LAST TUESDAY, DEC. 30, BENICIA experienced winds between 50 and 60 mph, with some resulting damage. What continues to inspire me and deepen my appreciation for the people of Benicia was represented in the email “chatter” I monitored from members of the Benicia Amateur Radio Club (BARC) during this wind storm. These dedicated men and women form the backup emergency communications for our community. With the tremendous support of our Benicia Fire Department, these HAMs hold regular meetings and training sessions, help aspiring radio amateurs prepare for licensing, and schedule radio license testing.

I am very proud to say that I, too, have my radio license thanks to BARC. My call sign is KI6AZV — or, if I were speaking with you, Kilo India Six Alpha Zulu Victor. Naturally, the reason for the International Phonetic Alphabet is to insure accurate transmission of information. Add a little (or a lot of) static to a radio transmission and letters like B, D, E, V, P, T can sound very much alike, and phonetics makes all the difference in the world as to the content of information.

The email chatter I read last week had to do with BARC members checking on one another’s antenna status, given the fierce winds. Len Corbaley — seen in the photograph above — led off the inquiry by asking, “Is your antenna standing?” One great reply came back: “My long wire is up against the house and my vertical has a sturgeon on it I think.”

Other reports indicated a snapped “Mashed Potatoes” fan and a three-element beam spun 45 degrees on its mast. Another member offered assistance with re-rigging and indicated he was prepared to weather the storm with spare equipment, food, water and charged batteries.

During emergency preparedness exercises, BARC members work alongside city of Benicia emergency staff. The BARC radio room is adjacent to the Fire Department’s training room. It is this room that serves as a command center during any real or simulated emergency events. BARC members (who are often Benicia Emergency Response Team — BERT — members, too) have drilled with BERT during their training sessions to relay critical information on damage, injuries and deaths. All this adds extra capacity to fire, police and city officials and staff during emergencies.

While I haven’t been active in the radio club, I do dial in to our local frequency channel (442.750) occasionally when I hear sirens or when I’ve felt a temblor. BARC members have always been alert to the pulse of the community and are ready to respond with information or assistance if needed.

In fact, as we start this New Year, it might be worthwhile to consider joining both the Benicia Amateur Radio Club and Benicia Emergency Response Team. BARC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Benicia Fire Station, 150 Military West. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:30. You can also sign up for the Yahoo Group Forum (I’ll put links below).

BERT usually schedules a spring training class that is tremendously informative. I think the BERT training is invaluable even if you don’t have time to be active in BERT; it gives you the skills and knowledge essential for preparing for and responding to a disaster.

Good intentions

It’s time to dust off our good intentions and restock that emergency food and water supply, put fresh batteries in flashlights, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and ensure our fire extinguishers have a full charge.

We are truly blessed with so many good people in Benicia who are ready, willing and able to be a “Neighbor Helping Neighbors.”

Learn more

• Benicia Emergency Response Team: beniciaccc.org/bertbeniciaccc.org/races/
• BARC on Facebook: facebook.com/BeniciaARC
• BARC Forum: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/beniciaarc/info
• Field test video of Buddipole Antenna: youtu.be/EAO0rOIVB6w

Constance Beutel is the chair of Benicia’s Community Sustainability Commission. She is a university professor and videographer and holds a doctorate from the University of San Francisco.