SEMA Radio Officer Eric Carroll N1HVM and Member Howard Pohlman.	SEMA Director Charles Dunlap K1II.
SEMA member Bob Miller.	SEMA member Dave Houle.

Powder Mill Middle School Open House - September 11 and 13, 2007

(Left to Right) Joan Boissonnault and Eric Carroll, Radio Officer.

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 8, 2007

(Left to Right) Pete Jakobowski; Eric Carroll, Radio Officer; Keith Stromgrem, Assistant Director; Howard Pohlman, Mary Grasso and Pauline Dunlap.	SEMA Director Charles H. Dunlap.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 23 and 24, 2007

The weather was perfect for this year’s annual ARRL Field Day exercise.  The communities of Granville and Southwick participated in this year's exercise, along with visiting radio operators and Emergency Management personnel from Chester, East Longmeadow, Springfield, Ware and Westfield.  We operated under the call sign WC1SW adjacent to our E.O.C. site which qualified us for Foxtrot class.  Three radio stations were continuously in use for the 24 hour exercise and we successful made over two hundred local, regional and national contacts. We had many visitors to our Field Day exercise representing Emergency Management, radio amateurs and the general public.  This year's Field Day exercise included many firsts for our agency including two stations that were powered using solar arrays, and computerized logging of all contacts made.

Eric Tuller N1QKO, SKYWARN Coordinator and Al Grimaldi KB1XG, an ARES member from East Longmeadow make contacts on a 40 meters using a solar powered station.	Keith Stromgrem N1MOC, SEMA Assistant Director and Kevin Stromgrem WA1JUJ, Granville Emergency Management Director discuss antenna orientation during setup.
Charles Dunlap K1II, SEMA Director and Tom Doyle N1MUV pose in front of the SEMA 6x6 2 1/2 ton Cargo Truck.  Tom serves as District Emergency Coordinator for Hampden County ARES as well as Communications Chair for the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.	Charles Dunlap, K1II, SEMA Director and Bill Ferry K1BZM log contacts on a laptop computer while making calls on an HF radio.  This year, all our calls were logged electronically using software developed by Scott Davis N3FJP.  For more information about the program's that Scott has written, click here.
(Left to right) Charles Dunlap K1II, SEMA Director, Kevin Stromgrem WA1JUJ, Granville Emergency Management Director, Bill Ferry K1BZM and Bob Hassett, Director of Springfield's Office of Emergency Preparedness discuss radio propagation.	Howard Pohlman and Dave Houle KB1NCK work on assembling a Yagi antenna in front of the Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV).

SEMA  provides security and communication support to AMA Motocross Nationals. 

On June 10, 2007 members of the Southwick Emergency Management Agency provided security and communications support to the AMA Motocross Nationals at Moto-X 338 in Southwick, MA.  The AMA Motocross Nationals is the largest single day event held in the town of Southwick attracting crowds in excess of twenty thousand people. Every year, the event attracts the top motocross riders in the country, and SEMA assists with event security by checking coolers and backpacks of spectators and patrols the perimeter of the race track, and the parking areas during the event.  SEMA provides communication support linking law enforcement agencies, emergency services and emergency medical personnel, fire department personnel, and race track officials with our Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV).  

SEMA Member Dave Houle assists with checking contents of spectator's coolers and backpacks at the main gate.  In the background is SEMA's Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV).	The huge track accommodates thousands of spectators and provides them with a up close view of the riders.  This year's motocross attracted 20,000 race fans.
SEMA Members Dave Houle, Bob Miller, and Howard Polman.	SEMA Director Charles H. Dunlap trackside.

Southwick Declares State of Emergency during April 15-16, 2007 Nor'easter

On April 15 and 16th, 2007, a powerful Nor'easter dumped 5.75" of rainfall on Southwick.  National Weather Service issued flood warnings, and a State of Emergency was declared for the town.  Southwick was one of twenty-one communities that declared a State of Emergency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during this storm.  During the storm, Southwick's Emergency Operations Center was activated and attended by 16 town officials including elected officials, the department of public works, law enforcement, conservation, and emergency management personnel.  During the storm, roads were washed out and flooded and cellars were flooded.  The State of Emergency was lifted on April 18, 2007 at 1330 hours.     

Water over the roadway on North Loomis Street.	Flooding at Loomis Street at the intersection of Klaus Anderson Rd. and Vining Hill Rd.
Culvert on Sunnyside Road washed out.

