PanhandleARES.org

Cory Elliott, KD5ROK, has assembled and hosted the only live online scanner in the Amarillo area. Cory’s scanner feed covers Potter and Randall County for 24/7 coverage of local public safety radio traffic. This is a handy resource which allows you to turn your computer, or smart phone–through the use of applications, into a virtual scanner. Using your computer or phone as a scanner will free up your ham gear to be dedicated to ham radio use so you don’t miss a single transmission. Also, while traveling out of the area, you will still be able to monitor events in the Amarillo area in real time. It is worth noting, that Cory has added an audio compressor which ensures that the audio output levels are the same for all transmissions heard on the feed. Without the compressor, some transmissions may be extremely loud while others are barely heard. This is a very clean installation and a useful resource in our area, and we thank you for your work, Cory.

Equipment used: Motorola Radio, Comet GP-3 antenna on a tower at 30 feet with LMR-400 coax, and also an audio compressor and EQ for audio shaping.

Click here to listen online to: Amarillo Fire 1,2,3, Amarillo Police 2 & 3, Amarillo Emergency Service, Randall County Sheriff, Randall County Fire, Randall County ESU, Texas Fire 1 & 2, Potter County Fire 1 & 2

Sheltering and Mass Care are critical operations in the aftermath of a major disaster in any community. And given the relative remoteness of Texas Panhandle to the capabilities that exist in other parts of Texas it is critical that we have a robust capability to assist displaced citizens. To assist communities in Texas better prepare for this critical operation, Texas DSHS has contracted with Baptist Community & Family Services (BCFS) to work with Amarillo to further develop an Alternate Care Site (ACS) capability that could also be used as a Functional Needs Support Service (FNSS) shelter or Medical Special Needs (MSN) shelter.

While BCFS is working with Emergency Management and Public Health to identify potential shelter locations and what is required to make them functional in a disaster, the final component of the program is to provide ACS Facility Supervisor Training. I would encourage anyone who potentially could work in a shelter management role to participate in this training.

ACS Facility Supervisor Training:

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Amarillo/Potter/Randall Emergency Operations Center

Course Description:

The ACS Facility Supervisor training is a 3-hour course designed specifically for those who may be tasked with maintaining or working in an ACS facility upon activation in the event of a local emergency. Medical Reserve Corp members, Red Cross shelter team members, nursing students, volunteers from local faith-based organizations, public health employees and any others you designate for this purpose are all encouraged to attend.

Topics for the training include:

• ACS functions
• ACS facility selection and set up
• ACS accessibility basics and barrier workarounds (reasonable modifications)
• Patient intake, registration and tracking
• Logistical supply requirements
• Recommended volunteer and professional staffing ratios
• Volunteer roles & responsibilities
• ACS facility management best practices, policies & procedures
• Overall ACS facilities management techniques, including suggested ICS structure and facility management organizational charts

I appreciate your consideration in supporting this training. Please RSVP to myself and pass the word to anyone you think might be interested in participating.

kevin.starbuck@amarillo.gov

Thanks, Kevin

Kevin Starbuck, CEM, Emergency Management Coordinator

Amarillo/Potter/Randall Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be conducting G-300 Intermediate ICS (20 hours) and G-400 Advanced ICS (12 hours) training in August 2010.  Registration for this training is through Preparing Texas (http://www.preparingtexas.org/) website.  Applicants for the training will need to create a user account on the Preparing Texas website and then register for the appropriate course(s) after the user account has been established.  All training will be conducted in the Amarillo/Potter/Randall EOC located at 808 S. Buchanan St.  Seating is limited; registration is on a first come, first serve basis. 

G-300 – ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents This course provide training on resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses. Target Audience: State, county, local officials and volunteers who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents or Type 3 incidents. G-300 Intermediate ICS:  August 10 & 11 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., August 12 – 8:00 a.m. to noon. G-300 Prerequisites: ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700  

G-400 – ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System, Command and General Staff This one and a half day course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). The course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. Target Audience: State, county, local officials and volunteers who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents or Type 3 incidents. G-400 Advanced ICS: August 12 – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., August 13 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. G-400 Prerequisites: ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800, G-300