[aprssig] [wl2kemcomm] Help for First Responders

[Steve Dimse]

No one communication method is the ultimate, the idea is to have as many as possible in the hopes one will work, and APRS certainly fits in. Interesting focus of the original message though, perhaps because here in Florida our most common natural disasters (hurricanes) come with warnings, but here first responders as well as other key workers like in health care are required to provide for their families before the disaster. Even for non-hurricane disasters we were expected to do our jobs first.

Steve K4HG

> On Oct 18, 2016, at 12:07 PM, Bill Vodall <wa7nwp at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I suggested APRS as an tool for this situation described below...
> 
> It is often surprising how APRS is not even considered in many EmComm
> situation when it (APRS) seems like such a good fit.
> 
> There's much to be done with the user interface and messaging needs to
> be fixed - but the opportunity is here to provide an awesome useful
> Ham Radio service.
> 
> 10 years ago we had a storm in the Puget Sound region that knocked out
> power for days - weeks for some.  It was during those five long cold
> days that I came to consider APRS as the ultimate Ham communications
> technology.   Today I believe that even stronger...
> 
> 73
> Bill, WA7NWP
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> <wl2kemcomm at yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Mon, Oct 17, 2016 at 3:00 PM
> Subject: [wl2kemcomm] Help for First Responders
> To: wl2kemcomm at yahoogroups.com
> 
> 
> I was approached by a Deputy today asking what we (Amateur Radio) had
> to offer to address a problem.
> 
> IF/WHEN we have a big disaster (Cascadia Earthquake/Tsunami), First
> Responders rightfully need to first see to the safety of their own
> families. Only then are they free to attend to their professional
> responsibilities.
> 
> In such an event, phones will be out, both landline and cellular,
> repeaters for Public Service and Amateur VHF/UHF radio will be out,
> and internet other than satellite dish will be out. Much of the County
> communications is by linked microwave.
> 
> Our terrain is rugged, with narrow valleys and many areas where
> simplex VHF/UHF radio just does not reach.
> 
> How are other areas handling this need? How can a Sheriff’s
> Deputy/Firefighter/Police Officer most reliably reach his family for a
> status check to enable him to attend to his job?
> 
> KF7RSF
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