What is an
Early Assessment Volunteer?
(EAV)
A
A trained EAV can help their community!
Here is where your Communication capabilities and training come into play. As an amateur radio operator or GMRS enthusiast your understanding of basic radio procedures and tools will become very important. At the heart of EAV is getting information out of the effected area and to First responders as soon as possible.
There will be no quicker way to accomplish this task than by radio communications. Through email, evening radio nets, in-field exercises, and this web site, you should gain the basic skills needed to do this effectively, whether transmitting on simplex or on the local repeater.
B
WHY do we need EAV?
Have you ever been in a serious storm such as a tornado or high wind situation? Perhaps trapped by a serious flood or maybe even a deadly blizzard? Whatever the dangerous event you may have witnessed, several emotions would have been very strong: loneliness, fear, confusion and disorientation.
Eventually, the event passes and the dust settles or the water will drain away. Fear may even temporarily diminish in intensity. However, with the sight of all the destruction and damage left behind the loneliness, confusion, shock and the sense of helplessness will spike for those affected by these events.
The first question for all will be, “when will help arrive”? First Responders will be doing their best to organize and bring aid to the area. But, what if the First Responders have been impacted as well? They could be delayed for hours or more by fallen trees, downed power lines, washed out or blocked roads. One may be waiting several hours to several days, and in some cases a week or longer.
C
WHAT does an EAV do?
The point is, no one knows when help will arrive. This lag time waiting on first responders, or for any kind of help as far as that goes, is an unknown! Meanwhile, people are hurting, power lines may be down. fires breaking out and people may be confused and disorientated.
This unknown time of waiting on First Responders, presents the EAV a golden opportunity to immediately offer aid within their own community. If your family and home are safe, and you feel confident to do so, cautiously and safely venture out into your neighborhood and start to gather information on the injured, observe dangerous situations that First Responders should be aware of, and offer assistance to the injured in any way you can.
You, as a EAV should be equipped to offer help to others. You can transmit important information to a communication center waiting for your radio call. They will relay your information to the appropriate authorities so that First Responders can prioritize their efforts and get help where it is most needed. Your willingness to be vigilant and ready to act may very well save an individual or possibly an entire family.