Osceola County Emergency Management Hosts Annual Amateur Radio Field Day

Osceola County, Florida – Osceola County Office of Emergency Management is hosting this year's annual Amateur Radio Field Day event on June 25 & 26, 2011. The weekend event is free, open to the public and will be held on Saturday, June 25 from 2:00 p.m. to Sunday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Osceola County Emergency Operations Center located at 2586 Partin Settlement Road in Kissimmee (behind the Osceola County Government Center on U.S. 192 at Partin Settlement Road).

Osceola County Emergency Management sponsors a group of dedicated operators known as the Emergency Management Communication Assistance Team (EMCAT). This team is comprised of several organizations such as the American Radio Relay League (ARES) and Military Amateur Radio Service (MARS), a federally-sponsored group.

"This year, for the first time, we are happy to announce that the University of Central Florida Amateur Radio Club will participate as well in this joint endeavor," stated Osceola County Emergency Management Director Dave Casto.

The purpose of the field day is to allow amateur radio groups to compete in an effort to establish communications with other amateur radio operators worldwide, and to sharpen skills in communication capabilities in various modes. This year, Osceola County, Orange County and the UCF amateurs team up as partners to establish coordination and support in this worthwhile effort. Emergency Management officials will also be on hand to answer questions about hazards that threaten our community, as well as hurricane preparedness.

"At the end of the operations period, the teams will compile the number of contacts made and discuss operations as a whole," explained Osceola County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Halquist. "It's all about teamwork. We believe that partnerships are a major key to success in working together to develop relationships before disaster strikes."

For more information on Amateur Radio Field Day, contact the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management at 407-742-9000.