REACT... What do they do?

[zangler]

i have never had any run in with REACT, but i can say this about HAM's: in the case of a disaster, which i am still experiencing (i live in Houston and had the joy of the eyewall pounding my house for 4 hours), the HAM's that provided up-to-the-minute data concerning, blocked and flooded roads, down and dangerous power lines, and places it was possible to purchase fuel, have inspired me to study for the test and get the license.

they were materially effective in locating and removing debris from roadways, and serving as a bridge for down communication channels. one example was the San Jacinto River Authority, which i witnessed on my scanner.

i am not sure if anyone in the greater houston area will understand how they made small but important differences in the aftermath of IKE.

most people wont realize that they were like chainsaw faeries, cutting and clearing huge trees from roadways.

if any of them are reading this, i just hope it is a way i can say thank you.

p.s. the HAM's i am talking about were in the NW/1960/Spring/Tomball/Woodlands area

 

[1alpha]

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

Some go to Hamsexy and look!

 

[kb2vxa]

Oh never mind whackers, you don't have to be a ham to be a whacker. On the other hand they're a never ending source of amusement on Hamsexy. For that matter if one signs up and gains access to the private forums one soon discovers that some of you here on Radio Reference are an even greater source of amusement for sexy hams.

I wonder why they haven't mentioned me yet? (;->)

Back on track, having had no interest in CB or REACT for decades it's hard to say if they're a viable entity or not these days. All I can say is they're dead in the water if a chapter still exists (they never had one here and Staten Island NY was my last contact with them) being CB committed suicide years ago. There are plenty of Amateur Radio clubs though actively involved with emergency and disaster relief communications and physically lending a helping hand. Due to increased reliability of standard radio communications we're no longer at the forefront standing in the spotlight but working behind the scenes providing health and welfare communications and other vital services is where we still excel and are appreciated worldwide. Maybe that's why the FCC classes Amateur Radio as a service and not a hobby as Ofcom (UK) and other government licensing bodies do? That gives us exempt status like any other public service entity, fire, police, EMS and all. Now that's something to be proud of and defend while others may simply consider us hobbyists and even at times an annoyance overlooking the value of our radio and other skills.

Some say this is a good reason to become a ham and I say most emphatically NO, this is the worst possible reason all else considered. NEVER put the cart before the horse, NEVER sail without a compass and NEVER go into a battle unarmed! FIRST you MUST acquire the necessary skills and license testing being a slide these days simply studying for the test will not prepare you for the road ahead. OK fine, if all you want to be is a CBer with legal "extree channels" all well and good but whatever you do please stand aside and let those with proper "equipment" do the job, you'll only get in the way like any other whacker. If you're sincere you'll learn basic engineering so you can cobble a radio system together using stone knives and bear skin and know how to use it. You'll also take training in emergency services and once qualified you'll be a welcome member of the team.

Just reading and understanding this is a good start, we need people sincere in their efforts. Amateur Radio separates the men from the boys real quick so decide who you want to be and take it from there. Oh no, you don't need to be a Superman to be accepted but knowing what you're talking about and proving it you'll go far. Take a step up why don't you? Do you want to be talked about on Hamsexy all your life or do you want to be somebody?

 

[Grog]

I wonder why they haven't mentioned me yet? (;->)

No reason to talk about the nonsensical ravings of a lunitic :lol:

 

[kb2vxa]

That's a big 10-4 good buddy, but that itchy butt finger is a big negatory.

 

[1alpha]

No reason to talk about the nonsensical ravings of a lunitic :lol:

Heres one for you Grog! Smell his finger.

 

[K8JSM]

What my REACT group does in Coshocton County, Ohio is essentially assist our small (by comparison to the size of the county) sheriff's department in traffic direction, closing roads for fires or accidents or severe weather, and we also do some volunteer work, such as parking cars at the local fair and some local festivals. We work closely with our sheriff's office and have GMRS radios that we use with 2 channels. One is an FRS channel, and one is on the GMRS band, that ties into a repeater at the sheriff's office and allows us to talk directly with central dispatch. They will dispatch us if there is an accident or if an officer requests our presence. We're also encouraged to call in to dispatch if we monitor a scanner and hear a vehicle accident or fire, before they need to dispatch us.

