[mvarbb] INFO: Katrina Communication Volunteers

[Fred Stone W8LLY]

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From: W8ILC at aol.com
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 19:18:58 EDT
Subject: Fwd: Katrina comms volunteer
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 18:48:14 -0400



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Subject: Katrina comms volunteer
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 18:48:14 -0400
From: "Patton, David  NN1N" <nn1n at arrl.org>
To: "Patton, David  NN1N" <nn1n at arrl.org>


Dear Katrina communications volunteer:

Thanks so much for your interest in helping out in the wake of this disaster.

We apologize up-front if there was any confusion on how to go about this 
process.  What we are learning here is that there are a lot of people with 
really big hearts and sincere desire to do whatever they can.  The response 
has been enormous--more than 600 people registered on the AB2M website 
where your information was gleaned.  Another 200 or so wrote directly to ARRL.

The response was large enough that we needed to build a software tool to 
help us get to you.

There are over 100 people in the blind copy area of this email--you are the 
folks that we believe expressed interest in travelling to the affected 
area.  In this case, and it is specific--you are being asked if you are 
truly interested in travelling to at least Montgomery, Alabama in direct 
support of the American Red Cross.

Excluded from this list are volunteers from TX and LA, who we understand 
are being marshalled by the respective emergency coordinators in those 
areas--mostly to be able to get workers into Louisiana when it is ready.

If you are receiving communications from us in a duplicate fashion, we 
apologize.

The Red Cross desperately needs communications volunteers to work from over 
230 shelters and 22 kitchens in Alabama, Mississippi, and eventually Lousiana.

If you choose to volunteer, understand this will be a difficult job-but it 
will be a rewarding job too.  This is likely the assignment for which you 
have prepared. It is probable that help will continue to be needed in the 
future, so if you can't travel now, stay abreast of future developments via 
the ARRL website.  If you prefer to wait for future requests from other 
agencies, or to work in LA or TX, generally, that is OK, do not respond to 
this email.  Also, if you are working in support of local ARES groups, or 
as part of a team likely to be deployed elsewhere, please do not break 
those engagements. This email is a specifically directed plea for help on 
behalf of the Red Cross.

Although there may be small financial assistance available to you later in 
this event, you will be taking on this assignment directly in support of 
the Red Cross, as trained volunteers, responsible for all of your costs and 
risks.

If you are ready to commit to this project please let me know and I will 
send further information.

73 and thank you,

Dave Patton, NN1N
Acting Manager ARRL Field and Educational Services
Special Assistant to the CEO
<nn1n at arrl.org>