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02/21/2013=20
The American Red Cross has made the decision to phase out and =
decommission its Emergency Communication Response Vehicles (ECRVs), due =
to changes in technology, as well as a new satellite system and other =
factors regarding the vehicle fleet. "Retrofitting the decade-old =
vehicles with new equipment is not a good use of donated funds, as the =
long-term strategy is to move to more portable systems," American Red =
Cross Disaster Services Technology Manager Keith Robertory, KG4UIR, told =
the ARRL. "This is consistent with the trends in the telecom and =
technology industries."

The American Red Cross will be removing the Amateur Radios from the =
ECRVs as part of the decommissioning process. These radios will either =
become part of the deployable inventory or provided to the local =
American Red Cross chapter to build local capacity. Equipment that can =
be used by the American Red Cross will not be phased out with the =
vehicle. According to Robertory, every communication capability of the =
ECRV already exists -- or will soon exist -- as a rapidly deployable kit =
that can be loaded on any vehicle that is owned or rented by the =
American Red Cross, providing more flexibility in shaping its response =
to match the disaster.

"From a radio perspective, the American Red Cross has a variety of =
different kits for amateur, business and public safety bands covering =
HF, VHF and UHF with portable radios, mobile units and base stations," =
he explained. "Two-way radio remains a valuable tool, providing =
communications in the initial days or weeks of a disaster, until normal =
communications is restored. Each American Red Cross chapter should =
continue with -- and improve -- the relationship with their local =
Amateur Radio operators. In a disaster, Amateur Radio will be the =
fastest deployed radio network because operators already live in the =
impacted communities."

Robertory called the ECRV operators "the key to the success of the ECRV =
program through the years," saying their skills, dedication and =
flexibility have made the ECRV one of the most visible aspects of the =
American Red Cross Disaster Technology team. The ability to establish =
connectivity and communications remains vital to the American Red Cross, =
and their skills will continue to be needed as the American Red Cross =
implements new technology strategy and tactics. The commitment and =
flexibility of technologists -- including radio operators -- is what =
makes technology on a disaster successful. Building our future path =
based on the lessons we have learned is important to keep us all =
successful."

Radio amateurs who are concerned about how the decommissioning of ECRVs =
will affect opportunities to serve the American Red Cross can be assured =
that such opportunities still exist. "This should not be seen as a =
setback for those radio amateurs who are working with the American Red =
Cross," said ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U. "In =
disaster response, adaptability is critical and keeping up with new =
technology is essential. This all must be done with a mind toward an =
effective and efficient response. Amateurs have played an important role =
in assisting the American Red Cross with their mission and I know we =
will continue to do so in the future."

Information about how to purchase these vehicles will be shared at a =
later date.