HURRICANE CHARLEY

[n1tai]

EOC In Punta Gorda Stands Down
A Job Well Done
by Ray Sabb, W4TAI

North Port, FL - August 26, 2004 - Hurricane Charley came and went, but in his path he left destruction and mayhem. But true to the moniker of ham operations, hundreds of hams converged on the area to assist in providing vital communications to the stricken area.

The HAM that was based at the EOC sent a broadcast that the area is now secure enough for all the volunteer HAM's to secure from their emergency operations and at 1700 hrs EDT, the EOC officially stood down from amateur operations.

Thank you all for your help and participation in this event. #
--------------------------------------------------------------

THE EXPERIENCE OF CHARLEY

With 130 MPH winds whipping through my backyard, rain and trees bending from North to coming at me from the west it was scary. But because I am a ham I am, I am, I kept my HF on, kept my VHF on and after it was safe, went out to assess evacuations at the local hospitals. It was a war zone. It was nightfall, and you could not drive more than 15 or 20 mph. When I got to one of the hospitals, the whole top floor was destroyed. People were lining up in the ER and there was total calm in there. And there was a HAM.

As the hours of realty started setting in, the HAM's were your First Responders. The HAM's were the link to the world. FEMA needed us, Law Enforcement needed us, Mothers, Fathers, Grand Parents, visitors and kids needed us.

We do not need PR or a medal or any other recognition for doing what we do best, we got our recognition when we provided that vital transmission to a doctor, an EMS team, a Nurse, a Shelter to save a life.

Don't think for a minute that the victims of this storm don't appreciate us. They know who and what we did for them and they thank us from the bottom of their hearts. And don't think for a minute that FEMA and all the other Responders don't appreciate us. They do. We were their link to the community and surrounding communities.

For those of you who did survive Charley and participated in helping, THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU AND SEE YOU ON HF.

73 to all and to all a Good Day.
W4TAI

[N4EBC]

Great post!!!

To all who think Ham radio is a dying hobby think again.To all who don't see its worth to the community and the agencies it helps think again.

Ham radio is the ONLY form of communication that gets out when a major disaster hits.

All them fancy 800mhz trunking systems, Nextel, Cell Phones don't work when nature comes screaming into your back yard.

As a Hurricane Andrew Survivor I can honestly say I wouldn't wish a hurricane on my worst enemy.

I can say from first hand experience Ham radio communications were vital to that area. I spent a weekend in the "war zone" and indeed ham radio was the on top of the heap.

73's

[w4lou]

Greetings from Jensen Beach,

I participated on the day after (Saturday) in Arcadia. Also the following Saturday in Kissimmee (southwest of Orlando).

The main reason Hams were extensively used was because even when 800 trunk Public Service and Cell/Nextel services was restored, these technologies were rendered as near useless for the amount of info that needed to be moved.

All the government agencies are not on the same radio systems (freq.'s, protocals, etc). Even if they were more compatible, there would not be enough channels available for the amount of traffic that was generated.

Most of these agencies assumed that mutual aid would be done on nextel or cell. They have all been told that the Trunk/Cell/Nextel systems have been hardened to withstand nature's worse or could be quickly restored. Well... that WAS THE TRUTH, But! Boy! That WAS a JOKE. I was at the command center in the middle of Kissimmee and I could tell some real winner stories. The Point is... With everyone one and their mother, father, brother and sister, etc. trying to call everyone they know, it took me average half an hour to get a connect tone in both locations with my Nextel and other Ham's regular cell phone's, forget it. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PRIORITY PHONES. I sure didn't see any in use. And at $3,000 a piece, satellite phones were no where to be found either.

Red Cross and the Salvation Army tried to use their Nextel's to coordinate on the infrastructure hardened (Nextel's inference) units, guess what?

A lot of out of area church groups that came in with resources thought cell phones and FRS were the tickets to coordination. Guess What?

We ARE the ONLY ones with the hundreds of VHF/UHF frequencies that can be put to use and the communications discipline to make traffic move a lot more efficienctly than most the agencies could ever have at their own disposal.

Not only did we bring equipment and antennas but we also brought our own power, food and water. We were totally self sufficient. Everyone I ran into were impressed that I asked for nothing, but gave excellent service.

Almost every other category of need was stressed except for the services we Hams provided.

As long as commercial companies under-provision their radio systems that they sell (trunk radio) and/or install (cell/nextel/even sattelites) we will always be needed. And you know they won't, their stockholders (and the taxpayers for public service) won't allow that kind of investment just to handle a once in twenty year or so event.

It was an awesome two weeks for Amateur Radio. And we can be proud of those of us who served.

