Calling all Lancaster County Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters. We’re back! It’s been three years since our last training session at the Severe Weather Symposium. For that reason, all spotters are required to attend a training session on Saturday, April 16, 2022, to recertify for deployment.

The new Lincoln Amateur Radio Club facility, 4420 NW 41st Street, will be the location for this training session. It is in northwest Lincoln’s Airpark industrial area. We hope to have the club station operational for tours, but please keep in mind this is a new installation, and we may not be fully functional by SKYWARN training day.

We’ve booked an in-person presentation with Brian Smith, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist. Training event sponsors NeARES, Lincoln Amateur Radio Club, and Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency will have team members on-site to assist.

If you’ve previously completed “Role of the SKYWARN Spotter” and “Spotter Convective Basics” online courses, you’re not required to retake them if you’ve submitted your certificate to me for our official records. However, retaking it as a refresher is recommended. Go to www.neares.net and find the links to these courses on the right-hand column. Please add Ed Holloway, KØRPT, as your instructor, and upon completion of these courses, the system will email your completion certificate to me.

It has been a long time since we’ve issued Lancaster County Emergency Management ID cards, and we will resume this process on training day. The procedure includes completing a form, updating your ARES information, and taking your photo. Please bring your driver’s license, as we’ll need it to complete your registration. Your data will be securely stored and never shared or published online in any form.

Here is the training day schedule:

• 08:00 am to 12:30 pm – Salamander and ARES Registration
• 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm – Brian Smith Presentation
• 1:45 pm to 2:15 pm – Mark Hosking – Lancaster County EMA – Credentials Exam
• 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm – Ed Holloway, KØRPT – EC Presentation

We are in the process of updating storm spotter packets. After completing the credential exam, Salamander, and ARES registration, we’ll send your 2022 storm spotter packet in an email. A limited number of print copies will be available on training day.

We will follow Lancaster County DHMs. If the mask mandate is in effect, please have yours available and wear it properly. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing everyone.

Ed Holloway, KØRPT