[Hallicrafters] Re: Katrina. No Hams Allowed!?

[W. David Paperman]

Terry;

1. This is not a Hallicrafters list issue.

2. The disaster hurricane Katrina created is in no way parallel to the 
that caused be those Islamic religious fanatics in New York. That 
disaster was relatively localized; Katrina affected a huge area.

2. I am the ARES Emergency Coordinator for Montgomery County, Texas 
(and, of course, a Hallicrafters collector).

3. The very last information I take as Gospel is the information that 
issue from the press, especially coast - to - coast radio.

4. NO ONE other than, of course, the press, military, FEMA and other 
Federal and state agencies are are being allowed into the New Orleans 
area. It is both a disaster and war zone. Amateur radio operators are 
trained as specialists in communications; not as combatants or medic or 
helo operators.

5. The first priority, or layer, for amateur radio communicators are 
those that resided in and are familiar with the affected areas (plural).
Those who have survived and have at least minimal resources ARE 
operating, but not, to my knowledge in New Orleans. Remember, that city 
is being evacuated. Of what use would HAM operators be under those 
conditions?

6. At this time there are operators are deploying to areas that are 
secure where they can be effective and reasonably secure. Remember, they 
are NOT combatants. There are operators in towns in Louisiana and 
Mississippi where entry is allowed. There will be more operators as 
conditions allow. There is a long list of volunteers. They will be 
needed for a long time.

7. In the interim there are shelters in evacuation areas that have many 
HAMS assisting in communications. Several of the Montgomery County (TX) 
ARES team have been active in the Houston Astrodome as a part of Mutual 
Aid agreements. (Yes, ARES has ARESMAT, Mutual Assistance Team 
agreements with other ARES team in other counties).

The point being that ARES (or RACES) members are not equipped or trained 
to be first responders in catastrophic disaster areas. This is 
especially true when an area is impassable or is in the process of total 
evacuation.

One of the first items on training agendas for both ARES and CERT 
(Community Emergency Response Teams - which I have been trained and 
certified as a trainer) is to protect a) Self, b) Family and c) don't 
become part of the problem.

I hope this answers your concerns. ARES is active and has NOT been 
denied access to areas in which it CAN provide meaningful assistance 
without becoming part of the problem.

So much for the accuracy of coast to coast talk radio.

Dave, W5WP
Emergency Coordinator (ARES), Montgomery County, Texas
CERT Coordinator
Life Member, ARRL.


Zengmeiste at aol.com wrote:

> (heard on Coast-to-Coast AM 890 Chicago 4-5 SEP 2005)
> (paraphrase)
> 
>   ....ham radio operators, who lent a massive communications assist during 
> the 9/11 disaster, were apparently told to 'butt out' from rendering same to the 
> rescue / c  & c et al folks working  in and around New Orleans...