ARESMAT SITREP #1

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES HAS BEEN FULLY ACTIVATED FOR ESSEX – MIDDLESEX – SUFFOLK COUNTIES TO SUPPORT POTENTIAL SHELTER OR DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OPERATIONS FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS UNTIL 6PM SUNDAY***

***REMAINING COUNTIES IN THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION ON ARES STAND-BY STATUS NOW UNTIL 6PM SUNDAY***

***NO FORMAL DEPLOYMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THIS TIME WHILE ARES LEADERHSIP CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION***

The following is a sit-rep to update the ARES activities that are currently ongoing in the Eastern Massachusetts section.   ARES teams in the North Shore, Middlesex, and Metro Boston areas have been put on activation due to request for potential support of the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts.  We have been requested to potentially provide operators to assist with shelter communications or to assist with point-to-point communications during damage assessment operations.  The exact needs are still being refined through ongoing communication with Red Cross officials.   

As of this update, no formal deployments have taken place, and we do not expect to have any operators deploy until Saturday morning.  It is certainly possible that after future coordination, it will be determined that support is no longer necessary.  However, due to the remaining power outages in the area, we will remain on a heightened state of alert through the weekend in the event that the situation deteriorates further and additional requests for support come through.  Please coordinate your availability with your DEC or EC who will relay this information to Eric-KA1NCF and myself.  Even if deployments become unnecessary, this is the perfect time to check your go-kits to ensure everything is prepared for operations.  Your DEC and EC are all available to answer any questions you may have regarding this operation.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
North-side Operations

Carl Aveni – N1FY
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
South-side Operations

Leave a Reply