At approx. 2005 hours on Thursday April 10th the Sumner County ARES group held the April meeting. The meeting commenced after a short break directly following the Sumner County Amateur Radio Association monthly meeting.
The meeting was kicked off by our new CO-EC, Brian Bresocnik, NG2S, giving a brief introduction of himself. His intro led directly into a brief discussion about proficiency skills in regards to being a trained professional radio operator/communicator. Then Brian gave a quick overview refresher on Skywarn Spotter Reporting by outlining some details from the Skywarn Spotter Field Guide as well as highlighting excerpts from an email exchange with staff from the Nashville office of the NWS in regards to their specific reporting requests. There was good interaction from the group by asking specific and detailed questions. Discussion ensued and all came away with a little bit more clarity in regards to Skywarn reporting and the direction Sumner ARES is headed.
The next portion of the agenda was to go over the importance of Task Books and some ICS forms as well as the newest SCARES Severe Weather Net activation criteria and script.
Finally this new website was revealed to the group. Many were impressed and acknowledged the importance of have resources specific to the ARES mission in one easily accessible location.
CO-EC Mike Lundis, NZ4K, then came to the front of the room to inform the membership about the latest details for the Pedal for Paws event. Pedal for Paws is a yearly event and is supported by Sumner County ARES as well as Sumner County Amateur Radio Association. We gained a bout 4 more volunteers for the event but we can always use more operators to cover the event, so if you are free on the morning of May 3rd please consider joining us for a few hours and support the local community. Public service events like these are great opportunities for practice using the radio for a purpose and training. You can read more about Pedal for Paws on their website : https://www.pedalforpawstn.org/ The event will run from about 0645-1300 on that day for ARES. SCARA will be providing their Communications Trailer for the event along with the Trailer Support Team. The Communications trailer will server as the ARES NCS and relay all pertinent information to event officials. You can read more about the Sumner County Amateur Radio Association on their website at : https://www.scara.net/
After the meeting there was great support expressed for Sumner ARES and friendly discussions continued until we had to lock up the building. Some continued discussion in the parking lot for some time there after. The meetings are an important part of the ARES mission but of the same importance, if not more, are those relationships and friendships that grow from those one on one questions and discussions after the meeting.
Sumner ARES is a group with a mission but we strive to be a friendly welcoming bunch. Join us for the next meeting or event. We would love to meet you and add you to our team.
Thanks goes out to SCARA and the Sumner County Emergency Services Center for supporting Sumner County ARES.