One of the best ways radio amateurs can serve their communities is to participate in Skywarn, ARES, RACES, and CERT programs offered by local and state governments. Amateur Radio operators provide the communications backup necessary to protect your friends and neighbors during an emergency.
KLBK reporter Jacie Brianne offers a look at how radio amateurs in Lubbock, Texas help maintain vital communications during emergency weather situations, such as tornadoes, which are common in West Texas. Ms. Brianne discusses the topic with Steve Cobb, who heads the South Plains Storm Spotting team, which provides real-time information for forecasters and keeps communications open between local government and first responders.
Steve describes what his team does for Lubbock, Texas:
“The amateur radio team is not only important during the event or prior to the event setting up for the storms but also even after following a severe weather outbreak or catastrophic weather event. I know the Wichita Falls, Texas tornado and also the Lubbock, Texas tornado here in the 70’s, both of those cases the amateur community was huge in allowing us to have constant communications after the storms passed.”
“The ham radio system is older technology technology but when a storm takes down other modes of communication it can still operate giving local first responders and law enforcement a fall back for when an emergency strikes. “
Cobb said, “We have a very active storm spotting team here in Lubbock. The amateur radio group, the South Plains Storm Spotting team, they have a rigorous training program that they go through not only our annual skywarn preparation training but they also have a ride along where they ride so that they do understand all the risks and how to manage themselves during a storm spotting episode.”
If you wish to help your community, become an active volunteer in ARES, RACES, Skywarn, or CERT programs.
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Please send your Hawaii Island Amateur Radio news items to kh6jrm@arrl.net at least two weeks prior to your event so I can notify our local print and broadcast media in a timely manner.
Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated.
