Webster defines a hero as a person who is “admired for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.” Add to that a willingness to do what’s good for your community.
This afternoon and evening and Sunday morning members of the Iola’s Radio Club will set up their equipment in Fees Park, a delightfully inviting nook at the west edge of Gas.
Their devotion to prepping themselves to better react if a disaster of any sort were to strike the area should be noted, as should development of the park where they will practice emergency response.
IRC members work as storm spotters when severe weather threatens, and help with director Pam Beasley’s emergency management duties at the county’s critical response center.
Storms of significance often sever conventional lines of communications. Telephone lines and towers are downed, and getting from one place to another by foot or vehicle is difficult because of debris, felled trees and limbs and flooding.
That leaves the hams, whose radios can function from mobile generators and batteries, to fill an important role by checking on victims and aiding in getting emergency personnel where they need to be as quickly as possible.
The 2007 tornado that devastated Greensburg was a graphic example of amateur radio operators patching through communications practically while limbs and buildings still were falling.
This weekend’s American Radio Relay League Field Day, the participation vehicle for Iola hams, is the largest amateur emergency readiness exercise in the nation, and one that IRC members are eager to share.
Stop by anytime today or Sunday morning and get a thorough tutorial in what is going on. You’ll quickly understand that hams’ willingness to make themselves available could mean the difference between life and death.
Heroes? You bet they are, because they are eager and willing to be there when needed.
WHILE AT THE park, situated on land donated by the Walter Fees family, take a look around and see what Gas has done to make it a destination, for local folks and those from many area towns.
It’s a swell place to have a picnic, take a leisurely walk and let the kids play in a safe environment.
Many people are responsible for the park being what it is, but none more so than Steve Robb, the city’s multi-talented superintendent. He probably could make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Another hero, for his willingness to be innovative and make living in Gas better.
