HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 20
Minutes
Town of Los Altos Hills
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
October 20, 2009 @ 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Roll call:
Member Call Sign Attended Absent
Jim Abraham W6EB P
Dru Anderson KG6LAD P
Bob Anderson KC6ZWG P
Ray Egan W6FQY E
Charlie Ellinger KI6JPM E
Rick Ellinger KJ6NU E
Andy Fawcett KI6MAF P
David Gilmour WQ1K E
Bob Hall KF6DHX P
Edwin R Jones, EC, Chair W7WPO P
Andrew Kirk WB6CLS P
Duncan MacMillan KI6VMY P
Lynn McLeod KG6YIT E
Scott Overstreet N6NXI P
David Pratt K6LWT E
Bob Rowe AF6LD E
Miles Seiver, Secretary KI6LDU P
Terry Smith K7YNO E
"Smitty" Smithwick W6CS E
Maynard Stevenson W7MVT P
Jerry Tomanek AF6HY P
Gary Waldeck K6AIR E
Al Whaley KV6U P
Sam Wood K6MSR E
Other Hams present
Council Liaison
Rich Larsen KI6VMW P
Chairman Ed Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
A move to accept the September minutes was made and the motion passed.
Rich Larsen, council liaison, introduced the new “LAH Neighborhood Network Program.” The
initiative is being led by Steve Garcia and the Community Relations Committee. Council
member Larsen recommended that a member of the ECC attend each neighborhood
meeting.
Rich Larsen reported he attended an October 6, 2009 tabletop exercise on town preparedness
and that a COPS fund was recently approved. He reminded the committee that there is a
request from Verizon for permission to renew its La Cresta antenna conditional use
permit. He asked for suggestions for conditions that might assist the ECC.
Jim Abraham, planning commissioner, stepped out of the meeting.
Scott Overstreet reported that he was contacted by Debbie Pedro in preparation for a new
Verizon installation on a tower near the EOC. Previous ECC recommendations had been
accepted by Verizon. Two new companies are interested in cell space on the EOC tower.
Overstreet noted that there is no space for new antennas on the tower and that any new
antennas would cause severe disruption.
Jim Abraham returned to the meeting.
Al Whaley described the new County MAC program which incorporates various levels of training
certifications. A recent drill in Cupertino served as a practical component of MAC training.
There is an upcoming County Hospital Drill. There is also a new MAC program guide
online.
Chairman Ed Jones will be unavailable to participate in the Monday night SPECS net or the Town
Net. The following individuals volunteered to check-in as AEC on SPECS and
announce/lead the Town Net: Oct 26-Al Whaley, Nov 2-Andy Fawcett, Nov 9-Dru
Anderson, and Nov 16-Andrew Kirk.
Chairman Ed Jones introduced the main topic of discussion for the meeting: CERT Trailer
Communications Plan. Chairman Jones suggested the use of packet radio to facilitate
more efficient communication between trailers. Al Whaley recommended that the trailers
include vertically separated antennas mounted to a fiberglass pole, preferably one 2-
meter antenna, one 70-centimeter antenna, and a GMRS antenna. Dru Anderson
suggested an alpha test of the new Communications Plan with CERT members. It is
important to determine the types of traffic that the trailers should expect. Jim Abraham
recommended that we drill holes to mount a bracket on the trailer for the antenna. Dru
Anderson, Al Whaley, Jerry Tomanek, and Scott Overstreet volunteered to form a
subcommittee to decide on equipment and communication plans for the CERT trailers.
Chaiman Ed Jones analyzed repeater coverage information from the August 8, 2009 ECC drill.
Scott Overstreet will further test spots in the Town with poor repeater coverage.
Jerry Tomanek reported an issue with the Town’s Rapid Notify system. Al Whaley described the
way the system works. Human error was responsible for any recent problems with the
system.
Chairman Ed Jones will contact Steve Garcia regarding new ECC vests.
Dru Anderson brought up the annual ECC holiday party. It was suggested that it be similar to
previous years’.
At 8:47 pm Bob Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, Scott Overstreet seconded, and the
motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Miles Seiver
LAHECC Secretary