Hampton recognizes amateur radio volunteers as emergency communications backup

Hampton officials honored the Hampton Amateur Radio Group — also called the Hampton Public Service Team — for its volunteer emergency communications support. Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Sarah Ryu told the council the group was formed after Hurricane Isabel and now provides backup communications when primary systems fail. "The amateur radio group is comprised of 100 licensed amateur radio operators," Ryu said, and she described the group as organized into three participation levels to support emergency operations.

Ryu said the group logged about "approximately 700 volunteer hours" in 2011 and outlined its training schedule, monthly meetings and participation in community events such as holiday parades and the Hampton Crawling Crab 0.5 Marathon. She named leaders and credited Chris Hossman as the group's driving force, noting volunteers' roles in EOC operations and a communications support trailer converted with donated funds and equipment. Mayor Ward was invited to assist with the plaque presentation as staff asked the camera to photograph the honorees.