n7rvn
08-01-2004, 11:52 PM
I realize this information may be a bit outdated. #Being busy with the after effects personally, I have neglected taking the time to share what hams did after the Tornado of May 22, 2004 in Nebraska. #Again, hams proved to be an invaluable resource.
An article was written by professionals at the ARRL about the implementation of local hams. #Mine is a first hand account.
Hams were called initially as storm spotters. #During the couple of hours that about 50 operators were sitting on hills, 545 messages were passed calls came in with all sorts of severe weather reports as well as logistical exchanges. #
During the Skywarn net, it soon became apparent that a huge cell produced a tornado that was devastating to many areas of the state and particularly within Lancaster County Nebraska. #Lincoln (the capital city) is also the county seat. #The tornado portion of the storm was tracked as being on the ground for 52 miles traveling through 4 Counties. #The storm effected much Southeast Nebraska. #Emergency declarations map is available at http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2004graphics/dr1517/dec_1517.jpg
Right after the storm spotter net, the hams pulled another duty at the request of the County Emergency Management (EOC). #We combined forces and primarily inspected the storm effected area for damage to structures as well as blocked roads due to downed power poles and lines, flooded roadways, and downed trees. #All reports were sent directly to Emergency Management and to the 911 center. #Our efforts served a couple of different functions. #Our reports helped the overloaded Fire Department and Sheriff’s Deputies from spending time doing this. #It allowed them to do other important duties like search for victims and save lives. #These reports gave officials a pretty good picture about the size of the damaged area as well as the nature of the damage. #It helped the 911 center identify clear routes to take for incoming emergency units.
Many members who were out doing damage assessment reporting to the EOC, stopped and searched for victims in the damaged homes. #In our county, many hams are CERT members. #CERT stands for Citizens Emergency Response Team. #See http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/ #The members are trained in basic extrication of trapped victims, basic triage and first aid techniques along with some fire suppression. Adding in the communication skills is a bonus to make the members a more effective and appealing group. #As this is a rural area, the houses were far apart and the damage path was extensive, making it difficult for the professional rescue personnel to get to each house. #Again, hams helped get this done. #Fortunately, there were only 37 injuries for the over 200 houses in Lancaster County alone, which were damaged. #There was one death in the village of Hallam near the Southwest corner of Lancaster County.
It took 2 days before hams were sent to the Hallam area which was hardest hit by the storm. #Hallam is a small town consisting of about 100 houses a few other businesses and 2 churches. Every structure suffered damage. #Most were destroyed. #Pictures of the storm path and damage can be viewed on the web from the High Plains Regional Climate Center at the University of Nebraska at http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/may22-2004tornado-report.html Operators used the Mobile Command Post for their communications to the EOC. #The radio system was overloaded due radio system damage as well as the addition of the huge number of fire equipment that was called into the area from as far as 80 miles away. #Equipment and supply requests were the majority of the traffic passed to the EOC from the scene.
Imagine if you will, putting 50 houses into a huge blender then running the blender for a while. #What resulted was sprinkled all over the area. #This “house mulch” covered the ground throughout the village. #It was nearly impossible to avoid stepping anywhere without being on something other than the ground. #Grain bins full and empty were tipped over and spilled their contents. #Train cars were also tipped off the tracks. #After two days for officials to assess the damage, volunteers were requested. #Hams were again used to assist with the safety concerns as volunteers sorted the debris into piles. #
Hams were assigned to specific areas (usually about a square block) and roved the area to monitor the volunteers. #We addressed safety issues if the volunteers were operating any chainsaws or were doing anything which might put them in harm’s way. #When hazardous materials were found, authorities were called to remove them properly. #
Hams were used to drive 15 passenger vans. #These vans carried volunteers to various damaged properties which were outside of Hallam as they performed the same duties. # # FEMA officials said that they had not considered these applications for the Amateur operators. #They had other applications in mind in their S.O.P. for disaster recovery. #This official said he was on a committee about resources for disaster recovery and would be making this recommendation. #Thousands of hours and miles were donated by hams to the cleanup effort. #Tens of thousands of hours were donated by over 2000 volunteers from all over the continent (Canada and Mexico both) to help clean up the debris
In the area outside of Hallam, debris was placed in the ditches for County crews to remove. #2,362 TONS of debris were documented as being picked up by the County. #Much more was hauled off by property owners. #In some instances, whole houses were put in the ditch. #In Hallam, though they are still removing debris, over 12,000 tons have already been removed. #This does not include the pit 200 by 80 by 40 feet deep to hold all the brick, block and concrete which is not being hauled to the dump.
