Story and Photo by Jay King, W2AFE
The Southeastern Pennsylvania American Red Cross Emergency Communications Group (SPARCEG) provided communications support for a major Red Cross exercise at West Chester University on Friday, June 2. The exercise involved a Red Cross feeding class conducted at the university to certify feeding managers who would deploy and manage feeding operations at disaster sites.
The communications team included members from Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester County ARES including George Breslaw-KC3UPK, Peg Daly-N3PEG, Karl Harris-K3KH, Cliff Hothkiss-KC3PGT, Jay King-W2AFE and Perry Pepper-KC3JUD. Glenn Allison-N3MEL, Chester County Emergency Coordinator, arranged for use of the W3EOC repeater system used in the event. Barry Feierman-K3EUI was responsible for planning and guidance of the communications team.
As part of the exercise 1800 meals were prepared at a university kitchen where a base communications station was staffed throughout the operation. A SPARCEG mobile communications team rode in chase cars shadowing the vehicles as they made deliveries. The exercise was a major success and benefited greatly from the communications support.
