Ham radio operators are the 'eyes and ears' of Bothell

"That's one interesting thing, we practice for a time we hope never comes," said Bothell resident William Harding.

Harding is one of the key volunteers working with Bothell to set up what is now a network of about 60 amateur, or ham, radio operators ready to aid city emergency workers in the case of a major disaster such as an earthquake or similar happening.

For the most part, Bothell Fire Department officials hope the volunteers, who operate battery powered equipment and are spread throughout the city, will be able to provide information on the condition of areas emergency workers may not be able to immediately reach or let officials know where help is needed the most.

"We're looking for these people to be our eyes and ears out there," said Bothell Fire Department Public Information Officer Kirsten Clemens, who helped create the radio network. Clemens added that, if needed, radio operators also can help disseminate information, such as where to go for medical attention or food and water.

Clemens stated that to her knowledge Bothell is the only city in the area with as organized and extensive an amateur radio network. Officials began putting that network together in 2008 thanks to a large federal Emergency Management Performance Grant, $5,000 of which went into the radio program.

According to Clemens, the first step was identifying amateur operators throughout the city. Operators must be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which provided the city with a listing of local license holders.

"We got quite a few responses," Clemens said regarding the letters Bothell sent those licensees. All in all, about 30 percent of local amateur operators answered the city's call for volunteers.

Eventually, Clemens said fire officials set up an emergency communications group that came up with procedures for operators to follow, such as what frequencies to use, what to look for in case of emergencies and so on. The city's disaster plans divides Bothell into 17 disaster zones. In the event of a major emergency, officials will call on radio volunteers in each zone.