The guys in my REACT group scarcely monitor citizens band, and only one other member is an amateur radio operator such as myself.

I always stop to see if a broken down vehicle's driver and passengers are ok, because I have the communication technology at my fingertips to attempt to locate help if necessary. I don't appreciate the generalized flaming towards REACT! Some guys like blinky blinkys, I know I do. I have a few LEDs in the vehicle, it's to ensure our safety on calls, same as it is for the emergency personnel.

Hope that answers some of the curiosity of the original poster!
Sean, K8JSM, RE-53

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

I always stop to see if a broken down vehicle's driver and passengers are ok, because I have the communication technology at my fingertips to attempt to locate help if necessary.

Doesn't anyone with a cellphone also have "communication technology" at their fingertips as well?

I can understand how this sort of thing might have helped before cellphones, but I don't quite see where it fits in now. Of course I could just be missing something here.

 

[K8JSM]

I don't have a cell phone and they might not either. They might also be out of range of a tower. I also have extremely higher power output privileges with my federal license for amateur radio than a cell phone can put out, so I can virtually always contact SOMEONE when necessary.

 

[K8JSM]

On another note, if I had a cell phone, I would still stop and offer to let them use it or use it myself to call appropriate emergency services, towing services, etc. as necessary.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

I guess things differ based on where you live, but around here everyone and their first grader has a cellphone, so the odds of someone being broken down without one are very slim, at least around here.

The odds of being (broken down) on most roadways in this state and not being able to get any cell service are pretty slim as well.

But it is certainly kind of you to try to help out in whatever way you can.

 

[AB3EM]

REACT in 2011

This thread is a few years old. Maybe its time for an update. While it is true that on occassion a rogue REACTer makes it to the local or national news, most are simply out there servicing an unfilled need in the local community.

The REACT Mission Statement is vague because there are many ways to use two way radio to help save lives and property. It is true that almost everyone has a cellphone. If cellphones are really so great, why don't Police, Fire and EMS just use cellphones? They don't, they use two way radio. And as some REACTers have posted here already, the technical aspects of responder communications vary considerably as you go across the country. One county sherif's department is using a UHF repeater system while another county has a P25 trunking VoIP system.

So the REACT Mission allows teams to find the unfilled need. Some teams use 1 service while others are multi-mode. My team uses Amateur and GMRS. Each member uses the services they are properly licesned for. Our GMRS repeater is part of our town's EMCOMM plan. In the event of our EOC opening at least one GMRS licensed team member goes there. But we use whatever will do the job. If FRS will do the job, that's what we use. We monitor CB9 from a fixed location taking 4 calls a year. It is nothing and that's along I-83 inYork County PA. Trucks outnumber cars.

But teams are free to choose any or all of Part 95 (CB, FRS, MURS and GMRS) and Part 97 (ARS). It depends on their local mission. That brings us to lighting. RI HQ does not take a stand on lighting other than there is no national policy within REACT against special lighting. But it is up to each team, knowing their state laws and working with their local served agencies to decide whether or not they install light bars, etc. If in doubt, run without. Some states have enacted "Red light - Blue Light" laws that specifically mention REACT and what they can do. My team runs no lights because we do not do traffic control as a normal part of our activities. We could use amber when stopped assisting a motorist. I stop to help cars on the side of the road only because I am concerned citizen and carry in my car a hotshot, tire inflator, motor oil, antifreeze, duct tape, CERT bag, first aid kit and have LED flares, triangles, etc to create a "safe zone". The local unit of the State Police know me, know what I do and have no problems with that. I have assisted them on more than one occassion and they know I am NOT a whacker.

