Overview

Mission Statement

To provide skilled radio operators who can deliver reliable and effective radio communications for the El Cerrito and Kensington communities.

KaroEcho Charter, Constitution, and By-laws (Organizational Structure Third Revised Edition Approved January 10, 2022)

KARO-ECHO ihas put together a disaster services communications program that will serve the needs of the people of El Cerrito, Kensington, and surrounding communities including CERT teams, and other related non-profit disaster service organizations.

What We Are Solving For

The program KARO-ECHO aspires toward is the implementation of a practical model to cover the following use cases

1. As a member of a CERT block team, I want training and guidance on how to talk to other team members on a radio

2. As a member of a CERT block team, I want training and guidance on how to talk to my CERT area "CP" (Command Post)

3. As a member of a CERT block team, I want to use my radio in a way that will not interfere with other block teams and areas

4. As a member of a CERT block team, I want to to use my radio without interference from other block teams and areas

5. As a CERT area coordinator, I want important messages from my area to be communicated to the nearest relevant agency

6. As a CERT area coordinator, I want important messages from my area to be communicated to the El Cerrito EOC

7. As a CERT area coordinator, I want to receive information from El Cerrito and Kensington first responders (fire and police)

8. As a CERT area coordinator, I want full records maintained of all messages sent and received to make followup on requests possible

9. As a CERT area coordinator, I want to be able to communicate with other areas to share needed resources and tasks (material and human).

10. As an El Cerrito or Kensington fire station, I want a reliable backup communications path to other first responders (fire and police) and the El Cerrito EOC

11. As a CERT Area Incident Commander (IC) I want two way communications to Red Cross Shelters.

12. As a Red Cross volunteer I want to be able to communicate with the EOC and to my Red Cross Command Center.

13. As a citizen I want to be able to receive and send vital information that affects my life, safety, and well being as well as my neighbors and community in the event of a conventional power and communications breakdown.

Requirements

At the block level

1. How to effectively communicate within a block shall be organized by that block

2. How to effectively communicate with other blocks within a district shall be organized by the neighborhood leads as designated by the CERT Area/District Coordinator

3. How to effectively communicate with the Area/District coordinator shall be established by the Area/Districtrict Coordinator

4. KARO-ECHO shall provide areas with coordinated primary and secondary GMRS/FRS frequencies which, if utilized, will minimize interference with neighboring areas (even if the neighboring area is outside of El Cerrito or Kensington)

5. The coordinated primary and secondary frequencies provided to blocks shall be in radio services that

   1. Can be preferably used without a FCC issued license (FRS or CB)

   2. Can be used with inexpensive, readily available radio equipment (FRS, GMRS, CB)

   3. Has limited power so that communications do not needlessly interfere with other areas

   4. Block to Area ICPs (Staging Areas) shall be provided by FRS, GMRS, or Ham radio whatever is available.

6. KARO-ECHO shall provide areas with training on how to establish an emergency net, pass messages, and how to handle informal tactical traffic upon request.

At the area level

1. KARO-ECHO shall provide areas with reliable, two-way inter-area emergency communications

2. KARO-ECHO shall provide areas with reliable, two-way communications to the nearest relevant agency and/or shelter.

3. KARO-ECHO shall provide areas with reliable, two-way communications with the El Cerrito EOC

4. KARO-ECHO shall coordinate with nearby cities and emergency communications organizations to establish primary and secondary frequencies that can be used with minimal chance of interference

At the El Cerrito and Kensington City Level

1. In a disaster, KARO-ECHO shall provide the KPSC (FS 65) with radio communication if requested.

2. In a disaster, KARO-ECHO shall provide the El Cerrito EOC with trained radio operators 24/7 for the duration of the emergency

3. Communications equipment and procedures between area/district command centers (DCC) and the El Cerrito EOC shall be adequate equipment and fitted with emergency power in order to be reliable and effective.

