2006 Miramar - FirstDay 10.13.06

Well we were involved in 5 rescues today…and had a phenomenal BBQ…. but more on that later…

The day started at …well I just never went to bed last nite…..as I found it easier to be at Miramar at 6:30AM if I just stayed up all nite… (I am not a morning person… although I doubt if I can do this for 3 days straight)…..

At 6:30 AM we loaded the Sheriff’s van full of all sorts of food that Dan Thompson, KD6QYF was kind enough acquire for us… Next Year we need a person dedicated to the logistics (Food and Borrowed Rigs) and a Work Party Manager…

We arrived bright and early on the tarmac and set up… then we had a Detailed Briefing on Net Control Procedures and Scribe Operations.  Everyone was given an opportunity to sign up to be net control and scribe.. For many of them, this was the first time that they had been allowed to work for ARES at those levels… and everyone agreed that it was an excellent hand on learning experience

During the Briefing Carlos Flores, San Diego County EMS Coordinator for the Air Show addressed our group on the very important role ARES plays at the show.  He indicated that SDGARES are now upgraded to primary backup communications providers for EMS at the show.  He visited our Mobile Command Post  ( which was very neat and clean when he arrived) and discussed EMS Mass Casualty Procedures with the group… He expressed his pleasure to see us there as his backup….

So you guys who are standing by on EMS Callouts and Phone Trees… need to understand that you are very, very appreciated by the professionals

The Golf Cart proved to be a Godsend… we were able to move responders quickly to the field where they were needed and we ended up conducting searches from the vehicle… Next year…we need to find a way to get even more…

Our rescues included 2 juveniles… and 3 Alzheimer’s patients..  This was ½ of last year… As usual, the culprit was California Veterans Home who disgorged a busload of elderly veterans with little regard for their safety..  and expected Alzheimer’s patients to fend for themselves without supervision… Several ended up in Medical and one went to Hospital by Ambulance….

The Highlight was the BBQ…  Our food looked, smelled and tasted very good  Gary Kent W6GDK was a great chef..… So far, the BBQ was a great idea… we fed the Marines and the Lost and Found Ladies which made everyone very friendly…Pat is planning Breakfast Jacks (Eggs, Ham and Bacon? On a Bun) plus lunch and diner… With Pat’s gourmet innovations, we are over the original $200 budget… but everyone put some money into our donations jar… especially to cover the Marines… so if everyone continues to be so generous.. we will be well under budget…  Somehow RACES managed to scrounge up the free meals from the Marines… but we heard a lot of chatter on the RACES net that the SDGARES BBQ sure smelled a lot better than their box lunches….

The ID Vests were a hit and a couple of responders liked them so much that they purchased theirs from SDGARES.

If the weather cooperates … there will be several hundred thousand people on base tomorrow and our leisurely nets of today will be very busy tomorrow…

And finally….the photo shoot of Day 1 is below 

Hopefully some better photographers will show up tomorrow….

BBQ Setup
BBQ Setup
Chefs
Chefs
Bob at Briefing
Bob at Briefing
MultiTasking
MultiTasking
Hospital Net
Hospital Net
QST, QST
QST, QST
Dan in Cart
Dan in Cart
Dan Up Close
Dan Up Close
Dan in RACES Van
Dan in RACES Van
Page:  1  2 
[Prev ]      [Next ]