Ready to Respond: EDS Communications Exercise Grows to 300+ Attendees, Provides Critical Support to Veterans
Twenty Central Territory members of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), an international network of volunteer ham radio operators who play a supportive role in emergency disaster services (EDS) by providing communications and other technical assistance to enhance response and effectiveness, participated in the Central States Communications Exercise in Quapaw, Okla.
The biennial event, which began in 2017, was born of the desire to assess interoperability (communications) challenges brought to light during the 2011 EF5 tornado in Joplin, Mo. It focuses on honing communications skills, exercise equipment and capabilities with the added benefit of documenting training for credentialing.
“In the case of an emergency or disaster that impacts communication—such as damage to radio/communication towers, cell phone towers, high winds, lightening, solar flares/sunspots—it is imperative for emergency response agencies to maintain communication in real time to support recovery efforts,” said Martin Rueter, Midland divisional EDS director. “While our EDS team [SATERN] has been testing communications viability for decades, this formal program ensures that all involved disaster relief organizations are working together seamlessly.”
The event, which started with 10 emergency communication trucks from four states, has grown to exceed 300 participants, including communications experts from state emergency response agencies and nonprofit organizations active in disaster relief and recovery, from 29 states and one U.S. territory.
In addition, there were communications personnel from the U.S. military, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and major cellular service providers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
This was SATERN’s second year to participate in the exercise and included members from the Midland, Kansas and Western Missouri, Indiana and Western divisions, along with Major Michele Heaver, Central Territory SATERN liaison with National Headquarters. They practiced setting up a variety of radio antennas and equipment and worked toward a series of evaluations and tasks to become certified as Auxiliary Communicators. They also worked alongside communication teams during the exercise to provide communication as needed.
During the weeklong training, SATERN members also partnered with members of American Legion Post 13 in Joplin to conduct wellness, or “buddy,” checks with veterans. This partnership enabled assistance and resources to meet veterans’ needs and to determine mental or physical stressors they may be experiencing. The checks can help address potential vulnerability to self-harm or suicide, an all too often occurrence. According to Veterans Affairs mental health reports, approximately 22 U.S. military veterans take their own lives each day.
Martin concluded, “By practicing communications preparedness and conducting wellness checks, we hope to support the communities we serve in times of great need.”
For more information, contact Martin Rueter, Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services at martin.rueter@usc.salvationarmy.org or 314-646-3255.
