Ohio multi-county 911 outage

ARES volunteers in northeast Ohio were activated after the loss of 911 and other telephone service in six counties. A major AT&T center in Akron lost power and batteries causing the outage. The outage is being blamed on a burst steam pipe. Cell and MARCS radio systems were still functional. At 2200 Local time January 13, 2015, Medina County EMA activated the ARES and requested communications with surrounding counties and the Ohio EOC in Columbus as a backup. At the same time, EMA Directors in Stark, Summit, Portage, Mahoning and Columbiana counties were alerting their ARES units. The Ohio SEC requested activation of RACES station W8SGT at the OHEOC, and the station was soon on the air. Communication was established on 75 meters with several of the county EC’s. The OHEOC also was able to make contact on the Stark County two meter repeater, a distance of 135 miles.

Tactical communication was conducted reporting the status of systems and repairs as confirmation to what was reported via the MARCS radio system. The amateur radio station was active for four hours, and activity was terminated with repairs to the 911 systems. OHEOC staff were extremely cordial as we coordinated with them, and the various county EMA directors were quick to activate amateur radio to their communications during the event. 

The initial callout sounded very much like the Ohio SET last October, which theorized a statewide communication breakdown. As one would expect, these thing happen at unfortunate times. One EMA director was away on a honeymoon. The Stark County EOC had no antennas in place- their roof was being replaced. This morning a large generator was running outside that office, with advisories that there still could be some minor outages to phone or Internet service. 

My thanks to all who were involved! Our response was quick and professional, and was a great opportunity to show the value of amateur radio.



Stan Broadway, N8BHL
Section Emergency Coordinator – Ohio