<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><meta charset=utf-8><meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" name=viewport><title>Glossary - SCCo ARES/RACES</title><link href=/-68DF08D8-/styles.css rel=stylesheet></link><script src=/-6807DB09-/script.js></script><script>if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) navigator.serviceWorker.register('/offline.js', {scope: '/'})</script></head><body><div id=•menuHover></div><menu id=•menu style=display:none><li id=•menuCloseLi><a id=•menuClose class=•menuIcon aria-label="Close Menu" href=#><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#menu></use></svg></div></a><li id=•navUpLi><a id=•navUp class=•menuIcon aria-label="Parent Page: Reference Information" href=/reference><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-up></use></svg></div></a><li id=•navLeftLi><a id=•navLeft class=•menuIcon aria-label="Previous Page: Clubs" href=/reference/clubs><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-left></use></svg></div></a><li id=•navRightLi><a id=•navRight class=•menuIcon aria-label="Next Page: Website Information" href=/reference/website><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#chevron-right></use></svg></div></a><li class=•tile><a href="/"><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#home></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Home Page</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/activities/events.php><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#calendar></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Calendar &amp; Signups</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/training><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#presenter></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Training &amp; Practice</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/operations><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#radio></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Operations</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/credentials><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#award></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Credentials</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/about><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#info></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>About SCCo ARES/RACES</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/services><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#checklist></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Services We Provide</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/reference><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#books></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Reference Information</div></div></a><li class=•tile><a href=/sitemap><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#sitemap></use></svg></div><div class=•tileText><div class=•tileTitle>Site Map</div></div></a></menu><div id=•offlineWarn>No connection to server.  Showing local offline copy of page.</div><header id=•banner><a id=•menuOpen aria-label="Open Menu" href=#><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#menu></use></svg></div></a><div class=•bannerStripe></div><div id=•bannerMiddle><img id=•bannerLogo alt="Santa Clara County Seal" src=/-67DB4F6F-/county-seal.svg><div id=•bannerTitle>Santa Clara County
ARES<span id=•bannerRTM>®</span>/RACES</div></div><div class=•bannerStripe></div><a aria-label=Search href=/index><div class=•icon><svg><use href=/-68DEF225-/icons.svg#search></use></svg></div></a></header><nav id=•breadcrumb aria-label=Breadcrumb><ol><li><a href=/reference>Reference Information</a></ol></nav><main id=•page><h1>Glossary</h1><div class=•default><div class="•gridMain •tilesTop"><dl class=•strong><dt>AAR — After Action Report
  <dd class=•indent>
    A report submitted after an event or activation detailing the activities conducted.
    This will include things that worked, things that need improvement, policy and procedure changes, suggest training changes,
    restoring supplies, etc.
  <dt class=•pad>
    ACS —
    <a href="https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/logistics-management/public-safety-communications/ca-9-1-1-emergency-communications-branch/tactical-communications/cal-oes-auxiliary-communications-service/" target=_blank>
      Auxiliary Communications Service
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    The ACS mission is to serve the state of California in support of any possible need relative to communications in an emergency.
    State ACS, a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) unit for the state of California, encourages participation and cooperation with (and between) other Emergency Communications (EmComm) units statewide, including (but not limited to) city and county RACES units, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS), and the American Red Cross.
  <dt class=•pad>ADEC — Assistant District Emergency Coordinator
  <dd class=•indent>
    An assistant to the DEC (District Emergency Coordinator). A list of all county ARES/RACES staff can be found
    <a href=/operations/contact/staff>here</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>AEC — Assistant Emergency Coordinator
  <dd class=•indent>An assistant to the city EC (Emergency Coordinator).
  <dt class=•pad>AlertSCC
  <dd class=•indent>
    <a href=https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/prepare-4-steps/register-alerts target=_blank>
      AlertSCC
    </a>
    is a free and easy way to get emergency alerts sent directly to your cell phone or mobile device, land line, or email.
    Alerts can include information about fire, earthquake, severe weather, or crime incidents that affect your neighborhood.
    Instructions to prepare for, or recover from, an incident can also be provided.
    Alerts are sent by the local city or county to alert residents.
    The County RACES database also uploads select contact data into AlertSCC for notification purpose during an exercise or
    real activation.
