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.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |||||
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 | |||
Visit and test equipment at Aria | Unassigned | |||||
Visit and test equipment at St. Mary's | Unassigned | |||||
Program radio at Doylestown | Unassigned | |||||
Program radio at Quakertown | Unassigned | |||||
Program radio 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. | Unassigned | |||
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 |
Improve efficiency and resiliency of BCARES organization. | Improve our relationship with other agencies | Re-establish primary contact with Red Cross HQ. | Unassigned | |||
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 | ||||
Change the leadership structure from 1 EC + 3 geographic AECs to 1 EC + 5 general AECs. | Michael Sabal KB3GJT | |||||
Develop an SOP for net control during emergencies. | Jason Bauer N3RAY | See the manuals page. | ||||
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 |