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.

This year the USC-CPHP will sponsor a number of training and licensing courses around the state.  However, we have not released our schedule because we are still waiting on the release of the new Technician License Class Training DVD. Our training instructor Joe Semer, AF4JX is currently working with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and their education folks as a reviewer.  They have informed us that the video will be released this fall. In addition, we will be supporting the following trainings:

1. Annual Training: To meet the demands of the hospitals and healthcare affiliates that will be a part of the SCHEART initiative, the USC Center for Public Health Preparedness (USC-CPHP) sponsors two-day training and licensing courses each year.  We typically hold two large training classes, one in the spring and one in the fall.  These classes are usually conducted in the Columbia area and or available to all partners and ESF-8 (Health & Medical) responders.  Registration and dates will be posted to the website after approval has been granted.
2. Regional Training: These trainings are conducted by Emergency Coordinators (EC’s) or District Emergency Coordinators (DC’s) in each county and these trainings can be discipline specific or based on the need for additional operators in each county.
3. Hospital Training The hospital can request for training at their facility as long as they have ten or more participants to conduct the course.  The USC-CPHP will support each facility with materials that are available through their learning resource library.  Elmer’s (mentors) will be available to assist each facility with carrying out the training sessions.  Instructions and procedural guidance will be provided sent to each facility upon request.  A webpage will be setup for the training requests as soon as the training DVD’s are available.

If your facility has purchased radios and needs operators trained ASAP, please contact me at (803) 978-7570 or e-mail deasc@sc.edu.

SCHEART products for printing and downloads:

• SCHEART Fact Sheet (PDF) Background information
• SCHEART Presentation (PDF) 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.

Past Training:

The SCHEART project began testing systems in June 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.