Emergency Communications Association of St. Charles County members (from left) Don Weir, Richard Tadlock and Ken Humbertson, are part of a collection of hobbyists who provide communication and information support for the St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center.
When the skies darken and the first hints of an impending storm ripple through, a unique cadre of volunteers springs into action.
As modern technology and communication networks brace for the impact of severe weather, a dedicated group of amateur radio operators, known as ham radio volunteers, quietly prepare their equipment and hone their skills to provide a critical service. These unsung heroes, with their timeless technology and steadfast commitment, bridge the communication gaps that often arise when traditional systems fail. These volunteers become a lifeline, offering real-time information and coordination to ensure safety and aid efforts.
The members of the Emergency Communications Association of St. Charles County, is a collection of engineers, electricians and ham radio hobbyists who provide communication and information support for the St. Charles County Emergency Operations Center.
Some group members man radios at the Emergency Operations Center. Others prowl the storm-swept roads in cars equipped with their personal ham radios, reporting in real time on fallen trees, downed power lines, road flooding or other damage.
Bill Grimsbo is a coordinator and past president of the Emergency Communications Association He has been there for events like the flood of 1993 and a 2013 tornado outbreak that ripped through southern St. Charles County.
“There are around 37 members and that number varies from year-to-year,” Grimsbo said. “One of the main tenets of amateur radio is giving back and helping out and we want to give back to the community and be there when needed.”
Grimsbo said there are many members who have technical backgrounds, and this gives them an opportunity to be part of a team where they can use our technical skills to contribute to the community.
The association’s volunteers have been helping for decades, first as an informal community group and then as a registered nonprofit.
“Some of us are weather geeks,” Grimsbo said. “Some of us go back to the mid-1980s. I started in 1992.”
Jani Albright, Emergency Management Director for St. Charles County, said that these volunteers report the ground truth of what’s going on throughout the county simultaneously, providing county officials a full picture to inform their decisions.
The association’s volunteers also serve as an important backup for the county’s main communications network because they all maintain their own portable communication radios. If there was ever a large-scale emergency that overwhelmed communications and personnel, the county could confidently call on them to step in and provide emergency communication support from an array of locations, whether it be shelters or reunification centers and provide direct communication back to the Emergency Operation Center.
As the storm passes and the skies clear, the essential role of ham radio volunteers comes into sharp focus. Their unwavering dedication and expertise ensure that communities remain connected and informed, even when conventional communication channels falter.
They are driven by a sense of duty and passion for their craft, exemplifying the spirit of cooperation. In a world increasingly reliant on technology, their efforts remind us of the power of human ingenuity and the enduring value of radio waves.
