AERO, Auxiliary Emergency Radio Organization
has been organized to provide support to the public in becoming
effective emergency communicators by providing training, licensing,
drill and practice, and appropriate equipment.
It does this by acting directly and by supporting allied organizations with like goals.
Here is what we think is required to provide emergency communications for the citizens,
hospitals, and other agencies in San Francisco after the big one (please excuse the jargon, we are aiming to be a little precise):
Eight Portable Radio Stations
- station headquarters, operations and sleeping shelter
- emergency power (batteries and generator with gasoline)
- appropriate radios and antennas for intra-city and inter-city use
- supplies and equipment for operators
Four hundred operators:
These six folks represent the hundreds of similarly skilled operators we need--
people who have learned what they need to know and are ready, willing and able
to serve their community.
A disaster communications facility:
before.....
and
artist's conception after renovation
And an emergency communications site
that is securable in a disaster. A site has been identified
and preparations are underway to obtain a lease at a nominal rent.
What will all this cost? About $250,000 one-time expense.
Fueled and largely staffed by volunteers, a shoe-string budget is enough.
We need your support now. Mostly we need a statement in your own words
why you want post-disaster communications. That staying connected to
your friends and family is a need, not just a wish. Then we need some
money. Whatever you can spare without pain. You can send your contribution
to:
AERO c/o Dave Gomberg, Founder
7 Gateview Court
San Francisco CA 94116-1941
For a complete history of the AERO vision,
click here.
Questions? Email dave1 at sfwcf dot com or call 415-731-7793.
Last updated: April 2, 2007