Happy New Year greetings to all WCARES members –

As most of you already know, Ed Hudgens stepped down as Emergency Coordinator at the end of 2021. Thank you, Ed, for the great job you did during the last two years. Your leadership was much appreciated.

Beginning today, I took on the role of EC with a few thoughts I am passing on for your consideration:

• Given that WCARES is an ARRL ARES organization, we need to ensure that we, as a group, are always ready, willing, and able to provide Williamson County with reliable emergency communications support. After all, that is the reason the county government has invested so generously and continues to do so, in our communications infrastructure.
   
• Training exercises and public service events are invaluable in honing our skills as emergency communications specialists. I challenge each of you to take part in as many of these activities as possible.
   
• The skills of WCARES members and our resources do not have to be limited to Williamson County. As I reach out to the Emergency Coordinators of surrounding counties to exchange ideas and share best practices, please be open to assisting where needed.
   

We will discuss these topics and more at upcoming monthly meetings. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or wish to share thoughts and ideas on the above comments or any other matters relevant to our organization.

I look forward to working with every one of you in the coming year!

Jeff Standifer

WB5WAJ