Hello to all…
The Department of Homeland Security Raises Threat Level to Orange (High Threat). This is a general warning designed to trigger certain pre-planned and predetermined activities in public safety organizations’ contingency plans. No specific threat has been cited as the reason for raising the level, but rather concern about unusual activity of surveilled terrorist entities. You may recall that the last time the level was raised was last September during the week of remembrance of the Sep 11, 2001 disaster.Several actions are requested of all ARES members and leaders of emergency communications teams. First, participate in the exercise tomorrow. There is no better way to prepare for an actual exigency than to practice our procedures and skills.
Secondly, (as we requested last September) please raise your individual readiness by checking your “go kits”, battery supplies, and radio/antenna systems as soon as you can. Exercise participants have already been doing this, and it is much appreciated. Additionally, please carry a hand-held radio with you at all times when it is practicable, and recheck your mobile system’s ability to conduct simplex operations. Please remember to secure your home and family’s ability to react to any contingency, so that you can help your community in time of crisis. You can get more information on this at http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=agcc&agid=mema&agca=preparedness&agcc=dizkit&s=0&= . A complete reference page containing many specific topic pamphlets is located on the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ .
You can also find out more about the security code system by pressing the “Homeland Security Codes” button to the left
Thank you for your assistance. We will keep you advised of any changes, either by email or on our website, http://ares.ema.arrl.org
s/Michael P. Neilsen
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail