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 Previous: Amateur Radio Fire Response Support Continues in Colorado |  Next: Rocket Boys--and Girl--Set Their Sights on Space |
NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 18, 2002--A generous donation from United Technologies Corporation will help to boost the emergency communication expertise of Connecticut's Amateur Radio volunteers. A $33,000 grant from UTC will provide ARRL Emergency Communications Course Level I training for 250 Connecticut amateurs, and the ARRL-UTC initiative could be expanded nationwide. The joint initiative was announced today at a press conference at ARRL Headquarters.
 UTC's Jacqueline Strayer. |
 ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. |
 Connecticut Lt Gov Jodi Rell addresses the gathering as ARRL CEO Sumner looks on. |
 Connecticut Director of Emergency Management John Wiltse. |
 ARRL Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC. |
"I am excited that UTC can participate in such an innovative and important program, right here in the state of Connecticut," UTC Contribution and Communication Services Director Jacqueline Strayer said in a statement. "This joint partnership is sure to make a difference in communities across the state and act as a model for other states to showcase the important role Amateur Radio operators play during times of emergency."
The partnership is the first of its kind for both organizations.
ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner told the gathering that ARRL was very fortunate to receive the grant to benefit Connecticut's 8000 amateurs. "We're confident that a significant number will be interested in taking UTC's challenge to complete the course and put their skills to the test, if and when called upon," he said.
Approximately 1000 Amateur Radio operators across the US have completed the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level I course. The on-line instruction, offered as part of ARRL's Certification and Continuing Education Program, is made possible through the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC). The introductory Level I course is designed to raise awareness and provide additional knowledge and tools for emergency communications volunteers. ARRL now offers three emergency communications classes--introduction, intermediate and advanced.
During the press conference, guest of honor Connecticut Lt Gov Jodi Rell thanked both ARRL and UTC for pairing up to provide the training opportunity for the state's radio amateurs. "I'm pretty pleased that, once again, Connecticut will be the role model for other states," she said. "Having hundreds, if not thousands, of Amateur Radio operators trained for emergency communications can only enhance our communications skills and our progress here."
"Frankly, I hope that we never need your expertise," Rell continued. "As we saw in the events of September 11, if we can't get through, isn't it nice to know we have a relay system in place that will be able to utilize skills, technology and expertise and be able to communicate . . . to make information readily available."
Others attending included Connecticut Emergency Management Director John Wiltse, who said partnerships like the one between UTC and ARRL are important to the activities he oversees. "Government cannot do it all," he said. "This is how preparedness happens, by forming this partnership and moving forward." The UTC-ARRL initiative emphasizes "how essential communication is to emergency preparedness," he said.
In addition to area amateurs, others attending included ARRL New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI; ARRL Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC; and Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator Jim Ritterbusch, KD1YV. Doane said she was "thrilled" about the UTC grant and welcomed the opportunity for Connecticut amateurs to obtain emergency communications training. "Communicating is an art," she said. "It's not just speaking into a microphone."
Following the formal announcement and press opportunity, Lt Gov Rell toured Maxim Memorial Station W1AW and chatted on the air for several minutes with Enos Ash, VE1YR, in Nova Scotia. Michelle Thompson, N1PNT, served as control operator during Rell's on-air stint. Hartford TV station WTIC (Channel 61) covered the announcement for a story to air on the station's 10 PM newscast.
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, United
Technologies Corp provides high-tech products and services to the building
systems and aerospace industries worldwide through its Otis Elevator, Carrier
Corp, UTC Fuel Cells, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky Aircraft and Hamilton
Sundstrand companies.
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ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, presented ARRL tote bags "appropriate for any emergency" to Lt Gov Rell, Connecticut Emergency Management Director John Wiltse and UTC's Jacqueline Strayer. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, assists. | Michelle Thompson, N1PNT, served as control op for Lt Gov Rell, as Rell got acquainted with Amateur Radio at W1AW. Thompson was interviewed later by WTIC, Channel 61, in Hartford, for airing on the station's 10 PM newscast. |
| Previous: Amateur Radio Fire Response Support Continues in Colorado | Next: Rocket Boys--and Girl--Set Their Sights on Space |
