00-110 CARESMemorandum of Understanding
ADDENDUM b ~- (I
Memorandum ~~f Understanding
between the
City of Cupertino and the
Cupertino Amateur R:~dio Emergency Service
1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to state additional elements of Memorandum of Understanding between
the City of Cupertino (City) and the Cupertino Amatew• Radio Emergency Service (CARES) as they relate
to the Santa Clara County Fire Department (Department).
2. Organization of the Department
The Santa Clara County Fire Department is a California Fire Protection District serving Santa Clara County
and the communities of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno,
Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and the unincorporated areas adjacent to these cities with ISO Class 2/8 services.
The Department operates 3 stations in Cupertino -Cupertino Station, Monta Vista Station, and Seven
Springs Station -with full time personnel around the clock. On activation of the City's emergency plan, a
Department representative responds to the EOC and supports the city as a member of the Operations
Section.
3. Method of Cooperation
All methods of cooperation between the City and CARES as listed in the MOU additionally apply to the
Department. Additionally, CARES and the Department agree to the following:
1. Whenever there is a disaster requiring amatew- radio communications, the Department will request
the assistance of CARES through the Operations Section of the City. This assistance may include:
• Dispatching CARES members to Department Fire Stations
• Establishing and maintaining portable station emergency communications between the
Department stations and the EOC to handle loss of telephone services, direct links to the
EOC, and passing messages from the community walk-ins
• Establishing and maintaining mobile station communications between Department officials
and the EOC as required (Shadows)
• Maintaining the continuity of communications for the duration of the emergency period or
until normal communications channels are substantially restored.
2. Distribute copies of this MOU and addendum to CARES organization members and relevant
members of the Department.
4. Implementation
This Addendum shall take effect upon initialing by a Department representative, Cupertino City Manager
and the CARES Emergency Coordinator.
SCC Fire Department City Manager 'ORES
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Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum a~f Understanding
between the
City of Cupertino
andl the
Cupertino Amateur R<<dio Emergency Service
1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to state the terms of a mutual agreement (Memorandum of
Understanding) between the City of Cupertino (City) and the Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (CARES). This document will serve as a framework within which CARES volunteers
coordinate their services, personal equipment, and facilities with the City to support a city emergency
communications function. Additionally, through joint coordination and exercises of resources of
CARES and the City, this document is intended to enhance the emergency communications readiness
for any possible disaster.
2. Organization of CARES
A primary responsibility of the Amateur Radio Service, as established by the Federal Communicafions
Commission's Rules and Regulations (47 C.F.R. P,~rt 97), is the rendering of public service
communications for the general public, particularly in times of emergency when normal
communications are not available. Using the amateur frequency bands, Amateur Radio operators have
been serving the general public, both directly and through governmental and relief agencies, for more
than 50 years. To this end, the American Radio Relay League (ABBE), the national association for
radio amateurs, organized the Amateur Radio Emergency Service CARES). Cupertino ARES
(CARES) is one such organization.
CARES is a volunteer organization made up of licensed amateurs who have ties with Cupertino and
have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public
service in the event of a disaster. The CARES Em~rrgency Coordinator (EC) is an appointed position
by the Santa Clara County District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) and responsible for coordinating the
preparedness and response operations of the CAR1=?S organization.
3. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
'The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is an emergency service function defined
under Part 97 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. RACES is a special phase of
amateur radio operation that provides radio communications to local or State civil preparedness
agencies during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. All of the authorized
frequencies and emissions allocated to the Amateur Radio Service are also available to RACES on a
shared basis. In the event that the President of the United States invokes his War Emergency Powers,
RACES operators, using specially authorized frequencies, would be the only Amateur Radio Operators
permitted on the air. CARES members hold dual membership in RACES and are licensed RACES
operators.
4. Organization of the City of Cupertino
The City of Cupertino (pop. 54,000) is an incorporated municipality within the County of Santa Clara.
Cupertino delivers access, utility, and public safet3~ services to its residents either directly or through
contract service provider organizations. The City is responsible for establishing the City's emergency
plan and ensuring city departments are prepared to respond when called to do so. The City Manager,
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Memorandum of Understanding
or his designee, is responsible for activating the emergency plan in accordance with the appropriate
emergency ordinance and assumes the role of Direcaor of Emergency Services. 'The City will manage
any disaster within the context of SEMS organizati~an and ICS management structure.
5. Recognition
The City of Cupertino recognizes that CARES is an organization involving more than 70 Cupertino-
resident radio amateurs. Because of its organized emergency communications capability, CARES can
be of valuable assistance in providing critical and essential communications during disasters when
normal lines of communications are disrupted or overloaded. The City recognizes CARES as the
official RACES organization for Cupertino.
The CARES organization recognizes the City as the primary governmental body with responsibility for
a wide range of city management activities including emergency preparedness, response, and disaster
recovery management. The City is the primary organization to give direction to CARES during a
disaster.
6. Method of Cooperation
For the communications resources of CARES to be coordinated and used to the fullest advantage
during disasters and emergencies, and to the extent permitted or required by law and regulation, the
City and CARES have agreed to the following:
1. The points of contact between CARES and the City of Cupertino are:
• Jim Oberhofer, KN6PE
CARES Emergency Coordinator
11846 Woodhill Court
• Marsha Garcia
Emergency Services Coordinator
Cupertino City Hall
2. CARES will identify an individual as the l:ey contact with the City. This individual will
provide the closest possible cooperation acid direct operational assistance to the City by
CARES in emergency communications pluming, and in coordination of amateur radio
communications facilities during an emer€;eney.
3. CARES and the City will engage in an on-going dialog on emergency preparedness with each
other. They will urge both staff and volunteers to create and maintain appropriate
communications and effective relationships at all levels of both organizations.
4. CARES will cooperate with the City in prc~emergency planning, drills, exercises, and training
programs at the city level.
5. CARES and the City of Cupertino will work together to develop operating plans such that
communications services, equipment, and facilities of the Amateur Radio Service may be
suitably used.
6. Whenever there is a disaster requiring amateur radio communications, the City will request
the assistance of CARES. This assistance may include:
• Alerting and mobilizing CARES members in accordance with the CARES
Emergency Plan
• Establishing and maintaining, fixed, mobile, and portable station emergency
communication capabilities for local amateur radio coverage and point-to-point
contact between City officials and remote locations, as required
• Maintaining the continuity oi' communications for the duration of the emergency
period or until normal communications channels are substantially restored.
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