I have had the opportunity to speak with many victims and many volunteers. #Each and every one has expressed appreciation for all the work the hams did to facilitate the transportation, communication, food, medical needs and most of all, the great moral building attitudes in a demoralizing situation. #Requests to pass on thank you to everyone were abundant. #So this is one way to say thanks to all who helped in any degree. #Thanks go out to all who did not help out here, but are available to help if there is a disaster in their area. #This means you. #
Something is always learned from a disaster of this magnitude. #Specifically, communications issues seem to be raised after every disaster. #Usually, governmental agencies have not designed their radio systems to handle the burden of a disaster. #In some cases, radio systems fail due to being overloaded. #Damage to some or all of the system as a result of the disaster can also occur. #This tornado removed a tower which had remote receivers for the Rural Fire Department as well as one for a local ham repeater.
Suggestions for other areas needing attention seem to come out as well. #In our area, there is a great working relationship with the Amateur community and government agencies. #Development of this relationship has taken time for both. #To learn what to expect from the other as well as what the limitations may be is key to this.
Suggestions would be to work on the relationship with government agencies. #Individuals are not as appealing to officials as organized groups. #Having a group indicates a large number of people to assist as opposed as a handful. #In times of disaster, more is better since it is likely that some of the members if the group will be effected or otherwise not available to help out.
Police and Fire departments usually hold the idea that they can do it all by themselves. #Working with Emergency Management seems to be a better avenue to get your foot in the door. #Most Emergency Management officials hold various meetings and training sessions. #If these are available to the public, try to get your group to attend. #You may get training certification and be more appealing to those looking for people with those skills.
CERT training is available to the public at no cost. #Having this certification may also make your group more appealing to the officials. #If nothing else, you are better able to assist your neighbor or yourself if professional help is a long time coming. #As hams, you have a leg up on others with your communications skills.
Participate in your local nets. #These nets increase the skills of all who participate. #Changing the net controller is also advisable since you never know who may be tapped on the shoulder for this duty in an emergency. #Also, practice passing traffic for the same reasons.
Most importantly, be professional and courteous with each and every encounter you may have with anyone concerning Amateur Radio. #You are a representative of the entire Ham community. #What others see in you as this representative, will form the opinion they have of all Amateurs. # Many non-hams have no idea what we do. #There is a reason that the first line of Part 97 reads, “ Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.” Communications for public service is the primary reason we can justify our need to keep the treasured radio spectrum we have. #
No matter what the facet of this incredible hobby strikes you, each and every one of us have a role we can play in assisting with communications. #The feeling you get at the end of the day for helping out, far outweighs the compromise of doing other things. #I would much rather help others than mow the lawn or see my in-laws. #Any skills and training we have OTHER THAN radio skill, can be of benefit to the cause. #
What a wonderful hobby and what a wonderfully diverse group of people with incredible skills, to be associated with! #From all the victims wherever they are, “Thanks for being there”.
From me…. #“Thanks and 73”
de
Scott
N7RVN
An article was written by professionals at the ARRL about the implementation of local hams. #Mine is a first hand account.
Hams were called initially as storm spotters. #During the couple of hours that about 50 operators were sitting on hills, 545 messages were passed calls came in with all sorts of severe weather reports as well as logistical exchanges. #
During the Skywarn net, it soon became apparent that a huge cell produced a tornado that was devastating to many areas of the state and particularly within Lancaster County Nebraska. #Lincoln (the capital city) is also the county seat. #The tornado portion of the storm was tracked as being on the ground for 52 miles traveling through 4 Counties. #The storm effected much Southeast Nebraska. #Emergency declarations map is available at http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2004graphics/dr1517/dec_1517.jpg
Right after the storm spotter net, the hams pulled another duty at the request of the County Emergency Management (EOC). #We combined forces and primarily inspected the storm effected area for damage to structures as well as blocked roads due to downed power poles and lines, flooded roadways, and downed trees. #All reports were sent directly to Emergency Management and to the 911 center. #Our efforts served a couple of different functions. #Our reports helped the overloaded Fire Department and Sheriff’s Deputies from spending time doing this. #It allowed them to do other important duties like search for victims and save lives. #These reports gave officials a pretty good picture about the size of the damaged area as well as the nature of the damage. #It helped the 911 center identify clear routes to take for incoming emergency units.
Many members who were out doing damage assessment reporting to the EOC, stopped and searched for victims in the damaged homes. #In our county, many hams are CERT members. #CERT stands for Citizens Emergency Response Team. #See http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/ #The members are trained in basic extrication of trapped victims, basic triage and first aid techniques along with some fire suppression. Adding in the communication skills is a bonus to make the members a more effective and appealing group. #As this is a rural area, the houses were far apart and the damage path was extensive, making it difficult for the professional rescue personnel to get to each house. #Again, hams helped get this done. #Fortunately, there were only 37 injuries for the over 200 houses in Lancaster County alone, which were damaged. #There was one death in the village of Hallam near the Southwest corner of Lancaster County.
It took 2 days before hams were sent to the Hallam area which was hardest hit by the storm. #Hallam is a small town consisting of about 100 houses a few other businesses and 2 churches. Every structure suffered damage. #Most were destroyed. #Pictures of the storm path and damage can be viewed on the web from the High Plains Regional Climate Center at the University of Nebraska at http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/may22-2004tornado-report.html Operators used the Mobile Command Post for their communications to the EOC. #The radio system was overloaded due radio system damage as well as the addition of the huge number of fire equipment that was called into the area from as far as 80 miles away. #Equipment and supply requests were the majority of the traffic passed to the EOC from the scene.
