(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Anyone interested in amateur radio is invited to learn how they can help one of the world’s oldest disaster relief organizations in its communications efforts.
The Inland Empire’s Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, also known as SATERN, will hold its 13th Annual Introduction and Seminar on Saturday, Jan. 31. This free event takes place from 8:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps, 746 W. Fifth St., San Bernardino. It’s open to the public and includes a complimentary lunch.
SATERN relies on amateur or shortwave radio, a technology that’s been around since before World War II, but is growing more sophisticated. These radios allow two-way communication across areas of about 200 miles, so SATERN uses them to communicate among its own members who are participating in a Salvation Army disaster relief effort, and with the emergency workers they’re helping.
The Salvation Army has helped in just about every disaster that has broken out over the last century, including fires, earthquakes, floods and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Inland Empire Corps’ most recent disaster relief efforts were during the Triangle Complex fire near Corona last year.
“Amateur radio is a great hobby and participating in SATERN is a great way to turn that hobby into something that helps our Inland Empire tremendously,” said Tony Stephen, Inland Empire SATERN Committee member. “If more people join us, we will be able to deliver communications more effectively during the next fire or other disaster that hits our area.”
After a sign-in time, the seminar gets underway at 9 a.m. The first speakers are Trace Wilette, a member of the Inland Empire’s SATERN committee and Capt. Stephen Ball, executive officer of the San Bernardino Corps. They will provide an introduction to SATERN.
From 9:30 to 9:45 a.m., members of SATERN and American Radio Relay League will introduce themselves. American Radio Relay League is an amateur radio organization separate from The Salvation Army, but whose members also are involved in disaster relief.
The next speaker is Jay Jones, an amateur radio operator and University of La Verne biology and biochemistry professor. Jones will speak on “A View of the Future,” providing a look at what he believes the future of amateur radio’s role in disaster relief will be.
From 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Suzi Woodruff Lacey, director of public relations for The Salvation Army’s Western Division, will speak on “SATERN’s Role in Critical Communications. Lacey will explain how SATERN provides vital communication services on several fronts during disasters, such as between its own members, to the rescue workers they’re assisting and to the public. Rescue workers frequently rely on SATERN to help those displaced in a disaster communicate their whereabouts to out-of-town family, and to provide media with information that will help keep everyone safe and well-informed.
After lunch, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Marty Woll, vice director of American Radio Relay League, addresses one of the latest technologies in amateur radio, Near Vertical Incident Skywire. Amateur radio requires use of an exceptionally large antenna, and NVIS technology allows operators to erect the antenna at an angle that will maximize their opportunity to successfully send and receive radio transmissions at the upper end of their range, perhaps as far as 300 miles.
So it will have an accurate lunch count, SATERN asks those attending to RSVP, either by email to ke6jzf@verizon.net or by calling Stephen at (909) 628-2843. He’s also accessible through amateur radio by contacting KE6JZF.
For more information go to the website www.satern.net or ,contact Stephen.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
SATERN Showcases Effective Disaster Communication Tool
Black Chamber Plans Leadership Summit
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce will discuss how to positively impact community, political and economic issues when it holds its Black Leadership Summit on Friday, January 30.
Black elected officials, their representatives, chief executive officers, business owners, managers and pastors have been invited to attend this event. This is the first of what the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hopes will become an annual event.
The goal of the summit is to determine three specific topics for the Chamber’s concentration during 2009. The invited guests have been asked to send in questions and comments regarding community, political and economic issues, which will be reviewed prior to the day of the summit to determine which community concerns should be discussed at the summit.
Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and Dameron Communications is hosting the event. “Working together to help each other succeed” is the main goal of this summit,” he said. “Despite the economic downturn we can make this a great 2009.”
This summit will also inform community leaders about important topics, including the current budgets of the State of California, Riverside County and San Bernardino County.
Wilmer Amina Carter, California State Assembly Member, 62nd District, will discuss the State of California’s budget.
