By Jay King, W2AFE, EPA SEC
22 May 2024 Pennsylvania National Mass Care Exercise – Emergency Communications
BACKGROUND
Each year FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) selects a state for a National Mass Care Exercise (NMCE),
in 2024 is was Pennsylvania. PMEA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency) developed the exercise and invited
Red Cross to provide the sheltering component. There are two Red Cross regions in Pennsylvania. Southeastern PA
(SEPA) comprising Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties and Greater PA (GPA) for the rest
of the state. Both regions have Red Cross EmComm teams who used this exercise as an opportunity to deploy and practice
emergency communications skills. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and hams from local clubs were also
invited to participate.
The exercise scenario was for an incident occurring early January 2025 with a major natural gas utility outage and
unseasonably low temperatures requiring the opening of 10 or more shelters across Pennsylvania.
The Red Cross EmComm teams in Greater PA and Southeastern PA Red Cross Regions used the exercise as an
opportunity to practice providing communications support to the operation. Specific tasks were for teams to deploy to the
shelter locations and send Shelter Opening reports and Shelter Staff requests to exercise headquarters.
The EmComm teams also staffed Red Cross EmComm Stations in GPA DRAs.
Principal Tasks
1) Activate 11 Red Cross EmComm Stations (RCES) for emergency communications
a. Relay messages from Shelter teams to ARC HQ
b. Contact other RCES stations on HF phone
c. Check-in with PEMA HQ station on HF phone
2) Deploy teams to 9 Red Cross shelters
a. Communicate shelter opening and capacity to PEMA via EmComm
b. Send Shelter Staff Requests to ARC HQ
c. Send ARC 6409 Supply Request to ARC GPA warehouse
3) Activate Red Cross HQ station at the PMEA shelter
a. Relay messages from RCES and shelters to HQ staff
4) Activate Red Cross GPA warehouse RCES Lewisburg
a. Receive 6409 Supply Requests from shelters
OUTCOMES
RCES stations were staffed mostly with Red Cross Emcomm team members. There were some guests.
Shelter Teams included RCES and ARES members, radio club and unaffiliated hams. The Red Cross Emcomm teams
send their thanks and appreciation to all the ARES, clubs and other hams who participated in the exercise.
A Red Cross emcomm team deployed to the Shippensburg NMCE exercise headquarters. There they set up an outdoors
VHF/UHF Winlink station and used RMS KC3OLO-15 for exercise traffic. Because they were stationed outdoors, they
were not part of the indoor activities. It would have been advantageous to have one or two EmComm resources stationed
inside to act as runners to collect and distribute messages to/from the outside station.
RED CROSS EMCOMM EXERCISE PLANNING TEAM
Co-Leads:
Richard Johnson -N3EPY – GPA EmComm Lead for Central DRA
Jay King – W2AFE – SEPA DST, ARES EPA SEC, and primary exercise designer
Team members:
Brett Saylor -W3SWL – GPA EmComm Lead for Mid-Central DRA
Jeff Orner – WN3DX – GPA EmComm Team member
Leslie Moskowitz -KC3ONE – GPA EmComm Team member
Bob Mente – NU3Q – GPA EmComm Team member and ARES Allegheny County EC
Cliff Hotchkiss – KC3PGT – SEPA DST Regional Lead
Dave Herzog – GPA EmComm Regional Lead
DAVE HERZOG – RED CROSS GREATER PA EMCOMM LEAD
This is the first large Red Cross EmComm exercise the GPA Region helped plan and participate in. It also gave us the
opportunity to collaborate with the Red Cross SEPA Region’s EmComm Team to work together to make this exercise a
success. That partnership is yielding benefits which will carry well beyond this exercise.
In addition to inviting various EmComm participants for staffing the shelters on May 22nd, the planning team created an
Ancillary EmComm Exercise on May 25th to provide an opportunity to the ARES members, radio clubs and non-affiliated
hams, who we could not accommodate for the main exercise. The purpose was to get them involved and to see what other
additional counties we could have supported EmComm for shelters should they have been needed.
