[Elecraft] OT: Public Service Radio

[David Mitchell]

To all,

I took the CERT training course last fall.  I was the only ham from my town 
in attendance, but there were a number of hams from a nearby town (with a 
very active ARES and EMS community)there as well.  I had a great time and 
learned a few things, but most importantly it confirmed for me that there 
are some EMS folks out there who recognize the contribution that we can 
make.

The gentleman who taught the course is also the CERT coordinator in his 
town.  He is very proactive with his volunteers in many respects.  In 
particular, many in his group were newly licensed hams as a result of a 
course he ran after a presentation on ham radio by some local volunteers.

After we finished the course, we were told to get in touch with the CERT 
coordinators in our towns and about the opportunities for additional 
training, and of course I did so.  I'm still waiting for someone to return 
my phone calls and emails <g>.

My point is not to discourage anyone, but if you can't get something going 
in your town, don't give up - some neighboring town can use someone with 
your skills.  In my case, I think the CERT training was worth my time and I 
was surprised at how happy they were to have hams in their group.  Every 
towns' emergency services have their own culture - some welcome hams, others 
don't.  Don't be discouraged and keep looking until you find a good place.

Dave
WB2PJH


>From: Larry Makoski W2LJ <Makos327 at worldnet.att.net>
>Reply-To: Makos327 at worldnet.att.net
>CC: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Public Service Radio
>Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2005 20:12:39 -0400
>
>Fellow Elecrafters,
>
>Since Katrina unleashed her wrath upon the Gulf states; there has been a 
>lot of discussion on this list and others about the value of Ham Radio and 
>emergency communications.  This post is not intended to stir up any 
>controversy or debate; it's purpose is, however, to get you to think.
>
>We are ALL vulnerable to natural disaster, whether it be a hurricane on the 
>south or east coasts.  Blizzards in the temperature appropriate areas of 
>our country, earthquakes and brush fires out west; flooding in the Midwest; 
>or a tornado just about anywhere.  When these things happen and devastation 
>is widespread; your help is needed!  We are seeing that this week more than 
>ever.
>
>Please consider volunteering your time and talents.  There are many ways 
>you can do this.  Hook up with your local Office of Emergency Management 
>and see if there is a CERT program (Community Emergency Response Team) in 
>your area.  If there is none; then maybe there's a ARES or RACES group in 
>existence.  Where these do not exist contact your local branch of the Red 
>Cross or Salvation Army as both of these organizations have "letters of 
>understanding" with many local Ham radio Emcomm groups.
>
>The point is that Ham Radio is as valid and valuable as it has ever been.  
>Maybe it's not done by Morse Code or maybe not even HF SSB anymore.  Maybe 
>it will all be done in your area with VHF/UHF FM communications or packet. 
>Maybe Amateur Radio  doesn't get the press that it deserves and maybe it's 
>not as valued as it ought to be.  But when all is said and done with 
>Katrina, the stories WILL come out.  You will hear instances of where 
>communications systems failed and how Amateur Radio was the only way that 
>rescues were performed, services delivered, families reunited.  The ARRL 
>had a slogan on their T-shirts for Field Day a few years ago, "Amateur 
>Radio - When All Else Fails".  That has never been more true.
>
>But all that said, YOUR help is needed.  Volunteer communicators are needed 
>on a nationwide basis, starting with your own local communities.  Get 
>trained and be prepared.  The best side benefit gained is the knowledge 
>that you will receive that will not only help keep your community safe; but 
>your own family safe as well.  You folks who subscribe to this list and 
>other QRP and Homebrew lists are among the most knowledgeable, brightest, 
>most versatile, most adaptable, best trained Hams we have out there.  You 
>build, test and repair equipment.  You set up and operate stations from 
>fields, forests, oceansides, backyards, parking lots and even from inside 
>EOCs. You are an asset to this country and its communities.
>
>For more information about CERT - please visit:  
>http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/certfaq.asp
>
>Thanks for the bandwidth; and for allowing me to go off topic for a bit.
>
>73 de Larry W2LJ
>
>
>
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