[GVARC] Emergency preparedness recommendations

[Frank Fahrlander]

This received from Larry, our District Emergency Coordinator for Santa Clara
County...


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-SCC-EC@svpal.org [mailto:owner-SCC-EC@svpal.org]On Behalf Of
Lawrence Carr
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 14:12 PM
To: scc-ec@svpal.org
Subject: EC: Re: FBI issued NEW threat warning (fwd)


Hi folks

I was just asked by one of our hams "How does one prepare for this?"
regarding the recent notice from the FBI that a terrorist attack on
the United Sates could occur as soon as today (see end of message
below).

>I suggest that the best way to prepare for this is to get ready as
>you would if you knew a major winter rain storm was to hit the bay
>area in a few hours. Under those conditions, i would be sure that I
>had my "go kit" fully ready to go, that my car was full of gas, that
>I had my radio(s) fully charged, with backup AA bateries and battery
>pack(s) at hand.  I would be sure that my family knew what to do
>(you should already have done this in preparation for an earthquake
>- preparing for a terrorist attack is really not much different). I
>would be sure that my EC had my pager number, and an up-to-date
>telephone number, and I would monitor the news periodically. I would
>carry my ham radio with me all the time, so that i could check into
>the ham net immediately if it were required.

If a terrorist attack were to occur locally(or nationally, for that
matter), as soon as you hear of it, tune in to 146.115(+) PL 100.0,
where we (ARES/RACES) will be advising the listeners of any action
that will be required by hams. Do not be surprised if you are the
first one on the net. If you are, stay on the net as net control,
advising others that you have not yet heard anything official. Once a
county ARES/RACES person comes on the net, turn the net control over
to them, advising them of any information that you have received,

There is really not that much that you will need to do to prepare, if
you have already fully prepared yourself, your family, and your home
for an earthquake. For example, if a terrorist attack were to cause
contamination of the air, the first order will probably be to
"shelter in place". This means that you should be prepared to stay
indoors, seal windows and doors, and listen to the news and to your
ham radio, You may need to be self-sufficient for several days, so
review your emergency supplies NOW. You should monitor both the
county ARES/RACES net on 146.115, as well as your own city net.

Obviously, this is not a complete guidebook for preparation for
natural disasters or terrorist attacks. However, if you fully prepare
for an earthquake, you will go a long way in preparing for a
terrorist attack.

ECs, I suggest that you forward this e-mail to your city hams.

Larry

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