A request from Todd Boss, W8YHF:
We are looking for volunteers to help out with medical communications for the 2026 Tulip Time parades. This is perhaps our best opportunity each year to represent amateur radio within our community, and we are providing a critical service to local residents and visitors. It’s also a great time!
ALL members of these organizations are eligible to participate:
- Ottawa County Emergency Communications (OCEC)
- Holland Amateur Radio Club (HARC)
- North Ottawa Amateur Radio Club (NOARC)
Radio operators are paired up with one or more medical personnel and assigned a section of the parade route. Once on station, we patrol and look for participants or spectators that are in need of medical assistance. When we encounter a medical need, we relay information regarding the patient’s condition and location to Net Control. Our Net Control operators work alongside public safety and emergency medical dispatchers, and ensure that help arrives as soon as possible.
This year’s parades are on Thursday, May 7th and Saturday, May 9th. We usually meet around noon and are finished by a bit after 4pm on both days.
If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please email me at bossman.mi@gmail.com and let me know which parade(s) you’re available to help. Mike K8NWN will also be taking signups via Ottawa County VolunteerHub once it’s posted there (which should be soon).
Thanks and 73, Todd Boss W8YHF