8a. April 13, 2005 NCO Training

Net Control Operator Training - Joint Drill April 13, 2005

Purpose

To establish a working relationship sharing common practices and operating procedures between participating counties in preparation for emergency communications on a regional level.

Training

This month’s training will target Net Control Operators with preparing them in handling a large volume of traffic during an Emergency situation.

The training is also designed to teach field operators what not to do during an emergency situation that is written into the training script.

Scenario

A tropical storm has entered the area from the Gulf of Mexico and has over the past 12 hours, dumped a huge amount of rain in our area.

The center of the slow moving tropical depression is moving along the Ohio-Indiana border north and is expected to shift eastward along the I-70 corridor over the next 24-36 hours.

Butler County ARES was activated by Emergency Management and Red Cross to keep them informed to the current flood conditions.

They are already in their second operational period.

Additional resources from the surrounding counties are being brought in as relief operators that will be assigned to Net Control functions and field reporting positions.

Reports from around the county continue to pour into the ARECC, as well as information of major flooding problems occurring north of Butler County from other county EOC’s and the State EMA-EOC.

The following information is being provided for the benefit of the EC’s only and should not be known to the participants of the training.

Required Personnel

For the purposes of this drill, we would like to have 2 Net Control Operators from each of the three (3) visiting counties, or a total of 6 from the participating counties.

The Plan

• There will be three (3) TACTICAL Nets operational simultaneously.

• Each of the three nets will be handling identical traffic, so at the end of the training, we can compare the performance of each NCO (apples to apples).

• During the drill we will have a NCO "shift change", the script will repeat itself as often as needed to keep the training going.

Targeted Concepts

Field Units:

• What is an Emergency?

• Shorten transmission air time.

• What NOT TO say.

• What NOT TO DO.

• What to and not to report-over the radio.

Net Control Operators:

• Control of the net

• Net Calls

• Tracking operator locations

• Record Keeping-Logging

• Relaying urgency messages

• Keeping track of operators

• What to do if an operator does not answer

• Tracking request to make notifications

• Confirming those notifications

• Handling the net under pressure

Net Managers:

• When to start another Tactical Net

• How to divide the territory involved

Drill Players - Net Control Operators X 3

ARECC Positions

• ARECC Net Manager -

• Net Control Operator TAC 1 –

• Net Control Operator TAC 2 –

• Net Control Operator TAC 3 –

• Formal Traffic Net -

• Person to Update Map –

Traffic Senders

• Butler County EMA-EOC Operator –

• Logan County EMA-EOC-

• Ohio EMA-EOC Columbus

• Red Cross Hamilton – TAC Net

• Red Cross Middletown – TAC Net

• Red Cross Hamilton Office Formal Traffic Net–

• Red Cross Middletown Office Formal Traffic Net–

• Red Cross Shelter-Trenton

Field Assignments

• River Observer 1 - Rivera Drive & Breiel Blvd

• River Observer 2 - Verity Parkway & Germantown Road

• River Observer 3 - Central Ave & Carmody Blvd

• River Observer 4 - SR73 & Just East of the River

• River Observer 5 - RT 4 & RT 63

• River Observer 6 - RT 4 & Liberty Fairfield Road

• River Observer 7 - SR127 & Seven Mile Ave

• River Observer 8 - Butler County EMA-EOC Operator

• River Observer 9 - SR128 & Hine Rd

• River Observer 10 - SR127 & Nilles Road

• River Observer 11 - Layhigh Rd at top of the Hill

Facilitators Briefing

FACILITATORS:

The IC or Operations Officer will make assignments from the assignment sheet.

Once our main briefing of all participants has concluded:

• Find different spots in the rear of the auditorium to stand.

• First we will identify 8 Net Control Operators for the first round.

• They will be told to go to the ARECC Facilitator in the rear of the auditorium and you will escort them to the Radio Room. (Make sure they know who you are)

• Once those folks have left the auditorium, we will begin briefing the field unit players.

We hope to have enough participants for:

• 33- Field Reporting positions (11 per TAC Net)

• 14- Operators to fill in as EMA-Red Cross & other nets

• 4- As Standby Nets

• Total needed is 51 people

If we do not have 51 people to fill the spots, we will have to use some short cuts.

• First to go is the Red Cross Formal Traffic Nets. (-2 of 14)

• The Red Cross Shelter Net can be handled by the Facilitator as it is short lived. (-1 of 14)

• The Red Cross Hamilton TAC Net can also be handled by one of the other "Senders" as this roll too is short lived. (-1 of 14)

• That leaves 10 needed just as the agency’s nets.