  <dt class=•pad>Anderson Power Pole
  <dd class=•indent>
    State of California OES prescribes the
    <a href=/operations/equipment/power/distribution>Anderson Power Pole</a>
    as the standard DC power connector for use by State ACS/RACES personnel, and recommends its use by county and city RACES
       personnel as well. Using this standard, highly reliable connector allows quick and easy installation and substitution
       of radios, power supplies, batteries, and other equipment.
  <dt class=•pad>APRS — Automatic Packet Reporting System
  <dd class=•indent>Sometimes incorrectly called Automatic Position Reporting System, APRS is a communications protocol that allows stations
      to send location, weather and other data real-time.
  <dt class=•pad>
    ARRL —
    <a href=http://www.arrl.org target=_blank>American Radio Relay League</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    The national association of amateur radio in the United States.
    With more than 161,000 members, ARRL is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the world.
    ARRL’s mission is based on five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership.
  <dt class=•pad>Artificialities
  <dd class=•indent>In any exercise, assumptions and artificialities may be necessary to complete play in the time
      allotted and/or account for logistical limitations. Exercise participants should accept that assumptions
      and artificialities are inherent in any exercise and should not allow these considerations to negatively
      affect their participation.                
  <dt class=•pad>BBS — Bulletin Board System
  <dd class=•indent>
    A server packet station which sends, receives, stores, and forwards bulletins and messages for the benefit of packet users.
    In Santa Clara County, there are
    <a href=/operations/packet/bbs>4 primary BBSs</a>
    strategically located throughout the county.
    Most agencies can access at least 2 of these.
  <dt class=•pad>C-POD — Commodity Point of Distribution
  <dd class=•indent>
    C-PODs are centralized locations where the public can pick up life-sustaining commodities following a disaster or emergency.
    Commodities usually include shelf stable food, water, etc.
    See also POD.
  <dt class=•pad>
    CAL FIRE —
    <a href=https://www.fire.ca.gov/about target=_blank>
      California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>CAL FIRE protects lives, property and natural resources from fire; responds to emergencies of all types, and protects
      and preserves timberlands, wildlands, and urban forests in 36 of the State’s 58 counties via contracts with local
      governments.
  <dt class=•pad>CalLink
  <dd class=•indent>California name for the SHARES resources to provide communication between operational areas and the region and state
      operations centers.
  <dt class=•pad>
    CalOES —
    <a href=https://www.caloes.ca.gov/Cal-OES-Divisions/About-Cal-OES target=_blank>
      California Office of Emergency Services
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>The state office responsible for coordination of statewide disaster preparedness and response efforts.
  <dt class=•pad>
    CAP —
    <a href=https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/index.cfm target=_blank>Civil Air Patrol</a>
  <dd class=•indent>The civilian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force.
  <dt class=•pad>CDF — California Department of Forestry
  <dd class=•indent>See CAL FIRE.
  <dt class=•pad>
    CERT —
    <a href=https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team target=_blank>
      Community Emergency Response Team
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in
      basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
  <dt class=•pad>CESN — CalOES Emergency Services Net
  <dd class=•indent>An HF Net between Operational Areas (counties) and the Region or State Operations centers using Amateur Radio frequencies.
  <dt class=•pad>CESRS — <a href=https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/PSC/Documents/CESRS_2016.pdf target=_blank>California Emergency Services
      Radio System</a>
  <dd class=•indent>Serves as an emergency communications system for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CALOES) and
      county emergency services organizations. Statewide communications are provided through a number of microwave interconnected
      mountaintop relays. 
  <dt class=•pad>Chief
  <dd class=•indent>
    The ICS title for individuals responsible for command of functional sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and
    Finance/Administration. Also used to designate the highest ranking position in a department — Police or Fire Chief.
  <dt class=•pad>COOP — Continuity of Operations Planning
  <dd class=•indent>It refers to the process and plan an organization develops to ensure its essential functions and services can
      continue or be restored quickly during and after an emergency or disaster. A COOP plan outlines how an organization
      will maintain operations, even if its primary facilities or personnel are affected. 
