eHam.net News for Sunday 13 December 2015
 

eHam.net News

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Elementary Students Get Safety Tips:

Posted: 12 Dec 2015 04:12 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35783


Students of the Libby Elementary School's after school program received a
special presentation in the school library Tuesday, Dec. 8. On behalf of
the Lincoln County Emergency county Emergency Management Agency, Bill
Cunnane told the students, grades two to six, what they should do in
emergencies. In his presentation, Cunnane went over important safety rules
with the students, telling them what they should do in different kinds of
emergencies. He taught them how to handle such situations as fallen power
lines, fires, flooding and blackouts. One of the things that Cunnane
stressed in his presentation was the importance of a "go bag" or "bug out
bag." Cunnane said a go bag should contain anything that might be needed in
an emergency and should be ready to go at a moment's notice, so that it can
be retrieved immediately in the event that the owner needs to evacuate.
When preparing a bag, Cunnane suggested to the students that they pack
food, water, money, clothes, flashlights, batteries and things to pass the
time until the emergency ends, such as a few toys, or a game or two. As
another part of the presentation, Cunnane showed the students how ham radio
can be helpful in emergency situations. As a former resident of New Jersey
and the former director of ham radio communications in Ocean County, New
Jersey, Cunnane said he helped coordinate with authorities over ham radio
after the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. "I
was responsible for passing, via ham radio, logistics to the governor's
office in New Jersey, and then to McGuire Air Force Base and then back
again," said Cunnane. "I did that for 18 hours a day for two weeks." "I
lost several friends up in the towers, including a ham radio operator who
was on top of one of the towers at the time. I came out here 12 years ago.
As soon as I came out here, I saw the need for communications help. After
Sept. 11, 2001, it was found that ham radio was a key instrument during
Sept. 11, 2001 and the recovery. The FCC recognized that fact and mandated
that all counties include ham radio operators in their emergency programs."
Cunnane said he is retired and that he gave his presentation on behalf of
the Emergency Management Agency on a volunteer basis. He also said he
serves as liaison between the agency and the county.


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Ellis County Radio Clubs Shares November News:

Posted: 12 Dec 2015 04:12 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35782


If October seemed busy, November was by far the busiest the Ellis County
Amateur Radio Club has experienced in a few months. On Nov. 3-5, six radio
club members including Keith Beck, Dale Lester, Tom Pegues, John Denson,
Joe Frizzell and Sharon Wrobel participated in FEMA's ICS 300 class, which
is the Intermediate ICS (Incident Command System) for Expanding Incidents.
This class was taught by TEEX instructors and offered by Emergency
Management at the Ellis County Sheriff's Training Center in Waxahachie. The
regular meeting of the Ellis County Amateur Radio Club was held on Nov. 19
at the Ellis County Sheriff's Training Center. James Hasse with the Lone
Star Cyclists presented a check for $1,500 to club president Gerald Pomeroy
for the clubs participation in Italy's Tour d'Italia bike rally. Each year
the club helps the Lone Star Cyclists with radio communications and by
providing support and gear (SAG) for cyclists that are fatigued, in need of
food, water or bike repair. Then, Chris Overbey and the boy scouts
presented an Appreciation plaque to the club for its participation in
Jamboree on the Air. Radio club members helped scouts talk on the radio and
educated them on how ham radio works Towards the end of the business
meeting, seven new members were welcomed into the club after which, Leo
Wrobel KW5P gave a terrific presentation on ham radio for newcomers.