Lawrence/North Andover, Mass Natural Gas Related House Fire Situation and Eastern Massachusetts/North Shore ARES Monitoring

Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
 
While we have Eastern Massachusetts Amateurs engaged in Hurricane Florence monitoring, we are well aware of the incident and are prepared to support any agencies if necessary. Please see our status update from North Shore ARES DEC, KB1KQW-Jim Palmer. We are sending this to Mike-KI1U as well at his request as he wanted a status update
 
Hello to all…
 
At approximately 5:00pm this evening, an incident involving several home explosions and fires began unfolding in the Merrimack Valley, specifically affecting the towns of Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence.  There have been numerous evacuations as a result of the incident which remains very much in progress, and North Shore and Eastern MA ARES teams continue to closely monitor the situation.  We have informally activated on the Danvers-145.47 repeater to pass along pertinent information to people in the affected area and take availability reports as needed.
 
At this time, there have been no requests for ARES support at any of the shelters.  If you would like to pass along your availability for the next 24 hours, please send me an e-mail and we will add it to our list in the event an activation becomes necessary.  As always, please do not self-deploy and if you are in the area follow the directions of your local public safety officials.
 
This will be the only message planned for this event unless there is a change to the situation.  Thanks again for your continued help and support of ARES!
 
Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
North Shore ARES DEC
978-609-0967 (cell)
 
Please also let me know of any questions or concerns. Thanks!
 
Respectfully Submitted,Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
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UPDATE:

 

The Danvers-47 repeater was activated at approximately 5:30pm to monitor the situation in the Merrimack Valley. At this time no requests for support have been received but have been in communication with Jonathan Goldfield-KB1ZRB from Red Cross and they are gathering general availability on their end for overnight operations. We are doing the same and gathering availability in the event our services are needed. Mark-K1MGY is requesting availability from his area as well. Otherwise we are passing along pertinent information over the repeater and on my Facebook page as well to get the word out.

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