Keeping the Crucial Information Flowing:

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the electrical grid failed during a natural disaster? How would emergency services communicate with one another? How would you let loved ones in other parts of the country know you're safe? What failsafes are in place to prevent mass confusion and panic? The answers to those questions and more will be revealed at 10 a.m. Saturday, when the Lake Oswego Amateur Radio Emergency Service hosts a demonstration in the Palisades gymnasium, one of the first official events to kick off this year's Lake Oswego Reads program. LO ARES is assigned to augment the Lake Oswego Fire Department's communication system when needed. If the power grid failed and cellular services went down following an earthquake, windstorm or other disaster, normal communications might be unable to handle all of the vital messages that need to be passed. But LO ARES will be there to help. "The function of our group is to add another communication system to Lake Oswego during any emergency," said Bill DeBuhr, an LO ARES member. "The City understood the need for such a system around the lake, so they put amateur radio equipment at all four fire stations and at the Public Works building." In the event of an emergency or disaster that affects the public safety and welfare. DeBuhr said, LO ARES would work with the City's emergency manager, who would be responsible for the coordination and deployment of the fire department, police department and other City agencies.

from rssfeed25 http://ift.tt/2GHjiVA
via IFTTT