Subj : National Preparedness Month: Ensuring Family Safety
To   : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Fri Sep 13 2024 07:51 pm

09/13/2024

September is National Preparedness Month[1]. In coordination with our partners
at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the ARRL Amateur Radio
Emergency Service� (ARES�)[2] is producing a series of weekly articles to help
radio amateurs and their families stay safe.

See previous stories:

https://www.arrl.org/news/resilience-through-amateur-radio-for-national-prepare
dness-month�[3]

https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-have-a-go-kit�[4]

For a ham or any other public safety responder, whether paid or volunteer, it
is not uncommon to be called out to provide assistance during disasters.� We
often do not know when we will be called or exactly what the call will involve.
We also do not know how long we may be deployed.� In the last edition, we
focused on our go kit and the tools we should have to deploy as an amateur
radio volunteer.� But have we made sure our family is prepared for these times,
whether we are deployed or will be staying home?

As the theme of this month suggests, ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh
Johnston, KE5MHV, says it comes down to being prepared. "Make a plan with your
family and ensure basic supplies are available including water, food and first
aid capabilities. Do you have a generator or alternate power capabilities and
do your family members know how to use it?� Have a communications plan,
including backup communications, with family members and friends," he said.

Johnston says to ensure your family knows where to go if they must evacuate for
some reason. Always remember your family and your health and safety should
always come first.

"Remember that there may be a time that you are the victim.� There may be a
time that you must turn down a request for assistance because you must take
care of your family first.� Ask if you can be put in a slot later down the
roster to allow time to get your family to safety or have everything settled to
ensure your family is cared for before deployment," said Johnston.

ARRL recognizes the tremendous work ham radio volunteers put into serving their
communities. "If your mind is not on the mission, you may be putting yourself
and others at risk.� Therefore, you should ensure your family's wellbeing
before, during and after a major event," Johnston continued.

Learn about how to become an ARES Volunteer on the ARRL website at
www.arrl.org/ares[5].�

Learn more about how to keep your family safe at www.ready.gov[6].

�


[1] https://www.ready.gov/september
[2] http://www.arrl.org/ares
[3] https://www.arrl.org/news/resilience-through-amateur-radio-for-national-preparedness-month
[4] https://www.arrl.org/news/national-preparedness-month-have-a-go-kit
[5] http://www.arrl.org/ares
[6] http://www.ready.gov

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