WB5RMG 20061120

2006 has been a very rewarding year !
Proof that life can be as good as you make it.

Part of my process when moving to a new area, is to get registered with the local ARES/RACES. After 30 some years of participating in local emergency preparedness, I like to think that I have picked up some good ideas along the way, and given back at least as much as I've gotten, hopefully more. I have seen amateur radio's contribution progressively get more complex and much better integrated into a locale's 'routine configuration'. Just this year the FCC has specifically indicated Amateur Radio as an entity that Regional Emergency Communications Coordinators will include in their planning.

We have come a long way . . . Let's all continue to press on !

I'd like to present here a summary, indicating various locations and opportunities where I have found a way to participate and contribute toward the common goal. These are primarily oriented toward Emergency Preparedness, but everything is related.

First licensed in 1976, Advanced class since 1978.
First Class Commercial Radiotelephone License 1979.
Civil Defense in Mississippi 1976-1980.
Skywarn in North Carolina 1980-1984.
Registered with ARES in Colorado 1984-1990.
Skywarn (Advanced Spotter Training) in Colorado.
Red Cross Disaster Action Team training 1989.
Red Cross Disaster Assessment training 1989.
Emergency Communications Officer for the Arapahoe County Branch,
Denver Chapter Red Cross 1989-1990.
Assistant EC, Arapahoe County ARES 1989-1990.
Registered with ARES in Tennessee 1990-2004.
WCARS/VEC Volunteer Examiner, 1992-1994
ARRL Official Observer Station, 1992-1994.
Skywarn (Advanced Spotter Training) in Tennessee.
Skywarn Net Control Station, 1994-1996, 2001-2003.
Assistant EC, Sullivan County ARES 1992, 2001.
Registered with ARES in South Carolina 2004-2006.
Skywarn (Basic Training) in South Carolina.
FEMA-IS700, IS100 completed July 2005.
FEMA-IS200 completed August 2005.
ARRL-EC001 completed Sept 2005.
Registered (ID'd) with Dorchester County (SC) EMA,
as an Emergency Communications Volunteer 2006.
Registered with ARES/RACES in Alabama 2006- ____.

The next site update will likely move this to a separate page, with some scans of various certificates. Even with all my years of hands-on experience, some of the most valuable insight has come from the FEMA and ARRL-EmComm study material just last year. I highly recommend these for anyone that is even slightly interested in emergency communications. It is not enough anymore to just show-up with a hand-held radio and offer to help, many groups now require a certain level of basic training and orientation.

I'll be there to help, will you join us ?