TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 09.12 DATE: March 22, 2009
SUBJECT: WHERE SHOULD WE START?
At the ARRL/ARES Forum at the Charleston Hamfest yesterday a question was raised as to where we should meet to coordinate our communications activities in the case of an emergency.
It was suggested that since we practice passing traffic and holding nets on a designated frequency that should be the one to start with. If you hear of an emergency, the first thing you should do is turn your radio to your normal net frequency.
If the event is a local emergency, then turn to your local pre- determined net frequency and check into the net, or open up an emergency net if one is needed.
If the event is large, such as state wide, then the best frequency would be your state wide traffic handling frequency, whether it is an HF frequency, or a series of linked repeaters. If the frequency, or system, is busy, break into whatever conversation is being held and explain the situation to those using the frequency. Ask if the frequency, or system, can be used long enough to have participates of an emergency net find another frequency to operate their net.
You may be surprised, to find out those on the frequency may tell you to stay where you're at and use the frequency. Since they were there first, they don't have to leave even though you're going to hold an emergency net. Those using the frequency may even want to help.
In any case be sure to listen to your normal net frequencies. Your telephone system may be inoperative and radio systems may be your only source of communications.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator