Sussex amateur radio group conducts emergency scenario drill
Sussex County Amateur Radio Emergency Service recently conducted a comprehensive hospital drill aimed at testing and enhancing communication capabilities among three Beebe Healthcare facilities: the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus, the Specialty Surgical Hospital on the Abessinio Health Campus in Rehoboth Beach, and the South Coastal Health Campus in Millville.
TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford and the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center also participated.
The drill was meticulously planned and executed to simulate emergency scenarios requiring seamless communication among these critical medical facilities. Operators from Sussex County ARES played a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining robust communication links throughout the exercise.
"In times of crisis, effective communication is paramount to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities," said James Baker, section emergency coordinator of Sussex County ARES. "This drill provided us with a valuable opportunity to assess our communication protocols and identify areas for improvement to better serve our community partners in the event of a real emergency."
Throughout the drill, amateur radio operators deployed to each participating medical facility and established communication channels using a variety of radio equipment and technologies. Operators relayed both voice and written text messages, test signals and status updates, demonstrating their ability to maintain communication links even in challenging conditions.
"The success of this drill underscores the importance of Amateur Radio Emergency Service in enhancing emergency preparedness and response efforts," said R.L. Hughes, Beebe Healthcare emergency management coordinator. "We are grateful for the partnership with Sussex County ARES and their dedication to ensuring reliable communication during critical situations."
Sussex County ARES team members remain committed to working collaboratively with local agencies and organizations to strengthen emergency communication capabilities and enhance community resilience.
For more information, go to sussexcountyares.org.
