The improvement plan is part of FEMA's National Preparedness Cycle. Members interested in learning more about the improvement plan standards are encouraged to take IS-120, Introduction to Exercises. The final chapter on evaluations is where the improvement plan is discussed.

The projects and points listed below are taken from after action reports, meeting notes, and member comments over the past several years. This is a living document, and is expected to change repeatedly over time as additional items come to light, and work on existing items is completed.

Tasks (What goal are we trying to accomplish?)	Recommendations (How are we planning to reach that goal?)	Improvement Actions (What are the project steps needed to accomplish the recommendation?)	Responsible Party	Due Date	Done Date	Comments / References
Improve efficiency and resiliency of BCARES organization.	Improve our relationship with other agencies	Re-establish primary contact with Red Cross HQ.	Unassigned			14 Nov 2019: SEPA Red Cross has recently reorganized again.
		Update MOUs with county, townships, served agencies, and radio clubs	Unassigned			14 Nov 2019: EC needs to locate existing MOUs.
		Incorporate BCARES exercise schedule into county / regional master plan	Unassigned			Bucks County does not have a master exercise schedule.
		Identify contacts with local media outlets for future press releases	Unassigned
	Improve internal knowledge and preparedness	Update the standard frequency plan to include repeater simplex and repeater reverse channels.	Unassigned			14 Nov 2019: Repeater coverage has changed over the past 10 years. We will be testing each channel after the regular Wednesday night net over the next several months to improve the plan.
		Reprogram all county radios with updated frequency plan	Unassigned			14 Nov 2019: To be done when the new plan has been updated.
		Research moving BCARES listserv to Groups.io	Unassigned			14 Nov 2019: Verizon, Yahoo, and AOL users are not receiving listserv emails.
		Update the SOP for net control during emergencies.	Jason Bauer N3RAY, with assistance			14 Nov 2019: The SOP on the manuals page is difficult to find/follow.
		Discuss and develop a semi-automated RF system that can handle and queue traffic from multiple sources without immediate operator involvement (BCARES will draft a separate requirements document as the next step).	Unassigned
		Maintain voluntary file of Childline clearances.	Michael Sabal (KB3GJT)			14 Nov 2019: Though not required, some emergency deployments will request preference be given to members with Childline clearances, especially at shelters.
Tasks (What goal are we trying to accomplish?)	Recommendations (How are we planning to reach that goal?)	Improvement Actions (What are the project steps needed to accomplish the recommendation?)	Responsible Party	Due Date	Done Date	Comments / References
Be able to communicate directly with other EOCs in Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg	Provide HF capability at the Bucks EOC	Purchase HF capable radio.	Bucks County			Kenwood TS-2000
		Install DX Challenger antenna	Unassigned			Waiting for EOC staff
		Test for RFI from DX Challenger to 911 terminals	Unassigned			Waiting for antenna
Maintain auxiliary communications at area hospitals	Test hospital owned equipment annually	Visit and test equipment at Lower Bucks	Unassigned			Access not available.
		Visit and test equipment at Aria	Unassigned			Access not available.
		Visit and test equipment at St. Mary's	Unassigned			Last done 2017.
		Visit and test equipment at Doylestown	Unassigned			Last done 2018.
		Visit and test equipment at Quakertown	Unassigned
		Visit and test equipment at Grandview	Unassigned
Activate BCARES members in an emergency as quickly and simply as possible.	Create an activation SOP	Create an activation SOP	Jason Bauer N3RAY			See the manuals page.
Enable direct communications between any two stations within the county (without repeaters).	Create an RF map of the county.	Each home and mobile station tests the best frequencies and modes to use to contact other stations within the county, reporting the results.	Michael Malone (W3MJM)			An extensive map was completed some time ago, but the webmaster has been too slow to provide the information in an accessible format.
	Create operations plans for frequently used facilities	Compile existing reports from site activities over the past several years.	Unassigned
		For those sites who are willing, coordinate the purchase of permanent amateur stations, including training and licensing of local staff.	Unassigned
		Draft and implement improvement plans for each site.	Unassigned
		Create SOPs for each site.	Unassigned
Tasks (What goal are we trying to accomplish?)	Recommendations (How are we planning to reach that goal?)	Improvement Actions (What are the project steps needed to accomplish the recommendation?)	Responsible Party	Due Date	Done Date	Comments / References
Enable high-speed data and voice communications among the 5-county District 1 EOCs (SEPA RTF 2008)	Install a D-STAR Repeater System	Identify a suitable location	Peter Ference		January 2014	The repeater will be located at the EOC.
		Acquire repeater coordination	Peter Ference / Stan
		Install the equipment (including Internet connection)	Peter Ference			Much of the equipment has been installed. The rest is waiting for frequency coordination.
		Configure the equipment	Unassigned
	Install an Icom ID-1 D-STAR radio in the EOC radio room.	Install the radio.	Michael Sabal		November 2013
		Install the antenna.	Michael Sabal & EOC staff			Waiting for EOC to provide roof access and/or run antenna cables
		Configure the radio.				Waiting for the antenna connection
		Install and configure the software.				Waiting for the antenna connection
Enable video coverage from any point within the county to an EOC or Incident Command Post	2.4GHz video system with high gain antenna	Place powerpole connector on remaining two LCD monitors.	Unassigned
		Place powerpole connectors on receivers.	Unassigned
		Change receiver antennas to SMA connectors	Unassigned
		Test high gain receive antennas.	Unassigned
		Test 2.4GHz with 400MHz relay	Unassigned
	420MHz video system with passive relay antenna system	Install antenna at EOC	Unassigned
		Assemble passive relay antenna	Unassigned
		Assemble field antenna	Unassigned
		Find an appropriate case for transmitter with heatsink and fans.	Unassigned
		Assemble transmitter package	Unassigned
	1.2GHz D-Star TV	Acquire 1.2GHz antenna for SEPA field kits	Unassigned			Each kit has a tri-band magmount.
		Install DSTAR TV software on SEPA field kit laptops.	Unassigned
		Field test site to site connection.	Unassigned