Ham Radio volunteers in Washington landslide response The ARRL report Amateur Radio volunteers are on hand at the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and supporting communication with American Red Cross shelters set up in the wake of the disastrous landslide on March 22 in Snohomish County, Washington. Snohomish County Auxiliary Communications Service (Snohomish ACS — formerly RACES) Radio Officer Scott Honaker, N7SS, reported late Monday that his organization was active “but at a fairly low level.” ARRL Western Washington Section Manager Monte Simpson, K2MLS, said Monday evening that crews were working to restore the fiber optic cable in the area of the mudslide. “When thats completed, communications will be back on line,” he said. “That will be a relief for the emergency responders in the area.” Honaker said ACS volunteers have been coordinating their activities on the Granite Falls 146.92 MHz repeater and on cell phones. “Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) RACES is active staffing the Red Cross shelters, and they are using our UHF ham repeater near Arlington (444.200 MHz),” he added. “We have been hearing good communications between the shelters.” The ARC has established two shelters for displaced residents — in Arlington and in Darrington. “Snohomish ACS is staffing the EOC around the clock in Everett, and we have one member who lives in Darrington supporting the county command vehicle there,” Honaker added. “With the loss of phone lines to Darrington, there are no functional landlines or Internet access.” He said the Darrington police and fire departments were using their command vehicle as an EOC, because it has working telephones as well as Internet service and computer-aided dispatch capability. “The Incident Management Team in Arlington is using the other command vehicle to provide communication support for the staff in the City Council chambers,” he said. Honaker said he appreciates the many offers of support from hams within and outside the area — more help than is needed at present. “It is good to see the community rally during these types of events,” he said.ARRL Western Washington Section Manager Monte Simpson, K2MLS, said Monday evening that crews were working to restore the fiber optic cable in the area of the mudslide. “When thats completed, communications will be back on line,” he said. “That will be a relief for the emergency responders in the area.” Honaker said ACS volunteers have been coordinating their activities on the Granite Falls 146.92 MHz repeater and on cell phones. “Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) RACES is active staffing the Red Cross shelters, and they are using our UHF ham repeater near Arlington (444.200 MHz),” he added. “We have been hearing good communications between the shelters.” The ARC has established two shelters for displaced residents — in Arlington and in Darrington. “Snohomish ACS is staffing the EOC around the clock in Everett, and we have one member who lives in Darrington supporting the county command vehicle there,” Honaker added. “With the loss of phone lines to Darrington, there are no functional landlines or Internet access.” He said the Darrington police and fire departments were using their command vehicle as an EOC, because it has working telephones as well as Internet service and computer-aided dispatch capability. “The Incident Management Team in Arlington is using the other command vehicle to provide communication support for the staff in the City Council chambers,” he said. Honaker said he appreciates the many offers of support from hams within and outside the area — more help than is needed at present. “It is good to see the community rally during these types of events,” he said. Read the full ARRL story at arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-volunteers-staffing -shelters-eoc-in-washington-landslide-response
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:34:06 +0000
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