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 Previous: In Brief |  Next: The K7VVV Solar Update |
 SATERN volunteers (L-R) Jim Wingate, WA2EIU, Carlos Varon, K2LCV, and Michael Gomez, N2WGC, review field reports from canteen and feeding locations before forwarding them to the Salvation Army Logistical officer. [SATERN Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 11, 2001--One month into its disaster relief support operation in New York City, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network (SATERN) volunteers are holding up well. SATERN Amateur Radio Liaison Officer Jeff Schneller, N2HPO, says the operation could run for several more weeks.
"Our current team of Amateur Radio operators is doing a fantastic job," Schneller said today. "The operation is going great!"
SATERN is now "making do" with at least six Amateur Radio volunteers per day--from about 9 AM until 11 PM--to support the Salvation Army's World Trade Center relief operation, although Schneller said an even dozen for the two daily shifts would be ideal. SATERN last week eliminated its overnight shift of radio operator volunteers. Operators have come from all over, including New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Missouri. Schneller said he even had offers of help from England and Canada.
One operator, Janet Stonecipher, KC0IET, arrived on her own from Missouri three weeks ago. "Janet seems to want to stay for the duration but is overdue for rotation out," Schneller said. Another Missourian, Anna Balmer, arrived with a REACT team and stayed on. Schneller said she's handling a Salvation Army Nextel radio.
"She is here working with us under extreme circumstances," Schneller explained. "Her brother was killed in the Pentagon attack." He said two local groups--the Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio Society (BEARS) and the Electchester VHF Club have been providing exclusive use of their repeaters since Day One.
Schneller--who's in the fire alarm and sprinkler business--also has been involved from the start, and--with the understanding and support of his business customers has been logging some long hours. Carlos Varon, K2LCV, has been Schneller's backup and has taken over as scheduling coordinator for volunteers. Recently, however, Schneller has had to start paying more attention to his business again. "I try to do my regular job three or four days a week while monitoring the radio," he said. "Most work days get cut short to resolve problems." By and large, most employers seem to be supporting the volunteers, Schneller added.
SATERN operation initially had some help from the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service group, Schneller explained. REACT then picked up the ball and got the operation up and running, although that organization has since pulled back. The ARRL has continued to provide contact information for prospective volunteers in all of the attack-related Amateur Radio support operations.
SATERN radio volunteers have been handling base station duties at Salvation Army Headquarters on 14th Street in Manhattan, working on roving patrols to check up on various Salvation Army sites to see what might be needed, and providing communication at key field sites, aboard supply trucks and at the distribution warehouse. Along with physical nourishment, The Salvation Army is supplying emotional and spiritual sustenance at the World Trade Center disaster site through its two prayer centers.
"Our operators have been in hot, cold, dry and wet weather, but I have not heard of a weather-related complaint from any of them," Schneller said.
"Thanks to all the Amateur Radio operators who have come to assist and made this a successful operation," Schneller said, adding that he also appreciated the many other offers to help. "Your offers are helpful in easing our concern for coverage, which makes our jobs easier and less stressful," he said, "so although you may not have come to New York City, you were helpful."
He said SATERN now is limiting its fresh volunteers to those available from the Greater New York City area, "if possible."
Schneller strongly advised all Amateur Radio operators to prepare for the future by first getting acquainted with and joining their local ARES or SATERN teams, then by taking the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course http://www.arrl.org/cce.
More information about SATERN is available on the SATERN Web site http://www.satern.org.
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