Polk County amateur radio operators — commonly known as “hams” — were presented with the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award by Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today in a ceremony at Southeast Polk High School. As part of the amateur radio hobby, operators give back to their community by providing communications support to these events and agencies at no cost as part of the Polk County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Amateur radio operators purchase, build, and maintain equipment and infrastructure on their own to support the mission of Polk County ARES in addition to receiving professional training and participating in exercises on their own time as unpaid volunteers.

Polk County ARES was nominated for the award by Polk County Emergency Management Agency. The two organizations have a long-standing relationship, working together to train and prepare to assist in the event of a disaster of if main communications systems fail, such as public safety two-way radio systems, cellular or landline phone systems, or 9-1-1 public safety answering points.

“We are appreciative of the relationship we have with Polk County EMA, and honored that they value our partnership to the extent that they nominated us for this award,” Polk County ARES Coordinator Scott Kirstein said. “These volunteers are truly an exceptional group and I am proud to be associated with them.”

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards program was created in 1982. Nominations can be made by Iowa non-profit, charitable, and government organizations to honor local volunteers with a prestigious state-level recognition award. The criteria for organizations and individuals receiving the award includes demonstrating an exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activities; demonstrating exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to others; or making an outstanding contribution to state or community through volunteer service.

Polk County ARES will be participating in an upcoming 24-hour exercise and public demonstation called “Field Day” on June 28 and 29 at Fort Des Moines Park in Des Moines. At the event, the public is invited to meet with amateur radio operators, see the latest technology in amateur radio, and even get on the air to make contacts with other operators around the country and around the world — completely wirelessly without cell phones or internet. For more information on Field Day in Des Moines, visit https://dmraa.com/fieldday. For more information on Polk County ARES, visit their website at http://www.polkcountyares.com.