Calling all hams. Covington County EMA Director Susan Harris needs your assistance.

Harris is organizing a planning meeting to discuss communications during disaster events.

“Planning is necessary now and is impossible during a disaster event,” she said. “Communication for EMA is extremely important during emergencies.”

Harris said as EMA director, her job is to support all agencies in the county.

“Therefore, I must be able to communicate with them and make sure they have current information and equipment to do their jobs,” she said.

Harris said when cell phones, landlines, Internet connectivity and other radio systems are down or overloaded, amateur radio still gets the message through.

“Radio amateurs, often called hams, enjoy radio technology as a hobby,” she said. “But to EMA, it’s a service – a vital service that has saved lives when regular communication systems failed.”

Harris has scheduled a meeting for Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Andalusia Public Library.

“At this meeting Thursday night, we will discuss different areas that each member can assist and will plan a drill to exercise the communications plan,” she said. “We ask that if you are not a member of a group to still come and participate. Everyone is needed.”