Every once in a while I get asked what do I do when I volunteer my time with the California OES. Well, this is one thing that I do. It's called OASIS or the Operational Area Satellite Information System. Basically it's a portable telephone with a really big antenna and on wheels. During forest fires or other emergencies, like the Southern California Wild Fires from last October, the OES will send this out so that the incident command post has telephone and internet access. The system has 24 phone lines and has internet capabilities. Unfortunately, the internet speed will slow down when their are more users accessing the internet.
For the most part, the volunteers for the CA OES wait for the official start of fire season. I bet you didn't know that California had a fire season. Yep, it pretty much takes the place of the end of fall and most of winter. So in California, those two 'natural seasons' are replaced with fire season. So we spend the 'off season' doing show and tells and fixing things on the OASIS trailers.
When fire season does start and we are called out to provide communications, we get to see some really nice country..
Get to know the 'neighbors'...
But the sleeping accommodations are a little to be desired...
But all fun aside, it's something that I enjoy doing even if I don't get paid for doing it. If you every find that you want something else to do, volunteer and help your community. I suggest a good place to start is to find a local CERT or Community Emergency Response Team. Your not committed to any monthly meetings, just go through the training and be ready to help out in your community when an emergency happens. And if your 'adventurous', why not get your Technicians Ham Radio License while your at it!
TTYL… The California Fire Season officially starts in a couple of months!
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