EmComm In North Alabama

So I guess sitting on the sidelines is not one of my strengths (at least that's what my wife says!). I've been back in Huntsville for just a pinch over a year now and find myself serving as the District 6 Emergency Coordinator for ARES. I've been spending some time getting to know the hams serving in the leadership positions in the district and thought I'd take the opportunity to share a little about myself and my thoughts for the District.

EmComm and the Amateur Operator

As we are all aware, one of the four underlying justifications for the amateur service is public service. In almost every area of the country and state, this takes the form of some type of auxiliary communication network in the event of an emergency. Broadly this is known as Emergency Communications or EmComm and is more narrowly defined as ARES, RACES, SkyWarn or one of a number of other monikers.

Like many new has of the last 7 years, I was drawn into the hobby by the EmComm aspect and a desire to "do something" when the time came. Many of you who read this will understand completely where I'm coming from.

It wasn't until I began working to establish a brand new ARES/RACES group in Texas that I found out just how difficult it can be to get all these like minded volunteers to actually work together.

At the end of the day, each of us engaged in EmComm through Amateur Radio are doing it to help our neighbors. Whether our hat says ARES, RACES, or Joe's Group of Really Cool Guys, our job remains the same...Get the Message Through!

Now I want to be clear here, my position as District 6 Emergency Coordinator is an ARES, and hence and ARRL, position. I'd love nothing more that to have each and every one of the EmComm groups in the district operating under the ARES/ARRL umbrella, however... As a veteran of Katrina and Rita I passed literally thousands of pieces of traffic and never once, on any net, at any time, did I ever hear anyone ask about the status of the other party's ARRL membership or for their RACES unit number. Those are just the facts and the reality of an emergency situation.

To this end, my first priority is to make sure that each county in the District has EmComm coverage and that the groups providing that EmComm support know how to ask for help from their neighbors / the District.

Ok, (stepping down off my soapbox...) As I get feedback from each of the counties in the District, I'll be building up a list of links on the right margin to those groups. If you don't see a group for your county, email me at K5JTR [at] ARRL.NET

Stay tuned, I'll put more out here as time allows. I hope this has given you a little insight into my operating philosophy in the District. Feel free to contact me any time you need anything from me or the District or the Section. I'll do everything I can to help.

73s,

Thom / K5KTR