This report is in response for further information requested by the Board at last month’s POA meeting. To refresh your memory, I will briefly summarize that report. It has been brought to my attention that the County Emergency Command Center has instituted an alternative to their communication system by using ham radio operators. I conferred with these EOC RACES (Radio Armature Civil Emergency Service) officials who will be on duty at the command center during a disaster. Incidentally, this was also the subject of an article in the Charlotte Sun on Jan. 23, 2009. Since we already have a licensed ham radio operator on our Team, I feel that I can best use his talents by taking a proactive approach by establishing a better communications system between SLCC and the EOC. We followed the Charlotte County RACES’ recommendations and researched suppliers for the necessary equipment and even visited 2 locations where this system is currently operational. I next contacted the Punta Gorda Emergency Command Center, whose direction we follow, for their input. They are in total support for this endeavor. A report and detailed request was forwarded to the POA Board’s president for approval to continue, which funding falls within our budgetary constraints. Additional information was requested.

To answer this, I would like to clear up some confusion the Board has. It is necessary to have 2 different transmitting units. One will operate as a base unit while the other as a mobile unit mounted on the CERT cart. The portable unit will be used by a certified operator to access damage within the community. It will provide communications with the EOC through the Charlotte County Repeater system. A repeater is a device that receives and transmits messages. This unit will be powered by an internally charged battery or a 12 volt car battery. Whereas, the base station has enough power (wider range) to reach repeaters outside Charlotte County such as Fort Myers, if necessary. The base unit will be powered by either the house current or a generator (for which provisions have been made).

This past month, I sent out a request, by e-mail within the community for additional ham radio operators. There were 2 responses from residents and 1 from a neighbor from an adjacent community. All are seasonal residents. They all volunteered to assist in any training or any other capacity. In addition, two CERT members have expressed interest in being trained as licensed operators. However, the equipment has to be purchased and installed prior to this training. In addition, a separate proposal was prepared by a resident for equipment of this nature. It listed the same equipment, but for a slightly higher cost.

Further more, I have been invited to participate in a Feb. 10^th meeting to help plan a county wide disaster drill to be performed in March. Again, this equipment is necessary to participate adequately.

I would like to move on to the next phase. I am hereby requesting this Board vote, on this date, to proceed without further delay.

Ray Negrycz