12-08-1986 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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rrttt�ir 1 ' M : A - 6 The Monsanto Amateur Radio Association operated from this command post to assist community -wide agencies in evacuation and disaster -relief efforts. WA8SPN (left) and N8DNG take their turn at the controls. to the key officials. The officials were so reliant upon receiving updated information from ARAC, they often had a radio amateur beside them to avoid any delays. The tanker car was set level on July 1 I at the same time a thunderstorm passed over- head. This movement increased the burning area from approximately 20 feet to 60 feet, but the rain helped keep the plume low to the ground and diluted it as well. The coordina- tion of setuug the car level at exactly the right time was achieved with the constant contact with the SKYWARN Group, WBBCQK, and other operators between the site and the storm. Incoming weather information proved to be invaluable to the Miamisburg Fire Department command post as the area was in a severe -thunderstorm watch. On Saturday, July 12, the fire finally subsided at 10 AM. The MARA emergency net was not released by the city officials until 7:29 PM that evening. This completed 99 hours of continous emergency net opera- tion. A total of seven repeaters were used. There were often three amateur operators assigned to the command post and two or more to the Miamisburg Central Dispatch Office. In addition, amateuri were needed to assist out-of-town police pail Amen at the five roadblocks, three to six shelters, evacuation buses, four repeatei net controls, and three to six shadows for key personnel. A total of 357 Amateur Radio operators volunteered their help, logging over 3520 hours of as- sistance to the city of Miamisburg, Ohio, and neighboring communities. Much w-is learned and will be documented as time goes on. One fact stands out: Amateur Radio can provide vital communication services on short notice when needed, and should be a part of every city's emergency - preparedness team. There are few recorded instances where amateurs have been given as much responsibility and authority. To the operators' credit, requests were carried out almost flawlessly without exceeding their assigned responsibilities. A letter of appreciation to the Monsanto Amateur Radio Association from Barbara C. Ellison, Assistant Vice President, Professional Services, Sycamore Hospilal, stated "We really needed you. You icspomdcd profession- ally and graciously, and we are grateful." City of Miamisburg Mayor, Robert H. Mears, Sr, The fire, lasting for nearly lour days, spread toxic smoke over Miamisburg, Ohio. expressed his gratitude on behz'f of the City of Miamisburg to all Amateur Radio opera- tors on a well -organized and disciplined corps of cot ,unicators. According to Federal official-, this was the largest mass evacuation ever caused by a train accident. The Monsanto Amateur Radio Association and Amateur Radio operators of neighbor- ing communities have verified that HAM radio truly stands for "Helping All Mankind."—Williatn Frost, WD8D P IN SERVICE... D Pittsburgh, PA —May 30. The Allegheny County ARES was activated after heavy rains caused serious flooding. Anywhere from I',i to 3 inches of rain fell in the period of 1 to 2 hours. Many areas were devastated as runoff from the hills carried brush and trees to compound the problems of the flood. Radio amateurs provided communications for the Red Cross in setting up emergency shelters on Friday evening. On Saturday, the hams supported Red Cross as they provided emergency services, including food, cleaning supplies and medical treatment. Allegheny County radio amateurs were joined by , -ators front Beaver County and Ohio to assist search teams for survivors and fatalities of the disaster.—Willium E. KralojJ; Jr, N3BPB, EC, Allegheny Count), 11 Torrance, CA —Jun 27.29. The South Coast Radio Amateur Nctsvoik (SURAN) provided communications for the California Special Olympics which was held at the UCLA Westwood Campus. "Ilurty-seven SC'RAN ntembcrs provided continuous cununuimation at each of the 11 venues. A nerve center was esi.iblishcd at the Track and Ficld venue to coordinate all the events as well as it) dispatch celebrities to various gaurc locations for presentation of ribbons and medals to the winners.— lorry. AG6NA, and Bob UcLurenzu, AV6D , Lune Pure, CA- Jun 29-30 At 21w. NbJOY urditied WA(,,./V from the sunsuit of Mt Whuuey to teport that fits hiking party planned to stay on the summit overnight because of icy conditions on the trail. WA6KZV phoned the f parents of the four young people involved and informed them. That evening, N6JOY called again to say that hikers were feeling the effects of hypothermia in the 20-degree weather and light clothing. WA6KZV called the Inyo County Sheriff, who got in touch with the Mountain Search and Rescue Team ISAR) from Ridgecrest. At 0330, N6EXK accompanied the SAR Team to a base camp in Lone Pine to supply com- munications with N6JOY and WA6KZV. A helicopter rescued one of the four hikers and ground teams rescued the other three. KA6CIE and WB6VQY monitored the activity and helped where needed. —Lloyd Brubaker, WA6KZV, EC Eastern Kern County 0 Victor, NY —Jul 8. At about 1100 UTC, a utility crew digging to set a power pole accidently severed an underground telephone cable. This disrupted telephone service to much of the town of Victor, which borders both Monroe and Ontario Counties in western New York. The ) Monroe County Fire dispatcher requested backup communications from the County Office of Emergency Preparedness. RACES/ARES EC WA2UGE dispatched NF2Z to the Fishers Volunteer Fire Department. Using a public - safety access feature of the N2JC 146.29/88 repeater, communications were established with the Ontario County Sheriff's Department and the Monroe County 911 Center. NM- remained at the scene until telephone service was restored at approximately 17IS. —Edwin J. Holds worth, N2EH I l Irving. TX —July 27. The eastern half of Irving lost its telephone service in the morning of July 27. Twenty-five members of the Irving Arraicur Radio Club were summoned by city enitrgency-managentew coordinators. The radio amateurs were assigned to various areas of the city w patrol the streets and inform businesses of Ito situation. In addition, an operator stood by .0 a local nursing home in case an emergency situation came up. Radio amateurs received ptaisc trust the city's lxihce, fire and community ottirtals following the 1clephonc emergency. — h vt re•tr Uri ke v, Al 5H1:. EC, Irving, TX ` 70 UST.