[Skywarn] Introduction Email.

[Brian Umbenhower]

Hello to my fellow Storm Spotters.
 
I have been in Amatuer Radio since 1999. I am a Disabled Vietnam Era Veteran, I was with a Navy Anti-Submarine and Surface Warfare Group in the early 70's. We did Intelligence Gathering and Drug Interdiction and Search and Resuce Operations.I am a S.A.T.E.R.N. member, a Skywarn Advanced Weather Spotter. I have been envolved in Storm Spotting for about 10 Years. For which I use a Yeasu FT-2800M for my reports and FM needs in the truck and a Alinco DR-140Tpowered by a ELENCO PSin the house. I operate a FT-1000 YEASU and a Icom IC-720A/Icom PS15 and a MFJ-941E AT. All connected to a Alpha/Delta Multi Band Dipole at 30 ft in a Inverted V formation. I also have a Alinco HT for out of pocket use in emergencies. I carry a full Med Kit and Hazmat Kit with some extraction tools for emergencies. Always good to be supplied and ready for any situation. As most of you know if it can happen it will.
 
I am American Lung Association CPR/BLS Certified. I have completed the FEMA PDS Series (IS-00139,IS-00230B,IS-00235A,IS-00240A,IS-00241A,IS-00242A,IS-00244A ) and NIMS courses (IS-00100B,IS-200B,IS-700A,IS-00701A,IS-00702A,IS-00703A,IS-704A,IS-00800B) and I am working on finishing the ISP Courses,having completed these courses( IS-00001,IS-00003,IS-00005A,IS-00007,IS-00008A,IS-00208A,IS-00271,IS-00301,IS-00302,IS-00393A,IS-00706,IS-00907 ). Altogether about 27 courses completed with certification. Learning the operations of Emergency Operations is a key factor to being able to assist in Disasters.I also believe that all of the Volunteers should be properly trained to be of true use to the Emergency Community in times of need. Knowing what to do in times of emergency is as important as being available for service. Too many good intended people just show up at the disasters, with none or little knowledge of procedures. And in turn cause more Operations, Planning and Logistic and Security issues than they do inassistance. I feel Amatuer Radio is very important in times of Disasters or major incidents in the world. But this is the reason Amatuer Radio is more and more being recognized as a true assest to the Disaster Response Networks and EOP Planning and Program Systems. Many Thanks to the many Volunteers who helped in Joplin 2011 and Branson 2012 and the other Disasters in the United States. They made the relief efforts so much easier for those who were suffering in this disaster. Many Volunteers showed up with many Organizations involved and did a splendid job helping those victims in Joplin. And it was Storm Spotters who helped save many lives by putting thier own saftey on the line for others. 73 and God Bless everyone. Brian - K0OLD (The Old Man)