On Wednesday, October 17, 2012 amateur radio operators from Centre County and other areas participated in the annual Emergency Operations Center Exercise held by the Penn State University and Centre Region Council of Governments Emergency Management Offices. The exercise was designed by Hagerty Consulting to bring together University and COG officials in a disaster simulation to test their ability to coordinate and respond to a widespread disaster in the region. The simulation was designed to force response to a tornado touching down in State College, PA and damaging both municipal and University infrastructure, students, and residents.Emergency Managers Shawn Kaufman (COG) and Brian Bittner (PSU) invited amateur radio to participate to test our readiness to answer a call for assistance. At 9:30 AM the requested Carmine, K3CWP, EOC Communications officer and EC, call for amateur participation. Carmine put out a call on the local Nittany Amateur Radio Club repeater, W3YA on 146.85 mHz -. Eighteen amateur radio operators answered the call. The were:
- KB1BH, Ken, in Bellefonte
- K3BIE, Dick, in Philipsburg
- N3CRM, Chuck, near University Park Airport
- KA8EUF, Dave, in State College
- KA3GBC, Joe, on University Park Campus
- AB3HK, Philip, in Philipsburg/Clearfield area
- N3IW, Chip, mobile
- W3JIM, Jim, in State College
- K3KDK, Bob, in Mifflin County
- K0LO, Mark, on PSU Campus
- WB2LOU, Ted, in Overlook Heights, State College
- AB3NC, Tracy, in Patton Township
- K3OOL, Craig, in Lemont
- KC0QJX, Gorden, in Innovation Park
- KB3QKR, Rich, in Innovation Park
- N3SPW, John, in State College
- KB3VNH, Jeff, in State College
- KB3YTV, David, in University Park
These 15 operators represented coverage of an area much wider that State College.
At 12:15 PM EMA Director Kauffman asked for amateur radio operators to respond to one of the simulated disaster zones because public safety radio communications were difficult with that area. Four operators responded to the call with two indicating availability to respond within thirty (30) minutes. They were:
- K3BOB, Bob
- N3CRM, Chuck
- K3OOL, Craig
- WB2LOU, Ted
Although amateurs were not asked to actually respond to any of the areas the check ins and reports provided proof of the ability to call up the amateur radio service when needed.
The Centre County EC, Carmine, K3CWP, noted that this was the first time in many years that amateur radio was invited to participate in an emergency exercise like this and thanked the local Emergency Management offices for the invitiation.