REACT asks that ALL team members take NIMS ICS training. IS-100, 200, 700 and 800 to start and then other NIMS courses that apply to them as well as any local training offered to them. Many REACTers are SKYWARN spotters. There are some who I must admit have taken the "spotter" role and made it a "chaser" role. If they are under the guidance of a served agency then that is OK. If not, they may have problems when it comes to insurnace claims, etc. That is a very important point that all EMCOMM volunteers need to be concerned about, insurance.

OK, REACT is not what it was in terms of size back in the CB craze days. But REACT is just as relevant in the "cellphone" world of today as it was almost 50 years ago when it all started during a snowstorm in downtown Chicago. REACT International, Inc. (RI HQ) does not really "supervise" teams as such. Each team finds a place in their local community. Each has its own Bylaws and governing documents. RI HQ has Bylaws and Policies that teams are expected to adhere to. There are 9 Regional Directors who make of the Board of Directors. The default titles at the team level are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sargent at Arms. Any other designations can be used as established by the team. Some teams are required by their served agaencies to adopt a leadership structure and titles such as "Chief" or "Captain" for local integration into ICS. There is nothing wrong with that.

I have been on 80m late at night and heard ragchews where no one gave a callsign for 45 mins. I have heard profanity on Amateur Radio. I do not think ALL HAMs are "CBers" because of that. There are and always will be misfits in society, in every organization. I won't judge my local ARES group on one out-of-line operator. Please don't judge all REACTers because of the bad example of a few.

Who am I? My name is Stan Walters, AB3EM, WQFD736, KIS5155. I am the Region 1 Director and Board member of REACT International, Inc. I support teams and prospective teams in the NE US from ME to PA. You can see my beautiful mug shot at REACT International, Inc. | Public Service Through Communications under the Board of Directors list. I am President of York County REACT #6123 serving York County PA. I was my county VOAD Chair last year and this year I am the Chair of the HEARS subcommittee of the ARWG of the SCTF. I am a Deputy EC for my local EMA, a member of the county CERT, T&RA, ARES/ RACES/ SKYWARN, etc. I take part in numerous drills and community service events. Sounds impressive right? I am not here to impress but to serve. I know nothing and I must keep learning everyday. We must all be evaluating and learning everyday. Did I do all I could to be safe my last time out? Is there someting I can do to improve my operator efficiency and professionalism? There is no end to training so I know I always need more training and more practice. If anyone thinks they know it all, they don't and they are dangerous to themselves and others.

I would be happy to correspond with anyone anywhere about REACT. If you have a specific comment or complaint about a team or a member I would like to know about it. I am not a "whacker". REACT is not a "whacker" organization any more than other ARES/RACES groups are. As this is my first post I will assume that others can somehow email me off the list if they choose. If not I'll look here for responses. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 73

Stan

 

[N0BDW]

This thread is a few years old. Maybe its time for an update. While it is true that on occassion a rogue REACTer makes it to the local or national news, most are simply out there servicing an unfilled need in the local community.

The REACT Mission Statement is vague because there are many ways to use two way radio to help save lives and property. It is true that almost everyone has a cellphone. If cellphones are really so great, why don't Police, Fire and EMS just use cellphones? They don't, they use two way radio. And as some REACTers have posted here already, the technical aspects of responder communications vary considerably as you go across the country. One county sherif's department is using a UHF repeater system while another county has a P25 trunking VoIP system.

So the REACT Mission allows teams to find the unfilled need. Some teams use 1 service while others are multi-mode. My team uses Amateur and GMRS. Each member uses the services they are properly licesned for. Our GMRS repeater is part of our town's EMCOMM plan. In the event of our EOC opening at least one GMRS licensed team member goes there. But we use whatever will do the job. If FRS will do the job, that's what we use. We monitor CB9 from a fixed location taking 4 calls a year. It is nothing and that's along I-83 inYork County PA. Trucks outnumber cars.

