[SixClub] [Fwd: Request for Assistance]

Tue Sep 21 11:47:16 EDT 2004

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Request for Assistance
Date: 	21 Sep 2004 14:00:25 -0000
From: 	ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: 	kenyonl1 at bellsouth.net

Greetings fellow Amateur Radio Operator, 

A request has been issued by the State of Florida via the DEC of WCEN to
form jump teams to help the individuals of Escambia and Santa Rosa
Counties in the panhandle of Florida. 

As you may have seen on TV or heard on the radio, most of the people in
those northern coastal areas are without power, potable water, phone
service, cell phone service, and television stations and AM Radio are
off the air, some FM stations operable if you have battery operated
receivers. Many hospitals are non operational, and many residents in all
counties impacted have lost their homes. Still more will not be allowed
to return to their homes because the foundations of these homes are
unstable and are considered condemned and will be razed. 

There is an immediate need for 30 operators in Escambia County, the
Pensacola area, and 16 operators in Santa Rosa County-- ( as in be there
by Monday or Tuesday).  Additionally these operators will need to be
replenished or relieved every 3 to 4 days by other volunteers.  I am
currently coordinating efforts with Jeff Fontaine, WD4USA, of the Pasco
ARES/RACES system, to gather names of able and interested Hams that will
be able to volunteer for this effort. 

I know that we have served where needed locally through three hurricane
events, many of us are still cleaning up our own properties and
restoring our lives but our services are sincerely needed to assist
those in direst need of everything that sustains life and the means to
acquire these necessities is in the sole hands of radio operators like
you and I.  If you are can help, we need your skills. 

Please send this out to all amatuers on your email list

Read on for more information. 

Health requirements: 

&#183; Due to the elevated temperatures and humidity from ground water,
any ham with heart problems or breathing difficulties (asthma, etc.) is
requested not to volunteer for the trip. Your efforts however may be of
invaluable use here at home. More on that later. 

Communications: 

Most local communications will be done on 2 repeaters in the areas: 

Escambia County 146.760 -600 (100.0 PL) 

Santa Rosa County 146.700 -600 

There will also be some simplex frequencies in use for passing traffic
and information. 

Map- directions- and tracking numbers: 

Dale Sewell, N4SGQ the coordinator for all deployment, will issue
Tracker numbers, instructions and a special map for deployment to assist
operators in getting to the staging location. 

Length of deployment: 

Plan for 4 days (at your option longer) adjust your "kit" as necessary.

Fuel:

If you are driving, keep your tank topped up, and carry at least a 5
gallons of extra fuel with you (observing the common safety issues with
any combustible mixture). It may be some distance to a station.

Expenditures:

Persons volunteering for deployment should keep all receipts pertaining
to their deployment plus total mileage for the duration for possible
reimbursement by the state. 

What you will need to bring: 

Radios: 

A good working 2 meter radio with a portable antenna is necessary
(something to hang the antenna up with, such as string or fishing line,
is recommended) 

A handheld 2 meter is a good idea- but bring a 12 volt power source for
charging batteries, extra batteries, AC charger as needed An HF radio
with some type of tuner may not be necessary but is a good option-
remember to bring an antenna that can be supported between tree branches
(such as a long wire, dipole ant. or end fed zep ant.) as well as plenty
of coax to reach your radio.(100 ft. or more is a good figure).

Personal items: 

Sleeping: 

Some type of bedroll for personal comfort (air matters, sleeping bag)
and a pillow. You may be sleeping on a floor or in the back of a truck.
Plan for unknown conditions. 

Eating: 

Plan on packing personal food for 4-5 days (breakfast, lunch, dinner,
snacks) and eating utensils, portable stove(grill) and cooking utensils.
 There are some food wagons on the way, and some may be in area, but
many people are still eating MRE's (Meal Ready to Eat).  Take as much
water with you as possible, 5-8 gallons is recommended.

There is a boil water statement in affect for all counties impacted. 

Toiletries: 

Soap 

Towels -how many do you use in 4 days 

Wash cloth 

Shaving equipment 

Toothbrush and tooth paste 

Plastic trash bags for dirty laundry, trash, water proofing your dry
goods, etc., A small bottle of Clorox for treating non-potable water for
bathing (10 drops per gallon) is a good idea.  toilette paper- 2 rolls
or more anything else I might have forgotten in this category. 

Medical and health related: 

Take any pills that you may be taking, for at least 7 days worth in a
Zip loc type bag to keep dry. 

A basic medical kit is a good idea. The many hospitals are down and the
DMAT teams are not completely located to service all areas.  Lots of
good mosquito repellent. Most with DEET are a good choice.

Citronella candles are optional 

Clothing: 

Clothing for 4-5 days (pants, shoes, socks, shirt, underwear, etc.) 

Rain coat or poncho 

A warm jacket may not be needed but you can always bring it back if you
don't use it. 

Be self contained in all aspects including personal toilet needs. 

Contact information: 

If you live in Citrus, Hernando, Marion, and Sumter counties: 

Alan McGrew KC4MTS 

4620 Keysville Ave. 

Spring Hill, Fla. 

Email kc4mts at bellsouth.net 

Phone 1-352-666-1593 

To Volunteer: 

If you are in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and counties of the West
Central Florida ARRL Section contact: 

Jeff Fontaine WD4USA 

Email WD4USA @nraonline.com 

Phone 1-727-375-5459 

Or contact KB2EV at aol.com or (352) 796-6710  DEC/WCEN if you have further
questions before volunteering. 

Please forward this communication to all Amateur Operators in your
address book. Any operator in the USA is requested to assist in this
effort. All volunteers are appreciated. 

Operators outside of Florida should contact Dale Sewell, N4SGQ directly
at his email address: n4sgq at arrl.net to receive instructions and
applicable Tracker number. 

HF Monitor frequencies & Tactical nets for this emergency: 

Please note: no incoming or inquiry traffic will be accepted as there is
no way it can be delivered.  H & W outgoing will be handled as time
permits when stations have been established to send outgoing traffic
from the impacted areas. 

Daily: Monitoring for P traffic on 3950 goes to 100z to 1600Z;  then
changes to 7254 from 1600z to 2200Z. 

Nets: (Tactical & Priority traffic) 

3950   1300Z  Northern Fl. AREC Net 

7254    1600Z and 1900Z  Special sessions NFPN. 

3950    2330Z Regular session NFPN.

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