ACES

The first ACES-Basic certification class held in California concluded with all 18 attendees completing the program. Thanks to logistical support from the California Emergency Volunteers, Inc. and the Ripon Fire District, the course was hosted at the Ripon Fire Station. Organized by California Emergency Volunteer Directror David Coursey, N5FDL, the course took place over a long weekend.  Many of the students stayed for the additional train the trainer module to be available to assist with future class offerings in the area. Agencies represented include the American Red Cross, California Emergency Volunteers, Inc., Kaiser Permanente Amateur Radio Network, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and CERT.  ACES-Basic certification courses will now be available in California through several Instructor Coordinators.

The first ACES-Basic certification class held in La Pine, Oregon concluded with all 15 attendees completing the program. Thanks to logistical support from the Central Oregon Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Team and ODOT Division 10 South, the course was hosted at the Oregon Department of Transportation La Pine Maintenance Facility. Organized by Jim Williams WA7TYD the course took place over two weekends. Agencies represented were COARECT, ODOT, American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, Dechutes County ARES and Dechutes County Public Health.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the ACES booth at Seapac!  There were 59 Basic certified operators that checked in and received a green ribbon for the bottom of their name badge and were entered to win an ICOM ID-31A handheld.  Thirty operators completed the radio programming challenge by successfully programming a random repeater frequency, offset and tone into their handheld in under 2 minutes.  By doing so, they also received a ticket for the prize drawing.  Mike Phelps, NA7Q, had the fastest programming time with an incredible 17 seconds!  Congratulations to Todd Newton, KF7SGH, for winning the ICOM ID-31A!  Many thanks to ICOM for donating the prize.

Hope to see you again at next year's Seapac!

The first ACES Basic session was held at King County Red Cross and certified 22 participants.  There are now offerings scheduled for Blaine March 23-25, Olympia April 20, 21, 27, 28 and Tukwila May 4, 5, 11, 12.  More details and registration are available on the ACES web site.