4. KARO-ECHO will provide District Command Center Radio Coordinators for each active District Command Ceter (ICP) capable of providing a connection to ham network.

Milestone Outline

Milestone Dates: On-going or Completed

• Consensus on How to Proceed with Ongoing Projects (Ongoing)

• Gap Analysis Complete and Roadmap Published (Ongoing)

• Infrastructure Plan (Completed)

• Communications Plan (Completed) See: KARO-ECHO Disaster Communications Plan

• Training Plan (Completed) See; KARO/ECHO Training Goals (Extensive Detailed Long Form) and KARO/ECHO Training Goals (Four Progressive levels) This is the short version in outline form that corresponds to the four types of progressive go-kit/jump-kit Training is based on the four types of deployment (Level A, Advanced B, Extra C, and MAT Qualified).

• Frequent Drills/Simulated Emergecy Tests (Ongoing)

List of 2017 to 2018 Completed Goals and Ongoing Endeavors

In the Autumn of 2017, KARO-ECHO became entirely reorganized with a new constitution, elected officials, a board of directors, an emergency coordinator, newsletter editor, webpage maestro, outreach program, equipment maintenance program, an Elmer (mentoring) Committee, and much more. We are now running efficient meetings with a long list of recent accomplishments; yet there are many positions and work group opportunities to fill. Please consider getting involved.

Our first Web Presence was established In 2017 with the KARO-ECHO Wiki site (now replaced by karoecho.net

In 2017 a KARO-ECHO Constitution, election of officers and executive board was formalized

In late 2017 our first constitution was established. (completed)

Officers were elected (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer)

A Google Email List Server and forum was established (cmpleted)

A monthly Newsletter was established (completed)

A new Emergency Coordinator, KM6HBO, was appointed by the board and seves as a member of the board.

We approved a succinctly clarified KARO-ECHO Mission Statement in 2017

KARO-ECHO Field Operations Handbook was distributed

KAROECHO.NET Google Website established and chock full of relevant information (Rob, K6RJM as our new Web Maestro).

The establishment of the Karo-Echo Group on Facebook (Rob, K6RJM).

KARO_ECHO became incorporated as a 501(c)3 tax deductable organization thanks to the hard work of Larry, KK6GIO)

A KAROECHO Bank account and Post office Box was established (KK6GIO)

An inventory and testing of KARO-ECHO equipment installed at our seven served agency locations was completed (Hal. KK6NDF as lead)

A tour for KaroEcho members of all agency radio operation sites led by Battalion Chief Kevin Janes

Repair of faulty equipment at FS 72, reprogramming of frequencies, installing Anderson power pole connectors, etc. (Jamuel, KM6HBO)

On-the-air weekly training sessions have become instituted on a regular basis during the revised Thursday evening net

A KARO-ECHO GO-KIT has been established according to type and length of assignment.

A Written KARO-ECHO Communications Plan has been developed and published

The creation of a portable go-kit on wheels serving as an emergency powered radio, antenna, tripod mast, and coax (ongoing) [Completed 2019)

The repurposing of 2 45 Watt 2m commercial transceivers for K/E Disaster Digital Comms.

The Karo-Echo Roster has been updated with email addresses and phone numbers with over 70 members who receive the monthly newsletter

An Email listserver is now operational for Newsletters, minutes, and meeting agendas. (Rob, K6RJM)

A new outreach/recruitment campaign has been launched and a mailing sent to all new local hams since 2016 and 25 additional former ham volunteers.

Repurposing new antenna installations at Ken 6 CERT (Diamond X-300a antenna)

Installed a new Diamond X-300a antenna at Tassajara Park (EC9 CERT Staging Area).

Recovered a Kenwood TM-741a and Astron RS-12M 12 amp power supply from Tassajara Park

Our first Simulated Emergency Test (SET) since 2015 was a great success in identifying needs and future projects (KE6BEE and K6RJM)

Our Second SET was held on Feb 23, 2019 which saw over 20 operators participate handling over 40 written messages while operating emergency power. See the critique on our Past Events page. Robin, Don, and Andy will help produce a video collage of the SET combining audio, video, and photos with narration.

