Mendocino County Health & Human Services Agency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 6/30/2014
Public Health Emergency Response HAM Radio Exercise
Thursday, June 26, 2014, Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health conducted a HAM radio communication exercise with health care coalition partners throughout the county simulating an event which disrupted normal lines of communications. The primary focus was to practice the procedures necessary to accurately and effectively transfer information between the outlying facilities and the Mendocino County HHSA office in Ukiah.
Approximately 35 volunteer HAM radio operators located at health care facilities throughout the county including hospitals, clinics and skilled nursing participated in transmitting situation reports (SitReps) from the facilities to the Public Health Disaster Operations Center (DOC). One Lake County clinic and the Lake County Public Health Department also participated. These SitReps informed the DOC of the status of the facilities and of any needs for supplies or support that they may have. HAM radio is a vital communication tool in times of disaster if other methods of communication are unavailable.
Many of the volunteers came on their own time to participate. The exercise was a great success. HHSA Public Health would like to acknowledge that contributions of Tim Hanna, Mendocino County HAM Consultant, Sharon Hanna, Volunteer, Steve Francis, Medical and Health Operational Area Coordinator for Mendocino County, Sara Francis, Volunteer, and Valerie Lawe-Cannon, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Administrator along with all of the staff members, volunteers and facilities who participated.
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