What's this all about?

The discussion about Spotter Convergence continues on the Chaser list.
The popular program StormChasers has added more fuel to the
discussion, especially when video of a vehicle passing in no passing
zones.
From last May, here's a post regarding the topic:
http://kc5fm.blogspot.com/search/label/Skywarn

> Is it time for chasing legislation
> to help control these unruly, dangerous convergence situations which are
> very difficult for towns such as Hennessey, or Kingfisher Oklahoma as they
> were last May 19th, or are you against legislating chasing? Why, what are
> some of your ideas or views on this subject?
As strongly as I feel about this subject, list members may be
surprised that I am NOT in favor of chasing legislation.
I AM in favor of CHASERS calming down and self-regulating, if you
will, their dangerous activity. I'm in FAVOR of certain popular TV
CHASERS acting like Human Beings, on and off camera. I am ALL THE
MORE in FAVOR of CHASERS modeling safe behavior when they are
streaming their video for all the world to see.
The video of the TIV barreling down the road across TWO double yellow
lines is but ONE example of unsafe CHASER behavior. Watching the
CHASERS stream their OWN video and my thoughts have already been
documented at http://kc5fm.blogspot.com/search/label/Skywarn
I AM in favor of Skywarn training and credentialing. IF you are a
Skywarn spotter, you have had spotter safety training. If you are
stopped for some vehicular infraction and have no reason to be their
(documented by a Skywarn "card" of some sort), you will face increased
scrutiny by the officer. That's how it works in Jackson County,
Oklahoma, USA. I have already told my troop commander words to the
effect that my spotters are not above the law. I have ridden with a
number of my spotters and some have ridden with me. They all know
expectations. I am convinced that they will continue to meet
expectations.
The Skywarn program, if I understand correctly, will become a truly
National program with uniform training. Spotter SAFETY will be part
of that training. Much like the SpotterNetwork process of vetting
individuals in a certain subject matter, the training will produce a
person entered into a National database. Mess up and I suspect that
entry in the National database will be removed.
NO! I am not in favor of increased legislation. I am in favor of
individuals doing the right thing without being told all the time what
the right thing is.
But while you are at it, could you please NOT tell me how safe you are while you stream video showing me you are NOT?

NIST, NTIA Seek Collaborators for Emergency Communications Demo Network

From our friends at the Federal level. Please consider helping, if you can.

NIST, NTIA Seek Collaborators for Emergency Communications Demo Network

From the 10/13/10 issue of the NIST Tech Beat:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are
seeking partners in the telecommunications industry to help create a
demonstration broadband communications network for the nation's
emergency services agencies.

The demonstration network, currently being developed by the joint
NIST-NTIA Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program, will
provide a common site for manufacturers, carriers, and public safety
agencies to test and evaluate advanced broadband communications
equipment and software tailored specifically to the needs of emergency
first responders. The network will use a portion of the 700 megahertz
(MHz) radio frequency spectrum freed up by last year's transition of
U.S. broadcast television from analog to digital technologies (see
NIST Tech Beat, Dec. 15, 2009).

Alcatel-Lucent is the first vendor of public safety broadband
equipment to formally join the PSCR demonstration network project,
signing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with
NIST and NTIA in September, 2010. The two agencies hope that other
companies will follow suit, creating a truly multi-vendor environment
for testing and evaluating the demonstration network, as well as the
eventual building of the system. Partners may participate in many
ways, such as donating equipment, providing access to infrastructure
or supporting tests.

Alcaltel-Lucent has supplied the demonstration network with Long Term
Evolution (LTE) Bandclass 14 equipment. LTE is the technology chosen
by the public safety community to be used in the 700 MHz band
(Bandclass 14) allocated to it by the Federal Communications
Commission.

Vendors and other telecommunications companies wishing to become CRADA
partners on the demonstration network project may contact Dereck Orr
at (303) 497-5400, dereck.orr@nist.gov, or Jeff Bratcher at (303)
497-4610, jbratcher@its.bldrdoc.gov, for information.

