VashonBePrepared: When all else fails, ham radio is there

And Vashon’s emergency response team is ready to use it, if need be.

November 2, 2024 9:30 am
This ham radio team set up to support a command post staffed by members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). They are using one of the group’s portable communications caches (PCCs, in the yellow waterproof case) that has been packed with a range of radio communications capabilities, including email over ham radio using software called Winlink. (Courtesy photo)
This ham radio team set up to support a command post staffed by members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). They are using one of the group’s portable communications caches (PCCs, in the yellow waterproof case) that has been packed with a range of radio communications capabilities, including email over ham radio using software called Winlink. (Courtesy photo)

In the aftermath of two powerful hurricanes in the southern United States, many towns were left isolated. This was due to wiped-out roads and other damaged infrastructure, but also because cell phones, landline phones, and internet were taken out by wind and water.

To the rescue: amateur radio operators, who stepped in to fill the communication gaps. Their motto — “When all else fails, ham radio” — was proven once again for the double-disaster hurricanes.

Learn more about the role of ham radio in these communities by visiting tinyurl.com/ARRLhurricanes and tinyurl.com/WiredHamRadio.

Vashon has its own ham radio cadre that regularly practices for disasters that could take island communications offline. The Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), a project of the Vashon-Maury Island Radio Club, has been running for many years and periodically conducts radio communications exercises.

Fluffy and Fido need kits, too

Is your pet ready for a disaster? According to a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) of 4,000 pet owners after Hurricane Ida, only 46% of households had a plan in place.

Some folks find that creating a kit for their beloved pet makes it easier to get started with household preparedness for the humans in the family. We’ve put together some tips to help you keep your pet safer and more comfortable after an adverse incident.

Make a pet go kit, and plan to store it where it can be reached easily and quickly in an emergency. The following items may prove helpful:

• A collar with ID tag, current phone number, pet license, and rabies tag.

• Recent photos of yourself and your pet to aid in reuniting after a disaster.

• Your pet’s favorite toys, treats, and bedding.

• A crate or sturdy carrier.

• Seven or more days of canned food (pop-tops or add a can opener) or dry food in an airtight, pest-resistant container.

• Bottled water and a bowl or dispenser, enough for seven days.

• Dishes for feeding. Consider paper bowls, or add soap and extra water for dishwashing.

• An extra harness and leash. Harnesses are recommended for safety and security.

• A three-week supply of any medicines your pet requires, stored in the original container with the prescription label for dosage and expiration info.

• Disposable cat litter trays and/or puppy pads.

• Trash bags, paper towels, wet wipes, nitrile gloves for cleanup.

• A flashlight or headlamp.

• A blanket for comforting a scared pet and calming medications (but don’t try these out for the first time during a disaster). Consult your vet for the best options.

See and be seen on the road

As days get shorter and winter solstice comes nearer, it’s important to be more visible while on the road, especially before dawn and after dusk. Bad weather can reduce visibility even more. And with schools back in session, more students are walking or biking to and from school.

Consider these ways of being more visible on your commute. In the next edition of VashonBePrepared, we’ll cover safe driving tips.

Safe walking

• To be seen, wear bright, reflective clothing. Wear a headlamp or carry a flashlight to avoid tripping over objects in your path.

• Stay alert! Put away the phone and earbuds or headphones.

• Walk on sidewalks or on the left shoulder of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

• Cross only at intersections and crosswalks after making eye contact with drivers.

• Don’t assume drivers will always stop for crosswalks or traffic lights.

• Check out tinyurl.com/DefensiveWalking for additional safe walking tips from the National Safety Council (NSC).

Safe cycling

• Be highly visible, with bright white headlights, red tail lights, and reflectors on spokes for side visibility. Wear reflective clothing, helmet, and shoes.

• Slow down. Just like in a car, you need more reaction time when it’s dark, wet, or icy. When roads are slick, going more slowly also gives you more control to prevent falls.

• When it’s wet or icy, consider using alternate transportation. If you cycle, lower tire pressure to the lower end of the recommended range for better traction. Consider grippier tires.

• In freezing or snowy conditions, watch for ice on bike lanes and road shoulders.

• Be aware that drivers are less likely to be looking out for cyclists, because they assume most people are bicycling less in the winter.

Courtesy photo This cyclist has put themselves in danger. No rear light, no headlight, and they’re wearing dark, non-reflective clothing. Keep yourself and loved ones safer with lights and reflective gear. Check out more tips at REI’s bicycling safety page at tinyurl.com/BikingDark.
Michael Meyer (left, whose call sign is KB7MTM) and John Galus (right, KG7CM) are seen here working as net control operators for a drill, logging each ham radio operator as they report ready for duty via two-way radio. Michael and John split the net control job, each taking one of the island’s two radio repeaters for this exercise. The two repeater stations ensure reliability by providing redundancy and overlapping coverage of the island’s hills and valleys that could block radio signals. (Courtesy photo)

Michael Meyer (left, whose call sign is KB7MTM) and John Galus (right, KG7CM) are seen here working as net control operators for a drill, logging each ham radio operator as they report ready for duty via two-way radio. Michael and John split the net control job, each taking one of the island’s two radio repeaters for this exercise. The two repeater stations ensure reliability by providing redundancy and overlapping coverage of the island’s hills and valleys that could block radio signals. (Courtesy photo)