Imagine if you will, putting 50 houses into a huge blender then running the blender for a while. #What resulted was sprinkled all over the area. #This “house mulch” covered the ground throughout the village. #It was nearly impossible to avoid stepping anywhere without being on something other than the ground. #Grain bins full and empty were tipped over and spilled their contents. #Train cars were also tipped off the tracks. #After two days for officials to assess the damage, volunteers were requested. #Hams were again used to assist with the safety concerns as volunteers sorted the debris into piles. #
Hams were assigned to specific areas (usually about a square block) and roved the area to monitor the volunteers. #We addressed safety issues if the volunteers were operating any chainsaws or were doing anything which might put them in harm’s way. #When hazardous materials were found, authorities were called to remove them properly. #
Hams were used to drive 15 passenger vans. #These vans carried volunteers to various damaged properties which were outside of Hallam as they performed the same duties. # # FEMA officials said that they had not considered these applications for the Amateur operators. #They had other applications in mind in their S.O.P. for disaster recovery. #This official said he was on a committee about resources for disaster recovery and would be making this recommendation. #Thousands of hours and miles were donated by hams to the cleanup effort. #Tens of thousands of hours were donated by over 2000 volunteers from all over the continent (Canada and Mexico both) to help clean up the debris
In the area outside of Hallam, debris was placed in the ditches for County crews to remove. #2,362 TONS of debris were documented as being picked up by the County. #Much more was hauled off by property owners. #In some instances, whole houses were put in the ditch. #In Hallam, though they are still removing debris, over 12,000 tons have already been removed. #This does not include the pit 200 by 80 by 40 feet deep to hold all the brick, block and concrete which is not being hauled to the dump.
I have had the opportunity to speak with many victims and many volunteers. #Each and every one has expressed appreciation for all the work the hams did to facilitate the transportation, communication, food, medical needs and most of all, the great moral building attitudes in a demoralizing situation. #Requests to pass on thank you to everyone were abundant. #So this is one way to say thanks to all who helped in any degree. #Thanks go out to all who did not help out here, but are available to help if there is a disaster in their area. #This means you. #
Something is always learned from a disaster of this magnitude. #Specifically, communications issues seem to be raised after every disaster. #Usually, governmental agencies have not designed their radio systems to handle the burden of a disaster. #In some cases, radio systems fail due to being overloaded. #Damage to some or all of the system as a result of the disaster can also occur. #This tornado removed a tower which had remote receivers for the Rural Fire Department as well as one for a local ham repeater.
Suggestions for other areas needing attention seem to come out as well. #In our area, there is a great working relationship with the Amateur community and government agencies. #Development of this relationship has taken time for both. #To learn what to expect from the other as well as what the limitations may be is key to this.
Suggestions would be to work on the relationship with government agencies. #Individuals are not as appealing to officials as organized groups. #Having a group indicates a large number of people to assist as opposed as a handful. #In times of disaster, more is better since it is likely that some of the members if the group will be effected or otherwise not available to help out.
Police and Fire departments usually hold the idea that they can do it all by themselves. #Working with Emergency Management seems to be a better avenue to get your foot in the door. #Most Emergency Management officials hold various meetings and training sessions. #If these are available to the public, try to get your group to attend. #You may get training certification and be more appealing to those looking for people with those skills.
CERT training is available to the public at no cost. #Having this certification may also make your group more appealing to the officials. #If nothing else, you are better able to assist your neighbor or yourself if professional help is a long time coming. #As hams, you have a leg up on others with your communications skills.
Participate in your local nets. #These nets increase the skills of all who participate. #Changing the net controller is also advisable since you never know who may be tapped on the shoulder for this duty in an emergency. #Also, practice passing traffic for the same reasons.
Most importantly, be professional and courteous with each and every encounter you may have with anyone concerning Amateur Radio. #You are a representative of the entire Ham community. #What others see in you as this representative, will form the opinion they have of all Amateurs. # Many non-hams have no idea what we do. #There is a reason that the first line of Part 97 reads, “ Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.” Communications for public service is the primary reason we can justify our need to keep the treasured radio spectrum we have. #
No matter what the facet of this incredible hobby strikes you, each and every one of us have a role we can play in assisting with communications. #The feeling you get at the end of the day for helping out, far outweighs the compromise of doing other things. #I would much rather help others than mow the lawn or see my in-laws. #Any skills and training we have OTHER THAN radio skill, can be of benefit to the cause. #
What a wonderful hobby and what a wonderfully diverse group of people with incredible skills, to be associated with! #From all the victims wherever they are, “Thanks for being there”.
From me…. #“Thanks and 73”
de
Scott
N7RVN