In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, many families and friends are understandably concerned about the well-being of their loved ones in Jamaica. Communication infrastructure may be compromised, making traditional phone or internet contact difficult. To bridge this gap and offer peace of mind, Marion Baptist Association Disaster Relief has partnered with the Marion County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) to facilitate wellness checks via radiograms.

Operational Stress First Aid (OSFA) is a practical, evidence-informed approach designed to offer immediate support to those experiencing stress in high-pressure environments. Originally developed for military personnel, OSFA emphasizes recognizing early signs of stress, providing basic Spiritual and psychological first aid, and fostering resilience before issues escalate into more serious mental health problems.

Amateur radio operators in North Central Florida are on the air and talking about disaster relief ministry every Tuesday at 9 p.m. KA4WJA repeater on 146.970 MHz.

FRS radios are low-power, short-range devices that don’t require a license to operate, making them ideal for neighborhood-level communication. GMRS radios, in contrast, allow for higher transmission power and longer range but require a license. Both services use channels in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum and share interoperable capabilities, enabling neighbors to communicate efficiently when phone or internet services are down.

P.S.A. Communication Plan

• Primary (Phone) - VOIP, Email, Text

• Secondary (Satellite) Starlink voice, data, and text

• Auxiliary (Amateur Radio)

  Each member church is encouraged to develop a multi-layered communication strategy to better serve their members and their communities during disasters and emergency situations.