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A Simulated Emergency Test

LNL ARES members should try to participate in at least one annual SET. A SET is a training exercise designed to test plans, procedures, policy and equipment under conditions which most resemble those which may be present in a real-life emergency situation · A SET should follow standard operating practices. SETs are not meant to test people in their emergency roles - this may create undue stress · SETs are meant to be a learning experience - if things go wrong, that is part of the experience · Lessons learned from conducting SETs will contribute to the overall state of readiness · SETs may be conducted at varying intervals and at varying degrees, from simple table-top exercises involving only ARES members, to full-scale exercises involving other emergency service organizations.

SETs should be well-planned and depict scenarios that are relevant to the location. This could include the use of ARES antennas and equipment including the MCP (Mobile Command Post). Test messages should carry the word 'TEST' before the precedence; that is, 'Test Priority' on phone and 'TEST P' on CW.The following are a few guidelines from the RAC website Preparing for SET Emergency Coordinators

1. Sign up all available amateurs in the area under your jurisdiction and work them into your SET plans. Make special efforts to attract newly licensed Amateurs.

2. Call a meeting of all ARES members and prospective members to briefly outline (no details!) SET activities, and give general instructions. Do not divulge the exact time or nature of the test to them at this time. This should come as a surprise. Take this opportunity to register new ARES members and get up-to-date information on others. Hold an on-the-air meeting if it's not possible to meet in person.

3. Contact the agencies served by LNL ARES and explain the intent and overall purpose of the SET. Offer to send test messages to other branches of their agencies, and invite officials to your ARES meetings and SET operating sites.

4. Contact officials of any adjacent communities having no active amateurs and offer to provide representation in amateur networks for them as well.

5. Arrange publicity in local newspapers and radio/TV stations by preparing an announcement and/or inviting the press to observe your group's SET operation.

6. Set up liaison with one or more NTS local/section nets (if you don't already have liaison) so you will have an outlet for all messages out of the local area

7. Formulate your plans around a simulated disaster. Possible 'plots' include: a flood, a serious fire, an ice storm, a missing person, a serious accident (automobile, bus, boat or aircraft), a broken gas line, and so forth. Elaborate on the situation by developing a scenario, but please be realistic.

During the SET

1. Announce the emergency situation. Activate the emergency net. Dispatch mobiles to served agencies

2. Have designated stations originate messages on behalf of served agencies. Test messages may be sent simulating requests for supplies. Simulated emergency messages (just like real emergency messages) should be signed by an authorized official.

3. Emphasize tactical communications for served agencies.

4. As warranted by traffic loads, have liaison stations on hand to receive traffic on the local net and relay to your section net. You should also be sure that there is a representative on each session of the section net to receive traffic going to the local area.

5. Operate at least one session (or substantial segment of a session) of the local net on emergency-only basis. Or, if a repeater is on emergency power, allow only emergency-powered stations to operate through the repeater for a certain time period.

After the SET An important post-SET activity is a critique session to discuss the test results. All ARES members should be invited to the meeting to review good points and weaknesses apparent in the drill. Emphasize ways to improve procedures, techniques, and coordination with all groups involved. Report your group's effort and include any photos, clippings and other items of interest.