Full Breakdown
Escambia County Hosts 2026 ARRL Field Day to Test Emergency Radio Readiness
6/28/2026, 1:03:53 PM
2026 Field Day at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center
On Saturday, June 17, 2026, the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 6575 North W Street launched the American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day. The 24-hour broadcast began at 1 p.m., ran through 1 p.m. Sunday, and was powered solely by generators and battery backup to simulate a grid loss. Approximately 3,000 local operators joined the nationwide effort, which involved about 31,000 amateur stations across North America. Inside the EOC, three stations were set up—a high-frequency long-distance rig, a local voice station, and a digital station capable of email and secure data transmission.
Background: Ham Radio’s Disaster Role in Escambia County
Field Day, the continent’s largest amateur-radio exercise, is timed after the start of hurricane season to showcase emergency communications. In Escambia County, the need for reliable backup grew after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when ham operators were reportedly the only link for residents. President of the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association, Paul Stefon (K7PCS), first sought a license after being unable to contact anyone during that storm. The event also drew Escambia County Emergency Management, the county’s ARES team, the BRACE coalition, and Escambia Search and Rescue, illustrating a multi-agency approach to disaster readiness.
Official Statements & Responses
Escambia County’s Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation on June 17 recognizing the “vital public service” of local ham operators. County Emergency Management officials noted that the ARES room inside the EOC provides a “bridge during a disaster to the outside world.” The ARRL’s Field Day guidelines framed the simulated emergency.
On-the-Ground Demonstrations
Operators exchanged voice, digital, and packet-radio contacts locally, nationally, and internationally. The digital station transmitted mock medical prescriptions and email messages, showing how ham radio can supplement conventional networks when power, cellular, or internet service fails.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When the grid goes down we're kind of the last go-to for communications,” — Paul Stefon, President, Five Flags Amateur Radio Association
- “After Ivan, I couldn’t talk to anybody, and that scared me to death,” — Paul Stefon, K7PCS
- “It's amazing doing a hobby with the wife," Hummel said.” — Mark Hummel, Amateur Radio Operator
- “The entire event was operated only on generator and backup power to simulate an actual emergency.” — Event Organizer, Escambia County EOC
What’s Next: Training and Outreach
Five Flags will begin FCC-license courses at Pensacola State College on September 14, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through November 19. The $20 fee aims to expand the pool of licensed operators before the next hurricane season. County officials plan to keep the EOC’s ARES room active for future drills and public open houses.
