ARLA/CLUSTER: Radioamadores americanos são elogiados na resposta ao Furacão Sandy

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Ham radio's response to Hurricane Sandy is reviewed and praised

ham radio November 8, 2012 By: Peter Miller


During last summer's simulated emergency test, a mock hurricane roared
ashore in the northeast, causing extensive damage and widespread power
outages in Connecticut.

Ham radio operators used the scenario to sharpen their skills, in case
the real thing should ever happen.

On October 29th, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in southern New Jersey
and radio operators got to apply their training and knowledge in the
real world.

Hams in all five of Connecticut's ARES regions were active during last
weeks's storm, and groups in hard-hit areas along the Fairfield County
coast assisted for several straight days.

Betsey Doane, ARRL section manager, said many of the emergency
shelters in affected areas were supported by ham radio operators, some
of whom were also certified CERT members.

In Stamford, members of the Stamford Amateur Radio Association (SARA)
supported three shelters, answered a citizens' service help line, and
provided backup communications between shelters, the local EOC and the
Darien Red Cross chapter house, Doane said.

In the aftermath of the storm, the mayor of Stamford and the director
of public safety credited the ham radio volunteers, as reported by
WTNH News Channel 8.

In south central Connecticut, ARES Region 2, ham operators were placed
at EOCs in Guilford, Orange, Westbrook, Durham, Killingworth, Essex
and the New Haven Red Cross chapter.

Regional coordinator Doug Sharafanowich was stationed at the
Department of Homeland Security office in Middletown, acting as
liaison.

State DEMHS stayed in contact with local towns and cities via high
band radio but was ready to use ham radio as a first backup.

In the Bridgeport area, also struck hard by Hurricane Sandy, members
of the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club were called into action.

John Russo, GBARC president, tells Examiner.com that 25 volunteers
were deployed over the course of a week, assisting the Bridgeport,
Stratford and Red Cross operation centers.

Hams also provided information to help FEMA with damage assessments, he said.

ARES members were also standing by in towns and cities less effected
by the storm, in Litchfield County, eastern Connecticut and at the
American Radio Relay League in Newington.

Doane says the hurricane required some quick logistical thinking to
deploy radio operators to agencies that needed them in a hurry. All in
all, she said, the process went very well.

Over 600 thousand Connecticut residents lost power during Sandy, some
for more than a week, and hundreds of shoreline residents had their
homes damaged or destroyed by tidal surge and wind.

Fonte :Examiner.com
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