SHELTER SURVEY – Elizabeth, CO

ARES® R1D5 is scheduled to conduct a survey of a public facility designated by the Elbert County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as a priority emergency shelter. This survey will allow preparation and update of an ARES® Key Location Form that details information necessary for deployed teams to respond to a shelter activation in a timely manner with the right communications equipment.

The crux of a shelter survey is propagation testing. We’ll be testing our primary amateur analog/DMR repeaters, Winlink RMS Gateways, and Simplex communication with the Douglas County EOC. The purpose is to determine how much antenna and radio capability deploying teams need to bring to the facility to operate effectively.

· We can use ARES volunteers who wish to participate with their analog and/or DMR GO-KIT radio, Winlink computer, and speaker stand antenna to test voice/Winlink performance from the shelter. This is a great opportunity to test your equipment in the field.

· ARES members are also welcome to participate in the survey without bringing their own portable GO-KIT equipment.

· Survey participants need to wear their ARES uniform and Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer (CVM) identification badge.

If you would like to help out, share some camaraderie, learn how shelters surveys are accomplished, and see a premier Elbert County pre-designated shelter, contact operations@aresdec.org