Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times

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Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times: "Of the 16 CERT volunteers who responded, 10 were licensed Amateur Radio operators. This radio training was in addition to the professional CERT training that qualified them for situations like this.

The 16 CERT volunteer participants were; Bob Schmitt KB1MTY WEMA Director, Bill Hayden N1FRE EOC-Radio Control operator, Mike Supple KB1OEP, Susan Supple, Stacey Supple, Paul Moss KB1MTW, Ron Stundze KB1OEQ, Gloria Chiaramonte KB1OAV, Skip O’Malley KB1MTZ, Cathy Costello KB1MTX, Erika LaFlamme KB1MTV, Rick Peterson KB1OEU, Joan Peterson, Mark Huska, Ted Petersen and Don Taylor.

The EOC radio control center was activated by radio operator Mike Supple KB1OEP and later manned by the Whitman Radio Amateur Civilian Emergency Service and RACES Radio Officer Bill Hayden N1FRE. During the day, radio contact was available between the EOC and CERT participants, Fire and Police at the drill scene. As many as 30 VHF and UHF radio frequencies were constantly being monitored at the EOC radio center during the exercise. Skip O’Malley KB1OEZ was assigned to drive one of the busses during activities. Although the CERT members played a small back-ground type support role in this exercise, such as bus driving and delivering food and drinks to the others at the town hall, all were ready willing and able to perform what ever task was assigned."