Field Day has been called amateur radio’s open house. Held the last weekend of June, it is the most popular event in amateur radio, also known as ham radio. Ham radio operators throughout North America set up temporary radio stations, erect antennae, and demonstrate their ability to communicate without the use of commercial electricity or services. While it’s a day of fun—filled with contests, picnics, and teaching others about their hobby—Field Day provides an opportunity to practice skills important in emergency communications. Ham radio operators, all volunteers and unpaid, routinely provide essential communications during times of emergency when telephone, cellular, and other forms of communication are not available.

Ham radio provided the only means of communication to much of Puerto Rico after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. In many communities, amateur radio provides emergency back-up communication for local hospitals during power outages and storms. During severe weather, Adams County’s ham radio group, the DeForest Amateur Radio Club, is responsible for relaying weather spotter reports from a nine-county region to the National Weather Service in Wilmington as part of the Skywarn system.

The volunteerism, community service, and emergency preparedness that ham radio represents makes it a good fit with public health. The Adams County Health Department is proud to host the location for Field Day 2021 on Saturday June 26 and Sunday, June 27.

As life gradually returns to a more normal state following a year of health restrictions brought on by COVID-19, it is important to recognize another group of volunteers in Adams County. The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of local groups of volunteers that assist local communities in

strengthening public health, reducing vulnerability, and improving the capacity for preparedness, response, and recovery for times of emergency. The Adams County MRC rallied to serve our community during the COVID-19 vaccination efforts. With their help, over 6,000 members of our community have been protected against COVID-19. Their efforts make events like Field Day possible.

All are welcome to attend the 2021 Field Day at the Adams County Health Department at 923 Sunrise Avenue in West Union on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, to learn about ham radio, emergency communications, the Medical Reserve Corps, and how volunteerism can help our community.

William E. Hablitzel, M.D. is the Adams County Health Commissioner. He can be reached at the Adams County Health Department, 923 Sunrise Avenue, West Union, Ohio, 45693