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Kaufman County ARES in The Monitor |
We have had an article that ran in The Monitor from Mabank on Sunday
March 26, 2006. We have included the story below and a link to the
original located at The Monitor Online. In a few days, we will be
getting a copy from the newspaper scanned in and will include it
online, too. Please take a minute to read the article.
Information contained in this article is no longer valid, please check main site for correct information.
We have had an article that ran in The Monitor from Mabank on Sunday March 26, 2006. We have included the story below and a link to the original located at The Monitor Online. In a few days, we will be getting a copy from the newspaper scanned in and will include it online, too. Please take a minute to read the article.
The text below was copied directly from the The Monitor Online website. We are proud to have an article in a local newspaper. If you are intrested in reprinting this news story, please contact The Monitor or contact Kaufman County ARES to run your own story.
There is only one error that was reported in this story. Jerry Harrison is no longer a member of Dallas RACES and is currently not a RACES member. For information on RACES and what the difference is, just read more. You can also email Jerry Harrison at
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ARES plans sky warn group
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KAUFMAN–If you have ever wanted to take part in a Sky Warn group, now is your chance. No, it isn’t actually storm chasing, but close enough for the amateur. The only requirement is you must be a licensed amateur radio operator.
Jerry Harrison is the coordinator for Kaufman County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, otherwise known as ARES.
Sky Warn is a group of amateur radio operators that go out and spot severe storms and tornados on the ground, he said.
While the National Weather Service has excellent radar to spot potential storms, Harrison said those storms on the ground are often under the view of radar. “The ultimate goal is to help in the spotting of tornadoes,” he said
Harrison said he was made coordinator for the group Sept. 15, 2005, and held the first meeting in October, 2005, at the Kaufman Fire Station. By November the same year, they were officially Kaufman County ARES. Now they are looking for new members to help in times of an emergency.
“I’ve had about six years as an ARES member. In that time I have come up with some thoughts of my own on how to form a new group,” he said. “My goal is to establish a group of radio operators to assist the county in any emergency by aiding in communications,” Harrison said. “The new group will work with the county in times of danger such as our upcoming spring storms,” Harrison said. ARES is often called upon to help in other ways. During Katrina, they helped with the movement of more than 1,100 evacuees, he explained.
Harrison is also a member of Dallas County RACES, which is under the auspices the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). “I have been a storm chaser for close to five years. I have a tremendous interest in serving the community in times of disaster,” he said. “For many years, ARES was not recognized as a major contributor in emergencies. But the last few years their many accomplishments have proven them a valuable tool in emergency communication,” he explained.
In times of disaster, the groups will work under the Kaufman County Emergency Management office and their director Kathy Paget. “I think this is great for the county,” Paget said. The group will help out in storm spotting and in case of other types of emergencies, provide alternative communication, freeing up the county emergency lines, she added.
“We have already had a couple of meetings with ARES, and we are encouraging other radio operators to get involved with the group,” Paget explained. ARES meets at 10 a.m. each third Saturday of the month at the fire station in Kaufman.
“We need your help,” Harris said to potential members.
For information call Harrison at (903) 887-3470, visit www.kaufman–ares.org or by e-mailing
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