My last Emergency Preparedness blog (9-1-12), closed with a quote that described the type of EmComm service that Ham Emergency Radio Operators at the local community or neighborhood level can offer whenever a major disaster that causes loss of electric power to occur. The current NHW concept was initiated by Florida Hams (Volusia County) following Hurricane Katrina. http://www.dbara.org/temp/NHW_Sheet_v3.pdf

The following site offers suggestions on how to get started, using three themes.
http://www.hamwatch.me/

Any licensed Ham* interested in learning more about the Petaluma NHW initiative should contact this blogger (Bill Hammerman) at whammer@petalumanet.org
Note* Any licensed amateur radio operator who is also a “certified” or “registered” radio operator for a government or non-government EmComm group (ACS, RACES, ARES, SATERN, Red Cross) may serve their neighborhood while they wait for their official “activation” and/or “deployment” call from their EmComm group leaders.

It is important to remember that the first 24-72 hours of any natural disaster is critical and one’s local neighborhood might need the help of a licensed Ham. Even though I’ve “retired from being retired,” the Neighborhood HamWatch concept is one that I hope I will be able to continue to support and promote. Our favorite River Town is worthy of this type of volunteer service.

P.S. Listed below are a few more links reporting how Hams helped out with Isaac.

Local Ham Radio Operators on Standby to Help Storm Victims
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=695012

ARNews Report 1829 August 31, 2012
http://www.eham.net/articles/28902

Hurricane Watch Net Isaac op Concludes
http://www.eham.net/articles/28890

P.S. #2- Since today is 9/11, the news media is remembering our nation’s man-made disaster in New York, 10-years ago, today. Stay tuned for another Emergency Preparedness blog, later today.