NNO information booth, Santa Fe Plaza (Photo: WFO Albuquerque)
(Aug. 21, 2012) - WFO Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Amateur Radio Emergency Service (SFARES) joined forces August 7 to co-sponsor National Night Out (NNO) on the Historic Santa Fe Plaza.
National Night Out was a unique crime/drug prevention event designed to heighten prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, while strengthening neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
A dozen SFARES members established a public information booth with National Weather Service brochures and literature on the structure and goals of the radio emergency group.
The literature included information on activities SFARES has undertaken in the past and its capability to support local, county and state emergency managers, as well as providing communications support through the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council in response to State Police activations.
SFARES is also involved in the National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN™ training program and should soon have more than a dozen certified spotters trained to provide observations directly to WFO Albuquerque via VHF repeaters.
NNO activities included a demonstration of communication capabilities featuring a radio conversation between the Santa Fe Plaza and WFO Albuquerque. Albuquerque's KOB-TV Chief Meteorologist Jason Stiff joined WFO Albuquerque staff members Kerry Jones, Tim Shy and Christopher Luckett for the demonstration.
One of the key goals of the event was to provide an opportunity for the general public to get to know the agencies and dedicated people who work to protect the community and enhance public safety.
(L - R) - Meteorologist Intern Christopher Luckett, KOB-TV Chief Meteorologist Jason Stiff and Senior Forecaster Tim Shy (Photo: WFO Albuquerque)
