46. “Equipment will be lost, damaged or stolen, and may never be accounted
for.”
COMMENT: When I was working in Disaster Health Services, the Red
Cross nurses had a saying: “Two things to leave at home when you go on a
disaster assignment are your valuables...and your values.” I always carry my
values with me, but the idea here is that you will encounter many victims with
VERY different values than yours.
A disaster scene is not the place to be judgmental. As to valuables: hams (and other volunteers) may have some very expensive gear that they have bought with their own hard earned money on assignments. ALWAYS keep a close eye on your own stuff (as well as other’s).
Or, keep it locked up in a vehicle or other secure place.
Experience has taught us that thieves often prowl disasters, or other emergency
scenes, looking for “an easy score”. It is also a good idea to
have your radios and other valuable gear marked with your call sign or some
other “code”, and keep a record (at home) of the serial numbers. -
de K6SOJ