I would like to thank the two co-leads for the combined Red Cross GPA and SEPA EmComm Exercise planning team;
Richard Johnson, GPA EmComm Lead for Central DRA, and Jay King, SEPA Red Cross EmComm and ARES EPA SEC.
A special thanks to Jay for his expertise and effort in putting together these large exercises.
CLIFF HOTCHKISS – RED CROSS SOUTHEASTERN DST REGIONAL LEAD
Overall, we had a very smooth and successful exercise in SEPA. In hindsight I would have added an extra person or two
to the operation. The shelter team in particular needed a third member.
On HF we were able to reach KB3NIA. We also heard KC3WQI, KC3WQG, and K3ITH and relayed those stations
which were not able to contact on their own.
We were able to pass all forms over VHF to the AA3E-10 gateway. Thanks to MCAR for the use of that.
We had a very enthusiastic Shelter Manager, Ed Robold who wanted to send additional information over EmComm
channels. Included in his requests were an ambulance request which was one of his injects as well as confirmation of that
action to the Regional Shelter Manager via the EmComm team in Shippensburg.
All in all it was a good first test of our new EmComm trailer and helped identify both procedural and material needs.
RED CROSS EMCOMM EXERCISE PLANNING TEAM
Co-Leads:
Richard Johnson -N3EPY – GPA EmComm Lead for Central DRA
Jay King – W2AFE – SEPA EmComm Team, ARES EPA SEC, and primary exercise designer
Team members:
Brett Saylor -W3SWL – GPA EmComm Lead for Mid-Central DRA
Jeff Orner – WN3DX – GPA EmComm Team member
Leslie Moskowitz -KC3ONE – GPA EmComm Team member
Bob Mente – NU3Q – GPA EmComm Team member and ARES Allegheny County EC
Cliff Hotchkiss – KC3PGT – SEPA EmComm Regional Lead
Dave Herzog – GPA EmComm Regional Lead
RED CROSS EMCOMM STATIONS & STAFF
HQ WA3ARC (Shippensburg)
Richard Johnson, N3EPY
Jay King, W2AFE
Allentown KC3WQK
Sean Campbell, KC3LMZ
Leslie Moskowitz, KC3ONE
Erie KC3TFM
Jeremy Korwek, KC3UXL
Dave Morneau, KB3RIP
Roger Koebe
Harrisburg KC3WQM
Charlene Cash, WG3Q
Bob Saver, K3RTS (Dauphin Co ARES)
Johnstown KC3WQI
Carl Keller, KC3KFW
Scott Hanak KC3VUH
Joel Landis (Somerset Co EMA Director), AB3MT
Kevin Broadwater (Somerset Co EMA), N3HEY
Lewisburg KC3WQH
Tim Gelvin, K3TEG
Shawnee Baker
Pittsburgh KC3WMS
Ralph Moffat, KB3UYV
Rich Kulbacki, KC3TOO
Dave Herzog, KC3KAG
SEPA W3ERS
Cliff Hotchkiss, KC3PGT
Sam Rausch, KC3VUR
David Ellis, KA3NUV
State College KC3WQG
Brett Saylor, W3SWL
Bill Waite, K3WJW
John Neilands, KC3VVD (Jefferson Co ARES)
Stroudsburg KC3WQL
Ruth Ann Rochio, W9FBO
Julia Fernald, KC3TOF
Martin Gonzalez, KC3TOE
EXERCISE SHELTERS & EMCOMM STAFF
Allentown YMCA -Virtual Shelter
John Weaver, N3PFA
Corry First Church – Corry PA
Jeremy Korwek, KC3UXL
Greene Co Fairgrounds – Waynesburg
Tom Wright, N3WS (WPA ARES)
David Colledge, KB3NFQ
Dormont Community Center – Pittsburgh
Bob Mente, NU3Q (WPA ARES)
Davidsville Community Church – Johnstown
Jim Crowly, N3EPY
Tony Felan, KV3VTX
Phillip Partsch, KC3RHF
PMEA Shelter – Shippensburg University, Red Cross
HQ
Jay King, W2AFE (EPA ARES)
Richard Johnson – N3EPY
Milesburg Community Center – Milesburg
Rick Gilmore W3TM (NARC & ARES)
John Daniels KC3VVD
Philadelphia – Norristown
Steve Davidson, K3FZT
