Ham Radio Operators Gather at 18th Annual Emergency Radio Network Seminar

The Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel Corps hosted their 18th Annual Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (S.A.T.E.R.N.) Seminar. With about 150 people in attendance, the event discussed concerns for Amateur HAM radio operators who act as emergency communicators during local and national disasters. Trace Willette has acted as the coordinator for the seminar for the last four years and explained that the goal of the event was to get Ham radio operators to put their talent to good use in service to others. “We are the first line emergency communicators during times of disasters,” said Willette. “We provide communications for all of the Salvation Army Corps during those events, and are able to provide communication for all of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.” Major Daniel Henderson, the San Bernardino Citadel Corps Officer, was one of the keynote speakers who shared that he was grateful to be able to come into such a great emergency program at the site. “This program has been worked on for at least the past 20 years by many volunteers and Salvation Army officers. This is the biggest organization of its kind in this area for Ham Radio Operators. The people here are the elite communicators using their FCC licenses doing good for others when emergencies arise.” Many other organized groups of emergency communicators were present for the seminar, including the American Red Cross group from San Gabriel Valley. “We have been coming to this particular meeting for years and years,” said Will KA6LSD, a volunteer with the San Gabriel group. “We come to meet with friends, compare notes, and get training. We support what the Salvation Army is doing here.” Many resources for people who wanted to learn more about being volunteers for S.A.T.E.R.N. were available at the seminar, along with information about planned training for those who wanted to earn the coveted blue shirt of the officially licensed members. Don Best, the Communications Chairman of the Red Cross/LA Region, stated, “This is the annual get together for emergency communicators in Southern California. During earthquakes, many locations and shelters need communication and all of the Amateur radio volunteers here provide that. The goal here is to get networking and training as all of the people here are the leaders in Amateur radio participation.” Many of the participants had brought their service animals, such as Major David Ebel of the Salvation Army Barstow Community Outreach Office, who brought Bucky the Wonder Dog with him to the seminar. Bucky is a yellow Labrador who is touted as “A Service and trauma dog, a cold nose and a warm heart,” and who is used during all kinds of emergency situations. Tony Stephen of Chino has been involved with Ham radio most of his life. He had been involved with the start up of the S.A.T.E.R.N program and encouraged members of the public to get involved with joining the emergency volunteers with their quest to help serve others. For anyone interested in learning more about the Amateur Radio Operators for the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, their website is www.satern.net, or you can send an email to W1SAT2@yahoo.com for an information packet.