“It is important that we acknowledge the contributions and the excellence practiced by business owners, executives, government agencies and organizations, such as the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, who are dedicated to Black business development,” said District 62 Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, a Rialto small business owner who has introduced a bill that would provide technical assistance for individuals who want to start up microenterprises.
Robert Byrd, Riverside County auditor and controller, will speak on the economic overview and Riverside County budget. He will also moderate the discussion on economic issues.
“This event will raise the consciousness of people about economic, political, and community issues and will make them want to get involved,” Byrd said.
Keith Lee, Deputy Administrative Officer for San Bernardino County, will moderate the discussion on political issues. Carolyn Murray, professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, will moderate the discussion of community issues.
Eddie Catoe, Government Relations Executive of Dameron communications is coordinating this event The co-host committee includes State Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod, Assembly Member Carter, Deputy Administrative Officer Lee, San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, Fontana Council Member Aquanetta Warren, Rialto Council Member Deborah Robertson, Rialto City Clerk Barbara McGee
The guests will be served a continental breakfast and lunch. They will receive a CD containing an Excel spread sheet with contact information for all attending the event; the Final Health Care Report, prepared by Dr. Diane Woods of the African-American Health Institute of San Bernardino County; The State of Black California, a report from the California Legislative Black Caucus; The Inland Empire in 2015, a report from the Public Policy Institute of California; John Husing’s 2008 economic report; and information about the Inland Empire Community Calendar & Cultural Events, www.ie-community.com and how one can add an event to this calendar.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Gingerbread Houses a Sweet Treat at Salvation Army's Hospitality House Shelter
Jessica Davis, 8, of San Bernardino, looks at some of the gingerbread houses that had just been donated to the Salvation Army. Jessica had come to the Salvation Army with her grandmother on the day the Job Corps visited to volunteer, as it was busy then creating holiday gift packages for those less fortunate.
Gingerbread house donated by Inland Empire Job Corps.
Inland Empire Job Corps students, including Janna Maples, Theo Rodriguez and Jorge Galdanez, foreground baked gingerbread houses before Christmas and donated seven of them to the Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino.(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The hot daily meal and warm beds at The Salvation Army’s Hospitality House always attract up to 96 homeless people, but for a short time before Christmas things were even sweeter.
On Thursday, Dec. 18, the guests had seven gingerbread houses to enjoy, courtesy of the culinary arts students at the Inland Empire Job Corps. These houses made festive decorations throughout most of that day, but were on the menu for desert that night.
“The kids are going to love these,” Hospitality House Director Roosevelt Carroll said after the Job Corps delivered their sweet creations. “It’s a blessing for them to even see a gingerbread house. Then they will eat them piece by piece.”
Even if they knew their creations would be quickly eaten, baking and decorating these and 13 other gingerbread houses were a labor of love for the young people enrolled in the Job Corps program. After all, if it weren’t for the federally funded training program that also gives these 16- to 24-year-olds a place to live, many of them would be struggling too.
“What we did makes us feel good,” said Theo Rodriguez, one of the student bakers.
“We’re giving to people who need help more than we do,” said another baker, Jorge Galdanez.
Job Corps also gave gingerbread houses to Maple House, a residential program in
San Bernardino for people recovering from substance abuse and their children.
“This definitely was a lot of work,” said Monica Zapata. “But it was a wonderful experience.”
The students spent anywhere from two days to a week cutting templates for the walls of the gingerbread houses, baking, and decorating them. They worked under the guidance of Job Corps Instructor Michael Gurd, who is like a father to many of them.
“Chef Michael is my father,” said Aric Ianni. “I grew up without a dad, so he has been that role model for me.”
Job Corps’ culinary students, including the 10 who came to The Salvation Army, plan on careers as chefs in restaurants, on cruise ships and as caterers. They’re learning the basics of commercial food preparation in the San Bernardino program and can obtain advanced training at another Job Corps program in San Francisco if they choose.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
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