Phil Milazzo, KC6OEI
Elm Park United Methodist Church – Scranton
Luzerne County Dept. of Emergency Services
AUXCOMM/ARES
Alex, K3EAM
Chris Keller, WA2EXI
Jack Rose, KE3NGF
Tom Davis, NW3X
Rob Nygren, N3RN
Len Lavenda, KC3OND (Red Cross)
York County 4H Complex – York
Ralph Brandt, K3HQI (EPA ARES)
SHELTER AND RCES LOCATIONS
RED CROSS – SHIPPENSBURG HQ
Logistics Team
Red Cross HQ Operations Room
WA3ARC Red Cross VHF Station at Shippensburg
SHELTER EMCOMM AT ELM PARK METHODIST CHURCH SCRANTON
RCES STROUDSBURG
Ann (r) W9FBO and Julia KC3TOF
ANCILLARY EXERCISE
On 25 May, GPA and SEPA Red Cross Emcomm provided an additional opportunity for PA hams to participate in the
NMCE. The hams were invited to check in via Winlink with their Red Cross region. They were asked to provide their call,
name, county, affiliations (Red Cross, ARES, etc) and information on their deployment location or if operating from
home.
ARC-SEPA CHECK-INS (17 total)
(Call, Name, County, Affiliation, Location)
K3BLA, JOE, PHILADELPHIA CO, NON-AFFILIATED HAM, JEFFERSON TORRESDALE HOSPITAL,
NE PHILADELPHIA, PA
K3ITH, Dick Stewart, EPA District One DEC, Montgomery County, ARES, American Red Cross, PEMA
ACS, Home Base, available to deploy (if needed)
KA3NUV, David Ellis, Montgomery County, MCAR, SEPA ARC ,Virtual Red Cross shelter, Plymouth
Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting PA
KB3JC, Tom Pleva, Montgomery County, ARES, Vacation Base, Pocono Lake, PA (Monroe County)
KB3PCY MARTIN ODOM, CHESTER CO. ARES, HOME BASE, BATTERY POWER
KC3JUD, PERRY, MONTGOMERY CO. ARC-PCARES, DEPLOYED GLADWYNE FIRE COMPANY, RT
23 & BLACK ROCK RD ECOM POWER
KC3PGT, Cliff, Montgomery Co, ARES, ARC, ACS, Home Base
KC3QVF, Chris Beggy, Philadelphia County, ARES and SEPA Red Cross, Home Base
KC3UTO, Jeffrey Rodgers, Montgomery County, ARES, Red Cross, Perkiomen School, Pennsburg, PA,
Montgomery County
N3FLL, Frank, Chester Co, ARES, Home Base
N3GE, ROGER BURKHART, ARES, MVARC MASONIC VILLAGE, ELIZABETHTOWN, PA
N3PEG Peg Daly, Chester County, ARC, ARES/RACES (PCARES, CCAR), PMRC, Home Base
NC3O, Jack, Cumberland County, ARES, Home Base
W2AFE, Jay, Chester Co, ARES ARC, Home Base
W3AFV, Chuck Farrell, ARES, Red Cross, PEMA ACS, Home Station in Upper Merion Township
W3BIG, Bob Wilson, Delaware County, ARES, Base Station, Home
WA3NOA, Jim Harris, Chester County ARES/RACES, Grove United Methodist Church, West Chester, PA
ARC-GPA CHECK-INS (54)
(Call, Name, County, Affiliation, Location)
AB3X George Irwin Cumberland County, Dickenson Twp, SMRA ACS, ARES. Home Base Emergence Power
AC2GI, Rich, Wayne County ARES
AC3JR, Dan McClure, Blair County, ARES, Home Base Station
K3CSG, Heath Goldstein, Lackawanna County, Non-affiliated ham, Home Base
K3FXA, Frank X Aponte Alsina, Dauphin County, ARES, Home Base
K3HGG, Heath Goldstein, Lackawanna County, Non-affiliated ham. Home Base
K3IR Southern PA Amateur Radio Club, Lancaster County ARES PEMA, 1715 Breneman Road, Manheim
K3LAB, Doug Fitzsimmons, Indiana County, PEMA ACS, ARES, ICEMARC Club, Home Base
K3RTS, Bob, Dauphin County, ARES, East Shore Baptist Church, Paxtonia PA
K3URT, Curt Sanders, Dauphin County PA ARES/RACES, Home Based (solar/batt), Lower Paxton Twp.
