Building Community Resilience Through Emergency Preparedness

It’s easy to imagine a scenario in which traditional lines of communication are down — particularly in Northern California, where the risk of a major earthquake looms quietly in the background. When disasters strike, reliable communication can make a critical difference.

That message came to life during a Winter Field Day event in January, where Sutter Delta Medical Center team members joined local amateur radio operators and students for a full-scale emergency preparedness event.

Winter Field Day is a national — and worldwide — emergency communications exercise designed to test readiness when traditional infrastructure is unavailable. This year, the East Contra Costa County station was located at Heritage High School in Brentwood, operating throughout the day on Jan. 24.

The event brought together 10 licensed amateur radio operators and five Heritage High School students, who participated from dawn to dusk alongside their advisor, Spencer Holmes. Sponsored by the Sutter Delta Medical Center’s Emergency Department, the exercise simulated real‑world disaster conditions by operating entirely off the grid.

Operating out of tents, the group worked together to set up multiple radio stations and antennas — including a 10‑meter/20‑meter band antenna rising more than 20 feet high — while powering all computers and radios using batteries and a generator. The setup process itself became an important learning experience, as students and operators focused on building stations that were both efficient and safe.

Holmes said working alongside students throughout the day was especially rewarding. One student, who is currently studying to earn his amateur radio license, made his very first on‑air contact using the club’s call sign — successfully reaching a station in North Dakota.

“It’s always a joy to see young radio operators become more comfortable with being on the air,” Holmes said. “Winter Field Day is a great opportunity to practice and make sure equipment is complete and in good working order as part of emergency preparedness.”

Throughout the event, students and operators successfully transmitted signals across thousands of miles. Additional connections reached stations in Hawaii, Alaska and Michigan, demonstrating the global reach and reliability of amateur radio when other systems may be unavailable. Within California, they reached stations around the Bay Area as well as north to Humboldt County, south to Santa Barbara County, and east to the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Among the Sutter Delta participants was Dr. William Francis, an Emergency Medicine physician at Sutter Delta Medical Center and a licensed amateur radio operator. Dr. Francis supports the hospital’s Emergency Management program by helping test HAM radio capabilities and participating in annual community‑based emergency communication exercises.

“Providing high school students with hands‑on radio communication science education and emergency communications experience is a tremendous benefit to the community,” Dr. Francis said. “It also gives students exposure to skills that can lead to FCC licensing and lifelong service.”

Community engagement was central to the event. A steady stream of community members stopped by throughout the day, guided by a Heritage High School student who explained the setup, equipment and purpose of Winter Field Day. Jerome Bruner, patient outreach specialist, attended on behalf of Sutter Delta, offering encouragement and sharing messages about service and preparedness with participating students.

For Janet Gutierrez, Sutter Delta Medical Center’s emergency management coordinator, the event reflects the broader role Sutter Health plays beyond the hospital’s walls.

“Events like Winter Field Day demonstrate the critical role amateur radio plays in emergency preparedness when traditional communications may fail,” Gutierrez said. “Supporting student volunteers builds practical skills and service experience while strengthening the region’s readiness for future emergencies.”

The Winter Field Day event aligns closely with Sutter Health’s Community Benefit mission, which focuses on improving community health, advancing education and strengthening local capacity to respond to emergencies. By supporting youth education, volunteerism and preparedness, Sutter Delta Medical Center continues to invest in a healthier, more resilient community in Eastern Contra Costa County — today and for the future.

For Trevor Brand, FACHE, CEO of Sutter Delta Medical Center, the day captured the heart of that mission.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Sutter Delta team for showing up for the community in meaningful ways,” Brand said. “At Sutter, Community Benefit isn’t just a buzzword — it’s how we partner with our neighbors, invest in education and preparedness, and help ensure our communities are ready for whatever comes next.”