So, as I'm sure you could probably guess, my trip to a disaster zone had a profound impact on my thinking. I've got another thread detailing my life plan and dream, which includes giving back to my community, but much of that is a staged action with the community end coming in at later dates. I've got a direction I can go now though, with short term benefit.
In the event of an emergency or disaster occurring locally, my family is my first priority and concern, but I know now I wouldn't be content to sit through a short term event once I know they're safe. I'd also like to be better equipped for trips to other areas. I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but we blew a tire on the trailer we borrowed and took to Joplin. There was no spare.
I'm working on a proposal to expand the emergency capabilities of my church - up to and including the formation of a nonprofit organization. With that in mind, what are the various paths I could follow on this? Thus far I have ideas to network with local officials up to county level (and any relevant federal agencies operating within the same). I'd like to establish contacts and form working relationships with other charitable agencies (such as the American Red Cross), as well as the local ambulance services and hospitals.
What are your thoughts on the pros and cons to these segments, and what am I missing?
I want to stock and maintain a disaster response trailer for local and domestic operations. 6'x12' tandem axle, ramp door utility trailers seem to be an operational standard to this end. I've seen that it can be air compressor and generator equipped to operate off grid. Ladder rack on top, and have shelves installed for tools and supplies. My personal outlook is to put the compressor and generator, and some form of welder at the nose, under a work bench (with cabinets above that) ahead of the side door.
I'm thinking to hang hoses, ropes, and landscaping tools such as shovels and rakes along one side of the trailer, and to install shelving along the other side for tools and supplies. From what I can tell, the largest pallet in use in N. America is 48"x40", and the next largest is 42"x42", so I'd like to keep an area 48"w open from the axles on back. That leaves an area 10"w x 5' long (per the trailer specs I referenced) on each side for the racks and shelves. I think that would also leave enough space to put a rolling tool chest opposite of the side door between the shelves and the work bench. Speaking of the side door, I believe an industrial first aid kit and a fire extinguisher would be appropriate there, so they're quickly accessible with the door open.
I'm also estimating that a couple of wheelbarrows would fit between a pallet and the rear door.
Moving again to the exterior, I think a roll up awning on one side or the other would be a good idea, but preferably on the door side if it will fit. Shade was at a premium in Joplin, and some protection from other elements could come in handy, along with it being located with the trailer. Finally, I don't know what it takes to establish a HAM repeater, but I'm considering mounting a triangular antenna tower on the tongue, near the front wall, as something of a multi-purpose ladder to reach the roof rack. I saw a wall mounted ladder on one trailer, and like the idea, so I decided to see if its viable to expand upon it. I thought that using an antenna tower as a ladder would (at the least) allow the addition of comms for ARES/ SAR operations, and also provide an elevated platform for floodlights.
So, with all that in mind, is it feasible? What quantities and types of tools/ supplies would you stock it with to equip a 10 man team for SAR, general construction, and demolition tasks? Can someone more knowledgable help me figure out which full sized passenger van offers a decent compromise between gas mileage and its towing capacity? This is assuming the trailer is fully loaded to a cargo capacity of 5,200 pounds, meeting its GVW of 7,000 pounds, and there is a full 10 man team in the van itself.
Finally, I mentioned examining the need/ feasibility of forming a nonprofit organization. One engaged in both foreign and domestic relief operations. One that works smaller operations like local food drives, emergency shelter from extremes in heat and cold... One that's flexible enough to be called upon by the community to fill various roles as they come along. I still need to research the probabiliies vs. the possibilities on this. Anyway, doing so, in my limited understanding, would seem to open a wealth of resources in equipping and operating such a venture. Assuming my super trailer is realistic, it would also be extremely costly to assemble, and that's not even considering the products required to distribute basic necessities to survivors/ refugees, the fuel to get it to them, the cost of housing/ feeding volunteers themselves...
The tools and resources are out there to make much of this possible. I've seen facets of what I've discussed in many different areas. Its a matter of learning what to do, what works, and what doesn't. I saw on a banner ad here that at least one university offers emergency management courses. I never considered that possibility, but to further my own education I'll be looking now for a reputable school offering them.
By the way, I love how many things are bouncing around in my head at any given moment.
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