  <dt class=•pad>Credential
  <dd class=•indent>
    The
    <a href=/credentials>Credential Program</a>
    defines standards of performance and includes several types and levels of qualifications.
    These qualifications are the basis for resource typing and effective and efficient resource assignment.
    Credentials are earned by participation in training classes, exercises, public service events, and a peer-review of
    operator performance.
  <dt class=•pad>Courtesy Tone
  <dd class=•indent>An audible tone from a repeater at the end of each transmission. It indicates that the person using the repeater has
      stopped transmitting and the repeater is availalbe for another user. Not all repeaters send a courtesy tone.
  <dt class=•pad>COW — Cellular On Wheels
  <dd class=•indent>
    A COW is a portable cellular base station used to provide temporary wireless network coverage and/or capacity.
    COWs are most often used to add temporary additional network capacity where there is none, such as in disaster areas
    where the permanent base stations have been damaged, or for large public events where cellular demand may exceed local
    equipment capabilities.
  <dt class=•pad>CRO — Chief Radio Officer
  <dd class=•indent>The leader appointed by a government agency for a RACES group. See also DEC.
  <dt class=•pad>CRU — <a href="https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/logistics-management/public-safety-communications/ca-9-1-1-emergency-communications-branch/tactical-communications/cal-oes-auxiliary-communications-service/" target=_blank>Communications Reserve Unit</a>
  <dd class=•indent>The mission of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Communications Reserve Unit (CRU) is to serve the
      State of California in voluntary support of any possible communications need in an emergency, incident or event.  This program
      is in the process undergo a bit of a revival.  More details to come soon.
  <dt class=•pad>CTCSS — Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System
  <dd class=•indent>
    A sub-audible tone that is frequently used on repeaters.
    The signal “opens” the repeater for use.
    See also PL Tone.
  <dt class=•pad>DEC — District Emergency Coordinator
  <dd class=•indent>
    An appointed ARRL official who directs the emergency Amateur Radio efforts within a district, in our case Santa Clara County.
    In Santa Clara County the ARES DEC is also the RACES Chief Radio Officer (CRO).
    A list of all county ARES/RACES staff can be found
    <a href=/operations/contact/staff>here</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>DOC — Department Operations Center
  <dd class=•indent>
    A location where incidents are managed for a department or organization, e.g., Water District, Hospital, Health Center, Public
    Works, etc. Subsidiary to an EOC.
  <dt class=•pad>
    DSW —
    <a href=/about/dsw>Disaster Service Worker</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    To work under a RACES activation you need to be registered as a DSW by the governmental agency that has activated you.
    The DSW registration provides Workers Compensation and limited liability insurance coverage when activated by that agency and
    acting within the scope of your training and assignment.
  <dt class=•pad>DSW ID Card
  <dd class=•indent>
    Identification card issued by the government agency you have registered with as a Disaster Service Worker.
    (Not all agencies issue DSW identification cards, Santa Clara County does issue cards.)
  <dt class=•pad>DTMF — Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
  <dd class=•indent>
    The allocation of a unique tone pair to each button on a handset or microphone (made up of two frequencies — high and low) that allows another device to recognize the tone.
    The most common use in amateur radio is for controlling and programming repeaters over the air.
  <dt class=•pad>EAS — Emergency Alert System
  <dd class=•indent>An emergency broadcast system using public communications (TV and radio) to alert the general public to an emergency situation.
  <dt class=•pad>EC — Emergency Coordinator
  <dd class=•indent>
    An appointed ARRL official who directs the emergency Amateur Radio efforts within a geographic area, in our case a city.
    Within Santa Clara County the ARES EC for a city is also the RACES Radio Officer (RO) for that city.
    A list of ECs can be found
    <a href=/operations/contact/local>here</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>EC Council Meeting
  <dd class=•indent>
    A quarterly meeting of representatives from each city/agency ARES/RACES leadership in Santa Clara County for the purpose of
    discussing organizational and management ideas, strategies, and best practices. Synchronize planning, operations, expectations.
    City/Agency ECs and AECs and county ADECs are welcome and encouraged to attend.
  <dt class=•pad>EOC — Emergency Operations Center
  <dd class=•indent>A location within a city, county, state or agency from which emergency operations are directed. Generally staffed with
      trained and credentialed personnel. May also be called a DOC (Department Operations Center) in some agencies.
