Will County ARES History
The Will County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with amateur radio operators from Plainfield, Bolingbrook and Joliet, established the Will County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (WCARES) in June, 2002 to provide auxiliary
communication in the event of an emergency in Will County, Illinois. At that time Rob Sobkoviak, K9NYO (ex. N9AJA), Emergency Coordinator for WCARES, was also named RACES Officer of the Will County EMA.
In October, 2002, Illinois Section leadership recommended that WCARES offer primary assistance to the National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office at the NOAA office at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. During severe weather events in Northern
Illinois, this station is still manned by ham operators from Will County,
although the station is not operated directly by WCARES.
In February, 2005, Tim Smith, N9UEB, became the new Emergency Coordinator for Will County so that K9NYO could concentrate on duties as the Northeast District Emergency
Coordinator (DEC). Eventually, increasing work commitments caused Tim to request
to be replaced.
On September 8, 2008, Dale Marzano, N9JH was appointed Emergency Coordinator.
2018 Debby Gray WX9VOR took over the DEC position for District 3.
communication in the event of an emergency in Will County, Illinois. At that time Rob Sobkoviak, K9NYO (ex. N9AJA), Emergency Coordinator for WCARES, was also named RACES Officer of the Will County EMA.
In October, 2002, Illinois Section leadership recommended that WCARES offer primary assistance to the National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office at the NOAA office at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. During severe weather events in Northern
Illinois, this station is still manned by ham operators from Will County,
although the station is not operated directly by WCARES.
In February, 2005, Tim Smith, N9UEB, became the new Emergency Coordinator for Will County so that K9NYO could concentrate on duties as the Northeast District Emergency
Coordinator (DEC). Eventually, increasing work commitments caused Tim to request
to be replaced.
On September 8, 2008, Dale Marzano, N9JH was appointed Emergency Coordinator.
2018 Debby Gray WX9VOR took over the DEC position for District 3.
OCT,2016- Jerry Watts,K9LOT, Emergency Coordinator for Will County.
April,2021 Mike Blocker,KD9MDO, Emergency Coordinator for Will County ARES
April,2021 Mike Blocker,KD9MDO, Emergency Coordinator for Will County ARES
