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Auxiliarist Receives Distinguished Award

Editor’s note: Auxiliarist Ron Tomo is a member of Flotilla 13-11, District 1-Southern Region. The original SITREP article citing Mr. Tomo’s contribution was published on April 16, 2010 and can be read in our “Past Stories” section. Reprinted with permission from the “ARRL Web” January 27, 2011
Tomo teaching locals

Tomo teaching local Haitian's how to use radios

All photos courtesy of NUMC (hi-res).
Ron Tomo, KE2UK, of North Bellmore, New York, is the recipient of the 2010 ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) International Humanitarian Award. Tomo’s life exemplified Public Service through Amateur Radio, from providing phone patches during the Vietnam War, and providing communications support during 9/11 with MARS (Military Amateur Radio System) and the United States Service Command, as well as serving in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary as a Communications Officer where he played a pivotal role during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Tomo also is a part of the Emergency Preparedness Team at the Nassau University Medical Center where he is the hospital’s Chief Information Officer.
Tomo assisting medical team

Tomo assisting medical team in surgery by holding flash light.

During the Haitian earthquake in January 2010, Tomo -- at his own expense -- served with a team of doctors, providing communication support between the on-site doctors and the hospital in Miami. According to Jack Satterfield, W4GRJ -- one of his many nominators -- Tomo provided critical communication links at multiple levels, “from coordinating helicopter relief to a stranded village, to handling emergency evacuations to the nearby USS Comfort hospital ship.

Ron even provided the extra hands needed to hold flashlights at the operating table when the power went out at night. He went on a rescue mission to help carry stretchers, bringing back patients to their facility. Ron has a polio-inflicted disability which never seemed to slow him down; however, in the dark and confusing night while carrying a stretcher, he missed a step and took a pretty bad fall. He needed medical attention, but Ron was adamant about seeing to the other patients before himself. His efforts while in Haiti were undoubtedly and directly attributable in the saving of so many lives.” patients.

US ARMY MARS

US ARMY MARS OP from "Airport 1", Ron Tomo, Dr. Soon-Shiong, Mr Alexis (Ran amusement park)

 

ARRL New York City/Long Island Section Manager Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, concurred: “At his own expense -- about $10,000 -- Ron purchased more than 15 new radios and added others from his massive collection which he used to set up a tactical network in a tent hospital. This network proved to be a lifesaving setup where Ron was personally credited by the doctors in his tent hospital for saving at least eight lives and helping hundreds more due to his ability to find hospitals to handle the patients who had been triaged and stabilized. Ron gave out his radios to several people and hospitals, thereby giving his hospital both incoming and outgoing communications to expedite the transport and intake of new patients.” The ARRL International Humanitarian Award is conferred upon an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human welfare, peace and international understanding through Amateur Radio. The ARRL established the annual prize to recognize Amateur Radio operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to others in times of crisis or disaster.

Haitians in line

Local Haitian's awaiting their turn at clinic staffed by NUMC staff

<COMMS & HQ set up in tent

COMMS & HQ Set Up for Tent Hospital in Bojeaux Parc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~GJA 02/05/11