Cal Fire (calfire.ca.gov)
CAL-FIRE Severing Ties With Ham Radio Operators, Jeopardizing Millions of Californians During an Emergency
With rolling blackouts and power outages ‘the new normal’ in California, the need for alternate emergency communication is vital
By Michelle Mears, October 15, 2019 2:41 pm
“Your claim that Ham radio is no longer a ‘benefit’ to the state, is delusional.”
Ham radio operators are finding themselves under attack at the same time the largest power company, bankrupted PG&E decided to use rolling blackouts during wildfire season.
Ham operators are a citizen run form of communication that can be mobilized when governments systems go down during an emergency. The FCC created this service to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup to first responders.
A letter was recently sent to California Ham operators from CAL FIRE severing ties between them unless a rental fee was paid. This move is unprecedented in the history of California is and becoming widely criticized by citizens throughout the state.
With power outages “the new normal” in California, the need for alternate emergency communication is vital for the safety and well being of residents.
An attorney from Shasta County, home to the Camp Fire that started on Nov. 8, 2018 that claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed an entire town, has called foul. Radio operators across the state are enraged.
The town of Paradise was the victim to the state’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history. Residents had only moments to escape the fast moving blaze that leveled the town of 27,000 people and killing 48. PG&E was blamed for the disaster.
A letter sent by Technical Services and Lands CAL FIRE Lorina Pisa stated, “With constantly changing technological advances, there is no longer the same benefit to the state as previously provided.”
Attorney A. Nathan Zeliff wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom in response to Pisi’s letter dated Sept. 23, informing him the action to cut ties with the radio operators throughout California could jeopardize millions of lives. The operators are known to help communities with disasters when other forms of communication are cut off.
“Your claim that Ham radio is no longer a ‘benefit’ to the state, is delusional,” said Zeliff.
CAL FIRE Information Officer Scott McLean said they haven’t had to use Ham radio operators since the late 1990’s, “My dad used to be a Ham radio operator, I understand what they do,” said McLean. “But CAL FIRE has their own repeaters.”
Zeliff said, “In February of this year we had no landlines, no internet, no code red, no 911, the only form of communication we had was the Ham radios. We don’t want another Paradise where people are not alerted and have no way to communicate.”
Zeliff said to refer to his letter where he posted exhibits giving examples of Ham radio operators being used recently to save lives.
“Technology fails. The Ham radios may seem archaic but they work. I just got my landline and internet up this morning after PG&E cut off our power,” said Zeliff.
The California Globe asked McLean why limit the Ham radio operations? Wouldn’t more communication options be better than less? McLean said he can not comment on speculative situations.
McLean said he did not know who made the decision to charge rent to the Ham operators for equipment they own and operate. It is also unknown how the amount to charge was calculated since the use of the repeaters do not create an expense for the state to operate.
“The lease amount ranging between $2,500 to $7,500 says to me someone wanted to remove the Ham radios from operation. It is a strategy used in business to push someone or something out by making the cost too high and unreasonable,” said Zeliff who is also a trained Ham radio operator.
Who would want to remove Ham operators and why, is a question Zeliff does not know the answer to.
“I am hoping we can resolve this situation in a peaceful manner and realize whoever thought this was a good idea is wrong and we can move forward,” said Zeliff. “There are CAL FIRE people on our side. We need to work this out in a positive manner.”
The California Globe has sent emails and left multiple messages with Pisi about the letter she wrote. Pisi has not responded. McLean was asked what expense the current repeaters have created to justify leasing the use of the vaults. McLean said he can not speculate on the need to charge radio operators.
“People will die without us,” said Ham radio operator Joel Persinger. “The people of Shingletown know the dangers of forest fires and formed a militia like group of radio operators who are trained when the other systems fail.”
Attorney Zeliff wrote:
“…your actions will serve to eviscerate the SHINGLETOWN EMERGENCY RADIO PLAN (SER PLAN), and directly expose residents of Shingletown (and other areas) to increased risk of being trapped by raging wildfires as well as subjecting residents to increased risk of loss of life from disasters. The result will be the same for all areas throughout the Entire State of California if this Cal Fire “DISASTER IN THE MAKING” is not IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED AND RENDERED PERMANENTLY – DEAD ON ARRIVAL!”
During blackouts the only form of communication may be from Ham radio operators. The operators are also relied on by police and fire during emergencies. They perform drills practicing how to aide first responders, handle earthquakes, utility and hazard reporting, rapid fire watch, procedures for locating unknown sources of smoke, mapping, fire and ember watch, disabled or elderly person checks and traffic delays.
Sheriff Tom Bosneko of Redding, California wrote a letter to Attorney Zeliff stating he was unaware of the order sent to Ham operators and neither were multiple other emergency departments, like the California State Sheriff Association, State Senator Dahle, Senator Nielsen, and Shasta County Fire Chief Bret Gouvea.
