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

[Chuck Hast]

On 6/2/05, Russell Oder <oderr at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 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
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
Chuck Hast 
To paraphrase my flight instructor;
"the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going
out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn
and twisted metal."