[pskmail] Re: Need PSKMail for Disaster Relief Operations
- From: kd4e <kd4e@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pskmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 07 May 2007 23:36:52 -0400
I wasn't questioning the need, just the vision of
the government and some of the previously served
non-govt. organizations.
I know first hand through the DMAT organization that
their orders from Homeland Security was to make their
communications 100% self-contained.
I think a significant clarification needs to take place
if we are all to have a meaningful dialog -- we need
to list those agencies who require Amateur Radio comms
to meet their critical communications needs and those
who will not (or are moving in that direction).
Once we have a verified list of which served agencies
and organizations are and which are not then I think we
may better assess what resources are needed of the Amateur
Radio Service and which are not.
So far across multiple lists the target keeps shifting.
We have some folks in some areas telling us that the
National Guard has secured the local EOC of any but
National Guard communicators using their own gear and
spectrum.
In other cases, e.g. the DMAT's, we are observing the
something similar.
The Red Cross in some areas gives the back of their
hand to Amateur Radio ops and in others really makes
use of them.
Not sure where we stand with the Salvation Army or
the various church denominations with disaster
response resources. The Christian Contractor Assn.
here in West Central Florida showed up at a drill
with a tractor trailer mobile command - with their
own gear and ops.
As a former SEC I love the idea of significant Amateur
Radio Service involvement but I have seen Hams show
up ready to go only to be ignored or sent away.
I think we need to clarify the mission and the list
of served agencies.
I just spent 9 days in Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras handeling
communications for feeding operations that prepared over 60,000 meals.
our resupply communications were critical because there was no
refridgeration in Mexico. That's critical communications. FEMA didn't
come aboard until after we had finished our feeding effort and things
were returning to normal.
We were fortunate to have had satellite Internet communications. Buthad
that failed, we couold not have possibly sent out our supply request in
a timely manner or correctly as the list were sometimes long.
Whatever you think about disaster communications, I can say with
certainty that you certainly need amateur radio highspeed, robust datas
communications. If you want to feed, provide clothing, shelter and
medical needs for the masses, and you are a non-governmental
organization, you WILL need amateur radio highspeed, robust datas
communications. Been there, done that and got the T-shirt. And that
was last week.
When the next CAT 4 or 5 hurricane hits the Gulf Coast or Eastern Coast
of the U.S. or tornado ravaged town in the South West, come on out and
operate one of our command and communications units and then tell me you
don't need amateur radio highspeed, robust datas communications.
Walt/K5YFW
--
Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E
Personal: http://bibleseven.com/kd4e.html
Ham QTH: http://mysite.verizon.net/kd4e/
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