SPARC - Public Service / Emergency Communication

The driving principle behind SPARC is Public Service and Emergency Communications. The members of the South Plainfield Amateur Radio Club get involved, through South Plainfield CERT, RACES and ARES with the Office of Emergency Management, in providing communications and support services at many events.

South Plainfield Labor Day Parade

SPARC CERT members provide communications between South Plainfield's Public Celebrations Committee and the Office of Emergency Management.
SPARC members also keep the announcer at the Reviewing Stand informed of any last minute line-up changes in the oldest Labor Day Parade in New Jersey.

Holy Savior Academy 5K Run


Each June, Holy Savior Academy sponsors a 5K race and Family Fun Walk. SPARC CERT members work with the South Plainfield Police Department to guard entrances to blocked off streets and are placed at strategic locations to keep the organizers informed of the progress of the event, as well as to keep an eye out for any particpants who might become injured.

Greater Middlesex County Conference Track Meets


Unitl 2016, the South Plainfield Athletic Association hosted the annual track meets for both the Greater Middlesex County Conference and the NJ State Conference.
SPARC CERT members were tasked by the South Plainfield Police Department to assist in Crowd Control and to assist track meet attendees with parking instructions. 

Natural Disasters


Even before the South Plainfield Amateur Radio was officially launched, its CERT, RACES and ARES members were serving the community. During Hurricane Irene, future SPARC
members were assisting South Plainfield by keeping the lines of communication between the town and Middlesex County open and backed up.
Prior to Hurricane Sandy, future SPARC members manned the shovels and filled sand bags that were distributed by the town to any resident who required them.
When South Plainfield needs them, SPARC members are there, ready and willing to assist as needed.

Training


SPARC members are always taking advantage of training, whether it be auxiliary CERT classes offered by Middlesex County or by South Plainfield. In addition, in October of 2015, several SPARC
members attended a class offered by the Department of Homeland Security and the New Jersey State Police and became certified AUXCOMM Volunteers.
In an effort to always be prepared, SPARC also participates each year in the annual SET, or Simulated Emergency Test, sponsored by the ARRL, conducted in union with
the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey State Police.

National Night Out

SPARC also participates in National Night Out every August. We demonstrate Amateur Radio and hand out brochures and pamphlets about the hobby and also about Emergency Preparedness.