SCHEART Training and Licensing Course

The South Carolina Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team (SCHEART) project is a state-wide initiative designed to provide backup communication support for the Palmetto 800 MHZ system, using an amateur radio network to link healthcare facilities. This system will be open to all licensed operators for routine transmissions.  However, in the event of an emergency or during training exercises the system will be strictly controlled and operated by trained hams under the direction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) organization. The SCHEART project will begin testing systems in June 2007 and the infrastructure is scheduled for completion on August 31, 2007.

To meet the demands of the hospitals that will be a part of the SCHEART network, the USC Center for Public Health Preparedness (USC-CPHP) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA)  sponsored a two-day training and licensing course via satellite broadcast on April 20 and 23rd, 2007.  We decided to have the training on Friday and Monday to encourage weekend study prior to taking the exam. The USC-CPHP covered the cost of training materials and food.  However, each participant was responsible for the testing fee on April 23rd ($14.00).  This broadcast was accessible in each of the public health regions.  However, the actual viewing locations were determined based on the number of participants registered in each region.

Please take a look at your calendars and send us the name and e-mail address of each individual interested in attending a training in your area.  Participants may contact us at 803-978-7570 or e-mail dease@sc.edu.

SCHEART products for printing and downloads:

• SCHEART Fact Sheet (PDF) Background information

• SCHEART Presentation (PPT)  for EC's and DC's to use for background information.  These slides can be tailored to address the local conditions in the region if needed.
  

• Radio Response Team Volunteer Applications (PDF) are for individuals willing to serve as Ham radio operators at the healthcare facility of their choice during a disaster or mass casualty event. These individuals work as part of a team with other local operators to train and provide support to the assigned agency.

• Facility Assessment Checklist (PDF) are available to guide assessors and to facilitate consistency from one facility to another.

• USC-CPHP Waiver of Liability and Release (PDF) forms are to be filled out and submitted to the USC-CPHP prior to any individual conducting any assessments or participating in any drills funded wholly or partially by the Center.

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement U90/CCU424245-03 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the CDC.