Hurricane Dennis - July 7, 2005
Even though the path of Hurricane Dennis was still uncertain, after an EOC briefing on Thursday July 7th, Sarasota ARES/RACES members were ask to inform us of their availability for Shelter and Task Force assignments, and were put on standby ... just in case.Friday July 8th, was a "wait and see" day. ARES/RACES members made themselves available for assignments.
On Saturday morning, July 9th, I received a phone call from the Red Cross, that they were planning to open the Pineview shelter in mid-county, and to provide an Amateur for communications.
I contacted my AEC, Dennis, KI4DLD, who handles staffing assignments for that shelter, and told him that it was going to open at 10 AM, and we needed Amateurs there for at least 24 hours. A short time later, he called me back, and informed me that he had Amateurs lined up for 2 shifts.
I informed the Red Cross that we had Amateurs lined up for the shelter. The Red Cross also needed an additional operator to man a shift at their HQ station. Since Amateurs weren't activated at the EOC, I volunteered to handle that shift.
The EOC was informed that Amateurs had been assigned for the Shelter and the Red Cross.
Operations at the Shelter shut down around 7:10 AM on Sunday, July 10. Operations at the Red Cross shut down around 7:30 AM.
ARES/RACES members operating during this activation, included:
Charlie Larson, KD4FZ (Pineview Shelter)
Al Sanders, WD4A (Pineview Shelter)
Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ (Red Cross HQ)
Others helping in recruiting and assignments
Dennis Chapman, KI4DLD
Dave Luehr, K9DAV
Cheri Luehr
Mark Caragher, KE4KMD
Thanks also to all the members who were on "stand by" and willing to assist.
Amateurs contributed 31.5 man/hours to this event.
Ron, WD4AHZ
EC, Sarasota County
