[MRIC] HOSPITAL HAM EQUIIPMENT & GRANT MONEY

[Terry Sapp]

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

I'm sorry I could not be there in person on Saturday.

I asked Brett to announce that I am working with Holly Mann (HRSA manager) and Frank Monius, (MD Hospital Association), to determine the needs of hospitals in terms of ham equipment. The end goal is to have the same capabilities for voice and data (and where feasible, identical equipment) in all hospitals, and we are looking at what grant money is available for such a purpose.

Brett and I chatted on Saturday--I asked him if the RACES Officers could put together a list of specs and budget of what it would cost per hospital (ballparked--we recognize that some hospitals are further along with this than others).  I also suggested that the RACES Officers communicate with the local hospital emergency coordinators/planners or whoever that hospital contact is who submits the HRSA grant request, so that we are all on the same page.  The hospital planners may not be aware of what their equipment needs are since the statewide specs that you came up is fairly recent development.  

This is not a PROMISE of funds--we  cannot guarantee that we will be definitely be able to fulfill these requests.  Holly will need to review the requests submitted by the hospitals and determine if there are sufficient funds.  

Hospitals are NOT, under any circumstances, guaranteed any specific amount of funds for ham radio and resources.  Apparently a local RACES operator contacted the Hospital Association directly, stating that he heard he was guaranteed a certain amount of funding for ham equipment. 

We are hoping that we will be able to accomplish our mission but it is entirely too early in this process to make any definitive statements.  Please....do not contact Holly Mann or Frank Monius--  Talk to your local hospitals and determine their needs/costs based on your discussion Saturday about a statewide HF/data network, and the hospital can contact Holly Mann or Frank Monius if they have any questions about this special project.

If I find out that anyone is telling a hospital that they are guaranteed x dolllars of funding, I will personally come to your house and hang my dirty socks off of your antenna tower. Seriously folks--please do not pass on misinformation-- Our jobs are challenging enough.  

Thanks and 73

Terry KF6DLM

Terry Sapp
State CRI Coordinator
Office of Preparedness & Response
Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
201 W. Preston Street, Suite #315
Baltimore MD 21201
Office: 410-767-4621
Cell: 443-695-8208
Fax: 410-333-5000
Email: tsapp at dhmh.state.md.us