Southwick Auxiliary Police and SEMA patrols Southwick schools - October 30 and 31, 2006

(Left to Right) Charles Dunlap, Director; Eric Carroll, Radio Officer; Pauline Dunlap; David Houle; Pete Jakobowski, Auxiliary Police; Bob Miller; Chuck Housner, Assistant Director.

Powder Mill Middle School Open House - September 12 and 15, 2006

(Left to Right) Eric Carroll, Radio Officer; Sarah Houle; Joan Boissonnault; Charles Dunlap, Director.

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 9, 2006

(Left to Right) Keith Stromgrem, Assistant Director; Eric Carroll, Radio Officer; Charles Dunlap, Director; Chuck Housner, Assistant Director.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 24 and 25, 2006

The weather forecast called for rain and thunderstorms, but we managed to have good weather for our annual Field Day exercise.  The communities of Agawam, Granville and Southwick participated in this year's exercise.	Chuck Housner KB1FLI, SEMA Assistant Director, cooks up breakfast for the troops.  Keith Stromgren N1MOC, SEMA Assistant Director  and Kevin Stromgren WA1JUJ, GEMA EMA Director enjoy a hearty meal.
Kevin Stromgren WA1JUJ, GEMA EMA Director demonstrates a vintage military radio to Eric Tuller N1QKO, SKYWARN Coordinator and Tom Doyle N1MUV.  Tom serves as District Emergency Coordinator for Hampden County ARES as well as Communications Chair for the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.	Eric Carroll N1HVM, SEMA Radio Officer and Doug Labun, AEMA pose in front of the SEMA 6x6 2 1/2 ton Cargo Truck.
Doug Labun, AEMA, Eric Tuller N1QKO, Keith Stromgren N1MOC, SEMA Assistant Director and Chuck Housner KB1FLI, SEMA Assistant Director discuss the events of the day inside the SEMA Mobile Communications Vehicle.	We operated under the call sign WC1SW using commercial power (with emergency power available in standby).  Again we utilized our alternate E.O.C. site which qualified us for Foxtrot class.  Two radio stations were continuously in use for the 24 hour exercise.

SEMA RACES Members attend Emergency Communications Workshop - April 8, 2006

Saturday, April 8, 2006:  Emergency Communications Workshop for ARES and RACES held at Walpole Town Hall Offices hosted by Walpole Emergency Management Agency. Eight hours of emergency communications training including ICS, NIMS , Haz-Mat interfacing, communications jump kits, antennae, and power supplies along with emergency survival training. Thirty nine RACES and ARES members from Massachusetts attended this workshop. From the Southwick Emergency Management were RACES member Pauline Dunlap and Director Charles H. Dunlap. Representatives from East Longmeadow Emergency Management and Town of Chester Board of Health also attended.

Southwick Auxiliary Police patrols Southwick schools while 
SEMA provides communications support - October 30 and 31, 2005

Southwick Auxiliary Police Officer Steve Royer	Southwick Auxiliary Police Officer Pete Jakobowski, Jr.
SEMA Radio Officer Eric Carroll N1HVM	SEMA member Bob Miller

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 10, 2005

(Left to Right) Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director; Eric Carroll; Don King; Joan Boissonnault; Pauline Dunlap; Howard Pohlman; and Keith Stromgrem, Assistant SEMA Director.

SEMA members (Left to Right) Eric Carroll; Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director; and Robert Miller answered questioned and distributed emergency preparedness literature at the Power Mill School open house on September 13 and 15, 2005.

SEMA RACES Members attend Advanced Communications  Seminar - August 13, 2005

RACES members SEMA Director Charles H. Dunlap K1II and Eric Caroll N1HVM, along with Jim Gamache KB1BEV of Agawam RACES, attended the Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association sponsored training on Advanced Emergency Communications held at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  This workshop covered advanced packet to Internet amateur radio operations.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 26 and 27, 2005

(Left to Right) Charles Dunlap K1II, SEMA Director; Kevin Stromgren WA1JUJ, GEMA Director; Chuck Housner KB1FLI, SEMA Assistant Director; Ian McAlister N1HS TEMA; Pauline Dunlap N1EVE SEMA; Keith Stromgren N1MOC SEMA Radio Officer; and Matt Le Febvre of GEMA.	Ian McAlister N1HS of TEMA, uses packet digital radio to make contacts during the ARRL Field Day exercise while Matt Le Febvre looks on.
Pauline Dunlap N1EVE of SEMA makes contacts on a 6M radio during the ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise.	Another Field Day without thunder storms!  We operated as WC1SW under emergency power.  The communities of Agawam, Granville, Southwick and Tolland all participated in this years exercise which was held on the site of our alternate E.O.C.

