Oregon's radio hams assist as 911 system fails

The ARRL reports that ham radio stepped in when a 911 emergency call in system failed in Oregon just prior to Christmas. This as a massive freezing weather front hit the region.

The National Weather Service said that the winter storm hit the North and Central Oregon coast, as it made its way East to the Cascades mountain range. According to District Emergency Coordinator David Kidd, KA7OZO, radio amateurs in Clatsop County, were called on to provide direct emergency communications for the 911 system which was in need of support.

Two ARES members along with the resident deputy manned the sheriff's sub-station in Jewell. They provided 24 hour radio communication services to the county Emergency Operations Center.

Other radio amateurs provided 911 services for four villages and hamlets in the southern part of the county. There, residents in the area were told to go to ham radio operators and have them relay their needed service requests to
the county EOC.

The complete story of what the radio hams of Oregon did as the winter storm struck is on the news pages at the ARRL's website.

Source: ARNewsline, ARRL

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