 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif "Civilian Space Traveler "Phones Home" via Ham Radio"){kind=small} Previous: Civilian Space Traveler "Phones Home" via Ham Radio |  Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 11, 2005--Amateur Radio operations to support relief and recover operations in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita continue to wind down as conventional telecommunication systems return to working order. Over the weekend, ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, shut down his American Red Cross Amateur Radio volunteer intake operation in Montgomery. Sarratt had overseen that function for about five weeks.
"Today, on the 37th day of Amateur Radio operations at the Montgomery, Alabama, American Red Cross center, the amateur radios were powered down for a final time," Sarratt said October 9. "It was a strange feeling packing, saying goodbye then walking out of the old Super Kmart building knowing I would not return tomorrow."
The Montgomery center is still operational for other Red Cross relief and recovery efforts, but the ham radio volunteer activity shut down because the organization's various mass-care services again have access to conventional telecommunication systems.
In addition to checking through volunteers, Amateur Radio station W4AP at the Montgomery staging facility monitored day and night to keep in touch with HF-equipped mobile operators traveling to or at their assigned locations.
After Sarratt and his volunteer staff spent their duty tour registering and orienting hundreds of Amateur Radio volunteers for deployment to hard-hit Gulf Coast communities, Sarratt spent a couple of days last week visiting some of the American Red Cross shelters those volunteers went on to serve in Mississippi.
"My tour included Yankie stadium in Biloxi, Hancock EOC [emergency operations center] at Stennis Airport, the future Hancock EOC and Harrison County EOC in Gulfport," Sarratt said. "Part of the tour was a visit to the hardest-hit areas in each county. Currently, I do not have the words to describe the devastation."
 Mississippi National Guard Lt Col Richard Martin (left) presents a certificate of appreciation to Mississippi ARES DEC Tom Hammack, W4WLF, at the Harrison County, Mississippi, EOC. [Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Photo] |
One visit was with Mississippi District Emergency Coordinator Tom Hammack, W4WLF--volunteering at the Harrison County EOC. Sarratt reports that during his stopover, Mississippi National Guard Lt Col Richard P. Martin presented Hammack with a certificate of appreciation for his service. "Lt Col Martin also presented a certificate of appreciation to the ARRL for sending Amateur Radio operators and supplies to aid Mississippi," he added. "The certificate reads, 'For outstanding service and devotion to duty during Hurricane Katrina disaster relief operations.'"
Hammack has been living in the EOC since the Hurricane Katrina flooded and badly damaged his house. In his off time, he's been attempting to work his way through the damage and debris.
Sarratt said he enjoyed meeting the volunteers in the
field and that his time at the Montgomery ARC marshaling center was gratifying.
"It has been a pleasure working with all the American Red Cross personnel
during this relief operation," he said. "My job was made much easier by all the
excellent help and support shown to me by the ARC Response Technology Team
staff."
 ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK (center), speaks with two incoming Connecticut volunteers at the Montgomery, Alabama, volunteer marshaling center: Dave Hyatt, K1DAV (right), of Torrington and Dave Wilcox, K1DJW, of New Hartford. [Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, Photo] |
Sarratt said the hams he worked with at the Montgomery center were "fine, quality men and women" and included dedicated amateurs from all over the US as well as many local operators. "We developed many processes, practices and procedures that will make doing this next time much easier," he said.
Sarratt praised all of the volunteers, some of whom traveled significant distances to help the Red Cross and other relief organizations and agencies, including The Salvation Army, faith-based groups, emergency management agencies and EOCs. "A few amateurs signed up to be redeployed when we put out the call, and many more inquired and sincerely wanted to redeploy," he said.
"This effort was a success and a huge help to the people and workers in the devastated region," Sarratt concluded. "Many non-amateurs now know what works when all else fails."
Red Cross Volunteer Services staffer Ginger Flynn, who worked with Amateur Radio volunteers in Mississippi, reflected Sarratt's sentiments from the agency's point of view. Flynn said that in mid-September, the Red Cross was struggling with erratic cell phones and Internet connections for communication.
"We had six shelters, a feeding kitchen, an operations center and two staff shelters. Until the hams came in and set up, we were unable to have any consistent or reliable communication," she recounted. All locations required daily visits and consumed scarce fuel supplies. As a result, shelters and kitchens couldn't always meet their needs, she said.
"The hams solved all these problems, and we were able to communicate needs, and meet emergency incidents immediately," she said. "These men and women take their personal time and fund themselves to make this contribution to the American Red Cross and the American people."
Hurricane Rita Operations in Texas
North Texas ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Bill Swan, K5MWC, reported over the weekend that no additional support from outside the area was needed to support Amateur Radio operations in Jasper County. Amateur Radio volunteers there have been supporting mass-care operations by The Salvation Army, which had been coordinating with other relief agencies to provide meals to residents displaced by Hurricane Rita.
Swan said The Salvation Army was planning to suspend operations early this week, and repeater service has been restored to most of the area. In addition, he said, electrical power is becoming more available, and local businesses, including grocery stores, are getting back on their feet.
"Local support via the amateurs in Jasper County can now continue to provide any support needed," he said.
Swan said ARES was still evaluating the situation in South Texas, where some hurricane-devastated communities remain closed to residents. He
also expressed his gratitude to North Texas volunteers who deployed to Jasper County to help. "It is a real privilege to work with each of you, and certainly your
willingness to assist upholds the best traditions of Amateur Radio," he said.
| Previous: Civilian Space Traveler "Phones Home" via Ham Radio | Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
