The Importance of Amateur Radio

We've come to rely on commercial telephone companies and, most of the time, our ability to communicate isn't hindered. But when a catastrophic event occurs that affects an entire community, police and fire communications may also go down. A community-wide communication failure may result in loss of life because calls to rescuers are not possible. Fortunately, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods and terrorist attacks like 9/11 are not common but, when such events happen and all other communication modes fail, there is one communication mode that always works . . . amateur radio.

Why does amateur radio work when commercial and government systems don't?

Amateur radio systems do not rely on commercial communications systems. Each amateur has their radio, antenna and power supply and is able to communicate with other amateurs within seconds of a community-wide communications failure.

How do I join the Bloomington Communcations Group?

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator and are interested in joining the Bloomington Communications Group, please complete the form on the contact page; include your call sign in the comment field. All BCG members undergo a background check by the Bloomington Police Department.

Community Emergencies

History of Civil Defense

The Bloomington Communications Group has its origins in the Nation's Civil Defense efforts. In Bloomington, those activities began in earnest in 1961 when the City of Bloomington appointed its first full-time Civil Defense Director.

The City of Bloomington began recruiting men and women volunteers for the Civil Defense police and fire auxiliary. These Civil Defense activities fostered the development of groups such as the Bloomington Rescue Squad, the Bloomington Police Reserves and the Bloomington Emergency Communications Group.

Changing Roles

Many of the priorities and hazards of the 1960s have changed. The missions and roles of these Civil Defense organizations have changed as well. The changing role of the Bloomington Communications Group (BCG) now includes the following services.

Skywarn. The Bloomington Communications Group operates a Skywarn Center from within the Bloomington Police Department. During severe weather, Skywarn Spotters from across the metropolitan area report weather observations to the Bloomington Skywarn Center via amateur radio. These duties are shared with other organizations in the metro area. Reports are relayed to the U.S. Weather Bureau in Chanhassen. Eye-witness observations provide accurate details of weather phenomena that cannot be seen with radar or other monitoring devices.

Commmunity Disaster Assistance. Members of the BCG are involved in the Association of Emergency Radio Operators (AERO) which provides emergency assistance to organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other disaster relief organizations.

How will the Bloomington Communications Group provide emergency public safety communications?

When there is a community emergency where telephone communciations fail, members of the BCG will be stationed at each Bloomington Fire Station to provide information and to communicate calls for assistance using amateur radio. BCG members may also be driving through neighborhoods. All member's vehicles are marked with a Bloomington Emergency Management sign and members carry a Police-issued photo ID card for your safety.

Whether the emergency is weather related or some other event that affects a large portion of the community, such as an act of terrorism, the BCG is ready to assist government officials and law enforcement with emergency communications using personally-owned amateur radio equipment.