Update! 

I'd like to announce we finally have a Public Information Officer at the District Level!!  Please welcome Stephanie Schweitzer, KC9TZW to the leadership.

Stephanie, a member of Shawano ARES/RACES is a professional photographer and also does work with digital graphics such as logos, banners and pictures.  We hope to also utilize her skills in some ARES/RACES marketing and recruitment work in the future.

She will also work as liaison between the state PIO down through the individual county PIO's. 

Please feel free to contact Stephanie for assistance if needed.

David Levorson

April 10, 2011 had Lincoln County ARES members busy for hours in the aftermath of an EF-3 that left extensive damage. The tornado started approximately 2 miles north of the Town of Hamburg in Marathon County and traveled 21.2 miles to Merrill in Lincoln County to just west of Gleason in Lincoln County.

Many of the hams in Merrill were already out spotting and immediately responded to assist police and fire with door to door searches and providing access on the roads that led to highly damaged parts of town.  Tom Knospe, KC9NFJ was directing operations on the 145.430.

Dave Levorson, N9KNY, got the call from Good Samaritan Hospital requesting amateur radio assistance as they had lost communications to EMS and the Sheriff's Office.  While enroute, Dave contacted Tom, and advised him of the request from the hospital and that a call for mutual assistance would be placed. Michael Martens, EC of Marathon County was contacted and asked for help from his hams, some of them doing damage assessment in northern Marathon County. Dave also contacted SEC Gary Sorensen, W9ULK, advising him of the situation and Gary placed the remaining calls for mutual assistance to Oneida, Shawano and Portage Counties.  At least 5 hams from Marathon and 4 from Oneida responded.

Things could have gone better, as it seemed to take more time than expected to get communications established between the Hospital and the Sheriff's Office.

The good news is, a month prior members met with Good Samaritan Hospital's Emergency Services Coordinator, Misty Ward, who was very optimistic at the chance to set up a working relationship with ARES/RACES.  Material for the hospital's radio station had been ordered with grant money, but not all of it had been shipped and delivered by the time the tornado hit town.  We expect most equipment to be installed and operational by the time May's Vigilant Guard Exercise occurs.

We all learned a great deal both good and bad.  Lincoln County will continue to work on the Hospital’s communication plan along with setting up the new radio equipment and communications EOC.

Check out some pictures taken in our gallery: HERE

Effective March 14, 2011

I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Sauve, KC9KGV, as Emergency Coordinator for Portage County.

Dean replaces Scott Rossman, W9DKL and we certainly thank Scott for his time in service for Portage County ARES/RACES.

 No doubt, April 10, 2011 was a busy day in the Northeast District. 

 Days in advance of the predicted severe weather, WI Rapids planners prepared for what looked to be another major flooding event much like 2010.  Last year, the hams were an after-thought, but not this year!  They were involved in the city's emergency plan right from the start.  EC Ken Snyder attended all the planning meetings and was requested by the City of Wisconsin rapids to prepare for three shifts for at least 3-4 days.

  DEC David Levorson was contacted and the request passed up the line to SEC Gary Sorenson.  The tough part, was by the days end, 10 tornadoes had also impacted the State, so mutual assistance was hard to find.  Wood County ARES/RACES drove on with the members that responded and Ken continued to keep the District aware of the operation.  When his team was called into play, they were ready.

Ready to serve

As of Sunday, members of the Wood County Amateur Radio Disaster Services ham radio operators group already were on the job, helping the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department.

"We're not law enforcement; we're just the eyes for the (Police Department) at this time," said Ken Snyder, emergency coordinator for the group.

Some Parkview Apartments residents opted to leave the complex Sunday night, and the ham radio operators are keeping an eye on the property for vandalism.

If a ham radio operator sees someone entering closed areas, or other unusual activity, they radio it into the Police Department.

"In case someone needs help, we call it into control, and they will send someone down to rescue them or get them out of the way, or whatever they have to do," said Jerry Wendt, another ham radio volunteer.

from the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

The Fox Valley Technical College is offering some great training opportunities this year.

Please check out their schedule HERE.

**  M & M Amateur Radio Club -- K8DAR upgrade!

  A major project will very likely take place this summer that will enhance the HF signal that K8DAR puts out. A tower and beam is planned to be erected on the west side of the building.

  Visitors are welcome to stop by at any time the DAR and radio room is open which is Mon. through Thurs. 3pm to approximately 5:30pm and see how this unique activity for kids has grown in the last 5 years.

  Thanks to the many great people that have helped us to reach this milestone by donations of radio equipment, funds, and their physical efforts....the M&M ARC, HAT team, The DAR administration and board, and numerous hams and non-hams from throughout the area and beyond.

Without you we would have not reached this level. We are grateful to all.

Check out the K8DAR QRZ webpage  http://www.qrz.com/db/k8dar