Hams Help Battle Florida Fires

Ham volunteers aid Florida's "Merritt Fire" battle:

The Sarasota Emergency Radio Club found itself on the hot seat April 10 after forest fires broke out in Collier County, Florida.

The Division of Forestry asked the club to deploy the Region 6 Mutual Aid Communication (MAC) unit to Collier County the next day.

While the MAC units previously had been deployed for drills and training, this would be the first deployment in an actual fire. Once in Collier County, they hooked up with Bill De Sha, KE4VY, the communications unit leader for the "Merritt Fire." By 3:45 PM on April 11 they had the MAC Unit set up, the tower extended to the 100- foot level, and 64 hand-held 800-MHz radios loaded with batteries.

The Division of Forestry "Alpha" repeater stayed on the air for the next 92 hours.

After rain helped damped the flames April 14, the Sarasota amateurs were able to break down the repeater system and return home.

In all, amateur volunteers contributed 150 total person-hours. Collier County ARES remained on standby at the Emergency Operations Center.

Twenty-four square miles were burned, and four homes were lost.

--Dave Armbrust, AE4MR, and Phyllisan West, KA4FZI

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