Larry, KK6GIO, our 2019 Treasurer, established KaroEcho's 501(c)3 tax deductible status, bank account, and post office box. This is a milestone. Please donate.

(2019 and Ongoing)

Three ring binders are planned to be installed at all KaroEcho served agency sites which will contain the KaroEcho Field Resources Operating Handbook, operational logs, simplex frequency lists, NCS script, pencils, eraser, maintenance logs, operating manual crib sheets, forms 213, IC-309, KE Hybrid forms, radio manuals, cheat sheets, pencils, pens, erasers, blank paper, etc. K6RJM has already installed these binders in Hilltop School, the KCC, and Fire Station 65.

More Outreach is planned especially at Ham radio classes, licensing exams, CERT training sessions, and we are planning to offer a license class and test at the Arlington Park Club House April 4 to aid recruiting. A Ham Cram and Technician License test is planned for El Cerrito in Spring/Summer 2019 (KM6HBO, NG6W, and KE6BEE). (ongoing). (Postponed due to pandemic)

KE6BEE and NI6A are working on a new CERT radio communications handhout for all CERT graduates. (Completed)

KE6BEE has produced the KaroEcho Newsletter monthly.

Edward, Karen, Robin, and Jay are working on a mass mailing to recruit more members in our area. [Completed by Edward KM6UBY and Howdy KE6BEE and KK6GIO -- Mailed out 09-15-2019], (completed)

Plans for a Red Flag Fire Patrol have become implemented (K6RJM. KE6BEE, KI6GIO, and KJ6AAT) in 2018 (Ongoing)

KE6BEE has taken on the Thursday evening weekly Net Manager Job (Ongoing)

A digital communications work group is still in its nuclear stage. Participants so far are (K6RJM, KE6BEE, KJ6IUV, KN6BUY, AJ6RZ, K6ELO, and NI6A) attempting to provide a parallel error free digital pathway from the EOC to all CERT areas, the Fire Stations, and disaster agencies utilizing digital means and store and forward BBS systems.

A new ham mentoring (Elmer) team and program has been established to assist new and elderly hams. -- Ongoing. Contact info@karoecho.net

A new GMRS/FRS mentoring program is being developed by K6RJM). A GMRS/FRS radio class for CERT trainees is scheduled for late Spring/early summer. Contact: info@karoecho.net

KE6BEE Howdy, K6RJM Rob, Jerry K6KOP, Tom KN6BUY, and AJ6RZ are taking the lead on maintenance and new installations for served agency equipment installations. Tassajara Park (EC 9 staging) has been retrofitted with a new GMRS and Ham antennas and patch box. KE6BEE has repaired the three broken Kenwood TM-741a radios. (completed)

RF simplex mapping of point to point hot spots and trouble spots throughout Kensington and El Cerrito will continue in 2019. (continuing).

Installed a GMRS antenna and outdoor patch box at Tassajara Park (10-10-2019) -- KM6CXI and KE6BEE

Installed an outdoor patch box at Harding Clubhouse (10-10-2019): KE6BEE

Completed two successful Simulated Emergecy Tests (SETs) in 2020

Completed two successful Simulated Emergecy Tests (SETs) in 2021

Completed sucessful Field Day (FD) Event at Upper Canyon Trail Park in June 2021

Revised the KARO-ECHO Constitution (Nov - Dec 2021), adopted January 10, 2022

Negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with El Cerrito Emergency Management Services (Ongoing)

Created and Updated numerous how-to operating aids based on baest practces

Modified the pre-existing file, “The Utilization of Neighborhood District Radio Communications Coordinator (DRCC) for District/Area wide Comm Hubs”

Direct Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zg1qb2O__CC9BtkW9J75QKOnEpTlQ-yB/view

Constant updates of events, license classes, and FCC license exams (ongoing)