[PBARC] Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Signup Database Now Open

[WOLF, EARNEST G]

Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Signup Database Now Open


NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 31, 2005--The Hurricane Katrina Disaster Communications
Volunteer Registration & Message Traffic Database now is open. Site
Administrator Joe Tomasone, AB2M, set up the database (
http://katrina.ab2m.net) , and South Texas ARRL Section Emergency
Coordinator Jerry Reimer, KK5CA, is handling volunteer coordination. This
site is intended for Amateur Radio volunteers to sign up for communication
support duty on behalf of Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery efforts in
Louisiana and Mississippi. 

"Standard ARES mutual assistance rules are in effect," Reimer says in a
statement for those considering signing up. "ARES volunteers intending to
travel should not leave without specific instructions." 

Reimer is encouraging trained volunteers "qualified and willing to travel
into the area" to register. Initial volunteers chosen for duty will be drawn
from those available within Louisiana and Mississippi, followed by
volunteers from adjacent sections. 

He notes that hotel or motel accommodations are unlikely to be available for
volunteers traveling into the storm-stricken states and "any accommodations
that are available are likely to be primitive and makeshift." Water suitable
for drinking or bathing also 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," Reimer advises. "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." 

The ARRL South Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi sections' mutual assistance
agreement is in effect for the Hurricane Katrina response. 

Thanks,
Glenn