On Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 7:30 am until 2 pm the Northland ARES Team assisted NKC CERT and North Kansas City Emergency Management with amateur radio communications during their annual Snake Saturday Parade and Festival.

Northland ARES provided vehicle traffic monitoring support at two locations (out of city-wide camera view) and provided amateur radio communications for their deployed CERT Team in the Carnival and BBQ area.

Various traffic reports were requested by the Incident Commander throughout the parade from ARES members and were received in a timely manner. Several lost persons were reported in the carnival area during this deployment but were reunited with their families in a timely manner.

Overall the deployment was a success as our first live event working with NKC Police Dept. The Incident Commander recognized the value of what we were able to contribute to the management of the event and we were thanked for our efforts.

My thanks to Dennis - KA0SXY, Gary - KD0DXO, Frank - KC0YSH and Steve - KD0FUE for their excellent communications contribution for this event! Thank you again Dennis for the loan of the radio equipment for the day!

Future plans for the NKC EOC still include an amateur radio station as budgets and funding allow down the road. More information regarding this as news becomes available.

Thanks again for your collective help and assistance for this event!

73 de Dave Laskowski, N8TMN
NKC PD VIPS - Emergency Management