Getting Ready for the Big One

Katrina has been excellent practice for a nuke in a major city. How do you evacuate a million or five million in 24 or even 48 hours. What happens when transport you depend on for the evacuation plan is destroyed? How do you keep the roads from getting clogged?

How do you maintain civil order? Do we need more armed citizens?

Do we have enough ham radio operators?

Joe Commer from Sgt. Stryker says: My call sign is W 1 F K Y, /mobile W5. Look for me on 75 meters; 3965, 3835, and wherever the GCHEN (GULF COAST HURRICANE EMERGENCY NET) happens to be meeting. On 40 meters, 7265, I’m told, is the primary frequency. I don’t know about 20 or above. I will probably be operating physically somewhere between Fairhope, AL, and Slidell, LA. Prime contact will be MEMA, AEMA, LEMA, and FEMA.

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Is a political hack who got fired from an Arabian Horse Association the best we can do for the head of FEMA? It is like having a rule book general in time of war. I'd like to see a military logistics expert leading FEMA. Some one with recent experience. I'm open to suggestions.

This total break down in initial response is actually a good thing: once. It is going to teach us a lot of lessons and help us clear out the dead wood. Kind of a Kassirine Pass of disaster preparedness.

Update: 0142z 07 Sept 2005

Here is a link with some Amateur Radio Frequencies and advice for hams. Here is the advice:

Amateur nets move around. Just tune the band for anyone obviously
using procedures. 20 meters above 14100 is prime hunting territory
in day time, and 75 meter USB is common at night.

The ARRL has an Emergency Service letter dated 03 Sept '05.

"Here's how you can help now. Keep frequencies with any kind of relief traffic clear -- that means listen only, don't be a policeman. Have patience. If you want to go to the area to assist with communications or other activities, contact the Red Cross or other relief agencies. They have required training courses before you can be deployed, so do not be surprised if you are told "no." Donate money. Coordinate your travel offer for ARES mutual assistance with your SEC. Do not attempt to travel to the area on your own." -W4STB