Hospitals, Health Agencies, Ham Operators and Law Enforcement test response to major health emergency in metro Atlanta
Emergency simulation takes on added significance after Hurricane Katrina

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA (Sep. 27) In a test of preparedness for a wide-area health emergency, several hospitals, health agencies and law enforcement agencies, along with the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Emergency Service (Gwinnett ARES), are conducting a test response to a simulated health emergency affecting much of North Georgia. 

   This exercise, scheduled months before Hurricane Katrina focused the nation's attention on disaster response and communications, will test the response and inter-agency communications capabilities of the participants as they deal with a simulated disaster.

   As was demonstrated in the response to Hurricane Katrina, the only reliable form of communications immediately following major disasters is amateur "ham" radio. Much of this disaster drill will focus on the capability of Gwinnett ARES to establish and maintain emergency communications for and between the participating agencies. Among the communications capabilities of ARES to be tested will be voice and data (radio e-mail) using ham radio systems. One special feature will be the testing of an airborne ham radio relay system.

   The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services headquarters will host the Operations Center for this exercise. Frank Daniell, Gwinnett’s Emergency Management Coordinator, considers ARES to be an integral part of the county's emergency preparedness planning.

   This exercise is part of the nationwide Simulated Emergency Test coordinated by the ARRL – the National Association for Amateur Radio.

Participating Agencies:

Gwinnett Co. Fire & Emergency Athens Regional EOC
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Oconee County RACES
Clarke Co EMA and ARES Dekalb County ARES
N.E. Georgia Public Health EOC Emory Eastside Medical Center
Gwinnett Sheriff’s Dept. Gwinnett County Police Dept.
East Metro Health District 

Recent activities of Gwinnett ARES: 
   Gwinnett ARES provided staffing at the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Center in Gwinnett, backup communications during a recent missing-persons search, held a disaster drill with Emory Eastside Hospital, and continued severe-weather spotting as part of the SKYWARN program of the National Weather Service, as well as regular training sessions. Gwinnett ARES members are all volunteers, providing their time, expertise, and equipment in a spirit of community service.

Visuals Include: 
• 7:45 am briefing for all participants
• Director of the simulation communicating with field units
• East Metro Health District - deployment of new Mobile Communications trailer
• Gwinnett Fire & Emergency HQ meeting room
• Setup and operation of communications gear, including
• computers communicating via ham radio 
• antenna systems • power generators
• Operators sending and receiving simulated emergency messages
• Deployment of an airborne radio relay system 

Potential Interviews: 
• ARES volunteers
• Officials from served agencies
• Hospital and CDC representatives
• East Metro Health District participants
• Gwinnett emergency preparedness personnel