Be Prepared for Emergency Communications: Learn Ham Radio

The Bel Air Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council has made Emergency Communications a top priority.  The Council’s Public Safety/Disaster Preparedness Committee has partnered with the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Auxiliary Communications Service (LAFDACS.ORG) to implement their program in our community. With the help of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, the Council recently voted unanimously to provide funding to the LAFD ACS for equipment and training to residents who wish to become effective emergency communicators for their community.

The Committees Emergency Communications plan is to connect individual communities through an amateur radio infrastructure. The LAFD ACS provides a communications path between the residents of Los Angeles and City and State emergency managers so they can plan responses and allocate resources as efficiently as possible during a major disaster.

The Plan relies on a cohesive network of FCC licensed amateur radio operators (Hams) and the BABC Neighborhood Council is sponsoring 2 study classes and an exam for residents to obtain their FCC license.  Classes are open to all residents, but it is necessary to RSVP.

Technician Exam Study Class
Date: Tuesday, October 6th
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Bel Air Ridge Homeowners Association – Club House
2760 Claray Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90077 [map]

Technician Exam Study Class
Date: Saturday, October 17th
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Bel Air Crest Homeowners Association – Club House
11701 Bel Air Crest Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077 [map]

Technician EXAM
Date: November 7th, 2015
Time: 10:00am  
Location: TBA

For those interested in more information or who wish to attend the class and test please contact Michael Schlenker, Chairman Bel Air Beverly Crest Emergency Communications Committee, LAFD ACS Battalion 10, at [email protected].