EC Emeritus Steve Smith SK
The former Emergency Coordinator (EC) for ARES in Lee County has become a Silent Key. Steve Smith W9GPI lost his battle with cancer on November 20, 2024. He battled the disease for over a year.
Steve’s positive attitude and willingness to take on any and all tasks for Amateur Radio, ARES and individual fellow Hams was well known. In addition to his service to ARES, Steve was an active member of the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, serving in many roles including Education Chair, Nominating Chair and Modulator Editor at various points during his time in Lee County. Steve was named as the FMARC “Ham of the Year” in 2016. He was also an active member of the local VE Team.
During the August meeting of LeeARES, a special recognition was announced. The meeting, held in conjunction with a session that included Lee County Emergency Management Leadership and Staff, Steve was recognized as “EC Emeritus”.
Steve came to southwest Florida from Fond du Lac Wisconsin in 2013 where he had served as the EC. He was named EC for Lee County in 2014 and served in the position until health forced his resignation in 2023. During his tenure he built on the strong relationship that ARES has with Lee County and was considered a friend and colleague by many in the local and statewide Emergency Management group along with ARES members.
His positive attitude, smile and leadership will long be remembered by those who knew him.
The EC Emeritus presentation can be viewed here: EC Emeritus Video
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Lee County ARES® Responds to Hurricane Milton |
| Local Fort Myers, Florida, amateur radio operators provided storm shelter communications, October 10, 2024 — Lee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (LeeARES) was activated to assist with auxiliary emergency communications for the Hurricane Milton response. The group’s leader is Fort Myers resident Rich Schnieders, KR4PI, who serves as Emergency Coordinator. When asked about deploying amateur radio operators to shelters, Schnieders responded, “This is what we train for year-round, to serve the community in times of disaster.” Schnieders said that the group works closely with Lee County Emergency Management and has an amateur radio station within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Schnieders added that “(h)aving amateur radio operators in the shelters and at the EOC allowed for round-the-clock contact with county officials, even if there was a loss of power or cell phone service.”
In all, 15 ARES® members were deployed to 10 shelters. Amateur radio operators also coordinated constant communications from home stations during the storm. ARES® in Lee County is also known as LeeARES Inc., a voluntary organization committed to providing emergency communications and communications support for events when requested by the Lee County Office of Emergency Management. LeeARES Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is a tax-exempt entity in the United States dedicated to activities that serve the public interest and the common good. |
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NBC-2 Meteorologist Rob Duns spoke recently to the monthly ARES meeting about hurricanes and their impacts.
Rob also created a report on what ARES in Lee County does during weather events. It was featured on NBC2’s “Hurricane Week” special programming. View the report here:
NBC2 ARES Feature
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LeeARES and FMARC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. The details of the MOU and the information supporting it, can be found on the following buttons.
LeeARES - FMARC MOU Information LeeARES-FMARC MOU
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Lee County ARES is now officially LeeARES Inc. See the reasons for the change and the foundation documents used to create the corporation. Click here LeeARES Inc Foundation Documents to see the information.
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Lee County ARES, FMARC and ARISS were all featured in WCGU Interview recently. Arranged by FMARC PIO Dan Eaton, those interviewed were Steve Clayton K4SJC, Rich Schnieders KR4PI and Brian Darley KM4YHZ. The full interview is available at the following link: https://news.wgcu.org/show/gulf-coast-life/2024-04-29/the-world-of-amateur-or-ham-radio-and-its-role-during-emergencies-like-hurricane-ian. Thanks Dan for setting this interview up.
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