Check out the article from Sarasota:


http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps....MNIST99 (http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040823/COLUMNIST50/408230454/-1/COLUMNIST99)


Louie Delannoy - W4LOU
Jensen Beach, FL

[KG4PNC]

well my wife and I were gonna vol for the red cross, we were told to fill out papers , major papers like 3 pages had to do a class, then we were gonna be made to do everything and i mean everything but communications. i must say the one thing that drove me nuts about this was red cross yeslls money , money , money , i used to work for em , they are not good in my opinion , salvation army took no money , stuff people needed, they are an honorable charity . just my opinion

[KC5SAS]

Here's an after action report to the REACT Council detailing the response by REACT to the hurricane.
--------------------------------
Florida REACT Council
Report received 08/29/2004 at 22:32hrs.
Florida Council went on LEVEL 1 first alert when Charley became a clear
threat. The council quickly moved to LEVEL 3 when all Florida Teams reported
activation procedures in response to Hurricane Charley. FCRT conducted the
following actions:
- Issued SITREP's and Flash Reports to Florida Teams and REACT Int.
- Monitored the progress of the hurricane
- Relayed any resource requests or available resources
- Remains on LEVEL 2 at this time due to continued actions of Teams and the
threat from Hurricane Frances
Dixie County REACT went on LEVEL 1 when it became apparent that the
Hurricane would impact the Gulf Coast. However when the storm changed course
the Team went back to normal operations.
Flagler County Assist REACT went on LEVEL 1 with the Council, highest level
of operation was LEVEL 4 full activation during the hurricane. The Team
worked closely with Emergency Management in preparation for, during and
after the storm. GMRS was mostly used and was one of the few modes to stay
up through the storm FCA conducted the following actions:
- Assisted in County Emergency Operations Center
- Provided Skywarn coverage during the storm
- The Team GMRS system was used to support EM Communications when Nextel
failed.
North Brevard REACT The Team went on LEVEL 1 with the approach of Hurricane
Charley. Team members worked with ARES members in helping secure
communications for the storm. Members provided help by:
- Staffing shelters
- Helping manage the ARES nets in the area
Orlando Metro REACT
Went on LEVEL 1 with the council. Was in full LEVEL 4 during course of the
storm. The Team worked closely with the American Red Cross
and Orange County ARES during this event:
- Assisted in shelter communications
- Provided Skywarn Coverage
- Monitored CB 9
- GMRS system was damaged due to storm, seeking help from Space Coast
Space Coast REACT This team based out of Melbourne was not in the direct
path of the hurricane. However members monitored the storm closely and
maintained watch as the storm passed to the west and north of their
location.
Sun Coast REACT This team also took protective actions when the storm first
was thought to hit Tampa bay. The storm veered to the right missing Tampa
and Sun Coast REACT was able to return to Level 0. However the Team did
perform several functions:
- Responded to Ft. Mead assisted at a relief center, helping with
distribution and traffic control.
Bob Pickering
Florida Council REACT Teams
ARRL, Official Emergency Station “OES”

[N3JI]

Thank you for all the excellent work you did. #I grew up in SW Florida, but have since moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. #In fact, I took my Novice test there in North Fort Myers about 17 years ago. #I have been through several tropical storms and a couple hurricanes and witnessed first hand the destruction these monsters bring when they make landfall. #I have several relatives still in that area and I'm very glad we have Amateurs of your caliber there to answer the call. #My parents didn't get an extordinary amount of damage (about $20,000), and fortunately, it's all basically superficial. #Life is getting back to normal for them.

Now there's another one bearing down on what looks like Florida again, and I have no doubt that the Amateurs there will once again answer the call. #

Stay safe, and God Bless!!

Joe,
N3JI

[KC0NPF]

I only wish I were a little older and able to move around the country to help out with stuff like this.. maybe a few years from now http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I wouldn't worry too much about PR, I know some people do but you show people first hand what hams can and will do, the press, oh i could care less

Great Job guys!

KC0NPF

[w6em]

A great job was done by all who volunteered and worked Charlotte, De Soto, Hardy and Polk counties.

Amateur radio was the bridge needed when normal comm systems failed. #Including some of the public safety agencies.

The press coverage, though we usually tend to scoff at it at any level, was sorely less than it should have been. #Why? #I don't know. #But, with amateur radio as we know it under assault by BPL interests, and the assault supported by the DOC and the FCC, we need strong public awareness of the value of our assistance in emergencies.

Enough for folks to weigh losing what we can do in emergencies so that yet another internet access method can be available to them.

