[FLARES] Hurricane Charley Update

[Ron Wetjen]

Thanks to all those amateurs who have come, and are planning to come, to the affected areas of Hurricane Charley, to provide communications assistance.  Amateurs from Tennessee arrived today (others are heading down tonight), and I've had inquiries from Ohio and as far as Montana!

Some have questions about our "mission".  This is simple ... our "mission" is to provide emergency communications to those organizations who need it!

Most of the communications that are now up and running, are primarily for law enforcement and government.  Most other groups assisting, have NO communications capabilities ... other than Amateur Radio.  

Some of the primary organizations being supported, include Charlotte County EM, Charlotte County EMS, Hospitals, Red Cross, and others I'm probably not aware of.  Amateurs are handling primary communications from the command post, handling priority emergency traffic as needed.  An HF station manned by Amaters, has been set up at a FEMA command post.  Amateurs are handling primary communications from the Staging Area, the EOC, Shelters, and various aid distribution points.  

Today, there were 35 Amateurs deployed in Charlotte County.  As more help arrives, the number of Amateurs needed increases as well. 

Assignments are made on an "as needed" basis, as new folks arrive and others leave.

If you have been in the area, and have taken any digital photos of some of the amateur activities, please e-mail them to the Rick Lindquist, n1rl at arrl.org

CQ and 9-1-1 magazine, has also contacted me for an article and some pictures!

If you'd like to help, please contact me, and let me know what day(s) you are available, how long you can stay, and any special equipment you may have.  This is noted, and will be deployed where needed.  

A Comm Unit from Brevard will arrive tomorrow, but as the ones already here get set to leave, we'll need replacements.  If your team has a Comm Unit, please let me know.  You may be put on standby, until needed.

For those who have been down there ... nothing is more satisfying and fullfilling as someone saying "Thanks"!  For those who haven't been ... you will never now how good hearing the word "Thanks" can make you feel.

73, Ron