The PSCR program is a partnership of the NIST Law Enforcement
Standards Office and the NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication
Sciences. PSCR provides objective technical support—research,
development, testing and evaluation—in order to foster nationwide
public safety communications interoperability. More information is
available on the PSCR Web site.

On Katrina 5th Anniversary, A Compelling & Useful List Of Preparedness Tips,...

Could I say this better myself?

Probably not.

Will you pay attention, please?

I surely hope so.

 

 

Sent to you by KC5FM via Google Reader:

 

 

On Katrina 5th Anniversary, A Compelling & Useful List Of Preparedness Tips, Lessons Learned From The Hurricane Survivors Themselves

via In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog by admin on 8/28/10

As the nation marks the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I wanted to post a terrific list of preparedness tips and lessons learned from the disaster survivors that was collected by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The Times-Picayune, which did such heroic coverage during and after Katrina, solicited these ideas from readers in 2006 and printed them weekly during hurricane season. In June of 2007, the paper reprinted "a comprehensive selection", calling it the "ultimate insiders guide to evacuee readiness. Enjoy and prepare." The list is so interesting, because it reflects the real-life experiences of disaster survivors.

Though you may not agree with all of the ideas suggested and some are area specific, I think you will find it worth reading through this collection as a resource, an example of citizen resilience and even, yes, how humor is necessary in the face of crisis. The article is also an example of the huge potential the media has to spur citizen preparedness if it focused more on the topic.

The approximately 75 submissions have been divided by the author James O'Byrne into categories, including: On The Road Again, Kids And Pets, Staying Behind, Guest Relations, Take This Job And Leave It, Precious Papers Important Photos, Food For Thought, Potty Time, & The Big Picture. The tips range from "Take blank checks, internet passwords, copies of bills, long distance phone card, walkie talkies" and "Apply for a gas credit card" to "Perfume. No showers for 10 days. We stunk so bad" and "Keep nice with your Dallas relative with the big house."

Below are a couple of representative e-mails that will give you a sense of these survivor tips:

I always prided myself in being super organized before Katrina. In the safe-deposit box at the bank, I had placed the original savings bonds I was using to finance my sons' college education, a video of my home's contents and negatives of both my sons' first days of life. My home in Lakewood South had 6½ feet of water. The lobby of the bank in Lakeview flooded, too!

Only copies of important papers are kept in the safe-deposit box now. I personally keep all original documents in a small fireproof box that is portable and will go wherever I go. In that box, too, is a stash of cash (proved to be very valuable last year) as well as my "password list" containing all necessary info to manage bills and finances online.

Videos of my sons have now been transferred to DVDs. They're in plastic bags that are stored in the bottom of my Rubbermaid container that also will go with me. Digital pictures of my new home replace the home video. (After a catastrophic loss, the insurance companies want only pictures, I have learned.) I have my "Katrina Book" that also will go with me this year — inside is every important phone number, registration number, etc., which are critical for life after a storm.

CHERYL LITWIN,
New Orleans

What worked for us? Nothing. What would I do differently? I shall start listing:
Do not watch the news anywhere around your kids. Ever.
Do not leave ANY pet behind thinking you will only be gone for two days.
Know how to text message if the cell phones are no longer working.
Have an emergency account set up with a NATIONAL bank so when you cannot access money from your local bank there is a back-up fund.
Bring more than a few days worth of clothes.
Bring a copy of children's shot records.
Know what "teaching methods" are taught in your school (yes, I was asked that question several times!).
Every year when getting your pets vaccinated, get a copy of updates to bring while evacuating.
Let people who want to take care of you and love you do just that. This is not boot camp or a pride parade. Let others help.
Bring pictures of items in your home for your insurance claim.
Bring needed medications.
Bring some wine.
Tell your family and friends where you are going and work out a "contact person" on the outside who can give your information to worried friends and family.
Never depend on the government. If it looks like a storm is coming and Bob Breck and Margaret Orr are a little stressed — GET OUT.
Brush up on some of those prayers your momma taught you. And just know we have been through the worst. It can never get as bad as it did. We are a strong people.

CLAIRE KOCH,
New Orleans

The entire article with all the tips/lessons learned can be found here.

 

 

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