  <dt class=•pad>
    EMA —
    <a href="http://www.sccema.com/" target=_blank>Emergency Managers Association</a>
  <dd class=•indent>A committee comprising the managers (paid staff) of all city Offices of Emergency Services in the County, the manager of the County
      Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Emergency Managers of allied organizations.
  <dt class=•pad>EmComm — Emergency Communications
  <dd class=•indent>Communications services provided during an incident.
  <dt class=•pad>EMS —
    <a href=https://ems.santaclaracounty.gov/home target=_blank>
      Emergency Medical Services
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    The EMS system in Santa Clara County provides safe, quality, and effective pre-hospital care.
    This includes ambulance and medical care before and during transport.
  <dt class=•pad>ExPlan — Exercise Plan
  <dd class=•indent>
    An Exercise Plan (ExPlan) gives elected and appointed officials, observers, media personnel, and players from
    participating organizations information they need to observe or participate in an exercise. Some exercise
    material is intended for the exclusive use of exercise planners, controllers, and evaluators, but players
    may view other materials that are necessary to their performance.
  <dt class=•pad>
    FEMA —
    <a href="http://www.fema.gov/" target=_blank>Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    The federal government agency concerned with disaster preparation and disaster recovery.
    FEMA provides on-line ICS training for emergency responders, businesses, and volunteers.
    California is in FEMA region 9.
    FEMA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  <dt class=•pad>First Responder
  <dd class=•indent>
    The first person or agency to be sent to the scene of an incident.
    This is fire (FD), law enforcement (PD), or emergency medical personnel (EMS).    
  <dt class=•pad>FM - Frequency Modulation
  <dd class=•indent>In frequency modulation (FM) the audio or data signal is represented by changes in the frequency of the
      carrier waves frequency in proportion to the variation in the audio or data signal.
  <dt class=•pad>FRS — Family Radio Service
  <dd class=•indent>
    An unlicensed personal radio service in the UHF band.
    All radios in this service must be hand-held units transmitting at very low power levels.   
    <dt class=•pad>Fundamental Overload
  <dd class=•indent>
    A type of interference in a receiver caused by very strong signals. The very strong RF signals induce currents
    on receiver components, overloading them and making it impossible to properly process weaker signals received
    via the antenna. Frequently this will produce loud and distorted audio from your receiver because your receiver
    is unable to reject the strong interfering signal.
  <dt class=•pad>GMRS — General Mobile Radio Service
  <dd class=•indent>
    A licensed personal radio service in the UHF band.
    For the price of the license fee (there is no exam) you may set up base, mobile, and/or repeater systems running up to 50 watts.
  <dt class=•pad>Go Bag or Go Kit
  <dd class=•indent>
    A bag or pack that has your “call-out” gear (emergency activation gear).
    SCCo ARES/RACES has suggested
    <a href=/operations/go-kit>Go Kit contents</a>
    for its operators.
  <dt class=•pad>H&amp;W — Health &amp; Welfare Check
  <dd class=•indent>
    When operating on a net, you will be queried periodically to make sure you are OK and still able to complete your assignment.
    This ensures both you and your equipment are OK.
    If you do not respond to a health &amp; welfare check, Net Control will assume you need help and will send resources to locate and assist you.
  <dt class=•pad>IAP — Incident Action Plan
  <dd class=•indent>
    A plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident.
    It may include the identification of operational resources and assignments.
    It may also include attachments that provide direction and important information for management of the incident during one or more operational periods.
  <dt class=•pad>IC — Incident Commander
  <dd class=•indent>In the ICS system the Incident Commander is responsible for the overall management of the incident/event, and determines which positions to staff in order to maintain a manageable span of control and ensure appropriate attention to the necessary management functions.
  <dt class=•pad>ICP — Incident Command Post
  <dd class=•indent>
    The location at which the primary command functions are executed.
    The ICP may be co-located with the incident base or other incident facilities.
  <dt class=•pad>ICS — Incident Command System
  <dd class=•indent>
    A management tool to bring multiple agencies together under one unified command structure during an emergency.
    Can be easily scaled to any size of event whether planned or unplanned (emergency).
