Blount Emergency Amateur Radio Service

This past weekend, Blount County ARES was proud to assist with the annual Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash, one of our largest events of the year. This cycling event attracts participants from across the region to enjoy a scenic and challenging route through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Our team of volunteers provided critical communications support to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the event. From marking the course on Wednesday to covering the entire race on Saturday, Blount County ARES was there every step of the way, dedicating a total of 102 volunteer hours.

The event organizers, including the team at Dancing Bear Lodge, were very complimentary of our service, specifically noting our professionalism, skills, and the importance of our role in ensuring a successful event. Our work involved monitoring the cyclists, ensuring timely communication between organizers and support vehicles, and being on standby for any potential emergencies along the course.

We extend our thanks to the organizers for trusting us with this responsibility and to our dedicated team of ARES volunteers who gave their time and expertise. Supporting events like this strengthens our community ties and enhances our readiness for emergency communications when needed most.

Thank you to everyone involved, and we look forward to next year’s Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash!

There are some photos from the event in the 2024 Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash gallery https://bcares.teamapp.com/clubs/465784/photos/1930052?_detail=v1

As National Preparedness Month (https://www.ready.gov/september) draws to a close, it’s an important reminder for all of us to take stock of our readiness in the face of emergencies. While there are countless suggestions on how to increase your preparedness—from stocking up on essentials to having an emergency communication plan—one key fact stands out: when “all else fails,” and ARES is needed, our ability to respond effectively depends on how well we are prepared in our personal lives.

Personal preparedness is the foundation for effective response. Whether responding to communication outages during natural disasters or providing vital support during emergencies, we cannot effectively help others if we’re not ready ourselves.

Environmental Challenges in the Months Ahead While Blount County may not face the direct impacts of hurricanes, we are not immune to the secondary effects. The heavy rainfall and storms that sweep through can lead to localized flooding and even tornados. Recent years have shown how quickly remnants of tropical storms can cause flash floods, endangering homes and infrastructure.

East Tennessee’s wildfire season is another factor to consider. The dry conditions during fall, combined with high winds, create a recipe for wildfires, which can spread quickly and lead to evacuations. While wildfires may seem more prevalent out west, we’ve seen how unpredictable fire behavior can threaten even our region.

As we move deeper into the year, winter weather brings its own set of challenges. Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures can result in hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and even risks from extended periods of arctic cold. Staying prepared for winter weather events by having alternative heat sources and backup power plans is crucial.

Be Ready, Stay Aware To be fully prepared, we encourage everyone to take steps now to ensure their personal readiness. Build your emergency kits, establish communication plans with family, and review your local emergency plans. Additionally, stay alert to weather patterns and potential environmental threats that may arise.

When ARES is activated, it’s often in response to these very events. Being prepared personally allows you to focus on providing essential communication services when our community needs them most.

Helpful Resources for Personal Preparedness To help you on your path to being prepared, here are some key online resources:

- Ready.gov: The official national preparedness website provides comprehensive guidance for preparing for all types of disasters, from building an emergency kit to making a plan. [Visit Ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/september)

- FEMA’s Ready Tennessee App: Stay informed about severe weather and emergencies with real-time alerts and information. Download the app for iOS or Android. [Learn more about ReadyTN](https://www.tn.gov/tema/prepare/ready-tn.html)

- National Weather Service (NWS): Keep up with local weather alerts and forecasts to stay aware of potential hazards. [Check your local NWS forecasts](https://www.weather.gov)

- American Red Cross: From disaster preparedness checklists to emergency apps, the Red Cross offers helpful tools for personal and family preparedness. [Get Prepared with the Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html)

- CDC Preparedness Guide: Stay healthy during an emergency with the CDC’s guidance on emergency supplies, safety, and evacuation. [Explore the CDC’s emergency preparedness resources](https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/index.htm)

- Blount County Emergency Management: Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans, evacuation routes, and shelters. [Visit Blount County’s Emergency Management page](https://www.blounttn.org/226/Emergency-Management)

Conclusion Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and let’s ensure we’re ready to respond when the call comes. Take action now to secure your personal preparedness, so that when ARES is needed, we can stand strong as a community.