• Field Units can run with as few as 5 per group with the following rotation.

• Operator #1 – River 1 and River 6

• Operator #2 – River 2 and River 8

• Operator #3 – River 3 and River 9

• Operator #4 – River 4 and River 10

• Operator #5 – River 5 and River 11

• The facilitator can read the traffic from River #7 – that one is short lived.

We will coordinate the drill as best as possible on the FACILITATORS NET 446.025 PL 100.0 or 155.160 PL 103.5

Heads Up:

• We can almost guarantee you that there is going to be a lot of upset people.

• From what we have been hearing on the weekly nets some of these guys still do not know how to use tactical call signs.

• Luckily the drill has a written dialog that DOES emphasize HOW it is suppose to be done, except it was not written into it to end with your FCC call. BRIEF your crew to give their FCC call at the end of their transmission.

• This indicates your exchange is complete, and it fulfills the FCC requirement for 10-minute ID.

• They are also not ready to handle a high volume of traffic, all emergency traffic, with multiple requests for them to notify a multitude of agencies etc. all in a short time span.

• These are problem we anticipate. Encourage them to hand around for the debriefing.

Additional Information:

• All three TACTICAL Nets will be getting the same exact script read to each of them.

• This is so we can later compare apples to apples. Different scripts on different nets would leave us nothing to compare to. The only arguments that will stand is how the information was delivered.

• Watch your scripts. Facilitators parts are marked in red where you need to do something.

• NOT everything marked in RED will pertain to your particular assignment.

• Go through it and if you have questions ASK NOW.

• ARECC facilitator only has ONE INJECT to deal with-changing of NCO operators-do that by letting the ARECC Net manager know it is time to change over.

• The RED INJECTS are director notes-so act on them accordingly.

Facilitators Script Guide - Check the envelope to see who you are and look up your location on this sheet of paper

The initial "check-ins" can be a "normal" net pace. The first round will be your first "observation" from your assignment.

(Script begins here)

Pace: 10-15 seconds between reports

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1 –

I am at Rivera Drive & Breiel Blvd.

The water at the railroad bridge is better than half way up on the supports and it is gathering a lot of debris.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

I am at Verity Parkway & Germantown Road

From here I can see people loading vehicles and evacuating Poast Town. There is some activity at the airport, it looks like they are loading some planes on trailers and trying to fly some out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inject – Ohio EMA broadcast on State Disaster Net

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 –

I am at Central Ave & Carmody Blvd

I can see most of west Middletown from here. It looks like the flood water is just starting to fill the streets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

I am at SR-73 East of the River

I am in a position to view the east side of Trenton. The river is really getting high here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inject – Begin Red Cross Formal Net

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

I am at Rt-4 & SR-63

There is already water crossing Rt 4 from this little creek that runs under the road. You might want to notify someone to come out here and put up some high water signs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inject – Middletown Red Cross Message #1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 –

I am at Rt-4 & Liberty Fairfield Rd

Water here is already up to the bottoms of most of the telephone poles. Some of the road is covered too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #7-

I am at SR-127 & Seven Mile Ave

I have the same thing to report here, roads are partially covered and the water seems to be rising.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inject – Middletown Red Cross Message #2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 –

I am at City Building on High St. 4th floor west side of building

The river is almost to the bottom of all the bridges crossing it. It won’t be long before they will need to be closed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 -

I am at SR-128 & Hine Rd

The river is up to the edge of the road at this location. SR128 will soon be underwater.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #10 –

I am at SR127 & Nilles Rd New Library building

The river was up to the water plant about 10 minutes ago. I could see it on my way here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inject – Logan Co EMA Dam Break Announcement

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 -

I am at Layhigh rd ½ mile east of Windy Knoll Dr

The river is the highest I have seen it in a long time. It looks to be about ½ way up on the SR-27 overpass. Wish we had a "depth" marked on one of those supports so I could better judge the depth of the water.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Real Drill Starts Here!

Pace: 1 second or less between reports-until Net Control slows down the pace.

****************************************************************************

River #1 – (break in on previous report)

I have EMERGENCY TRAFFIC.

A huge debris pile and wall of water just hit the Conrail bridge at my location.

The bridge has collapsed and is being washed down river.

Notify Conrail they no longer have a bridge to cross here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT –

Red Cross Middletown Message #3

Red Cross Hamilton Message #1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

Oh my god a wall of water just wiped out Poast Town, I can see several mobile homes and pieces of mobile homes afloat going down stream.

I have no idea how many made it out.

What airplanes were left behind at the airport are now gone too. I can see a couple tail sections sticking up out of the water but they are all washing downstream.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 –

Most of West Middletown has water to the second floor of 90% of the buildings.