  <dt class=•pad>ICS Forms
  <dd class=•indent>
    Forms used to document activities and messages during an activation or exercise.
    A list of the most common forms used within Santa Clara County is provided
    <a href=/operations/forms>here</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>Intermodulation
  <dd class=•indent>The undesired mixing of two or more frequencies, producing sometimes undesirable additional frequencies.
  <dt class=•pad>ITU Phonetic alphabet - Internal Telecommunications Union   
  <dd class=•indent>The ITU phonetic alphabet is the standard used by Amateur Radio when needing to spell difficult or possibly unclear
      words.  Also called the NATO Alphabet.
  <dt class=•pad><a href=/services/data/bbs/jnos>JNOS</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    A NOS (Network Operating System) that can be used as a platform for exchanging messages using a wide range of methods such as Internet, amateur radio, and TCP/IP.
    JNOS is used by Santa Clara County for our Packet BBS systems.
  <dt class=•pad>J-Pole Antenna
  <dd class=•indent>
    The J-pole antenna, more properly known as the J antenna, is a vertical omnidirectional transmitting antenna used in the VHF &amp; UHF frequency bands.
    Light and portable, this antenna is widely used in EmComm applications.   
  <dt class=•pad>LSB — Lower Sideband
  <dd class=•indent>Lower sideband refers to the portion of a modulated signal’s spectrum that lies below the carrier frequency. It’s one of the two sidebands that emerge
  during the modulation process, the other being the upper sideband (USB). This is a way to reduce bandwidth and signal interference by transmitting only one
  sideband.
  <dt class=•pad>
    MAC — <a href=/credentials/list>Mutual Aid Communicator</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    A Santa Clara County Credentialed amateur radio operator who is willing and able to be assigned to another city or agency within the county.
    Not to be confused with MAC Group.
  <dt class=•pad>MAC Group — Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
  <dd class=•indent>A group that, when activated, provides coordinated decision-making and resource allocation among cooperating agencies, establishes the priorities among incidents, harmonizes agency policies, and provides strategic guidance and direction to support incident management.
  <dt class=•pad>
    MARS —
    <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Auxiliary_Radio_System target=_blank>
      Military Auxiliary Radio System
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    A military-run radio system that uses frequencies close to the amateur radio bands.
    MARS sometimes interacts directly with amateur radio, especially for message handling.
  <dt class=•pad>Mesh Networking
  <dd class=•indent>The use of microwave frequencies in the Amateur Radio Bands to create a fault tolerant wireless network for the purpose of sending high speed digital data.
  <dt class=•pad>
    MHJOC —
    Medical Health Joint Operations Center
  <dd class=•indent>Obsolete term for PHDOC.
  <dt class=•pad>
    Mike-Mike —
    <a href=/operations/forms/go-kit-doc/mercalli>Modified Mercalli Scale</a>
  <dd class=•indent>A reporting scale used to provide a non-subjective classification of earthquake damage.
  <dt class=•pad>MOU — Memorandum Of Understanding
  <dd class=•indent>
    A written agreement between two organizations describing their cooperative efforts.
    For our purposes, a written agreement between ARES/RACES groups and their Served Agency(ies).
    This agreement details what services will be provided by the ARES/RACES group and what commitment the Served Agency makes in return.
  <dt class=•pad>NC / NCS / NCO — Net Control / Net Control Station / Net Control Operator
  <dd class=•indent>
    A station, or more likely, an operator who is running a radio network.
    He or she is charged with maintaining the orderly flow of traffic on the assigned net.
  <dt class=•pad>Net
  <dd class=•indent>
    An Amateur Radio Net exists whenever 3 or more operators are in simultaneous contact with each other for the purpose of exchanging information or passing operational or official (third party) traffic.
    A net can be either “open,” in which stations call each other directly to pass traffic, or “directed,”, in which stations call only net control, which directs all activities on the frequency.
    <p class=•pad>See
    <a href=/services/emcomm/nets>here for a list of nets</a> 
    that may be used within Santa Clara County during an emergency.
  <dt class=•pad>NGO — Non-Governmental Organization
  <dd class=•indent>
    A non-governmental organization is an organization that generally is formed independent from government.
