[HCRA] Fw: ARES E-Letter for September 03, 2005

[Daniel J. Sullivan]

If you don't subscribe youmight want to consider it. This is a special
edition with reports on the Katrina response efforts.

Dan S
----- Original Message ----- 



> **********************
> The ARRL ARES E-Letter
> Special Edition
> September 2, 2005
> **********************
>
> Edited by Rick Palm, K1CE
>
> =================================================================
> ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or
> comments: Rick Palm, K1CE, k1ce at arrl.net
> =================================================================
>
> SPECIAL EDITION: HURRICANE KATRINA
>
> "I know many people would like to move now. Please don't. I know many
> of you want to enter the fray, come to the coast and get involved.
> Please, not yet. Transportation and logistics, including volunteer
> groups coming in, must be done in an orderly manner or we may only
> add to the chaos and confusion." -ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP
>
> =================================================================
>
> IN THIS ISSUE:
>
> +  Message from Southern Florida SM Sherri Brower, W4STB
> +  Volunteer Disaster Communications Registration Data Base
> +  First Contact: Southern Florida's Experience
> +  Gulf Coast ARES Emergency Net
> +  Louisiana Situation
> +  Alabama Situation
> +  Mississippi Situation
> +  Northern Florida Mutual Assistance Team Effort
> +  On Special Assignment: Hillsborough County (Florida) ARES/RACES
> +  HF ARES Net Frequencies, Other Frequencies, Key Station Activity
> +  ARRL MOU Partners' Activity
> +  New Product: PowerFlare might be helpful for responders
> +  Editorial
> +  Final Note to Deployers
> =================================================================
>
> Numerous reports are coming in on the devastation and relief
> response, including ARES, manifested by Hurricane Katrina. This
> special release addresses initial ARES responses and planning.
> Everyone has seen the media reports and the public notices of various
> governmental agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations, so they
> will not be reiterated here. The purpose of this edition is to share
> early reports and stories of what our fellow ARES members are doing
> in the field in response to one of the worst natural disasters to
> beset the United States. These efforts are only preliminary, and in
> no way represent the total ARES effort, which will evolve over the
> hard hours, days and weeks to come. - K1CE
> ________________________
>
> +  Message from Southern Florida SM Sherri Brower, W4STB
>
> "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 traffic at this time.
> Nor can I. Go to <http://www.satern.org/>  with such requests. [See
> story below - ed.]
>
> "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.
> 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. Coordinate your travel offer for ARES mutual assistance with
> your SEC. Do not attempt to travel to the area on your own." -W4STB
> ____________________
>
> +  Volunteer Disaster Communications Registration and Message Traffic
> Data Base
>
> South Texas SEC Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, adds "The immediate action is
> for ARES leaders in adjacent and nearby sections to identify ARES
> volunteers who are qualified and willing to travel into the
> [affected] areas." He also reported the establishment of a "Volunteer
> Disaster Communications Registration and Message Traffic Data Base" -
> see <http://katrina.ab2m.net/> He added this caveat: "Before
> registering, consider there are unlikely to be any hotel or motel
> rooms available; any accommodations that are available are likely to
> be primitive and makeshift. Water suitable for drinking or even
> washing is expected to be scarce. Unless you are presently mentally
> and physically prepared for complete self-sufficiency for at least
> several days, please do not immediately register.  Not everyone needs
> to be in the first wave of volunteers; the recovery effort will last
> weeks and perhaps months, requiring an extended volunteer pool."
> ___________________
>
>
> + First Contact: Southern Florida's Experience
>
> August 25 and 26, 2005-- Hurricane Katrina first crossed paths with
> the U.S. in south Florida. Jeff Beals, WA4AW, ARRL Southern Florida
> Section Emergency Coordinator, reported that county ECs advised him
> of several activations and responses. In Martin County, the EOC was
> activated with resource and tactical nets operating in support of Red
> Cross HQ, shelters and the EOC. Palm Beach and Broward Counties saw
> the same level of activity. Miami-Dade County ARES supported their
> EOC and shelters, with ARES/RACES DCAT teams assisting Red Cross with
> damage assessment and food distribution. Tactical communications were
> provided for all of the above operations. There were no activations
> in Glades, Lee or Hendry Counties, according to Beals. The Southern
> Florida ARES Net (SFAN) held four special sessions on August 25 and
> 26.