This is a short event that we have supported in the past and have been asked to help again this year.

The run will be next Sunday, September 15. The start time was 8:30 last year, we anticipate it will be the same this year.

David, KE4FGW, will be NSC stationed at the start/finish line. Others will be stationed along the route to cover water stops and route turns. We plan to use the 146.625 repeater as we could not make simplex contact on all points of the route without relays.

Many volunteers signed up at our August meeting. If you missed that opportunity but still want to help just contact Lou.

Final details will be sent a few days before the event.

Lou
WB3JKQ
BC ARES EC

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news. The Foothills Striders, in appreciation of our dedicated efforts during the 2024 Tour de Blount, have graciously donated $300 to our organization. This generous contribution is a testament to the impact of our work and their appreciation of our efforts.

The Tour de Blount was a resounding success, thanks in part to the hard work and commitment of our team. Our coordination and communication efforts ensured the safety and enjoyment of all participants, showcasing the essential role we play in such events.

This donation from the Foothills Striders not only acknowledges our efforts but also provides us with valuable resources to fund our activities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Foothills Striders for their support and recognition. Their generosity helps us stay prepared and equipped for future endeavors.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate this wonderful gesture and reflect on the positive difference we make through our service.

Thank you, Foothills Striders, and thank you, BCARES members, for your unwavering dedication.

As we head into September, we have two important events that will require our dedicated volunteers. Your participation is crucial to ensure the safety and success of these events. Below are the details for each event and the roles we need to fill.

1. KTC 15k in Townsend – September 15
The Knoxville Track Club (KTC) is hosting their annual 15k race in Townsend on September 15. We need 6 operators and one Net Control Station (NCS) to cover this event. This is a relatively straightforward operation, but it’s vital to have clear communication throughout the course to ensure the safety of all participants. Your help in this event will make a significant difference!

2. Dancing Bear Bike Bash – September 21
This exciting event is just around the corner, and it’s going to be a big one! The Dancing Bear Bike Bash will take place on September 21, but we also need assistance a few days in advance for route marking. On the day of the event, we require a full crew:

2 NCS operators
4 SAG (Support and Gear) operators
4 operators for Water Stops
The Dancing Bear Bike Bash is a major event, and your role will be crucial in ensuring everything runs smoothly.

How to Volunteer
If you are available to assist with either or both of these events, please reach out as soon as possible to Lou, WB3JKQ ([email protected]). Your prompt response will help us finalize our plans and ensure we have all the necessary coverage.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support. Let’s make these events a success and continue to showcase the important role ARES plays in our community.

In our meeting this past Tuesday, the topic of the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) project project was discussed.
This innovative initiative is designed to provide robust, high-speed data networks using amateur radio frequencies in the 2.4GHz, 3.4GHz and 5.8GHz ranges.

What is AREDN?

AREDN leverages commercial off-the-shelf wireless networking equipment, repurposing it to operate on amateur radio frequencies. This enables the creation of resilient, high-speed, long-range mesh networks that can be deployed quickly in emergency situations. These networks support a variety of applications, including:

- Voice Over IP (VoIP) Communications: Facilitate clear, reliable voice communications even when traditional infrastructure is down.
- Data Transfer: Share critical information, including images and documents, rapidly across the network.
- Internet Access: Provide internet connectivity in areas where it may be unavailable during disasters.
- By utilizing the flexibility and power of mesh networking, AREDN ensures that communication links remain operational even if some nodes in the network are compromised.

Learn More About AREDN

To dive deeper into the AREDN project we recommend visiting the following resources:

- AREDN Official Website: arednmesh.org
This site provides comprehensive information about the project, including detailed guides on setting up and configuring your own AREDN nodes.

- AREDN Knoxville: arednknoxville.com
This local site offers specific insights, news, and updates about AREDN activities and deployments in our community.