Shelter Site Surveys

ARES® R1D5 is scheduled to conduct a survey of a publicly accessible facility designated by either the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management (DC OEM) or the Elbert County Office of Emergency Management (EC 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 either the Douglas County EOC or Elbert County EOC.  The purpose is to determine how much antenna and radio capability deployed 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.
• AuxComm members deploying to the DC EOC or EC EOC should wear their AuxComm badge for access to the EOC.

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