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THE REACT
MONITOR
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
FLAGLER COUNTY ASSIST TEAM 4800 VOL 99 - 1
WINTER / SPRING
"CB 9, HAM & GMRS MONITORED IN FLAGLER COUNTY"
DONATION ALLOWS REACT TO
PROPERLY SERVE FLAGLER COUNTY
We could not believe it.
$7,500.00 donated to us, Little Flagler County Assist REACT. In an
organization where are bank account rarely got over $300, this was what we
needed. The US Tobacco Company was looking for a 501c(3) organization that
was not one of the big ones. They wanted to help Flagler County. They
wanted to help someone small.
It was at the end of the year that we got
a call telling us the check is on the way. How much. Maybe $1,000 or so we
thought. WOW $7,500.
This has greatly improved our Team. The
Board of Officers met to restructure meetings, and put things in order.
The work was laid out. How to spend this money in an effective manor.
Several needs were identified, gone over,
and noted. Several programs were implemented. Safety and communications
equipment was the priority.
The US Tobacco Company will be kept up to
date on the progress of our Team. We will send them quarterly reports on
our functions, and equipment we purchase.
We want to thank US Tobacco, and EVERY
MEMBER OF REACT that make it work.
JERRY DAVIS RETIRES, THANKS
REACT
Our Emergency Management Director, Jerry Davis retired
at the end of February. He was presented an award of appreciated by
Flagler County Assist REACT. Jerry wanted to extend his personal thanks to
each member of our Team, for all the assistance we have provided.
Jerry has been well liked by the
membership and will be missed. He has not gotten out of the Emergency
Management business though. he currently is consulting with the City of
Flagler Beach on EM issues.
NEW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
STARTS IN FLAGLER COUNTY.
Eric Gentry, our new director, got
to meet the members of FCA at our May 16th meeting. During the
meeting he explained some of his changes, including the restructuring of
the old Emergency Management Department to the Office of Emergency
Services (FCES). Under FCES will be the Emergency Management, EMS, and
Fire Divisions, each with their division chief. John Fillanger who will
start on June 7th, will be the EM Chief. Jim Cooper who started
in April is the Fire Chief, and Ron Bolser remains as EMS Chief.
PAGE 2
GMRS RADIOS ARE NOW
EASIER TO GET THANKS TO THE DONATION
The membership of FCA at
the meeting on 2/7/99 established the following programs to allow members
to afford the GMRS and ham radios. How it works, is that the Team buys
radios, members can obtain them, and pay the Team back.
ELIGIBILITY
Each member must have a GMRS
license. Members must only transmit on authorized frequencies.
The following equipment is available
for the programs.
The following programs are
identified for members to acquire radio equipment.
BUYOUT
Under this agreement, the
members sign out a radio. It is paid back with a payment each month,
for one year. The payment is established by dividing the amount of
the radio by 12. That is the monthly payment. The amount owed can be
paid back in one year, or earlier. |
RENTAL
Under this agreement, the radio
cost is divided by 24. That is the monthly payment. Members have the
option to buy, but under a system of de value. Other words, the
longer you wait, the less of what you paid in rent can be used
toward the buyout.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
This program
is for active members that are in financial duress or other extreme
personal situations.
This program puts radios into the hands of
these members. Members requesting Special Assistance must go through
the Officers. These situations will be kept between the Officers and
the member. |
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===SPOLIGHT OF
THE QUARTER===
The Officers of the Team have
decided to spotlight a REACT member each Newsletter for superb
service. This time we spotlight REACT 5, Irene Pickering. Irene has
been with REACT since 1985, and is a charter member of the Team She
has an excellent attendance record to events, and meetings. She
currently serves as Team Treasurer. She started with CB, but also
has acquired ham radio and GMRS licenses and equipment. She also
went out and bought her own cell phone yellow light, and magnetic
signs. She advertises REACT all over the county with these signs.
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UP COMING
EVENTS
Fourth of July Parade and fest in Flagler Beach,
7/4/99
Advanced Skywarn - 1800hrs (6PM) June 9th 1999 at
EOC.
TRAINING - AT EACH MEETING!!
PAGE 3
1999 ELECTION RESULTS
FROM MARCH MEETING
President -
Bob Pickering
Vice President - Petra Catogge
Treasurer - Irene
Pickering |
Secretary -
Eric Pickering
Sgt. at Arms - Jill
Trecki |
This marks the first time we have had a
female Vice President, and also three female Officers on our board. Troy
Harper did not seek re election for the VP Post but will remain as 2nd
Emergency Coordinator, and Training Coordinator.
This will allow Troy to be more involved
in the Emergency Response functions of the Team, and also Search &
Rescue.
STATE COUNCIL
MEETING WAS A SUCCESS!
