Since about 1993 I have held an amateur (ham) radio license. When I lived in Mount Shasta, California (far northern CA next to Oregon), before moving to Calais in 2002, I was active as a volunteer helping with radio communications for various public service groups, including for Cal Fire, occasionally staffing one of their lookout towers, and for the county search and rescue group. When I moved to Vermont I continued as a radio volunteer.

Since joining the then-newly-formed Calais Emergency Management Committee a few years ago, I have enjoyed participating in the not-too-often meetings with a friendly group of townspeople. Each of us on that committee have different specialties, like running a shelter, coordinating with neighboring towns, etc. I taught a ham radio licensing class to strengthen our emergency management communication abilities — especially at times like December 2023 when power, telephone, internet, and cell service all were down during a storm.

We are currently working with the Calais road crew to map out how different areas of our hilly town can and cannot communicate by radio. Radios and antennas the town recently purchased through a grant will be deployed in ways that fill the gaps that survey identifies.

In supporting public service radio communications I get to do an activity I enjoy and at the same time be of service to our community.

Most likely people on all the town committees get the same kind of dual satisfaction.

There are several vacancies on the CEM committee, and we invite you to attend our next meeting to see if you'd enjoy joining our group — Tuesday, February 11 at 6:30pm in the Town Hall At that meeting we will be working with Town Administrator Kari Bradley on updating the town's emergency plan, as well as reviewing other emergency management items we have been working on.

Please feel free to email me any questions you have

Event Info

Jan 22, 2025, 7:30 to 8:30 PM

Jan 25, 2025, 10 AM to 2:30 PM

Jan 26, 2025, 9 AM to 12 PM