Local Amateur Radio Operators Simulate Emergency Drill

When Category III Hurricane Dave slammed ashore in Broward County on Saturday, October 6, 2007, with sustained winds of 110 miles per hour and gusts of 115, only a few citizens were aware of this dangerous storm. Those few were the local amateur radio operators conducting a simulated emergency drill from the Lauderhill Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and receiving reports called in by hams from the Red Cross, the Oakland Park EOC, various hurricane shelters and their mobile units.

Dave Wagner, WA2DXQ, Emergency Coordinator for the Broward Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), directed the drill, which was designed to give ham radio operators an opportunity to practice the skills necessary to provide reliable communications during actual disasters. Wagner said he hopes to conduct further drills from the EOCs of other communities in the county, giving each the chance to act in simulation of the Broward County EOC in Plantation.

Also participating in the drill were members of the other ham radio emergency organization, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). Together, the members of ARES and RACES support one another and the community in their effort to give truth to the motto of hams everywhere, "When all else fails, amateur radio works." Further information on the emergency capabilities of amateur radio can be found at http://www.emergency-radio.org/.

Following the drill, some of the participants visited the Fire-Rescue Station 73 open house at 7801 NW 50th Street, Lauderhill, where they demonstrated the amateur radio equipment installed in their vehicles.

Editor's Note: The Amateur Radio Operators (also known as Ham Radio Operators) have a club in Lauderhill and in Broward County. They are looking for those that have an interest in becoming involved. If so, contact:

Carl Zettelmeyer, WA4CZ
Public Information Officer
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
zettz@bellsouth.net
954-303-8548