SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX007
ARLX007 Hams help in train crash

ZCZC AX53
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 7  ARLX007
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  March 7, 1996
To all radio amateurs

SB SPCL ARL ARLX007
ARLX007 Hams help in train crash

Ham radio stepped in to help after a freight train carrying liquid
propane derailed early on the morning of March 4 in Weyauwega,
Wisconsin.  One tanker car exploded, and others caught on fire.  As
of March 7, six cars carrying liquid propane were burning.
Authorities have evacuated 1700 residents of the town, west of
Appleton in Waupaca County, fearing another explosion.  Fire
officials say the fire may burn for several days, and residents
won't be allowed back in until the fire burns itself out.  Among
those evacuated were residents of two nursing homes.

Waupaca County EC Bob Krueger, N9BKF, said the Wisconsin Division of
Emergency Government called the hams in immediately after the
incident.  He reported that ARES volunteers from several counties
were working in three shifts around the clock to provide
communication for emergency personnel and for the American Red
Cross, which has set up two shelters in the town of Waupaca.
Krueger, who's also RACES officer for Waupaca County, said the
Amateur Radio network is using a couple of 2-meter repeaters to
support communication at the incident command post and at a staging
area back from the scene.  He said ham radio was helping to relieve
the burden on the public service communication system and would be
available if telephone systems should fail.  Hams also were
providing health-and-welfare traffic.

RACES volunteers were handling long-haul traffic from the scene on
75 meters to the state Division of Emergency Government and the Red
Cross in Madison, the state capital.
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/EX