We got this following message from Hamsexy reader T-Squared
As a professional who works in emergency management and crisis communications, I found this note sent to all Arizona AREA members sadly sad:
Mike Swaider and I have been getting many requests from hams who would like to go help with the aftermath of Katrina. There are several options, but the one thing we would like to stress is to NOT GO OFF HALF COCKED.
It’s a dangerous environment unlike anything we have in Arizona. The snakes are aggressive and deadly, not shy and polite like ours. The lizards are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude bigger and meaner than what we have in Arizona. The diseases are real, and potentially deadly. There is wide spread crime and looting. The electricity is out, and the humidly is high. Temperatures are miserable, and drinking water is hard to find. I have read reports of a 3 foot shark in the city flooding.
“You can think of floodwaters as diluted sewage,” said Mark Sobsey, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of North Carolina. Whatever infections people carry go into sewage and can be expected to show up in floodwaters. That includes common diarrheal germs including hepatitis A and Norwalk virus. “We are gravely concerned about the potential for cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases that could come as a result of the stagnant water and the conditions,” said Leavitt.
As you can see from the paragraph above, if you are considering going, MAKE certain your shots are current, and that you have documentation to prove it. The Red Cross can help you get all the required shots.
People, this isn’t a game for amateurs, you could be taking your life in your hands.
Mike is currently working towards helping a small county in Mississippi. He has been in contact with a local club president, and a county sheriff. Both indicated they need help, however just getting into affected areas requires sponsorship, and that’s what we are trying to establish in advance. I want to stress, it’s inappropriate to SELF DEPLOY. Even if you do, chances are you won’t get through the roadblocks. The ARRL has a web site for volunteer registration if you want to go it alone.
We want to make sure for example that you have some support down there, such as a place to sleep, access to food and water and a clear mission. We would like to leverage some logistics aspects as well, like car pooling to save as much in gas (@ $6/gal), and other equipment as well.
Please help us get this together, and the best way is by being patient while we arrange the details.
As real emergency professionals are deploying from Metro Phoenix with weapons, food supplies, ballistic vests and operational plans, the hammies want to help one county that may or may not want their help. Come on guys — make a Red Cross donation.
Sounds like a great idea.
Heh…lets scare them with snakes and lizards but nothing about the roving patrols of gangs making the area look like the 2nd coming of Mogadishu.
Once the first helicopter comes down from gunfire, expect some serious ass kicking.
Trust me when I tell you this…many police agencies are putting together teams to go down to New Orleans and help restore law and order. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR SLAPHEADS…if some of the ARES folks think they’re going to go down there and play the hamsexy game, they are dead wrong. This truly is not a time for amateur games…this is serious shyte going on down there, and needs to be left to the professionals.
Messages continue to fly for Arizona ARES members about not self-deploying because of so many inquiries from those who wish to get into the area and help. There may be a few who have the necessary skills, training and experience to deal with this situation appropriately — very few. We all want to help. As a FEMA reservist, I am waiting for deployment orders, but at this time we are not being sent because of instability of the region. Working an annual parade does not qualify one to provide disaster support of this mangitude. HF nets are likely the best option at the current time for those who rally need to help. Otherwise, make that Red Cross donation and send prayers.
Roving gangs? A couple mag58’s crossing fire paths with stop that crap in it’s tracks.
Live like an animal, die like an animal.