Amateur Radio Participates at the 2007 National Hurricane Conference

The exhibit hall in full swing at the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans. [Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Photo]

Louisiana SEC Gary Stratton, K5GLS, speaks during the Amateur Radio Session. [Steve Ewald, WV1X, Photo]

A local television station interviews ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, during a break in the Amateur Radio Session. [Steve Ewald, WV1X, Photo]

ARRL District Emergency Coordinator Tom Hammack, W4WLF, discusses his experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Katrina, as ARRL's Steve Ewald, WV1X, looks on. [Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Photo]

"This gave Amateur Radio operators and several representatives of the ARRL Field Organization leadership a chance to discuss their experiences and lessons learned during recent hurricane seasons -- especially Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that affected so much of the Gulf Coast in 2005," said ARRL HQ's Field Organization Team Leader Steve Ewald, WV1X, who moderated the forum.

Among the presenters was Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK.

"The Amateur Radio presentations were very successful. Amateurs from several different areas of disaster experience spoke about what Amateur Radio experienced and has done to be better prepared for the next large disaster," Sarratt observed. "Attendees listened intently and posed very good questions." Sarratt says attendees reviewed ARRL enhancements and the work and recommendations of the National Emergency Response Planning Committee (NERPC).

New Orleans ARRL Emergency Coordinator Joel Colman, NO5FD, explained how their experiences during and after Hurricane Katrina have led to an even better working relationship with the Orleans Parish Fire Department. Amateur Radio operators are now setting up a ham radio station at the fire department's communications facility, and they are offering Amateur Radio license classes for 911 operators and others.

In other presentations:

• Cedric Walker, K5CFW, an ARRL Technical Specialist from New Orleans and active ARES member, discussed the close relationship that has developed between Amateur Radio operators with their communication skills and Flotilla 45 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

• Tom Hammack, W4WLF, a District Emergency Coordinator from Gulfport, presented his first-hand perspective of Amateur Radio emergency support during and after Hurricane Katrina along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

• Gary Stratton, K5GLS, ARRL Louisiana Section Emergency Coordinator, recounted the stories of those many days and weeks after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and how they have led to several lessons learned with regard to message handling, served agency relationships, and contact with other sections for mutual assistance.

• FEMA Director David Paulison outlined the "New FEMA," as an agency that will be more responsive, deploy more quickly, build better relationships and enhance training. FEMA now has directors in all 10 regions and plans to be at 95 percent staffing when the hurricane season begins June 1.

• Interim American Red Cross President Jack McGuire spoke on what the Red Cross has done to better prepare for larger disasters, including updating memoranda of understanding and hiring more permanent staff and placing them in critical locations within in FEMA regions. "The Red Cross has purchased new technology and food, water and clean-up kits and have staged them in critical hurricane areas," Sarratt reported.

Sarratt assessed the 2007 National Hurricane Conference as a very informative event. "This conference is a must-attend event for all EmComm leadership!" he said.

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