[SFDXA] ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava Flow Response

[Bill]

ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava Flow 
Response
> *
> *
> 09/23/2014
> ARRL Headquarters is deploying *Ham Aid* <http://www.arrl.org/ham-aid> 
> kits to Hawaii as ARES volunteers stand ready to activate in the wake 
> of the massive Puna volcanic lava flow that has been threatening some 
> communities on the Big Island of Hawaii. The lava originated from new 
> “vents” in the Earth as a result of the Mt Kilauea volcano, which 
> began erupting more than 30 years ago. ARRL Pacific Section Manager 
> Bob Schneider, AH6J, said Tuesday that while he doesn’t believe an 
> ARES activation is imminent, lava flows can be unpredictable, and 
> things can change rapidly.
> “Lava is a slow-motion disaster,” he said. “It’s not like a volcano, 
> where the thing just blows up. It’s like a pot of soup.”
> ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, said the Ham Aid 
> kits going out to Hawaii include HF gear as well as VHF and UHF 
> equipment. “We’re deploying an HF kit — an IC-718 transceiver, a 
> tuner, and a dipole — and a VHF/UHF kit.” The latter includes a mobile 
> transceiver and power supply as well as several handheld transceivers 
> that have been programmed with local frequencies that may be needed 
> before they’re shipped. Corey said the Ham Aid kits are a resource 
> available to ARRL section leadership to add capacity during a disaster 
> or emergency response.
> Schneider said that while there is no immediate need for the kits, “if 
> they have it out there, and this thing changes, we’ll be prepared. 
> It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”
> Hawaii Civil Defense said Kilauea continued to erupt at its summit as 
> of Monday, although the more than 10-mile lava flow — or “tube” — 
> under the greatest scrutiny halted its progress toward the sea on 
> Tuesday — at least for the time being. Authorities also are monitoring 
> so-called “breakout” flows. No homes have been affected so far, 
> although the molten rock is causing vegetation to burn in its path. 
> The front of the Puna lava flow is estimated to be some 150 yards 
> across at its widest point.
> Hawaii Gov Neil Abercrombie has issued a disaster declaration for the 
> areas that are or may be affected by the lava flow. Schneider and ARES 
> members and officials have been keeping an eye on the situation.
> “We anticipate lava may cross the main Highway 130 near Pahoa on the 
> Island of Hawaii in 1 to 3 weeks,” Schneider announced on the Pacific 
> Section website over the weekend. He said a “best guess” would be 
> within 10 days. Schneider said Highway 130 is the primary commuter 
> route for residents in several residential subdivisions that might be 
> affected, including one that is home to some 20,000 people — what he 
> called, “a pretty good chunk of population” overall. The governor’s 
> proclamation has permitted authorities to open two alternative routes, 
> in case Highway 130 has to be closed.
> Hawaii Civil Defense authorities have deployed their remote emergency 
> operations center in the affected region, and Schneider visited there 
> a few days ago.
> “The town of Pahoa is in kind of a slow panic,” he reported. “If the 
> lava comes down and goes right to the ocean, probably the only thing 
> that /won’t/ be affected will be cell phones. Power and conventional 
> telephone service will be out.” In that case, should ARES be 
> activated, Schneider said the volunteers’ likely role would be to 
> relay health-and-welfare traffic from affected communities.
>