CT Region 3 ARES

Press Release

Connecticut Ham Radio Operators Simulate & Prepare for Crisis Nov 14th

Please contact: Wayne Gronlund in East Lyme, CT at 860-917-6472

East Lyme, Connecticut, November 14th – Should a Natural or Man made Crisis strike Connecticut in the future, this weekend Amateur Radio Operators across the state will be using emergency powered radios, backup power systems and other radio based technologies while working with state and local agencies across Connecticut to establish both radio and data communications networks, which can be used should there be a failure or overload of normal services.

The Amateur Radio operators provide both voice and wireless data communications between the many government and volunteer agencies which are needed in disasters. “This is a critical and welcomed role that we provide to public service agencies at absolutely no cost” said Wayne Gronlund, Section Emergency Coordinator of the CT Amateur Radio Emergency Service. “Our fabric of systems can operate, without grid power, beyond the reach of many public systems.”

America was abruptly reminded of the critical role of Amateur Radio in 2005 as amateur operators, often called “hams,” came from all over the country to provide emergency communications when other systems failed during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  This year the work of the Amateur Radio operators continued and provided lifesaving services in many floods and wildfires around the country.  Because of the complexity of today’s normal communications systems, even if they remain functional, they are often overwhelmed in a major disaster.  These painful lessons are being tested again, on November 14^th, as Amateur Radio operators around Connecticut will conduct their well organized annual Simulated Emergency Test.

More Background on Amateur Radio, ARES and its role.

Organized into the Amateur Radio Emergency Service by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, trained Amateur Radio volunteer operators from across the country respond to the calls for aid when needed.    Despite cell phones and satellites, every year has seen many situations in which they have been called upon in critical times needing expert communications to keep an emergency from turning into a disaster.  They provide their services and equipment freely to their communities.  They are “Amateurs” only in that they are not paid, but their service in a crisis can be priceless.

This year, Amateur Radio operators will be replicating many scenarios which have crippled normal communications in the recent past.  These include flooding, wildfires, bombings ice storms, hurricanes and earthquakes.  Something new for this year are plans for responses in case of pandemic flu and the probability that large populations will need to shelter at home and not go out.   The hams have the slogan, “When all else fails – Amateur Radio works!”   According to Allen Pitts, Amateur Radio operator W1AGP, “The hams of the ARRL, the national Amateur Radio association, take that saying and promise very seriously.”

What are some recent disasters where authorities needed Amateur Radio aid?

·         Earthquake in Hawaii—2006

·         Flooding in Northeastern States—2006

·         Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita—2005

·         Wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico—2005

·         Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne—2004

·         Tsunami in Asia—2004

·         Earthquake in Central California—2003

·         Hurricane Isabel—2003

·         Northeast Blackout—2003

·         Shuttle Columbia Recovery Effort—2003

·         Wildfires in Colorado—2002

·         Flooding in Kentucky—2002

·         World Trade Center, Pentagon and Western

·         Pennsylvania Terrorist Attacks—2001

·         Tropical Storm Allison—2001

·         Fires in Los Alamos, New Mexico—2000

·         Hurricane Floyd—1999

·         Flooding in Texas—1998

·         Hurricane Georges—1998

·         “500-Year Flood” in N.D. and Minn.—1997

·         Western U.S. Floods—1997

·         Hurricane Fran—1996

·         TWA Plane Crash—1996

·         Oklahoma City Bombing—1995

What do Amateur Radio operators do during and after disasters?

Amateur Radio operators set up and operate organized communication networks locally for governmental and emergency officials, as well as non-commercial communication for private citizens affected by the disaster. Amateur Radio operators are most likely to be active after disasters that damage regular lines of communications due to power outages and destruction of telephone lines.

How do Amateur Radio operators help local officials?

Many radio amateurs are active as communications volunteers with local public safety organizations. In addition, in some disasters, radio frequencies are not coordinated among relief officials and Amateur Radio operators step in to coordinate communication when radio towers and other elements in the communications infrastructure are damaged.

What are the major Amateur Radio emergency organizations?

Amateur Radio operators have informal and formal groups to coordinate communication during emergencies. At the local level, hams may participate in local emergency organizations, or organize local “traffic nets” using VHF (very high frequencies) and UHF (ultra high frequencies). At the state level, hams are often involved with state emergency management operations. In addition, hams operate at the national level through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) which is coordinated through the American Radio Relay League and its field volunteers, and through the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) which is coordinated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  In addition, in areas that are prone to severe weather, many hams are involved in Skywarn, operating under the National Weather Service.

Is Amateur Radio recognized as a resource by national relief organizations?

Many national organizations have formal agreements with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other Amateur Radio groups including:

• Department of Homeland Security – Citizen Corps

• Federal Emergency Management Agency

• National Communications System

• American Red Cross

• Salvation Army

• National Weather Service

• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials

To Learn More:
For Interviews and live  audio/video of activities, contact E. Jonathan Hardy at kb1kix@arrl.net.

The best way to learn about Amateur Radio is talking to hams face-to-face.   To find out how to get started and who to contact in your area, call or write:

The American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111

Telephone 1-800-32 NEW-HAM                                  www.arrl.org/hamradio.html