Houses are submerged or have been washed away.

Check with Red Cross to see if everyone got out to another shelter.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

Trenton is completely underwater. It was like a tidal wave just swept through here taking everything with it. I don’t know how anyone could have gotten out in time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

RT 4 in front of Americana is under 10-15 feet of water, people are trying to drive through it!

I just saw two cars float away from trying. We need someone out here to block this road NOW!

I’m stopping them from this side but I can’t get to the other side.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Red Cross Shelter – Message #1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 -

Woodsdale and Rockdale are underwater. It didn’t seem like the main wave hit the towns head on-it just filled with water real quick. I didn’t hear any sirens alerting them. I don’t know how they could have got out in time.

Hey, there are two people hanging on to some debris floating down stream-they are yelling and waving at me for help. They are not too far off the bank if you can tell the post downstream from me they may be able to get them out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #7-

I have a 50 foot rope in my car! I will go get it and see if I can toss it to them. (This is your last transmission. You just drowned! Note the time of your transmission and how much time lapse there is before the NCO checks up on you. Also note if anyone is sent to check on you.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 –

All the bridges across the river are no longer visible. I don’t know if they are just debris and water covered or if they are totally washed out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 –

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC!

SR-128 about 1 mile south of the city limits a gasoline tanker truck was driving in the flood water and was swept off the road. The driver was still in the cab blowing his air horn as it went in!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA Message # 2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #10 –

The water has reached all the way to SR-127 / Pleasant Ave. and is about a foot deep on the first floor at the library.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 –

By the time the tidal wave got to here with all the debris, it hit the overpass with such force that all the cars on the bridge were tossed into the water.

Ross looks to be gone. And that debris pile that passed through just took out the large steel towers carrying the high tension cables just south of here.

Notify CG&E they have a major set of lines down.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 -

Poast Town is now completely underwater. I am not sure where they were at in the evacuation process. Several mobile homes are afloat in the backwash. Someone needs to check the area for any survivors!

Hook Field is also totally under water. I can see several of the aircraft being washed down stream; I can still see tail fins on some of the one’s still anchored down. The water is up to the base of the control tower. I don’t see anyone around. I couldn’t get any tail numbers off the planes washed away.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 -

I can see most of West Middletown from here. Flood waters up to the second floors of most of the buildings and houses. I have seen several mobile homes being washed away.

There is no signs of any survivors.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Net Control Operator Change Out!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 -

The eastside of Trenton is completely underwater. Several buildings have collapsed or have been washed away. It all looks pretty flat from here. I don’t know how they could have all gotten out in time. It looks like the whole town is gone..

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 -

Rt 4 near Americana is under at least 10-15 feet of water. There were occupied cars in the dip in the road when the initial tidal wave covered the road. I don’t think the park had been totally evacuated either. Notify Fire-Rescue that they will need to get out here and check for survivors.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 -

Rockdale and Woodsdale are both underwater up to the tops of the telephone poles.

Most of the buildings and houses are all underwater. I will continue to check the area with binoculars from my location.

Wait, wait a minute, I have one-no, two people clinging onto a TV antenna tower that looks like a 50 foot Rohn 25G, almost in the middle of Woodsdale.

They appear to be near the top of the tower but only about 5 feet out of the water. It looks like they are around Augspurger Rd and Grant Lane. We need Fire-Rescue here Immediately!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 -

Downtown Hamilton has extensive flooding with water reaching as high as the 2cd and 3rd floors on most buildings.

The Columbia Bridge is either under water or completely gone.

Conditions of the remaining bridges across the river are unknown-

They can not be seen due to the high water.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #6

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 -

It appears the town of Ross is Gone!

The flooding as far as I can see, goes as far north to the first floor at the new Ross high school and as far south as I can see, west to the bottom of the hill on Layhigh and as far as I can see east into Hamilton County.

The water is only about 10 feet from the bottom of the bridge at US27, debris is catching on the bottom of the overpass.

(wait a few seconds)

Control, Stand By a minute, I just hearing a loud roar and saw a huge blue corona and fireball south of this location.

Control, I can see two of the large high-tension line towers, both are leaning toward one another.

It appears they have been moved by the initial tidal wave and the wires are actually hanging in the water, possibly struck by that gasoline tanker.

It looks to be just south of the Butler-Hamilton county line, south of SR-126 in Ross.

Notify CINergy as soon as possible they need to turn the power off to those lines ASAP!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

I have 5 people clinging to tree’s about 150 yards from me.

We need someone up here to get them out of the water right away!

