BCF STUDENT RESPONDS TO DISASTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2008

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The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) student Brent Gay was part of the Emergency Communications (EmComm) unit for the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief team that was activated to respond to the recent hurricane areas of Texas. In addition to being a full-time student, part-time Information Technology employee at BCF, and pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Samson, AL, Gay is an amateur radio operator (aka HAM radio operator), Vice-President of the Chipola Amateur Radio Club, and the Jackson County Florida Assistant Emergency Coordinator.

After arriving in Texas City, TX, Gay was tasked with assessing the communication capabilities in the damaged area and determine if there was a communications emergency. According to Gay, a typical communications emergency is simply when communications are down to such an extent that life and property are at risk. Quickly the relief team determined that cellular phones were still operational even though they were 'sporadic' at times and Gay was told by the Texas City Police that their radios were working okay with some intermittent problems. The determination was made that while communication was not optimal, there was not necessarily a communications emergency.

After assessing the communications capabilities in the affected area, the primary objective then became supporting the feeding unit that was part of the disaster relief team. Communications then became important in the recovering process since the feeding units were stationed at two separate staging areas/locations. Gay was able to use his VHF radio to speak with another HAM operator at the other staging area to facilitate the assistance provided to the devastated area. The EmComm unit was also responsible for giving out radios to people on the team so they could communicate while driving and working in the affected area.

Understanding the importance of email communication, Gay was able to set up a Winlink 2000 (WL2K) which enabled the relief team to send emails without internet capabilities. "After setting up the program," stated Gay, "I sent a test message to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) by communicating to another HAM radio station in the Cayman Islands using the WL2K system. NAMB then responded that they received the test message. The other HAM operators that I was with were very happy to have that working." Gay also installed a Verizon Aircard in one of the laptops in the trailer which enabled workers to connect to the Internet through the cellular system.

In addition to working in communication with Hugh Cater, KE4CRO, and Don Miller, N4ZUV, Gay also acted as a runner between the two staging areas and assisted vehicles that drove up to receive food and water. "I explained to them the process they would go through as they approached the end of the line to ensure a smooth and speedy line," stated Gay. "I listened to them as they shared their heart about the hurts they had experienced due to the hurricane. The expression was the same on many of the people--a blank glazed look. However, after listening to them share their heart and telling them how the process would work as they went through the line, when I told them that I was doing this to serve them and the Lord, their countenance always seemed to change. They would look at me directly in the eyes and say, 'Thank you.' But what was really different was the look on their face. After hearing that I was there to serve them and the Lord, their face transformed to a look of hope. It is hard to put in words what happened after I told them that. It seemed to make a difference to them that I was not simply there to provide communication, be a runner, or tell them how to pick up their food and water, instead, I was there to meet their needs, serve them, and serve the Lord. That is why I went-to love others and to love the Lord. After all, that is what Jesus said are the greatest commandments and I believe that to be the main thing."

Extremely impressed by the number of volunteers and relief teams from each state, Gay stated, "It makes me proud to be a Southern Baptist knowing that we are fulfilling the greatest commandments in such a meaningful way to people that are desperately hurting."