From Petra, Team Vice
President...
As the organizers of the State
Council Meeting that was held in Flagler, Gary and I want thank
those members who were able to donate items for the door prizes. I
have had nothing but compliments come our way.
Hosting the State Council Meeting
cost our Team $113.38, for snacks, food, soda and supplies for the
Hospitality Room. We recouped $80.00 from the door prizes, and also
helped raise $34.00 for the State Council, through the 50/50.
A HUGE Congratulations goes out to
REACT 3 (Marc). He was present with the award for 2nd Place for Team
in the Web Page contest from REACT International. State Council also
won 2nd Place for State Council sites, also designed by REACT 3.
This is a great accomplishment with the other REACT Teams competing.
Again, thanking all of you I remain,
Sincerely Yours, Petra, (Team Vice
President) |
RADIO NETS
This is a
reminder of weekly radio nets in and around Flagler County.
Please try
to take time to check in to them.
ARES / RACES
NET
Wed @ 1900hrs 145.470 |
FCA REACT
NET
Thurs @ 1900hrs CB - 9, (TAC 1) then 462.675 (TAC
8). |
PAGE 4
FLAGLER COUNTY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT BECOMES FLAGLER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES
Uniting all services, the Board of County
Commissioners have created the Flagler County Emergency Services. Under
FCES comes the three divisions.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
This is where
REACT, ARES and other Disaster Services will fall. Emergency Management
Chief, John Fillanger will be the head this division.
FIRE SERVICE
This will coordinate all
Fire Services in Flagler County, including Palm Coast Fire Department, and
Volunteers. It will not take in Flagler Beach, Bunnell or Marineland, as
those belong to cities. The Fire Inspectors will also fall under this
division. Jim Cooper is the Fire Service Chief
EMS
This will coordinate all ambulance
service in Flagler County. It is headed by Ron Bolser.
We look forward to working with this new
agency in the future.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
TRAINING
Marc Bellefontaine (REACT 3), and Dave Moore (REACT
8) have completed the NASAR course. This additional training will support
the Flagler County Search & Rescue Team, as well as Flagler County
Assist REACT. Troy Harper, SAR Coordinator has said there will be another
class in the future for those interested.
STATE COUNCIL MEETING
REPORT
REACT 1 Bob Pickering, and REACT 5 Irene Pickering
attended the State Council Meeting, in Orlando Florida. Topics included
two new Teams, and the possibility of two more.
Florida State DCAT is now chartered. This
adds a 2nd statewide response REACT Team. This Team is based out of Vero
Beach and can support any operation in the state.
A new Team in Seminole County has been
charted, and is getting off the ground. This Team has been launched with
the assistance of Orlando Metro REACT.
The Central Florida Disaster Team attended
the meeting, and may be looking into starting a REACT Team in the area of
Polk County.
Another group in South Florida and one in
Ocala, plus in the Big Bend region are also considering Teams.
PAGE 5
NEW ESF-2
SHIRTS
Inspired by the ESF-17 Animal Protection shirts worn by
the Animal Protection unit during the fires.
These shirts will be gray in color, and
say
FLAGLER EOC
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
ESF - 2 SUPPORT
REACT
They will be embroidered, on the left
side, on a collared shirt. They will most likely be available by June.
They will be available to REACT and ARES members as well as other ESF-2
personnel. This serves to help REACT as the Team will be making money on
these shirts.
A REMINDER
Standard Flagler County
Assist REACT Tee Shirts are available. They are white with our logo on the
front and back. These shirts are very comfortable, and popular with our
members. They are available for $15.00 each.
EMERGENCY
COORDINATORS
We are looking at restructuring our Emergency
Coordinators in the Team. One idea is to separate We will be discussing
this at upcoming meetings of the Team. Think of ideas now, so we can hash
it out at the meeting.
NOTICE
EFFECTIVE
5/13/99
Operations Base will be referred to as Net Control Station or
NCS. This is the standard term used, and we are standardizing with all
other similar groups.
Thanks!
SKYWARN TESTED
Our
Skywarn nets were tested several times in the month of May. We even had a
Tornado Warning, and our spotters, along with ARES members skillfully
observed and reported rotation in the clouds. The repeater has been a
major asset in helping with the Skywarn program.
As we approach thunderstorm season, keep
these tips in mind.
- Make sure your NOAA weather alert radio
is ready, and in alert mode.
- Listen for the Hazardous Weather
Outlook each morning. It can be heard on the NOAA weather radio as part
of the regular broadcast. It can also be found on our web page.
- Remember, when any warning is issued,
it is an automatic activation.
Top
Flagler County Assist REACT Team
4800
P.O. Box 353021
Palm Coast Fl 32135
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