IRVINE, Calif.—The City of Irvine declared the week of June 20 to 26 as “Amateur Radio Week,” to honor the city’s reported 800 amateur radio operators—or hams—who maintain lines of communication during an emergency.
“We are truly grateful for your service,” Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan said at the June 14 city council meeting.
The city council also dedicated the week to the Irvine Police Department and a special team of hams, called the Irvine Disaster Emergency Communications team, designated to work with authorities during a disaster.
As part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, the city’s ham team is made up of 60 volunteers—trained and experienced ham radio operators—who work under the direction of Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel….