As an operations chief, don't you just wish that through your department's communications system you could have access on scene to all the technology features your personal smartphone and tablet offer? A 700 MHz D Block campaign is in full swing to bring that technology to fruition and you need to be an active participant.

Narrowbanding requires VHF and UHF radio systems to use less radio bandwidth (that is, spectrum), thereby creating more frequencies for use. Currently, there is often not enough spectrum available for licensees to expand their existing systems or implement new systems.

The weekly dossiers are just one component of OpsNetlink. We encourage you to set up your profile and spend time in the OpsNetlink community to engage in discussions with your ops chief colleagues.

The operations chief needs to maintain a level of competency with the many aspects of communications technology for the fire service. Advances in equipment and frequency-spectrum allocation can enhance safety and effective emergency operations. To take advantage of these new developments, we must understand the changing technology and know where to go for supporting information. This edition of OpsNetlink will address two technology topics all chief officers should know about: narrowbanding and the 700 MHz D Block of spectrum.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued the 2010 Fire Estimate Summary Series today which presents basic information on the size and status of the fire problem in the United States as depicted through data collected in USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
- PUB DATE: 12/6/2011 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: u.s. fire administration

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Chicago Flash Flooding

On the early morning of July 23, a powerful storm swept through the Chicago, IL area bringing almost seven inches of rain to parts of Cook and DuPage Counties in less than six hours. Lightning strikes brought down power lines and heavy rains flooded homes, businesses, public facilities, and area roads and highways.
Open source media reported flooding in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northfield, Mount Prospect and Palatine, IL. Des Plains, IL was reported as one of the hardest hit communities. The mayor of Des Plains declared a state of emergency due to the flooding. River conditions are improving for the DuPage and Des Plains Rivers, although some areas remain at minor to moderate flood stage.

As of the evening of July 24, open source media reported approximately 9,000 customers continue to experience power outage down from the peaks of storm outages of 160,000 customers.

No evacuations were reported and there are no unmet needs for FEMA assistance.

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND

Current Situation
As of 4:00 a.m. EDT on July 25, the Souris River at Minot was below action stage (1548 feet) at 1,547.1 feet and is forecast to continue to decline.

Significant National Weather

High Heat and Humidity Continues Over the Central U.S.
Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect for parts of the Central U.S. Hot temperatures, combined with the high humidity levels, will create heat indices between 100 to 115 degrees during the afternoon hours.

South:
Hotter-than-average temperatures will continue across the Southern Plains. The hot temperatures combined with high dew points will create heat indices above 100 degrees over portions of the Central U.S. Daytime heating and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico will produce a chance showers and thunderstorms along the Central Gulf Coast into the Southeast through Tuesday. Locally heavy rain is possible. Central and southern parts of Texas should remain dry. Temperatures will be nearly 10 degrees above average for the Southern Plains. Highs will be in the 80s & 90s in the Southeast, 90s and 100s in the Southern Plains.

Midwest:
A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast over the Northern High Plains today with storms becoming more numerous and intense tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the Lower Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic Regions. Heavy rain is possible for portions of the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Carolina Coast. Temperatures will be nearly 10 degrees above average for the Upper Mississippi. Highs will generally be near or above average across the region and range from around 80 in northern Minnesota and northern Michigan to the 100s in southern Kansas.

Northeast:
A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is possible in northern Pennsylvania, much of New York, and far western parts of New England. The heaviest rainfall is expected to be in northern and eastern New York and Northern New England. Temperatures will generally be near seasonal averages today. Highs will mostly be in the 70s and 80s, with some 90s near Chesapeake & Delaware Bays.

West:
Continued monsoonal moisture and moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Dora will produce showers and afternoon thunderstorms for Southern and Central Rockies and the Great Basin into Monday evening. Upper trough moving through the Northwest will bring some showers and storms to the interior Northwest today and the Northern High Plains tonight. Some severe storms are possible tonight from the Northern Rockies into the High Plains. Much of the Plains will be hotter than average Highs will range from around 60 along the Northern California Coast to the 110s in Death Valley.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico  

Area 1 (Invest 90L) - At 2:00 a.m. EDT on July 25, disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms over Hispaniola, Eastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas are associated with a tropical wave. Significant development of this wave is not expected during the next couple of days as it moves generally westward near 20 mph and interacts with land. This system has a low chance (10%) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds could spread westward across Cuba and the central Bahamas during the next day or so.

Eastern Pacific  

Remnant Low Dora (Final) - At 5:00 p.m. EDT July 24, Tropical Storm Dora, downgraded to a remnant low, was last located 150 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lazanro, Mexico and is moving northwest at 8 mph. Dora is expected to turn north-northwest and decrease in forward speed until the system dissipates. Maximum sustained winds are have decreased to near 30 mph with higher gusts. Dora is expected to weaken to a Tropical Depression and then degenerate today. The remnant low is forecast to continue weakening and dissipating over the next few days.