Notify water rescue!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1 -

There are only about 6-8 houses still standing-I have at least 2-3 people on the roof’s of those houses! They are yelling for help! They see me and I am trying to tell them to stay put that we will get someone to them, but I don’t think they can hear me over the noise of the water.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INJECT – Butler County EMA – Message #7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

A tow truck at my location has snagged a school bus with kids on board that was stuck in the high water. The force of the water is pulling the bus and his truck into the water-he needs help here immediately or we will loose them all.

Advise an ETA on another tow truck- hopefully a bigger one!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 –

The 127 bridge over the river is beginning to sway badly- someone needs to stop all the traffic and get those people off that bridge-I think it is about ready to go!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 –

Is there any word on Water Rescue? How long is it going to take to get them out here to these people-we’re still loosing some of them!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 -

We need a tow truck here right away!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 –

Send a life squad to my location- I have 6.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

Did you ever get hold of water rescue about these people trapped in their car out here!?

It is not going down any – if anything it is continuing to rise!

OSP is here and they need an ETA for water rescue!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 -

One of the people hanging on that tower fell off and I can no longer see them. The second one is still clinging on, but it looks like he is getting weaker. Any clue when water rescue might show up?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 - (you're hacked off because nothing has been done)

I heard somebody ask for an update from here. No thanks to your speediness in getting another tow truck out here that has not shown up yet, half the bus is under water, the tow truck driver has drown and half the kids are hanging on to the top of the bus.

The rest are still trapped inside. Think you guys can do something like make a phone call the right way and actually get us some help out here before they all die!?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1 -

Are you guys making calls at all?

Now we have a train in the river that apparently did not know the bridge was out!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***** Go back to "The Real Drill Starts Here" and keep reading-until a facilitator stops you.*****

Participants Briefing - Early this morning the National Weather Service activate SKYWARN to report flooded area’s and high water so warnings can be issued

• Early yesterday morning the National Weather Service activated SKYWARN to report flooded and high water areas so warnings can be issued.

• A tropical depression has moved inland and now covers the tri-state area. Over 2-4 inches of rain have already fallen over the past 12 hours with more on the way.

• Many streams and tributaries are well above flood stage, and many area’s are inaccessible due to the rapidly rising water.

• Storms to our north are producing 3+ inches of rain per hour. The effected area is north of I-70 and west of SR-23.

• The Great Miami River is the largest concern since several communities border it.

• Evacuation has begun in some of the "most common to flood" zones.

• You will be positioned in strategic locations to monitor the river, evacuation, and any other problems that might arise. OBSERVE AND REPORT.

• Red Cross needs a quick disaster assessment as soon as possible so shelters can be setup.

Latest Briefing Update

• Rain over the past 24 hours has been heavy with rain accumulations of between 3-5 inches locally.

• Many streets are already closed due to high water and the normal low lying area’s have been reporting moderate flooding.

• ARES-RACES teams have been activated by the County EMA and Red Cross to keep them informed as to where the worst flooding is occurring.

• Many streams including the Great Miami are already 5 to 7 feet above flood stage and many area’s are nearly inaccessible due to the rapidly rising water.

• The National Weather Service has advised that the heaviest rainfall is still to our north with some areas north of I-70 and west of SR-23 getting 6-8 inches of rainfall in the past 24 hours.

• The heaviest rain in our area should end around 1100 hrs with continued light rain before clearing by late afternoon or early evening.

• The Great Miami is expected to crest 10-12 feet above flood stage by 1500 hrs. the day after tomorrow.

• Red Cross and EMA would like us to remain in the area to assist with damage assessment after the water recedes.

Main Script - Check the envelope to see who you are - look up your location on this sheet of paper

• 1st Call the Net Control Operator with your Tactical Call Sign, Give Your Location, and then your FCC call sign.

• Make sure all 11 Rivers checks into the NCO before beginning with the script.

• Pre-read your next line and try to sound excited-play it up, be emotional, we are trying to push the NCO’s to their limits.

• When the "action" begins do not leave more than a 1-2 second break between reports. Keep it coming hard & fast, until the NCO sets the pace-follow their lead as you would in any net.

• The initial "check-ins" can be a "normal" net pace. The first round will be your first "observation" from your assignment.

(Script begins here)

Pace: 10-15 seconds between reports

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1 –

I am at Rivera Drive & Breiel Blvd.

