FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 23, 2009

Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022

Caroline Roth
630/407-6033

COUNTY TO EXERCISE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

DU PAGE COUNTY -- The DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be exercising its public safety mobile communications assets this weekend (June 27-28) in Wheaton.  This exercise will be conducted in conjunction with the American Radio Relay League's Annual Field Day.

Members of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management staff, volunteers and amateur radio operators will deploy and conduct communication tests for a continuous 24-hour period from 1:00 pm Saturday through to 1:00 pm Sunday. 

"This exercise provides our Emergency Management Department with an opportunity to exercise equipment that would normally only get utilized during a major disaster in the County. This weekend also allows DuPage to work closely with our local Amateur Radio Operators in a national event." said Michael McMahon (District 3), Chairman of the County's Judicial and Public Safety Committee.   

Field Day is held to encourage Amateur Radio Operators to set up emergency radio stations similar to what could be needed following a disaster.  These stations use emergency power, temporary antennas and are setup in parks, schools and backyards to simulate disaster conditions.  Last year over 30,000 Amateur Radio Operators across the country participated in this event.

The public is invited to observe Field Day operations.  For additional information, please contact the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at 630-682-7925.

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