> _____________
>
>
> + Gulf Coast ARES Emergency Net
>
> As Katrina exited the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, the Gulf
> Coast's uneasiness turned to alarm when the massive storm came ashore
> near the under-sea-level port city of New Orleans. A new Battle for
> New Orleans was soon unfolding.
>
> South Texas SEC Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, informed us of Gulf Coast ARES
> mutual assistance: "The South Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi ARRL
> sections have had a mutual assistance agreement, primarily focused on
> providing net control stations for HF nets.  See
> <http://www.laarrl.org/emergops.htm>.  Accordingly, the Gulf Coast
> ARES Emergency Net began operating Monday, August 29 on 3873 kHz and
> 7285 kHz, and health and welfare traffic nets are operating on 3935
> kHz and 7290 kHz."
>
> As of today, Friday, September 2, the West Gulf ARES Emergency Net
> remains active on 7285 kHz days and 3873 kHz nights, handling
> emergency and priority traffic only. The net has been operating 24/7.
> Health-and-welfare traffic is being handled on 7290 kHz days and 3935
> kHz nights. [As this is being written, I am listening to the net on
> 7285 kHz: they are performing a very professional job. -ed.]
>
> Other sections are also providing mutual assistance. See related
> stories below.
> ________________________
>
>
> + Louisiana Situation
>
> Early on, Louisiana SEC Gary Stratton, K5GLS, said ARES teams were on
> hold since no one was allowed to go into many areas of southern
> Louisiana.  Following assessments, the nature of the ARES role could
> be determined. Louisiana SM Mickey Cox, K5MC, said that Richard Webb,
> NF5B, from New Orleans was on the air from the Louisiana State
> University Hospital. He had reported early that sections of New
> Orleans were under water. Louisiana Assistant Section Manager Mike
> King, W5MP, from Slidell, also was on the air Monday helping provide
> communication from a hospital on the north shore of Lake
> Pontchatrain.
>
> Now, ARES in Louisiana is supporting various relief organizations.
> Stratton said most efforts have gone toward assisting with emergency
> management and search-and-rescue operations. He says he has ARES
> members ready to roll once state authorities reopen the hardest-hit
> parishes that have been closed off to outsiders. "We have people on
> standby from all over northern Louisiana and from the South Texas
> Section basically champing at the bit trying to find out when they
> can go," Stratton told ARRL. "It's a very tough wait."
>
> Volunteers have been or will be deployed into the areas that are not
> cordoned off, Stratton said. He also said most of the emergency
> activity has been on HF, as repeaters were knocked out or have
> exhausted emergency power resources. He noted that some systems north
> of Lake Pontchatrain were coming back on line, however, as power is
> restored. ARES volunteers from Bossier and Caddo parishes are being
> deployed into areas that are still open. "We're handling a lot of
> traffic from down there that ends up being made by cell phones from
> people in the affected area to relatives to people up here in
> Shreveport," Stratton explained, "and they call the 911 center in the
> Bossier area, and we have a radio link from our EOC to Bossier." From
> there the traffic goes onto the HF net.
> ________________
>
>
> + Alabama Situation
>
> Staff in Newington also talked with Alabama SM Greg Sarratt, W4OZK,
> by telephone, in northern Alabama. Power outages occurred as Katrina
> moved through the northern Alabama region, bringing flooding rains
> and high winds. SKYWARN nets were very active, too, according to
> Sarratt, who handled a volunteer shift at the Huntsville National
> Weather Service (NWS). ARES groups throughout the state and
> especially in central and south Alabama were providing communications
> for their local emergency management agencies, and Red Cross
> chapters.