“Please be advised that this matter is being investigated,” wrote Boseneko to Zeliff. “Please be advised for emergencies in Shasta County such as an evacuation due to fires it is the responsibility of the Sheriff’s office.”
Zeliff pointed out that the order to hinder Ham operations is hypocritical.
CAL FIRE sent out brochures to residents advising them to have a “Wildfire Action Plan – for the purpose of Saving Lives and Property through Advance Planning,” that included having a backup communication plan that includes a portable radio or scanner.
“Communities will have no communications. They will not be able to advise neighbors that the exit to a subdivision is blocked by a fallen tree. They will not be able to ask others to bring chainsaws and trucks to open up the exit. There will be no actual ability to coordinate or communicate. You can’t effectively warn your neighbors about a fire at 2:00 A.M., without communications,” wrote Zeliff.
The Shasta County Webpage for Emergency Services tells residents, “Don’t depend on government to assume responsibility for your disaster preparedness. Be prepared.” This seems to contradict the decision to charge Ham radio operators a leasing fee that makes it financially cumbersome to operate.
McLean said the Department of General Services is the agency that made the decision to lease the use for repeaters. He also said the Office of Emergency Services is involved with charging fees for repeaters to use the vaults.
“We haven’t removed any repeaters at this time,” said McLean. “We would like to keep this local. Each community has different needs and we suggest the Ham radio operators meet with their local CAL FIRE headquarters and see what solutions can be worked out.
Zeliff said a repeater was set to be removed until his letter caught the public’s attention.
“I have been told public officials will get back to me by October 18 with a response to the situation,” said Zeliff who hopes the response will be a common-sense solution.
“We use Ham radio all the time out here in Shingletown whether it is a snowstorm, car accident, criminal activity, fire or an earthquake,” said Zeliff. “I sleep well at night because I have Ham radios in my home and we use them.”
CAL-FIRE Ham radio lawyer
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August 6, 2020 -
False story
http://www.arrl.org/news/report-causes-concern-and-confusion-in-california-s-amateur-radio-ranks
Please read what ARRL fails to report:
Ham Repeater Historical Documents & Explanations 10-17-2019
http://www.shastadefense.com/1RepeaterHistory.pdf
Update 10-17-2019 Cal Fire & Ham Repeaters / ARRL AWOL
http://www.shastadefense.com/UPDATE%20CAL%20FIRE%20AND%20HAM%20RADIO%20REPEATERS.pdf
not false. ur just uninformed
I volonteered once to fight wild fires in California when I found out they Did NOT burn off their underbrush I never went back. That’s Like putting open top cans of gasoline around your house before a firestorm. Stop The Fires get rid of the fuel.
The Camp Fire was in Butte County, the Carr Fore was in Shasta County. At least get that right.
Here’s where Ms. Pisi bases her judgement:
https://cdt.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/TD312-Revised-20131001.pdf
What’s interesting is that TD-312 goes back to 2013. So between 2013 and now, why all of the suddent to treat the Ham repeaters as needing the application in 2019? Indeed, in this section:
Lease Rates
The California Constitution prohibits the gift of state funds, therefore, unless a radio vault lease is for public
emergency services, lease rates will be established based on current market rates determined by the Real
Property Services Section (RPSS) of the California Department of General Services (DGS). The lease
format will be the RPSS/CAL FIRE standard telecommunication lease.
So, weren’t the ham repeaters installed for the purpose of public emergency services, thus exempt from fees charged from RPSS? Why now? My suspicion is that a private operator wants to make use of the towers and vaults and CALFIRE wants to make some money. Indeed if CALFIRE is under budget stress due to recent events and general state budget conditions, this could be a move by the bureaucrats to grab money. Indeed, why should the real estate arm bureaucrats be deciding on matters of public safety? If anything, a letter should be coming from superiors directly responsible for public safety planning, indicating that the ham radio repeaters are no longer needed as new repeater equipment, or, X service, is taking their place and function, thus the ham radio repeaters are no longer considered as infrastructure for “public emergency services”.
This reeks of corruption.
It’s just a new and creative way for California to siphon money into one of their black holes
Be sure to view Jim Aspinwall’s excellent interview covering the issue of repeater site leasing on Ham Radio Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxEty6jC5po
This article’s headline, “CAL-FIRE Severing Ties With Ham Radio Operators, Jeopardizing Millions Of Californians During An Emergency” is a bit overblown. That porly-worded letter was sent by one mid-level Nim Nul at Cal Fire to one repeater owner.
The referenced video ignores the reals facts, and contains numerous errors.
