Hurricane Katrina Amateur Radio Relief Response

Greg Sarratt, W4OZK ARRL Alabama Section Manager

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Hundreds of amateurs, some of you in

this room were part of the largest

Amateur Radio Emergency Service army

in history that provided critical

emergency communications and

support for people in need.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Hundreds of amateurs, some of you in

this room were part of the largest

Amateur Radio Emergency Service army

in history that provided critical

emergency communications and

support for people in need.

Hurricane Katrina landfall, August 29th 2005, 6a.m.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Our army consisted of amateurs of all

genders, ages, types and backgrounds

that worked from home supporting field

operations and field deployed to three

states in the gulf coast region.

Amateur Operators

Amateur radio operators traveled on their own dollar from all over

the United States and Canada to provide assistance. Amateurs

selflessly served in many capacities, working long hours, living in

terrible conditions, eating bad food, contending with heat, bugs,

ants and much more. I heard virtually no complaints.

Amateur Operators

Amateurs radio operators created

interoperable emergency Communications

systems where there were none and saved

lives as a result! 

Why we do this?

Amateur Radio is a Public Service

Part 97.1

Amateurs helping People

Montgomery AL Operations Center

Montgomery Operations Center

Montgomery processed over 250 Hams

180 were amateurs 3 were ARC supplied 170 deployed to the field 3 redeployed a second time 20 were local operators 2 were ARRL Newington staff 5 worked at the Mont HQ 3 were non-amateurs

35 States represented

Several hundred hams were deployed directly to the field.

Communications

3.965 MHz HF 7.280 MHz

147.420 MHz VHF 147.440 MHz

Winlink-2000

Served Agencies

• American Red Cross• The Salvation Army• Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief• Jackson County Emergency Management Agency• Harrison County Emergency Management Agency• Hancock County Emergency Management Agency• Florida State Emergency Management Agency• Faith based groups in Waveland Mississippi• Numerous local groups and functions• National Guard• Hattiesburg EMA• Numerous other groups and EMA’s in the region

Equipment Donations

• $177,000 Dollars Donated

• $39,500 - reimbursing volunteers • $25,000 - Go Kits• $29,000 - will replace communication

infrastructure

ARRL Ham Aid

Go Kits

Emergency Communications SpecialistHarry Abery, AB1ER

ARRL Ham Aid

What amateur radio brings to Public Service and the Emergency

Communications table?

• Broad range of Communications skills

• InteroperabilityTwo Levels

• Technical skills

• De-centralized communications capabilities

What next?• Add New Technology

• We must continually

PrepareTrain

PracticeTest

Conclusion

• Disasters of 2005 have proven the worth of Amateur Radio Service

• Amateur radio stepped up and helped hundreds of people in need.

Conclusion

• Amateur radio worked on teams of people from many different organizations and agencies.

• Many amateurs stood out because of their communications and technical abilities.

Questions?