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 11, 2004

(Left to Right) Joan Boissonnault; Pete Jakobowski; Eric Carroll; Pauline Dunlap; Howard Pohlman; and Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director.

SEMA Members Attend Granville, MA 250th Anniversary Parade - September 5, 2004

(Left to Right) Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director; Pauline Dunlap; Pete Jakobowski; and Chuck Housner, SEMA Assistant Director.

SEMA RACES Members Attend Advanced Communications Seminar - August 28, 2004

RACES members EMA Director Charles H. Dunlap K1II and Pauline Dunlap N1EVE attended the Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association sponsored training on Advanced Emergency Communications.  This workshop covered advanced packet to Internet amateur radio operations.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 26 and 27, 2004

The weather was beautiful for Field Day 2004.  No thunder storms!  We operated as WC1SW under commercial power (with emergency power available in standby).  We were operating at our alternate E.O.C. site which qualified us for Foxtrot class.  Two stations were operated continuously	SEMA Director Chales H. Dunlap K1II prepares eggs for the troops while Kevin Stromgren WA1JUJ Granville EMA Director operates in the background.
Field Day 2004 was the first Field Day deployment of Southwick's (almost completed) retrofitted 1997 BlueBird TC-1000.  This Field Day differed from others in that there was no preplanning; just drive up, set up and go! Two 30 ft telescoping masts were utilized.

SEMA prepares new Mobile Communications vehicle 
 

Southwick Emergency Management Agency members have been preparing a 1997 Blue Bird TC-1000 to replace our 1984 Chevrolet Communications Vehicle.  The 1997 TC-1000 originally served the City of Newton, Massachusetts as a para-transit bus.  The photograph on the left show the bus as it was purchased in August of 2003.  The photograph on the right was taken in December of 2003.  It shows the new paint scheme and most of the windows removed.  The new vehicle will feature an on-board diesel generator, air conditioning and an extensive array of communications equipment.  Stay tuned for further news on the new SEMA Communications Vehicle.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 28 and 29, 2003
 

The weather was beautiful on Field Day 2003. Three radio stations were setup and we operated as Foxtrot (Emergency Operations Center) class. Members of Granville, Westfield, Tolland, and Agawam's Emergency Management Agencies joined us for the exercise.	Ian McAlister (TEMA) N1HS demonstrates packet digital radio to Southwick Boy Scout Troop 114.
Ian McAlister (TEMA) N1HS, Keith Stromgrem (SEMA) N1MOC, Southwick Police Officer Cross, Kevin Stromgren (GEMA)  WA1JUJ	Kevin Stromgren WA1JUJ Granville EMA Director operating 20 meter HF station
Jim Gamache (AEMA) KB1BEV	Bob Meneguzzo (ARES) K1YO , Ted Locke, Tolland EMA Director, and Peter Beauregard (WEMA) KI1I, securing one end of the 450 ft horizontal HF antenna.

SEMA Hosts Western Massachusetts Auxiliary Police Association Meeting - May 5, 2003
 

The Southwick Emergency Management Agency hosted the May 5, 2003 meeting of the Western Massachusetts Auxiliary Police Association.  The guest speaker for the evening was Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission Executive Director Robert J. Mallard, P.E.	(Left to Right) Bob Miller; Pauline Dunlap; Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director; MAC Executive Director Robert J. Mallard, P.E.; Chuck Housner, SEMA Assistant Director; Pat Davis

SEMA Members honored by the Southwick Grange as Citizens of the Year - April 23, 2003
 

(Left to Right) Bob Miller; Chuck Housner, SEMA Assistant Director; Pauline Dunlap; Tyler Moore; Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 7, 2002
 

(Left to Right) Bob Miller; Chuck Housner, SEMA Assistant Director; Pauline Dunlap; Howard Pohlman, Charles Dunlap SEMA Director; Don King

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 22 and 23, 2002
 

Field Day 2002 was not without inclement weather.  Three radio stations were setup during ninety degree temperatures and heavy rainstorms.  Members of Granville and Westfield's Emergency Management Agencies joined us for the exercise, as well as Tolland R.A.C.E.S.	This year, Ian McAlister, Tolland R.A.C.E.S. Officer, N1HS provided us with the 50 foot portable tower seen here in the foreground.  In the background is Granville's Emergency Management vehicle.
Kevin Stromgren, Granville EMA Director, call sign WA1JUJ makes radio contacts.	Gary Tomestic of Westfield EMA, call sign KB1CWU works a HF radio.
Chuck Housner of Southwick EMA, call sign KB1FLI makes contacts on an HF radio.	Chefs Keith Stromgren, call sign N1MOC and Pauline Dunlap, call sign N1EVE cook up dinner for the troops.  None of our operators or guests went hungry.

