What is a District?

A District is a group of several Precincts, sometimes known as Stakes and Wards.

We used the area mapping system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for Wards and Stakes in our city since it already existed.  (why invent a new one when a successful one already works?)

Emergency Response is a Civil responsibility, therefore using the names, Precinct and District is appropriate.

We have six entire Districts in our City and five partial Districts/Precincts from surrounding cities that are in  Cottonwood Heights City Boundaries.

Amateur Radio Operators

  
 

Calling all Amateur Radio Operators Amateur radio is the communications tool of last resort. Throughout its history amateur radio has always been the most robust communications method. If you are already an amateur radio operator your community needs your services. You need to be practicing on a regular basis to make sure your equipment is reliable and that you know the protocols for communicating in the most efficient way. Here are the steps you should take: Check to see if there is a local club or group and join up. Call your City Hall and ask them if they have an amateur radio emergency communications group. Join the Amateur Radio Relay League, the parent organization for all amateur radio operators at http://www.arrl.org/ Become a member of your local ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) group. Go to http://www.ares.org/ Become a member of your State RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) by signing up at http://www.qsl.net/races/ Remember, if you do not have a RACES number and a national disaster is declared you will NOT be able to operate your radio(s). If you wish to become an amateur radio operator it is easy! Here is a website for you to find out more information - http://www.wikihow.com/ Related Links Information on HAM RADIO TRAINING http://www.qrz.com/testing.html http://www.xmission.com/~uarc/testinfo.html

What does the Precinct Comms do?

Walkie Talkie          chgetready

The Precinct Comms is the communication specialist, who is in charge of learning how to use walkie talkies or HAM Radio, and conducts the regular communication drills with your Precinct Block Captains and CERTS. (weekly works best)

Determine what time and day of the week will work best for your weekly check- in.
The FRS walkie talkie, use the channels 8-14.  Resist using the sub channels as they only block the sender from hearing other users.

The GMRS channels require a FCC License that is around $60.00, however, the channels are very clear. Channels 1-7 and 15 and up are GMRS Channels.  There are rules that govern the airwaves, so be clear as to their usage since fines may be issued where respect of usage is compromised.


Precinct Comms Duties will include training the Precinct Block Captains and CERTS how to use the walkie talkies and also how to use and report the Emergency Ribbon System with their neighbors.

It is of utmost importance that proper radio usage is learned and taught.  If the radio is held at the wrong angle, the signal will be compromised.  Hold it upright, not tipped, as the signal is like a plate connected on top of the antenna and if it is tipped the signal will shoot into the air and down into the ground.

Practicing correct handling and usage will determine whether the message is successfully transmitted and received.  This is critical, since in an emergency, time is matters.

A Precinct Block Captain/CERT Team check in roster that includes the Block Captain #, names, phone #'s and e-mail addresses is very helpful for contact and also to keep track of your regular drills.  Encourage your BC to report to another BC or the Precinct Leader if they will not be available during the drill that week.

Personal accountability to the Precinct Team effort also strengthens unity.

It is really fun to report in every week, same time, same channel.  It creates the synergy of unity in your neighborhood.

Take a look at a simple script that is available for you to begin practicing with so that your BC and CERTS get familiar with their radios and the reporting process.

Consider taking a HAM Radio course.  Transmission is much clearer getting and receiving  information to and from your Precinct to the District or the City Comms. 

HAM Radio Training
  http://www.wikihow.com/

Walkie Talkie Communication Education

Walkie Talkie Communication Education
 

Block Captain Reporting 2013 chgetready

The call: “Block Captain 10, This is Precinct 3, Over”

The answer: “ This is Block Captain 10, Go Ahead”

The response: “ Contact Medical on channel one four, Over”

The acknowledgement: “Block Captain 10 changing to one four for Medical contact, Roger, Out”

Let's re-cap what happened

** The Precinct Communications Specialist used “THIS IS” to identify himself and “OVER”,  he expects a reply.

**The answering Block Captain 10 said “THIS IS” followed by his call sign “BLOCK CAPTAIN TEN”, then acknowledged he was listening and ready to receive by using the pro-words “GO AHEAD”.

**The Precinct Communications Specialist instructed Block Captain Ten to contact the medical team on another channel – channel number 14. (Spoken as “ONE FOUR” not “FOURTEEN” – this is clearer) The pro-word “OVER” was used to indicate that the transmission ended and he expected a reply.

