The recent severe weather storm that resulted in flooding, deaths, damage etc. was once again proof that the Western Cape is a disaster prone area from time to time. The question need to be asked whether we as radio amateurs are ready to provide emergency communications in South Africa? No I am not going to answer this question but in this posting I will rather reflect on the preparedness of radio amateurs in the past during the Knysna Fire Storm in June 2017. The reason why I will use the Knysna Fire Storm as an example will be quite clear if you listen to the Podcast.
Podcast file at the bottom of this page.
Herewith a few images of the Knysna Fire. (Photographers unknown but thanks to them we can now commemorate the event)
Listen to the audio file underneath to learn more about the contribution of Amateur Radio especially AREDN during this horrific disaster:
