FOURTH OF JULY A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION
REACT 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 19 all assisted with this event. REACT 20, 21, 22, and
16 protected CB 9. This event was all day long, and we have use of the county’s
Incident Command Vehicle, or known as the ICV. The largest events was the parade, and
fireworks. The parade caused the usual traffic congestion, but REACT members were able to
assist the Flagler Beach Police in traffic control.
NOTICE 1998 REACT DUES ARE BEING COLLECTED By REACT 3
We are
currently collecting 1998 dues. Dues are $26.00 regular /
$24.00 for junior or each family member. Please support OUR
Team. The dues cycle is slowly being shifted to avoid the
Christmas Crush in December. Thank you again for your support
of Team 4800.
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CHECK OUT OUR REACT WEB PAGE
The web page can be found at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/4810.
We have links to other sights and also to the NEXRAD radar service. REACT 3 has been
working on the page and is continuing to update it. If you are not on the REACT E mail
list, contact REACT 1.
"SPIKE IS MISSING!! CALL REACT 1!!"
GMRS AND FUND-RAISER PROJECT UP DATE AND REPORT (By React 17,)
Well we are making progress now. The City of Flagler Beach has donated $500.00, and the
City of Bunnell has donated $250.00. The Italian American Club donated $100.00. $50.00 has
been received from FPC High School, and $200 from Rogers Towing. We now have $1,300
collected, plus with the grant from the EOC, we have $2,300.00. The GMRS repeater will
help relieve congestion on the CB during Skywarn, and other operations.
FCA AMBER LIGHTS
A reminder that we are now approved for temporary yellow lights for special details, and
emergencies. These lights will enhance visibility during these types of operations. See an
Officer for details. You can get them at Wal Mart and Mask’s Shop in Bunnell.
FIFTH COORDINATOR POSITION FILLED
REACT 14, Ray has been appointed as 5th EC at the June REACT meeting. This gives FCA 5
coordinators to draw from during an event. This was done because of the growth of our
Team. Ray also works for FCSO as a full time dispatcher.
"REACT 1, DO YOU COPY. HAVE YOU FOUND SPIKE YET?"
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
We welcome REACT 8 Dave REACT 11, Scott, REACT 15 Fred, REACT 19 Chuck. and REACT 27,
Kelly Welcome aboard! We now have 23 members.
ELECTIONS ARE COMING
Our Team Elections will not be until the March 1998 meeting, however it is not to early to
think about if you would like to run for Office. The current positions are up for
election. President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
REACT 20 HAS A LARGE
ASSORTMENT OF RADIOS & SCANNERS FOR SALE INCLUDED ARE CB
MOBILES AND BASE STATIONS & SCANNERS PLEASE CALL HIM FOR
INFO. HIS PRICES ARE VERY HARD TO BEAT!
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE QUARTER ===
The Officers of the Team have decided to recognize a REACT member each Newsletter for
superb service. During our 3rd Quarter we recognize Richard REACT 24 for his service, and
dedication to the Team. Richard works as a conductor for Amtrak, and does not have a lot
of free time. However despite this, he monitors CB 9, and has brought gasoline to stranded
motorists on several occasions. He has come to REACT events, even coming straight from
work on several occasions. REACT 24 has been with the Team for over 1 year.
Thank You Richard, for your
support of Flagler County Assist REACT
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Watch out Team, YOU might be next!!!! Want to nominate
someone, contact an Officer.
REACT SEARCH EXERCISE
6 REACT members were able to participate in the exercise that took place on August 24th.
REACT 1, 3, 6, 13, 17, and 20 were able to respond. REACT 21 covered TAC 1 while the Team
went to TAC 3. CB was the primary means of communications. Next drill in November.
PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Take time to be sure that your emergency equipment, flashlights, fusees, back up power,
and portable radios are operational. All equipment should be charged, ready to go. Be
ready. We can be called upon for anything, at anytime.
+++++ TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING +++++
Good training is a
critical element to any operation. The following training
sessions should be attended by all members of the Team. These
are very important.
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| Good training is where it is at. If you have not had any training, please take time to
take a class. SKYWARN
This class, conducted by the National Weather Service is held at the EOC several times a
year. Skywarn teaches you to become a Severe Weather Spotter. This class is about an hour.
An advanced Skywarn class will also be offered. This 4 hour class will be a higher
presentation of the regular class. A good one for severe weather spotters.
TRAFFIC CONTROL & SCENE SECURITY
This is a MUST if you perform many traffic control events. This class taught by Lt. Sisti
of the Sheriff's Dpt. Certain procedures, must be followed, and carried out. The class
also touches on how to safely secure an accident scene. This class is offered to REACT
& C.O.P. s. It will be featured several times through the year. Once again, members
who work traffic control at any time should take this class. Traffic control is one of our
most dangerous functions.
REACT SEARCH TEAM
Troy REACT 17 is the REACT Search Team Coordinator, and also the county Communications
Officer for the Flagler County Emergency Search Team. Troy conducts the class, REACT
Search Team as needed throughout the year. Our Team does get called out for searches when
elderly people, or children become lost. We have responded to every request ever made of
us. Because of this, search training was begun. This class is about 2 hours, and a MUST if
you plan to assist with searches, and search response.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS - REACT TEAM MEETINGS
At EVERY REACT Meeting, we conduct an exercise. This drill takes place at the conclusion
of each meeting. It is anything from a plan review, to full staffing of EOC communications
posts. This is a MUST if you plan to work in the EOC during an emergency. Know how
everything works NOW before the disaster hits.
See that last sentence, see and know
how everything works, before the storm, before the disaster,
or before the accident. Good knowledge, builds confidence, and
ability to perform your function well, and professionally. See
a Team Officer about these classes, and when the next one is
available.
