[FPARC] Fw: Katrina Assistance

[Arthur Lindell]

Thanks for reading this & have a great day!
73 Art W4ZEF
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: ARRL Web site
Date: 08/31/05 08:37:14
To: w4zef at bellsouth.net
Subject: Katrina Assistance
 
Fellow Amateurs,
 
We are all concerned about the people in the path of Katrina's
destruction. Many of us have friends or family in the area, others have
friends and co-workers with friends or family in the area. At this
time information into and out of the affected areas is sporadic. Our
fellow hams are overloaded with requests for food, water and rescue.
They cannot handle Health and Welfare at this time. Nor can I.
 
If you need to locate someone visit: http://www.satern.org/ and
complete the health and welfare information request. This group is
also on the air at 14.265. SATERN has the ability to hold the messages
and to handle delivery when information can get to the affected area.
Don't forget to provide the last known address of the person you are
looking for as well as the area they may have evacuated to.
 
Here's how YOU can help now. Keep frequencies with any kind of relief
traffic clear -- that means listen only, don't be a policeman. Offer
to handle the internet input or the HF traffic to SATERN from your area
for those without internet access or HF privileges. Try a text message
via cell phone. Have patience.
 
If you want to go to the area to assist with communications or other
activities, contact the Red Cross or other relief agencies. They have
required training courses before you can be deployed so do not be
surprised if you are told no. Donate money. Contact Jeff Beals, our
SEC WA4AW at juno.com -- he is handling any coordination with Tallahassee
for mutual ARES® aid from our area. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL TO THE
AREA ON YOUR OWN.
 
 
John Weatherly, AB4ET had the following comments that I cannot say any
better:
-- The situation in the affected area is still very chaotic and the
authorities are still trying to get organized (its little more than 48
hrs since the hurricane landed!). They are only just getting momentum
going for the search and rescue phase.
-- They are currently having major problems with housing, feeding and
sanitary conditions for the victims and would have major problems with
a large influx of unexpected helpers without assignments.
-- Its 600-800 miles from here to the affected area! For several
reasons, our best and most effective operating area is a radius of
about 200 miles from here. There are many, many ARES groups in states
within 200 miles of the affected area who will be responding, if and
when needed.
-- Just getting a team together and diving in, uninvited, with no plan
for the destination area at that distance is foolhardy. If it looks
like assistance from this distance is warranted we should expect
information and requests to come through the ARRL/ARES chain of command
and/or through the state/county emergency management system.
------------------------------------------------
 
Before the next disaster strikes, learn about traffic handling and the
priority of messages. Section and state NTS Net schedules can be found
here: www.sflarrl.org and click on NTS traffic handling (after the
server is restored to use -- it is a victim of Katrina)
For training in message handling browse through:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch1.html or ask your EC to
schedule some traffic handling courses. I have some training materials
available for instructors if the instructors would like to contact me.
In particular become proficient at emergency communications. take the
ARRL ARECC level I training course as a minimum, so you know what to do
when you are needed. Also take the FEMA on-line Incident Command System
(ICS) basic course, its free! This is becoming a necessity, for that is
the way that emergencies are managed these days.
 
Last, and certainly not least, stay alert to the tropical weather since
the season is young. Know your equipment and your local ARES and RACES
officials. Establish a contact outside the area to filter calls from
and about you should we have a disaster here.
 
And most important. Thank you for your offers of assistance and all
the actual assistance you provide. Help from every individual is
important.
 
73 and stay safe,
Sherri, W4STB
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Southern Florida Section
Section Manager: Sharon T. Brower, W4STB
w4stb at arrl.org
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