While most people went about their day on Wednesday, September 16, a select group around the state were working to help people who were stranded by bridge and causeway flooding, downed trees, and debris. Working without internet, these people were supporting Red Cross shelters and assisting those who were working on environmental concerns such as leaking gas and oil from damaged boats.
You didn’t hear about Hurricane Kyle? That’s because the fictitious storm and aftermath were the focus of an emergency training exercise. The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in coordination with FEMA, created the exercise, designed to engage all 16 counties and tribal organizations. Starting with set-up at 11am, the exercise ran from noon to 8pm, with tear-down directly following the event. Currently the Hancock County operations area is in transition as a new facility is being built. With the facility unavailable, the activity was conducted from temporary shelters, similar to Field Day.
Those featured in the photo were posted at the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), moving left to right: Mel W1MEB, Joan W1DLC, Barbara KC1SSY, Matt KC1VLH, Marion W1GRL, Stan W1BOY, and Rob W8HAP. Not in the photo is club member Mark W1ABY who participated for a brief time. Also not in the photo are Andrew W1AXS, Director of the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and Jesse KC1YWY, Deputy Director/Planner of the Hancock County EMA, who were working in their official roles. Phil N1EP worked from the Washington County EMA and Bill KC2NMK represented the Coast Guard at the state level in Augusta.
Barbara KC1SSY, the Hancock County Emergency Coordinator (EC) served as the liaison between the EAWA and the exercise organizers. She had advised us to participate in two on-line meetings prior to the day of the exercise. As it would be in the case of a real emergency, the club volunteers did not know what issues might arise and when. Even though we had very few details, club members were ready with food and drinks, and extra tools, radios, antennas, and batteries.
Among the first tasks was to raise the tower which supported an off-center-fed dipole for 40 and 80 meters with the two telescoping masts at each end. The tower also had a VHF/UHF vertical for local and repeater communications. These antennas were connected to radios in the trailer. In another area of the parking lot, we had an end-fed half-wave antenna for 40 meters, specifically for Winlink communications.
The HF voice station in the trailer was primarily staffed by Stan W1BOY and Rob W8HAP. During the exercise they checked in to hourly nets that were run by Phil N1EP. They also “passed traffic,” which means they contacted people via HF with messages regarding needed resources or information. The trailer was supplied with several base and hand-held radios so they could monitor communications between counties and the state.
The Winlink station consisted of a tent with a table covered in radios, batteries, and a laptop. Barbara KC1SSY gave the volunteers a short introduction to several ways Winlink messages and forms may be used during an emergency, particularly when the internet is down. She also shared her procedures with us as she received and sent messages throughout the exercise.
The themes of the day were training and troubleshooting. It is a key part of any emergency exercise to find the equipment or procedures that aren’t working and locate areas of improvement. As we went through the set-up, exercise activation, and tear-down of the equipment, we identified the highlights and areas we need to work on. There were challenges, as there would be in any emergency. After the event, Barbara KC1SSY, in her role as Emergency Coordinator, praised the club members for working together, sharing their knowledge and equipment, and making the most of a long day.
It was a privilege to be asked to participate in Maine Strong 2026. All of us, from the state level to the individual, are better prepared for the disaster that we hope never comes. A special THANK YOU goes to Barbara for guiding us through this exercise. A special THANK YOU also goes to the club members who provided much needed nourishment and supplies. Together we worked to meet the challenges, making the day a success.
Written by Marion W1GRL
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