Did you know that Maxwell Park has a network of walkie-talkies and procedures to keep communication open in the event of an emergency or disaster? Thanks to local neighbor Joe Davis, our community has one of the most critical tools in place, but our area could use additional help to strengthen the network. In 2006-2007, he and several others in the Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team (MPERT) invested in the handheld devices as part of the emergency preparedness plan of the City's CORE, Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies program.'
With the Haitian earthquake disaster less than two months old, it's a glaring reminder to tighten up our earthquake preparedness. A key element is communications, and Joe Davis had the perseverance to maintain a network, along with other Oakland neighborhoods, that link to Oakland Fire Department's (OFD) Emergency Operations Center in the event of such an emergency.
'You may have seen announcements on the MPNCPC listserv regarding regular exercises of the walkie-talkie network. On the second Wednesday each month, at 6:30 p.m., before the MPNCPC meeting, Joe conducts a test of the system. He assumes the role of MPERT "Net-Control" and solicits any neighbors with radios who can hear him to check in on the network.
In an earthquake, regular communications (home phones, Internet, cell phones) may overload or fail completely for many hours or even days. Walkie-talkies are low-cost battery-powered handheld radios that allow a solution in such an emergency. They're also useful for other family or neighborhood activities and don't require an FCC license. Oakland's CORE organization encourages walkie-talkies to report neighborhood status to the City of Oakland's emergency operations team.'
"Talking on the devices takes some getting used to," states Davis. "But the great thing is that one person might notify that their street is 'all clear, no fires or injuries,' while another might report 'serious injury occurred, help is needed ASAP,' and both messages are forwarded to the City's operations center by ham radio operators at neighborhood fire stations."'
Maxwell Park has a number of organized neighborhood watch groups, and it would be a great extra feature to 1) identify a contact who would have a walkie-talkie and participate in the monthly tests, and 2) set up or refresh your own emergency preparedness plan by attending the CORE training: www.oaklandnet.com/fire/core.
"Being a Maxwell Park communications contact doesn't involve a lot of time, just the monthly tests as time permits. In the event of a disaster, you could report the status of your house, street, or area," states Joe.
Want to be a point of contact for a walkie-talkie? Contact Joe Davis, at joe_davis_y\@yahoo.com, 534-4978.'
On April 24 the City and CORE will conduct a Citywide Emergency Response Exercise, in which volunteers will respond to simulations, similar to fire drill, as a test. MPERT plans to have some level of involvement this year.'
Pat Patterson can be reached at pmacp\@aol.com.
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