The water at the railroad bridge is better than half way up on the supports and it is gathering a lot of debris.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

I am at Verity Parkway & Germantown Road

From here I can see people loading vehicles and evacuating Poast Town. There is some activity at the airport, it looks like they are loading some planes on trailers and trying to fly some out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 –

I am at Central Ave & Carmody Blvd

I can see most of west Middletown from here. It looks like the flood water is just starting to fill the streets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

I am at SR-73 East of the River

I am in a position to view the east side of Trenton. The river is really getting high here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

I am at Rt-4 & SR-63

There is already water crossing Rt 4 from this little creek that runs under the road. You might want to notify someone to come out here and put up some high water signs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 –

I am at Rt-4 & Liberty Fairfield Rd

Water here is already up to the bottoms of most of the telephone poles. Some of the road is covered too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #7-

I am at SR-127 & Seven Mile Ave

I have the same thing to report here, roads are partially covered and the water seems to be rising.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 –

I am at City Building on High St. 4th floor west side of building

The river is almost to the bottom of all the bridges crossing it. It won’t be long before they will need to be closed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 -

I am at SR-128 & Hine Rd

The river is up to the edge of the road at this location. SR128 will soon be underwater.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #10 –

I am at SR127 & Nilles Rd New Library building

The river was up to the water plant about 10 minutes ago. I could see it on my way here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 -

I am at Layhigh rd ½ mile east of Windy Knoll Dr

The river is the highest I have seen it in a long time. It looks to be about ½ way up on the SR-27 overpass. Wish we had a "depth" marked on one of those supports so I could better judge the depth of the water.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Real Drill Starts Here!

Pace: 1 second or less between reports-until Net Control slows down the pace.

****************************************************************************

River #1 – (break in on previous report)

I have EMERGENCY TRAFFIC.

A huge debris pile and wall of water just hit the Conrail bridge at my location.

The bridge has collapsed and is being washed down river.

Notify Conrail they no longer have a bridge to cross here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

Oh my god a wall of water just wiped out Poast Town, I can see several mobile homes and pieces of mobile homes afloat going down stream.

I have no idea how many made it out.

What airplanes were left behind at the airport are now gone too. I can see a couple tail sections sticking up out of the water but they are all washing downstream.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 –

Most of West Middletown has water to the second floor of 90% of the buildings.

Houses are submerged or have been washed away.

Check with Red Cross to see if everyone got out to another shelter.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

Trenton is completely underwater. It was like a tidal wave just swept through here taking everything with it. I don’t know how anyone could have gotten out in time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

RT 4 in front of Americana is under 10-15 feet of water, people are trying to drive through it!

I just saw two cars float away from trying. We need someone out here to block this road NOW!

I’m stopping them from this side but I can’t get to the other side.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 -

Woodsdale and Rockdale are underwater. It didn’t seem like the main wave hit the towns head on-it just filled with water real quick. I didn’t hear any sirens alerting them. I don’t know how they could have got out in time.

Hey, there are two people hanging on to some debris floating down stream-they are yelling and waving at me for help. They are not too far off the bank if you can tell the post downstream from me they may be able to get them out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #7-

I have a 50 foot rope in my car! I will go get it and see if I can toss it to them.

(This is your last transmission. You just drowned! Note the time of your transmission and how much time lapse there is before the NCO checks up on you. Also note if anyone is sent to check on you.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 –

All the bridges across the river are no longer visible. I don’t know if they are just debris and water covered or if they are totally washed out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 –

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC!

SR-128 about 1 mile south of the city limits a gasoline tanker truck was driving in the flood water and was swept off the road. The driver was still in the cab blowing his air horn as it went in!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #10 –

The water has reached all the way to SR-127 / Pleasant Ave. and is about a foot deep on the first floor at the library.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 –

By the time the tidal wave got to here with all the debris, it hit the overpass with such force that all the cars on the bridge were tossed into the water.

Ross looks to be gone. And that debris pile that passed through just took out the large steel towers carrying the high tension cables just south of here.

Notify CG&E they have a major set of lines down.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 -

Poast Town is now completely underwater. I am not sure where they were at in the evacuation process. Several mobile homes are afloat in the backwash. Someone needs to check the area for any survivors!

Hook Field is also totally under water. I can see several of the aircraft being washed down stream; I can still see tail fins on some of the one’s still anchored down. The water is up to the base of the control tower. I don’t see anyone around. I couldn’t get any tail numbers off the planes washed away.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #3 -

I can see most of West Middletown from here. Flood waters up to the second floors of most of the buildings and houses. I have seen several mobile homes being washed away.

There is no signs of any survivors.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 -

The east side of Trenton is completely underwater. Several buildings have collapsed or have been washed away. It all looks pretty flat from here. I don’t know how they could have all gotten out in time. It looks like the whole town is gone..

