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REACT Team Support as of September 26, 2001
Report filed by Charles Bessels, VP of Southern NY REACT Council...
REACT units continue to
provide communication from "ground zero" to Salvation Army command. At this time we have been informed
by the Director of Communications that some canteen sites have closed and our operation has gotten smaller, but
that we ARE STILL NEEDED.
They are looking for at least a three unit team on every 8 hour shift (8-4, 4-12, 12-8)
I personally had an interesting incident on Saturday that I wanted to share with everyone...
Barbara Deitz and I arrived at the family support unit at one of the piers
on the Hudson River, where there was a canteen. We arrived with the intention of checking in and seeing that they
had enough supplies and personnel to continue their support. When we checked in with the person in charge we were
advised that the Red Cross was looking for assistance for a "rescuer" and was not, as of yet, able to
help her. She was a nurse who had arrived right after the attack, driving with her family from Ohio. While she
was helping at the scene, her van was broken in to and her purse, along with some clothing was stolen. She had
made a Police report, but had continued to help out at the scene. Her family was staying at a hotel in NYC, but
was running out of money and needed help. When she could no longer work at "ground zero" she went to
assist families at the counseling center. Even with numerous lacerations to her feet, and only wearing sandals
that were donated, she continued to help. The Red Cross wanted to get her help, both financially and with some
clothing for her and her family. They wanted to know if the Salvation Army could help her. Because the cellular
phone that the canteen leader had was not working , we contacted our base and ascertained if the Salvation Army
could, in fact, help her. They said yes and we got her the info. She was transported to SA Divisional HQ and given
clothing, and money to help get home.
All involved really appreciated that REACT units were there to assist when their other communications failed.
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REACT Team Support as of September 25, 2001
Report filed by Charles Bessels, VP of Southern NY REACT Council...
REACT units continue to
provide communications for the Salvation Army's operations in Manhattan.
The leadership at the SA has changed and so our role has changed also. We
are now being requested to provide communicators with mobile radios for the supply trucks that go to the three
supply depots around the tri-state area and bring supplies to the site.
SATERN is trying to provide hams for this part of the operation so REACT
units can stay available for the other work. Additionally, we are still providing communications support from "ground
zero" for the operations down there.
The process of getting clearance to enter the "hot zone" has become
a long one. criminal background checks along with interviews are becoming the norm. While this can be annoying,
it is necessary due to our "alert status" here in the US.
The Southern NY Council REACT appreciates all of the support we have gotten to date, but we may need more. We can
only do that with the continued support of other REACT teams all around the country, plus the many licensed Amateurs
and GMRS volunteers from the general public being funneled to us by ARRL and VolunteerMatch.
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REACT Team Support as of September 24, 2001
Report filed by Charles Bessels, VP of Southern NY REACT Council...
Operations continue in Manhattan as the recovery operation is ongoing. Mark
Twain REACT #C-336 arrived Saturday afternoon, and after a 16 hour drive cleaned up, got a little rest and went
right to work. They plan to stay until next Friday or Saturday. We appreciate the help they are providing.
Executive Vice President & Director for region 2, Dick Cooper, has assume
the duties of handing all inquiries and offers of volunteer help in the NYC area. Send e-mail to him at NYCHelp@reactintl.org to volunteer your time and get scheduled. We don't like to sound like a broken record,
but we must have you pre-scheduled so that you will have something to do, a place to stay and something to eat
while you are here. Please do not simply show up on site. Just about everybody that has volunteered has worked
out great, only a few bumps in that road, but the process is working and getting better every day.
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REACT Team Support as of September 23, 2001
Report filed by Charles Bessels, VP of Southern NY REACT Council...
Operations continue in Manhattan as the recovery operation is ongoing. Additional
help still needed. Offers for help are starting to come in from the Internet. They are currently being processed
and will be accepted soon. Contact NYCHelp@reactintl.org to volunteer your time and get scheduled. Remember that
we need to know in advance when you are coming so that housing and food, etc. can be arranged.
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