Recent reports from the Communications Center at NYC Salvation Army's Divisional
HQ indicate the need for volunteers still exists, but value is being placed on those volunteers who are willing
to do double duty, so to speak. They are now trying to use radio operators with a valid Commercial Drivers License
(CDL) to drive the supply trucks so they could maintain communications with the trucks as they travel between the
warehouse at JFK Airport and Divisional HQ, 18 miles away. GMRS and Amateur 2 meter have proven to be very effective
in this situation.
Canteen services in ground zero are trying to use Nextel Radio Phones for
communications, but coverage around the downtown area has proven sporadic at times. Amateur 2 meter and GMRS are
being used to supplement this need, in addition to providing rover patrols and base operations.
Four members of Mark Twain REACT #C336 (Waynesville, MO), have returned
home Friday (Sept.28th), but one is still there until October 6th. Two members from Gateway REACT #2001 (St.Louis) will be there until the 6th
as well. They drove over 18 hours straight through, 1148 miles each way.
Smitty reported that the members from Missouri helped to supply radio operations
support, operated a Salvation Army (SA) canteen two days in "ground zero" until other volunteers showed
up, and even had one of their members drive a delivery truck from the SA Warehouse at JFK Airport to SA DHQ, while
another was operating a fork lift in the warehouse. He commented that using radio operators to drive the trucks
eliminated the need to have two volunteer with the truck. But any volunteers driving the truck have to have a clean
driving record and hold a valid commercial driving license (CDL). Volunteer drivers are covered by SA insurance
for that purpose. In the SA Warehouse at JFK, one of the apparent delays was lack of trained forklift drivers to
load the trucks, so he suggested that the SA might be looking for help in that area as well.
Canteen locations were using Nextel Radio/Cell phones to stay in contact
with DHQ, but Amateur or GMRS was used to supplement that communications need. Amateur or GMRS radio was used to
coordinate the supply trucks between the SA Warehouse, SA DHQ and the canteens inside of "ground zero".
He estimated the distance to walk on foot between all the SA Canteens takes
over 2.5 hours inside of "ground zero" to work around all the debris and detours. They were performing
logistical support in addition to providing communications support. (i.e. checking levels of supplies, fuel, manpower,
etc.)
Based upon his experience, he recommended anyone thinking of volunteering,
be willing to help where ever needed, able to walk distances and in short, get the job done.
Smitty praised the Salvation Army for their hospitality, saying that there
was never a problem with having enough to eat or a place to bunk out. "It wasn't a suite at a Marriot, but
was similar to any shelter operation by the American Red Cross," said Smitty. He praised Jeff Schneller (SATERN
and Emergency Medical REACT -NY), Carlos Varon (SATERN and Emergency Medical REACT -NY) and TJ Walker (Empire REACT
-NY) for the support they provided his Team during their stay.
He suggested that prospective volunteers should bring personal toiletry
items, a sleeping bag, a good pair of walking/work shoes or boots (not sneakers), several changes of sturdy clothing
(avoid dress shirts, especially the white ones). Temperatures are dropping into the 50's at night, but promise
to get colder as winter moves into the area. The sleeping area they were staying in was in a secure section of
the Divisional Headquarters.
He also re-emphasized that all volunteers MUST be coordinated before arrival.
Some volunteers, who simply showed up without notice while he was there, had trouble getting proper ID clearance
in a timely manner nor a place to stay.
The four members who returned home on the 28th, worked a Fall Festival event
on Saturday (29th) and will be for supporting a local event tonight (30th), a candle light vigil in memory of the
victims of the NYC disaster.
Webmaster note: A SATERN representative contacted REACT International with the report that the members
of Mark Twain REACT
and Gateway REACT
were well appreciated, and that one member in particular should be given a commendation for working above and beyond,
stopping only for a few hours of sleep between 12-18 hour work shifts. Between the 22nd and 27th, excluding travel
time, they logged over 300 man-hours - Lee Besing