    They are typically non-profit entities, and many of them are active in humanitarianism or disaster services; they can also include clubs and associations that provide services to their members and others.
    ARRL is a non-governmental organization.
  <dt class=•pad>
    NIMS —
    <a href=http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/NIMSFactSheet.pdf target=_blank>
      National Incident Management System
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines.
  <dt class=•pad>NTS — National Traffic System
  <dd class=•indent>An ARRL-run network of operators who pass telegram-like messages throughout the United States.
  <dt class=•pad>NVIS — Near Vertical Incidence Skywave
  <dd class=•indent>An antenna system designed to send HF transmissions almost straight up, where they bounce off of the ionosphere and return to earth to cover a wide area around the sending station.
  <dt class=•pad>
    NWR —
    <a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/county_coverage?State=CA" target=_blank>
      NOAA Weather Radio
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous
      weather information direct from nearby National Weather Service offices.
  <dt class=•pad>OASIS — 
  <a href="https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/logistics-management/public-safety-communications/ca-9-1-1-emergency-communications-branch/tactical-communications/oasis/" target=_blank>Operational Area Satellite Information System</a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    A network of earth stations (terminals) located statewide.
    The terminals provide broadband internet and telephone access immune to regional failures in the terrestrial network.
    Fixed terminals are sited at Emergency Operations Centers in all 58 California counties (Op Areas).
  <dt class=•pad>OES / OEM — Office of Emergency Services / Office of Emergency Management
  <dd class=•indent>
    The organization at the state, county, or local government level charged with the responsibility for planning, preparation,
    and recovery from disaster operations. For Santa Clara County it is the
    <a href=https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org target=_blank>
      County Office of Emergency Management
    </a>
    (OEM).   
  <dt class=•pad>Offset, Repeater  
  <dd class=•indent>The diofference between the repeaters output and input frequency.  Some common offsets are:
  <ul class=•indent><li>2 meters -  0.6 MHz (600 KHz)
      <li>1.25 meters -  1.6 MHz
      <li>70 cm - 5.0 MHz      
  </ul><dt class=•pad>Op Area — Operational Area
  <dd class=•indent>
    The operational area concept is defined by the Emergency Services Act as an intermediate level of the state emergency services
    organization consisting of a county and all political subdivisions within the county. The 
    <a href=https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/planning-preparedness/standardized-emergency-management-system target=_blank>
    SEMS (Standardized Emergency Management System)</a> 
    regulations establish the operational area as one of the five SEMS levels for use in all emergencies and
    disasters involving multiple agencies or multiple jurisdictions. Our operational area is Santa Clara County (often abbreviated
    as SCC, SCCo, or XSC in documentation). 
  <dt class=•pad>Outpost
  <dd class=•indent>
    <a href="http://www.outpostpm.org/" target=_blank>Outpost</a>
    is a program used within packet communications to provide a Windows-based graphical user interface for packet messaging.
    See also PackItForms.
  <dt class=•pad>Packet Radio
  <dd class=•indent>
    A digital communications system using computers connected via Amateur Radio stations.
    Provides a reliable method for transmitting large amounts of data quickly and accurately.
    See also TNC.
  <dt class=•pad>PackItForms
  <dd class=•indent>An add-on to Outpost that provides a Windows browser-based form that looks like the paper copies and Veoci copies of
      commonly used served-agency forms.
  <dt class=•pad>PHDOC — Public Health Department Operations Center
  <dd class=•indent>
    An emergency operations center for the county Public Health Department where medical resources are coordinated between hospitals and other medical facilities within the county.
    Formerly the Medical Health Joint Operations Center (MHJOC).
  <dt class=•pad>PIO — Public Information Officer
  <dd class=•indent>The Public Information Officer (PIO), part of the ICS structure, is responsible for interfacing with the public, the media, and with other jurisdictions/organizations with incident-related information needs.
  <dt class=•pad>PL — PL Tone
  <dd class=•indent>
    PL, an acronym for Private Line, is a communications industry signaling scheme using the Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System, or CTCSS.
    It is used to prevent a repeater from responding to unwanted signals or interference.
  <dt class=•pad>POD — Point of Dispensing
  <dd class=•indent>
    PODs are centralized locations where the public can gather for mass medical attention following a disaster or emergency.
