NEW DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SOUTH AFRICA
A new disaster management system
for South Africa, bringing all 3 tiers of
government together to handle
disasters of any kind, is likely to be put in
motion by the end of this year.
It will require the national
government, every province and every
metropolitan and district municipality
to establish a disaster management
center, to cover disasters of
national, provincial or local nature,
including humanitarian aid to
those affected.
The present system focuses on
relief, while the new policy is based on a
White Paper, which emphasizes
steps to avoid and minimize human and economic
losses, including warnings to
the public about possible dangers.
Among key features of the new national disaster management system are:
* To ensure the reduction of
risk in cases of foreseeable danger;
* To build sufficient capacity
to respond to disasters;
* To give the national, provincial
or local government the authority to fund
post-disaster recovery; and
* To ensure "rapid and effective"
action to restore normality.
We, as Hamnet, have already been
approached for input from our side as to
how the Amateur Radio fraternity,
who are specifically trained for emergency
communication, can fit into
this new system.
Jan Schubart, ZS6ARV, has been
approached to supply the necessary
information to Henk van Elst,
who is an authority on the subject of disaster
management and we believe the
person who is responsible for the development
of the new system.
We look forward in anticipation
as to how the new system will work and where
we will fit into the scheme
of things.
GUJARAT (INDIA) EARHQUAKE STATISTICS
On January 26th at approximately
8:46 local time, an earthquake measuring
7.7 on the Richter Scale occurred
in western India. The epicenter was
placed approximately 69 kilometers
northeast of Bhuj in Gurat State.
According to the Government
of India, the earthquake impacted nearly 8000
villages in 21 districts, resulting
in 20,000 deaths, approximately 170,000
injuries and almost 16 million
people affected.
Damage to infrastructure exceeded
$453 million. Approx. 1 million houses,
23,000 schoolrooms were damaged
or destroyed and three hospitals, 21 primary
health centers, four community
health centers and 140 health sub-centers
were lost. In addition, the
earthquake disrupted water supply, sanitation,
electrical, communication and
transport systems. Destroyed mills, food
warehouses and irrigation structures.
At present, there are problems
in the following areas of the world. Floods
in India, the ongoing Checnya
problems, Afghanistan, the Great Lakes region,
the Balkans and West Africa.
HAMNET BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2001
COMPILED AND PREPARED BY FRANCOIS ZS6BUU
IN THE BULLETIN TODAY
Bulletins around the country
Outstanding Questionnaires
Hamnet Repeater Frequencies
Professionalism in Emergency
Communications
New Divisional Structuring
Final Database
News from around the country
HAMNET BULLETINS AROUND THE COUNTRY
Sunday mornings kick off with
Hamnet KZN. They start at O7H15 on their
local VHF repeaters with a relay
on 7.070Mhz by Wally ZS5WP.
Then there is the national Bulletin
on 10,130Mhz in the 30M band with a
relay on 7.070Mhz by Martin
ZS6MSG. In Gauteng, 145,700Mhz is also used for
a local transmission. The time
is 16:30 local until propagation improves
when it will revert to 17H00.
Next we have Gauteng North. Their
bulletin runs from 18H00 local on
145.725Mhz with a relay on 3,650
by Rudie ZS6DX.
Next is North West Province with
a club bulletin on Mondays at 19H00 local
on 3,750Mhz in the 80M band
as well as their local repeater on 145.737.5Mhz
output for those who already
fall into the new band plan.
Last but not least the Hamnet
Western Cape Province. They run a bulletin on
Wednesdays at 20H30 local on
3,674 relayed by Matt ZS1MJJ in the 80M band
and on their local repeaters,
145:625Mhz, 145:700Mhz, 145:750Mhz and various
other links.
Whatever you missed is available
in the Hamnet Website within the S.A.R.L.
Website under the heading "Hamnet
News regularly updated", or it may
have been sent to you by Packet
radio thanks to Rudie ZS6DX.
OUTSTANDING QUESTIONNAIRES
Please let me have the outstanding
Questionnaires as soon as possible. This
is hampering the issuing of
the new I. D. Card for Hamnet members. You may
recall, your official Bar Coded
I. D. number now forms part of the new card
and we need that number before
we can start issuing new Hamnet I. D. cards.
As far as possible, the new Database
has now been completed and will be
installed on to the Leagues
Computer during the next few days. At the
council meeting on 15 September,
we hope to have the Database available on a
CD for installation on any computer
and a copy for each Councilor.
HAMNET FREQUENCIES 2 METERS
The central Wits repeater as
it was known on 145,700 was removed from its
current location to a new location
to be run and maintained by the Sandton
Branch.
Hamnet does not "own" frequencies
if one can put it that way. The term we
use is "preferred" frequency.
On 2 Meters, 145,700Mhz countrywide has
always been regarded as the
"preferred" frequency for emergency
communication. This specific
frequency may not always be in a situation
where it can be accessed for
an emergency. In such cases an alternative
frequency may be "preferred"
and communication may continue on another
repeater or simplex frequency.
