KAL-EX 2008 RACES  INFORMATION

Exercise on Wednesday May 14th, 2008 Click for Kalamazoo, Michigan Forecast

 

Check the forecast by clicking the banner above. Rain is likely...

.SYNOPSIS...(330 PM EDT TUE MAY 13 2008)
A COLD FRONT IN MINNESOTA WILL TRACK THROUGH THE GREAT LAKES REGION
TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY.  ACCOMPANYING THIS FRONT WILL BE SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS.  A COOLER AND DRIER AIRMASS WILL FILTER IN BEHIND THE
FRONT FOR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.  ANOTHER SURGE OF COLD AIR WILL
ARRIVE FOR THE WEEKEND...LEADING TO UNSETTLED WEATHER.

Duty assignment times:

1. Staging - 8:00 AM
2. Airport - 9:15 AM
3. EOC - 8:00 AM
4. Chapter House - 9:15 AM

I would like to have a brief meeting with everyone except EOC and Chapter House staff. The meeting will be at the Staging Area at 8:15am...ART

OEM Drill's are 9-11am and 1-3pm

Red Cross Drill activity in morning only, but several Red Cross personnel will be at scene with ERV and IC in afternoon.

 

Documents below to examine and print.

kal-ex/kal-ex08.xls  updated

http://nk8x.net/kal-ex/Kalex 08 Timeline.doc  NEW

kal-ex/Kal-Ex 2008 Airport Exercise Narrative.doc 

kal-ex/Airport_overhead_annotated.pdf

kal-ex/Airport_Staging_Site_Annotated.pdf

kal-ex/azoairport.pdf

AFTER ACTION REPORTS

prelim:


Kal-Ex pictures from the KB8SFR image gallery HERE

From Art Snapper NK8X (RACES COMMAND)

Rain...Rain...Rain...

The exercise began long before the official starting time. OEM was on site before 7am  staging their Mobile Command Center, our Mini-Command Post, traffic signs and other equipment for the drill.

Our operations began at the Staging Area at around 8:15am. 

N8CML and N8YNW were assigned to this post. N8YNW gave the ERV-driver parking instructions on the Red Cross 47.420MHz channel. Dorman also managed to speak with the Chapter House on 47 Megs using only the HT.  Ron, N8CML set up the OEM portable MPSCS base radio, and established communications with the MIVDF on FRS Ch4 Tone4.  Before moving on to the scene, Portage FD asked NK8X  to set up their ICRI interoperability device. It was set to patch MPSCS SE 10 to the State Fire frequency. We put it in the back of the RACES Tahoe to keep it dry and transport it to the scene.  This allowed seamless communications between KDPS PSO's plus some EMS agencies on 800MHz, and Portage FD and other EMS units on VHF.
PFD had purchased this unit with a fire-grant. It  was easy to set up, and worked surprisingly well.

NK8X helped net control and the Chapter House radio operators get in communications with individuals at the scene. 

KI8C and KC8OQM were assigned to the Chapter House. They beat the old 47.420MHz base radio into submission, because it was being difficult. Excellent communications were  maintained via the 147.000 repeater. It helps to have a repeater within 2 miles of the scene.

KD8FFX was assigned to the Mobile Command Post. 

KC8QNT and WD8IDJ were assigned to the EOC.  They established a net control station for our directed net. N8PMG relieved WD8IDJ in the afternoon.

KC8WLD and KC8SSK staffed the Red Cross reunification center. The Red Cross assisted the families of the air crash victims. They helped the Red Cross convert their 47MHz mobile radio and mobile antenna, into a functional base station inside the Westminster Church.
KC8ZTJ assisted KC8WLD in the afternoon at the airport.

WD8AXB led the efforts for the MIVDF.  See the picture below. Here is their brief AAR:

The MIVDF was tasked to provide scene security and gate security.
There were 6 troops available in the morning and 7 in the afternoon, basically the minimum numbers for what was needed.
The comms on the FRS radios went well, being used as a command and control device.
The comm-check to talk on the FRS h/t between the airport and the staging command post was successful.
 
I had my Yaesu VX-7 monitoring 47.42 and 147.00; my Icom IC-Q7 mini-H/T monitoring 154.295; and my Cobra FRS H/T on Channel 4, so I was well-connected and foot-mobile.
 
There was some confusion at the gate, as to who to allow in; there was a multitude of various IDs in use; thankfully it was an exercise.
 
The 4th Battalion of the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force was pleased to participate in the Kal-Ex.
 
Captain Charles Pfister, MIVDF
4th BN; Operations Officer
Amateur Radio WD8AXB


.

KC8IYC was assigned to shadow the Red Cross mental-health worker during the morning exercise. 
In the afternoon he assisted at the scene. We thought the tactical callsign, "Mental Health" was
 appropriate!

KB8SFR was assigned to shadow the Airline Representative. 
He also took digital photographs of the drill. See link to album above.

Lunch at the Crash Fire Rescue station was a much appreciated break from the weather.

Operations resumed shortly after lunch. Yep, still raining!...


"Thank you for all of your help. You guys did an excellent job during the drill! We could not have done it without you!"

Quote from Tom Sivak, Emergency Services Director Greater Kalamazoo American Red Cross 

The exercise ended around 3pm. The rain quit, and the sun came out shortly thereafter....

 

 

 

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