HARRISBURG, Pa., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) program staff joined amateur radio enthusiasts from across the nation on June 25 as part of American Radio Relay League's "Field Day.''

The event allowed ACS staff to demonstrate simulated crisis operations using only equipment from back-up power sources. They also showcased the newest voice and data capabilities, as well as historical Morse code to demonstrate emergency communications abilities in the past.

Over the years, amateur radio operators, often called "hams," have provided vital communications during emergencies, including wildfires, tornadoes, floods and winter storms. During Hurricane Katrina, ham radio was often the only way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer ham radio operators traveled south to help save lives and property.  

"Amateur radio is a critical part of emergency response across the nation and around the world," said PEMA Director Glenn M. Cannon. "As technology advances at lightning speed, we've learned that even the best-designed systems can fail or become overloaded in an emergency. Ham radio has proven its worth as a dependable mechanism for emergency communications. PEMA is proud to work with the American Radio Relay League as a partner in our efforts at the state level."

Ham operators also constructed emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, backyards and emergency operation centers using only emergency power supplies. Through PEMA's ACS program, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for both out-of-state and local emergency response agencies.

Governor Tom Corbett declared June "Amateur Radio Month" in Pennsylvania, where there are approximately 23,000 FCC-licensed ham radio operators. There are more than 685,000 Amateur Radio licensees in the United States, and more than 2.5 million around the world.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.emergency-radio.org.

To learn more about PEMA's ACS program, go to www.pema.state.pa.us and click on "Programs and Services," then "PA Auxiliary Communications Services."

Media contact: Maria A. Finn, 717-651-2009

SOURCE Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.emergency-radio.org
http://www.pema.state.pa.us