REACT... What do they do?

[cellblock776]

WOW, I thought about joining REACT and a local GMRS group just for the enjoyment of being on a radio. I am easily pleased, not like those that need amber light, a vest, and a side arm??
I have been through the pages of Crest REACT and thought it might be ok for a hobby, but reading here has opened my eyes. Especially since they charge for membership, I want to know that my money is going toward a beneficial investment.
This doesnt sound like one anymore, at-least not now.

I guess if your a retired person that enjoys child porn, your amber lights, and emergency sticker(s) (wannabe power trip) on your car then groups like that are great???

Good Times!

Hey, there are certainly many GMRS radio groups as well as some REACT Teams who are doing lots of positive stuff. They are out there, just like some ham radio ops, standing at checkpoints during races, relaying information during walk-a-thons and generally helping out the served agencies who rely on them.
I'm not sure about the sidearm but the use of vests and amber light is common when anyone is doing any sort of traffic control. There is nothing wrong with taking prudent safety precautions and making sure that your people and vehicles are visible. Look around. Vests are being required for everyone from the guys who ride the back of garbage trucks to paramedics getting out of an ambulance. Of course, a good hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must too. Don't forget the sunscreen.
Me at a kids triathalon at LSU-

Do you need a full sized light bar stretched across your roof to sit at and intersection and direct riders across an intersection during a bike-a-thon? Not necessarily. A single magmount light is usually more than enough. Often I'll also put a shirt given to me for the event I'm volunteering for on my car too.
My car, at a Multiple Sclerosis bikeathon parked on the shoulder of the road-

If you have an overwelming need to stand in the hot sun for 6 hours as 900 bike riders pedal past you while you flag them into a turn and answer their questions over and over again, "Right Turn", "Only 2 miles until the next rest stop" and using your radio to call "Net control this is checkpoint 7, I need a Sag truck to my location for 2 riders" or "I need the bike repair guy to come to my location for a rider with a broken chain" then I can promise you that there's something out there for you.
Another day another bikeathon checkpoint.

Right Turn. Did I mention the sunscreen? Don't forget that.
Do enought events and you get to know your favorite spots and were the shade trees are. Here I found a great spot to park my car in the shade at a checkpoint where my GF and I were helping with another triathalon at LSU.

It seems like every runner only wanted to know one thing, "How far to the finish line?"
And you don't need to be a dues paying member of a REACT Team to do things such as monitor CB Ch 9 or participate in public service events. I often work events with clubs such as the Kids triathalon with Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club or the MS bikeathon with SouthEast Amateur Radio Club. I'm currently not a member of either club but when they put out a call for volunteers I'm glad to sign up to help them.
So look around and see what interests you. Don't let a few bad apples turn you off to exploring a hobby which you could learn to enjoy.

 

[ybbmadysu]

Thanks cellblock, Ill go to a meeting or activity someday to meet some of the members and find out what kind of people they are.

Regarding REACT, what type of training is given to its members to prepare for an emergency situation or any other situation where their services are requested?

what are the requirements to stay an active member? (example: I have a WDR (water damage remediation) Cert., in order to maintain this cert I have to attend CEC's every year)


Anyone here a current member from Los Angeles or surrounding willing to give very honest answers about REACT and or CREST REACT?

Thanks

 

[cellblock776]

Thanks cellblock, Ill go to a meeting or activity someday to meet some of the members and find out what kind of people they are.

Regarding REACT, what type of training is given to its members to prepare for an emergency situation or any other situation where their services are requested?

what are the requirements to stay an active member? (example: I have a WDR (water damage remediation) Cert., in order to maintain this cert I have to attend CEC's every year)


Anyone here a current member from Los Angeles or surrounding willing to give very honest answers about REACT and or CREST REACT?

Thanks

Each team is unique. Some Teams may only monitor CB ch 9 while others may do one or two public service events a year. More than likely clubs like this will have no training requirements. Simply pay your dues every year and get your membership card to participate. As I said in other posts, my old REACT Team was nothing more than a Ham radio club which affiliated with REACT International for the umbrella insurance policy needed for putting Ham Radio repeaters at some tower sites. No public service or vests necessary. We mostly met at repeater sites to do maintiance and clean up. In fact, about the only training you needed in our Team was
Mower Operations

<-me mowing

and Weedeater Command

<-Team prez weedeating
hahahaha.
On the other hand there are some Teams which are very active in their local Civil Defence agency and have to have Incident Command, National Incident Management and encourage Red Cross class such as Shelter Ops and First aid.
So as you can see, it really depends on the local Team and it's mission statement.

I hope this helps.

 

[LouisvilleScanMan]

WOW, I thought about joining REACT and a local GMRS group just for the enjoyment of being on a radio. I am easily pleased, not like those that need amber light, a vest, and a side arm??
I have been through the pages of Crest REACT and thought it might be ok for a hobby, but reading here has opened my eyes. Especially since they charge for membership, I want to know that my money is going toward a beneficial investment.
This doesnt sound like one anymore, at-least not now.

