PARSIPPANY — For 24 hours straight, from 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 23 until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, volunteer members of the Office of Emergency Management’s RACES team will defend their title in a National Amateur radio contest, known as Field Day.
24 hours of contacting other radio stations across the country and overseas to test emergency radio practices. Last year the team took first place in the division.
The public is encouraged to attend and learn more about the team and other Emergency preparedness plans. This year the RACES Field Day team will be led by former OEM Radio Officer Mike Hartmann. Hartmann retired after 10 years of service to the OEM, where during his tenure swelled the ranks of radio operators to 17, upgraded radio capabilities in the Emergency Operations Center and Mobile FIELD COMMUNICATIONS van, launched the first Emergency Service Drone team, and led the OEM team to Divisional first place in the ARRL National Field Day contest in 2017.
Succeeding Hartman as R.A.C.E.S. Officer, is Lake Hiawatha resident Brian Donlin. Donlin has served as Assistant Radio Officer and a Team Leader on C.E.R.T., the Community Emergency Response Team. Mr. Donlin has previously been a certified EMT and has been a member of the Emergency Rescue team for the Iselin First Aid and Rescue Squad.
The Office of Emergency Management is spearheaded by 50 dedicated volunteer in the Community Emergency Response Team and R.A.C.E.S. team. Free training to all interested persons in the fall of this year. There is no cost to individuals for this training. The R.A.C.E.S. team is also always looking for new members interested in Emergency Communications and Drone operation. All other training will be provided by the OEM.
Contact Eric Hubner at ehubner@parsippany.net for more information in serving your community.
