Preparing for the worst and hoping it never happens \u2014 that’s the order of the day for Michael Schlenker, who is perched atop San Vicente Mountain Park on a Saturday morning. He is a volunteer with the Los Angeles Fire Department Auxiliary Communications Service, which is comprised of more than 100 amateur ham radio operators spread across four bureaus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When all else fails during a disaster, they jump into action.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Cell phone towers will go down, the power will go out and your cell phones will be rendered obsolete for communication,” Schlenker said. “If you have a ham radio, you’re able to reach out to those in your neighborhood or community.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is exactly why the group is so valuable to the LAFD for backup communications. On this day, he led a three-hour drill across the Southland, relaying fire and medical calls, just as they would during a disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Schlenker got his operator’s license seven years ago, but his passion for radio goes way back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“My grandfather had a police and fire scanner and so as a kid, we’d sit and listen and listen to all the calls that go out. It was just fascinating to hear that,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more – Spectrum News 1: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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