This article was written by Mike Davies and posted at the Campbell River Mirror
Lack of radio operators a ‘significant gap’ in region’s ability to respond to serious earthquake
It will be the regular, everyday people of our community – even more so than our emergency responders – who will make a major disaster like a significant earthquake…let’s say, “less bad,” according to Shaun Koopman, protective services coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).
And one of the ways the community can improve how we cope with – and bounce back from – a major disaster like the overdue earthquake we’re expecting, is to have more amateur radio operators.
“We really are short of operators,” Koopman says. “This is one of our biggest gaps here in Campbell River.
“Not enough people know how to use amateur radio.”
One of the main reasons for that, he says, is that people figure that with all the technology available these days to make communication easier, they think radio has become obsolete.
“It’s amazing how far we’ve come in terms of communication technology,” Koopman admits. “But in the event of a major event or emergency, we still go back to radio.”
Koopman says the province did a multi-million dollar earthquake exercise last year called Exercise Coastal Response, “and one of the biggest lessons learned that came from that was the importance of HAM radio operators in the community.”
After a major event, Koopman says, there may not be Internet or cellular service, so communication platforms like Twitter and Facebook – which many people rely heavily on to communicate – won’t be options.
“If the Internet is down, Facebook is useless,” Koopman says, simply.
And you don’t need to be some kind of engineer to operate a radio in your basement.
“The average person can do it. There’s a lot to it, but it’s not that overwhelming if you’re willing to put the time and effort into learning it,” Koopman says.
And so, Koopman – with help from a few local radio operators – has organized a four-week course, run on consecutive Saturdays beginning Jan. 28 and running throughout February.
“It will be fairly in-depth,” Koopman says. “It’ll be about antennae theory, regulations, how communication is utilized during an emergency scenario, basic electronics training, and safety, of course. It’s to give people the theory and understanding of the practical use of radio.”
But just because someone takes the course, there’s no obligation for them to join the emergency program, Koopman says.
“We’re not saying that if you take this course you have to buy your own radio and you’re committed to be part of the response team or anything,” he says.
“But it will definitely be nice to know there are a few more people out there in the community with access to the airwaves.”
Not enough operators? I beg to differ. The problem is two things: One is there aren’t enough hams affiliated with ARES type organizations. Two: If you aren’t affiliated with ARES, but want to help, you are snubbed. I’ve sat in on a few meetings in my area and basically it was blatant that they didn’t want ANY “Do gooders” in the mix. So if you’re in the middle of SHTF someplace, and an ARES group is having trouble getting info in a certain area and someone there responds to a call out, if they aren’t affiliated, their report is pretty much invalid. So much for being able to help out…
I had much the same experience. I signed up with ARES. I went to a meeting. I was snubbed. Nobody talked to me. The people in charge talked about upcoming business, then ended the meeting. The other people in attendance talked in small groups, then left.
They were practically begging people to sign up after the Cascadia Rising exercise. But, when I did sign up they acted like they didn’t need me. Maybe because I don’t have a big fancy HF rig.