The Will County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with amateur radio operators from Plainfield, Bolingbrook and Joliet, established the Will County Amateur Radio Emergency Service^® in June, 2002 to provide auxillary communication in the event of an emergency in the County of Will, Illinois. At that time Rob Sobkoviak, K9NYO (then N9AJA), Will County Emergency Coordinator for Illinois ARES^®, was named RACES Officer of the Will County EMA. In February, 2005, Tim Smith, N9UEB, took over as Emergency Coordinator for Will County.

WCARES is a part of the structure of the American Radio Relay League's emergency communications organization called the Amateur Radio Emergency Service^®. Individual ARES^® units are located in communities in Will County and led by Assistant Emergency Coordinators.

WCARES provides communication at several area events in training for emergencies. In addition, on-air training nets are held and members are trained in emergency communication and weather-spotting. WCARES is an integral part of the SKYWARN weather spotting program of the National Weather Service. In October, 2002, Illinois Section leadership of the American Radio Relay League recommended that WCARES offer primary assistance to the National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office at the NOAA office at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. During severe weather events in Northern Illinois, this station is manned by ham operators from Will County, though the station is not operated by WCARES.

Will County ARES^® Staff:

• Emergency Coordinator: Tim Smith, N9UEB
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator (Will County): George Mosho, KB9YYW
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator (Plainfield): Roger Bonuchi, AC9Y
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator (Bolingbrook): Toni Hamilton, WX9WRN
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator (Joliet): Art Vidmar, N9AOP
• Assistant Emergency Coordinator (Lockport): Phil Rittenhouse, NW9V

For more information, contact Tim Smith, N9UEB at n9ueb@arrl.net.