> ________________
>
>
> + Mississippi Situation
>
> Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, in Vicksburg, was
> initially reported on the air using generator power. His area had no
> electrical power or telephone service, so reports so far have been
> scant. We did receive this: "the West Gulf ARES Emergency Net will
> activate . . . check-ins will be limited to served agency
> representatives as well as stations with emergency, priority, and
> weather related traffic or stations in the affected storm event area
> with information or inquiries."
>
> Radio amateurs wanting to volunteer for ARES work were advised to
> contact their District Emergency Coordinator or county Emergency
> Coordinator.  A list of the Mississippi DECs and ECs is available on
> the section website: see <http://www.arrlmiss.org>.
>
> Now, ARES members are active in the three hardest-hit
> counties--Harrison, Hancock and Jackson. Assistant Mississippi SM
> Edwin Franks, AD5IS, reported people have been calling him at home to
> get information about friends and relatives in the stricken area. DEC
> Thomas Hammack, W4WLF, in Gulfport, has been among those volunteering
> at the Harrison County EOC. Amateurs in the three counties have been
> using HF, VHF and UHF resources to support emergency management as
> well as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Baptist Men's
> Kitchen. Amateurs also have been handling considerable
> health-and-welfare traffic, he said.
>
> Mutual Assistance to Mississippi: About a half dozen radio amateurs,
> including the aforementioned Alabama SM Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, were
> preparing to head to Jackson, Mississippi, as part of a Southern
> Baptist Disaster Relief trip. They will provide communications and
> other assistance for the relief group. Another group from Alabama
> will be heading on to southern Mississippi or Louisiana once
> assignments are confirmed.
> ____________________
>
>
> + Northern Florida Mutual Assistance Team Effort
>
> Storm riding veteran and Northern Florida SM Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, is
> gathering a team to assist neighboring Mississippi upon clearance and
> coordination by the Florida State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
> Northern Florida SEC Joe Bushel, W2DWR, stated that radio amateurs
> going should be prepared to spend a week in the area. VHF, UHF and HF
> capabilities will be needed as well as digital, ATV and SSTV modes.
> Bushel asked DECs for lists of volunteers. "Do not depart without a
> Florida-issued Tracker Number," advised Bushel and Hubbard. Tracker
> Numbers will only be available from them. The Northern Florida ARES
> Net (3950 kHz) and Phone Net (3940 kHz) are good sources for
> deployment information.
> ___________________
>
>
> + On Special Assignment: Hillsborough County (Florida) ARES/RACES
>
> Gary Sessums, KC5QCN, Hillsborough County EC, reports that his
> ARES/RACES organization has been tasked by the Florida Division of
> Emergency Management (FDEM) through the Emergency Management
> Assistance Compact (EMAC) to deploy the State of Florida Emergency
> Deployable Interoperable Communications System (EDICS) and the State
> of Florida Mutual Aid Radio Communications (MARC) Unit to the
> Mississippi Gulf Coast in support of Hurricane Katrina recovery
> operations.
>
> In addition to the public safety communications equipment they will
> be deploying, team members will interface with Amateur Radio, the
> Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and
> the Federal government's SHARES HF radio system. They will also
> attempt to pass health and welfare traffic via amateur radio.
>
> The team was also tasked with providing communications support
> locally in Tampa for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
> airlift of hospital patients from the flooded hospitals in New
> Orleans to local hospitals in Hillsborough. ARES/RACES operators are
> stationed at Tampa's airport and at the Hillsborough County EOC to
> track plane landings and patient head count information.
>
> The team that was selected to deploy had taken the required courses,
> including the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course
> (ARECC), and have specific skills needed to accomplish the mission.
>
> [Late note: This team is en route to the affected areas as this is
> being written-ed.]
