Westport to Host Emergency Management Test

Westport, WA - Amateur radio operators from across Western Washington will help the Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) to field test its emergency communications system July 30 in Westport.
The test, which the public is invited to observe, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at the Westport Maritime Museum, 2201 Westhaven Dr., in Westport in Grays Harbor County.
Between 15 and 20 amateur radio operators will join with EMD staff to conduct the test of the state’s emergency communications trailer. Using the trailer’s communications equipment, radio operators will attempt to contact the state’s Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray and the emergency operations centers in all of the state’s 39 counties.
“Amateur radio is an important backup system for emergency operations in the event that phone and computer systems break down,” said Bob Purdom, EMD staff coordinator for the test. “Our annual field test will help us ensure that our amateur radio system can work when it is needed.”