I guess if your a retired person that enjoys child porn, your amber lights, and emergency sticker(s) (wannabe power trip) on your car then groups like that are great???

Good Times!

I aggree that some REACTers take it WAY too far but like some of the others said, there are good people and good teams out there. Before you give up on REACT check to see if there are any teams in your area and if so find out what they are about, are they serious or just a "wacker club". If you don't find a team that you like or there are just no teams near you then get two other friends and start your own and you can make your money worth it by creating a good, functional, well trained team. Then once you have a few members (enough to manage a small scale event or incident) then start trying to build a good relationship with your local disaster response agencies (Red Cross, EM, public safety ect.).

 

[n2mdk]

Now I know what people mean by REACT members being WHACKERS

 

[ronmccracken]

I suspect that most of us would be very grateful for assistance from a REACT monitor in an emergency. REACT volunteers have helped to save countless lives over the years. It takes people like you on this site to create new REACT Teams for unserved areas.

With your scanners you can monitor the CB, FRS and GMRS distress frequencies simultaneously to summon aid for anyone needing it. Your scanners and your radios could serve no higher purpose. Helping someone in distress is a privilege you will remember always.

Last night I read an offer by a REACT Team in MN to assist any REACT Team in WI needing help to deal with the aftermath of yesterday's tornados there. That is the level of dedication you will find among REACT volunteers across this nation.

I encourage you to join this national safety effort. Gather a few friends and form a REACT Team to serve your community. You can get more information at www.REACTintl.org or you can call 1 866 REACT-9-9 to request a Team Charter kit.

 

[WX5JCH]

I thought Ham radio was used for these purposes. Well at least in Oklahoma they are. CB's are ancient history. I have a ham radio and a sat phone in my work office, ready for any disaster... Of course I work in a hospital lol

 

[fireSAR]

Now I know what people mean by REACT members being WHACKERS

i've seen some HAM radio operators who fit as Whackers too.

 

[cellblock776]

I thought Ham radio was used for these purposes. Well at least in Oklahoma they are. CB's are ancient history. I have a ham radio and a sat phone in my work office, ready for any disaster... Of course I work in a hospital lol

As I pointed out, some REACT Teams are made up of hams. In areas where ARRL ARES is not active REACT can mirror the assignments they would normally cover.
When our REACT Team first chartered we primarily assisted with the local Red Cross Chapter. Click on this link-
http://www.reactintl.org/Reacter/full/2002_Nov-Dec.pdf and scroll to page 11 to see the article our Team President wrote. Very informative.
Unfortuantly, a couple of years after that article was written a new Director took over at the local chapter and some typical politics reared it's head. A short time later the new Director cut ties with our REACT Team and all of the equiptment mentioned in that article including the tower, was removed. Someone had complained about that "bunch of CBers" working for the Red Cross. It was a Ham Radio club using ham radio gear, not a CB in sight.
Sometimes the "Guilt by Association" is too much to deal with.

 

[ybbmadysu]

Who owns the actual locations where the repeaters are installed? I see that others say that they join react for the umbrella insurance for the repeater site.

Can anyone explain?

 

[ElroyJetson]

I am utterly unable to take seriously anybody who takes CB as a useful or effective mode of communications.

I have no use whatsoever for REACT. I find that I REACT poorly to them.


But I can think of organizations that make REACT look like the absolute model of efficiency and utility. I don't even want to mention the name of any of those organizations lest they
put me on their hit list!

Elroy

 

[zz0468]

Who owns the actual locations where the repeaters are installed? I see that others say that they join react for the umbrella insurance for the repeater site.

Can anyone explain?

Repeater sites can be owned by anyone from an individual, to a government agency, a small business or large corporation. Many site agreements require that the equipment owner provide insurance to protect the site owner and other customers from any damage caused by installation or operation of the repeater.

 

[LTbillybob]

Wow...things have changed around here then. I haven't heard of anything about a Colorado REACT team...anywhere. In my county, I belong to a volunteer group that help out local PD's for just about anything. We do security at the Rodeo each year, parades, events, etc as well as help out with charities and such. None of us have our vehicles set up with any lights except for one but his van is used as back up emergency communications for the county. We do have uniforms but once again....only when on duty. Otherwise, we are there for the calling, We have some of our members that have their CCW's, a nurse, medic, ex-Fed weapons instructor. None of us do anything though unless called on.

Just something to look at. Maybe something like it in your area....http://www.countyposse.org

 

[n9zek]

I am utterly unable to take seriously anybody who takes CB as a useful or effective mode of communications.

I have no use whatsoever for REACT. I find that I REACT poorly to them.


But I can think of organizations that make REACT look like the absolute model of efficiency and utility. I don't even want to mention the name of any of those organizations lest they
put me on their hit list!