> __________________________
>
>
> + Known ARES HF and VHF Operations
>
> The following is a list of ARES net frequencies that may be active,
> courtesy of East Central Florida DEC designate Jay Musikar, AF2C:
>
> 3873 kHz Louisiana ARES Emergency (night)
> 3873 kHz Texas ARES Emergency (night)
> 3873 kHz Mississippi ARES Emergency
> 3910 kHz Mississippi ARES
> 3923 kHz Mississippi ARES
> 3935 kHz Louisiana ARES (health and welfare)
> 3935 kHz Texas ARES (health and welfare)
> 3935 kHz Mississippi ARES (health and welfare)
> 3950 kHz Northern Florida ARES
> 7273 kHz Texas ARES (alternate)
> 7285 kHz West Gulf ARES Emergency (day)
> 7285 kHz Louisiana ARES Emergency (day)
> 7285 kHz Mississippi ARES Emergency (day)
> 7285 kHz Texas ARES Emergency (day)
> 7290 kHz Texas ARES (health and welfare)
> 7290 kHz Louisiana ARES (health and welfare)
> 7290 kHz Texas ARES (health and welfare)
> 7290 kHz Mississippi ARES (health and welfare)
>
> Other reported frequencies:
>
> 7298 kHz Kessler AFB, Mississippi operator is Alan Deaton, KU4WN.
> 7666 kHz Kessler AFB, Mississippi (Note: this frequency is outside
> the amateur band).
>
> VHF Operations:
>
> 444.200 MHz pl 114.8 New Orleans repeater is operational and EOC in
> Baton Rouge is monitoring; 147.380 MHz North shore of Lake
> Ponchartrain; 147.241 MHz pl 114.8 is operational from East Jefferson
> in New Orleans.
>
> Active Station Operations in Affected Areas:
>
> WB5LHS [Louisiana Office Of Homeland Security And Emergency
> Preparedness Club Station], Baton Rouge EOC and links to FEMA; W5SLA
> [Ozone Amateur Radio Club] Slidell (Louisiana) National Weather
> Service Office; Larry Kirchner, KG7FF, Meadow Crest Hospital in
> Grenta, Louisiana; Danny Smith, KC5EST, EOC Bay St Louis, Mississippi
> (between New Orleans and Biloxi); Tom Miller, AC5TM, working on Levee
> Pumping Stations; Bruce Kachline, KD4WDD, in port at Oak Harbor
> Marina, Slidell, Louisiana, accepting incoming e-mail to
> KD4WDD at winlink.org; Oris Grim III, N4CND, hauling materials for FEMA;
> N4ARC, American Red Cross, Orlando, Florida.
> _______________________________
>
>
> + ARRL MOU Partners' Activity
>
> American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is providing a safe haven
> for nearly 4,000 evacuees in more than 230 Red Cross shelters, from
> the panhandle of Florida, across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
> Georgia, and Texas. The Red Cross is launching the largest
> mobilization of resources for a single natural disaster involving
> thousands of trained disaster relief workers, tons of supplies, and
> support. The Red Cross relies on donations to do its work. The best
> way to help is by making an online contribution to the Disaster
> Relief Fund at: <http://www.redcross.org/>.
>
> More Red Cross: Earl Leach, WX4J, relayed this ARC message: "The Red
> Cross has the same problems with communication as the general public.
> We heed all directions from public officials, and do not enter areas
> until they are deemed safe. The Red Cross does not have information
> on the well being of any individuals. Our phone lines are being
> overwhelmed with calls, and we appreciate the desire to know how
> people fared during the storm. Medical and government officials will
> contact families in serious cases if necessary. The best way to help
> the Red Cross assist those affected by the storm is to remain patient
> and help us keep our phone lines open for emergencies only."
>
> The Salvation Army: Reports have the Salvation Army's SATERN net
> handling more than 12,000 H/W message requests. The net directs
> inquirers to the SATERN web site <http://www.satern.org>, with the
> on-the-air SATERN net looking for emergency traffic only. There has
> been "no traffic out of the storm zone at this time." Look for the
> SATERN net on 14.265 MHz, or possibly 40-meters as conditions
> dictate. SATERN National Net Director Jim Adams, WA0LSB, says the net
> is activating daily at 1400 UTC and continuing until 20 meters
> closes. "We estimate that approximately 1000 Amateur Radio operators
> are checking into the SATERN net each day," he said. "Most of them
> have traffic and are an excellent source for relays and traffic
> handling. Each day, we are able to pass many pieces of traffic."
