The Coryell Joint Communication Group, founded in February 2016, is a core of volunteers that have come together to assist the Coryell County Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). The membership comes from a pool of non-salaried volunteers and are a part of a team of public servants that represent Coryell County, Emergency Services and the Amateur Radio Community. Trained licensed amateur radio volunteers assist inside the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or their stations may operate anywhere throughout the county to link with other radio operators to enhance the flow of information in the event that normal means of communications are degraded or inoperable. Other, non-amateur radio operator volunteers are welcomed to join the group, at the discretion of the EMC, to perform duties where needed. The Group has approved access to a number of amateur radio repeaters located in Gatesville Gatesville (VHF 145,170 MHz (-) PL 162.20) Copperas Cove (VHF 145.230 Mhz and UHF 443.325 Mhz), Nix (VHF 147.060) and many others throughout the Central Texas area. Most ham radio operators interested in emergency service have “Go-Box” Kits that can be taken to a “deployed location” to provide on scene portable communications. Because the Group members are working directly with Emergency Management, the Fire Service, Public Safety and other agencies, they are required to complete a few Incident Command System training courses available for free on-line through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute. Members are also required to participate in drills or exercises to enhance their skills, practice good radio etiquette and train working as a team. ~ Budd WB4J