Amateur radio disaster preparedness in action
- Thread starter OkieBoyKJ5JFG
- Start date
Not sure about the fire service. But right up until the mid-90s it was pretty common for LE agencies to have reserve / auxiliary officers and deputies to help out with traffic control, parking, patrolling community events, admin functions, working communications posts and disaster response. And after a few years many of these people became very proficient at their duties.
Then attorneys starting suing departments for failure to train and supervise these folks if something went sideways. And, unions starting opposing much of their work to safe guard overtime opportunities for their full time members. Fearing lawsuits and labor grievances many communities dropped these programs.
Bottom line, some of our most dedicated citizens and volunteers were unfairly painted as untrained, wanna-bees and wage stealers. And a void of opportunities for people wanting to help their communities was created.
Some people still have a strong desire to help out and volunteer. I still highly recommend those with a strong volunteer spirit getting involved in CERT programs, ARES, RACES and the ICS system. Most of the time these duties may seem unglamorous, but when the chips are down, vetted and well trained volunteer group members are appreciated.
As someone who has never worked in Public Safety during a disaster, but has been through more than i can count on both hands, I probably have a very different take on all of this than most here.
Most people don't want to volunteer or help or anything like that. They want to be lookie-loos. Show up for a few hours, feel important, then disappear (similar to politicians). All they do is delay actual progress.
You want to be of help after a disaster? Great, thank you very much. STAY AWAY!!!
Still can't keep yourself away? Spend some time in your kitchen first, drop it off to the folks at the stations and camps, then GO HOME!
You absolutely can't bear the thought of sitting at home while people are suffering?
OK, fine, we can use you. Bring boots, gloves, a hardhat and a chainsaw if you've got one. Don't bring your radio, it's going to get broken. Haul limbs and junk to the curb for a few days. If you can do that, you might be the kind of person that we need to work in the disaster industry.
Centerpoint Energy notwithstanding, people in Houston have gotten to where they can return to a semblance of normality fairly quick. We're pros at carpet, drywall, and tree removal. When it floods, our Cajun buddies show up with boats and we get to high ground. It's almost a routine thing these days. If we need something, we'll let you know (and tell you who forgot to do it beforehand).
It's a great thing that people are still moved from our torpor and apathy to want to help in times of crisis. Compassion is and always will be a precious commodity. But Buddhist teachers will warn you about what they call "idiot compassion". Well-meaning, good-hearted folks are compelled to act, but ultimately make things worse.
Be moved. Let your heart break at the situation. Then think and look around. There's someone that needs your help right now, and you probably won't have to leave your own neighborhood.
And if you've never been in or seen the destruction of a large scale disaster, do yourself a favor and give it a pass.
Edit to add: no Public Safety experience, but 20 years in water utilities.
Most people don't want to volunteer or help or anything like that. They want to be lookie-loos. Show up for a few hours, feel important, then disappear (similar to politicians). All they do is delay actual progress.
You want to be of help after a disaster? Great, thank you very much. STAY AWAY!!!
Still can't keep yourself away? Spend some time in your kitchen first, drop it off to the folks at the stations and camps, then GO HOME!
You absolutely can't bear the thought of sitting at home while people are suffering?
OK, fine, we can use you. Bring boots, gloves, a hardhat and a chainsaw if you've got one. Don't bring your radio, it's going to get broken. Haul limbs and junk to the curb for a few days. If you can do that, you might be the kind of person that we need to work in the disaster industry.
Centerpoint Energy notwithstanding, people in Houston have gotten to where they can return to a semblance of normality fairly quick. We're pros at carpet, drywall, and tree removal. When it floods, our Cajun buddies show up with boats and we get to high ground. It's almost a routine thing these days. If we need something, we'll let you know (and tell you who forgot to do it beforehand).
It's a great thing that people are still moved from our torpor and apathy to want to help in times of crisis. Compassion is and always will be a precious commodity. But Buddhist teachers will warn you about what they call "idiot compassion". Well-meaning, good-hearted folks are compelled to act, but ultimately make things worse.
Be moved. Let your heart break at the situation. Then think and look around. There's someone that needs your help right now, and you probably won't have to leave your own neighborhood.
And if you've never been in or seen the destruction of a large scale disaster, do yourself a favor and give it a pass.
Edit to add: no Public Safety experience, but 20 years in water utilities.
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As a retired 40-year career Firefighter we do not need or want untrained, will not follow orders, freelancing people on our scenes getting our responders or our victims hurt or in more danger. If we need assistance, we will call for what and who we need. If you have not trained with us you are in the way.
bill4long
Member
What's your point? Are you accusing typical CERT volunteers of that?
I do have public safety experience and have made a career of it. 100% on what you have said. My radios were not helpful to me nor my neighbors during Beryl or the multitude of multi-day CenterPoint outages. Charging them was low on my list of things to keep working, nor did any of my neighbors come over and ask to borrow an APX. It was all about how we can help each other be fed, clean up after and keep our mental health high. The only RF we really cared about was trying to get updates via cell/wifi and broadcast.
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My Baofengs were actually useful in Beryl. My neighbors were all elderly, so I loaded MURS into the radios, parked us on ch. 4, and kept us all in touch throughout. We kept batteries charged up as needed, and everyone was glad to be able to reach out at any time and get help if needed. We had over 48 hrs without wireless phone service, so it was a nice comfort to have some "CCR garbage" as backup when the holy wireless carriers fall to Earth.
That is a good use case. I should have been more clear about my comments being that listening to scanners or the ham guys wasnt a priority. I can absolutly see value in giving out license free radios to the neighbors.
Yeah, for about $120 I was able to give some peace of mind in that situation. Best money I've ever spent.
That's also the best use for the cheapest of the CCRs. Keep however many makes you feel good, keep 'em loaded up with MURS/FRS, and keep in touch with the neighbors. Put in any local analog frequencies to monitor for info (and make absolutely sure to inhibit TX on those channels; I know I'm not going to key up, but someone else might have an accident or an on-purpose). That way, you become "the helpful radio guy" instead of a "whacker".
That's also the best use for the cheapest of the CCRs. Keep however many makes you feel good, keep 'em loaded up with MURS/FRS, and keep in touch with the neighbors. Put in any local analog frequencies to monitor for info (and make absolutely sure to inhibit TX on those channels; I know I'm not going to key up, but someone else might have an accident or an on-purpose). That way, you become "the helpful radio guy" instead of a "whacker".
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