District 5 Meeting

The ARES District 05 meeting, held on Aug. 30th at the Brazos Community Emergency Operations Center, was an energizing and inspiring gathering of dedicated volunteers and leaders from across our region. With participation from Brazos, Grimes, and Robertson Counties, as well as guidance from the South Texas Section, the event offered a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to Jason Ware, Brazos County Emergency Management Coordinator, for opening the facility to us. Jason has been a consistent and generous supporter of our work, and his hospitality and encouragement mean the world to our organization.

The meeting covered a wide range of topics—from operational priorities and training initiatives to updated tools and resources now available through the South Texas ARES portal. Our conversation also touched on the value of cross-band repeat capability, expanded GMRS usage, and support for Technician-level operators. There’s a renewed sense of momentum behind embracing digital tools like Winlink and exploring new Vara FM locations, all aimed at strengthening local communication resilience.

We were also joined by Jeff Walter, South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator, who shared valuable updates and helped reinforce how local ARES efforts tie directly into the broader statewide mission of service and coordination. His perspective was a great reminder that what we do at the county level has real impact far beyond our own communities.

Each county shared its unique progress, challenges, and ideas for the future. From training and trailer upgrades to fundraising and public outreach, it’s clear that every group is working hard to support its served agencies and communities. The spirit of collaboration was strong, and there was enthusiastic support for future joint training events, tabletop exercises, and shared learning opportunities.

Throughout the day, one theme stood out clearly: we’re growing, we’re learning, and we’re committed. Everyone in that room brought something valuable to the table, and the energy was contagious. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this gathering meaningful. The work we do matters, and meetings like this help us stay connected, prepared, and inspired.

Contributors:
Mike Wisby (District 5 Emergency Coordinator) and Ron Estes (President, N5BRZ Cares)