The 2023 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) called “Operation Fire Dragon” is in the books! We had a great time, learned some lessons and finished it up with Bar-B-Q brisket (courtesy of Tom W2DGO). Thanks to all of the Mesa County ARES members who participated, including Chip NØWKR, Randy KDØNSP, Bill ABØLG, Steve KEØBPD, Henry KBØSNI, Keri N2KNK, Forrest ADØXC, Chris KB3SCN, Bill KØUK, Tom W2DGO, Don AEØIF, Mark AEØVC and Chuck KFØEUY.
We were able to staff three partner agencies, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Lower Valley Fire Department, which gave us a chance to learn to operate from their facilities and meet some great new people.
Despite some hardware problems, we managed to achieve most of the objectives we had established, and were able to communicate with our counterparts on the Front Range. This was the first time Colorado ARES established a state-wide scenario to be followed by all 10 ARES Regions, and it gave us all an opportunity to work together on a common focus.
A special thanks to the CoARES planning/exercise team for their hard work.