Hi Everyone,

In our past newsletters I have tried to interject humor so that the newsletter wouldn’t be as dull as a telephone directory from Minnesota. But, with this newsletter I’ll be dealing with a subject of DEADLY importance.

HEAT & It’s Dangers

We are currently enduring one of the most dangerous heat waves in many years. Heat and heat related illnesses are not something to be shrugged off. About 237 Americans die each year due to heat related illnesses.

The first part of this heat wave lacked humidity, and it wasn’t overly terrible, except for it feeling like a desert. But now, as my instruments agree, the humidity has returned and we are in a seriously dangerous situation.

Our bodies cooling mechanisms – internal blood circulation adjustments, sweating and evaporation are defeated by the high humidity. Though you are rapidly losing your body’s water reserves through sweating, the sweat cannot evaporate fast enough to dissipate the heat in the high humidity.

Hi Everyone,

I hope this finds you doing well & that you are enjoying the sunny mid-spring days.

Our May ALERT meeting will feature the presentation of nominees for our upcoming elections. The election normally takes place the meeting after the presentation & the officers then assume their positions at the July meeting.

July is also when ALERT dues are due. Remember, if you want to respond to ALERT callouts or serve as an officer you MUST be current with your dues.

I hope to see you at the meeting!

Now if for some reason you cannot attend the meeting in person, you can still participate via telephone. The teleconference number is 1-877-951-0997 & and participant code is 741083.

That said, we really don’t want to miss your smiling face. So put the teeth in, comb that one remaining hair and head to the NWS Forecast Office May the 8th at 7PM.

Hi everyone,

I hope this finds everyone doing well.

Major changes have occurred within our sister group ARES. Hub Harvey, N4HUB has resigned as

Emergency Coordinator for Jefferson County ARES, effective Thursday, March 29th. Hub is the new Supervisor of Emergency Management for Shelby County, Alabama. Hub will continue as ARES Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator for Central Alabama. It is good to know a familiar face (and a ham) will be in charge of the EMA of ALERT’s host county.

Congratulations Hub! It’s good to see an ALERT alumni rise to the top.

The new Emergency Coordinator for Jefferson County is JVann Martin, W4JVM. He, having been in Amateur radio for 20 years, is well versed in emergency communications. He has served as President of the Healthcare Community Amateur Radio Club (HCARC) and is very active in ARES operations.

Congratulations, JVann! We look forward to working with you, as ALERT and ARES prepare for and stand ready to help our community during times of need.

Hi everyone,

I hope this finds everyone doing well.

An important event will be coming up Saturday and Sunday. What is it?

Birminghamfest 2012!!!

The Zamora Shrine Temple will host the 2012 Birminghamfest. Dealers, vendors, flea market, testing, and forums they will have it all.

ALERT & The NWS will have a table & there will be an ALERT/ Skywarn Forum at 10:00 AM.

Come by the ALERT/NWS table & say “hi” & don’t be shy about sitting the table for a little while, as we need some brave souls who will donate an hour or two of their time and help man the table. If you can help, please do so.

This month’s ALERT meeting March 13, will feature the selection of the two person Nominating Committee for the upcoming elections in May.

Please plan on attending this meeting & don’t be shy about volunteering to serve on the Committee or to make yourself available for a leadership role. We need some of our newer members to step up and become active members of ALERT’s leadership. All it takes is a willing heart and once elected, a commitment to faithfully fulfill your duties of office to the best of your abilities.