On behalf of the City of Gardner Office of Emergency Management, I would like to extend a personal invitation to visit the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and even participate in the American Radio Relay League Field Day event.  Field Day is on the weekend of June 28^th.

Along with the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club, the City of Gardner OEM is hosting the ARRL 2008 Field Day emergency communications exercise.  The event will take place at the Gardner Emergency Operation Canter located at 61 East Broadway, Gardner Fire Station No. 1.  Setup for Field Day will begin at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday morning.  The on-air portion will begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday.

There will be two working stations this year and operators have their choice of HF/6m phone, CW, and RTTY (100 W HF output/400 W ERP 6m) and/or 2m FM (with 1KW ERP).  We will also be monitoring for the International Space Station in the hope of making contact. 

In addition to testing the radio capabilities, Field Day provides an opportunity to test other critical systems within the EOC.  Some of these systems include but are not limited too extended operation of the generator system (up to one hour), the ability to sustain an extended operation including rest and rehab, and the ability to maintain extended and large capacity feeding.

We will be having a spaghetti supper at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday.  In order to get a count for dinner or reserve some operating time please RSVP to me at ptopolski@gardner-ma.gov or by phone to 978-632-9432.

Please come visit, check out our RACES/ARES/CERT capabilities and resources, meet some old friends, and hopefully make some new ones.

Respectfully,

Paul A. Topolski, W1SEX

Director, Gardner Office of Emergency Management