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 -

Rt 4 near Americana is under at least 10-15 feet of water. There were occupied cars in the dip in the road when the initial tidal wave covered the road. I don’t think the park had been totally evacuated either. Notify Fire-Rescue that they will need to get out here and check for survivors.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 -

Rockdale and Woodsdale are both underwater up to the tops of the telephone poles.

Most of the buildings and houses are all underwater. I will continue to check the area with binoculars from my location.

Wait, wait a minute, I have one-no, two people clinging onto a TV antenna tower that looks like a 50 foot Rohn 25G, almost in the middle of Woodsdale.

They appear to be near the top of the tower but only about 5 feet out of the water. It looks like they are around Augspurger Rd and Grant Lane. We need Fire-Rescue here Immediately!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8 -

Downtown Hamilton has extensive flooding with water reaching as high as the 2cd and 3rd floors on most buildings.

The Columbia Bridge is either under water or completely gone.

Conditions of the remaining bridges across the river are unknown-

They can not be seen due to the high water.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 -

It appears the town of Ross is Gone!

The flooding as far as I can see, goes as far north to the first floor at the new Ross high school and as far south as I can see, west to the bottom of the hill on Layhigh and as far as I can see east into Hamilton County.

The water is only about 10 feet from the bottom of the bridge at US27, debris is catching on the bottom of the overpass.

(wait a few seconds)

Control, Stand By a minute, I just hearing a loud roar and saw a huge blue corona and fireball south of this location.

Control, I can see two of the large high-tension line towers, both are leaning toward one another.

It appears they have been moved by the initial tidal wave and the wires are actually hanging in the water, possibly struck by that gasoline tanker.

It looks to be just south of the Butler-Hamilton county line, south of SR-126 in Ross.

Notify CINergy as soon as possible they need to turn the power off to those lines ASAP!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #2 –

I have 5 people clinging to tree’s about 150 yards from me.

We need someone up here to get them out of the water right away! Notify water rescue!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1-

There are only about 6-8 houses still standing-I have at least 2-3 people on the roof’s of those houses! They are yelling for help! They see me and I am trying to tell them to stay put that we will get someone to them, but I don’t think they can hear me over the noise of the water.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 –

A tow truck at my location has snagged a school bus with kids on board that was stuck in the high water. The force of the water is pulling the bus and his truck into the water-he needs help here immediately or we will loose them all.

Advise an ETA on another tow truck- hopefully a bigger one!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #11 –

The 127 bridge over the river is beginning to sway badly- someone needs to stop all the traffic and get those people off that bridge-I think it is about ready to go!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6 –

Is there any word on Water Rescue? How long is it going to take to get them out here to these people-we’re still loosing them!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #8-

We need a tow truck here right away!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #9 –

Send a life squad to my location- I have 6.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #5 –

Did you ever get hold of water rescue about these people trapped in their car out here!?

It is not going down any – if anything it is continuing to rise!

OSP is here and they need an ETA for water rescue!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #6

One of the people hanging on that tower fell off and I can no longer see them. The second one is still clinging on, but it looks like he is getting weaker. Any clue when water rescue might show up?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #4 (your hacked off because nothing has been done)

I heard somebody ask for an update from here. No thanks to your speediness in getting another tow truck out here that has not shown up yet, half the bus is under water, the tow truck driver has drown and half the kids are hanging on to the top of the bus.

The rest are still trapped inside. Think you guys can do something like make a phone call the right way and actually get us some help out here before they all die!?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

River #1

Are you guys making calls at all?

Now we have a train in the river that apparently did not know the bridge was out!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***** Go back to "The Real Drill Starts Here" and keep reading-until a facilitator stops you. *****

Ohio EMA Columbus MARCS Net Radio Traffic - On a secondary frequency - W8CCI Net Control will get simulated emergency messages on the state disaster frequency

• Read After River Observer # 8 gives his/her location.

• Use the STATE EMA Net Frequency

********************************************************************************************

This is a test this is a test this is a test.

This is (your call) with simulated emergency traffic all stations please standby to take copy.

Attention all stations with jurisdictions bordering the Great Miami River, the dam at Indian Lake has broken due to the heavy rain fall.

This has created a tidal wave - like wall of water.

Attention all stations south of I-70 in southwestern Ohio.

Repeating: This is (your call) with simulated emergency traffic all stations please standby to take copy.

Attention all stations with jurisdictions bordering the Great Miami River, the dam at Indian Lake has broken due to the heavy rain fall.

This has created a tidal wave - like wall of water.

Attention all stations south of I-70 in southwestern Ohio.