Members of Congress and the FCC should hear what happened to public safety and commercial systems. #And, how amateurs made the difference. # Without extensive media coverage, most won't hear unless folks let them know. #HF played a role, but I can't say how much of one. #Clearly, if BPL is deployed in an area, most HF activity would cease. #And, the almost immediate availabity of such links would be lost.

Just some thoughts.


Lee
W6EM
Bradenton, FL. #(40 miles north of and 50 miles west of Charley's destruction)

[na4it]

A job well done to all hams who helped. I wish I had the funds to come and give what time I could. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Looks like the next one may be worse. Tonight (Sept 1) the probablilty chart for Friday has the high numbers around Ft. Pierce and Cocoa. My son works as a Brevard Co.Paramedic. Looks like he'll be busy this weekend. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I too would like to see the outside news agencies do good, carefully researched stories about the roles amateurs play. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

And, as the gentleman in the ARRL video says "Their called amateurs. In any other walk of life, they would be called professionals!" #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Good work to all involved! We'll be monitoring from TN on several HF amateur & MARS freqs. # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[ke4zhn]

A job well done by many amateurs in a time of disaster. Im sorry to say guys...but it looks like its not over yet! Frances is coming for a visit....not the kind of guest youd invite over for dinner either!! Get ready to do it all over again. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #Gas up the generators, and batten down the hatches...all hells breaking loose....again! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[ag4rq]

Quote[/b] (ke4zhn @ Sep. 02 2004,11:09)]A job well done by many amateurs in a time of disaster. Im sorry to say guys...but it looks like its not over yet! Frances is coming for a visit....not the kind of guest youd invite over for dinner either!! Get ready to do it all over again. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #Gas up the generators, and batten down the hatches...all hells breaking loose....again! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Tell me about it! I went through Andrew 12 years ago. I didn't experience a direct hit, but it was bad enough. Frances may be worse! I'm bracing for her. Like they keep saying on TV, we'll prepare for the worst and hope for the best. It remains to be seen whether I'll have a computer, a radio or anything else by Sunday. It depends where Frances makes landfall. I'm 3 miles north of the Miami-Dade/Broward line. If Frances makes landfall at Vero or Ft. Pierce, I'll be OK. If I get the eye, the roof will fly off this place. If I'm completely wiped out, I'll just take what FEMA gives me and get the hell out of here. Time for me to get back to work. I have loads to do before landfall. 73.

[k0gmb]

Yar, I went from where i live in Titusville, with, and volunteered from last saturday till last tuesday. What a zoo, but what fun. And now i am getting ready to go to a firehouse in town because Frances is headed right for us. Yes! Thank you all! and if you live near the east coast of Florida, BE SAFE!

[ke4zhn]

Im in Orlando and took pretty much a direct hit from Charley just 3 weeks ago. The eye passed over the Orlando Executive Airport and wiped out hundreds of small planes and the AMSAT center which was housed in a hangar there. We took 100-110 mph winds over the course of several hours. Not fun! Now it may happen again! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Fortunately, all I lost were a few roof shingles and some tree limbs. Lucky indeed...it wasnt fun without power for 5 days in 95 degree heat, but I have a genny so it could be worse I suppose. I feel very sorry for the poor folks in SW Florida who took the brunt of Charley and the devastation there is terrible. Some friends of mine there had their homes literally flattened. #I do hope they are spared a second hit. As I write this, the outer bands are coming in and the wind is kicking up. The bad part about Frances is, shes a slow moving storm and will really douse us with lots of rain. To all of you Florida hams....please be safe and the very best of luck to you and your families in this time of disaster.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #73 Rich #KE4ZHN

[kc4nus]

Quote[/b] (KG4PNC @ Aug. 30 2004,22:57)]well my wife and I were gonna vol for the red cross, we were told to fill out papers , major papers like 3 pages had to do a class, #then we were gonna be made to do everything and i mean everything but #communications. #i must say the one thing that drove me nuts about this was red cross #yeslls money , money , money , i used to work for em , #they are not good in my opinion , salvation army took no money , stuff people needed, #they are an honorable #charity . just my opinion
Not every Red Cross chapter is tied closely to their local ARES groups. #The more I read here and on eham.net, the more I realize that Central Florida Chapter of the Red Cross seems to be the exception instead of the rule.

Due to the ties between ARES and the local Red Cross chapter, every ARES member takes the Intro to Disaster course and First Aid with CPR and AED. #Via the Intro to Disaster course, ARES members are also Red Cross Disaster Services volunteers. When a crisis happens, there is an amateur radio station located in the RC Disaster Operations Center working in conjuction with the amateur radio stations in the county EOCs the chapter services and the amateur radio operators in the county and Red Cross run shelters.