KA3NUV, David Ellis, Montgomery Co, MCAR, SEPA ARC, Virtual Red Cross shelter, Plymouth Meeting Mall,
Plymouth Meeting PA
KB3DXU, Lycoming County EOC, Lycoming County, ARES / ACS, Lycoming County EOC
KB3KLG, David Bupp, Cumberland County, Non-affiliated HAM, Home Base
KB3NFQ David Colledge Allegheny County ARES, Home Base Penn Hills
KB3NFQ, David, Allegheny County. (Non ARES), Red Cross, ( Non – Affiliated Club ) Auxcomm-T, Penn Hills “
KB3NFQ, David, Non ARES, Red Cross, Non Affiliated Club, Auxcomm-T, Penn Hills
KB3YOT, Scott Leichssenring, Lehigh County, W3OI Lehigh Valley Amatuer Radio Club, ARES, Emmaus High School
Parking Lot
KC2LEB, Jim Kettyle, Wayne County, ARES, Home Station
KC3FGB, RAY VAUGHAN, MASONIC VILLAGE ARC, LANCASTER COUNTY, CLUB STATION LOCATION
KC3JD, JACK DELLINGER, YORK COUNTY ARES, YORK TOWNSHIP EMA EOC
KC3NAF, Ed, Bedford Co, BCARS ARES, Somerset Co SCARC ACS, Blair co HARC ARES and PEMA ACS RO. QTH
Breezewood PA, Not deployed
KC3NDU, Keith Lynn, Wayne County, ARES, Home Base
KC3OND, Len, Monroe County, ARES, Red Cross EmComm, Home base with battery power
KC3POC, Peter Marcano, Wayne County, ARES, Home Base
KC3TGO, Steve, Dauphin. ARES, Harrisburg Area Radio Club. Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
KC3UWB, Deb Brown, Lycoming County ARES / ACS, Home Base
KC8T, Tom, Lycoming County, ARES, BERA, Lycoming County ACS, Home Base
KZ3MW, Mark, Pike County, Wayne County Amateur Radio Club, Home Base
N3FMO Harry Bauder, Dauphin County, Salvation Army SATERN Eastern Territory Asst. Coordinator, 4319 Snavely
Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
N3GE, ROGER BURKHART, ARES. MVARC MASONIC VILLAGE, ELIZABETHTOWN, PA
N3HCC, Richard Warzel, Indiana County, ACS, Home Base
N3JPV, Columbia County ARES, Columbia-Montour ARC, Home Bsse, Dist 5 DEC”
N3JXB, Doug Gontz, Monroe, ARES, Home Station”
N3QZS, Jim Woof, Lancaster County, Red Cross ARES PEMA ACS, Masonic Village in Elizabethtown PA,
N3RPB, Bob Brown, Lycoming County, ARES / ACS, Home Base
N3RPB, R Brown, ACS Team Leader, Lycoming County
N3UTN, Douglas Motter, Cumberland County, ARES, Home Base
N3YFO, Dave Hunter, Cambria County, ACSO and ARRL/EC, Non-affiliated ham, Mt. Calvary Luth. Church, 1000
Scalp Ave. Johnstown, PA 15904
N3YFO, Dave, Cambria County PA, ARES/EC and ACSO, Not affiliated with any radio club, Working from home via
Telnet
NC3O, Jack, Cumberland County, ARES, Home Base
ND3L, Des Warzel, Cambria County, ACS, Home Base
NJ3T, Jim Crowley, Somerset County, PEMA ACS RO, Somerset Co. RACES/ACS, Somerset Co. ARC, Home Base
NW3X, Tom, Lackawanna, ARES, Scranton Pocono Amateur Radio Club, Murgas Amateur Radio Club, Home base.