Central Pacific  

No tropical cyclones are expected through Tuesday afternoon.

Western Pacific

No significant tropical cyclone activity impacting U.S. interest.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Sunday, July 24, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (143 new fires)
New Large Fires: 5
Large Fires Contained: 6
Uncontained Large Fires: 20
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 5
States affected: GA, NC, TX, OK, NM, AZ, CA, WY, ID, UT, NV & AK.

Wildfires
South Carolina
Hornet Fire, Myrtle Beach (Horry County)
The fire caused by fireworks began on July 3, initially burned 805 acres and was contained. However on July 22, the fire escaped containment. As of July 3, a total of 1,500 acres of private lands have been consumed and the fire is 45% contained. Boggy terrain is reducing effectiveness of fire attack. Approximately 1,200 residences were threatened in and around Myrtle Beach, NC. No evacuations ordered and no shelters are open.

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary

The flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the basin and the focus is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend Dams reductions in releases have led to declining water levels and less water moving downstream.

There have been no new levee breaches or overtoppings in Region VII since July 11, 2011. There are potential overtopping concerns on 4 Federal and 13 non-Federal levees in the basin. These levees are forecast to have less than 2’ of freeboard.

The State of Missouri and local/federal partners will discuss flood fight concerns on Monday, July 25, 2011. Additionally, daily coordination calls will be reduced to three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

Missouri River Basin Reservoir Releases
Dam Releases projected for Thursday, July 21:

• Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
• Garrison: 120,000 cfs
• Oahe: 140,000 cfs
• Big Bend: 137,200 cfs
• Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
• Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs (On Monday, August 1, 2011 Gavins Point is expected to reduce releases from 160,000 cfs to 150,000 cfs and maintain this new release rate through at least August 12, 2011; additional releases thereafter from Gavins Point are still to be determined.)

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND

Current Situation
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT on July 22, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.5 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period. Evacuation zones have reopened and residents have begun returning home. Boil water orders continue to be lifted in the previously effected boil zones. USACE contractors have removed 249 tons of debris. The Broadway Bridge in Minot remains open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT.
North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 362 (-8) occupants.

Significant National Weather

A dangerous heat wave continues across much of the central and eastern U.S.

Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect for much of the central U.S. and Ohio River Valley as well as areas from the eastern Carolinas northward into southern New England. High temperatures combined with oppressive humidity levels will create heat indices between 105 to 120 degrees during the afternoon hours. See www.weather.gov/largemap.php 

West:
Precipitation will be limited to some rain and thunderstorm activity in western Washington, northern Idaho and eastern Montana associated with a cold front. The Southwest Monsoon will bring scattered afternoon thunderstorms to Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for western Utah. The desert Southwest will see temperatures in excess of 100 degrees this afternoon.

Midwest:
Two fronts draped across the region will produce severe thunderstorms from eastern Montana to the Ohio Valley. Damaging wind gusts and hail are the primary threats. There is the possibility of flash flooding, primarily in North Dakota, but other areas will see significant precipitation and the Upper Mississippi Valley could receive an inch or more of rain. Temperatures will range from the 80s to over 100.

South:
High heat and humidity continue across the entire region. High temperatures will range from 90 to 100. Showers and scattered thunderstorms are forecast across the entire region

Northeast:
High temperatures today should reach the 90s and 100s with 80s in northern New York and New England. Precipitation in the form of showers and thunderstorms should be limited to interior sections of the Mid Atlantic and northern New England.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico  

Tropical Depression Bret – At 5:00 a.m. EDT, Tropical Depression Bret was located about 320 miles northwest of Bermuda, moving toward the northeast near 21 mph. This general motion and increase in forward speed is expected over the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Bret is forecast to gradually weaken by tonight and dissipate in a day or so.

Tropical Storm Cindy - At 5:00 a.m. EDT, Tropical Storm Cindy was located about 805 miles northwest of the Azores, moving toward the northeast near 29 mph. This motion is expected to continue the next couple of days until dissipation. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast and Cindy should dissipate within the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center. 

Area 1 - At 2:00 a.m. EDT, a Tropical Wave located about 500 miles east of the Windward Islands is producing scattered showers and thunderstorm activity. Upper level winds are expected to gradually become a little more conducive for some slow development of this disturbance over the next couple of days. This system has a low chance, 20 percent, of becoming a Tropical Cyclone during the next 48 hours, as it moves toward the west-northwest at 15-20 mph. Regardless of development, brief periods of locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds associated with this wave could begin spreading across portions of the Lesser Antilles later today.

 

Eastern Pacific 

Hurricane Dora - At 2:00 a.m. EDT July 22, Category Three Hurricane Dora was located about 210 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico and moving northwest near 9 mph. This general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Dora would remain offshore of the southern Baja California Peninsula, but Tropical Storm conditions could reach portions of the Tropical Storm Warning area by tonight. Maximum sustained winds have decreased near 120 mph with higher gusts; continued weakening is forecast through tonight. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center and Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.

