Fort Bend County
Office of Emergency Management

One of the most valuable resources to Fort Bend County Emergency Management is the assistance from Amateur Radio operators. The Fort Bend County Emergency Management Radio Operator's Group (EMROG) facilitates amateur radio communications in the County and the region during emergency situations and exercises. EMROG also transmitts Skywarn storm reports to the National Weather Service during times of threatening weather. 

Basic Information:

• Contacting the group: The group's intake email is FBCEMROG@gmail.com  Email is checked several time a week, but not daily.
• Minimum Requirements: As an absolute minimum, EMROG radio operators MUST possess a valid US Amateur Radio License, be a citizen of the United States, and complete the NIMS IS-100 AND IS-700 courses. NIMS training is free, on-line, self-paced course set given by FEMA. Users self-register by clicking here. A minimum participation level is required to maintain membership.
• Additional Training: EMROG operators serve in a variety of locations. Because of our unique position, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that members also complete NIMS IS-200, IS-300, IS-400, and IS-800. The  300 and 400 courses are not web based. While it is not a requirement, it is also strongly recommended that members also complete the CST (Citizens Support Team) and Skywarn training. The CST training is specific to Fort Bend County and Emergency Services. It offers a wealth of unique emergency management and county information. Skywarn training is given free by the national weather service. More information about CST is found under the "Volunteers > CST" Tab at the top of this page. More information about Skywarn training is found under "Events > Training  Opportunities" Tabs at the top of this page. A Skywarn description is found below on this page.  If you have additional questions, please the Ft. Bend County RACES Radio Officer at the email address above.
• Mission Statement, Primary: EMROG provides Amateur Radio communications to our served agencies when all other electronic mechanisms fail. Our primary served agency is the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management. We also serve several hospitals and municipalities in Fort Bend County. Amateur Radio communications can be internal to Fort Bend County or between the Fort Bend, another county, or the State of Texas.
• Mission Statement, Secondary: EMROG provides Amateur Radio communication among EMROG Skywarn storm spotters, the National Weather Service in League City, the Fort Bend Office of Emergency Management, or by telephone relay the Fort Bend Sheriff’s Department.
• Repeaters: Fort Bend Office of Emergency Managements sponsors three repeaters for emergency service use.
  • 2 Meter Vocal:   145.490MHz, PL203.5Hz,  Negative Offset
  • 2 Meter Digital: 145.050MHz (KD5HAL-5 and KD5HAL-10)
  • 70cm Vocal:      444.525MHZ, PL=None, Positive Offset

Schedule Activities:

• Races and EMROG Training Nets: Each Monday Night (except Third) at 7:30 PM: 145.490 MHz, negative offset, PL 203.5 Hz.
• EMROG (eye-ball) meeting at EOC (no net): Third Monday of each month: 7:30 PM at the Fort Bend Office of Emergency Management; 307 Fort Street, Richmond, TX. Talk in on 145.49 repeater (repeater information above).
• EMROG Work Days: These are used to maintain and improve Amateur Radio Communication infrastructure. They are usually scheduled for the first Saturday following the "eye-ball" meeting on the Third-Monday. Currently envisioned work days are listed below. Breakfast is usually provided for those who notify in advance that they intend to attend.
  • Saturday: March 20, 2010 at 8:00AM (TBD)
  • Saturday: April 17, 2010 -CANCELLED- Conflict with MS150 Bike Ride

Net Operations:

The following is a list of net control operators for the near future. A list of EMROG members is available in the member protected area.

About Skywarn:

In Fort Bend County, Skywarn is a volunteer partnership among the National Weather Service (NWS), Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the community. It is a group of trained volunteers that watch the skies during severe weather and relay reports back to the OEM and/or the NWS. EMROG members often take Skywarn training. They operate radio nets to communicate weather events as they happen in real time. These volunteers provide valuable information to the NWS to improve the warning program which could save lives and prevent property damage in your community. 

Skywarn training is available to EVERYONE in the community who is interested in learning more about spotting severe weather. Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management hosts Skywarn Training each Spring. More information about Skywarn training is found under "Events > Training Opportunities" Tabs at the top of this page. Additional Skywarn information can also be found at the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service site.

New Items:

For EMROG members, new net roster on member page; a pdf file with membership sorted 3 ways. Sign in and check it out.

Useful Web Information Links:

• EMROG Members Pier Access:
  (URL to EMROG Member sign in.)
• Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: 
  (Satellite view of Atlantic Ocean and Eastern US with overlay of tropical storm info.)
• National SKYWARN Home Page:
  (NOAA site about Skywarn, near real time weather maps, radar, and watch/advisory maps)
• City of Sugar Land: Interactive Rainfall Map: 
  (Sugar Land Map showing rain gauges with accumulation data)
• Harris County Rain Gauge System:
  (Harris County  showing rain gauges with accumulation data)
• USGS Texas Stream Flow Data by County:
  (Real-Time Data, Texas Stream-flow; graphical history)
• USGS Texas Stream Flow Data by River:
  (Real-Time Data, Texas Stream-flow; graphical history)
• Texas Parks & Wildlife River Flow Gauges, Brazos River:
  (Map of Brazos River Watershed showing river gauge data)
• RMS Station Up Times (South Texas):
  (Digital Amateur Radio RMS Server up time data, S Texas area)
• Houston Area Amateur License Training:
  (Amateur Radio License Training opportunity from the Echo Society)

Recent News Item Links:

• NHC to Provide Greater Lead Time for Watches, Warnings:
• NWS Makes Reporting Hazardous Weather Easier: