TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN
DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA
(INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.13 DATE: April 1,
2007
SUBJECT: DON'T BE A FOOL
Even though it looks like alternate communications, such as
Amateur Radio is coming to a useless end, look around the world and
you'll find a lot of uses for it. Just because primary
communications such as cellular telephones, the internet, and satellite
communications are very popular, doesn’t mean they will always be there
when needed. Those who provide, control, and maintain such
communications do their best to keep these systems in good working
order, but there are unforeseen events that can cause them to fail to
provide the communications hat you may need. Sometimes it doesn't
take a major disaster to interrupt normal communications. A few
years ago a government official caused havoc with the landline telephone
system. He had alerted the people in his state that a major
snowstorm was coming, and everyone should leave their place of
employment and go home. The snowstorm never did come. The
telephone system became so overloaded that making a telephone call was
almost impossible. During earthquakes in the past few years, the
telephone service in those areas was disrupted and making telephone
calls was almost impossible. Cellular telephone calls and internet
access relies on landline telephone facilities which can be disrupted
during man-made and natural emergencies and disasters. Power lines
can also be disrupted during these same events. Keep your
alternate communications in good working order by using them on a daily
basis, and make sure your back-up batteries and generators are ready to
be used. Don't be a fool by thinking all normal communications
will be available when a disaster hits.
(Reprinted, with modification of, ARES Zone 3 Bulletin NR 01.13)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV District 3