radio Club." If you are interested in helping with this
goal, please contact Eric K6EJC or David Schoch KI6UCK or Rick
Penner W6RJP.
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Remember that everyone needs to be proficient in the use of their own radio.
Re-read the owner's manual. Make a copy and keep it with your go bag.
Become familiar with the procedures needed to enter a new frequency,
repeater offset or simplex, sub audible tone, and storing it in memory.
Everyone should have a magnetic antenna to connect to their HT when in a
vehicle. Someone who cannot program their own radio is of little use in an
emergency situation.
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Here is the BEARS calendar for the rest of 2009. Plan to attend every month.
Important training will be featured at each meeting.
All interested persons are invited to attend.
BEARS Calendar 2009
14 October To be determined -- Eric C
18 November Joint CDV/BEARS holiday party
December No meeting
Each meeting will contain a small presentation on one of these topics;
Programming a radio, Correct radio protocol, and Questions from the FCC
test database
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CDV Steering Committee has come up with a list of FEMA IS courses that
they recommend for additional training and for the pending new
"Intermediate" and "Advanced" CDV membership levels:
Intermediate Level
IS-55 Household Hazardous Materials
IS-292 Disaster Basics
IS-317 Introduction to CERT
Advanced Level
IS-240 Leadership & Influence
IS-241 Decision Making & Problem Solving
IS-242 Effective Communications
Other classes and topics are being considered and added to the course list.
Consider taking some of these online courses. Go to www.fema.gov for
more information or Google search the course number. Some members
have already completed several of these courses! Send copies of your FEMA
transcript to CDV Training Officer Erik Day at Erikjday@gmail.com.
DCS renewals are in progress. If you are planning to renew your DCS
membership, make sure you have completed FEMA Courses IS100, 200,
700, 800. You also need to have logged atleast 48 hours for 2008. Renewal
forms need to be sent to Crescenta Valley Sheriff Station for Live Scan
and further background check. Persons wishing to remain as DCS members
but not meeting the above requirements will need to retake DCS Basic
Membership classes, etc. prior to becoming a member again.
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Check your CDV membership card; if it is due for renewal, call the City Live
Scan office at 818 238-5340.
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That's it for this week's messages.
73 Eric J Christensen K6EJC
Coordinator 17 – BEARS
K6ejc@att.net