Good evening ALERT Operators!
The NWS is requesting ALERT’s assistance for the event this weekend, due to a shortfall in help with parking, from any ALERT member who can help people park at the event. The group which was previously planned to handle parking is needed for duties/missions related to Hurricane Michael, and will not be able to attend.
Call to action:
If you are able to be at the NWS between the hours of 10AM-3PM, and can help with parking, please contact Casey Benefield, NZ2O (nz2o @ alert-alabama.org or by Facebook Message to ALERT’s Facebook Page facebook.com/k4nws ), as soon as you can. We will need to let the NWS know how many we have volunteering, to coordinate.
I would recommend carrying a HT radio or two, or a couple of batteries, in case needed for the event.
As you are all aware, there’s an awesome event coming up for the kids, big and small, at the National Weather Service 25 Year Anniversary Open House this weekend. I’m a bit excited!
Details and Event Rules Here: https://www.weather.gov/bmx/outreach_openhouse
Gerald Satterwhite (KK4IOK) from the NWS sent us a recent email, with a few reminders:
- Please have your display set up by 9am
(I’m thinking we can show up 1-2 hours early, for best coordination with the ham station piece.) - The event runs from 10 AM to 3 PM.
- NWS will provide 1 table and 2 chairs. Please bring your own tent (I think Deryl has this sorted 😊).
For a power source, are we thinking we’ll use the NWS street power? I can bring the 90 pound monster batteries in case they’re needed. Deryl will be bringing a generator. - There will be 3 food trucks on-site during the event. Please bring cash and support our local food trucks.
(Let’s avoid eating at the table though – scroll down and you’ll see why.)
FYI: Rebecca and I have obtained peanut allergen-free candy and have candy bowls for the table. We can’t bring candy containing peanuts, or cross-contaminated. Public event.
Additionally, I’m sure a few of us would love to sit behind this, chatting with the public about amateur radio, and how we can operate when things go kablooey. 😉
Thank you Bill Rodgers (K4FSO), for pointing the printing company (and their low prices) out to us!
This email was sent to:
NWS Participants, ALERT Operational Members, ALERT Board Members.
Thank you all!
Casey, NZ2O
Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow is the 7th anniversary, of much mayhem and destruction to our state, but also survival and people pulling together, united to make good things happen, caring for each other. Let’s forget what makes us all different, and remember we can all be united for the good of our communities and families, even when there’s not a disaster on our hands.
Please remember those who lost loved ones on April 27, 2011, and be kind to them. Maybe do something nice for those you know, who lived through such an experience, and listen to their stories. Maybe write them down for future generations to remember.
Whether or not you’re an enthusiast, we all should have a plan to Weather Ready, in our own houses, as if a disaster can strike at any time. I did, ahead of April 27, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, AL. It can save your family. We didn’t know it would start early, and then come back for a second round while we were without power. Some did not receive the warning.
Here are only a few things you can do, to be ready:
- Have your safe place where it’s easily accessed, with tornado helmets to reduce injury if you aren’t in a certified underground shelter, and with appropriate supplies. Especially in Spring/November, where there’s a statistical uptick in severe weather events.
- Have multiple ways to get warnings including a NOAA Weather Alert radio, fresh batteries in it, maybe even a mobile app like Baron Critical Weather, or any of the WDT products out there in the Google Play/Apple App Stores.
- Have an after-event plan to get back in communication with your families, a way to ensure you are taken care of.
Go to Ready.Gov or your local NWS for more info on how to be ready, today, not 30 minutes before the warning! 🙂
Hope to see you at the Barons game tomorrow! Game starts 7:05PM!
Casey Benefield, NZ2O
ALERT will be at Regions Field tomorrow. ALERT assists with the mission of the National Weather Service, to protect life and property by contributing severe weather reports through the NWS Skywarn program, for the potential use in the warning process, and by promoting education on how to submit a quality report.
ALERT will be answering questions about ham radio in emergency, modern ham radio, as well as promoting the Skywarn Storm Spotter program.
ALERT will be answering questions about ham radio in emergency, modern ham radio, as well as promoting the Skywarn Storm Spotter program.
Good day everone!
I’m pleased to announce that once again this year, ALERT and NWS Birmingham will have a table at the Severe Weather Awareness Night event at Regions Field. This time, it’s the Birmingham Barons vs Biloxi Shuckers. It is also the same night as NASCAR Night, and Friday Night Fireworks. The game starts at 7:05pm.
Here’s more information about Regions Field: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?content_id=26491494&sid=t247&vkey=team4&ymd=20120127
Attention ALERT Operational Members:
For the table coverage, Michael Lamb has volunteered to take on the task of coordinating this event. If enough volunteers are present, we can stagger our shifts a bit.
Please contact him at 369-4522 or email these two addresses to sign up/get on the schedule: mdlamb555@bellsouth.net and mdlamb556@gmail.com.
UPDATE: ALERT table volunteers to arrive at 5PM; Everyone else at the normal time.
We enter through the side gate at the main entrance.
We will need ALERT volunteers to be scheduled to attend to the table for the event, and wearing your ALERT/Skywarn apparel is encouraged. Volunteers will be talking to people about how to stay weather aware, and also the fact that they also can take part in the warning process, by attending a Skywarn Storm Spotter Training. While we’re at it, naturally, to receive those storm reports we use amateur radio when everything else fails to get the message through.
To represent ALERT and the NWS/Skywarn program in the best light possible, ALERT members should be reminded, that we shouldn’t overexert ourselves in case it’s warm on that day, so if you want a break to chill and enjoy the game for a bit, or bite to eat, it’s a good idea to step away from the table. This will also prevent getting food on the materials/table cloth, and not turn people away from the table while busy eating. (I’m already planning on getting a philly cheesesteak 😛 )
Looking forward to an awesome event! I won’t be there for the entirety due to travel early Saturday morning, but will be there for the first part!
Casey Benefield, NZ2O
The last Advanced Skywarn Spotter training for Spring will be held this Tuesday, online webinar, at 6:30PM.
If you haven’t had a chance to get basic training, there are two courses available online, self-led, to catch you up. There’s also an in-person training in Selma, AL at Wallace Community College, on April 18.
For more info, or to register for the final online webinar, please visit:
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