Special Olympics will be a major undertaking this year due to the construction of a new stadium at U of R. The track and field area along with the area between the Robbins Center and the field is part of the construction site and as such isn't available for the event. Athletes and coaches will still be housed at U of R but events will be spread across the Robbins center, St. Christopher's School, St. Catherine's School and the Henrico County ball fields. This will put a greater burden on communications, requiring nearly double the number of amateur radio operators that assisted with the event last year. Security and transportation are just two of the many areas whose needs will mushroom this year.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) will be providing two mobile command posts, several repeaters, assorted vehicles and personnel for the duration of the event. VDEM will be treating the event as a training exercise to gain experience in large scale deployments and working closely with amateur radio operators.
Please make an effort to volunteer for this most worthy cause. Virginia Special Olympics be very appreciative of your efforts and you will get a chance to see VDEM, including its high tech command posts, in action. To offer your services, please contact Joe Landers KE4EUE on his 145.390 repeater, by telephone at 804-691-0673 or visit his web site
www.ke4eue.org/special_olympics_2009.htm .
