On Veterans day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014, NACCHO staff members volunteered with the D.C. Department of Health to provide support for the Concert for Valor on the National Mall. The event, featuring performances from Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Eminem, Metallica, Carrie Underwood, Dave Grohl, the Black Keys, and Jessie J, Zac Brown Band, was expected to draw 800,000 people.
Safety and security at the event was provided by many agencies, including the U.S. Park Service, D.C. Department of Health, D.C. Fire and EMS, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service.
NACCHO volunteers provided assistance with family reunification, staffing for the 14 medical aid stations and patient tracking. Additionally, several of NACCHO staff members with amateur radio licenses provided communications support for the event. The Voice of America Amateur Radio Club partnered with NACCHO and allowed use of their UHF and VHF K3VOA repeaters throughout the event.
Overall, the event was a great success, thanks in part to the unusually warm temperatures on Tuesday, with highs reaching the mid-70s. A total of 134 patient encounters were logged at the first aid stations and five missing children were successfully reunified with their families.
Looking to learn more about amateur radio? NACCHO will once again be highlighting ham radio at the Preparedness Summit. Attendees will have opportunities to learn about amateur radio, operate amateur radios during hands-on sessions and take the amateur radio license examination. Additional information will be posted on the Preparedness Summit website in the near future.