Amateur Radio for public school EOC UPDATED

[workinwifdakids]

I work for a public school, and someone important just asked how ham radio can fit into our district's emergency operations plan.

He specifically used the words legal and above board. Someone came up with the idea of becoming members of RACES, and then having RACES loan us back to the district for emergencies. Any ideas, comments, or responses? I have 'til Friday the 25th to get back to him with my answer as to how to make this happen.

[Rumpshot]

Considering that you are employed there, I don't think you can put the right coat on things to make it "legal" and "above board."

That said, ham radio has a place in emergency services. Contact your local RACES or ARES folks and get them involved with the school.

In the meantime, what are your plans for Ham Radio Field Day coming up 26-27 June? I will be working field day part time from my work residence. I have to work overtime that Saturday.

Randy should be chiming in, in 3... 2...

[randy]

You guys know me so well.

This particular issue is currently under review by the FCC and may become a non-issue when they issue their report, depending on on how their report is actually worded.

As background for any non-hams: FCC Regulations (specifically Part 97.113 (a) (3)) prohibits the use of amateur radio for communications in which you, or your employer, have a pecuniary interest. It does not matter if you are technically "on duty" at that time or not.

The intent is to keep the amateur bands free of businesses using it as a cheap form of communications rather than the business and other bands legally available to them. Hence the "amateur" part of Amateur Radio Service.

During an actual emergency, you actually have no problem as any communication that is essential to the immediate safety of human life or the immediate protection of property is always permitted when normal communication systems are not available (emphasis mine).
(The FCC has stated that this exception is covered under the "transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions" language in §97.111(a)(2))

The problem is, that as an employee, you cannot perform on air tests or participate drills or exercises.

If you are employed by government agency (They are looking at EMA's, FD and PD, but a Public School District might qualify), you can get a waiver, but you have to apply in writing for each individual Drill or Exercise. This is what the FCC is looking at, hopefully granting a blanket exception for such activity. (More discussion here)

So, as it stands today, you cannot operate the amateur station at your school's EOC except when it has already hit the fan and ALL other communications are out.

Rumpshot has it right. Contact your local ARES and/or RACES (AKA ACS or Auxiliary Communications System in California) and radio clubs. They should be able to work with you to have volunteers man your station.

That's how we do it locally. ARES/Local clubs have Hams preidentified (including facility ID, access, etc) to respond to Hospitals and our EMA in an emergency to operate our station.

That covers you legally during drills, and, again, during an actual emergency, you could operate if necessary until they arrive. And it will give you enough operators to provide relief ops during an extended activation.

However, being "loaned" back to your employer by ARES or RACES is a little too transparent. As a former ARES County Emergency Coordinator, I sure wouldn't risk my license by signing off on something like that.

That being said, there is no restriction on your supplying advice and guidance for the purchase, installation, and development of policy regarding amateur radio and integrating it into your school's disaster plans. You could also be the liaison between amateurs operating the equipment and the school administration during drills and actual activation. (My role at my current employer).

A couple of other ideas:

I don't know what age you're teaching, but do any of your districts schools have an Amateur Radio club? Scout Troops? Disaster oriented Explorer Post? I don't think students would be considered employees. Don't sell them short. I've operated with teens that I'd much rather have backing me up when it hits the fan than some "adults" with walls full of DX wallpaper.

What about your PTA type volunteer organizations. Any hams there? Or maybe some folks might be interested in getting their licenses to participate in helping the school?

Let me know if you have any questions, let me know either here or directly.

[randy]

Oh, another item to think over.

One of the exceptions to the employee operator prohibition is

§97.113 Prohibited transmissions. c) A control operator may accept compensation as an incident of a teaching position during periods of time when an amateur station is used by that teacher as a part of classroom instruction at an educational institution.

[workinwifdakids]

Thanks, guys. Randy, I want to clarify:

We are legally clear to operate during a disaster or public emergency IF all other lines of communication are all down?

However, we may not drill or exercise for such unless we get FCC approval on a by-event basis?

[randy]

Thanks, guys. Randy, I want to clarify:

We are legally clear to operate during a disaster or public emergency IF all other lines of communication are all down?

Correct.

However, we may not drill or exercise for such unless we get FCC approval on a by-event basis?

That is correct when using employees as operators. If you can get amateur ops who are not employees to operate the equipment, then you do not need to get a waiver.

[workinwifdakids]

Randy, as always I appreciate your help. You too, Rump.

[Rumpshot]

Randy, as always I appreciate your help. You too, Rump.

Thanks. Now what ya doin for Field Day????

[randy]

WC8OH, probably 3A OH

[Rumpshot]

N7PXD 1D AZ