Text alerts from NOAA less is more and lessons learned

The site declares that it is an experimental weather alert service for your mobile device. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/cte.htm Lessons learned from Katrina and press releases from the GSM World News indicate an increased usage of cell phones. What the NOAA website offers is wonderful, however, not all cell phones will be able to view alerts. Those cell phones with text only access and no web access will not be able to receive alerts. It leaves out the “little guy” who does not have a major cell phone carrier. You can read more about the 2005 report from GSM World News here http://www.gsmworld.com/news/press_2005/press05_36.shtml .

Today is the last day of the NWS web services via wireless technology poll:
http://www.weather.gov/survey/nws-survey.php?code=cell

I know of only one website that offers to send an SMS for free via the internet. Of course, sometimes when phones do not work, your DSL or cable might. This is all pending you have electricity and a computer, of course. http://www.txtdrop.com can deliver a text message via the internet.

If I’m wrong, let me know. This may be helpful.

NOAA Poll
http://www.weather.gov/survey/nws-survey.php?code=cell

Free Text Message via the internet
http://www.txtdrop.com

Where are the FEMA trailers in Louisiana?

From Tri-Parish Times

Trailers from Katrina remain

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Nearly 10,000 federally issued trailers and mobile homes remain in Louisiana nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina _ and with attention now on Gustav.

Of those, about 2,880 remain in New Orleans, most in front of homes people are trying to rebuild following Katrina.

As of Wednesday, more than 1,000 remained in each St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Calcasieu parishes, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. St. Bernard was virtually wiped out by Katrina; Calcasieu was hit by Hurricane Rita, in September 2005.

Latest update: Aug 29, 2008 – 08:16:28 am PDT

What is MRC?

Technical issues on LAVA August 31, 2008

From LAVA website, click register now, click Download Responder Guide comes up ZIPPO – return to front page register.

From May 2008 PDF on LAVA

https://www.lava.dhh.louisiana.gov/la/LAVA_May.pdf

MRC Units in Louisiana are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promotes healthy living throughout the year. MRC Units are provided specific areas to target that strengthen the public health infrastructure of their communities. Please help support your local MRC unit in strengthening the public health infrastructure in Louisiana by volunteering. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members-interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others-can fill key support positions. As we approach hurricane season, please contact your
local MRC for additional information about how you can volunteer in your community.

Acadiana Medical Reserve Corps (AMRC)
Post Office Box 60488
Lafayette, LA 70592
Dr. Andy Blalock
337-852-8771
Calcasieu Medical Reserve Corps
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Angela Jouett
337-475-3217
City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton
Rouge
3773 Harding Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70807
MRC Coordinator
225-389-2100
Jefferson Parish Medical Reserve Corps
1887 Ames Blvd
Marrero, LA 70072
Kenneth Padgett
504-349-5360
New Orleans Area Regional Medical Reserve Corps
1300 Perdido Street
Ste. 8 E 18
New Orleans, LA 70112
Badwi Amin
504-371-2485
Northwest Louisiana Medical Reserve Corps
1511 Doctor’s Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111
Terry Strain
318-425-5351
Plaquemines Parish Medical Reserve Corps
8344 Hwy. 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Benny Puckett
504-391-2004

From MRC website:

http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/state.asp?state=22

Acadiana Medical Reserve Corps (AMRC) View on Map 825 Kaliste Saloom Road Brandywine 3, Suite 100 Lafayette, LA 70508 Jennifer Doucet 337-262-5644

Calcasieu Medical Reserve Corps View on Map 707- A Lake Charles, LA 70601 Angela Jouett 337-475-3217

City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge View on Map 3773 Harding Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70807 MRC Coordinator (225) 389-2100

Jefferson Parish Medical Reserve Corps View on Map 1887 Ames Blvd Marrero, LA 70072 Kenneth Padgett 504-349-5360

New Orleans Area Regional Medical Reserve Corps View on Map 1300 Perdido St. Ste. 8 E 18 New Orleans, LA 70112 Badwi Amin 504 371 2485

Northwest Louisiana Medical Reserve Corps View on Map 1511 Doctor’s Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 Terry Strain 318-425-5351

Plaquemines Parish MRC View on Map 8344 Hwy. 23 Belle Chasse, LA 70037 Guy Laigast 504-391-2004