    PODs may distribute medical supplies or medication, provide inoculations or other bulk treatment, perform mass disease testing or screening, etc.
    See also C-POD.
  <dt class=•pad>ProWords — Procedural Words
  <dd class=•indent>
    ProWords are used in message handling to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
    They are not part of the message itself, but are spoken to begin or end the message, indicate clarifying information for the receiving operator, or to separate parts of the message.
    See
    <a href=/operations/voice/Message_Handling_Procedures_v20250812.pdf target=_blank>
      SCCo Message Handling
    Procedures</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>PSAP — Public Safety Answering Point
  <dd class=•indent>
    A Public Safety Answering Point is responsible for receiving 911 calls and processing those calls according to a specific operating policy.
    You might think of these as a dedicated call center for answering emergency phone calls and dispatching appropriate services such as Police, Fire, EMS, etc.
  <dt class=•pad>RACES — Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
  <dd class=•indent>
    The FEMA program for organizing amateur radio operators registered with civil defense organizations (cities and counties) into a reserve of emergency communicators.
    RACES is activated by the local government agency (city, county, state).
  <dt class=•pad>RO — Radio Officer
  <dd class=•indent>The leader appointed by a government agency for a local RACES group. See also EC.
  <dt class=•pad>RDF — Radio Direction Finding
  <dd class=•indent>
    Refers to the use of specialized instruments, antennas, and methodologies to determine the physical location of a source of RF energy or “target.”
    The simplest RF direction finding system consists of a directive antenna and a single receiver.
    The antenna is pointed in different directions while the receiver indicates the received signal strength; the magnitude of the signal is used to determine the direction of a transmitter.
  <dt class=•pad>ReddiNet
  <dd class=•indent>A software suite that facilitates information exchange among hospitals, EMS, paramedics, law enforcement and other healthcare system professionals
  over a reliable and secure network. 
  <dt class=•pad>Repeater
  <dd class=•indent>
    A station which receives transmissions from a mobile, portable, or fixed station and re-transmits for extended range usually with higher output power.
    Generally located at a relatively high elevation, with a better antenna, increased transmit power, and with backup batteries or generator.
  <dt class=•pad>SATERN — Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
  <dd class=•indent>The Salvation Army’s internally managed amateur radio effort for emergency communications.
  <dt class=•pad>SCC or SCCo — Santa Clara County
  <dd class=•indent>An abbreviation for Santa Clara County.
  <dt class=•pad>SEC — Section Emergency Coordinator
  <dd class=•indent>An appointed ARRL official who directs the ARES emergency efforts within a section.
  <dt class=•pad>Section (ARRL)
  <dd class=•indent>
    Geographic grouping used by ARRL and ARES.
    Our section (Santa Clara Valley Section) includes the counties of Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz.
  <dt class=•pad>
    SEMS —
    <a href="https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness-prevention/planning-preparedness/standardized-emergency-management-system/" target=_blank>
      Standardized Emergency Management System
    </a>
  <dd class=•indent>
    SEMS is the cornerstone of California’s emergency response system and the fundamental structure for the response phase of emergency management.
    The system unifies all elements of California’s emergency management community into a single integrated system and standardizes key elements.
    SEMS incorporates:
    <ul class=•indent><li>Incident Command System (ICS) — A field-level emergency response system based on management by objectives.
      <li>Multi/Inter-agency coordination — Affected agencies working together to coordinate allocations of resources and emergency response activities.
      <li>Mutual Aid — A system for obtaining additional emergency resources from non-affected jurisdictions.
      <li>Operational Area Concept — County and its sub-divisions to coordinate damage information, resource requests, and emergency response.
    </ul><dt class=•pad>Served Agency
  <dd class=•indent>The civil agency (police, fire, city, etc.) or other emergency relief organization (hospital, Red Cross, etcetera) for whom we provide communications.
  <dt class=•pad>Shadow
  <dd class=•indent>
    A radio operator assigned to a particular person or VIP to provide them with auxiliary communications.
    A shadow’s role is to follow them around (like their shadow) and provide communications capabilities for them.