W3AND, Andrew, Cumberland County, SMRA ACS/ARES, Allen Middle School, Lower Allen Twp, PA
W3AND, Andrew, Cumberland County, SMRA ACS/ARES, Christian Life Assembly Church, Lower Allen Twp, PA
W3ETO, Ed Otto, Cumberland, ARES Level II, SMRA Club, Operating at home, Carlisle PA, under Battery Power.”
W3JAW, John Walters, Centre Cty, non-affiliated ham, home base
W3PTH Paul Harig, Cumberland County, ARES, Home Base
W3PTH, Paul Harig, Cumberland County, ARES, Dogwood Acres Campground, Newville PA
W3XOX Kevin Lear, Blair County, WPA SE DEC, Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club, Blair County Convention Center
WB2HJQ, Ken Katzmann, Wayne County, ARES, Home Base
WE3H, Tracey Richard, Franklin County, SMRA-ACS/ARES, Home Base
SCRANTON SHELTER NOTES
Len Lavenda, KC3OND
The NEPA shelter in Scranton performed all requested tasks during the NMCE today. It was staffed by ARES
members from Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
The day got off to a slow start due to a malfunctioning antenna tuner. Fortunately, a backup unit was available
and operations were quickly resumed.
The only disappointment was our inability to achieve voice communications with the RCES in Stroudsburg.
Although we were able to hear them clearly on the W3WAN Wide Area Network Repeater System, they could
not hear us. This is a connection we need to address in the near future.
We set up early outdoors, however, we later toured the church building with Red Cross disaster personnel and
identified an area where we could setup indoors in the future.
RCES STATE COLLEGE NOTES
Brett Saylor, W3SWL
I talked with Lewisburg ARC and Harrisburg ARC on the Ellendale 145.11 repeater (via the K3HOT UHF
repeater link in State College) so I was able to check in with both. I also could talk with Lewisburg ARC on the
State College 146.76 repeater (same one that I used to talk with the Milesburg shelter). Both of these connections
with Lewisburg ARC were new, which is good to know. The connections were nice and clear both places.
I can normally talk with Johnstown ARC on the State College 146.85 repeater but didn’t today since HF was
“useable” so I talked with them on 40 meters HF before talking with Travis. At the time of connection the signal
was ok, but the band was up and down all morning.
I checked in with Travis at PEMA on 7250.2 kHz HF. I also heard Lewisburg, Johnstown, Stroudsburg and an
Erie station all check in there on HF. The band was up and down all morning, however, so I can’t say that it was a
great connection. When I talked to Travis I think it was ok.
Our shelter hams successfully sent out all their messages using HF Winlink (no Telnet this time).
We successfully co-existed with another local ham radio-covered event, the Transylvania Bike Race, which had
hams using the 146.85 repeater at the same time as we were on 146.76. Good to know we can run simultaneous
events without overlap or interference.
I would classify the exercise as successful from our perspective.
RCES LEWISBURG NOTES
Tim Gelvin, K3TEG
I did receive all 8 6409 forms. I noticed a very important piece of information missing from the 6409s. This
should be included on all forms we use… Somewhere in the form, include the chapter name. Addresses are great
but having the chapter name would be a great help for any department needing that information for their records.
2nd issue, when a chapter cannot make contact with their primary contact, then they should try another chapter to
check in with. Also, before securing the station, let that chapter know so they can relay to HQ chapter.
That’s all I noticed, It was very successful.
I’m going to activate the local Red Cross Emergency net on our (new partner, Milton ARC repeater 146.985 tone
110.9) 1 of many repeaters in the area Saturday May 25th.