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Why
Your Community needs The major power outages that occurred on 8/14/03 should be a wake up call to all, especially us as amateur radio operators. Thankfully, this power outage does not appear to be the work of terrorists, but rather a mechanical or electrical failure or overload. But, in my opinion this makes the situation even more alarming. If something as "simple" as a mechanical
or electrical failure can have such a potentially damaging and
widespread effect, think what that With the cellular systems overloaded or out altogether, the incident turned into a test of Amateur Radio's capabilities to operate without commercial power. "It was a good drill," said New York City-Long Island Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba, KA2D. But, he adds, it was a cautionary tale too. "The lesson is that everybody gets a little complacent," he said. "Have emergency power backup and make sure it's working!" By and large, Carrubba said, ARES members did what they were trained to do. "It's going to show the worth of Amateur Radio," he said of the blackout response. "There were people on the air immediately." In addition to handling messages for people stranded in the city, amateurs also relayed useful information, such as which stores or filling stations were open and operating. With many radio and TV stations dark, hams were able to help fill the information void. In the Big Apple itself, ARES teams provided communication support for Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) set up at main transportation centers in Manhattan. ARES members also accompanied ERVs on fire calls. RACES activated in most Greater New York City area counties after a state of emergency was declared. Some Michigan ARES teams assisted emergency operations centers and the Red Cross. All ARES organizations in northern Ohio were activated after the power grid went down. In New England, Bill Sexton, N1IN/AAR1FP, an Army MARS member, said his emergency power capability permitted him to check into the Northeast SHARES (National Communications System HF Shared Resources Program) net and maintain e-mail contact after Berkshire County lost power. "The experience proved once gain the great strength of ham radio in an emergency," Sexton said. "It is self-starting, and it is everywhere." What if the Power Outage also affected Us? How many of us have backup systems in place? Not just for our radios but for essential items in our homes? If we had also been affected by this outage, and county officials called on us to assist, how many of us would be in a position to be truly of assistance?
Just some things to think about. I know many of you are not specifically interested in emergency communications, but I also know that if the need occurred, most of you would be more than willing to help where you could. In that vane I would like to appeal to all of you as the Snyder County ARES EC and a member of the Snyder County RACES. Even if you do not have the desire to participate
in emergency communications training in an ongoing and regular
basis, it is in your own best interest to at least equip yourselves
with some basic training, The important thing is to be prepared Local EmComm leaders are always looking for more volunteers. Emergency communications training is serious business, but it is also very enjoyable and rewarding. Offer your assistance to the extent you can. We, here in Snyder County, are in the process of providing the kinds of training I've talked about above. And we are trying to provide it in different formats and settings to allow everyone, irregardless of their lifestyle, the ability to get the information and training. It's there if you want it and we are glad to provide. I hope I've provoked some thoughts or at least raised some awareness for the need to prepare. (sourced in part from ARRL Bulletin 054 - "Hams a bright spot during power blackout" - 8/18/2003) |