This is a test this is a test this is a test

********************************************************************************************

Logan County EMA MARCS Net Radio Traffic - ARES/RACES teams have already been activated by the Butler County EMA and Red Cross to keep them informed as to where the worst flooding is occurring

• Begin this message as River Observer 11 gives his/her location.

• Use the EMA State Disaster Net Frequency.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a test message, and a test message only.

"THIS IS (your call sign) at the Logan County Ohio Office of the Emergency Management Agency, WITH EMERGENCY TRAFFIC FOR ALL STAIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL OHIO– ALL STATIONS PLEASE TAKE COPY"

Over 7 inches of rainfall over the past 24 hrs has caused the dam at Indian Lake to give way.

Most of Logan County was already heavily flooded prior to the failure of the dam.

This is a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for anyone downstream of Indian Lake.

National Weather Service and Army Corp of Engineers have confirmed the initial wall of water has reached what was the town of Logansville with an estimated 30 foot wall of water a mile wide.

All persons should immediately evacuate the Great Miami River waterway and move quickly to higher ground.

This is (your call sign) –clear with the test message. This has been a test.

Red Cross Shelter - Trenton, OH TAC Net Traffic - On a secondary frequency- W8CCI Net Control will get a simulated emergency messages on the state disaster frequency

Message#1 – (Read after River 5 reports Americana is 10-15 feet under water)

Tactical Call Sign: Trenton

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have 336 from Middletown, 192 from Poast Town, and 56 from Hamilton.

We are compiling a list of the number of family members and will account for who we have here.

We are going to need 600 cots, blankets and (stop transmitting-this is going to be a mystery. NCO won’t know if the tidal wave just got you or if your batteries just died!)

Red Cross Middletown Office - TAC Net Traffic - (this will take place after notification of a “tidal wave” coming down the Great Miami)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #1: (this will be read immediately after the broadcast about the "tidal wave" coming down the Great Miami)

This is Red Cross Middletown - Do you have any idea when the main BODY of water will reach us?

We need to know how deep they expect it to be and how wide when it reaches Middletown.

We have 8 to 10 shelters full of people that may be in the flood plain!

(as the EMA and Red Cross operators hear things happening (on the net, on the scanner, on TV & commercial radio-ask for a better description, to repeat the last traffic from ?????, etc. Also demand updates every 5 minutes on the progress of the tidal wave.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #2: (after reading message #1, allow 2 river observer reports, then read this message)

This is Red Cross Middletown - We heard on the scanner that most of Dayton was wiped out by the tidal wave.

We need an estimated time that thing will get here!

We are trying to Evac our shelters now – but it could take some time.

We need to know a time frame NOW!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #3: (Read immediately after River 1’s EMERGENCY TRAFFIC! The Conrail bridge collapsed)

This is Red Cross Middletown - EVAC EVAC EVAC EVAC NOW! Everyone get out of the river valley IT’s HERE – IT’s HERE!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #4:

This is Red Cross Middletown – Is there any word from anyone from the Hamilton Chapter?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #5:

This is Red Cross Middletown – Has there been any contact with anyone that was at the Trenton Shelter?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Red Cross Hamilton Office TAC Net Traffic - (Middletown will have traffic first-this immediately follows)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #1 - (read as River 1 reports EMERGENCY TRAFFIC – wall of water took out the Conrail bridge.)

We are abandoning our 2cd street building and moving everything we can to the Hanover Twp. Fire Department off SR-503.

The caravan will be leaving the chapter shortly.

Water is already covering the streets at this location.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(The bad news is the 5 vehicle caravan was on the Columbia bridge when it washed out-so this is the last thing heard from RC Hamilton.)

Red Cross Shelter - Formal Net Traffic - From Red Cross Hamilton

The Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross has received a number of request to "Check on the well being of" families in the storm affected area via the telephone, FAX and email at the Middletown and Hamilton offices.

Amateur operators at the two office locations are forwarding request to the ARECC-EOC for assignment to field units.

These messages need to be formatted into NTS Radiogram message format and sent to the ARECC-EOC for processing.

An operator at the ARECC-EOC will copy the messages and operations will assign ICS-214’s to each message for a field operator to follow up on.

Begin sending your messages after River Observer #4 gives his/her location.

Butler County EMA TAC Net Traffic - (Read after Red Cross Hamilton traffic)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #1:

EOC - Can you confirm the origin of that message in reference to the dam breaking. We can not get a hold of EMA in that county from here, and all the phone lines at the EOC Columbus are busy.

(as the EMA and Red Cross operators here things happening-ask for a better description, repeat the last traffic from ?????, demand updates on the situation, etc.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #2:

EOC - It has been confirmed that the Columbia Bridge has been completely washed out.

