Mississippi

[KC6WTA]

I am requesting information on behalf of a non-licensed person who desperately wants to check on his father's wherabouts.  He has become concerned because his elderly father was in Pascagoula, Ms. at the time of Katrina and has not yet heard from him.  He is a diabetic and is concerned for his father's life.

Anyone who may be able to get a hold of Hams in the area of Pascagoula, Ms. please call me any time 24-7 at 661-747-1500.


Thank you and 73s.

[K2GW]

First have your friend call their local Red Cross Chapter and request a DWI through them.  All shelter lists, etc. are filed with them in Washington DC and a quick check there often finds people the fastest.

You can also enter a DWI request through the Salvation Army SATERN system at http://www.satern.org/

Obviously hams in the affected area would have a great deal of trouble finding anyone at the moment.

Best of Luck

73

Gary Wilson, K2GW
SNJ SEC

[N3ZKP]

Be advised that land line communications in and out of the affected area is very spotty, at best.

I am on a conference call as I write this and my agency has had no contact with several locations since the storm hit.

Patience will be necessary in waiting for a response from ANY agency.

If the person in question did not go to a shelter, it could be days before any definitive worsd comes out.

Lon

[N3ZKP]

Chris:

Enjoyed the visit on the phone.

Lon

[K2GW]

The Red Cross has also established a tollfree number for DWI's.  It's 1-866-GET INFO  (1-866-438-4630).  All survivor and shelterre information is entered into their computers at the communications center in Washignton.  Calling that number gets you whatever information they have and alos lets you get contacted if information becomes available in the future.

73

Gary, K2GW
SNJ SEC

[K2GW]

The League has established a web site to register for assignments in LA and MS. See the main page of www.arrl.org or http://katrina.ab2m.net/ for details. We would prefer that only those hams who have experience in local emergency communications, have completed ARECC 1 and have the endorsement of their local EC apply. Conditions will be physically and mentally demanding.

Also, please discourage Disaster Welfare Inquiry (DWI) messages into the area. ARRL advises these are getting in the way of emergency communications. Advise people to remain calm and wait for folks to contact them. If they can't be consoled and the message is extremely urgent, the Red Cross maintains a DWI system that folks can best reach through their local Red Cross chapter.

There is also an open survivor information database at www.gulfcoastnews.com . Property damage summaries for towns can be queried at http://www.scipionus.com/ . Both of these sites are unofficial, but hams have used them to answer some DWI requests . As is taught in the ARECC courses, experienced Emergency Communicators use all available resources even if they aren't "pure" ham radio.

73

Gary Wilson, K2GW
SNJ Section Emergency Coordinator

[K2GW]

Further DWI Update:

The Red Cross maintains a DWI system that folks can best reach through the "Family Links Registry" button on www.redcross.org. Concerned friends and family members are encouraged to visit the site daily to consult the list, as it will be updated continuously. Those without Internet access should call the Red Cross toll-free hotline 1-877-LOVED-1S (877-568-3317).


73

Gary, K2GW
SNJ SEC