  <dt class=•pad>SHARES — SHAred RESources
  <dd class=•indent>
    <a href=https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/programs/shared-resources-shares-high-frequency-hf-radio-program/shares-faqs target=_blank>
      SHARES
    </a>
    supports government (federal, state, and county), critical infrastructure, and nationwide or multi-state disaster response organizations in two ways:
    by transmitting emergency messages when normal communications systems are destroyed or unavailable, and by providing HF radio channels for interoperability.
  <dt class=•pad>Simplex
  <dd class=•indent>Radio communications where both transmitter and receiver operate on the same frequency without the use of a repeater.
  <dt class=•pad>SKYWARN
  <dd class=•indent>
    <a href="https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/" target=_blank>SKYWARN</a>
    is a program managed by the National Weather Service that utilizes trained volunteer “spotters” to send in real-time on-the-ground reports of severe weather.
    Information about our local SKYWARN group is
    <a href="https://sfoskywarn.org/" target=_blank>here</a>.
  <dt class=•pad>SM — Section Manager
  <dd class=•indent>
    An elected ARRL official who directs the ARRL’s efforts within a section (part of a region).
    Santa Clara County is in the
    <a href=http://www.arrl.org/Groups/view/santa-clara-valley target=_blank>
      Santa Clara Valley Section
    (SCVS)</a>.
    The section includes the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey.
  <dt class=•pad>SOP — Standard Operating Procedure
  <dd class=•indent>The documentated protocol established by an agency for its operations.
  <dt class=•pad>Staging Area
  <dd class=•indent>An area where equipment and personal are checked-in and staged prior to being deployed in response to an event.
  <dt class=•pad>SUV — Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteer
  <dd class=•indent>A person who comes forward during a disaster event who wants to be of help but is not fully trained, registered, or affiliated with an organized volunteer group.
  <dt class=•pad>Tabletop Exercise
  <dd class=•indent>An activity in which key personnel with emergency management roles and responsibilities are gathered in a non-threatening environment to discuss various simulated emergency situations.
  <dt class=•pad>Tactical Call Sign
  <dd class=•indent>
    An identifier used by all radio operators at a specific location.
    They may include jurisdiction names (“Xanadu EOC”), agency names (“Silicon Valley Red Cross”), location names (“Redwood Shelter”), ICS names (“Fire Base 1 Command”), individual names (“EMS Shadow”), or net names (“Resource”).
    All calls are made with tactical call signs (for example, “Redwood Shelter, this is Xanadu EOC”).
    Use operator call signs (W6XSC) only to meet FCC requirements (that is, every ten minutes or at the end of a series of transmissions).
    A Tactical Call Sign is assigned to a location or function, not to an operator.
  <dt class=•pad>TNC — Terminal Node Controller
  <dd class=•indent>Used for packet communications. This device acts like a modem between a personal computer and a radio transceiver.
  <dt class=•pad>Traffic
  <dd class=•indent>Messages sent over the air. This can be written messages for third parties or operational messages between radio operators.    
  <dt class=•pad>USB — Upper Sideband
  <dd class=•indent>Upper Sideband refers to the portion of a modulated signal’s spectrum that lies above the carrier frequency. It’s one of the two sidebands that emerge
  during the modulation process, the other being the lower sideband (LSB). This is a way to reduce bandwidth and signal interference by transmitting only one
  sideband.
  <dt class=•pad>VOX — VOice-activated Transmit
  <dd class=•indent>
    A microphone/radio system that uses the operator’s voice to activate the transmitter instead of a manual push-to-talk (PTT) button.
    Not recommended for emergency communications.
  <dt class=•pad>Veoci
  <dd class=•indent>
    Veoci is a secured, web-based, real-time information sharing system used in the County of Santa Clara Office of Emergency
    Management to document routine and emergency events/incidents. Veoci provides a common operating picture and resource
    request management tool for emergency managers at the local and county levels during exercises, drills, and local or
    regional emergencies.
    For backup purposes, SCCo ARES/RACES can send the same forms used by Veoci via packet or voice radio.
  <dt class=•pad>Winlink
  <dd class=•indent>
    Winlink is a network of amateur radio and authorized government stations that provide worldwide radio email using radio pathways where the internet is not present.
    Used for sending digital messages over SHARES HF Radio between the county and the state.
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