HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 17
Minutes
Town of Los Altos Hills
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
February 17, 2009 @ 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Roll call:
Member Call Sign Attended Absent
Jim Abraham W6EB P
Dru Anderson KG6LAD E
Bob Anderson KC6ZWG E
Ray Egan W6FQY P
Charlie Ellinger KI6JPM E
Rick Ellinger KJ6NU P
Andy Fawcett KI6MAF P
David Gilmour WQ1K P
Bob Hall KF6DHX P
Edwin R Jones, EC, Chair W7WPO P
Andrew Kirk WB6CLS P
Lynn McLeod KG6YIT E
Scott Overstreet N6NXI P
David Pratt K6LWT E
Bob Rowe AF6LD E
Miles Seiver KI6LDU P
Terry Smith K7YNO E
"Smitty" Smithwick W6CS P
Maynard Stevenson W7MVT P
Jerry Tomanek, Secretary AF6HY P
Gary Waldeck K6AIR P
Al Whaley KV6U E
Sam Wood K6MSR E
Associate Members Call Sign
Peter Berman K6PJB
Bob Lisbonne KG6HOD
Ed Radlo AJ6V
Bob Fenwick K6GX
Other Hams present
Jigze Couperus VQ4CT
Council Liaison
Rich Larsen KI6VMW P
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Ed Jones. Scott Overstreet moved to
approve the minutes of the January meeting, Rick Ellinger seconded and the motion passed.
There will be a town drill April 29 that will include CERTs as well as hams. Steve Garcia wants
ham radios in the emergency trailer for the drill. An equipment list has been prepared and most of
it has been purchased. Gary Waldeck will followup on the unpurchased items.
Gary Waldeck and Ed Jones made a presentation to the Fire District board on January 20. Gary
reported that using the Foothill fire station as a backup EOC is likely to go ahead in July, 2009.
The Town has to provide funds for the project. The Fire Chief has strongly endorsed the project.
Ed Jones spoke about getting equipment for the new members of this committee. Scott
Overstreet will get the equipment numbers of the vests, both heavy and thin, and the hard hats.
Scott Overstreet and Jim Abraham will recommend a radio for the equipment list. Ed Jones will
poll the committee members for other needs. Some committee members can turn in the town
issued radios since they have others to use.
Council liaison Rich Larsen noted that part of the Town Council members will participate in the
April 29 drill. He reported on his meeting with the County emergency preparedness council. The
status of area airports was discussed and Moffett is well situated. It was noted that the
Emergency Managers Association can call on the FAA when appropriate. It was also noted that a
condition for the tenancy of the group flying the dirigible was to fly NASA missions in an
emergency, serving as a low flying communications platform. A citizens advisory committee will
be created by the Emergency Preparedness Council. Finally Rich noted that he would call on
ATT to talk about their new cell phone towers.
Under old business, Ed Jones reported that he talked to Steve Garcia about our committee being
reluctant to deal with horses and other large animals in an emergency and Steve agreed with our
position.
In new business the importance of the April 29 drill was stressed. It will provide training as well as
public relations for our committee. It was mentioned that the purchase of equipment for new
committee members will probably come from allocated funds, not the general fund. And it was
noted that several committee members participated in the January 24 county drill: the ham and
city radios and the packet terminal checked out well.
Rick Ellinger reported on the Monday night checkins, noting that packet and UHF were active.
Scott Overstreet felt that our participation on the Monday night net has been very low.
Gary Waldeck spoke about the PAVE/PAWS interference issue on the 440 band. Many repeaters
within 150 miles of Beale AFB have been shut down. TV stations have been a major source of
interference but are now closing.
Jim Abraham noted that there is an upcoming DSTAR issue. Some people want to squeeze
spectrum allocations closer together, potentially making radios currently in use obsolete.
Jerry Tomanek moved to adjourn at 8 pm, Jim Abraham seconded and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Tomanek
LAHECC Secretary