Emergency Communications Committee

Committee Overview and Charter

(updated: 2/11/2020)

Town emergency contact information

Responsibilities

(i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of a minimum of five members and a maximum of 25 members, all of whom are either licensed radio amateurs or individuals in training for said licensed status. The Committee currently has ten members; 6 members are required for a quorum.

(ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be:

a. Provide emergency radio communication services between the Los Altos Hills Emergency Operation Center (EOC) facility and:

1) The Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services (OES).

2) ECC-staffed operations located at any Town-operated Incident Command (IC) location for the purpose of communicating between the EOC and the Town IC.

3) Surrounding area municipal emergency communication facilities, hospitals and emergency service groups such as the Red Cross, or other volunteer emergency response agencies.

Communications will take place using federally-sanction amateur (ham) radio operating frequencies in accordance with federally-mandated Amateur Radio operating requirements and procedures and other radio services and frequencies as requested by the Town Director of emergency services.

Provide the Net Control Operator (NCO) function to serve amateur (ham) radio operating frequencies in accordance with federally-mandated Amateur Radio operating requirements and procedures and other radio services and frequencies as requested by the Town Director of Emergency Services.

Provide the Net Control Operator (NCO) function to serve amateur radio operators throughout the Town and surrounding areas for the purpose of EOC operations and, as needed, for support of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Recon NCO operations.

b. Organize and implement periodic "simulated disaster" emergency communication drills and participate in similar drills organized by the Amateur Radio Emergency System (ARES) District Emergency Coordinator (DEC), the CERT organization serving the Town and appropriate others including the Disaster Council;and participate weekly ARES communication readiness/training nets that exist in the area.

c. Provide occasional non-emergency communication services for other Town sanctioned groups as requested when possible and practical.

d. Develop and train according to Town requirements a group of amateur radio operators within the Town and surrounding areas who will be available in a time of need to assist the Committee in the performance of its duties.

e. Coordinate and periodically review activation, training, mutual aid, and operating procedures with appropriate other emergency groups and agencies in Santa Clara County and as requested by the Town Director of Emergency Services.

f. Maintain radio and related equipment that support EOC operations, update equipment as necessary by using volunteer time and skills, and manage Town-budgeted acquisition of goods and services.

g. Committee members should also be trained in the effective use of cell phone and other communications as necessary.