 

Southwick Citizens Police Academy Graduation - December 17, 2001
 

SEMA members Pauline Dunlap and Chuck Housner posed with Southwick Community Services Officer Kirk H. Sanders at the December 17, 2001 graduation of the Fall 2001 Class of the Southwick Citizen's Police Academy.

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 23 and 24, 2001
 

Field Day 2001 will be remembered for the weather.  Three radio stations were setup during a day long severe thunderstorm warning.  Members of Granville and Westfield's Emergency Management Agencies joined us for the exercise, as well as Tolland ARES and other VIP guests.	This is the main site of our incident command.  This year, Peter Beauregard, Westfield EMA Radio Officer, KI1I provided us with the 50 foot portable tower and 6M Yagi antenna seen to the left of the vehicle.
Peter Beauregard, Westfield EMA Radio Officer, KI1I and Gary Tomestic of Westfield EMA, KB1CWU work and log dupes on a 20M radio.	Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director, K1II works a 10M radio while Pauline Dunlap N1EVE looks on.
Chef Tyler Moore, N1YFH cooks no matter what the weather during field day.  None of our operators or guests went hungry.	SKYWARN instructor Eric Tuller, N1QKO works a 6M radio while logging his contacts.
Tolland ARES operator Ian McAlister, N1HS works the 10M radio overnight.	SEMA member Don King runs fuel to keep the generators running at field day.

Auxiliary Police Qualifying - March 4, 2001
 

SEMA member Chuck Housner (kneeling) qualifies under the supervision of Southwick Police Officer and Range Officer Jesse Rizzo.	The SEMA command center, provided a warm place to reload during this winter qualifying session.  Granville Police, Holyoke Auxiliary Police, and Southwick Police Auxiliary were represented.

Statewide MEMA Earthquake Simulation - November 4, 2000
 

Pauline Dunlap N1EVE and Chuck Housner KB1FLI check in with MEMA Coordinators via 2M Radio during the earthquake simulation.	Bernard Keefe, SEMA Assistant Director, N1WHA uses a 2M Radio to communicate with the American Red Cross Headquarters in Springfield, MA.
Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director, K1II uses a 2M handheld radio for communications from the Mobile E.O.C.	A tabletop exercise was performed during the simulation for the Local Emergency Planning Committee in the main E.O.C.

Southwick Fireman's Carnival Parade - September 9, 2000
 

(Left to Right) Howard Pohlman; Chuck Housner; Bernard Keefe, SEMA Assistant Director; Charles Dunlap SEMA Director; Pauline Dunlap, Peter Jakobowski

ARRL Field Day Exercise - June 24 and 25, 2000
 

This is the main site of our incident command.  Attached to S.E.M.A.'s Mobile Command Center is a large directional YAGI antenna.  The screen house provided us with an additional radio operations station.	(Left to Right) Charles Dunlap SEMA Director; Kyle Whalley; Kevin Stromgren, Granville EMA Director; Chuck Housner; Keith Stromgren, SEMA Radio Officer; Peter Beauregard, Westfield EMA Radio Officer; and Howard Pohlman.
Peter Beauregard, Westfield EMA Radio Officer, call sign KI1I, makes contacts while Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director,  call sign K1II, logs the contacts and checks for duplicates.	Southwick Auxiliary Police Members Howard Pohlman and Kyle Whalley were on hand to keep the Field Day exercise site secure.
Kevin Stromgren, Granville EMA Director, call sign WA1JUJ makes radio contacts while his brother Keith Stromgren, SEMA Radio Officer, call sign N1MOC logs the contacts and checks for duplicates.	Charles Dunlap, SEMA Director,  call sign K1II, makes contacts while Paul Kokoszyna, call sign KA1TRF logs the contacts and checks for duplicates.  Vistor Len Shaffer, call sign N1JTU observes.