[ARRL-OK] Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Signup Database Now Open

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Signup Database Now Open

http://katrina.ab2m.net/

NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 31, 2005--The Hurricane Katrina Disaster Communications
Volunteer Registration & Message Traffic Database now is open. Site
Administrator Joe Tomasone, AB2M, set up the database, and South Texas
ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, is handling
volunteer coordination. This site is intended for Amateur Radio volunteers
to sign up for communication support duty on behalf of Hurricane Katrina
relief and recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Standard ARES mutual assistance rules are in effect," Reimer says in a
statement for those considering signing up. "ARES volunteers intending to
travel should not leave without specific instructions."

Reimer is encouraging trained volunteers "qualified and willing to travel
into the area" to register. Initial volunteers chosen for duty will be
drawn from those available within Louisiana and Mississippi, followed by
volunteers from adjacent sections.

He notes that hotel or motel accommodations are unlikely to be available
for volunteers traveling into the storm-stricken states and "any
accommodations that are available are likely to be primitive and
makeshift." Water suitable for drinking or bathing also is expected to be
scarce.

"Unless you are presently mentally and physically prepared for complete
self-sufficiency for at least several days, please do not immediately
register," Reimer advises. "Not everyone needs to be in the first wave of
volunteers; the recovery effort will last weeks and perhaps months,
requiring an extended volunteer pool."

The ARRL South Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi sections' mutual
assistance agreement is in effect for the Hurricane Katrina response.