Since 09-02-05
HAM Radio support for Katrina damage events
Since 09-02-05
From: ARRL Web site [mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 8:36 PM
Subject: Message From President Haynie, W5JBP
My fellow Amateur Radio Operators,
There is no doubt that the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina will be
the largest and longest emergency actions that hams have ever undertaken. It
will also be one of the hardest, not simply due to the large areas involved, but
also because many of us have friends and relatives directly impacted by this
catastrophe. For them, and all the people of the Gulf region, we ask divine aid
and comfort in this time of sorrows.
But we are also hardened and resolved to turn this event into one of the most
glorious opportunities to show the unique attributes of ham radio - it works!
You know that. We can again show the world that we have the best trained, most
ingenious and dedicated ARES and RACES operators ever in history. We have the
attention of the world press, and we will show what ham radio can do.
This will not happen in a week, not even in a month. The recovery efforts will
be drawn out over numerous states and are expected to go well into the winter.
Hams will grow weary and need relief and replacement from all across America.
The ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, is already working on
strategic plans to make it possible for these volunteers to come. Our goal is to
provide the SEC's with all the support we can muster and allow them to do their
jobs.
There is a curious coincidence in the fact that the United Technologies grant,
which allowed the ARRL to train so many thousands of hams in emergency
communications, ends this week. Now we are seeing the results of that effort.
Disciplined hams, using correct procedures have already saved many lives, and
will save hundreds more by providing timely, accurate and critical
communications to our served agencies.
To the students, mentors, organizers, funders and teachers of those courses we
can only say, "Well done!"
I know many people would like to move NOW - please don't. I know many of you
want to enter the fray, come to the coast and get involved.
Please, not yet. Instead, get yourself ready. Refresh your skills and knowledge
of protocols and procedures. Once the agencies are able to complete a
preliminary needs assessment, we will know who is needed and where. For now, the
area is simply too dangerous and no one is being allowed in.
Transportation and logistics, including volunteer groups coming in, must be done
in an orderly manner or we may only add to the chaos andonfusion. Information
and coordination for such ahistorically large response is being developed and
will be made available soon.
But for now, work through your SEC's and follow their lead. I would also ask
that you be professional and disciplined whenever checking into an HF net. Net
control is a difficult job at best, so be respectful. If you have traffic fine,
but if not, please stand by.
There is already no doubt that when the history of this event is written, the
role of Amateur Radio will be one of honor. Unpaid volunteers who came through
for their country and communities when all other systems failed or were
overwhelmed.
By working together and mutually supporting each other, we can perhaps give
these very dark days a small glint of glory. Let these be the days that hams,
decades from now, remember with pride. Together we can - and will - make it
happen because, after all, we are HAMS.
Jim Haynie, W5JBP President ARRL
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ARRL Pacific Division Director: Robert Vallio, W6RGG w6rgg@arrl.org
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