Locals gather for state-wide EMG radio operator simulation

Local volunteer amateur radio operators gathered for a state-wide simulated emergency test this weekend.

Members of the Harrison County Amateur Radio Emergency Service worked with other radio operators in Mississippi to test their abilities in emergency situations.

The radio operators are FCC licensed communicators that bridge the gap between first responders and other radio operated emails to effected communities.

Harrison County Radio Emergency Coordinator Jason Purvis says amateur radio is easy to learn and that communication is one of the world’s most valued traits in time of need. Harrison County Amateur Radio EMG Jason Purvis said, “Everyone who experiences a disaster, and especially those people who live through Katrina, the thing that we learned was important in life is people. It’s not stuff. And the great thing about the amateur radio community is that you’re making friends and making connections and you’re learning how to communicate with people. And if you don’t have a way to communicate, then we can’t bring together what makes us best.”

Purvis also warns to citizens to not take your accessible communication for granted and encourages you to become a licensed radio operator.

“We turn our computer on, we use our cell phones, and what we’re doing is taken for granted the fact that those things work and you’re relying on someone else’s system. If you become a licensed amateur radio operator, then you get to control the system. And you get to learn how these things work and you can put together a communication system. That means that when somebody else’s system fails, you can still communicate.”

If you have any questions or are interested in being a volunteer and licensed radio operator email Harrison.county.ares@gmail.com.