[FLARES] Sarasota Activities during Hurricane Frances

[Ron Wetjen]

Sarasota County Amateurs were activated during Hurricane Frances Friday, 
Saturday and Sunday.

Red Cross HQ was activated and shelters opened on Friday.

A total of 6 public shelters were opened, and most, if not all, had 
amateur communications for most of the event.  In addition, one shelter 
was opened to handle DeSoto County evacuees and one PSN Shelter was open.

EOC Radio Room was activated at 7:30 AM Saturday morning.

7 Sarasota County Tactical Search & Rescue teams, including an amateur 
for each team, were "staged" Saturday evening at 9PM to ride out the 
storm.  S&R Teams, or a "scout team", were deployed at 5PM Sunday.

No significant damage reported by S&R Teams, and all teams were 
demobilized by 7PM Sunday.

Red Cross and shelter communications shut down late Sunday afternoon.

EOC Radio Room shut down operations at 7PM Sunday.

No total "man hours" figures available yet.

Ron, WD4AHZ