Amador County – Amador County and state officials honored George Cusak for 7 ½ years of volunteer service in establishing the Amador Auxiliary Communications Service Plan.

Sheriff Martin Ryan offered “personal thanks” to George for his work in the area of emergency service, and for his work in establishing and training volunteers for disaster communications, for helping in responses.

Bill Pennington, assistant chief of communications at the California Emergency Management Agency, said “Amador County’s Auxiliary Communications Service plan is on our website as an example.” He wished Cusak the best.

Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said “thank you very much for what you have done.” Supervisor Brian Oneto, agreed, saying that communications are very critical in emergencies.

The Amador County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution honoring Cusak. It said Amador ACS is made up of volunteer Disaster Service Workers who work with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office “to provide auxiliary communications support and services to Amador County government agencies,” in the event of disaster or communications emergency.

The resolution said Cusak was ACS Officer for 7 ½ years, and provided “volunteer amateur radio operators skilled in radio emergency communications, operations of conventional land-mobile radio, phone and the Road Runner Portable Advisory system.” He also coordinated communication tests with and between Sutter Amador Hospital, Amador Unified School District, American Red Cross, shelters and the County Emergency Operations Center.

Plasse, in reading the presentation Resolution, said “George was instrumental in establishing the first Auxiliary Communications Service Plan for Amador County which is used as a model plan by the Cal-EMA for other jurisdictions to emulate and has represented amateur radio interests at state level meetings.” Cusak also established a fully equipped government communications trailer, and has coordinated monthly ham radio-to-radio tests with surrounding counties.

Plasse, reading the resolution, said Cusak’s “contributions have been invaluable to the county in disaster preparedness operations and he exemplifies the spirit and expertise volunteers can bring to Amador County.”

Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.