SATERN BOSTON

Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network

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#_What we do

SATERN is a corps of Amateur Radio volunteers who have united themselves with the Disaster Services program of the Salvation Army. This group provides the Salvation Army with the nucleus of their communications support system in the event of an emergency.

The Primary objectives of SATERN are:

1) To develop and maintain a corps of Amateur Radio operators, skilled in emergency trafficking and communications, to assist The Salvation Army during times of disaster.

2) Assist in training other Salvation Army personnel to access and use the resource of Amateur Radio for local, regional, national, and international disasters.

3) Development of training materials and exercises designed to enhance the use of Amateur Radio within the Salvation Army Disaster Services programs.

Any licensed Amateur Radio Operator is eligible to serve as a volunteer member of the SATERN team. The only restriction on a potential volunteer is that they cannot be currently serving as a communications volunteer for another major private relief agency such as the Red Cross. Volunteers may belong to RACES, ARES, Skywarn or any Amateur radio Club. The Boston Amateur Radio Club’s Emergency Response Team, BERT, is the primary radio support organization for Boston SATERN.

The Primary objectives of EDS are:

The Emergency Disaster Services Group in Boston responds with a canteen to all second or higher Boston fire alarms, and to calls for relief from surrounding communities. Additionally, the EDS automatically respond and alerts additional volunteers to any major disaster in Massachusetts, New England, or as assigned to by the Salvation Army EDS Director.

#_Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQ's about SATERN.

What is SATERN?

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network is a group of radio amateurs willing to assist with emergency communications in support of The Salvation Army's response in times of disaster, both foreign and domestic.

Do I have to belong to The Salvation Army in order to join SATERN?

To be a SATERN member, you need only believe in the Army's mission, and be willing to lend your radio expertise in support of the Army's response to your fellow man in times of disaster.

How much does it cost to join SATERN?

Not a penny--unless, of course, you wish to factor in the cost of your radio equipment, your license tests, and the power used to run your rigs...

Does SATERN conflict with ARES, RACES, or other radio disaster services?

Not at all! You may belong to any and all of those groups and still be a SATERN member. In fact, it is encouraged! MaSATERN currently has a

working MOU with E. Mass. ARES for both support, and in support of.

May I be a SATERN member if I don't have HF privileges?

Radio amateurs of ALL license classes can serve in times of emergency. Most communication occurs on VHF frequencies at a disaster site, and in ARES support activities. You may want to upgrade your license for HF privileges just for your own personal satisfaction, but it is not required. You are needed!

What is expected of me as a SATERN member?

At the very least, you will want to check into the nets occasionally to keep up with announcements and to make the acquaintance of other SATERN members. In times of disaster, you may want to take part, even if only standing by in case your radio services can be of assistance in passing health and welfare traffic. You may also have opportunities to be on a disaster site to provide radio communications in support of The Salvation Army's response. You can give as much or as little to the effort as your time, health, and radio equipment will permit.

What will I get out of being a SATERN member?

Financially, you will get nothing. SATERN is a volunteer organization. Spiritually, however, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have special equipment and skills available to serve those suffering from the horrors of natural--and, unfortunately, man-made--disasters. It goes without saying that anyone can be on the receiving end of destruction at any time. If it were you, wouldn't you feel better knowing there are SATERN members and The Salvation Army, world-wide, willing to step in and help your circumstances? What have you got to lose?

Can I help without being a radio operator?

Every incident requires more than communications. Here in Massachusetts, SATERN is part of the Emergency Disaster Services arm of the Salvation Army. EDS requires hundreds of volunteers to accomplish its goals. They provide the working response teams that are so necessary to feed, shelter, transport, and organize the forward and rear disaster groups.

How do I join SATERN? Or become a disaster volunteer?

We thought you'd never ask! All you need to do is fill out an application that tells us a little about you and your equipment. Applications for both SATERN and your local EDS Group are below. Simply print out the application, and mail it to:

Bill Foley – EDS Coordinator

147 Berkely St. Boston, Mass. 02116

617-338-4155 x-513

Bill or a SATERN Team Leader will contact you by phone or email to discuss your application. And welcome aboard!

Click on for Application Emergency Disaster Services Volunteering

SATERN Membership