Hi All,
I was just watching ABC News this evening. The story is about the 11 square mile wildfire currently overwhelming that area; in particular the interview with a Mr. Bart Costello, a homeowner in the area.
While Govenor Ritter was driving through the wildfire areas, a news brief was being issued to homeowners, as well as the news media. After the news briefing, an interview with Mr. Costello went something like this...
"I got no new information from this that I didn't know at 5:00 last night."
I thought at that moment, just how much more informed this man and many of his neighbors could be with a simple Radio Shack scanner. For whatever reason, Mr. Costello was apparently unaware that he is NOT at the mercies of the news media. He need not spend agonizing hours OR days patiently waiting for updates on the condition of his home, his neighbors or their neighborhood. Was he aware that there are civilian ARES, CERT and RACES organizations available to him for information? To actually join and be a part of a team and a community of dedicated men and women that can disseminate credible, reliable and up-to-the-minute information?
I don't know if there is a C.E.R.T., A.R.E.S. or R.A.C.E.S. program available in the hills above Boulder.
Mr. Costello is probably unaware that they, should the above exist in his remote community, would be imparting information the minute that any news was confirmed and made available to the ham radio volunteers. Dispensed on local repeater or simplex frequencies, free for the simple investment in a scanner. Better still, a FCC technician's license and an h/t.
I mention "ham radio" and the above organizations to everyone I meet. Most do not know of them...some, regrettably don't have any interest, comfortable in the fact that "the the police and fire can/will take care of things in an emergency..."
Towards the end of the 1 minute ABC news sound-bite, Mr Costello was seen relying on a cell phone and a pair of 7X35 binoculars to discover the fate of his home and neighborhood...some three miles away and two days later.
Alan...N6HPO