The demand on our services of
late has been quiet and we hope it will stay
that way. However, should an
emergency arise, we respectfully and in the
spirit of Amateur Radio, request
that 145,700Mhz still be regarded as a
first choice emergency communication
frequency.
On 7,070 in the 40 meter band
we again request that conversations continue
as usual but please be aware
that this is Hamnets "preferred" frequency for
emergency communication and
that we leave a reasonable pause for a station
to break in should there be
an emergency.
PROFESSIONALISM IN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.
It has come to my attention that
offering your service as a communicator in
any sporting or other events,
you will be taxed on your "Professionalism as
a communicator". Being a member
of Hamnet, is no passport to acceptance.
We need to prove our efficiency
when the chips are down. Can you meet those
requirements?
It may surprise you, but in countries
like America, Britain, Australia and
so on, becoming a select member
of an Emergency Communications Unit, you
need to prove yourself by way
of passing certain exams and other criteria to
ensure acceptance.
We do not lay down strict rules
at this stage, and I am aware of certain
modules having been compiled
by Jan Schubart ZS6ARV. I intend to have a
look at those modules but will,
at this stage, not enforce their completion
but make it voluntary.
But be aware of the level of
professionalism that is expected of us.
NEW DIVISIONAL RESTRUCTURING CODING
We still await the coding format
for the various Municipalities around the
country. It is essential that
we become aware of the various new councils
and name changes that have taken
place around the country.
As soon as this list becomes
available, it will be either distributed via
our Internet Website or by some
other means. My suggestions at present is
that should you get a call of
an emergency in some unpronounceable name,
please find out what this area
was called before the name change, to avoid
confusion.
HAMNET DATABASE FINAL LISTINGS
Herewith the current list call
signs only, of Amateur Radio Operators who
have indicated their willingness
to remain on as Hamnet members.
ZR1JPA ZR1PDT ZR1SBM ZR2T
ZR4DJ ZR4G ZR4MJ ZR5CW ZR5DES
ZR6DAN ZR6HF ZR6JHB ZR6MDK
ZR6NC ZS1BMT ZS1DFR ZS2AOZ
ZS2FM ZS2GIN ZS2IV ZS2MW
ZS2OC ZS2RT ZS2U ZS2W ZS3BR
ZS30C ZS4A ZS4AT ZS4C
ZS4EP ZS4HX ZS4JR ZS4KC ZS4PA
ZS4PK ZS4PV ZS4RN ZS4TV
ZS4VS ZS4ZR ZS5ABD ZS5BBO ZS5BP
ZS5CD ZS5GN ZS5GR ZS5IH
ZS5J ZS5JAN ZS5KD ZS5LP ZS5LS
ZS5M ZS5PJ ZS5Q ZS5R
ZS5SK ZS5TT ZS5TUB ZS5VE ZS5VO/6
ZS5WFD ZS5WI ZS5WP ZS5YG
ZS6ACT ZS6ALJ ZS6ANU ZS6APO
ZS6ARV ZS6AYC ZS6BBE ZS6BDL
ZS6BKO ZS6BML ZS6BNE ZS6BTM
ZS6BUU ZS6BXL ZS6BXP ZS6BYQ
ZS6CZI ZS6DX ZS6GC ZS6GMJ
ZS6HH ZS6HLJ ZS6L ZS6MCG
ZS6MWG ZS6NKM ZS6RX ZS6TY ZS6VB
ZS6VXN ZS6WAL ZS6WC ZS6XU
ZS6ZGL ZS6ZR Z21KI/R Z21KJ/R.
LATE CONFIRMATIONS
ZS6PHD ZS6GPM ZS6RAP ZS6MAC
ZS6AKI ZS6NS ZR1IKB ZS5HV
ZR6LDW ZS1B ZS2PJP -
One hundred and fourteen confirmed
to date. All unconfirmed members have
now be deleted from the list,
and the remaining confirmed members will form
the core of the new Hamnet Group
from which we will build our emergency
Communication Network.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
A newspaper clipping was faxed
to me from Tubby Waldeck ZS5TUB which
appeared in the local Amanzimtoti
newspaper. In fact it was an interview
with Tubby on his Amateur Radio
hobby. What was also good about the article
is the publicity that Hamnet
as an Emergency Organization of the S. A. R. L.
received.
Well done Tubby and thank your for sending me this clipping.
Apart from listening to the various
bulletins, should there be news from
your area for the main bulletin,
please send your contributions to either
jans@netdial.co.za <mailto:jans@netdial.co.za>
or francois@overflow.co.za
<mailto:francois@overflow.co.za>
.
Contributions are always welcome
and it also supplements the Sunday get
together on 10,130 and 7,070.
It also helps to ad some spice to the regular
Sunday bulletin.
Bulletin Ends