Central Pacific  

No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.

Western Pacific

Tropical Storm 08W (MA-ON) is dissipating and the final warning has been issued.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Thursday, July 21, 2011:

• National Preparedness Level: 2
• Initial attack activity: LIGHT (198 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 2
• Large Fires Contained: 2
• Uncontained Large Fires: 19
• Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
• Type 2 IMT Committed: 5
• States affected: NC, GA, TX, OK, AZ, NM, WY, CA, and ID.

Wildfires
No significant activity.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Massachusetts

• FEMA-1994-DR-MA; Amendment # 1, effective July 21, 2011, adds two Townships for Public Assistance.

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary

The flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the Missouri River Basin and the focus is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend Dams reductions in releases have led to declining water levels and less water moving downstream. There have been 4 federal levee breaches or over-toppings and 13 non- federal levee breaches or overtoppings. There have been no new levee breaches or overtoppings in Region VII since July 11, 2011. The U.S. Coast Guard continues closure of the Missouri River for both commercial and recreational use. The river remains closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.

Missouri River Basin Reservoir Releases
Dam Releases projected for Thursday, July 21:

• Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
• Garrison: 120,000 cfs
• Oahe: 140,000 cfs
• Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
• Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
• Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND

Current Situation
As of 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 21, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.63 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period. USACE contractors have removed 220 tons of debris. Evacuation zones have reopened and residents have begun returning home. The Broadway Bridge in Minot remains open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT.

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 370 (+2) occupants.

Significant National Weather

The heat wave continues to produce dangerous levels of heat and humidity. There are excessive heat warnings, heat watches and heat advisories in effect for much of the eastern half of the country.
See www.weather.gov/largemap.php 

West:
A front will produce precipitation including a few thunderstorms across the Pacific Northwest. The Southwest Monsoon will bring scattered afternoon thunderstorms to the Four Corners states - expect gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding. The Southwest will see temperatures as high as 110 this afternoon.

Midwest:
The cold front dropping southward across the region will bring some relief from the heat for the northern half of the region but will produce a line of severe thunderstorms in the Central Plains. Damaging wind gusts and hail are the primary threats. South of the front, high temperatures will be in the 90s.

South:
High heat and humidity continue across the entire region. High temperatures will be in the 90s across the Southeast and in the upper 90s to near 105 in Oklahoma and Texas. Scattered thunderstorms are possible from eastern Texas to the Southeast.

Northeast:
High heat and humidity will expand eastward into the Ohio Valley and East Coast states for the remainder of the week. High temperatures today should reach the 80s and 90s over much of the region with 100-degree plus readings in the Mid Atlantic states. Many areas will see rain and thunderstorms and severe thunderstorms are forecast for northern New England.
Tomorrow, temperatures in many areas will be in the upper 90s to near 105 with heat indices in the 100 to 115 degree range.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico  

Tropical Storm Bret – At 5:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Tropical Storm Bret was located about 260 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC, moving toward the northeast near 8 mph. Bret is likely to remain well offshore of the southeastern coast of the United States. This general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected until the cyclone dissipates in a couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Bret could weaken to a Tropical Depression or Remnant Low later today. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Cindy - At 5:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Tropical Storm Cindy was located about 975 miles east-northeast of Bermuda, moving toward the northeast near 28 mph. This general motion with some increase in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds near 60 mph with higher gusts. Slight strengthening is possible during the next 12-24 hours, and Cindy should weaken after it moves over increasingly colder water. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center.

Eastern Pacific 

Hurricane Dora - At 2:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Hurricane Dora was located about 210 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected during the next 12 to 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph with higher gusts. Dora is a Category Four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours; weakening is expected to begin by Friday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.

Central Pacific  

No tropical cyclones are expected through Friday afternoon.

Western Pacific

Tropical Depression 08W (MA-ON) poses no threat to U.S. territories.

Earthquake Activity

At 2:20 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 21, 2011, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred in southern Alaska, 40 miles west of Happy Valley, Alaska, at a reported depth of 58.5 miles.  There have been no reports of injury or damage and no tsunami was generated.

Wildfire Update

Wednesday, July 20, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (198 new fires)
New Large Fires: 7
Large Fires Contained: 3
Uncontained Large Fires: 21
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 6
States affected: NC, GA, TX, OK, UT, NM, WY, and ID.

Wildfires
No significant activity.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Tennessee
On July 20, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4005-DR for the State of Tennessee for Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding that occurred June 18-24, 2011. The declaration approves Public Assistance for six counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Minnesota
On July 20, 2011, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Minnesota as a result of severe storms, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of July 1-11, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for fourteen counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

North Dakota
Amendment #7 to FEMA-1981-DR-North Dakota amends the Major Disaster Declaration to close the incident period for this disaster effective July 20.