Flint, Michigan, is not the only community with water problems due to high lead content. During the week of January 18, some 8100 water customers in Sebring, Ohio, were notified that they, too, had problems with high lead content in their drinking water. On January 22, both Ohio and Mahoning County emergency management agencies began passing out bottled water in Sebring. Mahoning County ARES Emergency Coordinator Wes Boyd, W8IZC, activated ARES to assist.

“Response on the workday was low, but a handful of ARES volunteers were able to respond,” said Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL.

Boyd said, “EMA and Red Cross were overjoyed that radio operators came to work not needing a radio.”

ARES volunteers joined others in moving and distributing pallets of bottled water, and another call went for weekend duty. ARES members from neighboring counties volunteered. All told, the volunteers moved more than 166 pallets of water in 6 days.

“This is a perfect example of being ready to serve in whatever capacity we can, in order to help our communities. Sometimes it doesn’t involve only operating a radio,” Broadway said.