Recently, while preparing dinner, a fire started in and under my BBQ.  Fortunately, I had a fire extinguisher handy and discharged it on the fire. The fire seemed to be extinguished but then started up again.  I needed help.

 Using my Baofeng 888 handheld radio, I transmitted an emergency request for help.  Immediately, a retired Almaden Valley fire captain responded to my house and helped me make sure the fire was out and showed me how to monitor the situation to make sure it didn’t restart.  I’m very grateful for AVPSN and my neighbors.

Editor's Note:
For two nights after this fire, there were lengthy discussions on the nightly AVPSN radio network check-in. Participants shared lessons learned,  the importance of having at least one fire extinguisher in the home, checking regularly to make sure it is charged, checking the expiration date, how to dispose of an old extinguisher or get it recharged.

While relaxing in my home, I heard a unidentified noise in another room. I went to investigate and saw a person in my back yard taking the screen off a window to my bedroom. He was about to break the window when he spotted me watching him through the patio sliding glass door. Immediately, he raced out of the backyard and I saw him run down the street. First, I called 911. Twelve minutes later the police arrived. In the meantime, I used my Baofeng 888 hand held radio to transmit a "Be on the Lookout" message to all my neighbors. Since the burglar was gone, I didn't need immediate assistance. However, with mutliple neighbors on the lookout they could provide valuable information on the location and direction of travel for the police.

During this incident (and for several hours) the adrenalin was pulsing in my system and my responses were on automatic. That evening during the 7:45 AVPSN radio network check-in, I asked the group if there was anything I should have done different. A lengthy discussion in sued covering all the do's and don'ts, options, and recommendation like put a lock on the gates, and don't leave bricks near the windows. I'm grateful for the feedback and I'm sure that the other members on the net also learned from the discussion.

Thank you AVPSN!

The communication AVPSN provides is essential. We learn new tools each evening. We discuss our neighborhood crime and safety. We learn to protect our family and property.  We learn fire safety and emergency preparation. Most recently half of Almaden Valley lost power. I had power but no landline, cell or internet which meant I could not call 911. So it was critical that I had an AVPSN battery operated radio which could be used to request help or relay a 911 call for me. They kept me updated on current weather and local emergency news. AVPSN was many neighbors only news source during the power outage. Thank you for being there 24/7.