I was part of the group who went down to help Mac after Katrina. I think we were about a week or two after by the time we got there. There was plenty to do even then. Rick Harnish, John Scrivner, Jim Patient and others were there as well.
As much as everyone wants to help, sometimes rushing in to a stricken area you become more of a burden. The basic needs for food, shelter and such are scarce and need to be utilized for those who live there, any excess is usually taken up by the first responding agencies from out of the area such as FEMA. When I went and brought some others, I brought my camper which housed up to 8 people. Just needed a place to park. Simple things like being able to get fuel can be a huge challenge. Being the president of WECAT we have seen the WISP industry mature and do a great job at their own disaster planning and recovery. The last 4 major events or so, we have only had contact with one or two WISP’s who might have needed help, and after a day or two when they had time to assess their situation, they were able to take care of things on their own or with help from a neighboring WISP. That really took a lot of stress off logistics of bringing people in from outside the area. We understand the desire for everyone to want to help and most WISP’s cringe at the thought of having to deal with an event like that, so they try to help. As Faisal said, it’s the medium to long term recovery where a person or company can make a difference. Reaching out to fellow WISP’s after the spotlight has been turned off by the media is probably one of the best things we can do to help each other. Checking up on Texas WISP’s is probably more helpful now than Irma. The pucker factor is high on Irma but until she makes landfall and causes damage, any efforts prior to that other than taking inventory of what you can do personally with resources, we just have to wait and see how things pan out. Thank You, Brian Webster 214 Eggleston Hill Rd. Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 643-4055 Office (607) 435-3988 Mobile (208) 692-1898 Fax Skype: Radiowebst www.wirelessmapping.com www.Broadband-Mapping.com From: Af [mailto:af-boun...@afmug.com] On Behalf Of Faisal Imtiaz Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2017 2:29 PM To: af@afmug.com Subject: Re: [AFMUG] OT: Hurricane Irma Fair point. In the event of the disaster.. there are obviously three stages.. 1) While the 'story' is breaking.... e.g. the event is going on... This is typically best handled by local folks neighbors etc.. 2) Right after the storm... this is when lots of folks, immediately start doing stuff, due to the high emotional feelings. Depending on the need, (e.g. Houston, all the folks with Boats etc).... and any or all other aspects which may not be visible ... 3) Med to long term recovery.... this is probably the hardest and longer needs.. typically the spot light is off, and the full nature of the disaster (domino affect starts to be realized)... There is plenty of room to help, sometimes it is with Money, other times it is with your time and compassion.. and on other occasions it is simply the additional manpower ... Being far away, it is nice to see the feeling of compassion, but do keep an eye and ear open with the smaller groups, Church Groups, Local Charitable Foundations, and other Organizations (smaller the better) and volunteer with what you can.. these folks tend to make great impact on individual's lives, while they may not be able to help everyone.. One more thing to keep in mind..... it is not uncommon to have a tremendous amount of waste during the the 1st and 2nd phase ... This is what I can share with you from our past experience. I don't know if MacDearman is on this list or any of the other lists, it would be very interesting to hear his experience and insights. on this topic too. Regards. Faisal Imtiaz Snappy Internet & Telecom 7266 SW 48 Street Miami, FL 33155 Tel: 305 663 5518 x 232 Help-desk: (305)663-5518 Option 2 or Email: supp...@snappytelecom.net _____ From: "Brett A Mansfield" <li...@silverlakeinternet.com> To: af@afmug.com Sent: Sunday, September 3, 2017 2:08:36 PM Subject: Re: [AFMUG] OT: Hurricane Irma I’m actually in Utah and will not be directly affected by it at all. I just feel bad for those who are and they are certainly in my prayers. I would like to help anyone in any area affected by these hurricanes, but I don’t know how I could other than flying out and being extra hands. Thank you, Brett A Mansfield On Sep 3, 2017, at 11:40 AM, Jeff Broadwick - Lists <jeffl...@att.net> wrote: The most reliable tracks have it hitting well north of you...but they are all really guessing. Jeff Broadwick ConVergence Technologies, Inc. 312-205-2519 Office 574-220-7826 Cell jbroadw...@converge-tech.com On Sep 3, 2017, at 1:11 PM, Faisal Imtiaz <fai...@snappytelecom.net> wrote: Hi Brett, We are all keeping any eye on Irma's developing track as well as praying that everyone gets spared. It is not going to be good, and I will leave it at that. In regards to your question of what possibly can happen with a CAT 5 hurricane, I would suggest that you look at these pictures: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/nws/andy1.html (Pay attention to the pictures on page 2 of the wood pieces and the palm tree) Having lived thru that, and knowing what folks went thru first hand ..... All I can say, with deep deep meaning... "In a Cat5 storm, all bets are off, what will survive and what will fail.." Regards. Faisal Imtiaz Snappy Internet & Telecom 7266 SW 48 Street Miami, FL 33155 Tel: 305 663 5518 x 232 Help-desk: (305)663-5518 Option 2 or Email: supp...@snappytelecom.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brett A Mansfield" <li...@silverlakeinternet.com> To: af@afmug.com Sent: Sunday, September 3, 2017 12:05:21 PM Subject: [AFMUG] OT: Hurricane Irma We are having quite the busy year for strong hurricanes. They don’t yet know the path of Irma, but are certain that Puerto Rico will get the full cat3 or even up to cat5 force of it. History of storms like these dictate that is go all along the eastern cost as it weakens. They are thinking it could surpass category 5 and become a super typhoon. That doesn’t sound good at all. Anyone ever have a storm topple a guyed tower? Thank you, Brett A Mansfield
