What’s that unofficial post office slogan, “Neither rain …”? Well, neither rain, nor chill, nor high winds sways the determination of the EAWA, Hancock County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and the Sea of Blue Directors Matt (KC1VLH) and Susan Heel to work together for a great event! Among the EmComm crew, spirits were high and energy focused on the serious tasks at hand.
Community service is of great important to the EAWA, and many thanks go to Matt KC1VLH for asking the EAWA to join in the planning and execution of the race. Weeks before the race, Matt and Jeff KA1DBE checked radio coverage of the course, Barbara KC1SSY and Joan W1DLC scouted the course for locations for operator stations, and Matt prepared information boards announcing the EAWA’s presence to race participants. Barbara and Matt spoke at several EAWA club meetings to inform us all of the plans for the big day.
As the race participants arrived on Saturday, April 26, they were greeted by EMA trailer. Special thanks goes to Andrew W1AXS for authorizing use of the Hancock County EMA trailer and for delivering it to Northeast Harbor. The EAWA EmComm team met at 8am to go over plans for the day. Operators were at their stations before those walking started at 9:30. During the event, radio operators tracked the walkers and runners, and reported back to the tailer. Many thanks goes to Rob W8HAP, Joan W1DLC, Sean KC1SSW for running the net controls and record keeping. Some operators moved, after the last participant passed, to locations at the end of the race to continue tracking.
At times the weather was truly uncomfortable, with rain, chilly temperatures, and high winds, but just like the race participants, the operators rose to the challenges. Each operator stayed until the last participant passed their station. The net control operators in the trailer remained focused until the last participant safely crossed the finish line. The post-race food and drinks were greatly appreciated as the team took a break before cleaning up and stowing all the equipment and items in the trailer. It was a great surprise and honor to receive a certificate of Outstanding Service from the Sea of Blue organizers.
On a side note, two EAWA members were running the 10K race, Stan W1BOY and yours truly (Marion W1GRL). From my perspective the EAWA members operators were professional and focused, and yet relaxed enough to cheer runners as they went along. I felt safe as I knew the operators were spaced along the route, keeping an eye on all the runners. It was a great morale boost to give a “high five” or fist bump to my friends along the way.
Community service is highly important to the EAWA. Thanks Matt KC1VLH, for offering us this opportunity to hone our skills, put our equipment through the paces, test our organizational and preparation plans, and for letting us be a part of the amazing Sea of Blue experience!
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 