[FLARES] Shelter Antennas

[Ron Wetjen]

For some time, I've been working towards getting permanent antennas 
installed at our school shelters.  This has taken many years, and for 
the longest time, "No" was the answer.  But, perseverance, stubbornness, 
or talking to the right person has finally paid off!

Emergency Management said OK and the School Board gave their OK, so EM 
purchased the antennas.

We recently did a site survey with the School Board communications folks 
and the county Communications contractor.  Using information from the 
Red Cross, we knew the "hardened" portions of each shelter - this is 
where we needed to be.

The shelter managers didn't seem to have a "plan" as to what rooms they 
would use for what purpose.  We wanted to be near the "command and 
control" areas, but no one had determined these locations.  So, during 
our survey, we made the decision as to where the antennas would go, how 
we'd run the cable, and which room we'd be setting up in.  The shelter 
managers would have to adapt.

Yesterday, the contractor submitted an estimate for the job - and 
because we agreed to assist with the installation by running the cables, 
the price was reduced.  A formal quote is expected today, and it's 
expected materials to complete the job can be here next week.

It looks like within the next week or two, antenna installation can 
begin, and we'll have permanent antennas installed at 8 of our hardened 
General Population shelters and 3 PSN Shelters by the end of July!

When we deploy with our portable "jump kits", setting up will be as easy 
as "plug and play"!

Ron