But teams are free to choose any or all of Part 95 (CB, FRS, MURS and GMRS) and Part 97 (ARS). It depends on their local mission. That brings us to lighting. RI HQ does not take a stand on lighting other than there is no national policy within REACT against special lighting. But it is up to each team, knowing their state laws and working with their local served agencies to decide whether or not they install light bars, etc. If in doubt, run without. Some states have enacted "Red light - Blue Light" laws that specifically mention REACT and what they can do. My team runs no lights because we do not do traffic control as a normal part of our activities. We could use amber when stopped assisting a motorist. I stop to help cars on the side of the road only because I am concerned citizen and carry in my car a hotshot, tire inflator, motor oil, antifreeze, duct tape, CERT bag, first aid kit and have LED flares, triangles, etc to create a "safe zone". The local unit of the State Police know me, know what I do and have no problems with that. I have assisted them on more than one occassion and they know I am NOT a whacker.

REACT asks that ALL team members take NIMS ICS training. IS-100, 200, 700 and 800 to start and then other NIMS courses that apply to them as well as any local training offered to them. Many REACTers are SKYWARN spotters. There are some who I must admit have taken the "spotter" role and made it a "chaser" role. If they are under the guidance of a served agency then that is OK. If not, they may have problems when it comes to insurnace claims, etc. That is a very important point that all EMCOMM volunteers need to be concerned about, insurance.

OK, REACT is not what it was in terms of size back in the CB craze days. But REACT is just as relevant in the "cellphone" world of today as it was almost 50 years ago when it all started during a snowstorm in downtown Chicago. REACT International, Inc. (RI HQ) does not really "supervise" teams as such. Each team finds a place in their local community. Each has its own Bylaws and governing documents. RI HQ has Bylaws and Policies that teams are expected to adhere to. There are 9 Regional Directors who make of the Board of Directors. The default titles at the team level are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sargent at Arms. Any other designations can be used as established by the team. Some teams are required by their served agaencies to adopt a leadership structure and titles such as "Chief" or "Captain" for local integration into ICS. There is nothing wrong with that.

I have been on 80m late at night and heard ragchews where no one gave a callsign for 45 mins. I have heard profanity on Amateur Radio. I do not think ALL HAMs are "CBers" because of that. There are and always will be misfits in society, in every organization. I won't judge my local ARES group on one out-of-line operator. Please don't judge all REACTers because of the bad example of a few.

Who am I? My name is Stan Walters, AB3EM, WQFD736, KIS5155. I am the Region 1 Director and Board member of REACT International, Inc. I support teams and prospective teams in the NE US from ME to PA. You can see my beautiful mug shot at REACT International, Inc. | Public Service Through Communications under the Board of Directors list. I am President of York County REACT #6123 serving York County PA. I was my county VOAD Chair last year and this year I am the Chair of the HEARS subcommittee of the ARWG of the SCTF. I am a Deputy EC for my local EMA, a member of the county CERT, T&RA, ARES/ RACES/ SKYWARN, etc. I take part in numerous drills and community service events. Sounds impressive right? I am not here to impress but to serve. I know nothing and I must keep learning everyday. We must all be evaluating and learning everyday. Did I do all I could to be safe my last time out? Is there someting I can do to improve my operator efficiency and professionalism? There is no end to training so I know I always need more training and more practice. If anyone thinks they know it all, they don't and they are dangerous to themselves and others.

I would be happy to correspond with anyone anywhere about REACT. If you have a specific comment or complaint about a team or a member I would like to know about it. I am not a "whacker". REACT is not a "whacker" organization any more than other ARES/RACES groups are. As this is my first post I will assume that others can somehow email me off the list if they choose. If not I'll look here for responses. Thanks for taking the time to read this. 73

Stan

I like that, "when in doubt, run without." I'm a member of the Monroe County ARES/RACES organization. ARES/RACES gets a pretty bad rap in other parts of the country, from what I've heard. Here we work closely with the Emergency Operations Center, participate in County Health drills, run Pumpkin Patrol for the NYS Troopers, and provide communications for public service events on a regular basis. We also have a requirement for some level of FEMA training. I don't believe any of our members has a light bar installed (though I could be mistaken). I do have a small mag mount amber rotator that I keep in the trunk for events where I'm parked alongside the road (such as the Tour de Cure). I probably wouldn't be a part of it if the county weren't so supportive of it.

