The Neighborhood Radio Watch

Alan Thompson, the Public Information Officer of the Neighborhood Radio Watch, stands in front the NRW’s tent at a weekly farmer’s market in Garden Valley, CA.

Informational tent at the weekly farmer’s market in Garden Valley, CA. Alan Thompson, the Public Information Officer, discusses the Neighborhood Radio Watch to interested locals and others who have traveled to learn more. Often times other Radio Watch members will attend these gatherings to talk with one another and potential radio watch members.

Steve Gregorich talks with volunteer, JR Harmon (not pictured.) Steve is responsible for acquiring, refurbishing and programming radios, which are then sold to new members of The Neighborhood Radio Watch at his cost.

Steve Gregorich talks with volunteers and Radio Watch members, JR Harmon and Gary Boal as they help to program newly refurbished radios.

Pictured left to right, Joe Pistillo, Steve Gregorich, Gary Boal, JR Harmon, and Jeremy Dean work though the final steps of radio programming in Steve Gregorich’s project room at his residence.

JR Harmon takes a moment to pose for a portrait while labeling a new batch of refurbished radios.

Gary Boal with his radio programming equipment.

Smoke from the Caldor Fire on the morning of August 22nd in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch members Colton Meyer and Steve Gregorich discuss the Caldor fire.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Colton Meyer looks out at the Caldor Fire from Placerville, CA. He is currently evacuated from his home in Somerset, CA, where the fire is 1/4 of a mile from his house.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Colton Meyer looks out at the Caldor Fire from Placerville, CA. He is currently evacuated from his home in Somerset, CA, where the fire is 1/4 of a mile from his house.

Detail of Patti’s property in Garden Valley, CA.

The Neighborhood Radio Watch relies upon “Falcons”, who are individuals with expansive vantage points in areas of the NRW. These individuals are valuable in helping to identify and confirm information regarding fires, natural disasters and other issues that might impact the community. Patti Boyer (pictured here), is one the NRW’s Falcons, and is an avid tennis player who at 80, plays each morning.

Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Patti Boyer, on her property in Garden Valley, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Patti Boyer, on her property in Garden Valley, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Patti Boyer, on her property in Garden Valley, CA.

Detail of Patti Boyer’s radio.

The Caldor Fire seen from Steve Gregorich’s property in Placerville, CA. Monday, August 24.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member, Irene Lile.

Smoke from the Caldor Fire on the morning of August 22nd in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch President, Bob Hess, enters a shed atop Mt. Aukum, CA, which houses a repeater.

Neighborhood Radio Watch President, Bob Hess, stands outside of a metal shed housing a repeater, which he personally installed. Bob worked for CBS for 29 years helping to engineer and install antenna and other equipment.

Neighborhood Radio Watch President, Bob Hess.

Neighborhood Radio Watch President, Bob Hess, stands outside of a metal shed housing a repeater, which he personally installed. Bob worked for CBS for 29 years helping to engineer and install antenna and other equipment.

Manzanita trees grow abundantly throughout the area of the Neighborhood Radio Watch. While they are beautiful, they are also extremely flammable, and can burn at high temperatures for long periods of time. These particular trees are growing on the property of NRW member Mary Dakers.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Mary Dakers and her radio.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Mary Dakers enters a shed on her property housing a repeater in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Mary Dakers on her property with the Caldor Fire looming in the background.

Detail of Larry Mancuso’s property in Coloma, CA.

Retired Air Force pilot and Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Larry Mancuso looks out over his property in Coloma, CA.

Retired Air Force pilot and Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Larry Mancuso looks out over his property in Coloma, CA.

Retired Air Force pilot and Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Larry Mancuso looks out over his property in Coloma, CA.

Retired Air Force pilot and Neighborhood Radio Watch Falcon, Larry Mancuso looks out over his property in Coloma, CA.

Pictured left to right: Neighborhood Radio Watch President Bob Hess, Steve Gregorich and Larry Mancuso discuss the recent Caldor Fire.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Tim Jonson at his property, Walker Vineyards in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Tim Jonson at his property, Walker Vineyards in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member Tim Jonson at his property, Walker Vineyards in Placerville, CA.

Smoke from the Caldor Fire on the morning of August 22nd in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member JR Harmon conducts the Weekly Radio Net meeting, which is designed to have local members check-in, share information, and ensure understanding. Since JR had to evacuate his home, he is conducting the meeting from his pick-up in Steve Gregorich’s driveway in Placerville, CA.

Neighborhood Radio Watch member, Cliff Olmstead, picks up a radio for a new member at Steve Gregorich’s residence in Placerville, CA.

Steve Gregorich watches the Caldor Fire from his home in Placerville, CA.

The Caldor Fire pictured on the evening of Sunday, August 22nd. That is the moon, not the sun…

Handing off a refurbished radio for a new Neighborhood Radio Watch member.