Local hams respond

From Megawiki

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RACINE, WI- Local Amateur Radio Emergency Service operators were called into action after the outbreak of tornadoes in Kenosha county which destroyed houses and knocked out power late Monday afternoon. The operators, often called Hams, began providing support communications for the agencies responding to the disaster.

Volunteering their services, the Hams provided logistical communications at the two relief shelters which the Red Cross opened in Kenosha County. The Hams also operated a station at the Kenosha County Emergency Operation Center.

The areas hardest hit by the storm were the townships of Wheatland, Somers and the city of Kenosha. Riding along with Red Cross teams, the Hams began their communications routine helping relay assessments of the damage back to the American Red Cross building in Racine.

"Providing communications is essential." Said Alex Voss N9RGX, Assistant Emergency Coordinator for the Racine County ARES.

"Cellphones are not up to the task. When the teams deployed in the field need to call in their reports you don't want them fumbling with a cellphone. You can't have everyone calling the same phone number at once either. Having a dedicated person along who can radio the information back to the Red Cross is essential to get the time-valued information where it's needed fast." Voss said.

"Organization is key. We set up a communications network at the Red Cross building in Racine, outside of the affected area. As radio operators volunteer we assign them to a location. Keeping track of the location of each team member and their situation helps keep them safe. When a disaster strikes, we don't want to add any of our volunteers to the list of affected individuals." Voss said.

"We were ready to go when activated. I couldn't be more proud of our volunteers. We will work with the responding agencies as long as they need us. We'll take what we've learned this time and use it to improve our response in the future." Voss said.

"Amateur Radio Emergency Services is a completely voluntary organization that is dedicated and gets the job done, when all else is fails. I am very proud of the persons active in our organization, they get the job done for the agencies we serve, and the general public." Said Jim Markstrom ARES Emergency Coordinator for Racine County.

With about 20 radio operators deployed in the field, the Hams were able to provide effective communications for the responding agencies. The Racine County ARES meets weekly on Thursdays at the Volunteer Center of Racine County at 6216 Washington Avenue Suite G. Persons interested in learning more about Ham radio or emergency communications should contact Jim Markstrom, Racine County ARES Emergency Coordinator website: http://www.rcares.org or call (262) 909-3996.

###
-30-

Alexander Voss, N9RGX
Assistant Emergency Coordinator
Public Information Officer
Racine County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
http://www.rcares.org/
n9rgx@kr9rk.org
(262) 456-5309