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"REACT 1 COME IN! HAVE YOU FOUND SPIKE
YET???"
+PLEASE MONITOR CB 9 AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE+
RIGHT NOW SOMEONE COULD BE CALLING FOR HELP ON CB 9
SUDDEN STORM STRIKES - REACT REACTS.
On Thursday, July 31st, a strong storm was reported by our Skywarn spotters. The storm
proceeded towards the east. Rotation in the clouds were reported by REACT Base 21, and
REACT 17. REACT 12 also reported pea sized hail. Then REACT 17 found himself in the middle
of a downburst. Troy described a rolling mass of rain, and debris coming straight at him.
All this information was relayed to Jacksonville Weather. The Weather Service said that
all of our observations were right on cue, and prompted weather warnings to be issued.
The month of July saw many Skywarn activations. 15 incidents of severe weather were
reported by the Team. REACT spotters also reported severe conditions north of Bunnell
during a different storm. This prompted warnings BEFORE the storm hit Bunnell.
INCIDENT COMMAND VEHICLE
The Emergency Management’s Incident Command Vehicle known as the IVC is now up and
running. REACT put it through its paces during the Fourth of July event in Flagler Beach.
Since we had a day long presence, and since the vehicle was needing a test run, the EOC
allowed us use of the vehicle as a Base during the Fourth. The ICV has the following
capabilities, ham radio - TAC 6, TAC 7, and national calling. All VHF Fire & EM
channels, Marine Channels, weather, and many mutual aid frequencies. It also has the
emergency management VHF low frequencies, and also has a CB base that can be set up, when
in place. REACT 20 has donated an attachment for a CB antenna on the ICV. There is 120
volt, and 12 volt capability. It even has two cell phones. Anyone wishing to tour the ICV
can do so during the day, or at a REACT meeting.
TOTAL FOR 1997 CALLS AS OF SEPTEMBER 536 calls.
September saw the lowest amount of calls ever received, 37. This is mainly due to skip,
wiping out the CB 1/4 of the day. But it is important to maintain monitoring of CB 9.
Please try to monitor as much as possible, especially during the daytime. Please try to
keep on CB 9!
BE SAFE!!
A
safety tip, If you are involved in any incident in which
someone is apparently injured, always call for EMS to respond,
even if the person does not want EMS. This will protect us,
plus the person who may be hurt. Sometimes injured people do
not think normally, and may even become aggressive. Use
caution, and common sense. Always call for EMS if someone
appears to be injured. The Med unit can always go back, if
they are not hurt.
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COOKOUT PLANNED
At the October meeting, we have made plans for a cookout at the Community Park in Palm
Coast. We will also conduct meeting business there. Please make plans to attend.
REACT RESPONDS TO LOCAL EMERGENCIES
REACT members were called upon during a serious accident at Belle Terre and Palm Coast
Parkway. REACT 1, 19, 20, and 24 responded and Base 13 was Ops Base. Members assisted for
about an hour, but enough help was present for traffic control, so we were able to depart,
but not before getting soaked by rain.
Then later on that next Friday, a dump truck backed up into a pole, knocking down the
traffic signal across Cypress Point Parkway, at Belle Terre. REACT 5, and 6 responded to
the request for our assistance with traffic control. This occurred near 1:30 PM. REACT
Base 22 maintained communications via CB, Ham, and GMRS. REACT 5 helped until 4:30 PM.
REACT 6 left at 3:30 but was replaced by REACT 11. REACT 1 arrived to back up REACT 5.
REACT members were relieved by the Fire Police, and the C.O.P.s at 6:00 PM. The lights
were fixed somewhere near 2:00 AM the next day. It should be noted that REACT 5, and REACT
1 went on to support the football game that same evening. REACT 5 wound up working about 8
hours of traffic control.
PROPOSED REACT MONITORING SCHEDULE
At the REACT September meeting, it was decided to check into a volunteer monitoring
schedule. This will insure better coverage of CB 9 and other channels. This will be a
volunteer schedule, set by you. You will be contacted to see what hours on what days are
good for you to monitor CB 9. It can be the same hours each day, or just on one day.
Monitoring is encouraged though, even when it is not your shift just in case. If for some
reason you can not monitor your regular time, you would contact a Coordinator to arrange
coverage. Right now this issue is being researched, and results will be available at an
upcoming meeting.
REACT ON THE OTHER RADIO
Listen to KISS FM for future Public Service spots about REACT, and on FROG 98.1 FM, REACT
featured on a radio talk show. The show aired at 5:45 AM Sept 14th.
UPCOMING EVENTS WE WILL NEED SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING:
10/09/97 Homecoming Parade assist Bunnell PD - 3 PM Bunnell. 10/10/97 Football Game - 6 -
10 PM FPC. 10/11/97 Foot Race Flagler Beach - 7 - 9 AM. 10/12/97 Columbus Day Parade - 2 -
4 PM. 10/17/97 Football Game - 6 - 10 PM FPC. 10/31/97 Football Game - 6 - 10 PM FPC.
11/2/97 REACT Cookout 2 PM Park. 11/8/97 Heart Walk - Palm Coast. 11/23/97 Florida REACT
State Council Meeting - Melbourne. 11/97 Search Exercise - foot & field. 12/?/97
Christmas Parade - Flagler Beach. 12/7/97 REACT Meeting
THANKS TO:
REACT 20, 21, and 23. REACT 23, John Olivette
donated an old classic CB radio to the Team. It was not workable,
but Gary and Petra noted that Cypress Gardens has a radio museum,
but CB was not represented. Gary cleaned up the radio, and took it
Cypress Gardens. In return Cypress Gardens gave us two comp. tickets
to raffle off, or whatever we choose to do with them. Thanks goes to
all who participated in this effort, and made it happen.
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