TO: ALL WEST VIRGINIA ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM WV SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 10.47 DATE: November 21, 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER, A TIME TO BE PREPARED
Are you ready for winter? It's coming, and we can't do anything about it. The only thing that we can do is prepare by having what we think we need. If you don't have four wheel drive vehicle, do you have a set of tire chains? Do you have a snow suit or very warm clothes if you have to be out in the weather for any extended period of time?
Are you prepared for long power failures? Do you have heat if the power is off? And, most important in our service, do you have back-up power that could last for quite a few hours? The reason I mentioned chains or four wheel drive, is for those who have to be out in the severe weather, to get to work, or to a communications center, they will need to have some means of getting around in Snowy Winter weather.
Each Red Cross Shelter should have at least one radio operator, and possibly a portable packet station. The Health Department and hospitals may need a couple of operators. We may need a reliable way to travel to those locations. When we can't get to where we are needed, our communications assistance is hindered.
Radio operators living a long distance from these locations can't be expected to report in person, but get on the radio, check into any nets that are established, you may be needed as a relay station. Also have some warm clothes, you may be able to help in your area.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV