Jan –
Mar 2013
Emergency
Communications
In times of disaster, normal means of
communications may not be
available.
Telephone systems, computer
networks even
Cellular phones are highly
susceptible to failure in the event of an emergency. Knowing, understanding and
planning for just such an emergency can save lives.
ERRS
ERRS is the acronym for the
“Emergency
Response Radio System”. This
Amateur Radio communications network is supported by local HAM radio
organizations to provide a means of reporting the critical information
necessary to provide neighbors and their families the needed emergency assistance
in times of local, regional or national disaster. It is a specialized and dedicated
network for community communications.
The ERRS network is staffed by
skilled and licensed Amateur
radio operators, called and organized by local CERT teams, at each level of the
network.
Our area communications committee is a network of volunteer HAM radio
operators who meet semi-annually to participate in radio checks, provide weekly
equipment trials, community Radio Net announcements, comments and training
topics.
Our local communications Net is always looking for new members who are
licensed or have a desire to learn a new hobby and become licensed. There are three levels of HAM radio operators:
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.
These licensees gain more privileges on the traditional HF or “short
wave” bands of Amateur Radio. They all
started just like you, taking the basic exams and getting on the air.
More information regarding HAM radio and the exams can be found at the
end of the newsletter.
Neighborhood
Organization
Our area is organized into CERT staging areas. Ask your Block Captain where your staging
area is. This is where members of CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team) will gather after providing for their own
families. The Communications committee
members will do the same.
The Incident Commander of CERT will coordinate with local leaders using
the assigned radio operators. The most
crucial information will come from Block Captains using the “Damage Assessment
Form”. After providing for their own
families, the Block Captains will carry these forms to the CERT staging area
where an assessment will be made and required assistance provided. Our staging areas will have the ability to
communicate by way of HAM radio to each other and also to the Area Coordinator
of CERT who can then relay information on to city communication centers.
In the event of natural disaster, a particular area needs professional assistance;
the need can be quickly forwarded to local police, fire, and search and rescue. Each level of organization requires multiple
people to staff their posts. Twelve
hours is the maximum amount a volunteer can work. Our CERT and Communications committee has
provided for just such an event.
What
do you do?
First, be prepared! Have you filled out a Family Emergency Plan
worksheet found on page 7 of your “Neighborhood and Emergency Preparedness
Guidebook”? Have you completed your
wallet card information and your Family Member Information sheet to be shared
with your Block Captain? This
information is a means to provide for your family in the event of an emergency
and not to be used for any other purpose.
Second, provide for your family. Make sure your family needs are taken care of
before you assist in helping others. Use
the color-coded cards in your manual to alert your Block Captain of your
situation; Green- Everyone is O.K.,
Yellow – Help Needed Not Urgent, Red – Help Needed Now. Put these signs in you front window.
Third, help your Neighbor. The plan is that your Block Captain reports
your neighbor needs to the CERT staging area.
He/She or his assistant might not be unavailable. Check on your neighbors and report what you
see to the CERT staging area.
Use the training you’ve received to be a better volunteer. If you have training in a particular area,
let your Block Captain know. If you have
equipment that might be useful in the event of an emergency, let your Block
Captain know. Take first aid and CPR
classes now. Communicate to someone out
of state your intentions to use them as an information source if local phone
lines are busy. Family members can call
this individual to obtain knowledge of other family members.
In
Conclusion:
Someone once said, “Fanaticism is someone who has lost their way and doubled
their speed; commitment is someone who has found their way and quadrupled their
speed.” When hard times come, will you
be a fanatic or committed? Will you be
hopeless or prepared?
Communications is extremely important in Emergency Preparedness. Know yourself, know your family, know your
neighbors, and know the organization that can best help your family. Become CERT trained or join the HAM
communications committee in your area.
Remember, communications emergency is a situation in which communications
is required for immediate safety of human life or protection of property
Additional
information:
.
www.arrl.org/ --HAM radio
www.slcoares.net/ --HAM radio
www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ --CERT
www.taylorsvilleut.gov/emergency_preparedness.main.html --CERT, First aid, CPR
www.fema.gov/
--Emergency Preparedness