Elroy

I am an Amateur Radio Operator and take exception to your comments. CB is still a valid form of communications and can fit certain needs. Think about a disaster when all normal means (landline phones, cell phones and internet) are out. There are still millions of CBs in use around the country. I am sure when people can't communicate with anyone, they will be pulling those CBs out of the closets, basements and garages and put them into service. Also, almost all trucks on the road in this nation have CB radios in them. During a disaster situation, emergency teams can help direct truck traffic to where they need them using CB. Some of these trucks may be in staging areas and need to be dispatched somewhere. Maybe a highway is closed and a quick way to get the message to the trucking community is via CB. Neighbors can keep in contact with friends and relatives locally. So I still see CB as a valuable tool when it used in the correct manner and in the right situation. I was a member of REACT in the late 70s and into the mid 80s. I monitored CB channel 9 and took hundreds of distress calls. I know that cell phones have cut down drastically on CB calls for help but it doesn't mean that it never happens. There are still many areas of the country with little or no cell phone coverage and people in those areas may still rely on CB, especially truck drivers who need help when they are in a no coverage area. Just some thoughts to consider. BTW...I still keep a CB in my personal truck. You never know when you may need it, especially when travelling. It's great for getting directions or knowing when there are accidents or road closures.

 

[kb9sxk]

ZEK Wrote:
"there are still millions of CBs in use around the country. I am sure when people can't communicate with anyone, they will be pulling those CBs out of the closets, basements and garages and put them into service. "

I have been saying this for years.

+100000

 

[LouisvilleScanMan]

It's good to see some people speaking the truth about CB. I've been sitting by the side of a major highway here in Louisville (Outer Loop) waiting for a bus and in 15 minutes seen over 20 modern vehicles (not counting big rigs) with CB antennas.Many people who travel a lot or take freeways often will get a CB to monitor road and weather conditions. CB still has practical uses.

 

[jleverin]

My introduction to REACT was colored by a guy I once worked with. He was a EMT with me out in California in the 80's This guy was wound up so tight I swear he wore his pager to bed at night! Used to see him out in public (off duty) with his EMT equiptment kit on his belt, with the flashlight and all! Anyway, he was a REACT member, had the freakin sticker on the side of his truck, big CB antenna and I think maybe even the amber light too! If it hadn't been against the law out there, I'm sure he would have had a red or blue one. At that time I was wrapped pretty tight, but he made me look mellow! I later grew up and went to nursing school and settled down when I realized how addicting that lifestyle was. I really didn't think REACT even existed anymore but I guess they do have some presence still. If it's members are anything like that guy , they are way over the top! Where I am now, CB is kind of dead, most people don't have radio antennas except the local hams. I have nothing against volunteering, I have done it and will continue to, but I DO have some training and am in the process of becoming a licensed ham so I can use the radios legally. In my opinion, nobody needs lights, sirens except the professional responders. Too bad some people have to do that to feel important. I know from experience that some folks can get wrapped into this "emergency response" stuff and get addicted to it. That's where alot of your wacker types come from I'm sure

 

[landonjensen]

Tri-county has a bunch of my board members including myself banned from their web site. Over the course of time and their publicized tactics, they have sanitized their web site. When they had everything up, their logs made the whole bunch look like cop wannabes performing law enforcement duties and calling each other for backup instead of dialing 911. They have members who started using red/blue but from what I heard, they are backing down to either color but not both.

Wow. On their Unit Gallery... Unit 65. :roll::roll::roll:

 

[af5rn]

EDIT: Nevermind. I found it.

Too many REACTs to keep up with!

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

Funny posts

Some of the posts on here brought me to tears of laughter!

Seriously, everybody and their third grader has a cell phone now, and every car I have purchased for years comes with free roadside assistance 24/7/365. If you break down, you call someone.

React sounds like an answer to a question that hasn't been asked.

As someone said it sounds like radio geeks who have found a way to feel like the cops they admire but can't join because they couldn't get hired onto a police force. It's like the scanner geek who calls the local police station using police code (as the dispatchers roll their eyes in disgust). Cops don't WANT this kind of "help", that you can be sure of.

CB radio is a wasteland of ranting lunatics going on about all sort of odd topics, at least around here. Monitoring that band is a total waste of time.

By the way non family members using GMRS is ILLEGAL.

I also don't know of a single person who has a CB in their car. So the whole channel 9 thing is really so 1975. Truckers don't even use it much anymore. On a recent long distance road trip I tried monitoring CB just to see, and there was very little use.

In the age of the cellphone:
Normal people call eachother on their phones.
Radio geeks use radios to talk to eachother.

Not that I have any love for cell phones (hate them), or disrespect for radios (love em), but that is the way the cookie crumbles nowadays. Radio geeks are a small minority. Sort of like people who have common sense.