Paul Smith

SAF-112Lightning safety Modified from original Mecklenburg County ARES training article by Earl Pack, AE5PA Avoid Dangerous Situations Shelter from the lightning If someone is struck by lightning Protecting your Radio Equipment from lightning. There is a very good set of articles on the Harris County ARES Training page about this subject. That concludes tonight’s training. … Read more

SAF-111Why lives Are Lost inSever Weather Conditions Author UnknownEdited 09/2022 to Optimize Cell Phone Displayby Paul Smith, K5PRS Many lives are saved during severe weather such as tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, etc. thanks to modern, advanced warnings, there are still countless lives lost. Why? “The tornado that struck Joplin offers important lessons about disaster preparedness,” … Read more

SAF-110Amateur Radio And Electrical Safety Author Unknown As part of our licensing process, electrical safety is covered in the training material however electrical injuries and incidents continue to occur. A motto of a very experienced-major world wide company is that “All incidents can be avoided”. At first you may think this is an impossible statement … Read more

SAF-109Carbon Monoxide Poisoning By Earl Pack, AE5PA CARBON MONOXIDE POISONINGCarbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, and nearly odor free gas. Like a few other gases, CO is more readily absorbed by the red blood cells (hemoglobin) than is oxygen. In fact CO binds irreversibly to hemoglobin. As a result, oxygen is displaced by carbon … Read more

SAF-108HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AND CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES From the City Of Houston Preparedness GuideModified 09/2022 for optimum cell phone displayby Paul Smith, K5PRS WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?Hazardous materials range from items that are flammable, corrosive, or can be irritating to the body’s natural processes. These hazards can exist during production, storage, transportation, use or disposal. Houston is … Read more

SAF-107Hide OR RunHurricane Characteristics Edited 09/2022 by Paul Smith, K5PRS Among other nasties, hurricanes are a particularly good source for spawning tornadoes. They also contain embedded cells of potentially lethal and destructive high winds which can lull the unwary. As these low-pressure systems spiral upward and gain power driven by warm surface air rising from … Read more

SAF-106How To Store GasolineFor An Emergency eHow ContributorEdited 09/2022 by Paul Smith, K5PRS If the power goes out or Mother Nature forces you to evacuate, you may need an emergency supply of gasoline. Extra gas will keep your generator running or keep your vehicle running when the gas stations go dry or loose power. The … Read more

SAF-103Heat Related Illnesses Here on the Gulf Coast we are not strangers to the extreme, summertime conditions of high temperatures coupled with high humidity. Events taking place during hot weather typically see heat illness as the bulk of the medical calls. You’ve probably way too often heard the line “it’s not the heat, it’s the … Read more

SAF-102Heat Advisory Updated 02 Aug 2025 by Paul Smith, K5PRS Here in the Houston Gulf Coastal area, we certainly are no strangers to the extreme summertime conditions of high temperatures and high humidity levels. Practicality dictates that we be aware of and take preparations to deal with these adverse weather conditions. “A heat advisory is … Read more

SAF-101Generator Safety Updated 09/2022 by Paul Smith, K5PRS Generators are a mainstay for prolonged EMCOMM work but they can be dangerous if not handled with respect. Tonight we will cover 14 important safety concerns to keep in mind when working on generators either at a base camp, at home or out in the field. That … Read more