>
> An ARRL report had SATERN volunteers helping with rooftop rescues:
> "Amateur Radio was instrumental in saving several stranded flood
> victims this week in Louisiana and Mississippi."
> _____________________
>
>
> + New Product May Help: PowerFlare Safety Light of Possible Use for
> Deployments
>
> An ARES EC and police officer, Kenneth Dueker, KB6BPM, in Palo Alto,
> California, has invented the PowerFlare Safety Light
> <http://www.powerflare.com>. According to his note, the PowerFlare
> safety light is about the size of a hockey puck, contains
> ultra-bright LED lights, and is durable enough to be run over by
> large trucks. Uses include: traffic safety, illumination and
> signaling in emergency (earthquake, hurricane, power failure) light,
> and Emergency Response Teams.
>
> The safety product is built in California and is currently in use by
> law enforcement, fire departments, and other first responders, as
> well as road construction and other users.  ARRL and ARES members may
> be interested in PowerFlare. Source: Kenneth Dueker, KB6BPM,
> PowerFlare Corporation President and CEO, e-mail:
> kdueker at powerflare.com
> _________________________
>
>
> + Editorial: Interoperability a Key Role for Amateur Radio
>
> National Public Radio (NPR) featured a brief interview with a
> Louisiana state senator yesterday, who made the observation that
> their biggest problem is communication among the various responding
> agencies. That comment brought back memories: interoperability among
> agencies has been a long time, deeply entrenched problem, and is
> fostered in part by poor coordination and planning, or to put it less
> politely, "turf protection." It's a manifestation of human nature and
> organizational behavior, I suppose.
>
> Reader Don Lamont, WD5AAH, commented: "My only problem is that I have
> watched TV all day on the terrible destruction caused by Katrina and
> listened to the government complain about communications. Will we
> spend another billion dollars on communication gear that won't work
> when they need it or will we call out the amateurs to provide the
> communications."
>
> So, here we have a new event that presents another perfect
> opportunity for ARES members: fill the interoperability gap. That
> opportunity will manifest itself in countless places, with countless
> agencies in the days and weeks to come, as the Gulf Coast slowly
> recovers. When the time comes for post-recovery evaluations, ARES may
> find itself written into more inter-agency communication plans, with
> more government and agency support. At least that's what we should
> work for, when we get to that point down the long, hard road to come.
> -- K1CE
> ___________________________
>
>
> + Final Note to Deployers:
>
> "Caution" should be the keynote of those ARES members getting ready
> to deploy to the affected areas. Make no mistake about it: you are
> going into harm's way. There will be the usual gross hazards-the
> weakened buildings and trees, the water, and debris. And there will
> be unseen hazards from the microbial world. Before departure, see
> your local clinic for shots that will likely include tetanus,
> Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, among others. Be sure that you are
> prepared physically to endure a harsh environment, without the usual
> creature comforts, including a bathroom. Also be prepared for the
> mental hazards: you will see things that will be psychologically
> disturbing. You will endure fatigue that you have never felt before.
> It is a fatigue that you will feel to the core of your being.
>
> But, know one more thing: We on the periphery will be with you in
> spirit, and will be in front of our radios to support your efforts by
> relaying your messages and offering words of encouragement.  We are
> proud that you are one of us. - K1CE
>
> ======================================================================
> The ARES E-Letter is published on the third Wednesday of each month
> by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For
> Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200;
> fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP,
> President.
>
> The ARES E-Letter is an e-mail digest of news and information of
> interest to active members of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
> Service (ARES).
>
> Material from The ARES E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in
> whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit
> must be given to The ARES E-Letter and The American Radio Relay
> League.
>
> Editorial questions or comments: Rick Palm, K1CE, k1ce at arrl.net
> Delivery problems (ARRL direct delivery only!): ares-el-dlvy at arrl.org
>
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>
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> ======================================================================
>