Almost two weeks ago, Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham “stopped by” our ARES coffee session at the local coffee shop. This was unusual enough, but he asked if our ARES team could make time to be at the Centralia City Council meeting just a few days away. This was the police department’s scheduled awards ceremony for officers and Chief Denham said he just wanted to introduce our team before the council so they would have a chance to see “their” volunteers in person.
On Tuesday, June 28th, our team arrived at the meeting looking sharp and ready to shine. I was a little surprised when Chief Denham called me up before the council, but I figured he just wanted me to introduce the team. Nope! Before the entire council and everyone in the audience and before all our ARES team members, Chief Denham presented me with the Centralia Police Department Volunteer of the Year award. First, I would like to say thank you to Chief Denham. Second, I would like to say I hate being embarrassed. Third, I hate being surprised. I was also a little surprised that some, if not all of our ARES team were in on the plan.
While I stumbled through the ceremony and accepted the congratulations from our team members (not all who have been forgiven yet) I had time to think about this award. I know Chief Denham is proud of our Amateur Radio Emergency Service team and appreciates what we do, and as the Emergency Coordinator, I can see, perhaps, why I alone received the award. Still, this award is not about one person, EC or not. It is all about an entire team of volunteers that unselfishly serve our police department, Riverside Fire Authority and our community. No one individual gets paid. We all train together month after month to be ready when disaster strikes and when the call comes, we all say goodbye to our loved ones and respond. That’s what the Amateur Radio Emergency Service is all about. That’s what volunteers do! Most of our community doesn’t even know we exist. Yes, they see our yellow vests and communication vans at events and parades throughout the year, but very few know what we do and why.
October will begin our 15th year as an ARES team, created in the aftermath of a devastating 100-year flood. In nearly every one of those years our volunteers have given over 4,000 hours of service to the community annually. I am VERY proud of the men and women in our ARES team and I am proud to serve as a volunteer alongside them. I am grateful for this award but I am even more grateful for the volunteers I work alongside. They are all heroes to me. Thanks for all you do… every day. Bob Willey, Centralia ARES Emergency Coordinator
