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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During the August meeting of LeeARES, a special recognition was noted. The meeting, held in conjunction with a meeting involving Lee County Emergency Management Leadership and Staff, took a few moments to recognize and honor the former ARES Emergency Coordinator for Lee County
Steve Smith W9GPI
Current EC Rich Schnieders KR4PI announced that the title of EC Emeritus had been bestowed on Steve, recognizing his years of dedication to ARES and public service both in Lee County and in Fond du Lac Wisconsin where he lived prior to relocating to South West Florida. A plaque was created to commemorate the honor.
The presentation can be viewed here: EC Emeritus Video
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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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The next meeting of Lee County ARES will be Tuesday September 17, 2024 at 7:00PM
at the Lee County EOC on Ortiz Avenue. Gates open at 6:00 PM.
All members are urged to attend and prospective members or those just curious about ARES are also welcome.
Join us!