[FADCA] Winlink 2000, FADCA and the Florida Department of Children and Familes: Disaster Communications Response Teams

[Russell Oder]

The Florida Department of Children and Families learned a lot last year with 
the hurricanes we endured.

Some of our offices are still not restored to the functioning level they had 
before the storms.  One of the lessons learned is that even though the 
Blackberries (r) worked for most of the state, there were some areas that 
could not communicate immediately after the storms in any effective manner. 
And, as you know, that meant that some offices had repeated experiences in 
not being able to communicate disaster response information and needs, 
services to clients who were in need of protection were disrupted and 
coordination of post even responses, including locating missing children and 
helping families, were not provided as well as they needed to be or as 
thoroughly and timely as we wanted to provide them.  We suffered from lack 
of a means to communicate effectively.

As a result, the department has decided to try to identify staff that are 
licensed amateur radio operators, staff who would like to become licensed, 
and to develop an organized response capability statewide.  One of the 
methods they are looking at with a lot of interest is the Winlink 2000 
system.

Following a request for staff who are HAMS I sent a response and information 
regarding the Winlink system (which they had not heard about even though we 
have adopted it for District 4 (Jacksonville area)) as well as have had 
telephone discussions with Larry Workman, KI4JOJ, Florida Department of
Children and Families - Refugee Services, in Tallahassee, who is taking a 
lead role in the development of the response.  We will meet this weekend and 
I will be demonstrating Paclink, Telpac Gateways and Airmail and discuss how 
to put together a two page presentation to Department Management.  He and 
Bill Spann, another manager with the department, are very interested in this 
system and have identified 25 employees throughout the State of Florida who 
are now licensed or are interested in becoming
licensed Amateur Radio Operators who want to participate.

Larry sent the responding staff the information I submitted regarding 
Winlink and the Florida Layered Network.  I will be providing the responding 
staff a copy of the additional material I have.  I would like to be able to 
provide the staff with information as to who is in their areas and how to 
contact FADCA members and Winlink of the Winlink community who are willing 
to meet with department staff who are interested in participating in this 
response and give them an opportunity to see the system in action.  Since 
our staff are in every area of the state of Florida, I would like to match 
members and users of Winlink with staff from your area so that no one has to 
travel any more than necessary.

We don't see the department's response to be in place for this hurricane 
season but we want to get started and take advantage of what we can if 
needed this year.  This should provide the department with a better 
understanding of what can be done and what needs to be done.

If you are willing to meet with department staff in your area, please let me 
know.

Russ Oder
N4KOX
oderr at bellsouth.net