See the following: http://www.shastadefense.com/UPDATE%20CAL%20FIRE%20AND%20HAM%20RADIO%20REPEATERS.pdf
Also, update as of 12/16/2019 is here:
http://www.shastadefense.com/calfire-lt20191216.pdf
2 meter is still there because repeaters are operating. I’ve been picking up traffic on 146.50 and 145.15. If those go down we still have simplex. SW is dead but that’s because of the Grand Solar Minimum. I’ve been scanning both normal and SSB SW and hear almost nothing. 2m networks are talking about how they are affected by the fires and outages and their go bags and other preps. CB and FRS don’t need repeaters.
Report Causes Concern and Confusion in California’s Amateur Radio Ranks
10/15/2019
By all credible and reliable accounts, the State of California has not turned its back on Amateur Radio as an emergency communication resource nor have established repeater owners been asked to remove their equipment from state-owned sites unless they pay sizeable fees. The California controversy, inflamed by a viral YouTube video, stemmed from a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) communication telling a repeater owner or group that Amateur Radio equipment would have to be removed from a state-owned site or “vault” if the owner(s) determined the cost was too great to proceed with a formal application to keep it there.
“I do understand and appreciate all of the service you have provided in the past,” CAL FIRE’s Lorina Pisi, told the unknown repeater owner(s) or group(s) last month. “However, with constantly changing technological advances, there is no longer the same benefit to State as previously provided. Therefore, the Department no longer financially supports HAM operators [sic] radios or tenancy. If you desire to enter into a formal agreement to operate and maintain said equipment, you must complete and submit attached collocation application along with fee as outlined on page one of application. There is cost associated with getting an agreement in place.”
It’s not clear to whom Pisi’s memo was addressed, since any name or names were redacted from the version of the memo that is being circulated. ARRL reached out to Pisi this week but has not heard back.
After receiving a lengthy communication from attorney Nathan Zeliff, K6DPS, of Shingletown, California, citing Pisi’s letter, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko did some asking around of his own. He reported that Jim Price, the Communications Center Operation Officer for the State Office of Emergency Services, explained to him that the matter is not a new one, and the issue of repeater equipment in state radio vaults has been going on for 5 years or longer.
“He said this gets down to a local level, if the local officials feel there is a need to have the ham radio repeaters in vaults in their area,” Bosenko told Zeliff. “As such, this gets down to authorization for vault space, clearances and authorization to access equipment in the vaults and contract agreements for the equipment to be in the vaults. The matter of cost and who will bear the cost for contracts and vault space has also been an issue for years.”
ARRL officials who have also looked into the situation agree that it’s been blown out of proportion by parties with their own agendas.
“The State of California has not made any determination we can find ‘that Ham Radio [is] no longer a benefit,’” Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, is quoted on the Sacramento Valley Section website. “What happened is that CAL FIRE has transferred responsibility for its communications sites to its property management department. That department has the task of evaluating each site, its condition, use, and tenants. If a repeater not known to be associated with the emergency management function of a local jurisdiction is found in a CAL FIRE vault, the default action is to move it out or subject it to commercial rental rates.”
“Our contact in the California Office of Emergency Services suggests that, if any affected repeater is in any way involved with local emergency or government support activity, they should ask that agency to engage with CAL FIRE concerning the repeater. If the agency makes the case, there is a good chance that the repeater will be unaffected,” Tiemstra added.
ARRL Southwestern Division Director Dick Norton, N6AA, has been responding to inquiries with the same message.
“Ham operators are a citizen run form of communication that can be mobilized when governments systems go down during an emergency. The FCC created this service to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide backup to first responders.”
This is incorrect. The only provision in the FCC Rules for emergency communication is for RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service), which ONLY takes effect during when the President’s War Emergency Powers have been invoked. and all other forms of Amateur radio communication/operation is suspended.
ARES is a creation of the ARRL…NOT the FCC,…and while it is a good idea on paper, it is actually a complete cluster fuck when it comes to handling actual emergency communications.
First of all it is the Governors responsibility to activate RACES. RACES is a STATE run organization not the Federal government.
If the feds want to activate RACES they must request the activation from the 50 states governors.
As to ARES, it is commonly known that ARES assist in local or even county wide emergency communications when the Sheriffs office request for that assistance, freeing up a law enforcement officer to perform law enforcement.
ARES has more training and exercises than RACES, ARES members are normally required to become RACES members to continue the support actions during a STATE DECLARED EMERGENCY.
Get your facts straight before you comment.
I have been active as an ARES EC for 10 Plus years and a member in good standing with the STATE run RACES organization.
Someone should examine the books closely and see and see if the French defence contractor has paid to influence CA at all. Removing the 2 meter bandwidth from public use is not limited to California and should be scrutinized carefully.