Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness Day at Luther Burbank Park on Saturday, June 23rd

June 18, 2018 | by Julia Hess

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Mercer Island residents are invited to join Mercer Island Radio Operators (MIRO), an Amateur Radio Emergency Service organization, during their annual American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day weekend for a special “Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness Day” on June 23rd, from 1 to 4 pm, at the north field of Luther Burbank Park.

MIRO is the ham radio group that provides backup communications for the City and its Police and Fire Departments. Their goal is to help more Mercer Islanders understand how and what they need to be prepared in order to respond effectively to a major emergency, such as “The Earthquake.”

Over the weekend of June 23rd and 24th, MIRO will be participating in ARRL, where ham radio stations all over the U.S. and Canada will attempt to contact as many other stations as possible in the 24-hour period from 11 am on Saturday to 11 am on Sunday. The public is invited to come by and see the ham radio equipment, antenna arrays and operators who could be the last means of communication in a disaster situation.

In conjunction with Field Day, Saturday the 23rd has been designated “Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness Day.” There will be lots of preparedness information (and giveaways), compliments of the City of Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness program. A City volunteer will be available to answer your questions.

MIRO will also be introducing the Astrēa Mobi-Pure water bottle that filters 99.9999% of viruses; 99.9999% of disease-causing bacteria, including E.coli, and 99.9999% of protozoan cysts. It also removes sediments and chemicals (e.g., chlorine, benzene), and it eliminates bad odors and taste, improving clarity and flavor. Each replaceable filter cartridge purifies the equivalent of 100 liters of water. This item is great for emergency preparedness and whenever you have questions about your water supply.

For more information on this event, please contact Woody Howse at (206) 849-5370 or by email ([email protected]); or Pat Hackett at (206) 972-2724 or by email ([email protected]).

Luther Burbank Park is located at 2040 84th Ave SE. The north field is directly accessible from the north parking lot.

[Press Release provided by Elwood D. Howse, Jr. K7EDH, Volunteer Chairman of Mercer Island Radio Operators / Feature image from MIRO website]