**Block Captain 10 acknowledges by repeating the command he is following, “BLOCK CAPTAIN TEN CHANGING TO ONE FOUR FOR MEDICAL CONTACT”.  He uses the pro-word “ROGER” to communicate that he received and understood the message.  “OUT” meaning he’s done and does not expect a reply.

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Rules for Walkie Talkie/Radio Usage

Block Captain Reporting        CHGetReady

   

•  Listen Closely
•  Wait till channel is clear
•  Speak only if necessary
•  Think what you are going to say...be precise
•  Keep it brief
•  Use plain language
•  Use echo method-repeat back what you heard to verify
•  Use This is....to identify yourself
•  Speak slowly and clearly to transmit your information
• Consider the scribe on the other end
•  No slang or jargon, use pro-words instead
  Use Pro-Words

      This is ……identifies who is about to talk

Over……message is complete from the other end and it is your turn to speak

Go Ahead…..you are ready for the other person to speak

Roger……you received the last message

Out…..you are done and expect no relay

FRS Channels 8-14

GMRS Channels 1-7, 15 and up –Requires FCC License

Consider Geography when you are considering your radio choice

Stay on main channel – DO NOT USE PRIVACY CODES – separates user from network

Push to talk / PTT button on side of radio

Communication PTT button pause, talk, pause, let go of PTT to listen (pause accounts for delay of radio)

Hold radio with antenna up (signal is plate like, side to side not up and down) and 4-5 inches away from the side of the face

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We Welcome You!

Dear Friends of CHGetReady,

Thank you for joining us! We're excited to share with you.

We love to share what we know works and hope you will feel more confident in your preparation as you gain skills of self-reliance.

Visit our site, we hope you find what you are seeking and have the desire to implement the information that is here.

Our goal is to assist you, our neighbors and friends as you get to know us and one another through the process of organizing your own home,  then reach out to your neighbors.

You will be amazed as your valuable influence ripples out as you become more prepared.

That amazing transformation enables you to be part of the solution and available to assist others in any type of emergency or event.

We are glad you are here.

Feel free to copy and paste the lists for your convenience.  We created them as tools for your preparations.

Take a look.  We are getting ready, are you?

Why Take CERT Training?

Why Take CERT Training?

After taking the CERT Training Course, I went home with the realization that I, my family, nor my neighbors and friends were prepared for any large scale emergency.

That sobering thought was a personal call to action that ignited the beginning of a passion to learn everything I could about preparedness and to master the required skills.

Preparation in all areas is a life style and not a one time preparation for an event.

Becoming accountable and responsible for myself and my family was AWESOME.  The journey increased self- confidence and then naturally blossomed into a burning desire to share what I learned with others.  Hopefully they could have it faster than I had gained it.

Huge bonus!  Become a link on the chain.  Learn from someone,  embrace by doing, then teach others. So cool how that works.

We are in this together, nothing greater than relationships, healthy, amazing friendships with those around us.  Healing all friendships, making new friendships.  Our family, friends and neighbors in every day life brings great joy and opportunity to overcome so many obstacles of fear in ourselves.

 In a crisis, connections with others, and confidence in ourselves that we can do challenging things may be the difference of life and death.  Not only for ourselves, for those all around us, as well.

Will you be prepared to help, if and when chaos or crisis erupts?

Choose to be part of the solution, add your strength and courage.

The reality of many who may not know their neighbors at all, and do not have any idea about the principles of personal and family preparedness.  May not have tools, (skills), supplies (food, water, alternative heat, light, 72 hr kits, education on sanitation when services go down) and possibly far from their families.

Will you choose now to make personal sacrifice of your time and resources to gain education on personal and family preparation, learn skills, gather your own supplies, take CERT, First Aid, CPR Training, truly embracing and grow and gain confidence from practice? 

Will you go out of your comfort zone to get to know and connect with your neighbors sharing friendship and  assisting them as they learn and grow in their new found knowledge skills and confidence so they can continue the process?

Two different scenarios.  Which one will you be in?  If you would like to be in the second scenario, the one that wants to push yourself to be a doer in the world, hold on, put your seat belt on, a smile on your face, lets go on this amazing ride together! Wahoo!

CERT Training will teach you amazing things.  You will be glad you know what you know since no matter where you go now, you will have skills to step in and be part of the solution.

You will gain skills and join an amazing group of people who want to serve their neighbors and friends.
No matter where you go you will know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Go Take your CERT Training, become part of a GREAT TEAM.

  www.chgetready

 

YOU CAN DO THIS, YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DO THIS! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!
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