(TNS) - Nassau County's Amateur Radio Emergency Services (NCARES) team is helping state emergency management authorities with communications networking and technical expertise in Panhandle counties hard hit by Hurricane Michael.
The hurricane destroyed critical infrastructure throughout several counties west of Tallahassee. Many are relying on volunteer Ham Radio operators utilizing the State Amateur Radio Network (SARnet) to relay information about structural damage, supply shortages and requests for assistance from the Panhandle to Northeast Florida. Those needs can be put directly into Emergency Management's web-based disaster information and mission request system, said Martha Oberdorfer, spokeswoman for Nassau County Emergency Management.
A nonprofit, NCARES pays for all of its equipment and operations through donations and two annual barbecue fundraisers. Volunteers donate their time and resources to Nassau County Emergency Management staffing the County Watch Office, Oberdorfer said.