Cell phones are inefficient when dealing with large groups of people. They likely work fine if you've got 5 or less operators who don't need to all hear each other's traffic. When you have 15+ operators and most of the information being passed is relevant to all or most, radio makes sense.

In the event of a disaster, cell towers are generally one of the first things that fail. They get overloaded or the power goes out, or what have you.

For us, one of the services the county wants us to look into providing is ATV. We currently have 1 mobile ATV setup, but they've just requested for us to setup 5 more. We have an ATV repeater on top of a county building with a fiber line coming off the input side of the repeater running directly back to the EOC. It's pretty cool stuff and I feel fortunate to live in an area where ARES/RACES is a respected organization, not one that is looked down upon as a nuisance.

 

[Spankymedic7]

"That gives us exempt status like any other public service entity, fire, police, EMS and all. Now that's something to be proud of..."

Nicely worded.

 

[N9NRA]

Around Central WI we used to have a really nice REACT group, but it has long since died off due mostly to lack of intrest and things like cellullar. Only time i ever recall seeing anyone that was in REACT was back when we had a fire here in the building and they showed up at something like 3AM with some snacks for us tenants, other than that there`s almost no REACT activity around here anymore, even the repeater they had up is gone, haven`t heard it in a long time. I`m sure in other places the teams are alive and thriving, but here in Central WI the REACT thingy is for the most part a dead horse. N9NRA

 

[WB4UR_Sean]

In Wisconsin blue lights are law enforcement use only and if you are not law enforcement they will remove the light and give you a fine etc. And that goes for any blue light flashing or not (at least not while on or parked near the road). Including blue acessory/stylish lights that don't flash or blink (source-a police officer). Of course enforcement is another thing. Not shure about red.

EDIT: Just checked out that website police posers. Glanced at wisconsin light laws I always see the Wisconsin DNR trucks with green lightbars I will check the site out more later. Looks interesting.

I think Red is for use by Fire/EMS staff.

 

[Sparky_one]

Good, bad, and ugly.

I was an OU student when Gayland Kitch ran the OU React. It was neat because he commanded the respect of OUPD, NPD, and CCSD. Enough that we had radios to talk to each one of their dispatches. And to some extent, they abused us for home games. But for your typical react'er, that was just a lot of fun. Gayland is now EM director for Moore. He's still a super guy and helped get them through the two big hits. I would call that the Good of React. Now how about the bad. I call them blue light bandits. Oklahoma county had two different groups. One exists today that is a function of Frank Barnes' OCEM group. They do a lot of local parades and civic runs. They will block a road and tell you they are police. You really have to press them hard to admit they are not police. So lets talk about the ugly. That was the official Oklahoma County React. They had a uniform and met monthly at one of Baptist Hospital's conference rooms. Let me tell you about their ultimate demise as I knew three people who volunteered with them. It started when they were approached by pastor from western Oklahoma named Larry Wooten. He has a group called Multi-County Fire Corps in Hinton. The groups merged in volunteer efforts. So then came the El Reno tornado that took Tim Samaras group. Larry's group responded to the various scenes, often running full blue light code, and without any authorization. Oklahoma County React guys also ran full code to various scenes and often took the ICS scene leadership role where they did not have authority to do so. So, in the hot wash, Oklahoma County React lost its national affiliation and Larry Wooten's Multi-County Fire Corps lost its federal accreditation but they still call themselves Fire Corps but without using any of the official government logos. OC React totally disbanded and that was a suggestion of state EM officials to keep most of them out of going to county jail on the many laws their group broke.