[Skywarn] Looking for hams in Chicago Area

[Duane Whittingham]

Hi my name is Duane Whittingham N9SSN, communications officer for the
Melrose Park Public Safety / Homeland Security (EMA), we are just 
outside Chicago.

We are rebuilding our communications division and need and want 
amateur radio operators.
We plan on a hybrid approach of ARES/RACES. First we aren't going to 
force anyone into
one they are not interested in. The ARES hams will be radio or comms 
only supporting in
Skywarn / weather operations, doing comms at events or incidents and 
assisting in maintaining
and handing out gear, etc. However if you are interested in the EMA 
side of things then you
would be in our RACES side and would go through additional training 
be able to participate
beyond communications (traffic control, FD assist, PD assist, etc) 
its up to you.

Right now our biggest need is those to help with weather operations. 
While this COULD involve
spotting it mainly is staffing the EOC to watch radar, monitor ham 
freqs and other radios,
read watches/warning on our UHF trunked radio system & ham freqs, 
send out emails and other
duties to inform other agencies, hospitals, schools and citizens of 
the weather situation.

Also we have some larger events like the Taste of Melrose park 
(375,000 people) and need
communicators due to all the radio traffic for those events.

You do not have to live in Melrose Park either.
Feel free to forward this on please.

If you are interested in helping us, please let me know, thank you!!

Duane Whittingham - N9SSN (dw at mppshs.org)
Communications Officer
Village of Melrose Park
Public Safety ~ Homeland Security
2309 Main Street
Melrose Park, IL 60160
708-649-8073

OR email to dw at mppshs.org