For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Members of the Mid-State Repeater Association and Wood County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) will be taking to the airwaves to honor the men and women of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The week of May 20-26, 2018 is recognized as national Emergency Medical Services week, a week designated to recognize and honor the men and women on the front lines of healthcare.  Amateur radio operators will be hosting a special event station during EMS week to help recognize EMS personnel.  They have secured W9A from the Federal Communications Commission as the callsign for the event.

The amateur radio recognition of EMS by amateur radio operators came to the forefront in 2016 in Kentucky, when W4A originally took to the airwaves.  Since then, other stations have gotten on the air to recognize EMS and have made this an annual event.

“Having done this event last year as the first time, it was a very pleasant surprise to make as many contacts as we did and hear the operators tell their stories about interacting with EMS or their time working in public safety” said Wood County ARES Emergency Coordinator and retired Grand Rapids Police Officer Mike Krohn.

The event will be on the air throughout EMS Week, and all licensed operators are encouraged to give a call.

The amateur radio emergency services are overseen by the American Radio Relay League and are open to all licensed amateur radio operators.  Anyone interested in getting more information about becoming an amateur radio operator or would like to attend the June 2 license workshop in Wisconsin Rapids can email the Mid-State Repeater Association at msra.w9mra@gmail.com, on the web at www.wrarclub.org or head to Facebook and check out Wood County ARES and the Mid-State Repeater Association’s pages, @WoodCoARESRACES and @midstaterepeater.  Wood County ARES meets the third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at United Emergency Medical Response in Wisconsin Rapids.