Last spring, I attended a meeting at the new Emergency Command Center located in the safety building by the airport. I was afforded a tour of the new facility and am quite impressed with the steps the county is taking to protect us during a disaster. I questioned the communications system between SLCC and the EOC. I was looking for an alternative to contacting the 2-1-1 system via cell, land and/or satellite telephone. I was assured that, with the latest technology, the problems associated with Hurricane Charlie would not be repeated. I was not convinced.

Since then, I have learned that that they have instituted an alternative to this system by using ham radio operators. I conferred with the EOC RACES (Radio Armature Civil Emergency Service) official who will be on duty at the command center during a disaster.

This month’s CERT meeting was devoted to discussing this proposal and of introducing 4 new members into our group. One of the volunteers happens to be a licensed ham radio operator. I feel that I can best use his talents by establishing a better communications system between SLCC and the EOC. He has agreed and we followed the Charlotte County RACES’ recommendations and researched suppliers for the necessary equipment. We even visited 2 locations where this system is currently operational. I next contacted the Punta Gorda Emergency Command Center, whose direction we follow, for their input. They are in total support for this endeavor.

A report and detailed request was forwarded to the POA Board’s president for approval to continue. This request falls within our budgetary constraints. I am hereby requesting that approval to set up this alternate means of communication.

Ray Negrycz