Our roof observers confirmed a Red Cross caravan on the bridge when it was washed out.

It is unknown if the other bridges are still intact-the water level is still too high to tell their condition.

The various police and fire authorities are confirming at least 8 known communities that have been completely swept away.

They are also reporting the evacuations were not complete when the tidal wave hit.

Ohio Highway Patrol has dispatched 2 helicopters to assist in the search and rescue efforts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #3:

EOC – Mr. Turner over heard someone on net attempting a rescue. He is advising all amateur operators NOT to do that-please leave that to the professionally trained fire rescue people.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #4: (ask each question and wait for a reply)

EOC – You had a report of cars being knocked off an overpass.

Where was that happening?

How many cars went into the water?

Did you notify Water Rescue operations?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #5:

EOC – Mr. Turner would like an update of any reports where people have been swept away and the number of people involved if possible, as soon as possible.

We will relay that information to the Water Rescue folks as soon as we have it here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #6:

EOC – The report of the Columbia Bridge collapse WAS confirmed earlier by our roof observers here. It is in fact no longer where it was.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #7: (wait for a reply before asking the next question)

EOC - Where was the location of the five people stuck in the tree?

EOC - Can you repeat that traffic, we had interference here on this end?

EOC - Are there any other reports of people stuck?

EOC – Clear.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message #8: (wait for a reply before asking the next question)

We need an update on the situation involving the school bus loaded with kids.

Do you have any names of the kids on board?

Do you know the name on the bus or the drivers name?

Do you know if it is a local bus or did it wash down here from somewhere else?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drill Major Events List

1. Ohio EMA broadcast information about a dam collapse that would effect people along the Great Miami River:

• Did the NCO re-broadcast the message to the field units?

• How long did it take for the NCO to realize the information was essential to our operations?

• Did all field units acknowledge the broadcast via a net call?

2. Did the NCO perform regular NET CALLS?

3. Did the NCO attempt to notify anyone if a unit did not answer on a net call, or if the operator had not been heard from?

4. Did NCO send someone to check on a "missing" operator?

5. Conrail Bridge Collapse:

• Time of collapse noted?

• Did Net Control have someone notify Conrail?

• Did Net Control get confirmation that Conrail understood the situation?

• Are there any trains due to use the bridge?

• Who at Conrail did they talk to?

• Is there a call back number or emergency number to call?

6. Americana at RT-4

• Was notification made to Ohio Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, 911 center etc. to have the roadway closed to prevent people from driving through the high water?

7. River #7 - Attempts rescue they are not trained to do-and does not answer the radio after this action.

• How long does it take before the NCO notices River #7 is off the net?

• Does the NCO bring this to the attention of the ARECC Net Manager, IC or other staff?

• Is anyone sent to check on River 7?

8. What are the locations for these reports?

• Are the locations being recorded or just the call sign?

• How will someone without a "KEY" to where these folks are know what these reports are in reference to?

9. River #9 - Reported a tanker truck in the river.

• Was anyone notified about the situation?

• Was Butler or Hamilton County notified for a water rescue attempt?

• Did River #9 report the tanker floating or sinking to indicated if the tank was full or empty?

• Did NCO notify EPA? HAZMAT?

• 10,000 gallons of fuel in the water would be an environmental problem and a HAZMAT for anyone down stream.

10. River #11 - reported vehicles tossed into the water

• Was anyone notified about the situation?

• Was Butler or Hamilton County notified for a water rescue attempt?

• Was Butler or Hamilton County notified to fly over to search for survivors?

11. River 5 - reported the tidal wave hit Americana and requested fire-rescue be notified.

• Was fire rescue notified of the situation?

12. River 6 - Reports 2 clinging to a tower and request fire-rescue

• Was fire rescue notified of the situation?

13. River 8 - reporting the bridges over the river can no longer be seen and it is unknown if they are still there.

• Did NCO notify anyone to post road-bridge closed signs?

• If so who?

14. River 11 - request CG&E be notified.

• Was proper notifications made?

15. River 2 - request water rescue for 5 people clinging to a tree

• Was proper notifications made?

16. River 1 - requesting water rescue

• Was proper notifications made?

17. River 4 - request a big tow truck for another tow truck attempting to rescue a bus full of kids.

• Was proper notifications made?

18. River 11 - reports the bridge swaying and request traffic be stopped from being on the bridge.

• Was proper notifications made?

19. River 6 - request ETA of water rescue to that location

• Did NCO attempt to re-contact officials to get an ETA?

• Did NCO check on the status, availability, etc. while on the phone for 2cd time?