Hello to all..
On behalf of the Eastern Massachusetts ARES staff, we’d like to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holiday season! We have appreciated the support of all Amateurs who assisted in the mobilization for Hurricane Sandy in late October. We also thank all Amateur Operators whether they are in ARES or not who supported all the Public Service Events throughout the year including major events such as the Boston Marathon and the Walk for Hunger just to name a few events. We also thank all the RACES Radio Operators and Officers for their support of their local city and town emergency management as well as state emergency management. In addition, a thank you to some of the new Amateur Radio Operators who are supporting hospitals in the South Coast Hospital chain in the Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham area and those supporting other hospitals around the section including the South Shore Hospital, Falmouth Hospital and several other hospitals on Cape Cod and the Islands. The Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net, held monthly on the first Saturday of each month led by the efforts of the South Shore Amateur Radio Club, has had several hospital check-ins each month since its inception. For those Amateur Operators that support SKYWARN whether they are in ARES or not, a separate holiday message has been posted via the following link:
http://www.wx1box.org/node/3226
As we move into 2013, we realize that we have not been as proactive as in past years in regards to exercises and training workshops. Therefore, in 2013, we are looking to do more in the way of the section emergency communication workshops similar to past years and plan for one to two exercises as we get towards the middle of 2013. In addition, due to some changes in my own personal status, I’m going to be looking toward our ARES Assistant SECs and DECs to be doing more in their respective districts including more localized training sessions, meetings and exercises to provide additional and more localized support to ARES across our section. We will also be continuing to support hospitals and Non-Governmental Organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army building upon the work done in 2012. We also encourage those involved in emergency communications or those that have an interest in weather to become SKYWARN trained to support the National Weather Service for those interested.
Again, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to all! We look forward to working with everyone during 2013 and thanks for your continued support of ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org