Operation "Safe Neighborhood"

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Washoe County Sheriff Office, and the Emergency Management Office lead a multi-jurisdictional full scale exercise to test and improve the regional interoperability. Part of this testing included a hazardous materials event and evacuation of residents in Incline Village. The EAS system was also being tested to provide information to the residents. It was going to be an ambitious project.

Otto Tune, KV7J, Washoe Emergency Manager's Radio Operator, and Ron Hood, Exercise Controller, is in the above picture.


At Incline Village, the air was clear and crisp, but it didn't take long for the day to heat up to 72 degrees. Reno Fire Department and Placer/Truckee Hazmat Teams waited at the staging area for the call for help. Controllers and workers mingled as they waited for their cues in this exercise.


Aaron Kenneston KE7GFF, Washoe Emergency Manager, and Ed Atwell KB7UHM, Head Exercise Controller, conversed on what needed to happen next for a smooth exercise.




The Washoe ARES group (SNARS) was there to provide alternate emergency communications. They shadowed the Washoe Emergency Manager, and provided communications at the hospital. The ARES net control set up their operations at the evacuation site at Diamond Peak.




Bob WA6MTY, ARES EC, tested a digital link (packet) to the Tahoe repeater. Doug KA7FOO and Frank KE7AJO were emergency communicators. Glen WB6W, ARES DEC, was net control. This booth was set up at the Diamond Peak evacuation area.

Don Carlson KQ6FM, Nevada's ARES SEC, also helped with net
control duties.

About 11 a.m., the Salvation Army fired up the grill and provided a barbecue for all the workers, supporters, and participants.

At the end of the exercise, both the I.C. and Washoe EM expressed their appreciation for the 'hams' performance.

Thanks to all of the other ARES members who participated in this exercise.

Let's do it again.