As a result of global warming, the Slovak Republic is threatened by storms and floods. In order to ensure the preparedness of the state for expected natural disasters, the connection via the telephone network is checked. With the first gusts of gales and torrential rains, the situation worsens and the connection is interrupted.
The regions of Bratislava and Žilina were most affected by the natural disaster. As a result of the weather conditions, telephone and Internet connections in the regions are interrupted. A chaotic situation arises and the mobile network is overloaded. The connection between the ÚGKK SR and the Regional Cadastral Offices is interrupted. Information from the Central Crisis Staff and individual departments is not transmitted. The connection in the territory of the Bratislava and Žilina regions was interrupted. The components of the IZS have their communication network overloaded and cannot transmit information from the affected places. Columns and traffic jams form on the roads. It is not possible to reach the affected areas with which the connection is broken. IZS regional coordination centers do not have connections to some districts and remote areas. The coordination centers will ask to mediate the connection between the Slovak Association of Radio Amateurs and the A.R.E.S. Radio Amateur Emergency Service.
The subject of the exercise, which took place on May 16, 2006, had a similar content. The preparation of this event itself took almost half a year. In order for this D-day to occur, several negotiations at different levels of crisis management had to be completed and the course of the exercise agreed upon. After countless proposals and demands from the other side, the situation stabilized. It was agreed that radio amateurs would provide connections in two regions. Nothing simpler, this can be ensured VHF means. That seems very simple to me, we don't even have to do that. After all, it goes without saying that such a connection can be ensured without any problems. It's a shame to waste energy. Such and similar thoughts flew through my head. However, that would have to be the devil in order for me to settle for VKV operation only. Our trump card is KV operation, so I decided that there will be KV. I was also aware of how the 80 will behave in the middle of May at 10 o'clock local time, that the 40 is unusable and we don't have the 60. However, with this decision, I only complicated the entire preparation. I started looking for a solution. Several ideas were coming. A few left very quickly and I know for sure that some never came. Stan OM1AAA and I redistributed tasks. He will prepare the exercise in the resort, I will go to prayer and ensure the participation of radio amateurs in the radio network within the Slovak Republic at KV and VKV in the Bratislava and Žilina regions. I used the presentation of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service A.R.E.S. in Smrekovica on April 19, 2006, where in the presence of the regional coordinators (Jano OM3TC, Tono OM7AG, Milan OM6SZ) individual steps were discussed and agreed upon to ensure the exercise by radio amateurs. Milan OM6SZ, as the regional coordinator for the Žilina Region, began to prepare an exercise within his scope. The Bratislava region does not have a coordinator, so VKV and KV were left to me. Promotion is important, it should not be neglected. So I threw myself into promotion - personal, via GSM, VKV, KV, packet, internet and OM9HQ messages. Such a massive campaign is probably only before the elections. Even so, there were radio amateurs to whom it did not reach.
The operation of the A.R.E.S. radio amateur emergency service network. at 10 o'clock on the frequency 3768 kHz. started by Roman OM2RA from the premises of RK OM3KFF under the brand name OM9HQ. A KV and VKV workplace was set up in the premises of the meeting of the ÚGKK SR department, where the representatives of the state administration present listened attentively to Roman and Lac's "music from Mars". As needed, I explained the ongoing operation, talked about the technical possibilities of the exposed KV and VKV equipment and presented A.R.E.S. through a video projector. More than 50 stations from all OM regions and also stations from OK signed up for the KV network. During the presentation I had several calls on a GSM mobile phone. As there was a simulated interruption of all communication systems, I did not pick up the calls, Hi. At 10:30 a.m., an instruction was issued in the KV network to establish operations in the premises of the "crisis situation" in the local VKV network A.R.E.S. in the Bratislava and Žilina regions, although operation at KV still continued. In Žilina, Milan OM6SZ ensured operation from the premises of RK OM3KZA, where the representatives of the state administration present could also observe KV and VHF operation. In Žilina, a "random" test of the VHF connection was carried out. 20 stations from the Žilina region signed up. Laco OM3GB provided VKV operation in the Bratislava region. At the request of the representative of the training organization, which for us is also the host organization, the radio amateurs secured a connection directly from the premises of the authorities - in Petržalka (Roman OM3EI), in Krasňany (Braňo OM2FY), in Malacky (Michal OM3CM) and in Senec (Jano OM3TC). During ongoing operation, we simulated a power outage and Laco continued from the battery. About 15 stations signed up to the VKV network in the Bratislava Region. The present representatives of the state administration had the opportunity to listen to these connections at the established communication workplace. In total, about 80 radio amateurs from OM participated in HF and VHF. After the HF and VHF operation was over, there was room for discussion. The nature of the questions clearly indicated that we were in the company of people who knew what the presentation was about. We have managed the answers.
The conclusion of this presentation was in the spirit of recognition, possible future cooperation and mutual support. However, I will not get ahead of myself and we will rather wait for the evaluation of the fulfillment of the training tasks from the point of view of the needs of the training department, regional authorities and Departments of crisis management, or for the submission of requests for cooperation. The goal with which we went into this activity was certainly fulfilled. I am convinced that by working together we managed to do something for the benefit of radio amateurs in OM. Such and similar activities are a matter of course in some countries, and cooperation with crisis management organizations in the area of securing emergency communication takes place regularly. However, in the history of OM, it was the first and unique performance of radio amateurs in front of the public in such a scope and manner. TNX friends.
Spring, OM1II