Story Created:
Jul 26, 2010 at 4:55 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 26, 2010 at 8:32 PM CST
The kickoff date for the State Fair is closing in and with tens of thousands of people headed to Grand Island fair officials are making safety and security a top priority. When all else fails one group in particular – amateur radio operators said they come through.
And clubs in South Central Nebraska look forward to riding the air waves as they volunteer at the Nebraska State Fair.
Fonner Park construction in Grand Island looks more and more like workable fairgrounds. In about one month the crowds will start pouring in and security will have to beef up.
"You can imagine when you have 50, 60, 70,000 people on the grounds you need as many eyes and ears as possible," said State Fair Director Joseph McDermott.
As they have in Lincoln the Nebraska State Patrol will act as the primary security force on the fair grounds along with private security forces and a lower profile group of amateur radio operators.
"They are quite helpful. They will help to locate lost kids, lost parents, lost cars. They basically are the eyes and ears of the State Patrol," McDermott said.
These operators are not tied to a blocky box at home, but, like Stan Coleman, go everywhere with their hand held radio.
"It is really interesting to be able to use the radio in a way that benefits the community and not just myself," said Stan Coleman. "That is just one of the reasons that I got my license was to help people."
Coleman, who has helped at the State Fair in Lincoln for more than 10 years, said radio operators will come from all over south central Nebraska and help work out the kinks as the State Fair makes Grand Island its home.
"Since it is a new year, new place, but I am really expecting amateur radio to be able to fill that gap of the unknown. The things that nobody anticipated," said Coleman.
"Any time you can get some additional help especially those that have their own communication systems that is a big plus," said McDermott.
It is a big plus since the radios will work through rain, winds and storms helping things run smoothly as the crowds make their way to Grand Island.
If you have your amateur radio license and would like to volunteer at the state fair visit www.statefairgi.com/
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